My Husband, the Teacher

So, it is coming back to that time of year. We have enjoyed the summer, but it is slowly coming to an end. In 21 days, school starts again for my husband. We love having him be a teacher, but with it come some serious budgeting issues for our little family. Like on how to stick to one. The Handsome Hubby gets paid once a month. I thought I was the master budgeter (is that a word?), but I am finding that with only getting paid once a month, I am faltering. My basic plan has always been paying all of the bills first. That pretty much means most of the money. Then, after all of the necessary bills are paid, pulling out the expenses that aren't necessarily bills. But somehow, throughout the month, things come up. I do a monthly grocery menu and budget. I plan down to the dime what it will cost. I think I have everything needed for the month. Then this Mama remembers something she needs. Or more importantly, something she really wants. Like that bag of candy that seems to call my name. Or stuff to make guacamole because that sounds fabulous, too! Before I know it, my small amount of liquid cash is gone. Then we are using the money budgeted for other things to pay for those expenses.

Starting next pay period, I am switching to the envelope method for any monthly expenses that may need to be watched more carefully. Before I was married and working in the banking industry, I recommended this for any clients that were having a hard time keeping the little bills in check. So, next month we are creating three envelopes: Groceries, Gas, and Diapers. Yep, those are the only three monthly expenses that I don't have control over with a tight fist. So, after I pay for everything, if there is any cash left in those little envelopes, it can be applied to a bill or be used for that lovely treat that we have been wanting. The only rule for the envelopes is this: when the money is gone, you are done. This is hard for a lot of people, but I keep reminding myself that it is either that or be stuck doing the juggling act. I am a clutz and really can't juggle, so any way to avoid it would be helpful to me and to my poor husband who would have to handle the panic if we go over!

Why do I talk about this? Why would I share my budgeting woes? Because I can't be the only one living this tight. I can't be the only one who fumbles in a budget. But never fear. Next month is here. The great thing about budgets is that every month you get to start over. Work on the small things that will yield the quickest results, and start again. I find that this advice is something that we should all be using for most aspects in our life. Take a deep breath. Start over, and focus on the things that you can change. The things that we can't change just get in the way. So many things in our life are out of our control. Yet we worry about them constantly. I am probably the worst person with this. I can't control that my son isn't doing well with potty training. Much to this mother's chagrin, that is something that I can't make him master. I can't make the stresses of life go away. I can only change what is in my realm of influence. This a great lesson that my husband, The Teacher, has given me. He has taught me that I need to realize I can't be in control of everything. Sometimes, you need to share the burden. Sometimes you need to let the burden go all together. He is constantly reminding me of this. I swear, there are days that he wanders around our house, mumbling under his breath "Let it go." Not in the mean way that it might sound like, but in the gentle reminder way.

Let it go. Do the very best you can in life, change the things that you have control over, and let the rest go. Thank you, honey, for teaching me this. For teaching me that next month is a new month. Tomorrow is a new day. We will figure it out. All of us.

My Daughter the Killer

We are trying very hard to grow a garden this year. Our yard is huge, though (compared to our previous yard). We are having some weed issues and have been spending a lot of time outside in the evenings, trying to weed and get our garden in good shape. This week, though, we have discovered that our daughter is a killer. She can't be left anywhere near any of the plants. She has feet of destruction. She will smash a plant in one single bound. She has mad throwing skills and thinks that those cool balls on the tomato plants are perfect for throwing. She pulled four tomatoes off the plants on Saturday. One was just getting big. This Mom had to have a moment of silence for the tomatoes. Or maybe that was so I would remember it's just a tomato plant. Then, when we were weeding last night, she pulled out three of our green bean plants. This girl is a destroyer of anything that Mom wants to can.

She is so curious. She wants to be a part of everything. I just wish that didn't include the garden. I feel bad closing the chain link fence around the garden while all of us are in there and she isn't. But if I want any of my plants to survive her toddlerhood, it may be a necessary. I thought the biggest problems that we would have would be the deer and rabbits. Nope. It is the Rally girl of doom. She is adorable as she is doing, it, too. When she smiles at you, calling Mommy, as she pulls out the plant, it's hard to get mad. It's just impossible to be happy about it either. So, tonight, we are going to put both kids in the sandbox while Mom and Dad weed. Now, just to remember to close the gate!!