Question 4 U

Tomorrow just happens to be my 2 year blogiversary. This blog is all about what floats my boat. I'm very aware that what I would buy isn't necessarily what everyone else would buy. I want you to know that I don't buy a lot of the stuff that I post, however if I was sitting a little prettier, I probably would. I also want you to know that I do not surf the internet looking for things to post. I post what makes me happy that day. If nothing makes me happy, no post. If I'm too busy to notice what's going on around me, no post. But today I want to hear about what floats your boat. I want to hear about your splurge/skimp list. I'm going to list 10 items that I skimp on and 10 items that I splurge on. I want you to do the same. You can either e-mail me phoebeab@msn.com or leave it in the comments. The items can be specific, but I'm going to leave mine vague. As incentive, I will randomly draw names of those who participate and knit them something spiffy. Just so you know, I'm giving myself 6 months to finish it. (I have a lot to knit these days and I don't want to feel rushed) You have until next Saturday at midnight, a whole week!
SKIMP
1. Any maintenance for myself (we're talking haircuts/dyes, nails, tanning, pedicures, etc.) I get my haircut twice a year and that's it for me, the rest is non-existent
2. Clothes for myself or PBTB(this used to be somewhat of a splurge, but we've transferred that energy to our kids)
3. Fast food or junk food (luckily PBTB and I have no interest in potato chips and soda and the only fast food we eat is pizza)
4. Holidays for PBTB and I (holidays are for the kids, right?....at times we just don't do anything for each other)
5. Jewelry/Flowers....PBTB knows I would much prefer fresh cut flowers to those from the shop and costume jewelry is all I can justify. I don't like it long enough to pay much for it.
6. Movies (We go to the movie theatre once a year and it's usually for "W", when we do rent we usually get a free rental. We prefer watching movies at home)
7. Cable TV (PBTB and I have both decided we will never pay to get cable or satellite)
8. Pets (we used to buy lots of toys and expensive food, but now we have kids:)
9. Travel (I love to travel, but usually only go places we can drive, but, at least we go)
10. Gadgets and Cars (PBTB and I are not the techy type, never have the latest phones, TVs, etc and recently not the best cars)
SPLURGE
1. Activities for the family (quality time is my love language, so I always seem to justify it, swimming, museums, any and all)
2. Crafts for myself (I've spent ungodly amounts on yarn and dabble in everything I can think of, PBTB has spent even more on tools for his furniture making)
3. Birthday parties FOR KIDS and holidays, including toys (one of my favorites)
4. Halloween costumes (I usually know what we're going to be in January and spend more making the costumes than I would have buying them, oops)
5. Gourmet candy or pastries (not junk food right? has the word "gourmet" in the title :)
6. Clothes for my kids (I'm kind of a fashion junkie in my own little world. With less money, I'd rather splurge on my kids than myself)
7. Second hand items (I love DI and KSL.com) If I want something and can't afford it, this is where I head
8. Home improvement items (when we have a house, that is.......inside/outside, you name it)
9. Furniture (We usually buy items that we really like and keep it forever, or PBTB builds it, but materials end up costing quite a bit)
10. Name brand sundries and some food items (I like to buy good diapers, nice make-up, nice shampoo/conditioner)

Roy's

I first ate at Roy's in Florida about 6 years ago. I ate there again in Hawaii about 4 years ago. I need to go there again. Either California this summer, or a trip to Vegas are in order. I cannot rest until I've got my fix. If you don't like fish now, believe me, you will.

I Am Not A Paper Cup

The Duchess bought one of these for my little bro for Christmas. I don't know why I love it so much.....I don't even use travel mugs. A few brands are available. I used to carry this brand at my store, who claim to have made the original. But, the Duchess got hers at Target. I think this will be a great gift for "W"s teacher for Teacher Appreciation, she drinks coffee. I know, not 'til May, but I can't resist.

Give & Get Disney

I know it's kind of cliche', but I would like to take my boys to Disneyland. I was holding back, because they're so young and it's expensive and they probably wouldn't remember. But, today at "W"s pre-school I saw a flyer for this Give & Get program.....I'm in. All you do is sign up for an approved volunteer activity, donate your time for 1 day (a lot of programs allow children to come along), and you get a free day at Disney.

Recovery Buddies

I ran across this project on ravelry yesterday. It struck me, what a brave and generous girl to turn her illness into good for others. If anyone you know is recovering from any type of addiction or mental illness, fill out the form here and she will send them a recovery buddie. If you are a knitter yourself, you can knit a buddie for the project, pattern here.

Coconut M&M's

Picked some of these up at the Go-fer last night. They should really consider these a permanent addition, yum. I love coconut.

Chocolate Covered Mini Oreos

These are so tasty. I thought they would be too chocolatey, but they're not. Picked some up at Sweet Lizzie's yesterday for a V-day gift for PBTB. Buy them online here.

Acme Heartmaker

I ran across this website that will create an image of a candy heart with whatever sentiment you like. :)

Spring Basics @ ON

I have yet to take a picture of my boys together that I'm satisfied with. In order to continue to torture myself, I picked up some basics at old navy to layer together. I'm so excited about the colors. (The yellow's going underneath for both) P.S. I've learned to jump on basics you like when you see them, otherwise when you try to find them you can't

I'm wishing I would have picked these up, better go back.

I would have gotten these, but they're online only.

Parcheesi

I had forgotten how much fun this board game is. It's a must-have for the gamer. It was a favorite of my siblings and I, brought on by our Grandmother, along with multiplayer solitaire, isn't that an oxymoron?

Stuffed Mushrooms

We're having company over for dinner tonight. Manicotti, stuffed mushrooms, and coconut cake. I can't tell you how liberating it is to spend all day in the kitchen.......sigh.

1 package Jimmy Dean Sausage (any kind you prefer)

1 Large package cream cheese

1 Large box of large mushrooms

Cook sausage, cool.

Pop off mushroom stems, chop stems.

Combine sausage, stems, and cream cheese.

Fill mushrooms.

Bake on cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.