Are you a Mega Spender?

I have always said that if a person has any sale skills what so ever, I will buy. I have bought a sets of videos that we will never watch( only 8 more payments of $40 to go), pants that I " hope" to fit in some day and countless hobby supplies (this would not be so bad if I did not have to buy storage furniture for the rarely used supplies.) Gary and I are really trying to get our family in a better financial position but I find it difficult to change my ways. I know that I do not need material things to be happy but shopping is like a high.

I was reading MSN and came across these descriptions of Mega Spenders. While some of these made me laugh, it made me realize what a problem I have.

Hello, I am Shannon and I am a Mega Spender. Are you?

You have a yard sale every 3 months just to make room for more stuff.
You cannot fit anything else in your garage…and you don’t even have your car in there.
You have a separate filing system for each of your vehicles, including the boats and the RV’s.
You genuinely have no idea how much money you have, or where you have it, or where it goes.
You trade in your new car for a newer car every 12 months, or less if the mood strikes you.
You think a Vacation of the Month club sounds like something you’d be willing to join.
You think “Budget” is the name of a rental car company.
You engage in an expensive hobby without seeking ways to reduce its costs ($200 golf weekends, spending $2,000 for a hunting club, etc)
You claim to have “nothing to wear,” yet your closet is full to overflowing.
You camp out at a store to be the first to get the latest tech gadget.
You go to those “free vacation” time share weekends and fall for the spiel.
You’ve memorized the menu from more than one restaurant.
You’ve already spent your economic stimulus check, even though you haven’t received it.
You get jealous when the neighbors get a delivery from the furniture store.
You have HSN and QVC on speed dial.
You plan your vacations based on the shopping that’s available.
You know your credit card customer service reps by name and extension.
Your motto is, I came, I saw, I wanted, I bought.
You evaluate every purchase in light of its monthly payment, or what your limit is on Visa, or which credit card you’re NOT late on.
You don’t care that you have no money for savings, vacations, or entertainment, you spend it anyway.
You think wants are needs. Actually, you have no wants. They’re ALL needs. You may be broke but it’s not your fault.
You have a personal parking space reserved at the mall.
You don’t care whether you rent, buy, or lease, just give it to me.

Obsession and Sabotage

When Christine introduced me to the Twilight series last fall, I do not think she knew it would change my life. No really, my life will never be the same. I am not afraid to admit that I am obsessed. I read all 3 books in 3 days-a big shout out goes to Gary for picking up the household slack- and I have re-read them countless times since. I love the characters and the way you "become Bella" as you read. I never had a love that was that intense when I was in high school and I can only imagine how this story changes the way that young girls look at love.

I was so excited when I finished the series, I decided that I should give each of my nieces one of the books for Christmas - you know so they could all trade and get the full experience- but Gary said I did not want to be 'that Aunt'. I gave them all cash instead and little did I know the books were all on their Christmas lists but because their mothers had not read them, they did not get them.

I secretly think Gary is sabotaging my efforts to become the cool ,fun aunt because he realized he is 'that uncle'. That's right I am going to call him out on this. Gary, the younger generations do not know who The Smashing Pumpkins are. They think U2 may be the band that Liv Tyler's dad sings in and they do not understand how Nirvana changed the world of music as we know it. They do not know life without rap and they never had to flip a cassette tape. Remember when your dad used to make you listen to the oldies station? That is what it is like for them when you make them listen to your 90's play list. Please stop trying to educate them.

Uh-hm - Just to set the record straight, one of our nieces borrowed one of MY CD's!

Sorry about that tangent. Sometimes I think of something else and get distracted from my point. Anyone who has spent the day shopping with me knows how easily distracted I am.

The whole reason behind this blog was to share a photo that was released of the actors that are shooting Twilight right now. I was not happy with the choice of Robert Pattinson as Edward. Cedric Diggory is no Edward but these photos have swayed me. I am so excited for the movie to come out and even more excited for the release of Breaking Dawn. Do you know what you will be doing August 2nd? I do!

So there you have it Andy. Let the teasing begin.

Ewww; It's All Icky and Stuff

Apparently the children in our neighborhood have developed the funk. There is some sort of rash they are all contracting. School was released early and the Pinal County Depart of Health has been called in.

We will not be using the public parks until this is all cleared up. Not that I was actually going to take the kids to the park but now I have a really good excuse.

***disclaimer*** All information I have on this is hearsay. I am not a reporter. I do not verify facts before reporting the news.

Raven's 2nd Post

To day the henderson family sawld a cat i almost climbed the fence

Our favorite author...right now

The Henderson household is big fan of Shel Silverstein. We read Where the Sidewalk Ends, The Light in the Attic and The Giving Tree often. I have been working on the letter "A" and the color "Red" with Ronin and the boys I watch so it was a natural for The Giving Tree to be one of the stories we read this week. (Seriously, can you come up with something that starts with "A" AND is "Red'? I came up with ants and apples and then I drew a blank.)

Raven was sitting at the table coloring today and she looked at the back of the book which has this picture on it. She then says "Ugh, this guy he looks like he should be in jail. Just look at his face. I bet he is a robert. (She calls robbers roberts.) I giggled and thought that we should all be glad Raven is not a profiler. If a world renowned children's author should be in jail, what chance do the rest of have?

She just walked up and asked what I was blogging about. I told her and her only comment was" I hope the police do not blog. He will have to go to jail then."

Shannon's Brain - closed from 5pm-6:30am

Every evening Gary calls me to tell me he is on his way home. It is nice because I get to hear a summary of his day and relief in his voice because he gets to come home to us. It also lets me know when I should start dinner and let's face it, a little warning so I can make sure the messes of the day are cleaned up. This evening's call was a little scary and then very funny. I do not remember it word for word but here is the gist.


Ring...Ring...Ring


Shannon: Hello?

Gary: Hey, I'll see you tomorrow.


Now as soon I heard this I thought to myself "What? He is not coming home? And no explanation? He CANNOT leave me here alone with the kids. What can he possibly have to do?" I gathered my panicked thoughts enough to question what I heard.


Shannon: What?

Gary: What?

Shannon: Did you just tell me you will see me tomorrow?

Gary: Um, no. I was saying goodbye to Mark.

Shannon: Oh I thought were saying that you were not coming home tonight. I was getting ready to freak out.

Gary: (laughing) Yeah that would not be so good would it?


I read through this and the retelling is not that funny. I just thought it was interesting that I was really more concerned that he would not be here to help me wrestle the kids into bed than I was that he had somewhere else he would rather be. Sometimes by the end of the day I am so tired that the last tasks of the evening (baths, pjs, teeth, bedtime story, bedtime song etc.) seems too much. My brain could not even fully process the thought that my husband might not want to come home to me. I cannot process life changing news between the hours of 5pm and 6:30am. I am sorry my brain has left the building.

Happy Birthday to ME!

So it is official. I am no longer in my mid-twenties. I am in my late twenties and I have to say that I have never had a better birthday. Not only did I have a wonderful time celebrating with family and friends, but I finally feel like I am starting to understand myself and maybe even like myself more. I feel more comfortable with who I am today than any other time in my life. But enough about that.

Friday, after we picked Raven up from school, we picked up the Alvarado Family and met Nana and Uncle Jesse for a little retail therapy. It was one of those great shopping trips where everything you really want is on sale. Seriously, I found 4 pairs of shoes for under $35. You can't beat it with a stick. We also got Becky some really cute maternity clothes. We then met Gary and my Dad for dinner at Red Lobster. Even after waiting for over an hour they could not seat us all at the same table so my parents sat with the kids. I was bummed that I did not get to spend time with my parents but then again I got to sit at a table of grown-ups so I can't complain. After dinner my family gave me this awesome jewelry box that matches my bedroom furniture. It is huge. I cannot wait to fill it up!

Saturday was a day out with the girls. My mom, Becky, Michelle S., Susan, Michelle M., Aunt Sanza and Lindsay all got to come out for the day. We met for lunch at Island Burgers -yummy- and had so much fun chatting we were almost late for the movie. AHHH the movie. P.S. I love you. Let me just say that this is one of the best chick flicks of all time. I cried the entire time. Really not 5 minutes in to it and I was bawling. The plot was great but the best part was the settings and the men.
Settings -New York and Ireland. Two places on my list to visit before I die. Beautiful.
Men - Harry Connick Jr.- He sings he acts and he is beautiful
Gerard Butler- Was the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera but I had NO idea if you know what I mean
Jeffery Dean- Denny from Grey's Anatomy and the dad from Supernatural (why did he get killed off in both shows?)
So all I am going to say is Irish accents, an exposed backside and tattoos.

After Frozen custard I met Gary and we went out for sushi and to see National Treasure. The movie and food was good but the night out with my husband was great!!! I felt like I was playing hooky from my life all day!

Be on the lookout girls. I am going to make sure that we have girls’ only days more often!