A few years ago, we found out that our new neighborhood had a homeowner's association with covenants that no one knew about. At that time, most of the people who lived in this neighborhood had bought their lots and built their own homes. No one had any idea about this mysterious association.My lovely husband volunteered to be on the board. He isn't an overly politically or otherwise active person, therefore I believe his volunteerism was mostly because we had put in a pool earlier that summer. Having that pool, as it turns out, was against the covenants, and he wanted to make sure that some crazy person didn't get in control of the association. I believe what I said at the time was, "I'll get rid of my pool... over my dead body."Such drama in Ellerbeeville all the time.So for the first couple of years, my dear husband would meet with the other board members. Year after year, board members quit or moved away. They were never replaced. It ended up being us and the people down the street who raise and eat the rabbits in their back yard. I apologize if you read my blog... which I can't imagine you would, but I can't hold it in any longer. Here's the rant: The rabbit eaters keep taking it upon themselves to do stuff in the name of the association without asking for any help or running anything by us. AND they continue to put OUR name (misspelled btw) at the bottom of the letters. Last week, they sent everyone who hadn't paid last year's dues to collections ... I am getting all kinds of hate mail over that. This week, I get a letter from the homeowner's association written completely in sentence fragments and poor grammar announcing a meeting to elect new board members. There are explicit directions as to how to get to the meeting. There is a statement threatening that the meeting will start promptly at 7:00pm. But guess what they forgot to put on the letter that went out to every homeowner in our neighborhood, complete with our name misspelled at the bottom?THE DATE FOR THE MEETING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Now all I can think is that every single person in my neighborhood thinks I am an idiot. Now granted, I am the queen of excessive commas, inappropriate apostrophes, and too frequent use of of the ellipse, but this letter sounded like a second grader wrote it.
What can I say? Grammar is my life. It bothers me that I am getting phone call after phone call today about the letter. It bothers me that I am getting hate mail and being called "unneighborly" for sending my neighbors to collections. But mostly... I hate it that anyone would think I had anything to do with that poorly constructed letter.
Did you see our ticker at the top?
We made it one month without TV. I won't say that they were completely sans TV, as they were allowed to watch a few movies. But I can honestly say there has been no Hannah Montana, ICarly, or stupid mindless cartoons in this house for the past month! I can't believe it. I'm not even sure they miss it that much. They have been playing and entertaining themselves very well. I must say there has been probably a little more squabbling from time to time... but I believe that's because they're not in a coma in front of the TV. They are interacting and playing together, which in a family this size, always leads to a few squabbles. We have informed everyone that even though the actual month of no TV is over, we fully intend on keeping things the same. A few movies here and there. Perhaps an educational show or two.... I mean thank God Jack watched all those science shows or I would have burned down my kitchen in the grease fire of 2009. But as for the mindless dribble, we are done, and are delighted to have detox'd our kids in our television rehab program.
Jeff and I have plans for our money. Both cars will be paid off next month; we are working toward the Dave Ramsey method of paying off our bills and have paid off 3 debts so far in the last 6 months or so. Sounds like we are going to be paying out the nose for college next year, oh... and we have some ... other ... plans in the works for our money, so it's time to buckle down. I'm so tired of throwing away money on mindless, meaningless stuff.Have you guys ever heard of the Angel Food Network? For those of us with a gazillion kids, finding ways to cut down on the grocery bill is like a never ending, never attainable goal. It seems as though our grocery bill quadrupled with the addition of two kids and the economy going south. Everything is so much more expensive! We are spending between around $1500 a month on groceries. Insane! I have done the coupon cutting thing. I have gone to three different stores to find the best prices on various items. I joined Sam's Club and can spend $500 there and not have anything to actually cook a meal. We are going to be trialing the Angel Food Network next month. I believe we can feed a family of 8 on $750 for the month. That's half... right? Sorry, I've been helping with 3rd grade math all day, but suddenly can't perform it!But here's how I plan on doing it. Check out the Angel Food Network if you are interested in learning more about it.For $30 you get all of this food:1.5 lb. Ribeye Steaks (4 x 6 oz.)
3 lb. Split Chicken Breast
1.5 lb. Country Fried Steak Patties (6 x 4 oz)
1 lb. Package 80/20 Ground Beef
1 lb. Fully Cooked Meatballs
1 lb. Mild Italian Sausage
12 oz. Deli Sliced Ham
1 lb. California Blend
1 lb. Green Beans
20 oz. Shoestring Fries
1 lb. Pasta
28 oz. Marinara Sauce
21 oz. Condensed Soup(makes 5 servings)
1 lb. Pinto Beans
32 oz. 2% Shelf Stable Milk
Dozen Eggs
DessertThis regular box is supposed to be enough food to feed a family of 4 for a week.... so clearly we would need 2 per week. $60 a week. Approximately $300 per month to buy enough food for meals.Add in the 5 gallons of milk and 3 gallons if juice they go through a week... $30 per week. So now we're up to $450.Basic lunch items and snack foods... $50 per week? This is the one I'm unsure of... but here's where my Sam's membership could really work for me. Where am I now? Hemorraging from my check book? Nah, only at about $600.For another $22 you can get a fruit and veggie box.Another $22 a box full of meat - including steaks etc.I figure we will get at least one of each these for the month...So there's $644.As for the misc items at the grocery store that we always seem to be running in and out to get...? I have allotted around $100 for the month. I plan on continuing to cut my coupons and shop at the stores that double my coupons or have items on sale, as well as buying in bulk at Sam's those items that I can.And so the challenge is on.Order deadline is March 16th and pickup is at the end of the month. I will keep you posted as to how it's going. Wish us luck!
Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. My husband definitely did not announce to an entire group of soccer parents at the soccer banquet that we were going to Branson for our anniversary and that we were going to watch "adult" movies. I did not want to crawl under the table as I tried to explain that "adult" movies meant movies with a plot and no animation.
Jeff did not tell me that no one even thought anything about it.
And Saturday at the soccer game, the first parent that we saw did not say with a wink and a weird look, "Hey tonight's adult movie night, isn't it?"
I did not want to die!
I did not finally get to meet Roger and Abby, whose blog I have stalked for quite some time. I never sent them threatening messages about needing this awesome T shirt. I was not one bit jealous that they came up with the idea before me: The shirt means it is 7,990 miles from Springfield, Missouri to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
I did not buy 8 of these wonderful T shirts, the profits of which are going directly to the purchase of formula for Hope Children's Home in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
I did not go shopping or spend way too much money shopping all over The Landing as well as the Outlet Mall in Branson.
Jeff and I did not share this beautiful FRIED brownie with ice cream and whipped cream. Who knew they could do this do a brownie? 
I did not eavesdrop on conversations in the restaurant or take a picture of these four friends who found each other on Facebook and met for lunch. I told you Facebook is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Jeff and I did not play hangman on the table at the restaurant because we did not miss the kids at all during our day away.
Jeff and I did not celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary in this beautiful condo in the Ozark Mountains.
This was not the view from the jacuzzi tub, and I did not sit in that tub for hours.
And this was not the view from the king size bed which definitely did not have a down comforter which was to die for. 
Jeff and I definitely did not enjoy watching the snow fall and enjoying each other's peace and quiet.... even if just for a day. 
Have a wonderful week doing nothing.
Tonight was Josh's soccer banquet for Springfield Soccer Club. I have to say that even I was a little intimidated when we walked in and there was a huge convention room full of people... at least 500... Typically this would have totally freaked him out. Josh walked in, walked away from us, and immediately went to hang out with his friends. He was laughing and talking... he was the center of attention. Of course, that's where he likes to be, so he was in 7th heaven.We were revelling in his progress with crowds and being independent. He was actually talking to girls, which he never does. He was Joe Cool and was strutting his stuff.
When it was all over... he went out to the parking lot and got in the wrong car.Joe Cool.
