On my SOAP BOX!!!

I am going to get on my soap box about something, so if you get offended easily or think that when you read something it’s about you STOP reading here!!!!

I assume if you are still reading this then you have no issue with me ranting about something that gets on my nerves.

Recently Rob and I have been talking about things and we have decided that we are pretty good at managing our money and knowing what needs to be cut out of the daily craziness if things are getting tight. We don’t eat out constantly and we don’t buy things just to have them. We have become responsible adults who are able to manage a household.

So what is it you may ask that I am ranting about today….

Well the thing that gets on my nerves (at least for this blog post) is when people (adults) flaunt things they have, such as a computer, DVDs, TV’s, new phones, etc. and they did NOT buy them but MOMMY AND DADDY did. Don’t get me wrong my parents have bought me things, most recently tires, but they are not paying my bills. Also, for example, they are not paying for the EXTREMELY high credit card bills because I don’t know how to manage my money. It just gets under my skin when people try to be someone they are not. If you don’t have money to buy it then you don’t need it. If you cant afford your bills then its time to recheck your budget and get it back in line. My opinion is that if you can’t pay your bills but Mommy and Daddy do, then you are not an adult. Its time to put on your big boy and big girl panties and start managing your money!!! Mommy and Daddy’s money pot may run out one day and when it does you will be up the creek without a paddle.

I can’t stand it when people complain about not having money but then go out to eat constantly and then buy meaningless things that sit on a shelf at their house for years!!! What was the point of spending the money!!!!

Ok so that is all I am going to say about that.

If you feel that the person I am describing is you, then you better tighten your belt and start managing your money better. People do NOT like spoiled brats!!! EARN what you have, don’t ask Mommy and Daddy for it!!!!

Working Hard for the Money,
J-Tru

oh and one more...

I will try to floss daily!!!! I am not a flosser but need to be....so i pledge to floss daily!!!

Keep Smiling!
J-Tru

My New Year Resolutions

This year I would like to complete many different goals. I have been thinking about them the past couple of days and thought it was time to put it on paper....well at least the computer. So here goes nothing....

• Saturate myself in Gods word...start a hubby/wifey bible study
• Spend more time with my family
• Become more involved with the church---Go where God Leads
• Go on more dates with my hubby
• Pay for my Moms lunch once in a while
• Lose Weight...joining weight watchers (again) and going to stick to it!!!!
• Maintain an exercise program
• get more savings out of my couponing!!
  
• Save money!!!

and most of all ENJOY LIFE!!!!

Happy New Year Everyone!!

J-Tru

See ya 2010....thanks for the memories!!!!

The past couple of days I have been thinking about this past year and how much my life has changed. This year has been the best year of my life....ok I'm sure there were others but since we are ending this one I figured I would give it a good send off :O) Here is a list of few things that made this year the best ever....

• Planning our wedding took full steam ahead in January and the showers started
• I married the man of my dreams and the one God made for me on May 1!!!
• Rob and I went on a cruise and loved it so much we are planning another one!
• I moved to Orangeburg and am getting adjusted to Robs quirks :O)
• Started attending Cornerstone Community Church
• Met some wonderful friends and joined a home group through the church
• Realized that time spent with family is precious and I cherish each moment I have with them now that I am not on the "compound"
• Allison is pregnant and we found out it was a girl on Jennifers birthday!! Cant wait to spoil little Abigail
• Realized friends are precious angels that God puts in our lives...loved reminiscing with friends at weddings, retreats, etc.
• and many many many more memories!!!!

Happy New Years Eve :O)

J-Tru

SNOW and Truesdale Christmas!!!

Rob and I woke up this morning and the yard was blanketed in SNOW!!! I had been saying all along that it wouldn't snow that much but boy was I wrong. There was lots of snow for the entire family to enjoy!!!! I decided to walk outside and take just a few pictures before we got ready for the day. The snow and ice on the trees were gorgeous.....

Then i decided to take a picture of Robs truck because there was lots of snow on it too....

Rob joined me outside for a few minutes but then we both decided it was too cold to be out there without jackets on so we went back inside. We got ready for the day and had a great breakfast of grits, sausage, and toast. YUM!!! Since our bellies were full and we were dressed we decided to go back into the snow. We thew a few snow balls at each other and then we decided to build our snow wifey and hubby! We also put our hand prints in the snow....

After playing in the snow, and yes it kept coming down, we decided it was time to hit the road back to Orangeburg. We did stop in Lugoff to get my car and to swap gifts with Carli, Carla and Tim. We went over to their house and saw the Barbi Dream House that Santa brought Carli---awesome!!!! After exchanging gifts, we headed down the road. The further we got from Lugoff the more the snow had melted. However when we got to St Matthews it was snowing again. In Orangeburg though there was not any white stuff except for what was on my car and Robs truck. I did make one last snow ball and threw it at Rob but it completely missed him and went into the floor board of the truck.....HILARIOUS!!!!

Rob and I unpacked out cars and called our parents to let them know we made it home. It was now time to give our gifts to each other. I was getting ready to separate the gifts and noticed one gifts in the back that was in different wrapping paper so I asked Rob if we forgot someones gifts. He told me he wasn't sure so I pulled it from the back of the tree. I looked all over for a name but there wasn't one. Rob said he didn't know who it was for or from. He then told me to open it because we could re-wrap it if once we find out whose it was. I opened it and it was a KINECT for the XBox!!!! He had gone this past week and found one at Wal-Mart. He got me really good!!! I cannot wait to play it!

I didn't give Rob any hints this year of things that I wanted or liked but he did an amazing job!!! We opened each others gifts and we LOVE everything we got. Rob is such an amazing hubby and he always knows how to make me smile!!!

After we unwrapped our gifts to each other, I had the bright idea to set up all the gifts we got over the weekend on the couch. So here is the HUGE assortment of wonderful gifts we got from our family and friends....We are so blessed to have such amazing people in our lives!!!!

We did eventually get everything put away and in its proper place. Rob and I are amazed at how much love and support we have from our family and friends. Not only does this picture show the gifts but to me it shows love and the huge "family" that we have that are there no matter what. We are "rich" in knowing that we have this type of support!!! Thank you to everyone!!!

We not only got the gifts above but also wonderful Christmas cards from many family and friends. We enjoyed looking and reading each one. Thank you!!

and here is my final Merry Christmas for 2010!!!

J-Tru

Christmas Day in Lancaster :O)

Christmas Day for me has changed since being married. Growing up I was always with my family and we celebrated with breakfast, lunch, and supper at Gma and Bubbas. The menu consisted of ham, turkey, dressing, etc. Well when you get married you join another family and your traditions change a little. We spend Christmas Day with Robs family and Christmas Eve with my family.

'all of our stocking hung by the chimney with care'

Last night we stayed at my mom and daddys house so when we woke up it was time to get on the road to Lancaster. We got ready, packed the truck, and made a little pit stop at my gmas and bubbas for some Christmas breakfast. We had some sausage, breakfast casserole, homemade biscuits, and grits. After eating a little bit and wishing everyone Merry Christmas it was time to hit the road. We made it Lancaster around 10am and were greeted at the car by Chewie, the family dachshund, and Ed, robs uncle. Rob and I came inside the house and were greeted by his Gma, Mom, and Aunt Debra. Everyone was very excited to see us and as we were them. We talked about the Christmas at my parents and how everyone was doing and then it was time to open presents. Rob played Santa this year and handed out presents to everyone. The way we open presents is one by one going around the room opening one present until everyone has finished. So Ed started, the Me, Rob, Debra, Mommy Barbara, and Gma Jo. Chewie got a turn every now and then too. The gifts kept coming and coming and coming. It was awesome!!!! Rob opened many gifts from Santa and Gma Jo that had presidential flashcards in them ( I benefit from those gifts too!!! :O)). I received a beautiful red jacket and scarf, owl necklace, and lots of other wonderful gifts. The funny moment for me was when Aunt Debra opened her gift from Rob and I and it was a silver cat ring holder. Then I opened a gift from Debra and Ed and it was a silver rabbit ring holder....Great minds think a like!!!! The gifts were absolutely wonderful and we love them all!!!

Chewie got some "tasty" gifts!! We wrap his gifts because he opens them just like we do. We would put them on the floor for him and he will place his paw on the gifts and begins opening them with his mouth. He sometimes gets excited and tears into the treat bag itself. He is a smart dog!!!

After opening gifts it was time to eat lunch. While we were opening gifts I was smelling the ham cooking and it was mouth watering to say the least. Everyone helped to set up the spread downstairs and it was a sight to see. There was lots of delicious items to enjoy. I feel in love with Debra's crab dip!!! I could have eaten the entire bowl!!! The meal was delicious and filled my belly up to the top!!! To finish off my meal I had a piece of cheesecake but there was plenty of other desserts to choose from as well. We ate very well.

After filling up our bellies, everyone relaxed in the living room and took a nap....all but Debra and Ed. I was in and out of consciousness but I was wanting to close my eyes. The tv was playing 24 hours of 'A Christmas Story'.....I could recite it for you now. Around 5 o clock Debra and Ed headed home to St Matthews. Rob and I were staying the night in Lancaster so we cozied up in two recliners side by side and I took a nap. Rob told me I was holding his finger and that i was about to break his wrist off i was holding it so tight. He also said I was snoring, his mom said i wasn't....or at least she didn't hear me :O). My nap was fantastic. After I woke up we watched some TV and then ate some supper....it was a smaller version of lunch for sure. After a while we decided it was time for some rest and we were hoping that when we woke up there would be some white stuff on the ground......

Merry Christmas!!
J-Tru

Annual Christmas Eve Steak Supper

Today was the beginning of the Christmas Celebrations. Every year the Moak family has steak for supper at Gma and Bubbas house. The men go outside and they prepare the MEAT while the women are inside preparing the salad, fries, baked beans, and bread. Mom picked out our steaks this year and they looked awesome.....here is a little shot just in case you were wondering what they looked like...

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Mom had seasoned them with salt, pepper and a little worcestershire sauce. After the steaks were seasoned it was time to put them on the grill. Here is a pic of my awesome daddy maning the grill.....

Rob told me that he was thinking that he may have to brave the cold because watching them grill tonight he was missing his grill. Rob does know how to work a grill!!!

While the meat was cooking, mom took out her baked beans from the oven and the house filled with the amazing aroma or bacon and brown sugar.....HEAVEN!!! Her baked beans are by far the best baked beans I have even eaten. I love making them because its a no fail recipe and its so easy. Here is the goodness that the world is missing out on....

Once the steaks were done it was time to chow down. At gmas each family has certain places they sit. Mom, Dad, Rob and I sat at our table in the living room, while Patti, Jackie, Allison, Britt, and Kaitlin sat at a table, and John, Joy, Dee, Monk, Bud, Gma, and Bubba sat at another table. It all works out perfectly for the family to be together on Christmas Eve. After we filled out bellies with steak and sweets it was time to open presents. Everyone opened gifts and enjoyed watching monk monk with his new toys. After opening gifts with the family, the McElveens came over and the T Moaks (that would be my family) swapped gifts. Rob and I got some awesome coffee cups and hot chocolate....our cups are zebra and giraffe print-if you look inside a statue of the animal is inside of the cup!!!!! After gifts at Gma and Bubbas it was time to head to mom and dads house for the night.

We arrived at mom and dads and of course on Christmas Eve we open gifts there. Our stocking stuffers were in TWO huge storage bins!!! Not full to the top but there was tons in them. We got some wonderful gifts from mom and dad plus some presidential flash cards to use on whatever we wanted. I cant thank my parents enough for the love, support, and advice they give to use throughout the year. Here are a few pics of the tree and my gifts from mom and dad....

There is one gift missing, that is a ROTISSERIE OVEN!!!!! AWESOME!!!!!!! Rob said now our kitchen is complete with every appliance needed!!! I cannot wait to use it!!!

So Thankful....
J-Tru