It's like all my dreams and prayers have been answered...because the Super Target is FINALLY Here! I have been eagerly awaiting this day for months now, as we have watched the new building go up and all of the construction taking place.
No more fighting over that last pair of 4T jeans, or the one remaining pair of winter boots. No more seeing the old Target nestled between the Fashion Bug and the Chinese takeout place in the dingy little strip mall.
Oh no people, for the new Target is in a FIELD all on it's own, with turn lanes and all, a new bank across the way and a Starbucks to wet my parched throat as I float down the aisles of affordable, fashionable fun.
And then I entered my favorite retailer this past Sunday. And I was shocked because the floorplan is DIFFERENT. It's
really...well...just weird. As a designer who plans spaces for a living, I was a little shocked to see this very new layout. It's weird because when you enter on the far left side of the store, it's all jewelery, bags, and shoes lining the wall, then leads you into women's clothing, circling you to the back wall where the very tightly layed out electronics is, with the toys across the way in the freaking middle of the store. I have only seen one other store planned like this, which is also fairly new and I vowed never to enter that particular one again because I just could not find anything.
Don't get me wrong, the grocery part is exactly the same as the rest of the store. It's just everything else. I think I am so used to entering Target, going straight for Electronics and the new DVD's and books that come out on Tuesdays, then browse through the toys in the back of the store and swoop up to check out the new clothes and round out my shopping in the snacks aisle going through the grocery section.
So I'm a little flustered and confused because my system is all screwed up. But never fear because in the spirit of getting a brand news Target, I will come up with a new strategy. It will take awhile to get my bearings, but I believe I can do it!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Turn the Heat Up!
I've been waking up all cozy in my bed the past few weeks...until I have to dash out into the frigid air to get to the shower and then dash back out to get dressed. Totally sucks. And the girls have been complaining about being too cold to get up out of bed.
It seems like every year we go through the same thing...when do you turn the heat back on? When it's 30 degrees outside or only 60 degrees in the house? Because October in Minnesota can be chilly, rainy, or gorgeous. Especially during the day when it climbs into the 70's.
We always like to see how long we can go without turning the heat on, especially this year when I know the gas bill is going to be at an all time high (suck!) But when I got up this morning and it was only 60 degrees in the house...a mere 1 degree away from 59, we did it. Ben turned the heat on. I'm sure he'll turn it off when he's home for lunch today, but now we have a nice fat bill to look forward to. (Sigh)
It seems like every year we go through the same thing...when do you turn the heat back on? When it's 30 degrees outside or only 60 degrees in the house? Because October in Minnesota can be chilly, rainy, or gorgeous. Especially during the day when it climbs into the 70's.
We always like to see how long we can go without turning the heat on, especially this year when I know the gas bill is going to be at an all time high (suck!) But when I got up this morning and it was only 60 degrees in the house...a mere 1 degree away from 59, we did it. Ben turned the heat on. I'm sure he'll turn it off when he's home for lunch today, but now we have a nice fat bill to look forward to. (Sigh)
Friday, October 10, 2008
The Economy
It's going to hell and we are all going down with it.
So many people are stupid enough to not live within their means. The get a jacked-up mortgage, all the McMansions, SUV's, boats, vacations and toys they want just because they believe they "deserve" it.
Sure our government does a shitty job but I believe the American people are just as much to blame. They are hurting the families who actually live within their means, pay their bills on time, pay off their credit card every month, and try to save a little for their retirement.
Now because of wall street, crooked CEO's, stupid Amercans and the war our economy is in big time trouble. And it affects all of the middle and lower class families like ours.
I feel like my family follows all the rules...sure we wear nice clothes and go on vacation once a year but we also have zero debt, our cars are paid off (mine is coming on 8 yrs and still running great), we put money down on a modest house when we bought it and got a NORMAL loan. We try to save but with 2 kids and what I like to refer to as our "second" mortgage which is our daycare costs, it hard.
But now we are really feeling the pinch because I drive over 20 miles to work and fill up with gas 2-3 times a week, our 401K's and Roth IRA's are losing money badly, our gas/electric bills are high and everything is just generally more expensive, even clothes and school supplies. But where I feel it the most in in groceries. I never spent a lot at the store, clip coupons and shop only once a week on Sunday's (I inherited this habit from my mom). I even shop at Costco (a Sam's Club type store) and buy all of my meat and freeze it to last for many months....but now even the necessities are getting expensive.
Do you know how much fricken milk my family drinks? Over two gallons a week, mainly because my husband drinks a ton. I barely touch the stuff (my stomach for some reason can't handle it) so I may spend as much as $7-$10 in just milk! And bread it like three bucks and all of the fruit and veggies are up about 10-20%. I saw yesterday at the gas station a 12 pack of pepsi was $4.99 (growing up it was about $3.99 for a 24 pack!).
What. The. Hell?
So now we have to cut back because just last night Ben told me he was nervous about the economy and we need to not spend a dime, nor charge ANYTHING to our credit card. He also alluded to the fact we can't buy anything for Christmas this year, which is fine with me but makes me a little sad about not getting the girls much. I looked at him and felt like saying - I only bought them each three gifts last year, what am I supposed to do, get them one gift this yea? But I kept my mouth shut because he's stressed out already just thinking about money.
But if I say hey...let's cut out Direct TV, TiVo, drop our Y membership, drop our NETFLIX membership, don't eat out on Saturday afternoon's for lunch, cut out our Internet, contribute less to your IRA, and drop down to one cell phone instead of two do you think he would take me up on it? No, because those are all things he enjoys and actually pursued. By my calculation, that would save exactly $372 a month, which in turn I can spend on groceries for the month and still have money left over.
We aren't exactly there yet....but I have a feeling if we do get in dire straights we'll have to make a few sacrifices.
Just like the rest of America.
So many people are stupid enough to not live within their means. The get a jacked-up mortgage, all the McMansions, SUV's, boats, vacations and toys they want just because they believe they "deserve" it.
Sure our government does a shitty job but I believe the American people are just as much to blame. They are hurting the families who actually live within their means, pay their bills on time, pay off their credit card every month, and try to save a little for their retirement.
Now because of wall street, crooked CEO's, stupid Amercans and the war our economy is in big time trouble. And it affects all of the middle and lower class families like ours.
I feel like my family follows all the rules...sure we wear nice clothes and go on vacation once a year but we also have zero debt, our cars are paid off (mine is coming on 8 yrs and still running great), we put money down on a modest house when we bought it and got a NORMAL loan. We try to save but with 2 kids and what I like to refer to as our "second" mortgage which is our daycare costs, it hard.
But now we are really feeling the pinch because I drive over 20 miles to work and fill up with gas 2-3 times a week, our 401K's and Roth IRA's are losing money badly, our gas/electric bills are high and everything is just generally more expensive, even clothes and school supplies. But where I feel it the most in in groceries. I never spent a lot at the store, clip coupons and shop only once a week on Sunday's (I inherited this habit from my mom). I even shop at Costco (a Sam's Club type store) and buy all of my meat and freeze it to last for many months....but now even the necessities are getting expensive.
Do you know how much fricken milk my family drinks? Over two gallons a week, mainly because my husband drinks a ton. I barely touch the stuff (my stomach for some reason can't handle it) so I may spend as much as $7-$10 in just milk! And bread it like three bucks and all of the fruit and veggies are up about 10-20%. I saw yesterday at the gas station a 12 pack of pepsi was $4.99 (growing up it was about $3.99 for a 24 pack!).
What. The. Hell?
So now we have to cut back because just last night Ben told me he was nervous about the economy and we need to not spend a dime, nor charge ANYTHING to our credit card. He also alluded to the fact we can't buy anything for Christmas this year, which is fine with me but makes me a little sad about not getting the girls much. I looked at him and felt like saying - I only bought them each three gifts last year, what am I supposed to do, get them one gift this yea? But I kept my mouth shut because he's stressed out already just thinking about money.
But if I say hey...let's cut out Direct TV, TiVo, drop our Y membership, drop our NETFLIX membership, don't eat out on Saturday afternoon's for lunch, cut out our Internet, contribute less to your IRA, and drop down to one cell phone instead of two do you think he would take me up on it? No, because those are all things he enjoys and actually pursued. By my calculation, that would save exactly $372 a month, which in turn I can spend on groceries for the month and still have money left over.
We aren't exactly there yet....but I have a feeling if we do get in dire straights we'll have to make a few sacrifices.
Just like the rest of America.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Say....Cheezywheezicals!
I love that word. Whenever I try to get Aliyah to smile for the camera, I always yell out...say cheezywheezicals! The first time I said it was just to get her attention because she is never listening to me. Plus cheese is just too dull.
So now whenever she takes a picture of me with her fake camera, she yells out the word and then laughs hysterically when her camera says - Your as pretty as a princess! or...Your beauuuuutiful.
We've been practicing up because today is picture day at daycare. I always depend on them to turn our really nice because I put them in the Christmas letter every year. But this year, the girls won't have matching outfits, or even be in the same pose together. All because Alex is in kindergarten and goes to a different school.
So sadly, no more of the matching outfits on the same backgrounds. I am such a freak for matching and making sure they look good. One of their preschool teachers even told me last year that I take it a little far with actually dressing them the same. I just ignored her.
So I guess I'll have to take them somewhere on my own to get the cute themed outfits. Either that or actually use my skills and photograph them myself. But who has the time? Certainly not me when I'm expected to go the the YMCA every night...which by the way we are attending tonight. Go figure!
So say cheezywheezicals!
So now whenever she takes a picture of me with her fake camera, she yells out the word and then laughs hysterically when her camera says - Your as pretty as a princess! or...Your beauuuuutiful.
We've been practicing up because today is picture day at daycare. I always depend on them to turn our really nice because I put them in the Christmas letter every year. But this year, the girls won't have matching outfits, or even be in the same pose together. All because Alex is in kindergarten and goes to a different school.
So sadly, no more of the matching outfits on the same backgrounds. I am such a freak for matching and making sure they look good. One of their preschool teachers even told me last year that I take it a little far with actually dressing them the same. I just ignored her.
So I guess I'll have to take them somewhere on my own to get the cute themed outfits. Either that or actually use my skills and photograph them myself. But who has the time? Certainly not me when I'm expected to go the the YMCA every night...which by the way we are attending tonight. Go figure!
So say cheezywheezicals!
Monday, October 6, 2008
The "Y" Fever
Ben - "So, what do you want to do tonight?"
Me - "Um, I don't know...what do YOU want to do?"
Ben - "Let's go the Y."
Me - (Sigh) "All right."
Sound familiar? This is the hot question of the night...every night when I get my butt home and the girls through the door at 6 p.m. When I really want to to say...make dinner, take a shower, sit on my ass and watch some T.V.....our family is shoveling a peanut butter and jelly sandwich down our throats, throwing our work out clothes and swim suits on and trekking over to the brand new YMCA that we joined. Which is only 6 freaking blocks from our house (convenient, ha?).
Yes, we now have a YMCA in town and Ben was so excited for it to open that we have become charter members (we got to pay a higher fee for the first month to get a water bottle, duffel bag, and a plaque with out names on it). And since it opened in mid-September we are VERY frequent visitors.
At first I was leary of going because let's face it. I just don't work out. Never have liked it, never will. I was fortunate enough to inherit my grandmother Normandin's little figure but have a very high cholesterol which puts my husband in a tizzy. I don't eat bad. We rarely eat out and if we do, it's never a true fast food place like McDonald's, but a sandwich shop with a salad and soup. I walk the dog around the block a couple of times a week, not to mention play with two active little girls and half the time I haul Aliyah around everywhere we go.
Then there is the "discount" factor. If we go up to twelve times a month our health insurance will reimburse adults $20 per person a month. That's 40 bucks which is a big chunk of the monthly fee. But come on, 12 times a month? That's really hard.
So being apprehensive, I was a little reserved. We went opening night and we just went swimming in the pool, which the girls LOVE. Then it led to the exercise room and learning how to used the elliptical...then the bike...then the treadmill....and now?
Damn it I LOVE it!
But I only love it once we actually get there, fast forward to the end of the workout (because I still hate actually working out) and I feel great. The girls have a good time, whether we all go swimming or put them in the playroom with the staff because they are very social and get exercise themselves. Ben and I both are in a good mood, we get the girls to bed with barely any fuss because they are tired and then we sit and relax in bed watching the news.
I still moan and groan and would choose to sit around watching my favorite shows, but then I'm not doing myself or family any favors. I just suck it up and do it.
Just like I tell the girls fifty times a day. Suck it up.
Me - "Um, I don't know...what do YOU want to do?"
Ben - "Let's go the Y."
Me - (Sigh) "All right."
Sound familiar? This is the hot question of the night...every night when I get my butt home and the girls through the door at 6 p.m. When I really want to to say...make dinner, take a shower, sit on my ass and watch some T.V.....our family is shoveling a peanut butter and jelly sandwich down our throats, throwing our work out clothes and swim suits on and trekking over to the brand new YMCA that we joined. Which is only 6 freaking blocks from our house (convenient, ha?).
Yes, we now have a YMCA in town and Ben was so excited for it to open that we have become charter members (we got to pay a higher fee for the first month to get a water bottle, duffel bag, and a plaque with out names on it). And since it opened in mid-September we are VERY frequent visitors.
At first I was leary of going because let's face it. I just don't work out. Never have liked it, never will. I was fortunate enough to inherit my grandmother Normandin's little figure but have a very high cholesterol which puts my husband in a tizzy. I don't eat bad. We rarely eat out and if we do, it's never a true fast food place like McDonald's, but a sandwich shop with a salad and soup. I walk the dog around the block a couple of times a week, not to mention play with two active little girls and half the time I haul Aliyah around everywhere we go.
Then there is the "discount" factor. If we go up to twelve times a month our health insurance will reimburse adults $20 per person a month. That's 40 bucks which is a big chunk of the monthly fee. But come on, 12 times a month? That's really hard.
So being apprehensive, I was a little reserved. We went opening night and we just went swimming in the pool, which the girls LOVE. Then it led to the exercise room and learning how to used the elliptical...then the bike...then the treadmill....and now?
Damn it I LOVE it!
But I only love it once we actually get there, fast forward to the end of the workout (because I still hate actually working out) and I feel great. The girls have a good time, whether we all go swimming or put them in the playroom with the staff because they are very social and get exercise themselves. Ben and I both are in a good mood, we get the girls to bed with barely any fuss because they are tired and then we sit and relax in bed watching the news.
I still moan and groan and would choose to sit around watching my favorite shows, but then I'm not doing myself or family any favors. I just suck it up and do it.
Just like I tell the girls fifty times a day. Suck it up.
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