Savings Summary Saturday - December 31

Grocery Shopping (and other savings) this week:
Saved 54% at Giant this week.(paid $65.38; $120.39 before savings)
Savings Highlights:

• Best Life Spread - paid $0.67 each (sale price of $1.67 each plus a 50 cent coupon that was doubled!)
• Coke Zero Liter - money maker of $0.99 each (sale price of $1.00 each plus a 99 cent coupon that was doubled!)

Gas Savings:
Saved 30 cents per gallon using my Giant card at Shell.  Plus I used my Shell SuperSaver card to get an additional 2 cents off per gallon.

Money received this week (AKA thank goodness for Christmas gifts!)

• $50 CASH from a contractor
• $25 Michaels gift card from The Segalls

Things we got in the mail:

• Entertainment Weekly (from Mycokerewards.com)
• 2 books from Paperbackswap.com
• Fitness Magazine
• calendar from The Humane Society

Donations this week (got to get them in before the end of the year!):

• Donated money to Ashburn Fire & Rescue
• Donated money to Jill's House

Rewards programs:
MyPoints (personal account) - 6,797 points (6,762  points -last week)
MyPoints (coupon account) - 2,730 points (2,640 points-last week)
Swagbucks - 1,928 points (1,891 points-last week)
Listia - 14,623 points (14,578 credits-last week) $0 paid out (when buying credits it is $0.10/credit)
Postpoints - 2,250 points (2,235 points as of Dec. 3)
mycokerewards - 3,923 points (3,896 points-last week)
Bondrewards - $20.71 ($20.61-last week)
Upromise - $12.47 ($12.47-last week) available for transfer
Capital One Rewards - 1,686 miles (1,586 miles-last week)
Thanks Again - 0 points

New Year, New Goals

• Use rewards programs to get gifts - Another WHY HAVEN'T I DONE THIS moment - What about using gift cards for daily stuff!  Thanks to Crunchy Frugalista for the idea.  While I can usually get better deals at the store for laundry detergent & stuff, I could definitely use this idea for dog food!
• Use Restaurant.com coupons - no action this week
• Buy a New Car - no action this week
• Set up an Estate - no action this week

Mutts - My Favorite Comic Strip

I love Mutts.  I think mostly because it's true to life.  Patrick McDonnell does a GREAT job at portraying the relationship between pets and "owners" and pets and other pets.  Here is today's comic.

This one just REALLY touched me.  So much that I almost started to tear up.  Why, because that is Zed to the T.  He will follow me and Dan to the ends of the earth.

Conversations at the Dog Park

Esa and Zed go to the dog park every once in awhile.  Yesterday, we went to Brambleton's Central Bark.  After four years, I'm used to people say about Esa "She's so beautiful!", and lately, "She's so calm", which I answer "thank you" and "lots and lots of training".  We always get asked what type of dog she is.

Yesterday, was no different.  We got asked what type of dog and when I replied "Husky/Shepherd", one of the lady's replied "Have you had a DNA test done on her, she looks like a Shiba Inu" I replied, "she's too big.  That breed is small."  Her response "They come in large sizes too."  When I told them the results on the DNA test 2 and DNA test 1, one of the other lady said that her friend's didn't come back accurate either.

She was also trying to guess what kind of dog Zed is.  I did hear her say "terrier", then she asked.  I responded "Heinz 57 - your guess is as good as mine.  Our vet can't even tell"  Then came the DNA conversation (above).

Later on, a guy came with 2 german shepherds that were very well behave.  He commented on the one Labradoodle who wouldn't drop a ball that was a puggle's.  The owner said no, he doesn't drop and mentioned about having to go to the emergency room to get stitches because she tried to get a chicken bone out of it's mouth.  He continued about how his dogs obey because of the shock collar and tried to show the lady how it works, but she was totally against even looking at it. 

I know he was trying to help, but people who use that need to remember that not everyone believes in them, plus you need to keep in mind the dog personality.  I bet you anything she could easily train the Labradoodle to drop by click training.  People just don't take the time to figure out what works with their dog.

People are funny.  I know people are trying to make conversation while their dogs play, but some funny conversations (or should I say "you should do this" conversations) happen.

Saving Summary Saturday - December 24

Grocery Shopping (and other savings) this week:

• Saved approximately $40 on Zed's medicine by using AAA pharmacy card.
• Purchased 2 Maybelline powder foundations - buy one, get one 50% off.  Used (2) $2 coupons and $5.49 in ECBs.  Paid $6.98
• took advantage of a tenant's employee appreciation days and received 25% off my purchase (instead of the usual 10%).  Purchased items that were already marked down to increase my wardrobe!
• Joined Thanks Again reward program (we are promoting this at work and need to walk the talk).

Gas Savings:
Didn't have that many Giant gas points, so just went to Exxon this week - goes towards Upromise.

Money received this week (AKA thank goodness for Christmas gifts!)

• $50 gift card from a tenant
• $36.08 from some legal action re: currency exchange
• $30 Chipotle gift card from my boss
• $55 Red Robin gift cards from my family
• $$ Michaels gift card from my co-worker

Things we got in the mail:

• $25 Best Buy Gift Card from Mycokerewards
• Fitness Magazine - I think this was through Gold Rewards.com
• Holiday greeting cards from The Humane Society
• Get Glue stickers

Donations this week (got to get them in before the end of the year!):

• Cat & Dog toys and food delivered to the Loudoun County Animal Shelter
• Donated money to The American Heart Association and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in memory of two friends who passed away this year.
• Shipped two boxes of denim to The Cotton From Blue To Green Organization
• Participated in a silent auction to raise money for United Way (yes, I won an item!)

Rewards programs:
MyPoints (personal account) - 6,762 points (6,682 points -last week)
MyPoints (coupon account) - 2,640 points (2,570 points-last week)
Swagbucks - 1,891 points (1,861 points-last week)
Listia - 14,578 points (14,578 credits-last week) $0 paid out (when buying credits it is $0.10/credit)
Postpoints - 2,235 points (2,200 points as of Dec. 3)
mycokerewards - 3,896 points (3,787 points-last week)
Bondrewards - $20.61 ($20.51-last week)
Upromise - $12.47 ($12.47-last week) available for transfer
Capital One Rewards - 1,586 miles (1,431 miles-last week)
Thanks Again - 0 points

New Year, New Goals

• Use rewards programs to get gifts - WHY haven't I done this in the past?  I can get free gift cards to give as gifts - that's what I usually buy anyway!
• Use Restaurant.com coupons - We have several of these coupons that we have not used.  We need to expand our tastebuds.  That's why I bought them in the first place!
• Buy a New Car - Yup - it's time.  Plankton (our (green) 2002 Nissan Sentra) is 10 years old and getting close to not being worth fixing.
• The plan:
• A - test drive
• B - figure out trade in or sell to Carmax
• C - figure out financing
• Set up an Estate - I know, really bad that we don't have our papers together.

Wordless Wednesday

Meet Me on Monday

 

Extra long this week because of the Monday holidays the next two weeks!

Questions:
1.Wrapping paper or gift bags?
     Usually wrapping paper, but sometimes gift bags.

2.Real or artificial tree?
     Artificial - so much easier!

3.When do you put your tree up?
    HAHA!  Haven't yet this year!  I did put up a little LED light that we had bought for my Aunt Helen.

4.When do you take your tree down?
     Sometime within the first two weeks of January.

5.Do you like eggnog?
     No

6.Do you have a nativity scene?

     I have a felt banner that my mom made.  I usually don't put it up. 

7.Favorite Christmas Movie?

     Bad Santa (seriously!)

8.Favorite Christmas cookie?

    Sugar cookie.  Not just at Christmas, but anytime.

9.Where will you eat Christmas dinner?

     Christmas Eve dinner will be at our house.  Christmas Day dinner will be at the local Chinese restuarant!

10.Angel, bow or star on top of your tree?

     This year, it's a star (on the LED tree).  Usually it's an angel.

11.Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

     People are rude when you are out shopping.

12.Do you like Fruitcake?

     No

13.What are you most excited about the holidays?

     Time off from work!

14.Do you open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

     Christmas Eve

15.Will you still be wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?

     Gifts are all wrapped!

Sunday Souvenir - Haircuts

Sunday Souvenir

Once again, my haircut memories are with Aunt Helen - because she was our hairdresser!  She did all of our hair (mine & my brothers).  I always had the same hair cut growing up - bangs and long.  I do remember one special time though - I had Helen cut it short.  I don't know if she suggested or if I suggested it.  I do remember Mom did not know.  For some reason, I think she was in the hospital after we had a car accident so I was around 5.

Helen saved my hair and I presented it to Mom.  This is probably gross, but I still have my hair.  It's still in the box and wrapped with a bow.  I'm thinking I should take it to my hairdresser and say - THIS is the color my hair should be.  Just because she thinks my hair should be really dark.

Saving Summary Saturday - December 17

Grocery Shopping this week:
No big shopping this week.
Stopped at CVS to take advantage of the 3 for $8 Coke sale on Saturday.  Used ECB to purchase - paid 23 cents.

Gas Savings:
Didn't buy any gas this week for the Jeep.  Hubby uses his Exxon Card so all purchases are worth credit on Upromise.

Things we got in the mail:

• First purchase from Listia - Washington Capitals puck (from the 1970's or 80's) for 100 credits. 

Rewards programs:
MyPoints (personal account) -6,682 points (6,477 points -last week)
MyPoints (coupon account) - 2,570 points (2,455 points-last week)
Swagbucks - 1,861 points (1,827 points-last week)
Listia - 14,578 credits (14,760 credits-last week) $4.35 paid out - equals 1 cent per credit (when buying credits it is $0.10/credit); also had to refund two "sales" one item is lost in mail & other was a wrong purchase.
Postpoints - n/a - my account is suspended/account issues (2,200 points as of Dec. 3)
mycokerewards - 3,787 points (3,739 points-last week)
Bondrewards - $20.51 ($20.46-last week)
Upromise - $12.47 ($11.47-last week)
Capital One Rewards - 1,431 miles (1,286 miles-last week)

Wordless Wednesday

Me and my buddy....

Meet Me on Monday

 

Questions:

1.  Tomorrow I'm going to _________?

     Work......

2.  Pudding or Jello?

     Jello!

3.  What book are you currently reading? 

     N/A - trying to catch up on my pile of magazines!

4.  What is the first concert you went to see?

     Corey Hart!

5.  What is your current weather?

     Definitely December!  What happened to that 60 degree weather we had last week?

Mon
Dec 12

10 am

29° F

Precip:
10%

Sunday Souvenir - Christmas Traditions

Sunday Souvenir

You'll see a lot of my memories are with my Aunt Helen.  She was a big part of my life growing up.  She was like the matriarch of the family and I'll just say it - I was her favorite.

Anyway, all holidays were at Aunt Helen's.  Christmas Eve was always the traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner, but I found out that our dinner had a Caprarulo (our family name) twist.  I'm not sure why certain dishes were different than the traditional dishes.

After dinner, we would open presents & stockings.  When I was young, I used to believe that Santa came to Helen's house early.  We would all then go to church for Christmas Eve service.

I would still get presents on Christmas morning at our house and we would go over to Aunt Helen's during the day for leftovers.

We still continue the Christmas Eve tradition.  Dan knows that it is important to me and he had the best teacher on how to make the dinner (Aunt Helen).  We are luck that Aunt Helen wrote down all the recipes.  We have put the Wentz twist on things since we don't eat seafood, but basically everything else is the same.

When Helen went into the nursing home, we started a new tradition.  Chinese on Christmas Day.  It began out of necessity.  There was nothing else open in my hometown and we didn't have leftovers to eat since everything was at my brother's and they spend time with my sister-in-law's family on Christmas Day.  We still continue the Chinese on Christmas Day.

Savings Summary Saturday - December 10

Grocery Shopping this week:
58% savings - $201.88 before discounts - paid $117.51
43% savings - $30.07 before discounts - paid $12.94 - these items are for donation.

Gas Savings:
Paid $2.75 per gallon at Shell using my Giant Bonus card.  I will also be saving 2 cents per gallon by paying with the Shell Super Saver debit card.

Things we got in the mail:

• holiday cards from Guiding Eyes for the Blind
• Throw blanket from The Humane Society
• $50 from Capital One Rewards
• Entertainment Weekly (from Mycokerewards.com)
• White Noise 2 (from swapadvd.com) - this is brand new still in the wrapper!

Rewards programs:
MyPoints (personal account) -6,477 points (6,307 points -last week)
MyPoints (coupon account) - 2,465 points (2,455 points-last week)
Swagbucks - 1,827 points (1,819 points-last week)
Listia - 14,760 credits (4,609 credits-last week) $0 paid out/nothing send this week (when buying credits it is $0.10/credit)
Postpoints - n/a - my account is suspended/account issues (2,200 points-last week)
mycokerewards - 3,739 points (3,642 points-last week)
Bondrewards - $20.46 ($20.36-last week)
Upromise - $11.47 ($11.47-last week)
Capital One Rewards - 1,286 miles (1,131 miles-last week)

Celebrity Sighting!

So, yesterday I was in baggage claim about 11:30 watching the Washington Flyer TV (an internal airport tv station that plays information about different things to do in DC), waiting to see if our video is going to play (more on that later).

Who walks by - Cesar Millan and Junior!!!!

I waved and then walked up to him and asked "What are you doing here?" He said "I just landed, I have a meeting with National Geo"  I said back "Well, have a good trip"  He just kept walking as I was talking, so I got the hint.

I know - my mind goes blank, I get so excited!  I'm such a goof!  "Celebrities" are just normal people, nothing special about them.  I had my phone with me too, I could have gotten a picture and posted it on the Shop Dulles Airport Facebook page.

Meet Me on Monday

Questions:

1.  Monday's are _________?
     the toughest to get out of bed.  I rather just sleep in.  OK - that would be every day....

2.  What is your favorite kind of milkshake?
     Strawberry.  Anything strawberry is my favorite.  I've been told that my mom used to eat strawberries and chew ice when she was
     pregnant with me.  Hence why I like both of those things.

3.  What monthly bill do you most dislike paying? 
     It's going to be the car payment shortly.  Hubby is looking for a new car.  Probably besides that, it's the cable/phone/internet
     bill.  Doesn't seem worth it.

4.  How many email addresses do you use on a regular basis?
     I have 4 e-mails - personal, online sales, junk/coupons and work.

5.  What color lights are on your Christmas Tree?
     Multi color.  Of course, the tree isn't up yet.....

Sunday Souvenir - First Words & Childhold Scrapbook

Sunday Souvenir

Stephanie's entry is about first words and childhood scrapbook.  Unfortunately, I have no idea what my first words were and I don't have a childhood scrapbook.  Which now that I think about it is amazing since my mom was an artist at heart.

Right now, most of my stuff is in boxes but since I know have my scrapbook room, I look forward to organizing EVERYTHING.  Seriously - everything.  The things I do have - a school memories book which has a bunch of report cards and stuff that I did in school.

One of my projects I have planned is to create a school memories book for myself & for Dan.  Unfortunately, I don't think a lot of Dan's stuff was saved. :(

One of the things I was amazed to find (I think I still have them) was when I was cleaning out my aunt's house.  I found ALL of the congratulations cards from when I was born.  Seriously.  Just all bound together.  This was like in 2000.  That was the first time I had ever seen the cards.

I'm sure once I start going through boxes, I'll find a lot of memories.  Those two are just ones that really come to mind.

Savings Summary Saturday - December 3

Not too much action this week - I have't done any shopping this week so no savings from the grocery store.

MyPoints (personal account) - 6,307 points (last week - 6,217 points)
MyPoints (coupon account) - 2,455 points (last week - 2,435 points)
Swagbucks - 1,819 points (last week - 1,812 points)
Listia - 4609 credits (last week - 330 credits) paid out $65.09 = $0.01/credit (when buying credits it is $0.10/credit)
Postpoints - 2,200 points (last week - 2,180 points)
mycokerewards - 3,642 points (last week - 3,523 points)
Bondrewards - $20.36 (last week - $20.31)
Upromise - same as last week - $11.47
Capital One Rewards - 1,131 miles (last week - 8,781 miles; redeemed credits for $50 gift card last week)

Freebies this week in the mail:

• Shape Magazine
• gift wrapping paper (from an animal organization)
• holiday ornament (from an animal organization - this is going in the geocache stash)

You Can't Tell Someone's Tone Over the Internet

“You can't control other people's behaviour, but you can control your responses to it.”
― Roberta Cava

I don't remember the first time I heard this quote (or a version of it), but every once in awhile, something happens, I think of it, and I am calm with whatever happened.  This quote came to my mind this morning because of something that happened over the internet in a "conversation" with me and a "friend".

Lorenzo is a former co-worker and we have kept in contact since he left Westfield quite a few years ago.  We have talked on the phone a couple of times, but mostly it's via the internet - either Facebook or Twitter.  The great thing with the internet is that you can keep in touch with former co-workers.  Depending on the person, I have the tweets go directly to my phone so I keep up with the person and can start a "conversation" (that is what Twitter is for).

Anyway....Lorenzo tweets alot - mostly retweets (RT) and comments about what is going on around him at that time (like during a commute on the metro, etc) or comments to other people he follows.  The tweets are usually for like an hour straight and sometimes I'll reply or check out the RT.  Hubby made a comment that my phone kept going off one day and I said, "oh, it's just Lorenzo" and explained.  Thanksgiving, we were at our neighbors and my phone was going off, and comments were made about how often it was going off.

So, to me, it's a joke - it makes me smile - when the phone starts "blowing up" I know Lorenzo is on.  Nothing bad about it.  Anyway,  I made the comment to Lo and obviously, he didn't like it.

 

                 rmcwentz Ronalyn

                When my phone is blowing up with twitter notifications, I know @AyeDisLo is on

                23 Nov

                AyeDisLo goLo Evans

               RT @rmcwentz When my phone is blowing up with twitter notifications, I know @AyeDisLo is on< #settings

               23 Nov

I didn't think anything of this - I meant it as a smartass remark.  I probably could have put a smiley face at the end so he knew I was laughing at it.

Here's what happened yesterday:

           rmcwentz Ronalyn

          phone is blowing up = @AyeDisLo is tweeting... :)

          17 hours ago

          AyeDisLo goLo Evans

         RT @rmcwentz phone is blowing up = @AyeDisLo is tweeting... :)» you should change your settings or unfollow me #annoyed

         17 hours ago

          rmcwentz Ronalyn

         @AyeDisLo #notannoyed sometimes you tweet some good stuff - puts a smile on my face.

         17 hours ago

Smiley face - it means you are happy.  Explaining that I didn't mean anything bad by it.  So, yesterday evening it bothered me and I mentioned it to Dan.  He just shook his head.  This morning I thought about it and it bothered me.  I think it was the "unfollow me" part that bothered me - basically, you don't want to interact with me anymore.  The other part, the RT - This went out to ALL of Lorenzo's followers - 390 people.  If you have an issue with me, you don't have to broadcast it to all of your followers.  Take off the RT and @me directly.  Then the quote came to me and my attitude changed.

The request has been processed.

I really want to retire SOON!

So after having 4 days off at home and accomplishing things that I just haven't gotten around to in forever (like steam cleaning the upstairs), I start thinking, I need to focus if I really want to retire by the time I am 50.  At this rate, it's not going to happen.

I was thinking of maybe doing a "Saving Summary Saturday" - how I saved and earned extra money during the week.  I just don't know if it will keep me focused - I'm hoping it will!  I'm taking this idea from Thrifty Ways and Ideas.  Each week, Maria (the owner) posts what she has done during the week to save.  I enjoy seeing how Maria saves during the week and it motivates me (unfortunately, I haven't been keeping up on reading her blog!).

MAYBE, just maybe, this will motivate me.  So, here's the starting point.....

MyPoints (personal account) -  6,217 points
MyPoints (coupon account) - 2,435 points
Swagbucks -  1,812 points
Listia - 330 credits
Postpoints - 2,180 points
mycokerewards - 3,523 points
Bondrewards - $20.31
Upromise - $11.47
Capital One Rewards - 8,781 miles

These are the accounts I have been most active in lately (except Postpoints - I'm getting back into that).  Most of them are just a clickthrough site or are linked to credit cards.  Listia is going to cost some money because of shipping, but we'll see how I come out on it.  At least I'm getting rid of stuff.

To learn more about the programs I use to "earn money" please see the tab "How We are Saving to Retire Early"

Meet Me on Monday

Questions:

1.  I really need to clean my _________?
     Well, if you had asked me this last week, it would have been our shower (I hate cleaning it).  However, I cleaned the bathroom this weekend.

2.  What food makes you think of Christmas?
     spaghetii aglio e olio  This is what we would always have on Christmas Eve growing up and hubby and I continue this tradition.  This receipe is not the one we use.  We use Aunt Helen's receipe. : )

3.  If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be? 
     Depends if you just mean in body or in mind & body.  If just in body, I would say like 24.  I was in my best shape ever - working out (because it was free and my friend was my "trainer").  If in mind, I would say probably about 35.  I think that's when I started to realize I didn't care what people thought about me; that I couldn't control how other people act or react;  and started to speak my mind freely.    

4.  What was your first paying job?
     Cleaning a doctor's office with my neighbor (in 8th grade).

5.  Have you read the Twilight series?
     Yes - I read all 4 books in 2010 when on vacation for 2 weeks.

Wordless Wednesday

Meet Me on Monday

 

Questions:

1. I wish I had more time to _________?

  Oh, that's a loaded question!  I would love to have more time to scrapbook, to read, to clean the house, to blog, to......

2. What is your favorite kind of soup?

     Not much of a soup person, but I do like Progresso's Rotini soup.

3. Where will you eat Thanksgiving dinner?

     At our neighbor's house

4. What is your favorite time of day?

     Probably when the pups (in particular, Esa) go to bed.

5. Did you start Christmas shopping yet?

     YES!  I just bought something for someone this week!

Sunday Souvenir

Sunday Souvenir

Better late than never!  Stephanie posted a tweet on her entry "Could this be why I'm a vegetarian?"  I responded that my entry would be "Could this be why I am fat?" LOL.  Stephanie had told us about her food experiences while growing up.  Boy do we come from two extremes.

Thanksgiving....this is my favorite holiday.  Why?  Because of the food.  I love turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls, gravy, corn, and apple pie.  Carbs, carbs, & more carbs....I am in heaven.  I don't think I have ever had cranberry sauce and I have tried stuffing before, but I'd rather stick with pototoes.

Growing up we always had the traditional Thanksgiving dinner at my Aunt Helen's (all holidays were at Aunt Helen's, along with (every) Sunday dinner after church).  I don't really remember anything special about Thanksgiving, except sometimes we would have it early or later depending on my brother & SIL's holiday schedule (to go to her parent's house or even work).

One Thanksgiving (late 70s?), I do remember that my mom & I were staying at Aunt Helen's (not sure why), but I remember my mom not wanting turkey because of smelling it all night (back in the day when it took HOURS to cook a turkey).  I don't know if it was also that same holiday or another one, but I remember my cat, Blackie, being there and Helen feeding turkey to him.  Now, Blackie being at Helen's house in and of itself shows how much I was Helen's favorite since she did NOT like pets.

Of course, what's my Sunday Souvenir without Kim & Karen?  So also in their family is Ted (their dad), Ginny (their mom) and their sister, Kris (who is 5 years younger than me).

I don't remember going to the Johnson's growing up for Thanksgiving, but I definitely remember coming home to visit in my 20's, eating at Helen's with my family and then heading to the Johnson's for dinner.  WHAT A SPREAD Ted would make - turkey AND ham!  Ginny would make different pies and I remember one year, Krissy didn't move the pies while she was doing laundry (where the pies were cooling off on the dryer), the washer was a major shaker and the pies ended up on the floor.

Through the years, Dan and I have gone to Ohio to visit his grandmother & family there, but lately we just stay home.  As Stephanie mentioned in her blog, the last couple of years, we have purchased a turkey dinner from Giant and gotten together.  Can't beat the price that includes EVERYTHING and it's easy for the cooks (My Dan and Stephanie's Dan)!

My Scrapbooking Room - Updated!

My dream of having a scrapbooking room is becoming a reality!  I have been wanting to do this for about 3 years.  First, I needed to convince my hubby that it was ok to have built in cabinets in a "bedroom" (which it has never been for us and will always be an office).  Thanks to his grandma, he was convinced that it's our house and we should do what we want in it.  So I did get an estimate about 3 years ago at Home Depot and was not happy.  It was about $3,000 but about half of it was install and all standard cabinets!  That's crazy!

Then the job came in the way - last year, I thought I might be without a job, so I put it (along with spending money) on hold.  About springtime, when I learned we were going to be extended another 6 months (after the first 6 month extension).  I started the "screw it, I'll worry about the money when it stops coming in" and started spending - not foolishly, but things we had planned.

So, last month, Closets by Design came out and worked on a design that I had in mind.  Cost is about the same as 3 years ago - $3,000 - all custom designed and free install.  One estimate and doing it.  TOMORROW IS D-DAY!

Before - from door

Before - from corner opposite door

Yesterday was emptying the room and today was cleaning & steamcleaning.  The room is now empty...

I took a chance and listed the desk on Craigslist and within an hour or so, I got an offer!  They already came out and picked it up.  An extra $50 to go towards the mortgage this month!

Tomorrow will be the follow-up blog and I can showoff the end product!

Monday, November 21

D-day went very well.  Esa went to daycare so she would be out of the way and Zed basically stayed by my side the whole time.  The guys came about 9 am and finished about 1pm.  I am very happy with the end product, however will need to speak with the designer because the price was more than the estimate (like $900) AND I thought I was to have pull out drawers on one of the cabinets.  But, still, I am very happy and I'm sure I will get those items straightened out.  And now for the reveal!

After install - from the door

After install - from the corner opposite the door

  I still have some plans - shelves and baskets for the wall and maybe some lights, but this was the biggest thing.  I can't wait to start organizing!

Wordless Wednesday

Meet Me on Monday

 Questions:

1.  Does your family/friends know about your blog?
     I sometimes post to Facebook, so yes they do, but only a few follow on GFC or on a feeder (that I don't know about).  Not that many comment, so who knows who is really looking at this.... BTW - Thanks Nani for commenting a lot!

2.  What is your favorite card game?
     N/A - don't really play games.  If anything, it would be solitare. (thanks Java for the picture!)

3.  What do you wear to bed? 

     real sexy - old t-shirts & pj bottoms.  Sometimes an old sweatshirt in the winter.

4.  What is your favorite kind of French Fry?

     Fries are my favorite vegetable.  There I said it. :P  I've only met one type of french fry I DON'T like - the SKINNY shoestring type

The best restaurant fries is a tie - Red Robin or Five Guys.

5.  What is your usual bed time?
     On a weekday, usually 9:30pm or so I'll head to bed and read a few minutes and laydown around 10 - 10:15pm

Sunday Souvenir

Sunday Souvenir

Stephanie picked a great theme this week - favorite childhood television shows.  I have quite a few stories/memories based on TV, but I'll limit it to two.

Once again, this week will include my friends/neighbors, Kim & Karen.  Like I said last week, we were together ALL THE TIME.  Back in the day, playing included using your imagination and some were based on the shows we watched.

One of the games that Karen & I used to play was "The Magic Garden".  I can remember playing this under the apple tree in my front yard (no swing) and of course, the hosts had the same color hair as we did, so I would be Paula (dark hair) and Karen would be Carole (blonde hair).

When I was researching the links and pictures for this entry, what did I find, but Carole & Paula are still performing!  Who knew?!

Now, of course, when the three of us were together - what else would 3 girls play......

 

That's right - Charlie's Angels!  I would always be Kelly, Kim would always be Sabrina, and Karen would always be Jill (and then Kris when Farrah Fawcett left and Cheryl Ladd came in).  I can remember that Karen would always complain that she had to be Jill or Kris.

I haven't seen either shows in forever.  I refuse to watch the remakes because it ruins he memories.  I'm sure it wouldn't be the same, but someday, I will watch them.  

Thank you Veterans!

Last night I watched, Our America with Lisa Ling.  The episode originally aired on Sunday, but finally got around to watching it last night.

It was a special on Veterans with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disease).  Usually these type of shows don't affect me.  I'll walk away with a "WOW!  I didn't know that", and that's about it.  However, this show/episode had me in tears.  The mental torment that these soliders hold on to is extreme.  You could just see it when you looked at Peter (who they featured).  Luckily, by the end of the episode, you see he is making progress (I hope they have a followup on him).

I have not been personally affected by the current war (ie, I do not have anyone close that is in the service), but have been affected by mental illness.  Maybe that's why it affected me so.  These soliders want to have a normal life, but the events they have gone through have changed their personalities and it is so tough to return to their old lifes.

This is the 2nd time this week I have thought - "I need to help".  The first was when I was watching the Oprah's Lifeclass 1st Friday Joy episode where it featured giving.  I can do that.  Because of couponing, I can donate items that don't cost much to me, but at full price some people wouldn't be able to afford. 

Time to get a game plan and do some extreme giving.......

Guest Blogger

Last week, my friend & neighbor, Stephanie, asked if I would be interested in being a guest blogger on her site this week.  Today the entry was posted!

Guest Blogger - Imagine Our Life

Meet Me on Monday

 

Questions:

1.  Are you excited for the holidays or are you dreading them?

     I don't really care anymore.  I'm not that excited about them.  Although I do dread them because of all of the treats!  It would be ok if it was one or two days, but it seems like everyday for 2 months!

2.  Do you hit the snooze button or get right up?

     Depends on the day, but usually hit the snooze.  Today, on the other hand I got up BEFORE the alarm.

3.  Do you still have your tonsils? 

     YES!  Amazing since it was so common to get your tonsils out when I was growing up!

4.  What was the last piece of candy that you ate?

     A Warhead.

5.  Do you shop at thrift stores?
     Not as much as I wished.  I also try to stay away (same with yard sales) just because I don't need more stuff.

Sunday Souvenir

Sunday Souvenir

Stephanie picked another great topic this week - childhood toys/stuffed animals.  Believe it or not, I still have a LOT of my toys.  At first, it was to pass them onto my kids.  Of course, we never had any.  Then I started thinking about passing them onto my nephew and nieces, but I realized that the toys wouldn't last long.  So my toys have been in one of my hope chests.  Below are some pictures of a few of my toys and stories behind them.

This is me and Pinkie.  Gee, imagine me with a stuffed animal cat!  I don't know who gave me this, but I still have it.  I am about 2 in this picture.  Don't you love the old school stroller?  Looks more like a shopping cart!

Here I am at my neighbor's house with my Hello Dottie doll.  I'm probably 4 here.  Growing up, everyday, and I mean everyday, I was with my neighbors, Kim and Karen.  I do not remember a time in my life without them.  I still consider them my sisters.  And as sisters, we fought - probably every day, but when it came to gifts, obviously our moms were pretty smart because to keep the peace.......

We got the same gifts!  At least Kim (on the right) & I did.  I'm sure Karen (on the left) played with them.  Yes, I still have my Hello Dottie and it still works.

I don't know what I will do with my toys, but it's still fun going through them and remembering.

Wordless Wednesday

Halloween 2011

I like and I hate Halloween.  I enjoy sitting outside handing out candy.  I hate the rushing home from work (because traffic is ALWAYS bad on Halloween night), stuffing dinner in my mouth, waiting for the ding dongs to start (earlier & earlier each year).

I really hate being home alone on Halloween.  It's so boring hanging out by myself (ok - and the dogs).  It's hard hanging out candy and watching the dogs too.  So, Dan stayed home last night.  I had dog duty and he handed out the candy (usually it's the other way around).

When I left for work yesterday morning, the house wasn't decorated.  But about 3 pm, I got pictures of a decorated house!

Traffic was horrific last night!  It took me 30 minutes to get off of the airport grounds and off of Rt 606.  That's probably 2 miles!  CRAZY!  When I got home, dinner was ready.  We stuffed our faces and of course as soon as sit down, the door bell rings!  It wasn't even dark yet!

Before heading outside, I pulled the halloween collars out for the pups.  Esa was NOT happy to have it put over her face (muzzle flashbacks) and Zed was like "REALLY? I have to wear this?"

They enjoy hanging out on the porch seeing everyone come by.  Esa gets all the attention from the kids.  Luckily, she loves it and gives them kisses.  Zed gets Mama's attention. 

We walked over to the neighbor's (on the right) and got fortune cookies and the pups LOVED them.  Then we went to the other neighbor's (on the left) and had a photo shoot!  Leo's hobby is photography, but he is WAY into it - professional camera, flashes, etc.  He had a full mini studio set up in his living room yesterday.  I don't think Leo realized how difficult it was going to be with the pups.  They had never been in the house before so Esa was all ready to check out the whole house (which is the same model as ours so she would know her way around).  Zed just stayed by me.  I really didn't want to be in the pictures, but Leo thought maybe they would pose better with me sitting there too.  Nope.  Anyway, we did get some good pictures and some good candid ones (Leo finally gave up on the poses and just did candid).  Here's my favorite.

The rest of the evening we hung out on the porch until about 8:30 pm.  We still have candy left - we have like 6 bags left.  I went a little overboard (I think we had like 25 bags total) and Dan was only handing out like 1 piece each.  I always just grab a handful for each kid.  My bad for not just saying to Dan, "we have plenty, give out alot!"  He even said he was afaid that we were going to run out.  LOL.  Yet, he wouldn't just leave the candy bowl out after 8:30 pm and just have kids come by and grab whatever.  He said that someone would take the whole bowl.  OMG - really?  Fess up, you just want the candy..... LOL.

Sunday Souvenir

Sunday Souvenir

I'm two days behind on this, but I'm still doing the entry!

Stephanie's theme - photos - old photos to be exact.  Man, do I have plenty of them!  But, Stephanie's entries has gotten me remembering pictures that I have looked at many, many times.  I understand Stephanie's wonder at the old pics because no matter how many times I look at the family pictures, I feel the same as she does.  It's a glimpse into your family and its history.  You might have been there, you might have not been.

Since Monday is Halloween, I figure I'd pull some old Halloween pictures.  I remembered this one of me in my cat suit and my brothers.  Unfortunately, I knew it was in my Aunt Helen's album, but I had no idea where it was last night.  So, last night, after handing out candy, I am searching for the albums.  I have pictures and albums EVERYWHERE!  Upstairs in the office (future scrapbooking room), in the guest room closet, in the basement storage - EVERYWHERE!  The old pictures are still in boxes that they came into the house in.  Anyway, looking upstairs, pulling everything out of the closet - not there.  Next downstairs to Helen's boxes from the nursing home.  Luckily, it was in the 2nd album I opened up!

And - here they are!

These were taken at Aunt Helen's house.  Left to right, me, Brett & Vincent.  Brett must have been a Planet of the Apes character and Vincent was a Chicken Leg from Red Barn (an OLD restaurant).  The writing on the pictures are also Aunt Helen's.

There I am!  My mom made my costume.  I remember it was an orange cat (gee, imagine that!), but the fabric was itchy (because of the sparkly material).  I know I have some other pictures of this same year with my nieghbors - who knows where though!