Layout:
Home > Archive: March, 2007

Archive for March, 2007

$25 work outfit! Score!

March 31st, 2007 at 05:30 pm

I think it is going to be warm enough today to hang a load or two of my laundry outside!! 62? - but there is this darn 40% chance of rain....what the heck, Im livin on the edge and giving it a try!

I stopped by a little shop yesterday that was having a 'going out of business' sale...everything was 50% or $25 whichever was less!!! I got two new outfits for work...heck, at $25 each, I couldnt go wrong there!

I heard from my new boss yesterday and he wants to go to lunch on Tuesday to finalize all of the details so that I can start work the following week. I never thought I would be excited about going back to work full time...but I really lucked out on this position and am very much looking forward to it!

Tomorrow, I get to spend the day with my buddy from California (she is in route today)...we are going wine tasting! Fun!

Vacation, work and other thoughts

March 30th, 2007 at 01:30 am

Hi Friends!

A key step to my new job happened today...and so now I am just days away from starting!! My new boss let me know that I will start a week later than originally planned (9th)...which is A-ok since my friend from California (yes, the one who lost my grandson at the beach a few weeks ago) will be visitng next week anyways...so she and I can spend some more time together this way!!

DH and I went grocery shopping today. He hates shopping at my low priced grocery store...and also went hungry...so we spent much more than I normally would have ($126)...but we did buy mostly healthy foods and I spent the afternoon making chicken for ceasar salads and a big ol' pot of pasta fagioli soup for the weekend.

Tonight, DH is golfing with a friend and DD3 is visiting a friend...so I am 'home alone' for a couple of hours.

Today was a gorgeous spring day here...my daffodils have bloomed so I have beautiful bouquets in my home.

Our mini-vacation was well within our budget...it is so much cheaper when you stay with family!! We had a really nice time, and I got to know my 'new mother-in-law' much better...it is pretty cool that she is only 3 years older than me!!! (FIL married quite a bit younger(16 years)...and I am a little older than hubby (6 years)!!) I have a feeling she and i will become very close friends....however, it is fun to kid and call her 'mom'! lol!

I am having a great time reading all of your blogs tonight and catching up. I sure hope I read all good things!!!

Its not all about the money...part two.

March 23rd, 2007 at 02:17 am

My post yesterday, was raw pain of learning about a dear friends husbands sudden death.

After thinking about his principles for a day, I must reword at least a small part of yesterdays post.

G (as i will call him here) was a very wise money man who worked with trusts...and the people left to handle them after a loved one was gone.

While I am sure G would have agreed with me that it is important to live life to its fullest while you are here.... I am sure he would have equally agreed how important it is to take care of those you love beyond your life here.

Savings, wills, trusts...all very important for the future of your loved ones...and the very last gift you can give.

I just had to add this thought to my prior post...because I know G would have felt strongly about it. Darn that he had to leave so suddenly....darn.

We are leaving on a mini-vacation first thing in the morning and I wont be home until next Wednesday afternoon...so I wish you all a week of good financial decisions!!!

Our vacation is primarily visiting DHs dad and stepmom for a few days and seeing some sights...so fairly frugal, yet very fulfilling...

someday I aspire to cruis like boomeyers and her husband have done this week!!! (someday)

Have a great week friends!


It's not about money

March 22nd, 2007 at 01:59 am

A friend of mine lost her husband a few days ago to a sudden heart attack...he would have turned 62 in another week or so....and retirment was quickly approaching. The two of them have been working and saving for that magical time called 'retirement' for so long ....Oh, they were so close.

Retirement...a destination...not the journey. Ive known several couples that were in arms reach to the goal when this has happened...( my in-laws for example...MIL died at 60...just a little over a year from retirement and all the anticipated 'fun' times they were going to have)

I have read recently important posts about wills...and insurance and planning for these unexpected deaths...

But my message today is simply to enjoy the journey...whether you are working, staying at home, going to school...whatever. Enjoy life in whatever life-stage you are in....there are no guarantees of a tomorrow....and when the time comes, it will not have been about the money...or the bank account....or the 'stuff'.

I GOT IT

March 20th, 2007 at 12:11 am

WOO-DE-HOO-HOO

board approval....check!

My new boss said he will be emailing me all the details by Friday on my new job!!!

So, I celebrated by buying a cute little pair of shoes (on sale of course!)

Iwas going to buy some new clothes...but I think I'll wait til Im in those size 12's in June!! I think I have enough of my old things to get me through until then!!

Oh yeah, oh yeah!

My 500th post!!!

March 19th, 2007 at 02:51 pm

Lucky Robin got me looking at those blog statistics...and I am surprised to see that I am under 100 visits away from hitting 100,000!!...perhaps the big roll will happen today!!! By the way....THIS is my 500th post!

This is a busy week- today I have lunch plans with a good friend from my former (and hopefull near future) job! He was my manager a few years ago and is now a very good friend.

Tomorrow, another lunch date with a dear friend who is a co-worker.

Wednesday, the dreaded tax man appointment.

Thursday- get ready for vacation..

Friday- off we go on vacation!!

Puppies are all well today...Lucky is as strong as all of them...she is my favorite, obviously.

My fingers are crossed for good news today...I am optimistically going clothes shopping to see if i can find some bargains!!

Final Puppy Update...

March 19th, 2007 at 02:10 am

Puppy #10 - female. She was not responsive for about 10 minutes...i had to do breathing resesitation and chest massage (a first for me)...and finally, a gasp and a little cry. Tonight she is doind well...I have named her Lucky.

puppies 11 & 12 both females...both unresponsive and have sadly died. Frown (I think they were in the birthing process too long...it was clear they had injested and inhaled the fluid).

So, we have 10 living puppies...7 females, 3 males.

DH and I went to dinner at a very quaint little Italian restaraunt...complete with Frank Sinatra music serenading us, dark luxurious walls, gorgeous decorations and family photos of a very Italian family that owns the restarount...a true treat.

I find out tomrrow if it is a done deal for the job!!! Can hardly wait!!


Looking forward to a good nights rest tonight!

Puppy Birthday!!! *Update

March 18th, 2007 at 03:26 pm

Welll....we are not quite done yet...but so far we have 8 puppies...5 females, 2 males...all black.

We started at about 3 this morning...and hopefully she will be done soon..she is tired.

Puppies are all healthy so far.

Except for a little sleep depravation, all's well!

9:14am- make that 6 females, 3 males...9 so far...(ok Anna, you can stop now!!)

More Job News

March 18th, 2007 at 05:17 am

I received a copy of the Job Description and salary range today. I am looking forward to my duties- which are assisting the CEO so he can focus on the 'important' stuff.

Salary is wonderful!! I am thrilled with what he has proposed...and I asked for 3 weeks vacation to start with and another week added after 2 years (so 4 weeks per year).

He anticipates my start date to be April 2nd so long as all goes well on Monday!!!

In January, I can start investing in the 401k plan---and the company contributes 8% of salary so long as I participate with at least 5%. (not bad)

Sick leave is very fair...1 day accrued per month- which will accumulate as extra retirement if I do not use it.

As an exempt employee I will also earn 4 comp days each year.

So...I have only until Monday to wait!!

I will have to replinish my work wardrobe...since all my old clothes are that old larger size that I used to wear Big Grin...darn!

Big Grin

Puppy Update

March 18th, 2007 at 12:31 am

Anna had a false alarm yesterday...and today is acting more like labor...but still no puppies...she is 'officially due' tomorrow...I have a feeling the first puppy will come by midnight tonight the way she is acting.

A little 10yo neighbor girl is here with me. She spends so much time here, she is like one of my own...so whe will spend the night again tonight awaiting puppies with us!

Tomorrow I plan to pull out my old work clothes that have been packed away and see what fits...and what I need. Then, I may be going work-clothes shopping.

DH, DD3 and I will leave for vacation next Friday (Our Spring Break) Luckily, DD2 has volunteered to handle this litter of puppies while I am gone.



Puppies are coming tonight!

March 16th, 2007 at 10:34 pm

Anna is in labor. I will keep you posted...boy, what a day!

Great Meeting

March 16th, 2007 at 09:03 pm

I had a wonderful meeting with my former (and soon to be current) boss today!!

The next step is to get Board approval...but if all goes well, as I think it will...I will be the....


...Executive Assistant to the CEO!!!!(which is my dream job!!!)

Oh my goodness. I cant even tell you how exciting this is...and he is very excited as well!!! It sounds like his senior team is supportive of the idea too!!

If all goes as planned at Monday's meeting, I will start in about 2 weeks!!

doing the happy dance here!! I will know for certain early next week (but it sure sounds like it's a done deal!!!!)

Salary and vacation accrual to be determined...but also very positive!!!


woo-flippin-hoo!!!!!!

Pasta Fagioli Soup TR style

March 16th, 2007 at 01:33 am

1 1/2 lb ground beef ( I use lean and often the amount can vary depending on whats in the freezer.)
1 diced onion
4-5 stalks diced celery
2-3 carrots peeled and julienned
equivalent of 2 cloves garlic (I use minced)

In a big stock pot, brown ground beef and onion. If there is alot of grease, drain some...if not alot, it will add flavor. Add celery and carrot and allow all to gently fry for a few minutes.

then add:
1 can tomatoes- the reciope calls for 16 oz, but I use whatever I have sometimes it is a 28 oz can.
1 can tomato paste
2 cans of your favorite beans- Ive used pinto, black, great northern,white navy kidney- they're all yummy.
2 c (or more) water...if you add alot more, then adjust the tomato paste and spices for taste.

5 beef bullion cubes
1 tbsp dried parsley flakes
1/2 tsp sweet basil
1/4 tsp black pepper + fresh ground when serving
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (I may add a little more for a bite)
a few shakes of the cajun seasoning that I have in the cupboard (optional)

Allow to simmer until the veggies are a little tender. About 20 minutes.

about 10 minutes before serving add some small macaroni or ditalini pasta and continue to slow boil. (do not overcook, pasta will get soggy...(sometimes I forego the pasta and call it an itialian chili instead!!)

Sprinkle parmesean or romano or some other cheese on top.
By all means, adjust the spices to taste...I never measure and I do lots of taste testing while cooking...

Eat, enjoy!

Soup and stuff

March 15th, 2007 at 07:34 pm

I just a had a bowl of left over homemade pasta fagioli soup for lunch. Ever notice how homemade soup just gets better each day?? yum! Cool thing is I can make a huge batch for just few dollars and we eat offf it for days!

I finished my parents laundry today and they are still insisting on paying me...sigh. I so dont want to take their money, but it is such a pride thing for them. So...my mom is having out-of-town company next month and is planning to host a big steak & crableg dinner. She has been buying crablegs each week to spread the expense...so I will take this laundry money and buy things she needs and 'donate' them to her dinner. A round-about way of giving them back their money.

I spoke to the girls this morning and they are still having a great time on vacation...they will be heading home tomorrow afternoon. Sounds like they all enjoyed Disneyland...and best of all, no one else has gone missing since grandsons beach ordeal! whew!

Meeting, puppies and DD3

March 15th, 2007 at 03:14 am

Well, the big meeting is all set for Friday morning...that leaves just tomorrow for wondering.

I am so eager to find out what is on my past and now possibly future bosses mind!!!

fingers tightly crossed here!

In the meantime, I still have a VERY PREGNANT dog...who is due anyday. I am nervous about this litter as she seems MUCH BIGGER than last time...and last time we had 10!!! Oh boy...no need to wish for smaller as she has at least 10 this time, Im sure!

DD3 and I splurged this afternoon. I took her to Ross and she got a new top ($6)...and then to get her haircut($13 including tip)...and then to dinner($40- wow, but so good!). It was a splurge, but boy was she feeling special all afternoon!!! Sometimes, it is just fun to endulge!!

I can hardly wait to see what Friday brings!!! I will let you know!

Dream Job

March 14th, 2007 at 01:37 am

Well, I am a step closer to getting that dream job that I mentioned a while back. While I still can't say too much about it...I can say that I received an email from the key person about seriously discussing it. WOO HOO

Seriously friends....if this works out, I will be set through retirement---as this is a job I will keep until I do! It truly is my dream job and it pays really well!

Please keep your fingers crossed for me. We are currently setting a date/time to meet and I will keep you all posted!!!

$50 table

March 12th, 2007 at 07:21 pm

My mom and I went shopping for a new couch for her house this past weekend....and I stumbled on a really nice dining room table that was clearanced down to $50. It is one of those taller tables that are so popular now.

Now, my current dining room table/chairs was purchased 13 years ago for $250 at an old Montgomery Ward clearance sale..and has lived through 4 teenagers and now grandkids....in other words, it is well past it's prime.

The table has a slightly visible flaw on it...but nothing I can't live with for $50. I am not one to have to have all matching...eclectic works for me. So, we will be looking for chairs to use with this table.

If worse comes to worse and I am not able to use this table in the dining room, it is the PERFECT size for a craft table...and it is still a great deal. (Wrapping presents and floral arranging will be a breeze on this table)...

So, either way, I feel I got a great deal. (The table was marked down from $260 to $50)

And yes, my mom did find a new red couch that she is tickled with...so all around, a great shopping excursion.

Plans for a Frugal Week

March 12th, 2007 at 04:30 pm

First, I will start with the scariest hour of my life.

Yesterday afternoon, we were enjoying a peaceful afternoon when the phone rang. It was DD2 (who is vacationing in California with DD3 and family). She was FRANTIC...they had LOST MY GRANDSON- age 2 1/2 at Laguna Beach. He'd been missing for about 20 minutes when she called. The police hadnt arrived yet...and GS was nowhere in sight. Do you know how long 30 minutes is when life does a total flipflop like that?? It took another 30 minutes before they found him. Luckily, a family saw GS and brought him to the police (GS had wandered almost a half mile away...down the beach)...Thank GOD this had a happy ending.

I made pasta fagioli soup last night, which provides lunch for most of this week. I am going to use up the meat in the freezer for other meals this week. I am going to see how cheaply I can feed us for.

Since the girls are on vacation, I am running the business---and talk about timing...The weather is great and our first newpaper advertisement just came out...so I anticipate this being a busy week for the phones....top that off with puppies coming (today, I believe) and I am going to be one busy girl!!!

My only thought today is thank God my grandson is safe and with his mom...I never lost a child...and it is the scariest feeling Ive ever had....today he is at the "Happiest Place on Earth"...visiting with Mickey Mouse....

Librarian did a double take!

March 5th, 2007 at 11:59 pm

I stopped by the library on Friday for the first time in a couple of months. When the librarian looked up, she honestly did a double take when she saw me!! At first, I was confused until she said "Wow, you look great...you've lost quite a bit of weight!!!"

Wow. That was such a nice compliment and surprise for my day!

The money issues are getting a little easier. DH has worked some overtime and we have cut way back on spending/eating out again. It feels so secure when the checking balance tops the monthly bills before the first of the month!!

I am still in the holding pattern about the job. Before any offer can be made, several things have to happen with other staff...so I patiently wait. But I am appreicating the extra time to really consider if this is the change I want to make...and I can honestly say I am ready to go back to work. Working from home has had it's benefits....but I know returning to work will have benefits as well. Primarily retirement security.

HOWEVER. Today, I got to play ALL DAY with GS on one of the first sunny warm days of the year! We went for a walk, watched airplanes, played in a puddle, talked, giggled...and now he is napping. Ah...those gramma moments are so wonderful.

I anticipate puppies this week...ugh. Anyone want a black lab???? lol