Saving Money...

Well, I have a question to put out into the void...

Is it ever really worth it? "Saving money" that is!

Yesterday, finally having beat the flu, Jared and I took a good look at our list of projects around the house that needed doing. There was the usual endless cleaning, the front door badly needed to be painted, the cars are in a desperate need of a full and complete smell/bug removal, I had a baby shower to attend, and it was Stake Conference weekend which means many meetings for Jared scattered throughout the day. And then it happened. We realized that if we were ever planning to dig in our backyard (which we have landscaped in our heads about 1000 times) NOW would be the time to do it since we have had an unprecedented two weeks of rain! So, to Lowe's we went for shovels and a pick. And then we dug.

And dug...

And dug...

and then I left for the shower and Jared dug...

and dug...

no worries, the puppy helped to dig...

and they dug...

and 5 hours later, Jared gave in.

What did we have to show for it you ask?? Three holes big enough to put baby trees in that we don't have, and an outline dug with a pick of the yard we wish to someday have. I have to say, next time when faced with the choice to dig or to hiring a landscaper to just come and do it, I may choose the later. Even with Jared telling me how much he misses working outdoors, I don't think it's worth the whining that inevitably follows the next day. Not to mention that nothing else got done, and the dog will probably ruin any holes that were finished long before we get a tree to put in it! But yes, you could say there is a sense of achievement to be gained from such an experience if you were looking for a way to remind yourself how out of shape and "officy" you have become!

And the best part is, after buying the tools, counting time for labor, and investing in Ibuprofen, I guarantee that we will not save money after all!

Is is just a bug??

Warning: Longest Post Ever!!

Having finally chosen a suitable background, I figure I ought to catch everyone up! I have to be honest. Being sick has its advantages. Aside from feeling like you want to die, the chance to stay home from work and get a few things done has been such a great thing for me! Even if I haven't left bed in three days, I feel like for the first time in a while I am rested and will be able to face whatever I am dealt this week. However, don't hold me to that!! We will see what Wednesday does to me!

Starting this is a bit of an adventure for me, because I feel really far away from everyone! So this is really cool for me to be able to write all the dumb little happenings of our lives for all those who would never know about them to read! May I emphasize that I don't actually expect anyone to read my ramblings as much as it is supposed to make a great journal! So for anyone that doesn't already know, here are a few basics.

Husband: Jared, aka Jar, J-Dawg, K-fed, or Jerry

Occupation: Financial Advisor, Redstone Financial Group, Partner, just passed the Series 7 Test on his first try!

Age: Approaching 30, which is going to be HUGE! Currently collecting ideas for surprises... feel free to contribute!

Hobbies: Mountain Biking in the summer, Volleyball whenever possible, Basketball on Saturdays, closet Rollerblader, Longboarding, Wakeboarding when we can weasel our way onto a boat, weekend Hiking, Snowboarding, Saucing (a specific form of sledding involving a sled that offers no control), and checking anything BYU related on a regular basis.

Favorite Food: Changes daily and impossible to predict.

Wife: Stacey, aka Stae, Ms. Stacey, really anything but Stace.

Occupation: Spanish Teacher, Piano Teacher, and aspiring writer (:

Age: 26, and that is being honest. Sadly, it feels like that is really old!

Hobbies: Reading books that have no value and require no thought, Running in a useless effort to lose weight, Tennis, Volleyball, learning Piano pieces that I will never perform, and continuously being shown up by Jared at all things athletic! I have won once in our marriage at tennis... take note!

Favorite Food: All things a 15 year old boy would love. Homemade pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and a seriously delicious Steak. It is a wonder I need to lose a few pounds!

Other Family Members: Booker, our 9 month old Boxer, who is our life and love, and who sat on my bed for 5 hours straight with me to keep me company while I coughed, sniffled and burned with a fever. I love him!!

That out of the way, I can't wait to get better and be on my feet again. Undoubtably this bug will leave, and when it does, life will go back to work, work, WORK!! I will miss not feeling rushed! Until next time!

The First...

Well, now that we have internet at home, finally, and since I am home sick today, what better day to start this than today?! By way of warning, this may not be all that exciting, as my life generally is not exciting. And I am not a huge picture person, but I want to be someday, so here's for hoping. So welcome to the Knudsen story, or should I say stories!! Hope I can figure out how to do it all!!