Canceling Direct TV!

I'm really not a TV fan...i watch it occasionally, if it's on. Mainly, I just don't have time or I'd rather be looking stuff up online. There have been a few shows i really enjoy - like 24, Lie to Me, The Mentalist, 18 Kids and Counting... (Jon and Kate used to be one of them, but no more..). I also like some craft shows, LOVE PBS, and like to have access to the local news. However, paying the bill for Direct TV every month (about $70) makes me clench my jaw. Especially when I watch my hubby and kids staring glassy-eyed at the TV. Our 3 year old is obsessed with Scooby-Doo. Our 2 year old is closer to operating the Remote than I am. I swear so much more would get done around here if the TV was not such a constant presence!

As I've spoken of before, our financial situation is relatively dismal on a consistent basis. We just never really get ahead, and often have trouble just staying afloat. Recently, it's been a little worse. This has led us to have some serious financial discussions about priorities. TODAY.....to my most dumbfounded, in awe, shocking, drop my mouth to the floor surprise....the hubby has agreed to stop Direct TV. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As you may know, Matt is a sports addict, especially baseball and football. Apparently, he can still get all the baseball games through an annual subscription to MLB dot com....for the low, low price of $19.95 a YEAR! That is one year people!! and....that is for their premium package. Check it out here! Not sure about the football thing yet, but am looking.

I had to wonder if it was possible to connect the lap top to the TV via "a cord or something" (i'm soooo technical). A swagbucks search landed us a youtube video that provides step by step instruction for just that! See the video here! (checkout swagbucks via my widget on the side bar).

I was already aware of Hulu dot com - a website owned by NBC and Universal - which offers free TV shows to watch online. It also offers shows from other networks. I was a little surprised to learn from cancelcable.com - a great site i just happened upon - that sometimes shows are available directly from the cable channel or network site.

See this post for some examples.

We already have a netflix subscription for $8.99 a month and my kids enjoy using the laptop and watching some of the older movies available on their site. Apparently, you can also buy a "roku" box for around $100 that gives you access on your TV to Netflixs' content....for free.

There are still some details to iron out - where are we in the billing cycle, best time to cancel, etc. but I do think this is a step in the right direction! We have already given up our cell phones and are minimizing use of the AC.

A Thrifty find

I've been sick and couped up in the house, I called in sick to work today but just had to get out of the house (also needed to go to the grocery store, my house looked like Mother Hubbard's cupboard!) so I went to the thrift store right around the corner from my house. I scored some good finds - mostly in 50% off clothes for the little ones, but also.....

#1 - 2 skeins of yarn, the fluffy type that cost $4.99 a skein in the fabric/craft store - 0.50 each! I've already started a scarf for one of my girls. Its a very nice, neutral oatmeal color.

#2 - Scooby Doo pajama pants, size L. Our 3 year old think Scooby Doo is the bomb. I've been doing some reading lately about repurposing clothing, so this seemed the ultimate opportunity!
I did a swagbucks search and found Rookie Moms.com and their article on making toddler pants from adult T shirts (see it here, also a You Tube video). I altered their directions slightly to use both pant legs, and turned out a pretty cute pair of scooby doo capri pj pants for Natasha. I'm working to create a shirt as well, will post pics when i finish.

The pants were so simple, I'm thinking there really isn't any reason to buy PJs for the little ones with all the extra Tshirts we have around here. Only word of caution, though, is that they of course won't be fire retardant as is recommended. I do think about these things, but simply can't afford true pjs for everyone. Also, I think modern laundering methods probably affect their fire resistance?

$5 American Girl movies!

Go here to the American Girl website. Through the end of September, select American Girl DVD's are on special for just $5 each! Shipping is $4.95 for orders up to $25.00.

A Homemade Christmas

Well...i'm a little nervous about this, but i've wanted to have a homemade Christmas for some time. I'm not sure my DH is on board, but he is at least keeping quiet. I'd like to get the kids one nice gift, then have everything else be hand crafted - by me, or not. Our Christmas' the last few years have been too material, too big, and haven't left me with a good feeling about any values we are instilling in our children. I'm including the nieces and nephews in this endeavor and already have plans to make stuff for my nieces bedroom. They currently have a "Cars" sheet for one curtain and an old Tinkerbell curtain on the other window. I have found out their favorite colors, now i need to visit the fabric store. The oldest girl is 12 and the younger is 10.

I've been doing lots of web searches on home made gifts and have found some good ideas for my mother-in-law. Still working on the father-in-law. Also, wondering about the nephews - any ideas? They are 5 and 7.

If anyone has ideas for teen gifts - I'd love to hear them!

A current project i'm working on is for 2 year old Arihana is a Waldorf style baby doll. I purchased a kit from Dancing Rain Dolls. The materials are lovely - real wool stuffing, etc. I'm nearly done with my first little doll - i'll soon post pictures.

Large Family Living

Today we went to The Island Waterpark in Fresno. Just about an hour north of where we live. We've been meaning to go all summer long but between work schedules, Matt's school, and softball tournaments, there hasn't been an available day. So, today was the day! Each of our older girls took a friend - that means we took 8 kids with us - had to drive 2 cars to fit everyone. Suprisingly, I didn't feel like we had 8 kids with us. When we got there, we rented a cabana so everyone knew where homebase was, quickly went over the ground rules about checking in with us (every 2 rides for the 9 year olds, periodically for the older girls) and everyone vanished! Daddy and I were left with the 3 and 2 year olds to play in the kiddie area. Natasha had a great time on the slides, floating around the "lazy river", and playing with one of the lifeguards. Arihana wasn't as sold on the fun and spent lots of time clinging to my leg.

It took forever for us to order our lunch - this is the only part of the day where i felt like we had 8 kids with us. Luckily, Matt was able to keep everyone's order straight. Next time, we will take food. Their website said we could not bring food, so we didn't, but we noticed that everyone there had food! I must've misread??