Just a Canary Bird...

Okay, so after we make this vacation I may need to seek therapy services. I may go crazy from being in a car for 28 hours one way! The Hubby has always wanted to make the trip, so before we get old, we are going to cross it off our bucket list. Since we are driving our own car, we have been getting it ready to drive. I got the oil changed and tires were balanced and rotated. We cleaned out the car over the weekend and now I just need to vacuum it out. I have also made an emergency car kit. The Hubby looked at me like I was crazy, but you just never know! My emergency car kit includes: Antifreeze/Coolant Brake Fluid Tire Gauge Jumper Cables Paper Towels Toilet Paper Baby Wipes Plastic Sacks Band-Aids Tylenol Car Jack Tire Wrench Spare Tire I'm sure there is a ton of other stuff you could include, but these are the basics that I did! Until next time, Kara

Indiana is where I grew up. Indiana is known for basketball, growing corn, and having crazy weather. The Indiana Senate and House both passed a legislation bill, SB101. This bill would allow business owners to say no to providing services for same-sex couples.  The House passed the bill 63-31 on March 23rd.  According to the Indy Star Press, Governor Pence stated, " The legislation, SB 101, is about respecting and reassuring Hoosiers that their religious freedoms are intact," he said. "I strongly support the legislation and applaud the members of the General Assembly for their work on this important issue. I look forward to signing the bill when it reaches my desk. " I am so disappointed that Governor Pence is leading Indiana back in time and into discrimination. I feel like voters often turn a blind eye to individual candidates in the election and just vote straight party. We now need to look at what our elected officials are doing to represe...

Happy Hump Day! One of our all time favorite TV shows was Breaking Bad on AMC.  I found this cool image the other day while looking for Breaking Bad quotes. If you haven't seen the series, you better start now! You would be truly missing out.  We are currently watching the Better Call Saul spin-off series. I will say I was skeptical over the new series after the first episode, but we stuck with it. We really are enjoying it! I think Saul is so funny and clever. You better catch up! Until next time, Kara Picture accreditation  https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/20/49/a1/2049a122cd71a044a0c1d29aeef6ea02.jpg

We are in full swing Las Vegas Road Trip preparation around our house! 28 hours in a car will be interesting to say the least.... I have been making lists of everything I need. We don't really want to spend a lot of money on our way there on food, so I have been buying snacks. I have been preparing for our upcoming vacation for over a month. I have checked the sale ads each week to stock up on snacks and meals for the trip.  We have a selection of chips, crackers, candy bars, beef jerky, chex mix and peanut butter. I will buy stuff for turkey and ham sandwiches, cheese cubes and grapes when it gets closer to time. I stocked up on bottled Pepsi products when Kroger had them on sale for $1.88 per 6-pack. This way we won't have to splurge on soda for our hotel room when we are on the trip. You will pay more for one 20 oz. bottle then I did for six 24 oz. bottles. It's crazy! I will also have frozen water to keep the cooler cold and that way you can drink it as it tha...

One of the most influential people of our time is Warren Buffet. He is a mega investor whose legacy could take care of several generations of his family without a blink of an eye.  Here are several quotes by Warren Buffet:  He is the type of investor that my husband and I hope to be. He is successful, but still grounded when it comes to his lifestyle. Hopefully you can get inspired to do some investing of your own! Until next time, Kara Picture accreditation from  ohmyread.com

Can we say March Madness?!? Between the NCAA tournament and Indiana crazy weather, I can officially say March Madness is in full swing! Did you watch any of the games yesterday? Well I can say that my bracket, plus a lot of other brackets have suffered...but I love a good underdog story! My team plays today, let's go Louisville! I'm supporting my team at work today. The Hubby and I have continued to go bowling once or twice a week. We are going to take our bowling balls on vacation to Las Vegas. The Gold Coast has a 70 lane bowling alley! It should be a great time! I heard a song on the radio from the 50 Shades of Gray soundtrack, it's such a good song! I hope you have a great weekend and enjoy some basketball! Until next time, Kara

It's Wednesday, we all need that pick-me-up! You have to love Michael Scott and his encouragements.  Push through the rest of the work week! Until next time, Kara Picture source  www.episodeguidetv.com  

My husband and I both are looking toward the future. We would like to retire at a decent age without the worry of what ifs. Too many people do not plan for their future and are only looking a day at a time. I truly believe it is important for our generation to take an active role in their futures and planning their retirements. Too many people counted on Social Security in order to live in retirement. We may not have any of those benefits when we get to the retirement age. Taking control of your finances is a lifestyle choice. It's just like eating healthy and working out. You have to make an effort in order to see results. I believe that anyone, no matter what your social and financial status is, can start with some basic strategies.  1. Set Financial Goals Too many people are living pay check to pay check these days. I know that every family's situation is different, but you need to set a goal to reach toward. Otherwise, it is too easy to make excuses for why you a...

Happy Friday! We haven't had a ton going on this week. It has finally gotten above 32 degrees in Indiana. I swear it hits 40 and it feels like summer. Varsity basketball is officially over, so it is kind of nice having no planned events going on! I got my first 200 in bowling! We bought me a new ball that hooks some. I am still trying to get used to it, but we all start somewhere! I have a recent obsession with Jamberry nails. They are vinyl stickers with designs on them for your finger or toe nails. They are pretty simple to put on and look like you went and got a manicure. I like getting my nails done, but I do not like what it costs to do that. This is a more cost efficient way to do that! I bought Mockingjay Part 1 on DVD last Friday when it came out. I was so excited! I cannot wait until November when the final movie comes out! I had been looking for some app to put our vacation pictures to with music so I would have a fun way to look at them. I foun...

I feel like I'm the type of person who goes on song kicks. I get obsessed about certain songs new or old and just listen to them over and over. Here are a few of my recent song obsessions! 1. Asking Alexandria: "Moving On" 2. Boyce Avenue: cover of "Faithfully" 3. Colbie Caillat: "I Never Told You" 4. Glee Cast Version: "Shake It Out" 5. Foster the People: "Pumped Up Kicks" 6. Kid Rock & Sheryl Crow: "Picture" Have a great day! Until next time, Kara *I do not own the rights to any of these YouTube videos.*

When people think of Las Vegas, they think of glitz, glamour, luxury hotels and money. Las Vegas is all those things, but you do not have to have a lot of money to enjoy a vacation there. The first time my husband and I went to Las Vegas was a few weeks before our senior year of college. Believe me, back then we had very little money to spend, but we were able to go on vacation and have a great time! With a little thought and planning, you can have a great time on a little budget! Flights or Travel Getting to Las Vegas will always be one of the most expensive parts of your vacation. Flights are expensive, but make sure to check out some of the smaller airlines, like Southwest, Frontier or Allegiant. They are smaller and cut back some of the “extras” but it does take some of the cost out.  Airline credit cards will sometimes offer deals if you spend “x” amount of money you will earn so many flyer credits. We actually used the Frontier Airlines credit card to ...

I have said many times, I am a self professed nerd. I love to read! Here are some reads that I enjoyed. The Selection Series by Kiera Cass I really enjoyed this Young Adult Fiction trilogy. It was an easy and entertaining to read. It reminds me of the reality TV shows we enjoy so much like the Bachelor. I always love a good competition! Barnes and Noble describes the book as: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.  But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gra...