Out with the old, in with the new.

That's how I'm feeling lately, anyway.  So many big changes for us are happening right now.  As you probably know, we own a business.  Right now, and for the past seven years, that business has operated out of our house.  It started as just using our home computer to do some invoicing and has grown to the point where we require a large office space with three seperate areas and warehouse space.  The large office space is currently residing in the second largest bedroom in my house.  The warehouse space is currently my garage.  My two and a half stall garage that I can barely park in because there are so many work tools and product boxes.  So what's new?  I'm getting my house back.  Yay!  No more maneuvering around boxes to park my car in the garage.  No more pushing boxes around my garage just to get my kid's bikes out.  We well, once again, have a spare bedroom.  Good news houseguests!  You will no longer have to sleep in Lily's room.  You will once again have your own space, and an added bonus- it's going to be upstairs, complete with it's own (well, almost) bathroom! 

So the new space- it's fantastic.  We have two big offices, a little kitchenette area and a bathroom.  Attached to it is a HUGE garage bay.  It is big enough to keep everything for our business and then some.  Right now, we are painting and adding in a few things to meet our needs, but as soon as we are done, I will put some pictures up. 

So what else is new?  My hair!  I decided to go dark for fall.  I walked in and told my stylist I wanted to go dark with some red and this is what I ended up with:

So far, I love it.  I love that it's bold.  I love that people notice I got my hair done. 

We are also getting ready to start another round of FPU.  I'm excited because I will once again be calculating our debt totals and if I'm right, I think we are now under $10,000. 

Pictures of the new office to come!

Always Fabulous,

Contentment.

We recently had to have a good amount of work done on my minivan.  Don't ask me what, because I couldn't tell you if I tried.  All I know is that the steering wheel is no longer shaky and it doesn't want to drift off the road anymore.  It took the repair shop a few days to determine the problem, order the parts and then replace them.  While it was there for three days, I was driving a rental car.  I told Tim upfront that I just wanted some sort of four door car that had three seatbelts in the back.  Just enough to haul my kids around.  As much fun as it sounded, I really didn't want to rent anything really cool because I was afraid that it would make me hate my minivan more than I already do-- I wouldn't want to go back. 

So we get to the rental place and guess what?  They don't have the kind of car I need available, so can they please substitute a Dodge Nitro.  Really?  I thought God was toying with me.  Testing me, maybe.  So we get the Nitro.  You know what?  I didn't like it.  The seats were uncomfortable, it was cramped, and there were too many blind spots.  As I was driving that thing around I thought about what were are doing.  We are sacrificing now so that in the long term, we can leave a lasting legacy for our children.  Not only that, but we are living like no one else now, so later we can LIVE like no one else.  (Did you catch that, my fellow Dave Ramsey fans?) 

It feels really good to set a goal and then actually take steps towards accomplishing it.  It's not easy.  If it were easy, everyone would do it.  It takes strength, determination, sacrifice and persistence.  We are so close to checking this goal off the list, I can taste it. 

Don't get me wrong.  I have found myself more than once cruising the lot at the local Ford dealership, having no idea how I came to be sitting in front of the large SUVs.  I told Tim the other day, "I check out large black SUVs like some women check out men."  So if I'm out driving and my head suddenly turns to look at the car passing me, believe me, I have no idea who is driving the thing, all I could tell you is make, model and options. 

Always Fabulous,

Shake your Peacock Feathers

Loving them!~  Peacock feathers that is.  I've seen them everywhere, but never done as well as this: 

I picked this up from a local artist who uses vintage pieces to create new designs.  They are so hip- amazing statement pieces.  Here is a picture of me wearing the piece- she designed the piece over a standard clip, so it is super easy to manipulate and put in the perfect spot. 

As you probably remember, I also love headbands.  I am fairly particular about size, style and color and I couldn't believe it when I stumbled on her booth at a local craft show.  It was like she was designing for me.  All of her pieces are very mature, eclectic and original.  Here is the headband I picked up, and I have already worn it numerous times.  Everytime I wear it, I get compliments on it.  Another plus is that she uses a metal headband that fits differently from others I have, and it actually doesn't give me a headache.  Love it!

So, check out her blog here: http://adesignandfinds.blogspot.com/  And her etsy shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/adesignandfinds

Always Fabulous,

Winning, duh!

I am feeling optimistic today.  I just paid off one of our debts.  It feels good!!  I feel pumped.  After making the payoff at the bank this afternoon, I promptly came home and whipped out one of my blank copies of DR's debt snowball form.  I filled in our new snowball and was amazed at how much it had shrunk in such a short amount of time.  I pulled out my original form when we first got serious about all of this stuff and compared the two.  On November 8th of 2010, we had eight debts that totaled $34,982.47.  Seven months later, as of today, we have four debts that total $11, 691.00.  Our debt snowball is at $815 a month and we are knocking them out left and right.  If we add no more money, we will be debt free (except our mortgage) in eleven months.  At the rate we have been going, I think it will be sooner than that.  God has been good and we have been able to pay above and beyond our "minimum" debt snowball amount almost every month.  I am still shooting for being debt free by December 31st, 2011.  It's a lofty goal, but God is good and He can do it. 

My Observations of California Fashion

I just got back from a week in northern California.  I was super excited to go because I was visiting family that I hadn't seen in a long time (and some I'd never met!) I was almost as excited about the clothes.  In case you didn't know, fashion trends start on the coasts and filter inward over time.  So by the time Uggs got really popular here- remember that?  Cali girls had been rocking them for a few seasons.  So I was totally psyched to be on the front lines of trendiness.  (Is that a word?)  Keep in mind I was in northern CA, so not really the epicenter of new trends, but a LOT closer than Illinois for sure.  Also, these are just my observations I made in the small amount of time and limited area I covered during that week. 

Floral Prints

Pretty floral patterns were everywhere.  Very subdued, nothing like the early '90s florals that were all-consuming and overpowering.  Here is the example that came home with me: 

Feathers: Everywhere!

If you remember, I recently wrote a post about feather hair extensions.  Well, they have those- and so much more.  Earrings, necklaces, purses, bracelets, shoes.... the list goes on and on.  Peacock feathers are the biggest hit (more on those coming soon!) and get the most play, but I brought home something a little simpler: 

Long dresses and bold patterns

Not always together, though.  Long dresses are everywhere.  And I mean floor length long.  The nice thing about the style is that depending on the cut, they can be flattering on almost any body type.  One other thing I noticed very prevalent was bold patterns.  Think '80s but toned down a little. I brought home a piece that brings both trends together: 

(please ignore the sunburn/tan lines- those are NOT trendy!)

  Toms Shoes

Before going to CA, I had heard of this company but never actually seen the shoes in person.   Toms Shoes Website The company is pretty cool, they have a program called the One for One Movement and for every pair of shoes sold, they will donate a pair to a child in need around the world.  I had mixed feelings about the shoes.  I think they are ugly.  The look like boating shoes.  Which is cool, if your boating.  I got over my fear of looking a little funny and tried some on.  They are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn.  Its like walking on a pillow.  I had to have a pair.  I can get over the odd look of them.  Plus, it's not often that trendy=comfortable so I take advantage when the opportunity arises. Since arriving back in Peoria, I have only seen one other pair of Toms.  Here are mine:  

There were a few other trends I noticed that I didn't bring back from the coast.  For a reason.  One of those was see through, lacy shirts over tube tops or bikini tops.  Since I wear neither, that one didn't apply to me.  Remember ladies, even if it's fashionable, that doesn't make it advisable.  Beach wear is also very popular there.  Similar to the kinds of things we would see in a Pac Sun store, but it's everywhere.  There are tons of beachwear shops.  Lots of loose, flowy tanks (to fit over your bikini top) and itty bitty shorts.  Since there are no beaches where I am from, I passed on those trends.  And also because me and itty bitty shorts are a big NO!!

Always Fabulous,  

New Debt Totals

For those of you who didn't know, we are now a minivan family.  There are a few reasons driving our decision to get rid of the SUV that we (I) loved and drive a minivan.  First, God asked me to do it.  No, He didn't send me a postcard.  There was no magical moment when I heard His voice and He certainly didn't appear to me in a dream.  Those would have been much easier.  For quite a few months I was wrestling with the decision.  God was using situations and people in my life to convict me about my vanity.  My Expedition was a status symbol for me.  It was big, it was cool and I felt like a stud (or whatever the female version of that is) driving it.  I was proud.  I finally gave in and we unloaded the beast.  I'd like to say it was a proud moment and I was brave and strong. I was not.  I cried... almost.  I was fighting back tears as they drove my baby away and pulled up my new minivan.  And if you know me at all, you know that is a big deal. 

Second, we were able to walk away from the deal with absolutely no payments on anything.  We had enough equity in the truck to trade it in and walk away with an older model, used minivan and no debt.  Since our overall goal is debt reduction, it was a great plan.  The only downside is that we know this van won't last us too long so we are putting what used to be our monthly payment in savings each month to buy another used van when we need it.  We are hoping to get about two years out of the one we have now.  Yes, there will be repairs, but we are prepared for that. 

So the big question is, how do I like driving my swaggar wagon?  It's OK.  I don't hate it.  It is nice knowing it's completely paid for.  It has lots of cool features- I told Tim that if I'm going to drive a minivan it's going to have some options so at least I don't feel so desolate.  The kids love the DVD player and I have been enjoying the sunroof.  I do miss my Expedition.  It was big, black and beautiful and bigger than a lot of the other cars on the road.  But I don't miss the payment. 

With that being said---  remember in April our debt total was $24,089.33.  Our debt total as of today, just two months later is $12,615.85.  Most of that is (obviously) the truck.  A little bit of that is progress we have made apart from the truck.  That number isn't so daunting.  We could actually do this, we could be debt free.  It's amazing what a little progress can do for you. 

Always Fabulous,

Show off your personality with ~feathers~

I have always wanted to do something cool and different with my hair, but I've never been brave enough to actually rock a big pink streak in my hair.  I tend to be a little bit on the conservative side when it comes to changes to my look that I can't just change back quickly.  I have no tattoos, and doubt I ever will.  The wildest piercing I've ever gotten is a second hole in each ear. 

So I've been seeing something that I had to check into- feathers in your hair.  Kind of along the same lines as hair extensions, but much less expensive and far less permanent.  Most salons are hopping on the bandwagon and are doing this technique now.  It is painless and takes just a few minutes to do and is relatively inexpensive.  The best part is, if you don't like it, no big deal, it takes about 30 seconds to pop off your hair and doesn't leave behind any damage. 

A stylist will use a hook device (looks like a knitting needle, but much smaller) and place a small silicone-lined bead on a very small chunk of hair.  They will then insert the ends of the feathers into the bead and clamp it shut with a special pair of pliers.  The great thing about the feathers is that you can wash, dry, curl, and straighten them just like you would your regular hair.  Prices vary depending on the area and salon, but you can expect to spend about $10 per feather to have this done.

So if you've always admired the women who can pull of the super trendy hairstyles and wished you had the guts to try it, now is your time!  Here is what mine looks like: