Gramma Ray's Blog

Today was the final day of our planning session. I have to say, I love working at a place where the CEO's final discussion was about treating our members with the same care we would treat a newborn...and to reach their hearts and do the right thing. I love my job.

Two weekends left before the hub leaves for Alaska. He finished processing the firewood that he's sold..so next week he can get everything ready for Alaska during the day when hes not working. The firewood sales provided enough $$ to pay for his airline ticket, and other expenses. I had pulled $2200 from the ING account to cover expenses, but it looks like I will be able to put all that back.

One thing I noticed in the budget that I didnt plan for is 'entertainment'. I think I assumed that this would come out of allowances, but it just never works that way...so I am adding a line item for entertainment. Im just not sure how much to allot. During the weeks he is gone, I will just use allowance for any entertainment...but when he is home, I will plan some budget dollars to go there...just not sure how much.

I am about to wrap my first full budget month that did not include any financial help to my sons old business. I have stuck to the budget and am going to hit all of my goals. It feels really nice to know I can be disciplined when I am in charge and no one is needing help.

I am definately ready for the weekend. I got a sweet call tonight from GS (7) inviting me to his first soccer game on Saturday morning...Of course gramma will be there!! Afterall, there is NOTHING more important than that, is there?

I signed up for a program at the first of the year, to provide dinner one night every other month to a homeless teen shelter. Today was our day.

I say 'our' because it is usually a shared responsibility. The hub cooks the meal and I deliver it. This month was a little different...they didnt specify what we should cook, but rather, left it up to us. I had an all day meeting and couldnt be the one to deliver, so DD1 volunteered.

I had no idea what the hub was making...

Can you believe, he cooked a 14lb turkey, made dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans for those kids??? OMG. I was so proud of him for putting so much effort into this meal.

I am sure the kids were thankful for a big, hearty meal.

The hub loves cooking...and has always enjoyed making the meal for these kids. He cooked enough I enjoyed left overs for dinner, and it was yummy!

I am just blown away that he did all this today. And very proud of him for doing it.

I am not a fashion diva. I actually am a poster child of the 'before' shot. I own exactly ONE pair of slacks for work, that I wash several times a week...how they have held up as long as they have is beyond me. And I have exactly ONE pair of work shoes. I have a weeks worth of shirts that go with my black slacks and black shoes, I rotate this wardrobe week after week. Seriously, this has been my wardrobe for more than three years...could be more.

The snap on my shoe broke Friday which cause the strap to just hang. I totally forgot about this over the weekend, and so yesterday when I went to get ready, all I had was a broken shoe. Thank goodness for super-glue. I glued the strap and wore the shoes yesterday and today with no problem...I guess I will see how long I can make the shoes work.

I am not sure why I dont desire to buy work clothes, I just dont. What I have works...

Today was a no-spender. Because of all-day meetings this week, meals are covered by my job.

The hub gave his two week notice at his job today and I bought his airline ticket to get him to Alaska on the 27th. Suddenly, this is very real.

There are plenty of things to do before he leaves. Im not sure if we need to change the cell phone plan, but we need to check..

He is stocking up on dog food for his dogs out at the other house...we have three labs, one lives here- the other two live at our other house where my DIL is currently living until she joins my son in Sacramento. The dogs there have always been outside dogs and have a 60 x 60 pen with a big log cabin dog house that the hub built for them and an old bathtub for their cooling off swims. When the hub goes out to process his firewood, they run free on the full two acres. While he is gone, DIL and her friend will feed them and let them run.

We will need to sit down to make certain all of 'his' bills are paid and that there will be ample money between when he leaves and when his first paycheck hits the account. Starting October 1, we are back to 'our bills' and one checking account for all of the bills, living expenses, etc.

Ive worked out a tentative budget..I remember that they only take federal taxes, not state- since his residence is Oregon. So Im not sure what those paychecks will look like. I know budgeting monthly is a challenge because he will get three paychecks then skip three weeks, then get three paychecks, etc..some months we will get 3 paychecks, some only 2 and some only 1.

In any case, I need to make sure to stash tax money away.

The hub is keeping 'his' checking and saving account. I think he likes that independence and he really didnt want to give it up--and I saw no reason for him to have to. Each month I will deposit the money for his gas, allowance and $$ for the 2nd house repairs. He will also deposit all of his wood business money into that account.

Our joint account will be for the household, bills, etc. I will keep my ING account which is a savings account I have built up over the past year and the vacation accounts.

Just much to do. I will miss him a lot, but I am excited for him...he has wanted this for so long.

The time will fly by- with school and work and the kids/grandbabies...

A new adventure for sure!

Last December, I went to a fundraiser and bought a Pizza per month for a year package. I was the highest bidder and paid $130.

We have enjoyed this all year- and still have 4 months...well, 3 after tonight. The pizza is gourmet...we get half and half...the hub likes meat, the more the better. The houseguest and I love another type that they make....feta cheese, sundried tomatoes, pesto and mozzarela. It is soooo good. I have lots of fresh veggies in the fridge to make a salad to go with.

So Free dinner tonight!

This next week is our planning session at work. So on Tues- I will have free breakfast lunch and dinner. On Wed and Thur - free breakfast and lunch. This is starting out and looking like an inexpensive week for food.

Gotta love that!

My houseguest and I were making a shopping list this morning. She asked if we have fabric softener. I replied that I have no idea, I use dryer sheets and always have a supply. The hub prefers fabric softener and usually buys that when he does the shopping.

I dont have a clothes line here, but perhaps I should. I loved hanging my clothes and knowing I wasnt wasting money drying in the dryer...hmm. Well, until we have a line, it is a mute point.

I find that I can get a couple of dryer loads with one sheet...and that even just folding used ones and stacking them in the unused supply gets me a third use. Fabric softener, you pour in a cap and its gone. Game over.

My houseguest said she likes to use BOTH for each load. WHAT? She said she likes her clothes really really soft. Um. hmmm...

My thoughts go back to my stay at home period when I was hanging all of our laundry out on the line. Then, I had to use fabric softener..and I was usually very good, but every once in a while left the clothes on a tad two long.. THere is just an appreciation that comes with drying off with a towel that resembles sandpaper that gives soft a new meaning....but I have never needed to use BOTH types of softeners. And my clothes are always soft.

Both...

I need to bring this young lady to the frugal side...maybe suggest she try using one or the other for a week? Maybe making the dryer sheets off-limits and forcing the issue....

THen again, the issue will be forced to a point with the hub leaving for Alaska...at least three weeks out of six...

So much to ponder on a Sunday afternoon.

Today was a nice, easy paced day. I went and picked up the eight gift certificates that I bought from the radio auction. I am still pleased with that deal. ($12 for a $20 gift cert to a very popular mexi place)

Those are tucked away for Christmas gifts.

Then, DD2 and I met up and went to Ross and Target. At Ross I found a really nice jar of bath salts for $4.99 that will be part of a birthday present for a good friend later this month. At Target there was a clearance sale on fans. I have one fan that I move back and forth between bedroom and living room. I found one for $14 and decided it was a good investment- since on the weekends, the hub sleeps in because he works nights. He likes the fan in with him, and this morning it was really warm in the living room. Problem solved!

DD2 and I met up wiht the hub at Outback. I bought one of those discount cards that the sports kids sale each year to raise money, and one of the discounts is a free blooming onion. The onion was good, but sadly, the rest of the meal was just so-so. Very grainy steaks. The hub treated us girls.

So we stopped on the way back home and picked him up a german choc cake and vanilla ice cream (his fav)

DD2 scooted home, and the hub is watching Rescue Me finale re-runs...Im watching the Notre Dame/Michigan game.


Today marks the 23rd anniversary of my brother's accident. When he died, he was just 30 and my kids were just little. His accident was the night of DD2s 3rd birthday party- she was so little her memory of him is very vague. Time does heal, but I still miss him a great deal. Miss ya Lyn.

Today was spendy. The computer dudes at work wanted to get breakfast burritos off the truck..they are very yummy, and only $3. However, I have always offered to buy the burrito for the person willing to go get them...so I pay $6. But boy, those are tasty!

I needed to stop by my daughters work to deliver her birthday card. I tucked a gift card for a massage at a nice salon inside for her. This is the daughter who is mom to two, plus foster mom to two more and works full time..she needs a pampering, and so I didnt mind spending a little extra for her ($75)- my normal birthday budget per kid is $45-ish. The hub will chip in next week...so it shouldn't net too much more than normal...

On the way back to work I picked up a chicken feta cranberry almond salad...uh, YUM. $8

So dinner tonight is a baked potato. (free)

My EVP at work is my mentor and today was our monthly meeting. I talked to him about the school they are sending me to next summer. He is very supportive of my going, and very supportive of my career path. It was nice to chat with him. It is funny, my mentor is early 30's...but smart as they come. But he is just a couple years older than my daughter!! I just have to chuckle at that.

So I will wrap todays post with this:

My daughter won a $25 coffee gift card on facebook today. The contest: post a first day of school story and whatever story got the most 'likes' won.

Her story: (Her nephew is my oldest grandson, and his grandpa is my husband....enjoy!)...and YES, the story is true.

The day before my nephew was going to preschool he was helping his grandpa work out at his house, well he wasn't paying attention and ran around his truck, his eye was just level with a bottle that his grandpa was holding and ended up giving him a nice black eye. Well the first day of preschool the teacher saw his black eye and asked "How did you get that?" and his response was "Grandpa hit me in the head with his beer bottle!"

One of our local radio stations holds auctions a couple of times a year. They are getting ready to have one this weekend and have the items posted on the website and are allowing people to buy already. One of our local mexican restaurants, that is close to my job and popular with staff had $20 gift certificates for $12!! So I nabbed 8 of them! What a great gift this will make for my staff and also for my kids...I may pick up a few more when I go to get them. I eat at this restaurant numerous times a year (the hub and I were there for lunch today, actually!) and this is quite a savings!!

I bought some Christmas Cards with Christmas music CDs on QVC a while back- the cards were just about $2 each...so my staff gifts will be a gift cert with the card/cd. I have four employees - two female, two male...and this will work for all of them! I budgeted $50 for my team and this comes to $56...so I am very pleased!

The hub leaves in just under three weeks. Between now and then he needs to process 7 cords of wood that he has already sold, get all of his gear together, ship his tools, and get everything else ready to go. He is going to be a very busy boy! Busy is good for him...he is pretty excited and this will help time to go by quickly. Plus, the wood sales will pay for his airline ticket and the cost to ship his tools.

He hadnt fully embraced co-mingling funds again...so I penciled out a budget to show him what it would look like if we did. I think this helped him warm to the idea. I like to budget for things like Chistmas, birthdays, RETIREMENT, bills, savings and pretty much everything in between....he likes to budget for TOYS. (such a guy)..so I made sure our budget included a monthly deposit into his 'whatever fund' account...once he saw that, he relaxed...and I think we are on the same page now.

Life is good!

The hub got the call today. He will be leaving the last week of September to start his new job! Needless to say, he is very excited.

Thankfully, he already has all of his cold weather gear from last time, so we dont have too much up front expense. I need to get his airline ticket...and he will need to ship part of his tools.

We are going to try co-mingling finances and bills again. We have had separate accounts for a couple of years, but I will be taking care of all the bills, so it will just make it easier to do everything out of one account.

My excitement is that he is going to work three weeks on and then have three weeks off. The past two years, he has had one week of vacation...and I have six. It makes it very challenging to do anything when there is one week to work with and he loves to use it hunting...and I hate hunting.

He will be on a 90 probationary period. I will breathe MUCH easier after the first of the year when that 90 days is behind him.

Then, I will start planning vacation time!!

In the meantime, I am excited for him. It always feels so good to get something that you want so badly...and this job was something he really wanted.

My friend invited me to a movie today. She wanted to see 'One Day'...I had a $10 gift card that we used to get in. I was thirsty, so I went ahead and bought a *choke* $4.75 soda. REALLY? I know they need to make money at the show...but this is seriously highway robbery! I enjoyed the movie, but I can understand why it got mixed reviews.

The hub made a big pot of Chicken/potato/cheese soup while I was at the show. Total comfort food in a bowl. This was dinner tonight and I will take it for lunch at least 2-3 days this week. I also plan to make some oatmeal tonight for this weeks breakfast. The preparation today will ensure an inexpensive week ahead for food.

My son headed back to Sacramento this afternoon. His visit was much to quick, and he wont be coming to visit again until NOvember. Perhaps I should make a trip down to see him.. Hmm....Something to think about.

Having a three day weekend is so nice. My laundry is all caught up, I sorted through piles of mail and magazines, cleaned and organized my office room in preparation for school starting, and still had time to relax.

DH has been sending his resume up to Alaska every few months since he was laid off two years ago. In the meantime, when he came home he went back to work for his previous job. He makes decent money, but he is not happy. He LOVED working on the slope and has wanted to return ever since he got back home.

They called today. They are running a background check on hom Tuesday, (which will be fine)...and then it is just details. He will be starting for a 90 day trial period for either side to determine if this is a good fit or not. I know he is so committed to making this work that he will do everything possible to be successful.

He is like a little kid today. So excited.

THis job is a little different from his last...he will work 3 on/ 3 off. Which equals working 26 weeks and having 26 weeks off. He will make about $20k more than he currently makes, but we will have to pay travel costs each time he comes home- which adds up. However, he will still net more than he currently does. NOT BAD for a job he will love. (The job he has now gives him 5 days off a year)...

I am keeping my fingers crossed that all goes as smoothly as he hopes. THis would be an amazing opportunity for him.

I have six grandbabies...aged 7 to 1 1/2. They are all so different, and all so precious. Today was my middle grand-daughter's 4th birthday party. All of my kids and their families were here...plus the birthday girl's other family members...All in all, 10 kids and 16 adults.

My DIL came prepared with lots of food- and I made a few dips to go with some chips plus cut up the watermelon that I bought last week. I didnt spend any money today. It was a great day for everyone!

My son and DIL planned a great day. The kids enjoyed a slip n slide, a pinata, bbq chicken and beans, cake and ice cream...and just tons of fun. They came happy and left tired and ready for a nap.

Barely got the litte on in his car seat before he zonked:



Then, we drew names for stockings. I drew my SIL's name. I always hope for a girls name, and always get a guys name. I enjoy shopping for candles and bathsalts more than I enjoy beef jerkey and camping supplies...but- this is the first year I have ever drew his name, so I am happy. He and my daughter have a daughter together, and he is the stepdad to my oldest grandson. He also has supported keeping the two foster kiddos. He is an amazing dad to all of them, so I see this as an opportunity to say thank you to him.

I loved getting to see my son. He is enjoying the job in Cali...and looks so much happier and relaxed after not worrying about his own business anymore. I hugged him lots today. He heads back "home" tomorrow..todays party today was for his oldest. sigh.

My oldest grandson convinced papa that he should stay and hang out with us this afternoon...so he and papa are hanging out in the bedroom playing x-box.

What a great day.

Tomorrow, the entire family will be here for my grandaughters 4th birthday. This wont happen again for a while, so we are going to take advantage of us all being together and DRAW NAMES for Christmas Stockings.

This is a 40 year old tradition. It started one year when I realized my mom filled everyone elses stocking, and hers was empty Christmas morning... I suggested that the next year, we draw names so that everyones stocking got filled. Oh what a fun tradition that started.



My grandma, uncle, aunt, cousin..all got involved...and each year we did our best to come up with the most unique, funny gifts in the stockings. It was by far the favorite tradition...and it forced each person to focus on their recipient for a short time. The budget was left totally up to the giver and that rule has held all these years later.

My kids joined the tradition when they became teens...and it continues to be the favorite part of gift giving. We draw names early each year so that everyone has a chance to really look for fun stuff, and to also bargain shop.

The kids only have to do that one gift each year...they cant afford to buy for everyone, so the only gift they need to buy is their stocking.

My parents absolutely loved the stockings..they were pros at filling stockings with great gifts. (one of my dads last years...he drew me..and I still have those gifts. He died Dec 29th, the year I had his name...and I remember shopping for him knowing he wouldnt ever use the gifts...but he loved them nonetheless.)

This year, we will be incorporating a little kids stocking exchange. All the little guys will also pick a name..and they will get to fill a stocking. We are adding a couple of extended family members this year...our houseguest...and the kids uncle who recently relocated here to be near family....

I love that this tradition has lasted the test of time...and is still as beloved as it was back when my mom was the reason it started...

I wonder whose name I will draw....

I get cranky when I get up on Saturday morning with plans to get caught up and laundry and we are out of laundry soap. Grrr. I siphoned enough out of the container to start the sheets...but in order to get it all done, I had to run to the store.

So...I went to Walmart, which is just up the street. WHile I was there, I picked up $60 worth of stuff. I need to color the hair, I was out of eye shadow, needed cat food, bought some bacterial hand soap for the kitchen, and just other similar stuff. I hadnt shopped for misn stuff in a while.

Then, I stopped at Safeway and picked up about $40 worth of groceries...bread, cheese, stuff for 7 layer bean dip, potatoes, etc.

An all to easy $100 spend day.

Tonight, just watching the Oregon vs. LSU game. Welcome football season!!

Tomorrow is my GD's 4th birthday party. DIL asked to have the party here, which is fine with me. After the party, DH is planning on making a big pot of soup for the rest of the weekend. I filled my car up on Friday $60...so I shouldnt have much other weekend spending this weekend.

My son is in town this weekend for GDs birthday...I will get to see him tomorrow...sure have missed him!!

I am a big fan of Amazon. I remember when DD3, now 19, was just a little girl and she asked for a pink unicorn. Where on Earth would I find that?? Someone suggested looking on Amazon? I had plenty of concerns.. Shop online? Was it safe? What about giving my credit card number online??? But I gave it a shot.

Not only did they have a pink unicorn, but they had several choice and prices. I found one and ordered it...and it was delivered to my door three days later...shipping...no charge.

Years later, Amazon is my first stop for many, many things. This week, I needed a battery for my laptop. I dont have time to run to the stores, so Tuesday night looked on Amazon where I found an array of choices, prices, customer reviews... a $23 battery was waiting for me today when I got home.

Much of my Christmas shopping is done at Amazon..(I even catch great black Friday deals there) I watch movies and TV shows for free (amazon prime, via my job), I am on auto ship for several household items like dishwashing soap and dryer sheets...which I get discounted and delivered free.

My school books...from Amazon used books...my free kindle books...Amazon...my point is, that Amazon has nailed my needs and expectations...and I am thankful.

Today was a no-spender for me. (yay!) We had a potluck at work- so I enjoyed some yummy treats..one in particular, a seven layer dip. Those are always popular!

I froze several loaves of my most recent zucchini bread from a couple of weeks ago...so I just pulled one out to take to work tomorrow. A small payback for the wonderful lunch I enjoyed for free today.

Life is good!

I have been in the same industry (banking) since 1978- high school, actually- 33 years. WOW.

When I started, certificate rates were 16%... ATM's were fairly new, and we still hand sorted peoples checks- and verified signatures. The adding machines were comical...and it was before greenbar became mainstream...

As far as banking goes, I have first hand knowledge of how pretty much everything works...more, I know how it has evolved..I have experience.

...but I never got a degree...and that is now holding me back. If I want to reach my full potential, I have to have that elusive piece of paper.

So...I am going to college...slowly, but surely.

I am registered for two classes this next term. Health and Criminology- taking both online. I purchased the books used at Amazon for $179. (ouch...but new was twice that amount). My two classes are 7 credits, so registration is just about $800. So long as I get a B- or higher, my job will pay it all back...it's just hurts to come up with the money up front. So far my GPA has held at 4.0...we will see what a little more pressure does.

I looked into the management school my job is sending me to for the next three years, and that is going to cost about $10k plus travel. I am so blessed that they are willing to invest so much into an 'old lady' like me.

We are back home again. I have to say, the getaway was really nice- the only thing is it was a tad too much driving for just 4 days. If we go back to that part of the coast, it will be for 5-6 days minimum.

By far, the most expensive part of the trip was the accomodations...which came to $579.53. But the location of the places we stayed was phenomenal and well worth it IMHO.

Place number one...view from the living room/kitchen:


Place number two...view from our deck:


And the sighseeing along the way. I love the Oregon coast:


Food: We ate out only 4 times @ $116- well, 5 if we count the prime rib dinner FIL bought us. We had the nations most famous (?) clam chowder at Mo's; enjoyed a burger at McMinneman's; tried the local favorite pizza in Gold Beach; and made our final stop at Marie Calendars after we got to town...the hub was starving (and obviously craving pie).

Misc expenses (drinks, ice, snacks, bagels, coffee creamer) ran $38.48.

So my total for the weekend: $734.51

The hub paid for the gas...I estimate he spent about $100- but that was his only expense.

Fun times.

Now to get laundry and odds and ends ready for the short week ahead...before a three day weekend.

Saturday night, the hubs dad was in the next town over from our condo...so he asked us to go to dinner. We went to a nice steak and seafood place, known for its prime rib. It was very good, but the servings were HUGE. I seriously didnt even eat half of mine....actually about a third. We took the rest to go and nibbled on it throughout the weekend. The hubs dad treated because of the hubs birthday- which was really nice- I know the bill came to almost $200. He and his wife are separated, but working on things.

They suggested going to the casino nearby afterwards.

I will start with a caveat. I have nothing against those who gamble. Honestly, to each his own. I know lots of folks who love this past-time and are acutally quite lucky. Good for them!

I am not a gambler. It is simply not entertaining to me to drop any amount of money into a machine with the hopes that I might get lucky. So I tagged along and watched and listened. The first nugget I learned was that if a machine doesnt pay off within the first 3-4 spins, move on. Hmmm. That rule was immediately discarded if the machine paid just once during that first 3-4...then, some kindof auto-pilot takes over. I watched lots of people sitting at machines pushing the spin button over and over with just what I consider 'teaser' payouts of smaller and smaller amounts. Most people go ahead and play the amount down to zero. Then, they move on.

The second nugget I learned was that sitting at the same machine might get you a free drink. Emphasis on might. I think it is safe to say those free drinks pay for themselves many times over.

The final nugget that night was during the discussion on losing. Apparently, it's not so bad if you go with the intention that you will leave your money there. HUH? Yep, plan to blow a certain amount and then, if you leave with nothing, its no big deal.

I guess that is some folks philosophy to gambling on a budget. I see it differently. I'd rather have the sure bet of leaving with what I came with...zero luck required.

The hub gambled a whopping $7. Took about 10 minutes. We were both tired, and the place was way smoky (isnt indoor smoking illegal now???) We decided to head back to the condo.

We had a nice evening and I came home with a few nuggets.

Enjoyed the sunset tonight in the hot tub.



This was an awesome day.

We ate out one time, went to McMinnamen's and enjoyed burgers and iced tea. $39 And stopped at the grocery outlet to pick up white cheddar popcorn and peanut m&ms for the evening. $6. So, under $50 for the food for today.

Tomorrow we will be heading down the coast. We need to find a place to stay tomorrow night...then home on Tuesday.

What a wonderful time we are having!

Here are some pics of the view from our condo:

Standing on the patio just outside...gorgeous.



This is the view that greeted us as we walked into the living room:



Happy feet:


The rental place provided a complimentary bottle of wine...so I am enjoying the sunset and the pinot grigio - with some of the sweetest watermelon of the summer. Life is very, very good!

We made it to the condo on the beach last night. We took the whole day yesterday getting here. On the drive up, we stopped to visit a Cabela's store. DH was in heaven there...me, eh, not so much. But this is his birthday trip, so I patiently shadowed him with oohes and ahhes through the store...almost three complete times. Now I understand his aversion to Kohl's better. What was important was that he had fun and didnt feel rushed. He bought a pair of steel toed workboots for $130 and a new coffee mug with a chocolate lab on it $14.99.

The condo is very nice. THis morning, I have the slider open, sipping coffee enjoying the waves while DH is sleeping in. Its cloudy, but the clouds are supposed to burn off later. There is a little journal here that previous guests have written in. The guests who were here just before us saw a whale and many sea lions last week, so I am keeping my eye out. So far, just seagulls and a few boats.

Since we traveled all day yesterday, today will be spent enjoying the condo, the view, the hot tub with only a trip out for lunch or dinner. Which is perfectly fine with me.

I have to chuckle at DH...last evening when we arrived, I was sitting enjoying the waves...he pulled out his phone and started playing Angry Birds.. (? *&*! ????)...he also brought his x-box. But again, this is his b day trip- just kinda funny the contrast between us and how we choose to relax.

I will post pics later. The camera is in the bedroom and I dont want to wake sleeping beauty up.

My team at work is responsible for ordering many of the books, etc that we use at work, so I have an Amazon Prime account to get expedited, free shipping. This past week I was perusing Amazon and realized that the prime account comes with instant movies and tv shows that I can watch on my pc, FOR FREE. I took advantage this week and watch a couple of older movies- what a treat. It looks like I could maybe watch things on my TV too, but I havent figured out how that works yet...it is just fun to have all the new options at my fingertips!!

I am looking forward to digging deeper to find out what is available- it says 1000's of choices. I love finding new, free things!!

I think my cat is in mourning. He is sitting on the back porch looking at his little buddy who is belly up. I think the snake got tossed in the air one too many times today. Easy come, easy go.

My BIL had a bad experience with the big box giant that sounds like Wal..rt. They gave him someone else's medication in error. He is fragile, pretty sick and didnt realize it. Instead of the antibiotic he was supposed to take, he got a very strong narcotic- and on top of the other meds he was taking it made him very seriously ill.

Very ill. By the time he realized he was sick because of the med, he was overdosed to the point of throwing up and not able to stand.

When he called the store, all they said was sorry, please bring back the leftover meds and we will get you the right med....when he explained he dumped it down the toilet so he didnt accidentally take any more, the manager implied he was 'stealing, which was illegal"...and it went downhill from there...

DD2 is a pharmacy tech for another company and knows that this is a serious error on the stores part, so she called and talked to someone, they still were not playing nice. Tried to be very intimidating to her.

So...BIL took it to an attorney today. Sounds like big box store doesnt have much to stand on, and will now be coughing up some serious appology money.

I am not usually one to sue, but they were less than nice to BIL, and it was thier error that could have...well, luckily just made him very sick.

The sad thing is that it sounds like this happens all too often. Do you check your meds everytime you pick them up? If not, you need to.

It will be interesting to see how this pencils out for BIL in the end...poor guy.

I am so excited for this weekend. I mentioned that it is a trip I planned for the hubs birthday. We will be there for two nights.

It has a fully equipped kitchen, so we will be making our own meals with the exception of one meal..the nearby town is known for its clam chowder..and the hub wants to go out for some. Otherwise, we will just eat at the condo and enjoy the view!!

This is the view from the sitting area with a cool telescope:


And the view from the hot tub:


And another view from the living room:



I cant wait to get some pics of our own!

Note to self. The cat does not often entertain itself. It is too social. When it is playing alone for extended periods, something isnt right.

So I checked on my very happy, playful cat...and he had a new friend. A SNAKE. IN MY HOUSE. Thankfully, it was a small friend...only about a foot long. So I grabbed a towel and scooped it up and sent them both outside to play. Egads.

I decided not to sit at my desk and work at lunch today. Instead, I went to a little mexi restaurant and treated myself to a full service lunch. While I waited, I worked on my Christmas budget and list. I have to stick to my budget this year, and since I am getting ready to start back to school, I want to plan as much as possible. I love either finding a good deal, or finding the perfect gift at a decent price. I know my time will be limited once school starts again, so I want to plan and allow myself plenty of time- so that Im not rushing and splurging at the last minute.

My lunch and tip, $17- but I only had a baked potato when I got home, so I dont feel too guilty...plus it was a much enjoyed treat today.

I have to say, planning for CHristmas when it is 90+ outside feels a little odd, but I am a big kid when it comes to surprising my loved ones with that 'perfect' gift on Christmas morning.

Note to self...a cat that normally soaks up attention does not suddenly play independently for an extended period unless somethings up. He was playing for quite a while by himself, so I decided to check on him...he was not alone...his new friend? A snake...IN MY HOUSE.

Thankfully it was very small, about a foot long. So I grabbed a towel, scooped the snake up and sent them both out back to play. *shudder*...egads.

I went out to lunch today...by myself. Every once in a while it is nice to go sit down and be served a nice meal, just because. Usually I eat at my desk while squeezing a little more work into my day. I spent $17 for lunch and tip. That was all I spent today....that was much more than I should have- but it was a wonderful lunch and I just had a baked potato for dinner, so I dont feel too guilty.

While I was waiting for lunch, I worked on my Christmas budget and ideas for gifts. I have to stick to my budget this year, so I need to watch for bargains- or look for that 'perfect' gift for the right price. DOing this takes time...and I am about to start back to school after taking the summer off, so I want to allow plenty of time so that I am not splurging last minute because I am out of time.

No matter how you frame it...it is just weird to be thinking Christmas when its 90+ degrees outside. But I will admit, I am a big kid when it comes to surprising the babies (and even the big kids) with a well planned present.

The weekend ended up just being a major spendfest for me. And to make it worse, most of my spending went on meals. :/ Oh well, chalk it up to a reaffirmation that it feels much better to stick to a budget.....and move on.

My friends and I did go see the movie 'The Help'. I really enjoyed it. I dont go to many movies, so I am always happy when the one I do go to is worth the time and money.

I made my decision about the school, and said....YES. I believe this experience will be valuable to me during the rest of my career...and so I am seizing the opportunity offered to me!! (yay!)I dont start until next summer, so I am taking two classes this fall and see if I can handle two for winter and spring terms. My job is paying for the classes and books, so I am very lucky.

As I type, my first zucchini bread of the season is in its final moments in the oven. The house smells so wonderful! I am making four loaves tonight. Two with chocolate chips. YUM.

I finished my antibiotics a couple of days ago and my cough was still bad. Asthma and coughs seriously do not play well together. So I called my doctor and asked again for prednisone...and voila! they approved the request. So I have taken my first one, and will hopefully be on the mend tomorrow. Thank you Doc! After my insurance kicked in, the prescription was $1.82. Considering how well this works for my lungs, it is easily the BEST $1.82 ever spent!

The hub's birthday is this weekend, so a few months ago I booked a beachfront condo on the coast. I have a vacation budget and a birthday budget- which definately helped pay for this. The condo has a hot tub on the deck overlooking the ocean! We are driving up on Sat am and coming home Tues. I am so happy to be going on another mini vaca!! This will be my last for a couple of months, so I plan to ENJOY it.

Life is good!

DH is such a baby. I put up with his knock-the-pictures-off-the-wall snoring for 20+ years...I get sick and finally have a good nights sleep last night and he complained this am that he had to use ear plugs because...I was snoring. TALK TO THE HAND.

The good news, is that I slept last night. Sweet!

Today at work a young couple that work for us came around bearing gifts. This couple is very much into green living and recently asked us to sponsor an electric car show. We did and it was very successful. Today they brought gourmet cupcakes with little earths on them as a thank you. I chose a carrot cake one...and it was a heavenly bite of Autumn...totally got me in the baking mood...so....

I have two good sized zucchini ready to come off the plant, so I stocked up on baking supplies to start making some zucchini bread this weekend. I plan to bake several batches and freeze the surplus to use throughout the coming season. Cinnamon, nutmeg, nuts..etc, etc...even though it is 90+ degrees out, I am looking forward the first taste of Fall.

On Sunday two friends and I will be going celebrating one of the friends birthday. We are going to Sunday brunch and to the movie 'Help". It should be a fun day.

I am already over budget this weekend and it is only Friday night. I took the hub and his aunt to lunch today ($38), and bought dinner for our houseguest and I ($29). Then bought all the baking supplies ($23). I have a friendship birthday budget, so Sunday is covered. I just need to keep spending down tomorrow.

The lunch today was totally unplanned. The hub and I were leaving my job to go to Arby's, which would have been inexpensive, when his aunt caught up to us. His aunt lost her husband (surgery accident) and her son (21, car accident) within four months of each other a few years ago. She has struggled ever since...so I wanted to invite her to go with us, and felt that a nicer, more intimate lunch would be nice. She talked and talked...and was even apologetic for talking so much, but said that she doesnt have anyone to talk to most of the time...so we just let her talk. It was a very nice visit. It was a pleasure to treat her and the hub (who was so gracious about my deep sleep last night...NOT).

I hope the hub put his earplugs nearby...with any luck, I will be sleeping well again tonight!

Went back to work today. Definately not back to normal, but I was well enough to work at my desk and try to catch back up.

I have a delimma that I need to make a decision on. Today, my boss and our evp called me in. They asked if I wanted to attend a management school that we send someone to each year. I have asked to go in the past, but because of my parents, or a plethora of other reasons, stepped aside for others to go.

The school is two weeks each year for three years and is pretty intense and mandates a 'project' during the year that takes weeks to months of time to complete. It is an awesome opportunity.

My delimma is that I have this plan to retire in 10 years. There are younger contenders who would get a longer bang for the buck from attending. When the offer was made, statements like "we know youre busy with school and won't hold it against you AT ALL if you dont want to go" and "we have plenty of other folks waiting to go". I know the offer was made in part out of obligation for how long Ive worked there. I am honored that they still consider me as a contender- but deep down I know the investment is better made in those who are starting their careers.

What to do...what to do. At one point, I really wanted to climb one more rung on the corporate ladder...but Im not so sure anymore. I love my position and I make good money. I guess I will sleep on it and let them know in the morning.