30 Sucks.....

Or so they say! I'm not quite there yet, but so many I know are reaching 30! (I should note I only have 8 months left in my 20s- better start living them up!!) anyways, one of my best friends J threw a surprise 30th for her fiancé P. the party was great! He had NO idea! I made him a little gift card holder..... It turned out really cute!! Of course my inspiration came from Pinterest I just modified to make it work for me! Enjoy! 

Overall it was really easy! I used a small box, cut to size- filled it with spray foam, cut the expanding foam down to size, wrapped the box, an stick the lollipops in, 30 of the suckers are shoved in the box, along with a dowel rod holding an envelope containing the gift card. Such an easy gift! 

Now to figure out what to do for the rest of the 30th birthdays over the next year.... 

Suggestions are welcome! 

Update to 30X30

I'm not going to sugar coat it but I'm also not to dwell on it.... The last five months have been challenging!! 

However, I am happy to report my list is getting accomplished! 

1. This is HUGE!! I. HAVE. TRIM. My life is close to complete! The pic below shows the outside trim, but i have it inside also!! Now if I can just get the curtain rods hung up and curtains up.....

2. I was doing SO good with this, but then Matt's company went on strike and he didn't work for two weeks..... Ugh- so what little I had put away- we used to cover his loss in wages--- so now I'm trying to get my savings built back up to where it was... And grow it from there! 

3. I just finished my fourth book of the week! I'm at 6!! Only 24 more to go....

4. See #2 and the small set back......spending is shut off for now! 

5. I'm working on this-- I've gotten rid of SOOO much so far- I've probably cleared out 1/2 my clothing, 1/4 of my jewelry, 1/2 the yarn that I had and SOOOO MUCH MORE!! 

6. Right now I have 48 auctions up- I don't know if I will ever clear $100/month- but I'm trying!! I think at this point if I clear $50 one month I will consider myself a success!! 🏆

**** I did it!!!! Free and clear- after all fees $100+++ 

7. As I mentioned earlier I substituted jewelry with Tupperware! I must say- its been good to me so far! :) I just earned an IPad!! I can't wait for it to come in! Yeah me!! 

8. I definitely haven't stared a Facebook page yet, and I definitely haven't crafted any thing recently. I really need to get back to crocheting! Winters coming and I have 'orders' to fulfill!! 

9. Blog posts- I clouding this one I'm up to 11! 

10. I'm hoping in November to take a Saturday trip to Ohio. September is over and October is Upon us and just tooo busy, So November it is!! 

11.Niagara Falls is just a dream--- I tried to plan a weekend trip here but Matt said 'No'. 😥 Anyone want to go with me?!?!?

 

12. Matt's Grad Party 🎓was August 24- and we had such a good turn out!! So much of his family and mine were able to make it!

13. Landscaping is started!! Matt borrowed my dads tractor and destroyed the yard, but definitely got a lot done!! He landscaped in front of the front porch and out by the road, along the driveway! It's coming along..... 

14. The addition fund is lacking.. See #2- and how Cleveland Brothers got in the way!! 

15. I've had some interest in a Pinterest Party--- def need to get that planned-- SOON! Maybe in November with a thanksgiving or Snowman craft! 

16. I'm pretty sure I could get at least 5--- I just need to get on the ball and planning!! 

17. I still didn't order a Pens Jersey- less than a month until Hockey games start.... I can't wait!! The Pens have already reported for training camp!! LGP!!

18. My sister in law Liz and I had a yard sale in July. We did really good!! I made over $100! We are having another sale this coming weekend, so if I make another $100 I will be SOOOOO satisfied!! But first I need to clear out some more 'treasures' to sell! 

19. Accomplished!! Plus FIVE!!

20. I really want someone to follow my Blog. Soon, I can feel it- a couple more posts and I will take off!! 😋

21. Still need to try this! 

22. Ugh- every time I pick up yarn and crochet hooks I get distracted and just can't work on anything. We are heading to Florida in October and I will try to finish up some projects on the way! After all, I have 14 hours in the truck! 

23. It will be three years on October 15 since my Granny's death. I need to get these done, yet I can't bring myself to finish them! The boxes are all laid out, they just need the items attached! Soon, very soon, I WILL finish them! 

24. I found the command light hooks on clearance at Walmart yesterday!! So now I really have no excuses!! 

25. Christmas Party- I really want to host but we shall see- it may just be a small gathering of friends! 

26. I now own TWO pink Elephant Vera pieces! I bought a purse on EBay and a duffel bag off of my friends sister in law! Yeah for social media and reselling sites! They have the best deals! 

27. I'm such a procrastinator and I really need to get on this! But it's pumpkin season..... I need to get my will power in check and start restraining before I gain another 15 pounds!! 

28. Well the garden didn't do so hot this year. I tried to keep up with the crab grass but it kicked my butt! We did get zucchini, watermelons, kohlrabi, onions, beets, and some beans! 

29. Again, because of the strain of the strike this is slightly delayed! I'm hoping soon! I'm not getting any younger and I don't want to be an 'OLD' parent, NOTHING against that- it's just not what I want!! 

30. So far I've been trying to have as much fun as possible! Taking life to seriously is for the birds these days! You have to live life to the fullest for the last year of my 20s! 

✌💗💋

~Amanda

Progress......

I'm working on my 30x30 goals. So far I haven't made that much progress.... But I did make some (along with some modifications also!!)

2. I put my last check directly into savings!! My goal for one check a month!

3. I've read 1.5 books. Although it wasn't a paperback book that I finished, I did read a book I had waiting on my Kindle. Only 13.5 more books to go!!! I promise, the next 13 will be actual print books, not the electronic kindle books!

7. I decided to sign up with Tupperware for now! My sister in law Liz wanted to do it so we signed up together. It was a win, win situation for us! It only cost $30 to sign up and as long as we have $900 in sales by July 15, we owe nothing else! I already have 2 parties booked from my friends and Liz has been collecting orders from the hospital! Although I really like jewelry, I will probably stick to Tupperware for now, and maybe add jewelery in the future!

9. This will be my 3rd blog post since my goals were laid out! Only 27 more to go!!

12. I started to get a list together of people to invite to Matt's graduation party. I'm trying to talk my mother into hosting at her house, but she doesn't seem to be biting the bait!

13. I started to build a rock wall, to do something with all the rocks, but so far that is the extent of where we have made it.

17. I still didn't get myself a Jersey, but I did get a James Neal shirt since they made it to the second round of the playoffs (and now the third!!! 4 more wins to the cup finals!!) Its a black and gold Eastern Conference Finals! Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins. GOOOO PENS!

26. This is huge!! I FINALLY won and EBAY auction for a BRAND NEW VERA BRADLEY PINK ELEPHANTS PURSE!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! I'm so excited!!!

28. The garden is planted and starting to grow. Here's hoping it continues!!


Matt found out I made a 30X30 list and he now wants to make one. HA! He doesn't even have time to go to dinner, let alone make a goal list and complete it! I can't wait until August when he is done with school! Maybe we can actually spend some time together and have a life again!

Until Next time~
Amanda

Adoption

Many people don't Know that I'm *mildly* obsessed with the idea of adoption. Matt and I want a family. No if, ands, or buts about it, we want a family. However, the 'traditional' methods of starting a family are not working out for us. To put it bluntly, We had not been preventing pregnancy for OVER five years. (And if you do the math, yes, that is longer than we have been married!) While its not something either of us like to talk about, its become such a part of our lives and we have been dealing with for many years. I've always thought Adoption would be in my future, however, I never thought it would be our first step.

I've come to realize there are a lot of people out there that do not support adoption. I'm not sure why, but at the same time I'm sure they don't understand why I DO support adoption. 

A vast majority of people have never dealt with infertility and they don't realize what it's like. There is a HUGE difference between choosing not to have children and not being able to. 

I've had so many people recently try to talk me into fertility treatments, but I must say- for me that's not the route I want to take. I don't believe taking a pill will 'fix' our problem when the do toes can't tell is what our problem is to begin with. 

I want nothing more than to be able to conceive a child , carry the child, and five birth, however, it doesn't seem like this will be in the cards for me. Trust me when I say this has tested my faith. I don't claim to be a devout follower but I believe in God and all he stands for, however, my trust in him has been questioned. I often wonder if because I doubted him while he tested us if that's why we can't conceive or if in the end we can't conceive because we are to open out hearts and home to others. 

If I ever figure it out, I will be sure to pass it on! But for now, I save to cover the high cost of adoption, and pray for a miracle in between. 

Every Penny counts, and I save them all!! 

Until Next Time--

Amanda 

30X30

I turned 29 on April 11 and I've been having some issues with it...... I can't believe THIRTY is right around the corner!!! Oh My Goodness! To me that is crazy! So, I've decided to create myself a 30X30 list..... please help me hold myself accountable....

1.   Install Trim in house.
2.   Build up XXXXX into Savings (Sorry I'm not going THAT into depth!)
3.   Read AT LEAST 15 books before I turn 30! ( I only have about 100 sitting around un-read)
4.   Sign up for Pittsburgh Penguins Season Tickets Waiting List
5.   De-Clutter Home
6.   Earning $100/month on Ebay *Net Profit*
7.   Start selling Jewelry, and host at leaset 2 parties a month. All funds go to pay principal on car.
8.   Start selling Crafts. Start a facebook page to sell them.
9.   Have at least 30 more blog posts before April 11, 2014
10. Go to Ohio Amish County Wineries.
11. Visit Niagria Falls.
12. Throw Matt a massive Graduation Party-He should graduate in August 2013!!
13. Landscape around the house.
14. Start a 'House Addition Fund'.
15. Host a Craft Day/Pinterest Party.
16. Get at least 5 people to attend my Pinterest Party.
17. Get a Penguins Jersey.
18. Have a MASSIVE Yard Sale. (Make at least $200)
19. Get at least 200 Followers on Pinterest (Currently at 167)
20. Get at least one other follower on my blog, come on, someone follow me?!?!? Please?!?!?!?
21. Make Sangria. Candy- can I have your recipe??
22. Finish some Unfinished Crochet Projects.
23. Finish the Shadow Boxes for my Great-Grandmother.
24. Decorate Outside for Christmas. I mean I have to do it one year, right?!?
25. Host a Christmas Party! December 21- Mark your calenders!
26. Get a Vera Bradly Pink Elephants Purse.
27. Say Goodbye to 15 pounds I'm not attached to!
28. Fresh Veggies from my garden (co-op Garden at Mom's House)
29. Start an Adoption Fund.
30. Have FUN!!!

The above is my quirky take on how I want the next 11.5 months to go....... lets see how it plays out!

~Amanda