Silently (and impatiently) Waiting

We are currently playing the waiting game. Waiting to see where we are moving to and what the house will be like. I can't reveal much detail yet, but basically we are in a not-so-cool holding pattern.

We're looking at options and viewing a bunch of super nice places we want to live. And a lot of it hinges on two very important things. Again, I will fill you in soon - hopefully. Rather, I'll fill you in as soon as we know something.

So that's why I haven't been updating much. It's been a lot of waiting around and I'm not liking this one bit. All I do know for sure is that a big move is in our future and work is getting crazy right now.

Lots of waiting. Lots of uncertainty. Lots of wandering around aimlessly.

Normalish Week Ahead

It was a pretty successful weekend in the little Long family. Relaxed at the cabin. Wore Murphy out. Came back safely in time to have dinner with the Galloway side.

This week starts the "screening season" for work. Wednesday I drive down to New Braunfels for the first one. From then on out, it'll get busy. So, I apologize ahead of time if I don't post as often as I should.

We're getting on top of eating healthier - or at least trying. I'm trying to get creative with cooking and trying to find easy, inexpensive, healthier recipes that my darling husband will eat. He has the pallet of a 5 year old, you know...

This week's recipes include: lemon garlic chicken, homemade french fries, homemade chicken tenders (made with a sweet potato puree), applesauce muffins, chocolate banana "ice cream," healthy rice crispy treats, and more.

The Cabin

This weekend is our first easter as a married couple. These "first" holidays make me nervous. Basically because it sets the tone for the next ones. At least that's what everyone says. I'm more along for the ride.

So this year, we will be spending Easter in east Texas at the cabin. I'm growing more fond of the cabin the more time I spend out there. It's a growing process but last time wasn't so bad so I'm thinking this time will be relaxing. We're taking Murphy and it'll be a lot of good relaxation time with no cell phone service. Glorious.

I need to recharge before my crazy work season starts on Wednesday.

Night of the Twisters

Last night, a massive storm system swept across the metroplex. Scary stuff guys. Scary. So far they have confirmed 6 tornados touched down yesterday, while as many as 9 more are needing confirmation. The area was pretty much on lockdown for 2 hours straight.

I was in Frisco for a meeting, which is right down the street (literally) from the FC Dallas stadium. So, when the weather started getting bad near home, I decided to ride it out at the store with Phillip. I would have driven straight through it, otherwise.

Then the tornados headed toward Frisco. Specifically, the one that supposedly touched down in Addison was headed in our direction. The whole stadium was sent underground to take cover. So there we were, under tons of feet of cement, with the coach, waiting out the storm. For two hours.

Luckily, no major injuries or deaths have been reported. And our houses and cars had no damage - storms barely missed us. Thanks for your concern, readers.

Number Crunching

This is what I have been doing a lot of lately. Moving to Frisco will require some serious penny-pinching since the prices are much higher than here. Is it a beautiful area still? Absolutely. Worth it? Duh.

I feel like I can recite all of our bills and income off the top of my head. So many numbers. So many different configurations. I like to consider myself good at budgeting, but there are still some holes in my methods.

For instance, how do you really budget for food/entertainment? How do you tell yourself you can only spend so much and still allow for the sudden urge to grab some dinner at a to-go joint? It's relatively easier at a higher income. However, if you are truly on a budget, how do you weigh frugality with reality?

Fruga-reality (noun):
1. To be frugal with spending money, while still allowing room for bonehead impulse buys.
2. An unachievable state of financial equilibrium in which you have a set budget for expenses, while purposely leaving extra money at the end of each month in case you are unable to exercise self-control.