Family

Last November, after I realized how often we were eating out, we went on an Eating Out Moratorium. We didn't eat out (except one or two meals when my parents were visiting) the whole month. Every time one of us would get weak, the other would shout, "MORATORIUM!" It's a fun word. So, lately I've been pondering a full-out Spending Moratorium. Somehow today I managed to convince Andy we should do it. So, we are. MORATORIUM!



Guidelines:
1. Begins at midnight on March 1, 2009, and ends when our credit card is paid off.
2. No unnecessary purchases.
3. Must log all purchases.
4. Must post weekly about status.



What is allowed:
1. Medical care for the people and the animals.
2. Food for the animals.
3. Kitty litter.
4. Basic toiletries.
5. Food basics.
6. Automobile maintenance / repair / registration / inspection.
7. Gas for the automobiles.
8. Propane for the stove.
9. Febreeze refills.
10. Shoes and clothes for Anya if she outgrows what we have.
11. Birthday present for Anya.
12. Supplies needed to finish kitty room / plant room.
13. Plants for vegetable garden.
14. Baby ducks.

What is not allowed (not all inclusive):
1. Junk food (chips, cookie dough, soda, ice cream, frozen pizza, etc.)
2. Eating out.
3. Shoes and clothes for Andy or Carol.
4. Furniture.
5. Electronics.
6. Toys.
7. House plants.
8. Tools.



Exceptions:
1. Eat out once a month.
2. One 12-pack of soda a month.
3. Other things possibly excepted if both Andy and Carol are in total, non-coerced agreement that said things are necessary.

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Happy Valentine's Day!



This morning I asked Andy to take some pictures of Anya in the V-Day outfit her Grandma Diane sent. He obliged by getting a bunch of great shots in the kitchen with wonderful backgrounds like....the stove covered with dirty dishes; the cluttered microwave area; and the spot on the floor where one vinyl tile has been pulled up to reveal the subfloor.

I suggested we go outside to get some nicer shots. We parked Anya on a little bench, and Andy took some really nice shots with wonderful backgrounds like...our car and truck; the cluttered porch; and the water spigot.

I guess Anya is just so cute, Andy doesn't see anything but her when he's taking her picture. Awwww.

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Anya has finally outgrown the fabulous car seat her Auntie Kc and her Uncie Ken got her for her 0th birthday. Andy and I pondered buying Anya a new car seat, but we decided that we'd do as the natives do. I mean, why waste a perfectly good pickup truck bed?

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Last night we were watching "Finding Nemo," and apparently the theme got to Anya. I guess she figured if Nemo could get the pebble in the tank filter even with a gimpy fin and if Marlin could travel the ocean to find his little boy...well, then, Anya surely could stand up on her own two feet and dance the night away!



YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!



After 24 hours, she is a pro at walking barefoot on flat floors. Walking in shoes or outside still is a bit of a challenge, but she'll get there. I told her she could run around outside nakie butt when it warms up, and I believe she is motivated to reach that goal.

I am very happy and very relieved that Anya has hit this milestone. I knew she would walk, but sometimes I wondered anyhow. Plus? She is getting very heavy. I told her if she got much bigger without walking, I was going to strap wheels to her butt and pull her around.

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