Brother and I are two different people

I appreciate the guest post, Lindsay Valdez

My brother is the worst person when it comes to saving money. For him, money actually does burn a hole in his pocket. I don’t think he has ever saved a penny in his life. He spends what he has on what he wants and never gives it a second thought. He recently bought a house and pays the minimum on the mortgage. I tried to explain to him the importance of putting as much towards the mortgage as he could. He then ordered satellite and I asked if he qualified for the direct TV Rebate. He acted like I was speaking another language. We are two completely different people. I try to save where I can and receive money back wherever I can. My brother pays the number on the sheet of paper and never gives it a second thought. I know I shouldn’t concern myself with my brother’s personal business, but I want the best for him. I want him to have a successful life and someday be debt free. However, I think I should start just making sure he is always happy. Happiness might be an easier accomplishment for him than saving.

Home Beautiful!

Guest post written by Theresa Hammond

Living in a fairly exotic location has been very great for my husband Mark and me. Not only is it great for my husband Mark and I, but it seems like we are seeing more or our old friends and relatives than ever. Living in location likeHawaii seems to give everyone a little more incentive to go out the way to visit. Since we moved, I have really missed everyone and it's nice to have visitors every now and then. As a matter of fact, for the next few months we are expecting a handful or friends and family members. During the weekends, we are starting to get a few things to prepare for everyone's visits.

The other day we heard about the Kihei sears kitchen remodel offer and decided to go ahead with it. We want to do everything we can so that our friends and relatives will have a nice impression of our place when they come see our beautiful state. It's not easy to get the house looking as beautiful as the rest of the sites in Hawaii, but we are working on making it a very striking place.

Football!

This past weekend we had the pleasure of hosting a get together for friends and family to watch football. Yay!

We had a nice spread of chips and salsa, a deli tray, fruits and veggies, and plenty of Chex Party Mix! There were three different kinds-Traditional, Turtle, and Honey Nut. Traditional flavor Chex is always a hit. The Turtle and Honey Nut were new to everyone. Turtle was very popular among the kids. You can't beat chocolate and caramel! The Honey Nut was well like all around.

I had pictures to share, but Haden got hold of the camera last night and somehow deleted everything on the card. :(

Be sure to heck out The Ultimate Chex Mix Game Day Sweeps! For a chance to win $10,000 in cash and prizes to make your place the ultimate Game Day spot, visit the Game Day Sweeps tab on the Chex Mix Facebook page to enter!

Schedule

Ugh! I still do not have a good schedule for the days. It is throwing everything off. I need order! I need organization! I need...a nap!

Terror

My son is terrified of the vacuum cleaner. He screams to almost complete hysterics whenever I use it. He will stop crying if I hold him while I vacuum though. Imagine that for a moment if you will--vacuuming while holding about a 28 lb. kid on your hip. It is not that easy. Of course I also have hard to reach places that I have to use the hand tools for--thus I have to set him down. This does not go well AT all. He FREAKS out! I don't know what to do to help him get over this fear. I have tried letting him touch it while it is off and on. I think it is the noise that scares him the most because he doesn't cry until I turn it on. The thing is, I have to vacuum more now since we are home more. The dog and cat are also shedding like crazy because it is really starting to get hot here. I wish he was still small enough to fit in the Baby Bjorn comfortably...

Personality

My son is nearing a year old and recently his personality has really started to show itself. He tends to have a bit of a temper (something he gets from his father...and perhaps a hint from me). Today, he has been "yelling" in his baby babble about random things. Today it was at the dog anytime she would get too close to me or when she laid on her dog bed. My son has claimed the dog bed as HIS and will "yell" at her and swat to try to make her move. My dog just ignores him or takes the opportunity to get a good lick or two in. It is really quite cute.

One week in

I have been officially a SAHM for a little over a week now. Do I feel like I have the hang of it yet? Not at all. I haven't been able to get into a good schedule because my son was sick with his first stomach virus and we ended up having to take him to the ER.

He is finally getting better and I was able to get a little bit of cleaning done around the house today. Lysol wipes are my new favorite thing! I have been able to get so much clean with those handy little things alone. The mountain of laundry is finally starting to look more like a hill. I really don't feel like I am accomplishing as much as I thought I would though.

Staying home with kids is hard work. I always knew it would be, but I had no idea how little I would be able to get done-especially when they are sick.