These are soooo cute. Need to be vegan. But sooo cute.

With all our plumbing issues lately (no, not OUR internals, just the toilet), I can't help getting excited about working on our own house when we have one. Yes, that's right, I'm dreaming about sweat equity.

I hope to find a tool belt that isn't leather. I have visions of myself with vegan work boots and my tool belt and gloves, ready to hammer studs (hey, NOT what your thinking), hang drywall, lay flooring and refinishing, ummm, stuff. And I have lots of tools in this vision of me, handy lady - fancy pants.

I love DeWalt. Period.

In my tool belt is also my cell phone so I can call my buddy and ask questions. Like how to hang drywall and why one would do that in the first place.

And as it is spring, and I'm a country girl, I'm gonna do all the landscaping in our new place. I so can't wait to get my hands dirty. Growing stuff is awesome. I really miss it. I can't wait to see Denise 'garden'. I think there are going to many very funny blog posts at that point.

So, I'll keep looking for my tool belt, and one day soon, I'll be handy.

This is so friggin' cute! There are gonna be more handy ladies now!

- Melina : D

My BFF, when she had long black hair, and was at one of her favorite places, Ross Farm.

Denise is the biggest baby ever. She hurt her arm, somehow, and keeps holding it up at me as I walk by saying, 'Owwwwww!' It's really annoying.

But more than that, she is one of those people who whines if it's not really serious. If it is really bad, she usually doesn't say anything. Bloody typical.

She one of the funniest people I know. Denise can make me laugh when I feel like I never will again. When I'm upset, she's always there. Usually bugging me to deal with whatever the issue is.

Really lucky I like her, as work together (in 2 different jobs, no less) and live together. Now she just needs to find me a good guy. She'll need to get along with him too, as she's not going anywhere.

- Melina : D

It was when standing in this spot by the ocean that Melina and I decided we NEEDED to live in the Valley, no ifs, ands or buts. This blog has been meant to chronicle our lives as we move towards that goal, so now I feel as though I should look back and think about how far we've come.

The Etsy shop is running smoothly, after much time and work. We are on the verge of our 100th sale through the shop! WOW! If ever there were a milestone to be celebrated it is that one. When we started the blog the shop was all shiny and new, and now we are successfully using it to get where we want to be.

The family has grown with the addition of the latest cats, Banshee and Sherlock. I never thought two more cats could be so much more expensive. Technically, it could be seen as a step backwards in our money-saving journey, but who can look at those little faces and think they are anything but a windfall?

(Note that Solstice boycotts photos with all the boys.)

Our debts are going down and our savings are going up. We clip coupons and troll the flyers and live as cheaply as humanly possible, though we don't stray to the non-vegan side. :) At this rate we are on our way. It will be awhile before we drive to our new house in our new to us car, but we are not giving up!

~ Denise

So, Denise came up with the very brilliant idea to motivate our arses into moving and getting healthier. To do almost anything I need to be bribed in some way, even if the bribe is to take a break and play a game of tetris. Denise knows this, and has this delightful personality quirk a bit herself.

The challenge is to workout 5 days a week for 8 weeks. We are at the 2 week mark, and are on track to win the challenge. The most exciting part, apart from having stronger bodies (and tighter buns) ? We each get a new outfit (with shoes) and dinner at Mexico Lindo. Yay!

It's doable, but when during the workweek, it can be, well, a challenge. It will feel really good to complete this. Stand back, these ladies are kicking some arse.

- Melina

I's Banshees. I bind-hi on my face. I's cute and very, very little.

I want to be Banshees but everyone is all differents. I's cutes and the smallest.

Looks, I has bind-hies. I see with all 3 eyes-ies.

Oh, looks, is my big sis. She's not all littles and young like me, Banshees.

I'm Solstice, and I refuse to have anything to do with this stupid blog post.

I wants some bunz. Look, is sexy bunz, no? Cute an all littles.

Oh, is Vanian's bunz. They the nicest bunz. I is wanting his bunz.

They are sooo nices. I go do squat-ies now. Bunz and bind-hies is me.

I am Sherlock, and I think this blog is very inappropriate. I'm appalled.

What manner of low brow home have I come to?

I do not condone this naughty behaviour.

- Melina