Catch-up

I think I inadvertently went into a bloggy break.  So what have we been up to?

1. Halloween!  We spent the weekend getting the girls in and out of their costumes.  Saturday morning we tried to make it to a local festival but it was just too insane and turned around and went home.  Saturday night we thought we could hit a few neighborhoods but the only one we could find was at WalMart of all places.  The kids actually liked that quite a bit.  On Sunday we spent FIVE hours in between our old church, my parents’ church and my parents’ neighborhood.  We have two very packed pumpkins to show for it though.
2. I’ve spent lots of time running errands to different stores using up all my Swagbucks, eRewards and OpinionOutpost money to start Christmas shopping.  Having Christmas presents before December 15th is a huge deal around here.
3. I’ve been planning the girls’ birthday parties.  Tomorrow is Lexi’s birthday and Emma’s is in a few weeks.  They decided on a combined party at Build a Bear this Saturday.  Tonight’s task is making cookies and a cake.
4. I started my reading list for the INSPYs this year.  First up was Evolving in Monkey Town. I wish I could do a full review at this point but I’ll just say it’s messing with my head a bit.  The next one on my list is Hear No Evil, which has been on my list for awhile as it’s by one of my favorite Tweeple.
5. Budgeting, budgeting, budgeting.  We finished our first month of Dave Ramsey’s envelope system and in the past few days have geared up for another month.  With Christmas and Birthdays coming up, there’s a lot of shuffling going on.  Overall, though, the system has been absolutely fantastic.
6. I finally took the girls to see Toy Story 3 this Friday.  It started at the $1.50 theater which means my Entertainment envelope could finally afford it.  It was well spent as the 3 of us laughed hard and then, yes, I cried at the end.
7. Work.  I hate to add this boring one in here.  But it’s been high-stress, longer work hours lately.  Or maybe I’m just making it that way.  I don’t know.
8. Friday Night Lights.  The show is back for it’s 5th and final season which means it’s podcasting time again for FNLFans!  Anyone else loving the new guy Hastings?
9. Speaking of TV in general, I’ve really pared down my list.  The only shows I watch live are One Tree Hill, Vampire Diaries and Grey’s Anatomy.  3 shows.  That’s it.  When I get to it, I watch Parenthood, Modern Family and most recently Hellcats on DVR.  During the day, I’m also still working on catching up with Everwood, Chuck and The Office.  So yes, TV is still around but I’m not sitting in front of my TV for hours on end every single week night.  And I love it.
10. And finally, we’ve just been spending time with family and friends.  Whether it be having friends or family for or going to dinner or grabbing coffee with a friend or doing homework with the girls, my time seems to be spent off the computer.  Can you believe it?