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Catching back up....eventually

November 14th, 2011 at 04:08 am

This weekend my girls and I did our annual girls trip to Portland. We have done this trip for about 5-6 years now, and it is something we look forward to (and save for) all year. We left on Friday morning at 6am and just got back a couple of hours ago. We had an awesome time shopping, eating amazing meals, sightseeing, and just spending time visiting. We came home with tired feet, lighter wallets and happy hearts. I stayed well under budget and even picked up the tab on the more costly meals so the girls dollars would stretch a little farther. I remember being a mom of young children and never having enough money. They were so appreciative...and I enjoyed treating! Both the girls are actively frugal. This morning, we stopped by the store so they could buy 3 newspapers each for the sunday coupons and circulars and they planned their shopping/couponing on the drive home.

The hub is on his second trip to Alaska for his job. He is loving it. He was home for three weeks and left last Thursday. When he arrived, he found out he is now on 4 & 2's meaning he will work 4 weeks and then be home for 2 and then work 4, etc. This means more paychecks, but less time at home. It is up to him how much he works- but he wants to put in as much time as possible, so thats what he will do. Smile The extra week nets about $2200, so it will help us achieve some of our goals much quicker.

I took an extra day off tomorrow to catch up on homework and to start wrapping Christmas gifts. I have ordered many of my gifts online this year and have quite a few to wrap...so I want to get a head start. I am blessed to earn almost 6 weeks PTO per year, so I have plenty to take the day tomorrow.

No matter how much fun I have on our trips, I am always glad to get home. There really is no place like home!!!

10 Responses to “Catching back up....eventually”

  1. LuckyRobin Says:
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    I was just thinking about you last night, thinking it had been a while. I'm glad your DH is enjoying his job. My husband will be coming home on Wednesday after working a 4 week shift. They can be really tiring even though the money is good. I am more than ready for him to get back home.

  2. Thrifty Ray Says:
    1321248393

    LR- It is a different lifestyle, but one that we can do. He is happy up there, so thats what really matters. Will your DH be home for Thanksgiving? Mine is gone both Holidays this year...

    Between school, work, the hub being home and the girls trip, I have been too busy to keep up here...but hopefully things are settling down and I can check in more often.

  3. littlegopher Says:
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    Sounds like a very fun trip - what a special tradition!

  4. patientsaver Says:
    1321277081

    So, what kind of work is your husband doing? I loved Alaska when I was there; I'm sure he's seeing some awesome scenery. What area of Alaska?

  5. LuckyRobin Says:
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    Ray--Yes, he will be home for Thanksgiving and for Christmas. Originally he wasn't going to be, but they replaced his alternate and his schedule was changed for the rest of the year, so now he is. It is a different lifestyle, but you do get used to it. The one's I hated were six weeks on and one week off, but they don't allow those anymore because there was too much worker exhaustion. DH did that in the six months leading up to our wedding. One week was not enough to recover.

  6. Thrifty Ray Says:
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    patientsaver- he is working on the equipment that works on the ice roads right now. He is on the north slope...so he sees a whole lotta ice and snow this time of year Big Grin. (which he loves)

    LR- Because weve always had opposite schedules, this isnt too hard to get used to. Actually, when we got married, we said our vows on Thursday and he shipped off on Friday to Saudi Arabia for 7 months. (first Gulf War)...so between military life and day/swing shift, this isnt too different. (and it pays much better!!) Big Grin

  7. patientsaver Says:
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    I hope he takes some pix. Maybe he'll see a polar bear (from a distance)!

  8. LuckyRobin Says:
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    PatientSaver--He might see a polar bear from up close. My DH has, and caribou, arctic foxes, various snow rabbits, and wolves.

  9. Thrifty Ray Says:
    1321322322

    Yes, he has seen bear (not a polar yet) caribou, etc...the first couple week he was there a bear was hanging out in the company yard...all the guys had to keep an eye out and use caution. He is taking lots of pictures...most of it is the large equipment that he works on...(boring to me...but he loves it).

  10. patientsaver Says:
    1321355045

    I hope you can share some with us. That is really interesting!

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