So... in true Spring Cleaning fashion we moved rooms around last night. We now have a dedicated office again. I was sick of having our office in our bedroom. It was packed to the gills with computers, paper, and stuff. Not anymore. =) Thanks hubby for moving everything!

Today, we had to get Isabel some clothes. All her jeans that I bought her at the beginning of the year were no longer working... they got holes in bad places, and just plain didn't fit anymore. So, the kids and I walked (DH had the Van today) to Savers, a discount, used clothes store - kind of like a Goodwill of sorts) (I've never shopped there before - but I am trying). I budgeted $70, and I spent $70.10. Wahoo! On all three kids! Not bad. And they were fine with it. I promised the kids lunch @ Wendy's which was right next door to Savers, but I only took $80 with me - so we had to get lunch for 4 for only $10. We did it!

The whole walk, shopping, and lunch took 2 hours. The walk to Savers is 20 minutes. When we started it was 88 degrees outside (thanks to my nifty stroller temp gauge) and when we were walking back it was 93 degrees. The weather is perfect and warm. The smells of the trees and plants and flowers was delicious. Not sure how many of you have ever smelled the desert in the Spring, early Summer. It's very fragrant.

I am not going to lie, when we first started out - we were a bunch of complainers. Well, all except for Nic - he was in the abovementioned nifty stroller. My shins were killing me. We all need to get healthy so badly. Well, at least that was our third walk since Monday. We just need to keep it up.

This evening, I will be planning our menu and going grocery shopping. I should have done it yesterday, but the Spring Cleaning bug bit me.

The $2K I spent in cash to fix my truck was stolen from me. He (a horrible shop owner) kept telling us we needed more money, that we have unexpected expenses, more fees, more parts. I did a search on the BBB last night, and he has 17 complaints in the last 24 months for doing this to 17 other people. My husband accidently reviewed the wrong business... and normally he is so thorough... He is so mad at himself. I don't blame him though.

I was finally able to get my truck this morning, but it does not have the new engine, he wouldn't give it to me. And he would not give me my money back. It was a huge, nasty fight. He put in Paid Invoice number on the copy of the estimate my husband first signed, "showing" we paid for the engine and rcved it. It's a blatant forgery. He has done this to so many people. I am so sad. We had to pay $100 to get it towed out of there... now I have a truck with the old engine in the bed, in peices sitting at my mother-in-laws. I guess our carpooling days AREN'T over.

That $2K was the most money we ever had saved. And now it's gone.

I am going to pay off the loan that holds the lein in March, and then I think we will sell the truck for its parts (it's a 98 F-150, not worth much). The body is in perfect shape, hopefully we will get something for it. And then we have to save to buy a used car.

On top of all that, I ran into a fence post, when trying to help put the truck back in its spot at my MILs. Hard. And it hurts! I think I am getting a black eye. =(

Not a good day for me.

As I have mentioned in the past, I having my given my notice at work. Sad, but true.

A few weeks ago, I was watching a recorded (DVR'd) shows, and once it was done, the show that was currently airing happened to be the morning news. They were in the middle of an interview with a young woman who became a teacher through a internship/fellowship process. I was intrigued. I've always wanted to obtain my teaching certificate.

I went online, and after a few days of research the program, I applied. The application and question were lengthy. Well, when I got home from work yesterday, there was an email from the director of this program. I have been invited to interview for an Elementary teaching position at a high need school in Phoenix. I am very excited.

My Basic Skills tests are on March 28, and my interview (6 hours, different tasks) is on March 29.

I have a lot to study! It's been forever since I was in Elementary school! lol... I am going to have my kids help me! Along with the traditional interview, I also will have to teach a lesson plan I create, and write an essay.

Now... the spending money part. The basic skills test through the state is $105. And the fingerprint clearance card is $69. :/ Thankfully, I am getting my work bonus this week.

If I am selected to do this, they will forgive some of by undergrad student loans. In addition, I will be attending a Masters of Arts in Education (MAEd) program through Arizona State to obtain my license to teach in any school, and no longer as an "intern".

There is a 5 week (paid) training course this summer, and then I would be in my own classroom in August.

While I am practicing positive thinking, if for some reason I do not make the program, I will still go on to obtain my MAEd. Either way, it's what I want to do.

Did I mention I was excited?

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Payday is JUST around the corner. I cannot wait to get the first of the month's bills done and paid.

We are still waiting on our truck to get out of the shop. It's funny, I thought I'd miss that $2k a lot more. Out of sight, out of mind - I guess.

So, I was reading on Debt Reduction 101's blog about her Debt Management program... and I checked them out. They said that 2 companies do not belong to the program, so with the other remaining cards, I would have to pay $229 a month and I should be able to pay it off within 5 years (about $10K total).

$185 towards debt
$ 39 admin fee
$ 5 dues of some sort
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$229

That still leaves cards to pay on our own. If I add up what my monthly minimums are - and add a little extra ($5-$10 per month) - that equals to $392 a month (all towards debt, no fees). I have about $550 budgeted each month for debt repayment... so I think I am going to go at it on my own for a bit, and see what I can do. The goal is to not murder my credit score, but still come up with a feasible way to pay down the cards within the next 5 years (or sooner, if we can). If I find I am still in over my head in January - then I will reconsider. I did love how I could do everything online, though!

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DH was promoted recently, and I finally got a hold of his new salary. He is making just $4K less than me now, but since health ins. comes out of my pocket - we will be bringing home the same amount. YEAH!! And it's SALARY - no more guessing from paycheck to paycheck. This should make things easier, right?

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The Phoenix Suns won on Friday night!! =) And true to our word, we grilled cheeseburgers and ate warm, salty, french fries by the fistful. It was a great night.

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Our dogs are not adjusting well to our recent move. They are used to having a big back yard. Chloe (dog) is becoming very testy with Nico (kid) - I cannot leave them alone. Well, we took them out last night, then brought them in to the bathroom (it's tiled, and huge!) and left them while we went for a longer walk. We were gone about an hour and when we got back, Chloe ate the door jamb trim (is that what's it's called?) ATE IT. Shredded it. In pieces. Gone. Well, about 24 inches of it. As much as I love them, it's been very tough the past two years. They just don't seem happy. We are considering finding new homes for them. My oldest son, Xan, is not happy... but I think he's starting to see what we mean. So, tough decision there to make.

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Well, it's Sunday - the day I dread the most. I have three kids to get ready for Monday morning. And now, even more fun, I have to plan our route tomorrow since we are down to one vehicle. Our tuck is parked at my MILs and will be fixed over the next month or so. Until then, we will be carpooling!

Feeling chatty tonight, sorry! =)

So... DH and I were going to go to our favorite wing joint/sports bar tonight. I said "Let's take the two oldest kids, they would enjoy it." DH agreed. Then I remembered that a soda costs $2 each there. Basic math, JJ. $2 x 4 = $8. Umm. Nope. So... DH got hamburger meat at Costco, and we are going to grill some cheeseburgers, make up some french fries, and share a 2 ltr of Dr. Pepper. It's Friday night, and basketball season is in full swing.