The midlife crisis has hit (maybe)

About 2 weeks ago, I learned that my brother has bladder cancer.  I think it has finally hit me. 

The reason why this is such a shock to the family is that my brother has never smoked, never drank and (probably the biggest) cancer does not run in our family.  It's also weird that my father-in-law just went through bladder cancer & having his bladder removed less than 6 months ago.

I've spoken with my brother 2 times within 4 days and for about an hour each time.  That is the most I have spoken with him (on the phone) ever.  After speaking with him last night, I think it hit me and got me thinking - I need to get things in order.  It's always something you don't want to think about, but do you really want your family to deal with the mess.  It also makes you think about your life - which I kind of thinking about last week with it being my birthday.  Are you doing what you really want?  Are you making your goals (whether it's a bucket list, money goals, personal goals, etc)?  Are you spending time with the people who matter the most?

Meanwhile, I'm watching Oprah presenting her story on "Oprah Presents Master Class".  Wow, does her story make you think!

Just alot to think about lately.  We are waiting for my brother's chemo schedule.  Until then, it's just a waiting game.

What we got in the mail last week (March 20 - 26)

• Free magazines (Entertainment Weekly from Mycokerewards.com)
• Makeup bag, samples and coupons from Target

Meet Me on Monday

1. Crunchy or soft tacos?
     Soft

2. Do you scrapbook?
     Yes

3. Do you take any daily medications?
     Yes

4. What is your favorite sound?
     Never really thought about it.  I always love hearing a cat purr.

5. Where were you born?
     Hornell, NY

Wordless Wednesday

Catching up

Caps Game - March 11
Friday, March 11 was our last Caps game in our 5 pack.  Dan picked me up and we got to Verizon Center a little early.  Looked around in the store and got in line.  Within a few minutes, they started to let people in.  I went into my purse and only pulled out 1 (one) ticket - OH NO!!!!!  I always feared this would happen!

I figured it MUST be in the car where I switched purses.  So Hubby headed back to the car (3 blocks away).  I got a text from him - "Did you get in your purse when you were waiting for me?"  I couldn't remember.  Next thing you know, he's walking in with the ticket and said that he found it on the ground - where he dropped me off.  Whoopsies!

The Jeep is back in action
Saturday morning (like 9:30 am), I called the dealership to see if the Jeep was ready.  Nope - what the????!!!!  Supposedly the part didn't get in until late Friday.  Whatever - probably just because they didn't make any money on it.  By 1 pm, they call and say that it's ready.  We picked it up when Dan was heading out to work then I went to AC Moore.  Dan followed me and of course I had to test the Jeep - he said when I stepped on the gas, all he saw was a puff a smoke behind me.  LOL!  Anyway, we are back in action.  No issues.

Out of the Office
Tuesday, I got to go up to our offices in Wheaton to visit my co-workers there - and to do some work. : )  I picked the right day, because I was able to see 2 former co-workers who were meeting others for lunch.

Birthday Weekend Celebration
Friday, the oldest nephew came down from NY.  Can't believe he'll be 25 this year, but it's also cool because he can drive down anytime and go out with us whenever.  This is the 2nd year in a row he's come for my birthday weekend.  There always seems to be a concert that I want to go to around my birthday!  He got to the house around 6 pm so we went out to dinner and then came back to the house to watch hockey.  Our neighbor DS came down and hung out with us - finished watching the 3rd period of the game and then we all went outside to sit around the firepit and eat smores.  I finally went to bed about 12:30 while the guys waited for Dan to get home.

Saturday, we went to Red Robin for a late lunch/early dinner and I got my free birthday burger.  We also got a free appetizer since I just signed up for the frequent customer card.  About 7:30 pm we headed up to Baltimore to Rams Head Live to see Charm City Devils and Halestorm.  We got to see a little bit of Madame Adam (they sounded pretty good).  It was nice to see CCD since it's been awhile.  John threw a CD single out into the crowd.  Next thing I know, it's at my feet!  So I grabbed it!  WOOHOO!  What is it with seeing them play live and getting a free CD?  John gave me the demo when I saw them as Forty Acres way back when.

Halestorm was AWESOME!  Lzzy has as strong a voice in concert as she does on the CD.  They played the whole CD along with 2 covers and 1 new song.

Sunday was Chipotle for lunch and by the time we got back VJ needed to head out. : (  Then DH and I went to Home Depot to get yard stuff and spend the rest of the day in the yard.  The neighbors/Esa's best friend came over for about 30 minutes.  The pups hadn't played together all winter.  The rest of the evening was TV time.

Today I walked into the kitchen to presents!!!!!  WOOHOO!  Dan got me Season 4 of The 4400 and a replacement neck wrap.  He said that another present is on it's way.....

Coming up this week is Janet Jackson on Thursday with my friend, NW.  Then Junkfood posted that they will be in Herndon at Ned Devine's on Saturday.  The celebration keeps going!

Meet Me on Monday

Time for Meet Me On Monday -


Questions:




1. What jewelry do you wear 24/7?
     If my earring studs are in, they are on 24/7.  Otherwise - nope - all jewelry comes off.
2. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it?
     Twirl - I'm 50% Italian - of course I twirl!

3. How many siblings do you have?
     2 older brothers

4. Were you named after anyone?
     My dad - Ron
5. Coke or Pepsi?
     Diet Coke all the way.

Meet Me on Monday

This week's Meet Me on Monday!




Questions:

1. Do you have a fireplace in your home?
     Yes - electric.  I love the fact that all I need to do is flip a switch and the fireplace is on!
2. Can you drive a stick shift?
     Yes.
3. How many computers are in your home?
     4 - One desktop, one laptop, one netbook, and an IPad.  This doesn't include the Blackberry and the 2
           Itouches!
4. Are your taxes done yet? Do you do them yourself?
    No - I do them myself.  Might as well wait until the last minute since we usually pay some.
5. What is your favorite meal of the day?
     Any meal is my favorite meal (especially when it's at a restaurant or hubby is making it).

Wordless Wednesday

Crazy day and a walk over to CVS for a $2.25 purchase

Let me start by saying, this day did not go as planned - it was supposed to be a day just like any other workday with a quick stop at CVS afterwards.

Last week, I noticed that the jeep didn't have any pickup.  One of the icons came on - but only for like a second.   I had a feeling that the catalytic convertor was going.  I had a Camaro that did the same thing.  I told Dan and our plan was to drop it off at Goodyear on Friday morning.  Well, the jeep didn't make it.



I was driving to work - probably about  miles from the house and the Jeep wouldn't go over 30 miles an hour.  So I made it to Goodyear and called Dan to come pick me up.  He took me to work and within an hour, Goodyear called and said it was exactly what I thought, but they found other items too (of course!).  So Dan picked me up at 1 am and we drove the car to the dealer.  Dan said he started to follow me, didn't think about it and got right up on my tail!  Nice - it was taking forever to get up to speed and I felt like a granny with everyone passing me.

We dropped the car off, stopped at Roy's for lunch and then Dan went off to work and I started working from home.  Luckily, Westfield is on top of the traveling computer connection and it was just like I was in the office.  I might have actually gotten more done than I would have in the office ; )  Jeep called and said that the Jeep will be done by Friday because they can't get the part until Thursday - nice.  In the meantime, I'm without a car and I'll be working half days in the office/half days at home.  I asked about a loaner car and they said that none were available until next week and they don't have a shuttle service (only locally). 

The pups were pretty good at letting me do some work.  About 4 pm, Esa was looking to go for a walk, but I held her off for about another 45 minutes.

After the pups' walk, I decided to walk over to CVS since that was the original plan today.  When I went to CVS on Sunday, I forgot a couple of my coupons.  I made out!  The total transaction was $2.25!

Here's the breakdown:

• 4 Dole Fruit Bowls - 3/$5 minus (2) $1 off 2 coupons
• 4 Simply Asia soup - 88 cents each minus (2)  $1 off 2 coupons
• 2 Kellogg's cereal cups - $1 each minus (2) $1 off 1 coupons
• 1 Diet Coke - $1.79 minus CVS you select coupon - $2 off
• used $3 in Extra Care Buck

WOOHOO!  Every once in awhile I have a good shopping trip like this.  But then, I'll have $50 shopping trips there too (but with about that much in savings in the trip too).  This is a realistic extreme coupon trip.

Meet Me on Monday

I would really like to get posting regularly on this blog.  There are so many ideas on topics based on the day of the week.  Here is one of them from a blog that I follow:




Each Monday, you answer 5 random questions about yourself.  Here are the questions for this week:

1. What is your favorite way to eat potatoes?
     As french fries (I can NEVER pass up fries!)


2. What was the last package that was delivered to your house?
     A book that I won in a contest.
3. What is your favorite scent that you love to smell?
     There are several - usually it's because it reminds me of when I was growing up - ie Liliacs because we used to have liliac trees all over the place, peaches and mandarin oranges - they were both (canned) fruits from my childhood and I loved (and still love) them.
4. Do you smoke?
  NO


5. Are your parents married or divorced?
  My parents were married until the day they died (38 years).

What we got in the mail (Feb. 28 - March 5)

• Magazine, magazines and more magazines (Entertainment Weekly via Mycokerewards, Woman's Day and Shape via free magazine websites (don't remember the details), Martha Stewart Food is a subscription trial that should be ending soon since I haven't paid for the subscription).
• book won in a contest on Sweeps4Bloggers.com
• final envies from the February Fun coupon train on Hotcouponworld.com