This year we have had some big expenses come up. Who doesn't, right?! Just when you think you have had every unimaginable unexpected expense, another one pops up.
They usually involve upkeep of vehicles....
or appliances....
or bodies (sigh).
I've discovered there are two fairly universal rules for unexpected expenses:
1. They are never fun things.
2. They are never clearance priced.
But we are very blessed. We have a beautiful home that is perfect for us, amazing kids and grandkids, two spoiled but adorable basset hounds, and we have each other.
They usually involve upkeep of vehicles....
or appliances....
or bodies (sigh).
I've discovered there are two fairly universal rules for unexpected expenses:
1. They are never fun things.
2. They are never clearance priced.
But we are very blessed. We have a beautiful home that is perfect for us, amazing kids and grandkids, two spoiled but adorable basset hounds, and we have each other.
Want lists?
Oh, who doesn't have want lists?! Sometimes I think my want lists have want lists! But our needs are more than met.
Oh, who doesn't have want lists?! Sometimes I think my want lists have want lists! But our needs are more than met.
With the Iowa Wild hockey team arriving in Des Moines this year (the AHL "farm team" for the NHL Minnesota Wild), we decided to get tickets.
We LOVE hockey!
We like that it is fast-paced and physical and we love to watch the players fly when skating on the ice. It's fun to see a hockey player come to a sudden stop and watch the shaved ice fly off the blades of the skates and shower the opponent (usually the goalie). We love the sound of the horn when a goal is scored. We love the energy in the arena.
Did I mention we love hockey?!
Okay, a fight once in a while is okay too. We usually don't condone fighting, but the fighting in hockey is different. It's a guy standing up for his team and protecting his space. As crazy as it sounds, hockey fights are really even not about fighting, but often more strategy related. For example - a player initiating a fight trying to egg on an opponent to try to get him off the ice and in the penalty box (especially if the opposing player is a scoring threat).
So now that I have justified our love for the game.... on with the story!
We chose the 21-game ticket package (the full season is about 38 home games). Each hockey game not only involves the cost of the ticket, but gas to get there, parking, and any food we might buy while at the game.
We LOVE hockey!
We like that it is fast-paced and physical and we love to watch the players fly when skating on the ice. It's fun to see a hockey player come to a sudden stop and watch the shaved ice fly off the blades of the skates and shower the opponent (usually the goalie). We love the sound of the horn when a goal is scored. We love the energy in the arena.
Did I mention we love hockey?!
Okay, a fight once in a while is okay too. We usually don't condone fighting, but the fighting in hockey is different. It's a guy standing up for his team and protecting his space. As crazy as it sounds, hockey fights are really even not about fighting, but often more strategy related. For example - a player initiating a fight trying to egg on an opponent to try to get him off the ice and in the penalty box (especially if the opposing player is a scoring threat).
So now that I have justified our love for the game.... on with the story!
We chose the 21-game ticket package (the full season is about 38 home games). Each hockey game not only involves the cost of the ticket, but gas to get there, parking, and any food we might buy while at the game.
About now you have to be wondering why I titled a blog about hockey (so far) - Homemade Christmas! I'm getting there!
Our goal is to get our debt (except for our mortgage) taken care of within the next few years. So this year our Iowa Wild tickets will be our Christmas gift. Anything else we give each other is going to be minimal to no cost, what we are calling "gifts from the heart."
Think homemade - gifts that require time and thought rather than money.
I'm anxious to see what ideas we can come up with. Pinterest will be a great source of ideas. I already have a couple of gift ideas in mind for Michael. He said I am more crafty than he is, but he has done some awesome things in the past that were along this line and said he was all for doing this as well!
I'm anxious to see what ideas we can come up with. Pinterest will be a great source of ideas. I already have a couple of gift ideas in mind for Michael. He said I am more crafty than he is, but he has done some awesome things in the past that were along this line and said he was all for doing this as well!
So the next few months will be fun as we work on our gifts for each other.
Just in case you are watching your Christmas budget as we are, here are some fun ideas:
A letter
A special picture (minimal cost - use a frame you already have - spray paint it if you want to give it a different look)
Homemade hot chocolate mix in a jar
A memory book (a smoosh book! - search for "smash" on my blog)
A calendar using your own photos
Homemade cookie mix in a jar
Make an IOU coupon book
Make a little book stating the reasons you love that special someone
I may post some things I am doing for Michael.
I know, fall has just started and you probably wonder why I am blogging about Christmas already! Well I don't want to scare you, but Christmas is 3 months from today!
AHHHH!!!!
Please comment with any ideas you may have for me. I am anxious to see what you come up with!
I know, fall has just started and you probably wonder why I am blogging about Christmas already! Well I don't want to scare you, but Christmas is 3 months from today!
AHHHH!!!!
Please comment with any ideas you may have for me. I am anxious to see what you come up with!
********
"Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas.... perhaps... means a little bit more?"
- Dr. Seuss
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