Ok...I SERIOUSLY could not make this stuff up...I swear as I sit here this TRULY happened today...

(Have you read all my posts?? DH finally over leg infection scare, Neighbor kids showing up at the crack of dawn, DHs 'ticket' in NY, cranky GS, Grace eating my dinner...Its been such a day...

But in the mail today, DH got a letter from the Veterans Administration...

Seems some VA employee took home an electronic file, unauthorized mind you....and then....that file was STOLEN!!

What did the file have? Only the name, address, social secuirty number, and other ID on (a LOT of)military personnel.

But dont worry, it goes on to say...there was no financial information in the file...ummm, like.. 'they' have all they need already....

Then it goes on to tell the 'possible implications' of having this information stolen...you know IDENTITY THEFT type stuff...

And theres no way this and the NY thing are connected because the NY thing happened 4 years ago.

I swear, I absolutely could not have scripted a more frustrating day....

and now this.

sigh.

That's it!

With the day I have had today, I am calling the horse food company...any one got the number??? I can ship my donation... One 12 yo yellow lab who has just dropped the last straw.

Took DD3 to a friends for the night...on the way home stopped and bought boneless skinless chicken breast and cooked it up when I got home for dinner, and this weekends salads...and DARNED if I didn't do a SUPER job on it...nice and brown, seasoned to perfection...then gently laid out to drain and cool before going into the fridge...

Then GS woke up from his nap...so I took him up to nana and papas. Can you say C-R-A-N-K-Y...boy that lil guy woke mighty unhappy...

but wait, this blog is about horse food, not GS...

So nana asks, would you like to stay for dinner...
I proudly say, NO, we are having Chicken Ceasars...and my mouth is WATERING...

Long story, but GS needs some tylenol, so I run home to get it...and when I come in, Grace has that "oh sh*t, Im busted" stance about her...

I know that stance...what did she do???

And when I get to the kitchen, the evidence (or whats left of it- an empty paper towel) is all to clear...
Yep, she helped herself to my cooling chicken...ate it all!!!

So, I am researching horse food factories tonight...I am sure I can find one that wants an aged, WELL FED dog for the mix...

And how is Grace taking all this...Yeah, she's worried...so much so that she is napping at DHs feet, like nothing ever happened.

hmph....

No, no headlines of a Man Gone Postal in Oregon DMV today...but I wouldnt have blamed DH one bit if he did...

Oregon DMV: There is nothing we can do to help you. We are simply abiding by New York's DMV and suspending your license until you reslove the issue with them.

DH: WTF! I have never STEPPED FOOT in NY...So what you are saying is that because some *&%^$ gave a name and DOB that matches mine, I am GUILTY until I prove otherwise???

Oregon DMV: Yep. You'll have to resolve this with them.
NEXT!

OK....so now you know...if someone has no ID on them, (which is what the story is) and gives an erroneous name (not even with a middle name or initial) and a date of birth that happens to match yours...provides a FAKE address, and NOT OTHER PROOF OF WHO THEY ARE, YOU can have your license suspended and/or be held accountable for a $875 fine UNLESS you can prove that your were not in that state 4 years ago on a SATURDAY (so therefore, no work records to help prove it).

banging my head against the wall...as I try to see the logic is this beauracratic bullsh*t.

ARGH!

8:45am....

knock, knock...
me: who in the world...
open the door...neighbor girl (10) and her friend.

me: Yes?
them: Can we come in?
me: Why?
them: Cause your house is 'fun'...
DH *$#&%^!! DMV *%&^$@@ DMV
me: Dont you have anwhere else to go?
them: No, we want to see you
me: why? I dont like kids
them: Yes you do, your house is the funnest house...
DH: #(*%&% DMV
me: I suppose
them: do you have anything to eat?
(they head to kitchen and get a snack. You see, they know where the snacks are cause they stop by almost daily)
them: do you have anything for us to do?
me: think a minute...
me: Yes, here are two old plastic coffee containers,(poked holes in the bottom) some flower seeds (had to pick out of three different kinds)and some planting soil...take them OUTSIDE and plant away...
DH: *(%& DMV, Ill be back...
Door slams- and they all are OUT..
me: blessed silence...

Daily ritual during the summer...and I dont even like kids...

DH is on a rampage...and Im staying outa his way...

Seems that 'someone' in NY got pulled over in 2002...The person had no ID, but told them a name and a birthday....

Which is a match to my DH (He has a common name)

NY DMV is saying he either has to pay the fine (over $800) or submit proof that he was not in NY...Hello? we live/work in Oregon...

and it will take 2-3 MONTHS to get it removed!!

Mind you, they are suspending DHs license here....and his job requires him to have a commercial DL...

So, now he is taking his day off...to spend in the DMV and argue his case...

for those who know him...DH has said he is going to make Dennis Leery look like a saint today....(oh boy)

As I said, Im staying outa his way...

(** Cost so far: 1 HOUR phone call to NY, gas to get to DMV...

** future possible costs: court fees for a husband who went POSTAL at the DMV....

egads.

And sure enough...$109 and change for me today!!!

However, they had the heavy duty leather work gloves that DH and I wear when processing the wood...and normally I spend $16 per pair. Costco sells them for 3pr for $18...so I bought both of us a box (he wears large and I need S or M)...My box will probably last 3 years since (so far)I only go through a pair each year.

Then I bought lunch meat, hamburger, bread for my mom and for my family, romain lettuce, margarita mix , and cheese. Was able to pass up all the 'fun' stuff without any of it landing in the cart!

DD3 started her volunteer job at the library today...came home with a red "damage noted" stamp on her forehead...oh to be 14 again. Today was story time so she got to help with all the little kids. She seemed to have enjoyed it!

Tonight we are grilling hamburgers and having Ciabatta Burgers (yum!)

DHs leg is on the mend!! So hopefully he wont have to have any more shots.
** Wierd thing happened today. He received a notice from the Oregon DMV that his license was suspended in NEW YORK and that he will be unable to have his Oregon license until he clears it up...DH has never even been to NY, much less had a license there....I am hoping, hoping that it is a mix up and not a case of identity theft....I'll know more once he gets home because he called NY today to try to find out what was up. :|

The sun is out today...so laundry is on the line.

And life is very, very good.

Have a good one!

Two more shots for DH this afternoon...and two more tomorrow...They are giant and hurt...but the alternative is to go into the hospital!
In addition, he is taking 1000 mg 2X per day...Leg is still red, but the swelling has gone down a little.

Today was a no spend day (yes!). Since the phones were fairly quiet, I got quite a bit of housework done. So I feel like Ive made some progress!

I have postponed laundry for a couple of days in the hopes of some sunny weather to line dry...but no such luck so I am going to tackle some of it tonight and resort to the dreaded dryer...

Chicken picatta for dinner tonight (yum!) One of my very favorites!!!

Have a good one!

I emailed Cercis to find out how she was and here is her reply:

"I'll be back, probably in the fall. Things got REALLY busy and I was letting some commitments slide, so I had to cut back somewhere.

Hopefully in the fall I'll have more time and can report some great financial progress.

C"

So she is still out there, just sounds very busy!!!

Just FYI!

Christmas is coming...here's how I know:

Each year we do a 'girls trip' in October. My mom, daughters, dil, and I all caravan up to a place called Lake Oswego (a small town near Portland) and stay at the Residence Inn...

We get the 'penthouse'- which is a nice, two story apartment that sleeps all 6 of us comfortably, has a kitchen, a bath upstairs and downstairs (good for nana, who doesn't do stairs well) a fireplace, and comes with complimentary breakfast and nighttime dessert.

We stay for 2 nights and hit the Saturday Market (artsy, craftsy stuff) Trader Joes (we dont have one here- so a real treat), the outlet stores, a mall, a movie, dinner out one night. Just some good bonding time and a nice kick off for the Holidays. (little ones stay home with their daddies)

I made the reservations today.

- Because we split the cost 6 ways, it is fairly reasonable for a weekend away and we always have a great time...this is year 3 for us!

Jingle bells, jingle bells...

DH has had some pain in his leg the last couple of days. We thought a wierd infection had started...although no fever or sign of anything oozy...no injury...just pain...

DH just called and the doctor suspects a sizable blood clot. Huh?

I am not familiar with a sudden, unexplained blood clot...

So DH will be going for an ultrasound in about an hour...the Dr mentioned the possiblity of the drug Cumadin?

Have any of you had or know someone who's had a blood clot come out of the blue like this??? Im off to google this...

** Update- Ultrasound did not show clot, but Dr is concerned about the size of his leg (swelling)...poor DH got a shot in EACH hiney cheek...and has antibiotics...they suspect infection down near the bone?...if not better by tomorrow, DH goes into the hospital. In the meantime, off his leg... tick, tock, tick, tock...the wait and see game begins.

Here are the dynamic duo just after graduation last night...

Notice DD3s attire...she has on the beautiful dress...but was determined to go out 'her way'...hence the sweat pants and tennis shoes...lol

DD3 just left for her last day of school for the year. It is a half day today- and they are just signing yearbooks.

It has been raining here for several days...A wonderful thunderstorm that brings such drama with the loud rolling thunder. I am very much enjoying it.

The weather is supposed to clear up tomorrow. So I am holding off on laundry until I can use my clothesline again.

I requested a $20 check from my rewards card this morning...and DHs ING account is complete...so there is a $25 bonus that can be withdrawn in a month.

So, my challenge is at:
$354.29
+ 25.00 ing bonus
+ 20.00 cc reward bonus
$399.29!!!

Mail call--- I received a $25 Pier One gc in the mail today. This is what I finally chose from Gift Certs .com.

I sure enjoy opening envelopes like these!! Mail is fairly profitable anymore!!!

This is going into the gift pile for b-days and Christmas!

A milestone tonight. DD3 is graduating from middle school. It is an odd feeling to have your last child moving into her high school years. She has grown up so much in middle school.

I am happy and sad at the same time.

She is wearing a beautiful pink formal that we bought several months ago (on clearance, of course )

She will be beautiful and mom will be teary. And life goes on.

I thought I would dovetail the lynch mob blog that yummy saves wrote.

I had an experience on Friday that would have got them lynching if it were going to happen....

This was the day that I wrote the check for $61, after shaving over $70 off the bill...

First sign that this was not going to be easy:

Checker "Hi, how are you? This is my second day checking"
Me: gulp...um, I have alot of coupons...
Checker: "That's ok"

So I carefully laid out my coupons, separating store from manufacturer, doubles and my $10 off for $50...and finally my COKE COUPON for 5 free....

I wont go into detail about how many times she interrupted her buddy checker that was on the next register over...or how coupons weren't ringing up so she just kept rescanning the items and my bablance kept increasing...or how the buddy said "THERE IS NO COUPON FOR 5 ITEMS..." WHATS THAT??? IVE NEVER SEEN THAT?? and how a manager had to come and override the 5 cokes...

Or how another checker was called to open her line and take the poor lady who had walked up just after my order was being rung up (she only had two things)...
Or the next lady in line who was laying across her shopping cart when I finally finished...

Or how when it was all over, the manager took me to another register to refund what Id been overcharged...

or how when I got home I realized they did not take off $1.78 for one of the coupons....

I'll just say...I did not get lynched...I might have turned a shade of red or two...but no public hangings...

For the most part, all involved were patient and kind...

But I bet the poor checker will remember day 2 for quite a while.

I haven't had a blender for years. I have thought it would be convienient..but it was never high on the priority list.

I was at a department store that has revcently sold to Macy's and they are getting rid of things at a deeply discounted price....and the floor model of the blender (Farberware, i believe is the brand)....for $16!!! So I nabbed it!

I have "home improvement" built into my budget...and we havent used it in a while so there is well over $200 in it...so I was able to easliy pay for this new appliance...Ok, so it is stretching the definition of 'home improvement' a little, but it works for me .

Now I just have to find ways to put it to good use!!!

DH is off on a golf tournament. He has been working lots of hours and is also salvaging wood from a huge construction site for our business. He is getting the wood FREE, just the gas to get there. We are estimating 15+ cords from this opportunity- which is consevatively $2000+ profit for us! woo-hoo

But DH is tired...I hope he enjoys his morning.

I am putting a roast in the crockpot for dinner..and am spending the day home alone.

This morning I will enjoy my coffee while surfing the net...and then off to clean and continue de-cluttering.

We received the new card on the old cc account yesterday...so our next purchase will be on this card to get the $20 bonus...and then the card will be paid back off. Might as well nab that $20 while we can!

Have a good one!

This is what my day consisted of today.

I had munchkins all day today- they just left it is 5:30. So a busy day with them.

I squeezed in quite a bit of laundry today...all lined dried.

I spent some time on the internet...I ordered a Christmas present for GD and the shipping ($8.29) will be refunded by my insiders club membership.

I also bought some facial clenser for DD3. It was normally $15 + 5 s/h The s/h is again, covered and I will get $10 back from insiders club as a bonus...so the total expense was just $5. DD3 will be excited...she has asked for some of this and it was just too expensive...but for $5 we can certainly try it.

Both purchases will add a few points to my points.

I figured I might as well take advantage of the insiders club to get any good deal on xmas presents now so that the shipping is reimbursed.

I did great on my shopping yesterday...I saved $73 and wrote a check for $61. (well over half)!!

I am waiting for the following:
$25 Pier One GC
2- $10 GC to Linens and Things

$21 in rebate checks
$13+ in reimbursements- Insiders club
$10 bonus- insiders club

all of the above, thanks to all of you providing the info to do it!!

Edit to add:
I also can request a $20 check for my rewards Visa next week that will go into the challenge account.

And, I will have enough points to do my first cash out at My Points in the next couple of weeks.

I went ahead and signed up for the insiders club...which earns me 250 MyPoints points plus $10 on my first purchase...which I was planning on making in the next few days, so mow I will save the shipping too!

I also signed up for Complete Home and will receive two $10 Linens & Things GCs for and another 200 My Points points...

Now to earmark July 1 for canceling offers...

(CHECKMARK)

I am running errands this afternoon.

I have to make a deposit for our pest business. (Its been a good week ) The kids are on a big 3-person termite job today.


I have to deposit DHs check. It is a smaller check because of vacation last week and no OT. So no extras this week!

Then I am going to the grocery store. I have a $10 off for spending $50 coupon, 4 double coupons, some great coupons from the train and that I printed off of the puter this am...and a shopping list. So I am armed and ready to strech that budget!!!

I opened an ING account for DH today...so my challenge account just grew $10!!!...and I will deposit the additional $25 bonus for his account next month.

I am going to close out the BofA account today.

I will also close the Wells fargo saving account today.

If I have time this afternoon, I will apply for a couple of the trial memberships.

A good, frugal kinda day!!

Fern- you are much on my mind.
{hug to you}

I can easily see how we can slide off the frugal wagon...and then have to work our way back on...because Ive lived it this week...

My goodness. We have ate out more this week than the last 6 months combined!

I got back from vacation and jumped into work and have just not been my usual self as far as thinking about dinner each morning and getting it ready. Which means, more money spent on yucky fast food.

Tonight we are having pork roast, which has been in the crockpot since 9am...but aside from a couple of bbq nights...i have just been outa the cooking groove...which is really odd for me.

But I have the food lined out for this weekend and know what Im fixing already- so hopefully, this slump is over.

Todays mail arrived and all I got was junk mail....

Then I took a second look at one of the pieces...Seems we are getting a new card for one of our cc's....and the first time we use it we get a $20 cash back bonus!

Sounds like a good deal to me!.....now to watch for the card so I can claim my $20!

And I thought it was all junk....

I sent off my rebates this morning. $22.31 in future rebate checks!!

I will use the oil in my car for my next oil change.

I am putting the Glade PlugIns fan and refills up for stocking stuffers...

and I will use the sticky tape.

Does it get any better than free?

Lunch and dinner with dear friends...what a nice day.

I had sometime between the two, so I headed to Walmart with coupons in hand.

I had a rebate offer for motor oil...so I purchased that and will send it in tomorrow. 5 qt =$12.68

I used the Glade air freshener coupon/rebate and will mail that off tomorrow. $6.64

And finally the Scotch sticky tape rebate $2.99. (had to go to a different store as Walmart did not carry this)

I had other coupons that resulted in the following deals: ($10.98 saved total)

Cherry Pepsi 2 liter = Free
2- 2 liter Mug Rootbeer = $.63 each
Aussie Shampoo/conditioner = 1.70 each
Spray n Wash = 1.42
and several other things that I considered good deals.
total bill $42.83/ total spent $31.85

I had some $1 off coupons for several things, but I did alot of price comparisons and found that even with the coupon, the item(s) weren't always the best deal. So those coupons are back into the coupon pile waiting until I can find better deals.

When I got home, I had received the Nexxus shampoo/conditioner sample in the mail.

I know that you seasoned frugalites know this...but I am finding my cupboards becoming well stocked on free or nearly free deodorants, toothpastes, shampoos, air fresheners, sodas, breath mints, etc...etc... I LOVE the idea of not having to use our budget to pay full price anymore....AND I am more prepared to be able to wait and find 'it' on sale...as I have an ample supply until I do...

It is 9:45am and I have already sold $400 in jobs (yeah!)

DD1 is coming out today to run the phones...

I am having lunch with an old buddy from work...she and I treat each other for our birthdays...(mine was last weekend)

Then I have free time in town until about 5:30 when I am off to another dear friends house for dinner...(this is my momthly get together with two friends- last month they asked me to choose where I wanted to go for my b-day and I suggested a simple patio visit on one of their backyard decks with some wine nd cheese..) Frugal and fun.

So today is going to be a fun day. I think I will do some pre-season Christmas shopping. Thanks to all these blogs this morning, I am in the mood...'fa la la la la la la la la!!!

Have a good one!

DD3 has been asking for a new bathing suit for the summer...so off we went this afternoon looking for sales...

I had money in the clothing fund....so we ended up getting a tank top, 2 pair of shorts, a really cute (and thankfully modest) bathing suit- 1 piece! and a new purse....(she HAD to have it! lol)

$60 dollars for all...She doesn't ask for new clothes very often, and she had totally outgrown all of last years stuff...so this takes care of part of the summer.

Now I have to re-stock the clothing fund for all of those new clothes to start high school with...

As part of our budget, I earmark a certain amount each week for clothes...This makes buying clothes so simple...we either have the money...or we don't and we rarely step outside the line. The amount is pretty small for three people...

but I tried real hard to raise all of my kids NOT to care about labels and designer clothing. I am sure this has saved me a bundle over the years.

DH is the only one who has to have a certain brand. He prefers Carhartjeans and work shirts...swears they last longer and are 'better'. He is so low maintenance on anything else that we never worry about it...and he always tries to hit the sales.

It's bug season!

The phones are ringing off the hook today!!! Sure cuts into my blogging and site surfing time ...but I can't think of a better way to spend the day than to be making enough money to pay all these business bills!

I loaned the kids (DD1 and DS) the money for the business...and we are still very much in the red...but we have just entered into our 2nd year and we have several hundred customers now...so by next year, we hope to be turning at least a small profit!!

I enjoy the phone piece...especially on the days (like today) when DD1 doesn't come out and I am home alone.

Today I have sold.... $650 in services and it is only 1:30pm... 4 hours to go!
woo-hoo!

I know some pest companies give this business a bad name because of their deplorable ethics... You would be surprised (I know I am) at some of the horror stories elderly folks tell me about a couple of the companies...(For instance, a bid that we have of $400 vs a notorious bid of $3000 because of the "scary stuff that lives under the house')...gads.

I am always glad when these poor, trusting souls call us for a second opinion before having the work done.

Inspections and estimates are usually free...if so, it is always wise to get a couple of them to compare.

I just got a nice $22 surprise!!

The Parks system refunded $22 off of our reservation from vacation because we came home a day early!!

I had NO IDEA that this was even a possibility...We had to turn in our reservation ticket when we left...and I figured that last night was just a donation....but there was a $22 credit to our account!!!!

I will put that $22 back into the vacation pot for next time.

And a recap of how we did:

I had saved $320 for the trip in the vacation fund, DH made an extra $200 in OT on his last check before we left and I had turned in $5 in cans and we had two $10 gas cards for a total of $545 for vacation. I just paid the visa bill and it was $411.32!! $22 will go back to the vacation fund...so we came out $112 ahead. I am putting this money into the emergency fund.

In addition, I have almost reached $20 in rewards on the Visa that I charged the vacation on...THAT $20 gets to go into my challenge money!!!(I wont add it until I get the check so that update will come later.)

Great mail, great news on my visa, great totals for vaction, GREAT DAY!

I went up to my mom and dads for a visit and my mom handed me an envelope that came last week but fell between their seats in their car...

Inside was my Coke Coupon!!! I have been patiently waiting- reading all your posts about the coupons and wondering where my one litte winning was...and now I know!!

So all in all, a fantastic day for mail here! (even if one was slightly delayed!)

Yippeekiya!

A couple of months ago I (now I can say unfairly) stated that Complete Home had failed to send me my $20 in GCs....Before I left on vacation I was cleaning out my inbox and noticed an old email that I had needed to respond to in order for my GCs to be sent...and I obvioulsy had missed it.

So I opened it and clicked on the link...and figured that since my membership had been closed for a couple of weeks, I was SOL....but low and behold, I received the GCs in todays mail!!! Woo-hoo!

I also received a free sample of Dove Energy Glow as well as three $1 off coupons!

I also received a card for unlimited $2.99 rentals at Blockbuster for the month of June.

...GREAT mail day today!

I can now state that EVERY offer I have signed up for has come through and I have had no 'odd' charges on any of my credit cards.

woo-hoo!!!