It has already been a month since my last life lately post. I’m not sure where the time has gone! September was a good month. It was filled to the brim with work, pet sitting, and all sorts of random fun.
My mother-in-law had a birthday at the beginning of the month, so we went out to eat with her to celebrate.
She is such a loving, kind, and caring person. I can’t even describe how glad I am that she is my mother-in-law and that she raised my husband to be the man that he is today.
I started getting a little more focused on mine and Jimmy’s food budget in September, too. Instead of buying packaged snacks for our lunches, I’ve been making homemade snack bars. I was thinking about posting on how we try to save money on groceries and meals, but I’m not sure if anyone would be interested, haha.
I love coloring, and I bought an adult coloring book over the summer. I totally got my sister-in-law into it, and she got my mother-in-law into it, too. So, we had a girls’ night of coloring and baking caramel apple pie cookies, which were superb.
I’ve been working on a little art project. I had the above picture frame filled with “real life” dog pictures, mostly of Lola, Brandy, and Moses. I thought it would be fun to draw pictures of some of my favorite dog breeds and put them in the picture frame. Poor Jimmy. He came home from work one day and was cracking up. It makes me smile every time I see it. I just need to finish the last three pictures!
I don’t know what it is about fall–maybe the whole back to school thing–but I have been getting the urge to organize, clean, and decorate. I’m definitely okay with that ;).
Jimmy and I also went to our town’s Oktoberfest celebration, which was a blast and just so cute. We listened to live music, ate cotton candy, and shopped around at all the vendor tables. We were supposed to go to a corn maze with our church this weekend, but it was cancelled because Pittsburgh is expected to have blustery and rainy weather. Yikes!
Alright, I better get going. Hope everyone has a nice day!
Living My Full Life 
It looks like you had a good month! Happy bday to your mother in law. I don’t always see eye to eye with mine but I am with you, she raised my husband to be a pretty awesome guy so she’s clearly doing something right. It looks like you had a lot of fun going out to dinner.
I agree with you on the hearing aid decision. It sounds like it’s something that would make your quality of life better, but not really essential. That’s how PRK eye surgery was for my husband. He’s saved up money for it for a long time because insurance doesn’t cover that. And of course you or Jimmy may change jobs one day or have a different insurance situation that will pay for some of the hearing aid too if you decide to get one.
I feel like Fall is a good time for house cleaning and purging stuff, because with the holidays everyone decorates and of course, we get presents at Christmas so it’s good to have room for everything :). Speaking of that, i need to take some stuff to Goodwill myself.
It was a good month! I think your MIL did a good job with Clay, too :). It was nice to go out to dinner. We don’t hang out a ton, but when we do, I’m always glad!!
You hit the nail on the head with the hearing aids! I ended up deleting that part of the post because after posting it, I wasn’t sure if it was too personal. I don’t know if that makes sense?! I don’t mind that you saw it, because you’re one of my best blogging buds :). Has Clay had the PRK surgery yet? I’m sure that’s worth saving up for and will definitely impact quality of life!
I totally agree with house cleaning and purging in the fall. It feels like a fresh start, and yup… now the house is clear for Christmas stuff, haha!!
Clay had the PRK on one eye but it is still healing so he hasn’t had the other one. Right now he is wearing glasses with one lens punched out/hollow- haha!
Those caramel apple pie cookies look amazing. I like the list you have going for stuff around the house. I think fall and spring are the best times to tackle projects like that!!
The cookies were really good, and actually fairly simple to make! I was surprised, because when I saw the picture before we made them I was thinking it would be a long process. I totally agree that spring and fall are the best time to get projects done. Those seasons feel like a time of transition and a fresh start. I love it 🙂
I just bought my first adult coloring book and am so incredibly excited! Such an amazing method to destress and just let go and, well, HAVE FUN. Homemade bars are so much cheaper it’s a bit nuts, and totally do a post on groceries with a budget it mind – it’s always interesting to see other peoples tips and tricks!
Isn’t coloring just the best? It is so relaxing! It makes me focus purely on coloring and I just blank out. Love, love, love it!!
I’ll definitely work on the groceries/budget post!
Eep I am so worried about this weekend because I don’t want it to rain on my vacation!! I would totally love a post about saving money. I am getting to be pretty good at it but always love more tips!
I’m sorry it rained a bit on your vacation! It looks like you had fun, though :). I will definitely post about the money saving stuff I (try to) do!
I love your grass blade photo!! It sounds like you have been enjoying life lately! 🙂 The adult coloring book really interests me, I think I’ll have to look into purchasing one for myself. What brand do you have and where did you find it? Also, I’d love to hear about how you save money for food!
Thanks, Rachel! I love taking pictures like that because it helps me slow down and appreciate the world around me! I have definitely been enjoying life lately! I highly recommend an adult coloring book! It’s a lot of fun, and a nice way to unwind :). I bought mine for $7 at Barnes and Noble! I will definitely start working on a post about how I (try to) save money on food!
I really need to get one of those adult coloring books!! 🙂 I love coloring but haven’t done it for ages! I think it’d be a fun way to unwind after a busy day.
AND I would LOVE a blog post about saving grocery money!! I’m actually challenging myself to spend less, because it’s the one part of our budget that I have a really hard time following. I always go over. So, yes, I’m all for any tips that you can share.
And I love the dog art project!! SO cute! 🙂
Yes, yes you do! I think you’d love it! I will definitely start working on the post about saving money on groceries!! Thanks for the compliment on my dog art, haha!!
Homemade snacks are the best! Great job, and I would love reading your budgeting things. I find those posts fascinating.
I see that I’m not the only commenter who is interested in reading about money-saving and budgeting!
I am making an effort to live as cheaply as possible, and I try to resist buying coffees and pre-packaged snacks. It all adds up! In fact, I’d like to buy a coffee flask this weekend.
The dog art project is great! 🙂 Have you decided which dog breeds you’re going to complete it with?
Happy Fall! The Oktoberfest sounds fun!
I’m definitely going to start working on a money-saving and budgeting post! I totally agree with you on trying to save money on the little things, because they add up to be a big amount!
I’m not sure which breeds I’m going to add…. maybe Cocker Spaniel, Rhodesian Ridgeback… and Pit Bull? Any ideas?!
Happy fall to you, too!! The Oktoberfest was the perfect way to welcome it!
Your life lately sounds incredibly fun! I love how your girls night in includes coloring and apple pie cookies. Sounds so cozy and relaxing 🙂
Aww, thank you P!! The girls night was just what I needed!!
Good mother-in-laws are such a blessing! Happy belated birthday to yours! 🙂
I bought an adult coloring book right after I read your last post about yours! I LOVE it!!
Yum your homemade snacks look delicious!
And I love your art project! Makes me want to doodle. Though mine wouldn’t come nearly as pretty 😉