What Did You Do Frugal Today VIIII

[EMMJEAN]

Hello everyone, we had a very nie Christmas. Had some family over and played board games all day. Spent yesterday cleaning and today too. And will need to do some more tomarrow.

DS will be 13 on the 3rd. We are tking him and 3 of his closest friends to a place called Boondocks fun center. It will cost 13.75 per boy. I will make and take his cake to the place. He has been wanting to have his birthday party there. DH and I thought it would be great for his 13th. I am a little weapy about this birthday.

I hope everyone had a great holiday.

[rivermom]

We had a great Christmas here--although quite cold Christmas Eve--it snowed lightly and warmed up enough Christmas day that we could get outside with the kids and ice skate and have a bonfire. Youngest got a firetruck that he just loves and oldest received Monopoly--his absolute favorite thing right now! I'm glad he can get such pleasure out of a non-electronic, old fashioned game!

I did get some after holiday sales today--just a few things at Walmart and a warehouse sale that had 1/2 off the already 75% off prices.

Hubby got me a 1 hour massage gift card--in return for all the back rubs I have given him for his sore back. Very thoughtful!! I've always wanted to try one. Sometimes he really surprises me!!

We've pretty much run out of leftovers--so I think I'll cook a ham tomorrow to take us through the week--and then make some bean soup with the bone.

Well--It's time to get the guys ready for bed. Have a great week everyone--

rivermom

[leasmom]

The niece drama continues... Well after hearing from my nieces aunt on Xmas that I did good with their gifts for Xmas, I called last night to find out if I could get them for the weekend because I needed to buy their shoes for school and my nieces uniform pants. Well, their aunt said fine at first and then said they would have to come the next weekend. I said, "What about their shoes?" She said if I wanted them to have them so badly then just drive there, 2 1/2 hrs to take them shopping and then drive back. I told her no that's $50 roundtrip and that's alot of money for nothing. So, she said that they could come the weekend after, I said, fine, I'll wait.

So then she calls me back and says that she thinks I have an attitude because I said, "What about their shoes."- and so they can no longer come to my house that I have to drive there to see them. I see why? She said she didn't have to give me a reason. I said she did. So, then she asks me if I came to see them when my brother had them. I told her I had gotten hit by a car and she asked me did I see them when her sister, their mom had them and I said you know I did off the greyhound and when I couldn't see them I called. I said, what does this have to do with anything. She said she just wanted to know and that the conversation was over.

So, I was very upset and called my sister who called this aunt and tried to talk calmly with her. The aunt said it was ultimately her final decision. So, then my sister and I called their mom who was already on the phone with her sister, the aunt. So, she said call back. We did and she said that she didn't agree with her sister but she couldn't do anything about it because they live with her. I was DEVASTATED and still am. We had lots of plans with the girls, my niece wanted a t.v. in her room, and I was planning on buying her a regular bed because she has a blow-up camper bed now. I had been working on the house and I recently told them that they wouldn't recognize it with all the changes and they were excited because in dd's room/youngest cousins weekend room, I had a t.v. put in. And the washer/dryer which they were excited about because it meant no more trips to the laundry mat and they would get to get away and do things.

There's nothing in that tiny town to do and they're aunt knows it. And that means I will have to spend double what I would spend to just come and get them inorder to see them. I am still going to send them their shoes/pants and will see them but I will have to wait until I can afford not only the gas, hotel stay-(I refuse to be anywhere near that woman now), and for food/activities-(if we can find any, the town is that small). But I do have a hotel discount because I work for the Cendant corporation who owns the Ramada and Days Inn etc. so I'm gonna call and find out how much my discount will be and when I go I'll spend the day and do what I want. Nothing is going to stop me especially not these people!!!

[LoriMae]

leasmom, I'm sorry to hear about your family troubles. It sounds like the Aunt is jealous and has power issues. I hope everything comes out okay. The only people she is hurting is your nieces and if she really cared for them she wouldn't be acting like she is.

Just my opinion.

Haven't even thought about anything frugal today. DH did take some leftover cookies to work so that's getting some out of here.

[leasmom]

There's no other reason. She was thrilled with their gifts on Xmas but two days later she was fishing for some reason for them not to come stay here and asking me questions about my brother who I haven't seen in nearly 5 yrs and asking stupid questions. She wants to have things on her terms, shes a control freak and think the world has to bend to her will or something. I'm still gonna put my nieces bikes into the layaway like I was going too and give them that for their birthdays both in Feburary. If I can't see them soon that's okay, I will still do what I have to do for them and tell them I love them.

[sandieluvsbears]

HI all, Leasmom, I agree, it sounds like she is jealous, and unfortunately the ones that get hurt are the innocent kids.One day it will all come back to her, the kids arent gonna stay little forever and will soon realize that she was the reason preventing them from seeing you.,Im sure they already realize that,but what can they do? They are just the innocents,Im sorry for your situation.
Well I did do something Frugal today, I have a friend that works at a Walmart nearby and she told me to get there early(I was there at 7:30) because all the wrapping paper etc. was marked down to 75% off,I got alot of things. Its so cold here tody I think Imstaying in for the rest of the day, weatherman said its gonna be in the 40's by Friday but now its only 23!Typical New England weather, just wait a few minutes and it will change again, LOL>
Hugs Sandie

[VickiLynn]

Leasmom, your nieces are lucky to have an aunt like you who cares for them so much. I think the others are right, she's jealous. The girls probably talk about you to her all the time.

Hopefully in time she will cool down and let the girls spend time at your house again.

We're still eating Christmas left-overs. Boring, yet frugal.

[bluebird]

Leasmom, ditto with my sister and her ex. We are not allowed to see my neices at all. Peroid. But neither my sister or her ex, who has the girls, explain a thing to them. I know why. If they would say to the girls why they can't see us, the lies the oldest has told would be out in the open.... along with some other things she is doing. Easier to lie to themselves as parents than face the troubles that girl is getting into. The youngest girls are 10 and 12 so.... in a few years they will have drivers licenses...... then be out on their own for college.. beleive me, they will remember the way back to our house. I think the main problem is... the two girls would rather live with their mom than their dad, but my sister won't go back to court. Having her dds would be nice but it would also put a cramp into her lifestyle. The same two girls have begged to live with me. In my heart I know if they went to court that would come out and maybe I would have two more kids to raise. Some women aren't cut out to be moms and my sis is one of them. She is too selfish at times. She and her ex would rather mess up the kids lives than admitt they would be happier somewhere else. The girls suffer because some parents refuse to grow up. So sad. I struggle with the facts of child neglet.... and whether it is better to turn them in or not. The ex and his new wife have very good jobs..... it would be soooo hard to prove anything. Foster care isn't what it should be either. I just keep praying for them.

[leasmom]

Quote:"She and her ex would rather mess up the kids lives than admitt they would be happier somewhere else."

Same here. They're aunt and mother would rather them be miserable than to be with me. They can't live with me and now they can't visit me. This is ridiculous! The good thing is that they know that I love them and I've already had the opportunity to tell them that even if they don't see me I'm always thiking about them and will always send them things and see them or talk to them on the phone and that nothing will ever stop me. As soon as I can I will see them.

[bluebird]

I wonder what these kids will do when they are grown? I can see my nieces refusing to see thier stepmom and even their dad..... as for their mom, she has the power to change things for the better and chooses not to. As a grown child facing that issue with my father, it isn't a easy place to be. To know a parent thought more of themselves than to do the right thing with the kids. A lot of wisdom comes out of this IF the kids are strong enough to survive it. I will pray for a suit of amour for all of them......