Thursday Thoughts

{one}

So, my local Target store never called me back. Ever. I called them either six or eight times during this whole process and was always told someone would call me back, but I never received a single call. BUT, after calling the 800 number again and shooting off an email to the CEO, someone from the executive office called, apologized, and said that while it is the policy to review the tape, it shouldn't have happened like this, and that she'd be sending me a $15 gift card to go get another tank top. I truly appreciated the sincerity with which Nancy and Sandra (Saundra?) at the executive office and 800 number handled the situation, and I consider it to be completely resolved. Now, I just hope I'm not treated like a total pariah the next time I'm in the local store!

{two}

We took the plunge and went out to put the down payment on the Longhorn cow on Tuesday. We should have it in two to three weeks, and I'll probably post more about it then. But in the meantime, how crazy are these longhorns? I'd never seen a cow quite like it!

{three}

I have flowers sprouting! I believe these are grape hyacinth. I'm so excited that some of the bulbs I planted last fall are taking off!

{four}

Justin has been home sick since Tuesday with a stomach bug that I am DESPERATELY hoping Lizzy and I don't get. His work stopped giving sick and vacation time back in 2009, so he's essentially missed three days of work unpaid. And coincidentally, this is also the month that due to a switch in where he's working, he drops back down to his regular wage instead of a higher wage that he'd been receiving since about August. Talk about slamming us back to reality. I wish we'd done a better job of budgeting the whole time he made the higher wage, but we didn't. Still, I'm so glad that we got on the budget train in January--since then, we've almost completely funded our emergency fund, which is a huge blessing, as we may need to dip into it to make up for what could turn out to be a one-day work week since Justin often has Fridays off. I hate dipping into the emergency fund at all, but I have to keep reminding myself that this is what it's there for.

{five}

Is there anything better than a fort? I was trying to keep the kids fairly mellow yesterday since J was home sleeping. A fort seemed like the perfect solution.

{six}

We have a movie gift card, so you better believe we've lined up a babysitter (thanks Kelsey!) to go see The Hunger Games next Friday. I even made a shirt. You can't tell from the photo, but the letters are glitter. Oh yes. I'm THAT nerdy.

{seven}

Yesterday, I met some friends at a local McDonalds that has a HUGE indoor play place. Long story short, due to sick kiddos, they ended up having to leave, but Lizzy and I stayed to run off some energy and hopefully secure a nap for the afternoon. Lizzy ROCKED the playplace, climbing all the way to the top by herself. I broke out a book and enjoyed some unexpected reading time. I settled in, enjoying the moment, and realized something that I've never noticed before--the playplace was playing the Christian radio station. And the song that was on was just like balm to my stressed-out soul. This isn't a manifesto about how all fast-food restaurants should play the Christian radio station (I actually don't think they should). This was just to say that in that moment, it was just miraculously, exactly what I needed, and I'm thankful.

{eight}

Lizzy loves talking on the phone. Last night, she was talking to my sister, and I snapped some photos, 'cause she was cracking me up.

{nine}

Two fairly recent BUDGET purchases that have made me happy on a daily basis? $1 turquoise mason jars, and $5 red shoes (JC Penney, after they slashed prices).