Pear Budget

After moving into a new house with a big new mortgage, and big new property taxes to pay, we knew we needed to create and maintain a budget.  But, we have very limited time, so we needed something really easy and convenient to use.  Enter Pear Budget. 

What is it, you ask?  Well, it is a really simple budgeting and expense tracking service - way easier to use than Quicken or Microsoft Money, and perfect if you're new to budgeting or just overwhelmed by other methods of keeping track of your spending.  There are no fancy bells or whistles, and I have to say that it is awesome, and works great for us.

So, give it a try.  They have a free 30-day trial so you can check it out. 
http://www.pearbudget.com/

Sorry Coach! Better luck next year...

I signed Matthew up late for soccer this year, and he was put on a long waitlist.  He's been excited about playing again this year, and then was pretty disappointed about the possibility of not being able to play. 

Then comes the first email to all of the parents on the waitlist...
"If you are willing to be a head coach, your son will be placed on a team."

Hmmmm, I think.  Andrew can't do it with his football schedule, and there is no way I can do it with my work schedule this Fall.  So, I reply back that I'd love to, but just can't.  I felt pretty good about saying "no," because, well, it's difficult for me.

Then comes the second email two weeks later...
"There still are not enough teams for everyone on the waitlist this year.  But, if you are willing to be an assistant coach, then your son will be placed on a team." 

Assistant coach - hmmmmm, but I still don't have the time.  So, I reply back that I'd love to but won't be able to go to all the practices.  The response back was, "No problem!  You can miss a few practices, and here are all the forms and classes you have to take to become a volunteer."

Crap.  So much for doing better at saying "no."

I filled out the forms and sent them in, and figured I'd somehow make it work.  Yesterday I got this news...
"Thanks for volunteering, but we were able to find enough coaches and won't be needing your help as an assistant coach.  Your son has been placed on a team"

Thank God!!!  I think I actually verbalized this rather loudly at work- I couldn't even pretend to be disappointed. 

Today I got an email from Matthew's soccer coach..."we need volunteers to be referees."  

Hmmmm, let me think.  HECK NO.  Me, in the gold, striped, collared shirt and knee high socks, dealing with annoying parents?  Oh, I don't think so.  My son is already on the team, Mister, so you have no leverage now.  This time, I'm not even going to email back.  That's pretty darn close to saying "no", if you ask me.  Small steps...

Matthew's "Good" Choice

We've been talking to Matthew and Kayla a lot about the difference between good and bad choices.  You know, typical parent stuff. 

Yesterday Matthew is sitting with us at the table finishing dinner, and he says that he is going to go find Kayla and wrestle with her on the couch.  So, I ask him, "is it a good choice to wrestle with your sister on the couch?"  I'm concerned that they might break something or someone will get hurt, of course.

And Matthew responds, "No, you're probably right, because she's a very powerful fighter, and she'll probably win"

So glad we're getting through to them...

Monday blues

All work and no play this weekend, makes Melissa tired, grumpy, and feeling bummed on this Monday morning.  Not to mention I had to come in to work before sunrise to catch up because we are understaffed and overwhelmed with tons of deadlines looming. 

We cleaned out our garage and did tons of work moving into the house this weekend.  Our poor kids are bored, complaining, and fighting.  Matthew keeps telling me he doesn't get to see me enough.  I am busy at work, and busy at home, and no where am I feeling in control or on top of things.  . 

It seems like this moving stuff will never end.  For every box I unpack, and every item I send to Goodwill, there is just another box filled with stuff, and no place to put it!  There are still chairs left to paint, and every room needs to be decluttered.  And to make matters worse, we only have three weeks left until school starts and football begins.  Time is not my friend right now.  Boy do I wish I were back in Hawaii...