~ Tired Tuesday ~

I'm just popping in, still working. For those of you that know me that is no suprise. Just dragging today. Storms last night got me up first around 12:30AM with the dog that whines when it storms. Got her settled down and myself back to sleep. Awake again around 4:30AM when it was storming so bad the thunder even scared me! Tried to calm dogs down, but after had 4 on the bed decided to give up at 5:00AM and just got up. So...I'm running on fumes right now.

Back to finish work..

Crazy Coupon Clipping Cutter

Yesterday afternoon I spent some time clipping coupons, looking at the ones I had and writing out a menu for the next 3 weeks. Yes, I went grocery shopping this morning and got 3 weeks worth of meals! Woo hoo! I don’t know if I could have done that when the kids were still living at home or not, but I probably could. After all, my hub eats enough for a family of 4 on his own, although there are some aisles that I can skip nowadays, like the cereal aisle. I eat oatmeal or cream of wheat in the morning and the containers I get last a while. My occasional urge to indulge in Sugar Smacks is not enough for me to clip that cereal coupon out as I would have to buy two boxes of cereal and that would just be a waste.

As I was sweeping through the coupons I already have, I had to toss so many of them that had JUST expired! Didn’t they use to have a longer expiration dates on coupons, or is it just my imagination? I saw a few that were really good deals - $1.00 off that just expired last week. Ugh! I also hate when I come across a good one that I can use until I read the fine print that it is only for the ‘Light’ brand. Drat!

Then there are the coupons that I have painstakingly cut out and folded with my grocery list that just do not make sense to use when I’m standing right in front of the product selection. Although I might save 50 cents on the brand name juice, I can get the store brand of grape juice for 1.00 cheaper. There goes another wasted coupon clip.

And don’t forget the coupons that cannot be used because the store just doesn’t carry that product. I had a $1.00 off coupon for some salad dressing and needed specifically Italian dressing for a recipe, but they did not HAVE that brand in Italian dressing on the shelf…that coupon got shoved back in my purse. That’s okay though because the store brand Italian dressing I found was cheaper. I was particularly proud to have in my possession a $1.00 off coupon for a sleeping aide that my hub uses now and then. Turns out the box itself had a $2.00 coupon right on it! While I was happy with that, I’m sure I will not be using that coupon I cut out before it expires.

I decided to search for a coupon exchanging group and am going to give that a try. So I cut all of the coupons that were in the Sunday paper out so that I would have plenty to offer to anyone that can use them. I have no need for cat items, diapers or baby products, etc.

My husband told me last night I was a coupon clipping crazy lady. He wanted to know why I was cutting out a denture gripping product when I still have my own teeth? I told him about the coupon exchange group I was planning to join. He just shook his head and said “Let me understand you correctly. You are spending hours clipping every coupon you see, and waiting for a bunch of coupon rejects that nobody else wanted to come in the mail, only to add your new ones to that you spent time clipping out so the next person can use them?" Well that’s not exactly how it is suppose to work. I am suppose to get the last person’s new ones that they can’t use. Maybe they don’t have dogs or don’t use my brand of cleaner, etc. Anyway I’m giving it a shot and will see how it goes.

So…is it really worth it all, cutting coupons?...I see posts at different places where one woman saved so much by using coupons, another saved over $100 by using her coupons. I especially like the ones where they get something on sale, get doubled coupons and actually get money BACK at the check out counter. I’m not there yet and probably won’t be. I don’t have enough hours in my day to search all over for coupons. But I’m doing okay. ..my grocery savings today was $20.43 !

The Differences....

The differences of not having my youngest here all the time are becoming more apparent now that the fall season is here. I was used to attending all the high school Home football games to catch the half-time show featuring the school dance team which my daughter was on. She was even an officer last year and got special recognition each game with an announcement of her name and rank. I was so proud watching her strut her stuff with the rest of the girls in their glittery uniforms. And the splits! I could never do a split like her or my other daughter for that matter. A one-handed cart wheel was about the fanciest move I could ever do in high school.

As I hear the football game scores on the nightly news it feels strange that I haven't been to a game yet. I almost feel guilty...but not enough to go to a game. Those bleachers are hard!

I was doing laundry today too and I had only done one load I think since the girls were visiting last weekend. I did 4 loads and am nearly caught up already! Used to be, I had to do laundry every other day just to keep up with all the layering , practice outfits, uniforms, just from having one teenage girl at home.

I also mentioned last weekend when everyone was visiting how the kitchen counter stays clutter-free, just as I leave it! I love that part! It used to be a daily routine that a purse, car keys, books, jacket, school project always got strewn all over the counter and I always had to move them when I was getting dinner ready. Yes, I suppose I could have yelled upstairs every day to tell her to put things away but half the time she wouldn't hear me unless I went upstairs because her music was so loud. Just was easier to do it myself! Something I'm sure every mother can relate to.

As much as I give the impression how much easier life is without kids living at home, it still is hard to adjust to. Sometimes the quiet is deafening. Luckily my dogs can keep a secret though. Nobody has to know that I am holding conversations with myself as of late! :-)

~ Anniversary ~

I meant to write yesterday but had a lot of work to do so didn't get to this until now. Yesterday was our 10th year wedding anniversary. Originally the plan was ,(up until about a year ago when reality set in), to go back to Vegas where we tied the knot back in 1999. Instead, I lit the candle that I forgot to light at my daughter's engagement party in August while we ate macaroni, queso and cubed ham - a recipe we sort of created by accident. It was simple and we chatted a little about the past and the future and we toasted (with milk and beer -not combined), to ten more years times four.

Maybe we'll get back to Vegas some day. I am not trying to make anyone feel sorry for me though, we really don't do much of anything for any holidays or birthdays for each other, partly due to money issues but also due to not being materialistic as in years before. The need for new 'things' to junk up my house are just not tops on my list these days. I enjoy having an uncluttered house and uncluttered closet (which honestly could fit three times the amount of clothes it now has). I have a total of three purses and less than 6 pairs of shoes (most of which haven't been worn since we moved here).

I would rather try to strive for enough money to do a bigger project like our bathroom which really needs a remodel. :-)

----

It has been raining here the last several days which was badly needed. I was quickly reminded how muddy the floors get with 6 dogs who like to run along the fence chasing squirrels, deer or birds....ugh. The hardest part for me about this weather though is after having nearly record breaking 100 degree days (over 60 for the last few months), it is only 61 out right now! Brrrrr....quite an adjustment for sure!

Kodak Moment..

I know it has been a few days since I've blogged but when any family is in, I won't be writing. After all, this blog is my solace for when they aren't here...so when they are here I would rather spend quality time with them and NOT on the computer.:-)

We celebrated every one's birthday but my oldest daughter and our 10th year wedding anniversary which is tomorrow, by going to Red Lobster on Saturday. Eating out has become a rare treat around here since tightening the belt, and the times when both girls will be home are rare for sure. So we had a good time and I felt more like a tourist than a Towny snapping a bunch of pictures. This one is my daughters and I while waiting for our table. The men ate the endless shrimp meals while the girls and I had something different. I of course had to get something with lobster tail included with it, yum! Two of us had enough leftovers for doggie bags too.

It was so quiet on Sunday after they left. My oldest seems to like her new 'old' car well enough and I hope once the alignment it needs is done, there will be no major repairs for at least a few years! Here's hoping that by that time she can afford to pay for it herself!

Yesterday was back to routine day but also an agonizing day of trying to decide if we want to get the RAV fixed as there is still some major issues with it and try to put it on craigslist for $3k or so, or sell it to a friend of hub's who does cars as a hobby and thought his wife would like it. He offered $1.5K as is. Although I'd love to get more than that, I have no desire to put any more money, which I don't have sitting around, into fixing it on the hopes we'll get more...I am just going to cut my losses and be done with all vehicle dilemmas (I pray) for a while!

~ Time to Celebrate! ~

The girls are both home this weekend, well one is on her way with her fiance' as I am writing this. We are all gathering together to give my oldest her new 'old' car to replace her RAV, but also to celebrate this month of events. 4 of 5 of us have birthdays this month and it is also hub and mine's 10 year wedding anniversary. That is a biggie for me! I have not been married this long before! It wasn't me, don't ask! :) I will take my camera and snap a few pictures at dinner.

Spent the first half of the day deep cleaning the first floor. I think I have cleaned up enough dog fur to make a coat out of! Shelties sure do shed! No wonder my allergies have been horrible lately. I have decided I am skipping my exercise routine tomorrow since I had a work out scrubbing the floors. :)

I'm going to make this short, so I can have a snack and watch 'Harry Met Sally' with my youngest daughter. Have a great evening everyone~!

..It's True...

Yes, I made through another year...
...another year older..another year wiser...
perhaps. Time to reflect today as I tend
to do at certain milestones like my birthday.
But I refuse to reflect about finances! :)

It is funny how as we age, we keep increasing
the point as to when we consider someone as 'old',
besides from being a state of mind. Now that I am well
over 50 'gulp' I think old may be 75 or so...yeah.....
that sounds good.

Here are some beautiful flowers my husband surprised
me with today! First time he ever sent me flowers so
yes it was a surprise. :)

Wacky Wednesday

Well after searching around the Internet at the dealerships and Craigslist and everywhere else that gave me local listings, I saw it, the perfect car for my daughter~!

There were so many pluses that we went to see it last night and bought it today! Here are the pluses:

#1 It was a local listing on Craigslist, man I love Craigslist, and so was only 15 minutes away to go look at. This in itself was wonderful as I didn't want to spend Saturday going from place to place, dealership to dealership listening to a used car salesman asking me "What can I do to have you drive off in this beautiful car today?"

#2 It was a car still owned by its original owner. It is a 1992 Honda Accord but yes, all those years it was owned by one owner.

#3 It was garage kept and hardly ever driven by a nice grandmother who didn't drive anymore. So the body is still in great shape and has a lot of shine yet for a vehicle that old!

#4 Because it was hardly ever driven it had only 44,000 miles on it. That's not even broken in for a Honda! So that was enough for me. I may have paid more than book value at $4900 but with that low mileage with the right maintenance, it should last my daughter another possibly 7-10 years depending on how many miles she puts on it.

#5 By not spending $10,000 like I thought I would have to and getting into that much more debt, we can sell her old RAV and hopefully get $3000 for it so that my total net outlay may be only $1900...okay you can really tell I'm in a financial job can't you? :)

So..you're probably thinking why the Wacky Wednesday title? Seems it should say Wonderful Wednesday. Well when we went to the DMV today in town to finalize everything it was CLOSED for the entire day for training. I had never heard of it closing and apparently it only happens once a year if that but it would have to be today. That's Wacky!

We'll get the rest done tomorrow or the next day, but I am thrilled all the same. Now I can look forward to a relaxing weekend with the family and celebrate the 3 birthdays and wedding anniversary that is all packed into September!

Tuesday Turmoils..

I want to start by saying goodbye to Patrick Swayze...I adored him in Dirty Dancing and Ghost and Road House to name my favorites. I must have seen Dirty Dancing a hundred times! What girl doesn't want to pretend she is Baby being swept off her feet by a handsome man with moves to die for..no pun intended. Maybe he is dancing somewhere in heaven or wherever the spirits go. Thank you Patrick! Watching your movies is like..having "the time of my life"...

I should have known that by taking stock of finances and debts, and concluding that there is a light I can see way ahead through that tunnel..that it would jinx me! I shouldn't say out loud or even think for that matter that I may be close to having a handle on things. But that's exactly what I did about a week ago, right before both daughters had car troubles and my youngest had to get another expensive text book for college. That was the start of my tumble back into credit card debt. Now an even more major repair was done to my oldest daughter's vehicle yesterday and we are coming to the realization with her it may be time to give up her once trusty RAV for something that won't need a major repair every other week.

Although this daughter has graduated college, she is planning on going back to grad school in a year, and she is working several part-time jobs at minimum wage but...you know where this is going, don't you? She nor her fiance'can take on additional debt let alone qualify for it, so guess who is going to go into more debt for a vehicle. Yup!

I know I could just make her suffer and tell her I just can't help. My own mother who is in her 80's and grew up in a world where there was only one car in the family and everyone could make do, thinks I should let her fend for herself. That just doesn't work as well in today's world. Different work schedules and places of employment make it pretty much impossible to make one car work. And she doesn't live in a city where you can walk everywhere.

But looking on the bright side of things which I always do to keep my sanity, her RAV has lasted her 5 years without too much trouble and we got it used with some junkyard parts and all. And these last two problems with it could have happened on a busy highway where the outcome may have been much worse, so I will manage somehow. I always do and I'd rather her be in something safe with not a lot of miles on it so by the time for the next vehicle she needs, she will be done all studies and have a good job and get it all by herself! Hey... maybe even start paying me back! ..I can dream can't I? :-)

off to start my day...

Too much of a good thing..

Okay I'm all for the rain as we needed it so badly, but let's not try to make up for the 2 year drought in one weekend. Okay?! We have a creek behind our back yard that is way down an enbankment at least 15 feet but last night we could hear the rushing water and I actually was wondering if we were going to see it crest, or rather not see it crest overnight. It finally slowed down around 10 pm, luckily. Today when I was walking the dogs I saw at least two properties with the lawn sprinklers on. I'm sure those are on automatic timers but I just shook my head at the overkill those lawns were getting.

I've been enjoying watching the hummingbirds that hang around our feeder outside my office window. Yesterday with it pouring non-stop for hours, they were just having a good old time. One would go to the feeder and stand on the little perch and then another one would come and dive bomb it to make it get off then they'd both come back then another would join. At one time there were 4 of them flying, sitting, slirping nectar, chasing, flying away, then coming back to the feeder again. It was like kids who snuck out to play in the rain even though their mom said no and having a ball despite the downpour. I tried to take some pictures of them but of course none of them came out well enough. So I can't post a picture. You'll just have to believe me! :)

It was a working weekend but I did get to touch base with both kids. One is still having car trouble and the youngest is finding out about pop quizes in college. What fun! Off to relax a few hours before it all starts over again..

T.G. I. F.

Guess what? It rained last night and it rained today. It rained and rained. We needed it really badly but it was too much too fast and some of the streets were flooding. I picked up my mom to meet my sister for lunch and thought I was on an obstacle course dodging deep puddles in the road as best I could. We got there in one piece but my mom, poor thing was soaked by the time we got in the restaurant, even with an umbrella! I told her to roll her window up! ;-) Just kidding (she got soaked just getting in and out of the car). At least we got some much needed rain. My hub called me and told me that he saw several frogs outside that were playing in puddles like kids having a ball in a swimming pool for the first time. Hm...wonder if that is where frog stroke came from? :)

We had a nice lunch and my sister was telling me about odd aches and pains she has been getting lately including a traveling bruise that she feels on different parts of her head at times. Weird thing is I get that too! I would think I feel a bruise and try to recall banging my head gettting into my car or something, but that did not happen. We were cracking ourselves up comparing our latest ailments with each other. It is probably all just part of getting older, like when I sit on the hard floor for a while and think nothing of it until I start to get up and then a sharp pain appears from nowhere in my back or legs because I am just plain getting older. It never used to bother me if I sat on the floor for a while and then got up. But I try to take it all in stride. That's life!

On a serious note, today is a day of remembrance of the tragic events of 9/11. I wonder how many were in a great mood celebrating their birthday on that fateful day like my youngest daughter was. She was handing out cupcakes to her classmates when the news hit her school. She turned 18 today. It took her a few years to not feel guilty for celebrating her birthday when everyone else was reflective and somber. But I told her, she was special and everyone deserves to celebrate the date they were born to this world. And so Happy Birthday dear daughter! Here's to many, many more!

The Blooming of Late Summer

Here is those pictures I said I'd take earlier of the flowers (from bushes) around our shed.

~ Thirsty Thursday ~

Okay there are clouds all around me, but I still do not know if it will rain here today. Weatherman says there is a 50% chance. It always seems to rain all around us but not here. Wish I could reach way up and squeeze one of those clouds like a sponge. This ground is thirsty! The earth is so parched that some patches of ground in my back yard have cracks in them like overly dry skin. All I can do is keep praying for rain I guess. There actually was some rain that fell a few nights ago and since it has stayed below the 100 degree mark the last several days, flowers are blooming! It is more like Spring than late summer. I'll take a picture of some of the flowers around our shed later.

So Ellen is going to be the 4th judge on American Idol. Simon must think the show is getting too serious and needs a comedic angle. I like Ellen a lot but that must be it, because she does not have a huge singing/musical background - other than the shower singing she does on her shows. ;-) I was going to watch American Idol again this season with or without Paula Abdul since I just love to sing and I find it to be entertaining. Oh, I actually pulled out my guitar and played/sang for a break yesterday. It was great but my fingers need to build up strength again. I forgot how sore they get holding down the notes on the frets. That is okay though it was worth it! I vow to start playing more again! I really missed it!

I cannot end this post today without saying a few words about the situation with the Health care and Obama. First I do have to admit I did NOT watch him last night as I am also a huge fan of So You Think you can Dance since I have two dancers in the family. I am no expert as to what the health care solution is but I will say that I am totally for some sort of better health care system and one that does not penalize for pre-existing conditions.

We had a horrible experience with crappy health insurance a few years ago when my husband suddenly went blind in one eye. Totally blind, black, nada. But his sight did come back within 5-10 minutes. I called the general physician the next day who recommended he contact an eye doctor. We were able to get a hold of an eye doctor who after explaining what happened told him to come in RIGHT AWAY. He examined my husband's vision, etc., and told him he was way too young to experience this sort of thing. He pretty much put the fear of God in us that he really needed to get a full work up, and MRIs to check for any blockages. He went to the local hospital (as that was the fastest way to get checked) for the work up and tests, and then within a few days got a series of MRIs done. Luckily there was nothing found. The only conclusion was that it was a fluke. While we were very grateful that he got a clean bill of health, the only explanation for what happened was that a platelet blocked the vein at his optic nerve that supplies blood and therefore ability to see (I don't know all the terms that were used) in that one eye.

That was that until the bills started coming in. Keep in mind there was no hospital stay (although in hindsight I think more would have been covered if he was admitted), no day long exams, nothing like that. The total bills for the MRIs, hospital, tests, eye doctor were over $10,000 !! Yes that is 4 zeros. Our coverage?.. $300 that is it! $300 for each occurrence was how they worded it. All these bills were from one occurrence and it was not considered an emergency. I was so angry!! The worst bill was the MRI tests and I pleaded with them and explained the lousy coverage we had and that the eye doctor stressed to get that done immediately. I got them to lower that bill but still....it was a horrible experience with health care insurance that is sorely lacking! Those bills took close to 2 years to pay off. Now we have Blue Cross and Blue Shield but I am not convinced there wouldn't be some loop hole when we ever need to use it in again.

So I agree, something has to be done to improve the health care system at least for us self-employed people. Okay...off my soapbox, for now.

Recycle..Revival...

I promised you readers a picture of our recycling bin today before it was put out for the trash so here it is! It is even more full than usual because my youngest brought hers home from college on Friday as she did not see anywhere for recycle things there and she too read my blog. What a great kid!

Today when I was walking my dogs I actually did see two other recycle bins that were actually full! Kudos to those neighbors. Hm...wonder if they read my blog? ;-)

Remember that gecko that I showed a picture of last week? I think it was the same one in my kitchen sink this morning. Almost spilled my coffee when I got startled by something that ran as I turned on the spigot. I scooped it up in a cup and moved it back to the powder room. Don't want my little buddy ending up going down in the garbage disposal!! Now to just keep it safe from the dogs. That is going to be a constant vigil.

Off to get to work.

Gone again..

It sure was nice having my youngest here for the weekend. We sat in the livingroom while she told me about how her classes are, how the dorm food is, and about friendships starting to bud. While I listened to her stories, I couldn't help but reminisce about my own college days. I remember walking around to every room with an open door the first few days to say hi to whomever was there. I became less outgoing as the course load weighed heavy on my mind, but I did make friends with a lot of the girls who lived on my hall. Those girls were like 'family' since I lived so far away from home. Many nights of sitting around a bowl of popcorn laughing and talking were some of my best memories about college. I had the same roommate for 3 years in a row too, probably would have been 4 if she hadn't gone off to get married. :-)

I'm glad my daughter seems to get along with her roommate well so far. That makes college life so much easier. She sounded positive and upbeat and I'm sure she is going to be fine, partly because she can come home whenever she wants too. That was the hardest part for me in college, not being able to go back home until Thanksgiving. That was like forever to me back then. Funny thing is, I didn't realize just how homesick I was until I was home!

Anyway...she's coming back in a few weeks to celebrate with the family. We have 3 birthdays and an anniversary all in September. It will seem like a long two weeks to me I'm sure but at least I'll see her then. I'm hoping my other daughter and her fiance' can make it too. That would be enough birthday present for me! :)

I do hope everyone had a great weekend and made the most out of what most consider the last weekend of summer.

Happy Day Everyone!

This is yet another photo taken by myself of some of the flowers I have on our balcony. I am enjoying this amateur photography stuff.

Can you tell I am in a great mood today? My youngest is home and we are doing some things together this weekend. Hub got her a new tire on her rim ready to replace her donut spare. And my oldest has her beloved RAV fixed now so she can be driving safely again. She called the other day with a major problem too, because as we all know when it rains it pours, right?! But life is good!

We are venturing out today to get some things for my youngest to put in her dorm room to accessorize it a bit. When we moved her in, her roommate had arrived a day earlier and we saw her bedroom. It looked like it could be in Better Dorms and Residences, it was so perfectly decorated and accessorized. There were wall decorations, with color coordinated bedding and frills. Since I was more concerned about coming up with the tuition for the first semester than how best to make a dorm bedroom not look like a dorm bedroom, decorating was the last thing on my mind. Besides when I was in college, a few posters and some aqua fishnet hung up on the ceiling was sufficient decor for me! :-)

But we need to get some essentials anyway like cleansers and something for dusting, so we are going to see what else can be purchased that will not strain my already ragged purse strings, for her to spruce up her room some when she gets back.

We got some much needed rain last night and there is a chance for some more today. Hopefully it will be a drencher and not just a quick shower! Off to shop!

More fruits ...er veges of my persistence...

Here I have my very first green bell pepper! Dad, you shouldn't have let the ones I gave you die. :-( I started all these babies from seeds. So I'm excited to say the least that some are actually finally bearing veges.



Also another cucumber growing. There are actually 3 growing even though there appears to be only one or maybe two vines still alive.




And here's a gecko as close up as I could get that likes to reside in and around our powder room. I didn't want to draw too much attention to it so that none of the dogs wouldn't attack it!

Yippee..

My youngest is coming home tomorrow for the holiday weekend. ..nuf said!

Recycle?....Rubbish!

My hub and I walked our dogs today like we do several times a week. Today is trash day and I could not keep myself from glancing in at everyone's recycling bin to see how full theirs were as we passed by their houses. Some people didn't even bother to put out their recycling bin. Some just had a token bottle or two to make certain they appeared to be doing their part for the cause, a few had a bit more. Give me a break people! It is obvious to me that some of the neighbors on our walking route are either eating out all the time (or ordering in), or are just plain LAZY! I can't get through a day without adding at least 2 recyclable things to our bin. Ours is always at least 3/4 full, if not full come trash day which is once a week! I will take a pic next week to prove it. It only has 3 things in it now.

We recycle newspapers ,plastics and aluminum. I check for the recycle symbol on all the plastic things I put in the bin before I do and there are a lot of containers that have those imprints. Maybe folks just do not realize what all can be recycled?! I add yogurt containers, dog food containers, empty bleach and laundry containers, gallon milk jugs, juice bottles, empty cans from vegetables, tuna....on and on. And most of my neighborhood must not drink any liquids that come in a bottle, eat yogurt or tuna, feed their dogs any food from a plastic tub, or do laundry! PLLLeeaasee!

It is just a shame that so many are undoubtedly just tossing everything out in the trash to add to the landfills perfectly recyclable things! Maybe they think that they are the only ones doing this so it is no big deal. That is not a good way of thinking because for every person who thinks that there are 10 more on the street who think the same thing. No that is not an actual statistic, I just made it up for emphasis...but it is probably even more than that!

I feel like creating a note to post on everyone's trash cans next week that simply stated. Warning: Township recycle officers are checking through trash cans for any items that should be placed in recycle bin. Violators subject to fines! :)

I won't do that....but the thought is tempting!

How sad..

Since I was out taking pictures yesterday I decided to take a picture of one of our trees. Due to the drastic drought and 100+ degree days all the leaves have died and most have fallen already and it has looked like this for 2 weeks already...in the SUMMER. This is the second year it has done this and I'm really hoping we don't lose the tree. It gives such nice shade in the back yard.