Been MIA

and there's a reason...

I've been working on a photography website for a bit now.
This is something I've wanted to do for years, but just never stepped out or pushed myself beyond the THINKING about it part.

However; with the encouragement of a few, I'm stepping into it. I'm going to make a go of this and push myself to do this for myself! I'm excited. I'm nervous. I'm wondering what the future holds for it, but most of all I'm proud of myself for finally committing to do something I'm quite passionate about.

So, without further ado, here's the website:

Simply Renee Photography

On a side note: If you live in the area and would like to schedule a session for me to capture YOUR moments, please call or email me. The contact info is on the website. I will give you a 25% discount code for any order placed for all sessions booked through the end of the year. I want to build my portfolio, so this is my way of saying, COME MY WAY, lol!

August Expense

I went over budget (which was increased to $400 this month because I needed to stockpile basics; like toilet paper, paper towels, frozen goods, cereal) by $53.97. BUT I got SO MUCH STUFF that I don't feel bad about it at all. My pantries and storage cabinets are full again with everything that we need, so my next month's budget should go back down to $300 and easily be met. We'll see. I'm trying to maintain the 'budget' attitude even though Thomas is working again. I'm hoping it'll help us stay on track and focused with our savings again.

I hope to be able to update this blog and my photo blog soon. I'm so overwhelmed with my unorganized office and I think it's needing my attention for a bit...

I might make it back out in a week? !!!! HA!

August has been full

thus the reasons for minimal posts. I'm trying to get back in the swing of routine, while taking care of several little 'fires' and projects for church, 7Gypsies, and another assignment for a magazine. I'm enjoying have a bit of creative work. Brings out a side of me that lays dormant and unappreciated. I need to visit that side more often.

My creative efforts fulfill me. I need to embrace it more often.

I'm getting the urge to 'purge' my office and reorganize it. I've been looking at a few scrapbook rooms lately and have been inspired to clean and minimalize. I need that. I function better with minimality (is that a word?). I need to do that soon!

I also have several decor ideas floating around in my head for upstairs. Since being in the house, I've yet to put 'my' touch on the rooms upstairs. The downstairs is constantly being fiddled with and moved around (and I'm getting in the mood to redo AGAIN with the fall showing it's head this morning with the cooler temps and breezy winds...brings out my 'autumn' mood!

I'm grateful this month for many things. The kids health. The kids have been a little sick this month, and it makes me realize how HEALTHY my kids are. Brandon is the only one that's every been on antibiotics, and that was just once. Seriously...that is pretty amazing since I have three kids. They've never been sick enough that I felt like it was more than just a viral infection that needed to work itself out. They're RARELY sick. Like once a year? Twice a year? I think that's a blessing and I'm grateful for that today.

I'm grateful this month for my family. I've reconnected with many family members on facebook the last several months and I got a chance this past weekend to see several of them in person. It did something wonderful to my heart. Really. Can't explain, other than every time I think about the weekend, I tear up. I actually cried several tears of happiness Monday after returning from the whirlwind weekend.

I'm grateful this month for my friends. I don't get to spend enough time with them, but I'm thankful that God has given me some special friends in my lifetime. I got to reconnect with one of my best friends growing up over the weekend. It was amazing. I burst into tears as soon as I hugged her. Seriously - and she just laughed because she remembered how often I cried at the stupidest, silliest things! I'm a crier...ask Thomas. Remember the cotton commercials...weeped everytime I saw the old couple holding hands jumping up and down on their bed. Got me EVERY TIME!

I'm grateful this month for my husband's new job. It might not be exactly what we thought we would get, but it's what we need right now. It's allowing us to build up our reserve/savings again and getting us back on track. It came JUST IN TIME for school to start and the worry of having to put the kids back into public school didn't become reality. I'm BEYOND thankful for that.

I'm grateful this month for couponing. I realize that a year ago at this time, I really had no concept of the saving that I now provide for my family. I haven't had to do much shopping the last 2 months...in fact, have spent less than $700.00 on groceries and household expense during June and July. My stockpiled groceries was more than adequate for not only my family, but a few others. I'm thankful for God allowing me to stumble upon this process that has not only effected my family, but several others in the church that are seeing the 'money savings light'.

I'm grateful this month for travel. Traveled to El Dorado last weekend and this next week I'll go with Thomas to travel to Austin/San Marcus on his business trip. I get to see my sister and my best friend from school. Really - the amount of reconnections this month is overwhelming. My heart will surely bust from joy at the end of this month.

I'm grateful for school and routine. Hear me out. My family is large and the reality is when we're all stuck in the house like we were this summer, it's difficult. We were unable to get out much up to this point simply because of finances. We couldn't afford to spend the extra to really do anything substantial. They got to go to their camps, but that was about it. Other than that, we enjoyed each other's company A WHOLE LOT this summer. I LOVE them, but I love the routine that school provides. They do too. Routine gives me a sense of relief. Can't explain it, but by the end of this summer I started feeling discombobulated. Seriously...couldn't seem to get my focus on anything. I'm slowly reestablishing that control in my life and it helps me function. I like it.

I'm grateful for insurance. Insurance that came just in time. LITERALLY days before we needed it. 2 days after we got insurance, Thomas' last bottle of insulin (costing $110, I think?, per bottle) was finished. Seriously? God's timing is ALWAYS right on time and it just happened to be that the job he got allowed his insurance to start the DAY he started...not a month afterwards, like usual. Seriously? God is ALWAYS showing in the little things that's He's in COMPLETE control of our lives if we allow Him to be. Amazes me everytime.

I'm grateful for my mom and dad. They've had a few health problems through the years, but nothing to this point that's been major requiring surgery. My aunt just had triple bypass, which was the reason we went to El Dorado. I'm grateful that nothing like that's happened to my mom or dad. They're getting older, but they're still, for the most part, in good health. I'm thankful for that!

So - that's been my thoughts this month so far. I'm full of thankfulness and gratitude for the blessings that are given to me. I'm thankful for my life and all that's in it that makes it a full life. I'm thankful for the relationships I have with others. I'm thankful for reconnections and technology that's allowed some of those things to transpire easily.

And I can't wait to see how this month finishes out!

Back in the MPM saddle again

The last 2 weeks have been INCREDIBLY busy and full with little time to think much less prepare supper every night. We had simple suppers on the nights I did cook, but some nights just had enough time to grab something quick, or eat cereal or something like that later that evening.

Here's the plan for this week (suppers only because the kids are handling breakfasts and lunches on their own time when they get around to eating, lol!):

Monday - Pasta salad with ham & peas, cheesy garlic pull-aparts, fruit salad
Tuesday - Steak & veggie kabobs on the grill, corn on cob, yeast rolls, watermelon
Wednesday - Chicken stir-fry and rice
Thursday - Skillet Hamburgers with onions, roast potatoes, baked beans
Friday - Spinach stuffed meatloaf
Saturday - Hot wings, fries
Sunday - out to eat

July expense report

Here's my July Expense report. I budgeted $300.00 again this month. And I came MIGHTY close to reaching that goal. I was a little over because of a special purchase that Thomas requested on July 17 (without coupons...ugh!). If we hadn't got that, I would have been under for the month.

Still eating from my stockpile that really needs to be depleted more before I try filling it up again. It's working for us. I can quickly put together a meal without much thought from my pantry...which for the last few weeks has been great...MUCH going on around here...!

Thomas and I haven't had a chance to sit down and discuss an 'out-to-eat' budget. We need to do that ASAP. There were several little meals here and there because we simply were not home a lot the last couple weeks due to things going on at church. But, next month will be MUCH better with the kids starting school and life getting back to a normal routine once again. YIPEEE!

I was going to include school shopping and pet supplies in this budget, but decided those are probably better kept seperate as they vary each month and hard to budget. BUT I DO STILL COUPON shop for those things, too...... CAN NOT BELIEVE how much I've saved on school supplies this year! Can't believe I used to purchase this stuff at full price...seriously! ANYHOO...have a great week!

Remember this face?

Followed this tutorial to add the border to this picture...love this face!

7Gypsies projects

They were finished early and sent in on time (so I thought) only for me to realize once getting to the UPS store that they (the ones near me) no longer offer the shipping labels to those using accounts. CRAZY!!!! Drove to the main hub only to find out that it changed it's hours for 4-8 TO 2-6...and we got there at 6:45. UGH. UGH....UGH. Ended up getting them shipped out the next day but golly - that was a mess...

ANYHOO - here's a link to the gallery where we'll be posting projects periodically as requested:

7Gypsies Gypsy Girl Gallery

Here's my projects for this show:

Victoria Papers on canvas -



Artist Tray -






Victoria bird stamp 3-d project -





Barcelona banner project -






(thanks to Cally for the inspiration for the photo danglies portion of the banner - here)
Home album using Gypsy collection -






I had fun creating these projects and it felt good to spend a bit of time being creative and getting some ideas out of my head and completed. Can't wait to have more time to get in the craft room again!

Menu Plan Monday

Getting back on track after a week of vacation last week. Just listing the dinners since the kids are eating out of the freezer/pantry/fridge for breakfast and lunches on their own schedules!

Monday: Grilled chicken, pasta with veggies, rolls
Tuesday: Marlboro Man sandwiches, homemade hoagie buns, mac n cheese
Wednesday: Grilled hot dogs, pasta salad
Thursday: Santa Fe Enchiladas with fiesta rice
Friday: Manwiches, potatoes
Saturday: Fish fillets, corn on cob, tomatoes
Sunday: BBQ Pork Roast, baked beans, rolls

June Expense

My tally's for the month of June:



I ended up being $32.24 over my self-appointed $300 budget. I STILL think that's pretty stinkin' good, although I didn't quite make it since Harris Teeter had to throw in a Super Doubles sale for coupons under $2.00. Made it impossible to resist using some of the ones I wouldn't normally use because of the price of the items. (Okay - and well - Publix had a few extra things on sale like Velveeta that I felt I REALLY needed to get, lol!)

But - all in all - good!

Emergency preparedness

For those of you who attended the ladie's meeting, here's a list that you might find helpful!

Emergency Pantry list

There's a few items that I need to have for just in case times...