Clothes for RAM....!?!?!

Yes, it's official. I'm coming out as a self-proclaimed computer geek. It's new to some, but I've always kinda been a computer nerd. In my "pre-Robert" days, I was the one all my friends and family went to for computer issues. Especially with PCs. I remember all my hallmates in my freshman dorm practically paying me to fix their computers. (I actually received a really nice gift from one girl!)

Anyway, then I met Robert and he took over all the computer fixin'. Bless his heart...we've had enough of them!

BUT then...dun...dun..dun....I got a Mac. And hated it. I mean, everyone I talked to LOVED them. So we caved when my PC finally gave in and went for Apple!

For a year, I swore up and down I was going to sell it. I couldn't get it organized and never knew where to put anything...files that is. Even some applications weren't compatible with my "cool" new Mac. (yeah right) But I hung in there. Through thick and thin. (We've been through a lot!!).

Finally, one day, I buckled down and was determined to figure out how to make this Mac work for me. Yes, I have put the hours in. I've ignored my kids, housework, and myself. But about a year after buying our Mac...I fell in love!!!

So...fast forward to this past Christmas. My beloved Mac had gotten a little slow on me. I researched and researched how to solve this problem. External hard drive - CHECK! Deleted everything unnecessary - CHECK!! Still s....l....o.....w. And k..i...ll...ing........ME....!!

Sad, I know. Internet is up there with air to me.

After much thought and research (and guidance from my computer-savvy husband), we concluded that my sweet Mac just needed a little extra boost...in RAM that is!

So.....in order to get this much desired effect on my computer, listen ladies.... I traded clothes in for 2 Gigs of RAM for my computer!!! Now that is computer dedication!!! Clothes people!!!! HELLO!??! CLOTHES!!! for RAM!! Memory...to make my computer faster and more responsive!

And to add to all of my "RAM excitement", I also bought (with Christmas $$) a DVI to DVI cord. Ok, so I know I'm speaking gibberish to some people, but that just makes my monitor an HD monitor. So I can see all my pretty babies in the pictures I take of them crystal clear!


So, farewell, my 512 MB of RAM. We've had some great memories together. But....I've moved on. I'm afraid you won't be badly missed. Because my 2 gigabyte's are really gettin' the job done.

And not to be outdone by my frugal side, I researched and researched how cheap I could get 1G of RAM. I found it on sale at Circuit City for $19.99 and price-matched it at Best Buy. Ok, at Best Buy, it was priced at $79.99 ....the exact same RAM!!! I saved $60!!!!!! (I think even the managers were impressed!!) Talk about spendin' my xmas $$ wisely!!! hehe (it never hurts to do your research!!!)



And just to even things out, the rest of my xmas $ went to tires. YUP, tires I don't even drive on. But it had to be done. :-)

How did you spend any extra Christmas cash??

On My Mind...

Everyone goes through things that make them anxious or scared. It's so easy to worry about anything and everything. I guilty of this as well. When all in all, it's not in our control anyways! So why waste our time worrying...instead, I'm going to cling to a few truths. That I know will not fail me. That doesn't mean that things will go my way, but at least I know there is something better around the corner from the Lord! Our God is sovereign!

So here I go putting them in print (not too profound). This is more for me than you (whoever 'you' is). So I can come back to these whenever I want.

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name, you are mine." Isaiah 43:4
I like this one..I know He will will keep me safe...I am His and He will carry me through anything.


"I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord is my strength and my sing. He has become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2
As much as I'd like to do everything on my own, I can't...and that's a good thing. :-) Because God can do it better.


"Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philipians 4:6
It's useless to worry. It accomplishes nothing. I'm going to speak/worry less, and pray more.


"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:$
God knows what we want, we just have to ask him. Even if the answer is 'NO', His plan is larger (and better).

"In your distress, you called and I rescued you." Psalm 81:7
I like to look at the "rescue" in the past tense - as in He's already rescued us...I'm in His hands and not to worry.


So, in 2009, I'm planning on worrying LESS!! We could all do with a little less worry and anxiety in our lives!! :-)

He'll Do Just Fine...

...as a husband that is. The boy is learning to clean the dishes at a young age. He cleared Robert's and my plate (and washed them in the sink) after our in house date night steak dinner. And without being asked either.




It may have had a little to do with playing in water and soap.

But still...he gets the credit. In my book anyways. :-)

Daddy's Disclosures

Looking Ahead into 2009

As we close the books on another year, it is nice to reflect on the Profits and Losses of 2008. Did the resources we used in 2008(time, money, actions and words) yield a profit? Did we overspend in certain areas and underspend in others? Are we increasing our eternal gains or our earthly gains? Are we focusing our attention in areas that are meaningful?

On January 1, 2009, to ring in the New Year, the first thing Lindsay and I did was discuss and set our 2009 household budget, went over our monthly cash flow and set goals for our finances, our family and personally. I know, I know, what a dork. It may seem a bit prude to do such a thing on a holiday but the tone it sets for the year is great! For this to be the first thing we did on the first day of a new year was awesome! I am so happy that Lindsay participated and it showed that she really cares about our financial well-being and future. My wife rocks! Finally, to keep our eyes on the future and to have goals is the only way that we will get anywhere in this life. My wife rocks!

Happy New Year.


A Few Goals

Financial
Stick to the budget
Save X$
Invest X$
Paydown Debt

Family
Have a weekly Date Night
Take an overnight trip

Personal
Workout 3X/week
Blog regularly on Lindsay’s Blog
Read one Book per Quarter
Home earlier on workdays

Hello 2009!

We rang in the new year with friends, food, and fireworks!! It was so much fun. We had a corn hole competition that was mandatory to play in. Well, I've never played and probably lost the game for us! I need a wee bit more practice!



We safely set off lots of fun fireworks! Everyone but Lillian enjoyed it. It was so way past her bed time and she just wasn't having it. Which by the way, keeping the kids up late DOES NOT make them sleep in. They were up bright and early New Year's Day! :-)


She watched from afar!

Me, trying oh so hard.

Robert was better!



Baking brownies with Mrs. Rainer!


Fireworks make the man crazy!


I pretty much carried her around all night. Sweet baby!


Happy New Year y'all!