Organizing:
I am on day 3 of 5 of my time off. My plan was to use this time to clean and organize the house...kindof a November spring cleaning. Tuesday night I started organizing cupboards, which means pulling stuff out- which means the house looks worse than before starting. I was pleased with progress, but had a major ways to go... and then at 1am- I woke up with a 101 fever. Wednesday, I had agreed to babysit our lil foster guy (Z). Thankfully DD3 came and helped because the darn fever hovered at 101-102 all day. (Did I mention the messy house Id created??) Z is an amazingly good lil boy and he just played and enjoyed his time here- but he also added to the mess.

THanksgiving, the fever broke about 3 in the afternoon. I was wiped out, but got a little done. Today, I have been back at it. Most of the hiding spaces in the house are cleaned and organized. I completely filled the big recycle bin with papers, etc. The trash bin is full and I have more to refill after the trash guy comes on Monday. I have two big boxes of giveaway stuff for Goodwill, with more to come when I finish my closet.

Whew. This was a big job without that drasted fever. Thankfully, I have two full days left to finish up. I have to say, it feels so good to know you have deep cleaned and organized everything!

I have a dog and a cat..and I suspect they are the source of my asthma attacks and maybe even these fevers I keep getting- so I borrowed DD1's vacuum, which is a much better one than I own..and I am AMAZED at how much hair it picked up. I am now shopping for a similar vacuum. Emptying the container triggered my asthma...so that is why I am thinking the two are related. We have allowed them to sleep in the bedroom- but I am going to keep them out for a week or so and see how the asthma does.

I do believe I will post a few after photo's on Sunday.

Budget:
For some reason, the hubs paycheck was short a day this week. They will make it up on next weeks check- which works out ok, since this paycheck was primarily rolling to the end of the month anyway. He has been working a little overtime so I am eager to see how much next week's check is. This is also a 3 paycheck month for me...so next Friday will be fun as we will be able to put a large chunk on debt and another in savings.

DD1 did awesome with the Thanksgiving dinner. (I didnt get to go, but she sent me a plate). She fed a nice big feast for 14 adults and 6 kids..using lots of coupons and sales. She spent about $75 on everything and did a great job on her first Thanksgiving hosting.

I want to start working on the 2013 budget as soon as I am done with the house overhaul. I have been making a list of expenses to challenge. TV, insurance, cell phone plans. I havent done this since the hub went back to work in Alaska. We are able to pay all bills, save, set aside for vacation..but I feel like Ive been complacent and can do better next year.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite holidays. (I have so much to be thankful for!)