Update on furnishing my house.

As everyone who reads my blog knows, I've been putting back items and supplies I would need for a home, and now that I've gotten a few big ticket items I'm starting to feel more accomplished. Over the course of the past month and a half, I've managed to acquire several of the things I would need for a kitchen including a set of Paula Dean stainless steel copper bottom pots and pans (10 piece set), 16 piece set of dishes (that gives me 4 of everything so I will be getting another set when I can afford to), and a black and red Mr. Coffee coffee pot. Not to mention the stuff I've already had. I won't need much more to finish off my kitchen buying. The bigger ticket items include silverware (because I want 8 of everything instead of 4) a microwave, a garbage can, and any other big appliances I decide on. Black Friday is getting close so I'm trying to hold off until then to buy appliances. The rest of the things I need for my kitchen are all under 15 dollars and that's not bad at all! I've decided not to get a dining room table right away just because I don't know how much space I will have and don't want to waste money on something I can't even use. So I will look into that when it gets closer to time.

For my living room I have a beautiful sectional sofa put in layaway and I am paying it off as I go. But that is the only big ticket item I have for the living room. I would like to have a set of end tables and a coffee table, a tv stand, and a mantle type shelf I can decorate. I haven't really looked into this too much but I did find some I liked at American Freight. I want to look around though. I don't know if I've told anyone my theme for my living room but I'm doing my living room in one of my favorite things....animal print! I have zebra print coasters from Hobby Lobby and some Fall decor that is touched with leopard print.

For my room I am doing a black, grey, and eggplant purple theme. I have also put in layaway a faux leather upholstered bed frame and headboard. Since this bedroom suit I am using now technically isn't mine I have to start from scratch. Not to mention, the furniture down here is pretty scratched up and water ringed. So to match everything my furniture will be black. I'm trying to look around for some bed side tables and a tv stand.

I want the bathroom to tie in with the master bedroom so the color scheme will be the same, but more glam! I want pictures of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn hanging on the walls with touches of zebra print everywhere! I have a few things bought for my bathroom already. I bought the purple towels and a few wash cloths, my clear protective curtain and my decorative curtain, but as far as the mats and stuff I'm still deciding what color I want to use the most of.

For Cayle's room I think it's pretty safe to say that the only thing he will really need is a new tv stand since his is starting to fall apart. He loves his Cars bedroom. And my cousin gave us a toddler bed a while back for FREE. Gently used. And it was the exact one I was looking at before. So it all worked out. And as long as he is happy with his Cars room it will be cars. I'd like to buy a few wall decorations for his room and a toy chest to match. His toy box matched his old room but since he traded rooms with my brother it doesn't anymore.

And pending on if we have another bathroom or half bathroom I think I'll do an animal print bathroom to match the rest of the animal print.


No matter what though, I want it to feel like home. And a happy home.

The more I look at town-homes the more I want one. They're so cozy and so modern looking. Definitely my style. But I looked on crye liek at homes for sale in the area I want to stay and they have so really nice homes for sale. So I guess I could go either way. I have a mental check list of things I look for in a house. And I would love

a fireplace
a garage
a yard
an attic
at least 2 levels
a patio or porch
a dining area
3 bedrooms
2 bathrooms

And as far as a new car, I think I'm going to take my income taxes like everyone is suggesting and put it towards a new car, I don't know if I can afford a brand new fresh off the lot car, but a fairly used car. I would like to find a Honda due to the fact that they last so long, they're safe, and stylish. So if I could find one for under 7,000 I will be a very happy camper. It's time to really put my head in the game and save every penny I can afford to and invest anywhere I can. But I am still going to fit family fun in there. Because no matter what I am still going to have to have a good clientele before I can move and there's no telling how long that will take. But I am giving my 200% effort in everything in my way. I can't be so focused on making a living that I forget to build a life.

Fall is a wonderful time of year, but it is also very expensive. I've had to plan these paychecks very carefully to make sure I can fit everything in that I am wanting to. Cayle's birthday is closer and closer and I still have yet to get started on decorations and everything. Work makes it hard to party plan, but with this next check I plan to get all the decorations and party place fee, our Disney on Ice tickets, pay on my furniture, fill up my gas tank, my mother's birthday gift, and to save the rest. I am also expecting money from my parents for finishing school. And all of it is going straight into my savings account. I also have to schedule our annual family portraits for Cayle's birthday, get him a Halloween costume, get his BIG birthday gift from me, finish getting him a Fall wardrobe, and finish shopping BEFORE Black Friday so I can get the deals for my house. The first day of Fall is less than a week away and I can already feel myself getting happier. I know that sounds a little..over the top..but in all honesty Summer always has a way of breaking my heart..something bad always happens and it's left to haunt me for every Summer to follow..but Fall just seems to have a way to make it go away. I don't know..


As far as the furniture goes, I think if I pay it off before I find a place I'll pay for a storage building. I do NOT want to store anything in this basement. I'm okay with storing the stuff I've bought already down here just because I keep it in the boxes and if it didn't come in a box it is in a storage bin and STAYS in there. I've also been hoarding my bath and body works products I've gotten as gifts over the years so when I move I will have plenty of soaps and shower gels and whatever else to make my home smell amazing.


It's a lot to take on at once..but I think I've proven to myself and others that I can handle pretty much anything that comes my way. I have momentary feelings of weakness..but it's in weakness that I find out and surprise myself with just how strong and determined I really am.

An update on work. Work is going well. Business has been somewhat slow with it being football season but that won't last long..I hope. We are also running a color special this month. Get $10 off your hair cut with any color service and a free gloss treatment to make your hair shine. And I am giving out referral cards to my customers. The customer gives the referral card to a friend. My customer will receive 50% off of their next shampoo, cut, and style. And the friend will receive 1 free Regis Design Line product 10.1 ounces or less. It's a great deal. And if anyone is interested in my referral cards feel free to let me know and I will give you a couple.

An update on Cayle. He is doing really well. He has also taken a liking to singing! Which he gets from me. And he loves the movie "Tangled" The song Flynn Ryder and Rapunzel sing called "I see the light" is his favorite to sing. And since they are going to be at Disney on Ice, I'm sure he is really going to enjoy himself. I suppose I can consider it a very early birthday gift and the start of a family tradition. I wanted to go sooo bad when I was pregnant with Cayle but nobody would go with me or anything so I'm glad we are finally getting to go..not only that but getting to do bigger and better things together. The corn mazes and pumpkin patches are coming up as well. Can't wait to do those. Family time with Cayle is what I live for. And now that it's Fall this mommy will be a lot happier and I think Cayle will pick up on it.

Let the festivities begin!

There's so many ways I can go with this...

I've talked the subject to death about moving out and being on my own with everything. And I'm hoping by Spring I will be able to. It all depends on clientele base. I have to have regulars coming to me and making a decent amount of money before I move. Because I refuse to move out and struggle. I refuse to be like my sister..who I no longer claim.

But to get to the point.. I definitely want a duplex to start out in. That way I can buddy up my neighbor and we can watch over the place while the other is away and what not. But I've also given thought to maybe instead of buying a regular house after a few years, purchasing a town home. I LOVE them. They're so adorable! and actually very spacious, and they have them in the area of town I want to be in. Which is great. I would like to have one with 3 bedrooms. They even have an attic for storage.

Now for the loop. My car is continuing to spiral downward. And I have no idea what I'm going to do. Tonight on my way home (in the rain) the windshield wiper on the driver's side decides to stop working. Greaaat. Not only that but the check engine light is back on and the service light too. I need a new car, but I really have no idea on what I can do at this point. Getting a new car is out of the question for one because it will keep me home longer and I have no credit. And it will take half of my check which will prolong living at home even more. And it's not that living at home is unbearable. It's just lonely (I'm on a completely opposite schedule from everyone else) for one, and two I have nowhere to put my things so I constantly live in a mess so that puts a real damper on my mood when I'm constantly being told to clean up. Clean up?? I have no where to put anything. How can I clean. And I just need a little freedom. I want to be able to go out without asking where to. I want to be able to walk around and not be afraid someone's going to see my tattoo (yes, they still haven't seen it). And just do family things with Cayle without question or anything.

I'm doing all I can right now. But it's just one of those days where it doesn't feel like enough. I budget, I save, I invest. What else can I do?

How exciting!!

Yesterday, Cayle and I had a day out since it was my day off. I had some in store credit things to spend at rue 21 so Cayle and I went out there and I did some clothes shopping for some new fall clothes. I got a 2 new coats, a dress, and a cami. I really desperately need some fall tops, but everything they had wasn't exactly something I could wear at work and wasn't something I would wear outside of work either. Since we can only wear 3 colors to work I kind of have to wait until fall is in full swing before I can find stuff.

After Rue 21, I stopped and got Cayle some lunch and we went to the American Freight warehouse. I decided to go ahead and put my sofa and my new bed in lay away! And if I pay 62.50 twice a month, I can pay both of them off in 6 months! Which will be about the time I start looking for places to live. And if I pay it off before I find a place, I can always get a storage building. Mom offered to let me store it in my basement area, but I said "Absolutely not!" I don't want it getting damaged in anyway before I even get it in my new home.

I've also decided I would like to take Cayle to Disney on Ice this year. I've been dying to go for years! But no one would ever go with me so I believe Cayle and I will go. The first show is on my off day and that sounds like us! I really enjoy being able to take him places and do special activities with him now that I have the money to. I understand that I am trying to save to move out, but I can't be serious all the time. Cayle and I have to have our family time in there too. And I'm doing everything I need to be doing right now. So all is well in my world.

Here are the pictures of my furniture! This is so much easier than trying to save up for all of this!

My day with Cayle! Pics included!

Today I get up extra early to take Cayle to Pump It Up to play. I had a feeling that he knew it was going to be a fun day because he was already awake when I went up to get him. When we got to Pump It Up we were the only ones there besides another mom who had her kids there. But since it's two rooms of inflatables we had a room to ourselves which was really fun! Cayle wore me out though. We went up slides and jumped and played ball. We had a blast he kept saying "Come on mommy! Lets play jump" Or "Come on mommy lets go! Let's slide". It's amazing how well speaks now. We stayed at Pump it up for a good 2 and a half hours and by then Kay was out of school and we had planned to spend some time together. Cayle was so happy to see his Auntie Kay! She's showing a lot more (she's pregnant with a baby girl and due December 13th. And is naming her Kynley Madison. Don't know if I've mentioned that here or not..but I'm going to be an auntie!) We went to babies r us and rue 21. I got Cayle a new pair of shoes and myself a new pair of jeans. I had ripped my favorite ones playing today, but that's okay. Things like that can be replaced. Memories cannot.

We had lunch at Steak 'n' Shake. Cayle ate everything on his plate which is a rarity for him since he is so picky! And we all sat and talked. And just enjoyed the company.

After our lunch we went to Hobby Lobby and went on a hunt for some Fall and Christmas decorations. All of it is 40% off, but I fought the urge to splurge on it. I did however see a few things I would like to go back and get. It's got me wondering what to get Cayle for Christmas and what he wants to be for Halloween. Personally, I would love to see him dress up as a cute little monster. Last year's costume was my favorite. He was Frankenstein.

After our trip in Hobby Lobby, Kay had to go home. So Cayle and I went to Walmart so I could get him some new clothes for Fall. I got him several shirts (which I will post pictures of later) and two pairs of knit pants. I got them in a 4T since he's in 3T now I figured these would be more comfortable with a bit of growing room. Eventually I want to go back down to Dalton and do some shopping there. I always find great deals in those outlet malls.

I also got Kay her baby shower gift. I got the baby a pink leopard print outfit and a gift box filled with 2 packs of huggies diapers, a box of wipes, and a tube of desitin. All much needed items.

While at Walmart I've decided on my big gift to Cayle for his birthday. Walmart has riding toys. And they have little four wheelers for boys in the Disney Cars characters and they're $60. I already have a Disney Cars tie blanket for him that I am going to make. They had the kits at Hobby Lobby and I got him one a while back just for this. And my last gift to him for his birthday will be books. He has gotten to where he LOVES to read and have me read to him so I plan to encourage this all that I can. Dr. Seuss books will probably be what I get. His favorite book right now is "Goodnight Moon". He will have me read that again and again.

When I got home today, Mom and I started talking about her mattress from the Great American Freight warehouse. She and Daddy have it in layaway. She was explaining to me how the layaway program worked there and I am definitely interested in putting some stuff in there. I want a new bedroom suit first of all, but I can put my living room furniture and stuff in there too! She said you can put as much as you want down on the item and pay as much as you want each month. No interest or fees. Not only that but you are guaranteed a new piece of furniture. Meaning that you won't get the display piece. So Thursday I want to go have a look out there and just see what they have and if there's anything I can put in there now. If I time it right I can have my new furniture and my new place at the same time! No storage building or anything needed! How cool is that!?

I know this is off topic as well, but I got my official cosmetology license today in the mail! Super happy!!!

Here are our pictures today from Pump It Up!

I miss Cayle.

Work is great, but it has it's drawbacks..My time with Cayle is so much less than what I'm used to. It really breaks my heart..I'm so used to being with him all the time. But I work nights all the time. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 3-9. Sunday 12-6. No day shifts. I know it's just for a little while, but it really hurts to be away from him. And I know it's not going to get easier. Because being a single mom, means you are the provider, the mother, the maid, the cook, the photographer, the doctor, the mentor, the teacher, the coach, the go to person. And I know I'm doing the best possible thing for him by building a career that has so much potential to make good money for us, but it's just hard with his birthday and stuff coming up. I want to soak up all this time with him. So I believe the best thing I can do right now is sacrifice sleep time (we usually sleep in) for Cayle time. Instead of doing dinner, do breakfast together. Instead of nights on the town, early mornings. I'll do whatever it takes to secure our relationship. And when it comes time for school, I can either home school or I can ask for a few day shifts and send Cayle to a really good private school (yes, still considering Daddy's offer). I don't know. All I know right now is that I am blessed to have so much help from my family and friends. Here's to a new start tomorrow. Cayle and I will have breakfast together and spend the morning doing something wonderful. Bring on Fall!!