This is why I have to revamp my page

I learn so much from you guys.  Not only from your adventures, successes, and those "less than successful" events, but from your comments.

I started playing with the format of the blog a few weeks ago, and then life took over and I haven't been able to finish.  I know some professional bloggers will say....do it once and then stop messing with it.  I know some of you will say to move over to my own domain and I will have more freedom.  I also know that some of you could care less.

But I learned that people couldn't find my "follow" button (it is at the bottom).  When I went from a 3-column format to a 2-column, some of those smaller functions ended up at the bottom.  And I figured that they weren't really adding much to my blog anyway...so I left them there.

Well, if you can't find something....it does nothing to help you!!!  So, I will have to find a new home for some things.  Thanks for pointing it out!!!!    

And welcome to those of you who are "new" followers now!!

Hello newer followers....bye to those who aren't

I had a blogging goal of hitting 73 followers by the end of the year.  Well....I smashed that a long time ago!!  Thanks to YOU GUYS!  I have such a wonderful readership.  I love hearing your stories and comments, and a few of you have even dropped me a line in my e-mail.  :)  *happy dancing*

In the past few days...I have lost a few readers.  I realize I am not everyone's cup of tea.  It still makes me a little sad.  If you are still lurking....feel free to e-mail me privately if you have a concern.

Otherwise....you guys ROCK!

Hi New Followers!

I am so excited to welcome the new followers!  I have 8 new followers since January 1, which means that I am half way to my yearly blog goal of increasing readership!

I know that someone is going back into the archives and reading old posts.  I can see it on the stat analyzer.  So I have had some fun re-reading what you are reading too.

Glad you found me....I look forward to getting to know ya, and for you to get to know me, and my crazy little world.  You will find that I am sarcastic, with a very dry sense of humor.  I love my kids fiercely, even though they drive me up a wall.  G-man and I are polar opposites on some things....but it works for us.

Thanks for reading!

I promised I would tell you....

what I decided about the bookcase.

G-man started off putting his foot down....no.  We are doing Dave Ramsey.  No.  Then he softened a bit.  Put it back in my lap.  Said do it if I wanted to.

I e-mailed the guy and asked if he would consider a payment plan.  And since he stated he wouldn't be making anymore for awhile, I asked if he had an idea when he would resume woodworking.  He stated while he would like to help me out, he couldn't do a payment plan, and he has no idea when he would make more.  This was more of a hobby than a business.

So at this point I was like, if I don't do this now, I probably won't be able to get it at all.  This is the perfect cabinet.  The price isn't really that bad for what I am getting....a custom, hand made cabinet with all the country charm I can handle.  Perfect.  So........









(wait for it)











(wait for it)









I decided AGAINST doing it.

Say what, Mysti?  You wanted this thing so badly.  You whined and cried for days about it.  It is perfect.  Might never be available again.  What happened????

You guys happened.

An anonymous poster stated that I inspired her.  That she was cutting back and doing her own digging out.  And that I inspired her. 

And that touched me to my soul.

Then, Lynne stated that she was signing up with Lending Club so she could help fund my loan.  Awww, shucks......

And today, BobbieG helped us fund our loan as well.

You guys are the reason that I didn't do it.  The outpour of support brought me to tears.  People that don't "know" me believed in me.  Believed that I am really doing the best that I can, and they wanted to help.  Believed in my story and it helped them start their own journey.

How could I spend money on some object, when I have that kind of support around me?  And at that point, it became easy to say NO. 

I have decided to save all my rebate money (right now I am waiting on $86 via the mail, which is about 1/3 of the cost of the cabinet) and when I have enough to get the cabinet, I will e-mail the guy.  If my dream cabinet is still there, then it was meant to be.  If it isn't there....then oh well.  I will have almost $300 to put towards something else.

I can't say that I won't suffer from the I WANT ITs again.  I am sure I will.  But I will do the best I can to hold strong.

I did it!

OK, I know I am a geek....One of my blogging goals was to double my followers from 15 to 30....and I am officially there!  Thank you followers.

The common comment I have received from new readers is that I am brave and so honest.  Well, thanks again.  It actually wasn't that hard to admit all of this "publicly."  Our lives have been open books since the birth of our children (we are talking multiple tv appearances, newspaper articles, and radio spots).  So we just look at this as an extension of that.....hoping that others will learn from our experiences (gee, can you tell that I am a teacher???).

I will continue to tell you my thoughts and plans....and which ones are working, and which ones aren't.  I just ask you to comment and tell me your thoughts too!

Since I met my goal in April....let's set a new one:  45 readers by the end of the year.  Tell your friends!

Welcome followers!

Hi new followers!  Welcome to my blog.  In case you haven't figured it out...it is all about raw honesty on my family's finances.  Let me know how you found me, your thoughts, etc.  I really would love to know.

Plus, I am now up to 28 followers.  When setting my New Year's Blogging goals, I wanted to double my followers, which would bring me up to 30.  I am almost there, and it is still March!!  Yeah me!

Hi new followers!!

One of my blogging goals for the year was to increase my followers from 15 to 30.  Thanks to my new friends, I am 1/3 of the way to my goal, and we are only in month 1!  So, thanks to you new guys....glad you found me.  :)  Take a look around, comment as you would like....good and bad....I am a big girl....I can take it.

I am perpetually amazed at the internet.  The ability to find others who are like you, in whatever way, and sharing information.....super cool. 

Hope you like some upcoming changes....like everything in my life, I have this grand plan of how it should be and have to figure out how to make it happen.  :)

My new favorite hobby

Reading all the blogs that my followers read!

Seriously, I am so impressed with the quality and QUANITY of blogs that you all have found. I love going to your page...clicking around on your blog to get to know ya (is that the internet equivalent of peeking in the medicine cabinet???). Then checking out your blog list and clicking around on their blog.

I spent some time yesterday organizing all my bookmarks into more usable categories so I can continue to find these neat finds. Next step is reworking MY blog to reflect all this!

So thanks you you guys for 1) being so interesting, 2) doing tons of research FOR me, 3) continuing to stop by and say HI to me (really....leave me a comment, good or bad. I can take it).

Hi readers!!!

Thanks for visiting. I have blogged alot today....so please scroll down and read it all. The most important stuff ended up on the bottom since I thought about it first.

Happy debt repayment!!!

Check out Momstheword's blog

Hey everyone....if you haven't had a chance to check out some of the blogs I follow (stalk, covet, whatever!), check this out:

Free Blog Makeover


In a show of generosity, Nan is giving away a blog makeover in honor of her blog anniversary. Let's join her in saying Happy Anniversary!!!!!

I am a novice at Blogger, so I can use all the help I can get.

Shout out to the peeps

I have spent sometime reading the blogs of a few of the followers (Melissa and Jeff, Mom's the Word)....and I just have to say

Love ya!

It makes me feel so much better to know that I am not alone in this battle. The battle that we got in over our head. The battle to get out. I am proud to see that you guys are winning, and hope to join your ranks. I am still a Private, while you guys are at least Sargeants (Or Majors!).

Guess that makes Dave Ramsey the 4-star General.

(and to all those military families out there....if I just butchered the rankings, my sincerest apology!)

We will all win the war!