Truman got this really temperamental rash recently & I seriously tried EVERYTHING but the only thing that seemed to help was switching to compost diapers. And compost diapers? Well, they are freaking EXPENSIVE. Like, $1 a diaper. So, we had to leave our service that we’ve used for the last 2 years + (Tiny Tots) & started with a new company that will save us around $60/month -Earth Baby, since they are more like 50 cents a diaper + a monthly fee that breaks down to $7.50 a week. Which, when you are buying 100 diapers brings the diaper cost to around 65 cents a diaper.

We haven’t gotten our first delivery from them yet, as I just signed up today but I am really excited that they have compost pull-ups. This will hopefully be a great tool for us with Hudson’s potty training. But, I already don’t like that I have to BUY compost kitchen bags to leave our diapers out in weekly even though I am paying $30/ month for the service & the service seems to be just dropping them off & picking them up. At Tiny Tots they didn’t have a monthly fee & for $80/month it included all the supplies (bags, cloth diapers, etc)

So, I am not sure if this will even end up saving us anything.

But, we’re trying it out. We’ll see how it goes & we can always switch back. Any other moms in the bay using either one of these services? Any insight?

Behold:
Emily’s Christmas 2010 Most Wanted
or
Emily is high on crack because she’s not getting ANY of this shit.
or
Scott I hope you are reading and secretly won the lottery.

Christmas 2010 by Emmiebee featuring sabre sunglasses

And lastly,
These two items since I couldn’t get them to fit on my set:
Mossimo Afternoon Tea Coat
Old Navy Ruffled Dress, in Black.
Tiffany Metro Ring

This year I decided I’d finally get cracking on cleaning out my attic. I haven’t even started on the garage. And all my “winnings” would be put towards gifts for Christmas.

Scott & I don’t usually do gifts, so basically the money would be for other people and of course, our three sweet children.

Anyways, I have been doing decently. It’s a new deal to eBay like I have been this past month, because usually I sell high end stuff and listing 30 items routinely yields $1000.00. Obviously that rules and helps a lot. But, since we have been on a budget these past few years- the items I have to sell reflect that. They are small things. Many that are selling for 99 cents. Hundreds and hundreds of 99 cent items that I have to list, sell & ship. Answering silly questions from bidders like “can you give me a numerical size for this item” – No. It’s a Large. I am not a fashion designer. It says large- it’s a large. I can’t speculate.”
Orrrrr
The lady who won an item for 99 cents and then wrote me asking if I could wait to get paid until the following week because she was waiting for her paycheck. I wrote back that I suppose I didn’t have a choice and would wait to get paid. She promptly paid with a note “I guess you really need the money.” Ummmm- NO BITCH! You’re the one who needs to save up $4.50 (with shipping.) DON’T BID IF YOU CAN’T PAY!
In the last month I have given back money on a $100 video game because eBay caps shipping prices for media at $4.00 and I spent $5.00 to ship. And of course didn’t add insurance because I already came out of my pocket & the post office smashed that game into a million bits and well, the dude wasn’t happy.
I gave back $5.00 to a lady who said my once used item looked TOO used.
I have sold 93 items so far. And only 30 people could be bothered to leave me positive feedback. Bastards.
Basically- eBaying is a lot of work. And even though ebay says I made $450 dollars this month, after ebay fees, paypal fees and coming out of my pocket on shipping- I am at $298.00 Yeah, I lost $160.00. But I keep listing because I can’t bare to NOT list the stuff.
I am hoping to make a bit more before Christmas. I want to get the kids this wagon and have about $150 more that I need on top of that. So, basically I am hoping to make another $200ish before Christmas. Luckily, our diaper service carries the wagon so I can order as late as the Tuesday before Christmas for it to be delivered with our diapers.
Anyways, I’d love if you guys could help me out. Tweet my ebay info- or retweet it when you see me tweet about it. Go have a look for yourself even. As long as you aren’t difficult to do business with. Because I don’t need more bullshit trying to offload this stuff.
The link is in my side bar. ——>
Click my eBay.
Right now I’ve got 90+ items up. And more will be coming. I can’t WAIT to have a clean attic and maybe even someday- a clean garage.
Thanks for letting me rant. Sometimes eBay just sets me OFF.

Today, we were up & out of the house by 9. There was Starbucks & Noah’s. It was yummy. We met up with Scott’s aunt & strolled a farmer’s market downtown. The twins napped in the stroller, which was perfect, since Hudson was taking center stage.

Hudson & his ‘cousin’ Bentley.

Then we took Hudson to Central Park. It was something I have wanted to do for quite some time. He had been once to the Japanese Tea Garden when he was about a month old, but obviously that doesn’t count.

Central Park is kind of a staple from my own childhood. As well as Scott’s. And even his aunt’s- who played there as a child in the late 50′s & 60′s. The coolest part is that not much has changed. They updated a few of the play structures because obviously safety standards have changed. But some of the structures- the monkey bars, rings etc are original. And the train!! It was installed in the 40′s & is still all original. Scott’s Mom & Aunt rode it as a child. I rode it as a child. Scott rode it as a child & now- Hudson has it in his bank of sweet childhood memories.

After riding the train, we visited the Tea Garden to check out the Koi fish. Hudson was highly impressed.

It was a great morning. We were home by 12:15 so Hudson wasn’t too late for his nap. Then Krust, Lisa Steph & I went to lunch & on a thrift store spree! I spent $6.00 total. Which is awesome since I got a few little treasures. Can’t wait to do it again. It was fun to roll through as a gang.

We also have the black cloud of debt to take care of. Let’s say that it’s bad, but luckily we have always been on top of them & our credit scores are great- but we just don’t have a lot of money hanging out for things like my cat’s sudden need to have his toe amputated.

I want to start being smart. I have kids to worry about. I want to save for their college funds & our retirement. I want a respectable savings so when things happen I don’t have to cry in a corner & furiously list my things on eBay.

I want to be financially healthy.

For this reason I have cut up every credit card I have. Furthering our “crap! How do we pay for this!?” But, I also know my credit is good & that without leaning on my cards EVER our family will only have the debt of our house in a few years.

I am looking into transferring any old retirement accounts I may have into ONE. We need to see what this scary retirement picture looks like. When the children are in school in 4.5 years I plan to get a part time job and bank the ENTIRE CHECK so we can catch up on the shortfall of savings we have.

This may be a lot of personal info to put on the internet, but I feel like I need to lay it out there. I need to be honest with myself. Money is a very hard thing to worry about. Luckily, we have been able to survive thus far. But the burden of worrying how you will pay for things is HARD. I know most of you feel the same way I do. At least I hope you do. I don’t want to be the lone wolf out here admitting I need to get my life in gear.

I don’t need more things- I need less things. I need a budget we can stick to. I don’t need fancy clothes or a new car. I need a roof over my family’s head & food on the table & enough in the bank for when times are tough. I feel like it’s not a lot to wish for. I know that had I had this realization 6 years ago- we’d be so much better off. But, 6 years ago I wanted things in Tiffany’s boxes or tied with that beautiful black & white Chanel ribbon. And for that? I was dumb. The difference in what I could have today because of frivolous purchases crushes me daily.

I just need a financial physical.

I’d love for anyone to share tips & tricks on what you do to pinch pennies & save while trying to resolve debts. I would love to hear what purchases you won’t compromise on. For me, right now it is feeding my children wholesome homemade food. I may have to spend $150 on groceries every 8 or 9 days but I know I am not feeding them garbage.

Some days I wish I could get on one of those shows that makes over your life.

My show would have a professional organizing & cleaning staff like hoarders.
A financial advisor free of charge to TELL ME what the best plan of action is for our lives.
And a monetary prize. $50,000.00 would do. A million would be better.

Someone needs to produce that shit & call me to be the first contestant.

One pair is the “poolside” by sabre. I used to have them in bubblegum pink but I sold them on eBay. I’d like to get another pair in a more muted color.

Hubs & I are currently drooling over these bad boys-

Like, we both love them & want them in two colors so we can share them. Too bad the price tag is a cool $220.00 each. And yes, I realize sunglasses are expensive. I used to own THESE- but the mighty have fallen and now? $220.00 seems just completely out of my league. I’d love an anonymous donor to send them to us. But who am I kidding?!

I have been overwhelmed the last month or so. Not with the kids, but with the lack of time I am afforded to get anything else- like work or house stuff done. We’ve also been a bit slower this month at work, which is par for the August course but with three babies I feel it much more than I did in the past. I find myself questioning how I have lived my life to this point financially. All those little (and not so little) things I HAD TO HAVE 3 years ago? If I hadn’t GOTTEN THEM it would just make a huge difference now that we have 3 kids. I just feel stupid for not being responsible sooner. Luckily, our company is established. We’ve been in biz for 6 years and we aren’t going anywhere. We just have to much more careful with our money for the next few years so in the future we won’t have to worry. It’s hard to go from buying Chanel bags & sports cars to trying to stretch the groceries out just ONE MORE DAY. Some might think it’s a fall- but I’ve decided after some reflection that our goals financially are more important.

Add to that the deadline at work & I was just a mess.

I felt better after talking it over with my stepdad & my mom. They are good at helping me talk through things even if they end up being a sounding board. I am so grateful to have such wonderful people there to support me when I have a moment.

So, in order for me to get my work under control Hudson went home with Nonnie. And I missed him all day. But, by 9AM the twins were fed and sawing logs while I got to work. And I worked ALL DAY. Thanks to the twins loving to roll around on the floor and jump in the jumper and play in their play gym- and my sister-in-law Krust for coming to feed them lunch- I got a shitton done today. In fact my first break was after 8PM. I made us dinner (enchiladas!) and then after I ate I went back to work. Around 11 I WAS DONE!!!!! I got caught up on what I needed to & I am ready for tomorrow. But, since I was feeling crazy I cleaned the house (all except my bedroom!) and now I am relaxing in bed watching tv.

Today? I felt so very accomplished. But tomorrow?! I cannot WAIT to go get Hudson. I miss him. I miss him so much.

This dresser for upstairs because it’s been out of stock at Ikea for MONTHS. I have the matching 2 drawer dresser & basically have been storing my kids clothes in bags until I find the right dresser. I know if I buy another dresser the very next day this will be back in stock. It’s the law.

A minivan. Because I have 800 children. My husband says no because he isn’t yet ready to come to terms with the fact that he is a 30 year old father of three human children & 3 furchildren. How do we NOT have a minivan already!?!

A flip camera HD. The new slide one is pretty cool. I love the idea of having a little camera like this to capture all those wonderful moments with my family.

And since we are on the subject- I think I need THIS as well:

And to go with this beautiful camera? Yes, I think I need a fabulous plum sequin strap from Capturing Couture.

So, since this is a list of my high ticket wants that I cannot fathom ever being able to afford with three children & a mortgage, I’ll get REALLLLLY out there and also add to the list:

1. No debt or payments on anything except my mortgage.

2. Scott being able to retire RIGHT NOW so we can spend every day together with our kids watching them grow.

So, in a perfect world, I will also have to win the lottery. Because I dunno how else to make these things happen. Unless blogging sudden makes me a million dollars-hahahahahahahhahahahahhaha. yeah, I know- now I’m REALLLLLY dreaming. I guess on that note- I’ll be going to bed to dream.

So, that’s like 26 days. AWESOME. Except: HELLOOOOO BEDROOM WILL NOT BE DONE. I mean, it might- but I am not keeping my fingers crossed or anything. This is gonna be a clusterfuck for a few weeks.

So stuff doesn’t HAVE to be done. Like, I don’t need to get all my furniture purchased and upstairs. But, I do need to get the dressers at minimum. And a changing table. Radical.

This changing table matches our cribs: Sparrow from Oeuf.

and this is the changing table- saving hella room- but it’s like 200 something dollars which seems ridiculous.

and of course my IKEA Dressers. I think my plan will be to just go to IKEA when I’ve healed up. Otherwise I will be relying on my family & friends to go get the stuff and build it which is a lot to ask, I think.

Also on the to-do list:
*Have my rocking chair painted.
*Get shelves hung and stuff up on them.
*Get the stuff I need at Lullaby Lane.
*Get expedite shelving units from IKEA and create the cubicle shown on The818.
I dunno. I feel like there is soooo much to accomplish.

We got a stroller though.

We got it in Navy, because the Techno was $380.00 & this one was $265.00 but if we bought the floor model, it was $199.99. So, even though it’s not the stroller I wanted or a color I like: I was able to pay for the entire thing in gift cards. That was a win! Plus, it fits in our car. The one we really want:

The Bumbleride twin indie stroller does NOT fit in the PT w/ the Stokke. Sadness. We will have to wait till we upgrade in a year or so.

At least that part is taken care of.

At least that’s my deal. Last week our water heater went out at home which cost a few hundred to replace (even though I got free labor) and then our company’s snake machine broke- prompting a visit to the Spartan Tool man- who even though we drove an hour to meet him- charges “fuel” and “shipping” on top of the prices for the replacement parts. Rad.

Then, last night at the prompting of Kerri’s comment, I was gonna have the hubs take some 30 week shots of this giant belly only to discover that my CAMERA IS BROKEN! It’s a little Sony Cyber shot. It’s actually my second one. I bought my first in 04′ as my very first digital camera. It was like 5.1 MP and at the time was super nice, but after like 3 years it seems outdated as new point & shoots were getting 10+ MP. So, I bought ANOTHER Sony Cyber-Shot that is 12.1 MP. And then, in a stupid dumbass move- I sold my Canon Rebel Digital SLR on eBay, because it is cumbersome to drag around everywhere. Scott was NOT happy.

Anyhow- back to my current predicament: My camera screen is totally effed. It has the screen of death. I did find out that it still takes pictures just fine (thank god) but you have to actually look through the viewfinder. And seriously, unless it’s an SLR it just seems weird using a viewfinder. Maybe that’s just me. Anyhow. I feel a BIT better- because I almost had a panic attack when Hudson decided to take a few steps this morning and then just STAND there for 2 minutes having some juice and I COULDN’T DOCUMENT IT!!! (It took till just now for me to figure out it would still take pics) So, I am in a panic thinking of all the upcoming events that NEED documentation and the lack of money I have to purchase a decent camera. I don’t want to go buy a piece of shit when that money could be going towards a nice camera.

I’ll tell you one thing- this time around we are getting an SLR & then one of those little video cams. The Flip HD. I liked that my cybershot did both. But, the SLR’s photos are SO much better and the Flip looks incredibly easy to deal with.

PLUS I have been on Costco.com all morning looking at SLRs & they have some pretty awesome deals. I mean, still wayyyyy more than I can afford- but:

That one comes with THREE Lenses. Although ,the price isn’t listed I am thinking it’s probably like $2K. WAYYYYYYY out of the price range.

They also have this one:

For $1749.99 with two lenses. I dunno. Kerri: if you are reading do either of these look good? It probably doesn’t matter because they may not be available by the time I have money- but just wanted your opinion!!