Spring MUST be coming

It's been a heck of a winter, almost all of it bitterly cold. We have had a nice day here and there the past couple weeks, but March is still hanging on strong 'like a lion' and there is snow alll over.

Still, I know spring must be on the way. We're finished hockey. We've made it through music festival and report card #2.

The sign up for spring soccer season is here and $185 the boys are signed up and ready to go. The older LOVES it and the younger is not athletic and really wants/needs the socialization and physical activity. So a cheque I write. The money is there, having been tucked away throughout the past few months.

Two days ago in the mail, the registration forms for summer camp came as well and I need to fill those in and send off a cheque for those this coming week or the spots will be filled. They each get a 6 day camp and they both absolutely love it and it's the highlight of their summer. It's been really good for them spiritually, socially and as part of the growing up and being away from mom and dad process. So a cheque for $450 I will write for that too.

That 'spring is here ' joy just isn't the same for grownups sometimes. I have no camps or groups I have been waiting for. No woo hoo time with my friends at the lake with no responsibilities. Mostly I have, 'will my spring clothes fit me because I don't want to put out $ to buy bigger ones'. I will have to find a way to make spring fun for me again.

Three month test almost over

So when next Wednesday hits, my three month experiment on budgeting and jars will be over. I need to sit down this weekend and see how it went; strengths, weaknesses etc. It's been an interesting ride and there have been a lot of lessons I've learned along the way.

I'll have to decide if I am going to continue with the jars or try an alternative plan. If I push ahead with the jars, I will need a plan for the next three months and see if I need to tweak anything on my budget to meet my goals.

What I see when I am out and about

Granted I haven't been anywhere exciting or ritzy, but I'm noticing things as I go out. Perhaps those things have already been there and I've been so wrapped up in my own world that I don't see outside of it.

• twice, ppl on their cell phone saying that the product on sale they wanted was sold out, and what other sale product should they get instead
• lists. lots and lots of lists
• coupons. I see a lot of folk with coupons shopping
• I saw my husband go over the grocery receipt, which he never does, and realizing how much things cost. He also noticed I was charged for three cans of something and only bought two. but that was the next day so a little late.
• I saw people saying 'such and such is on sale here. don't go there'
• I saw people comparing prices between name brand products

It was interesting and reassuring to know I'm not the only one using their eyes more.

Dead Stores

I ran across a link today showing empty store after empty store. Dead stores. It is a compilation of photos of stores no longer functioning. It really hit home for me. I'm in small town Canada and I don't see the tons of for sale/foreclosure signs. I just can't imagine whole giant stores or malls sitting there, abandoned.

From there I found deadmalls.com which has a huge giant list of malls across US and Canada which are empty or nearly. sadness.

And that lead me to think of all the other empty things; houses, schools, churches, factories.

The only realistic frame of reference I have are the small towns that dot the prairies, which slowly, house by house, become a shell of their former selves. THAT makes me sad.

That busy time

Ok I am pretty much drowning in work and obligation. Report cards, hockey, a lovely chest cold, fundraising obligations for hockey and band. oh yeah, and work LOL

I have GOT to use my time better so I am not like this every report card period. I have really let things slide this term and I am far too far behind.

On the bright note, I hit save.ca last week and ordered some coupons. My first time doing this. They came today and by selecting them myself, they are all product I use and buy. Now let's see if I use them :-) It will be an interesting experiment.

I'll write when the tornado has lifted.