My 14 Day Challenge: No Spending Money

I admit to having a problem. As with many other Americans, when I'm feeling down, or lonely, or bored, or stress, or... or... (fill in the blank with almost anything) I turn to a little thing called

Retail Therapy

for comfort.

This not only does not cure my emotional ailment, but it leaves my bank account drained and me more stressed because our finances are tight!

Today is day one of my 14 day challenge to not spend money. The only items I am allowed to purchase during this time are milk, eggs, and fuel. Everything else is out of the question.

The Simple Dollar is a good financial resource for those of us who are not Wall Street geniuses. Check out their article How to Feel Happier About Not Spending Money for some inspiration of your own.

A Manly Venture

Moving into this little Wyoming farmhouse with nothing has been an adventure of its own.

Finding things to furnish it with (as all of our things are currently in storage in NC) has been a whole different challenge. Thanks to family, we have what we need (there's a big difference between need and want), but we have been left w

ith some blanks to fill in.

This house is so small, storage is a big problem, and any bit of clutter in the small space is enough to drive me mad.

The problem?:

1. A rodeo of toddler toys around the house and no place to corral them.

2. Finding a toy box fit for my little man who is all boy.

The solution?:

A box that says

HIGH EXPLOSIVES

DANGEROUS

What little boy wouldn't want that warning stamped on one of his possessions?!

I found this old Dupont Explosives box at a flea market in Riverton, WY for $25.

It... needed some work, however.

The box was covered in grime... I don't know what it was, but it was definitely oil based... and hopefully non-toxic... (yikes!)

Tsh Oxenreider at SimpleMom to the rescue!

Using an all natural cleaning solution from her e-book, Spring Cleaning for Normal People, I was able to get the grime (mostly) off. Some needed to be left behind for character, of course.

During my post-purchase glee, I called my mom only to find out that we are connected to this chest in an even deeper way. Come to find out, the Dupont's were close friends of my great grandfathers! I love history.

Photography By Sarah

Bethany and I took our precious ones to Valley City, ND this week to have pictures taken by one of Bethany's former nursing students, Sarah Hansen. She does a wonderful job, our children, however, conspired to not cooperate in the least. She is still working on our pictures, but here is a sneak preview of a few so far at Photo By Sarah.

Madelyn and Killian, of course, would not go near each other so (sorry Mama) we didn't get any pictures of the two together. The only one she did catch looks like Maddy is strangling Killian. :) I'm anxious to see the rest of the pictures!