Gramma Ray's Blog

For the first time ever, I had to use my cell phone to dial 911 today.

I was on my way home from work and was taking the fwy offramp when the car ahead of me started doing odd stuff...a passenger had a door open and it just didnt look right...then, the car quickly b-lined it for the opposite side of the offramp and parked on the side in the dirt...and three guys hop out and start walking towards the fwy...holding their hands in the air with a "you want some of this" look...

I look in my rearview mirror and there is a pickup STOPPED in the middle of the offramp...and it starts backing up and suddenly spins around a speeds THE WRONG WAY back down the offramp heading for the freeway...

The guys all turn around and run back to the car laughing...and get in the car.

So, I called 911 and reported it. I hope they cite someone for reckless behavior...

What would you have done??? I definately was in reaction mode when I called, but I still think I did the right thing...but I am curious what others would have done???

I took a mental health day from work yesterday...I can't tell you how amazingly refreshing it was to get up thinking I was going to work and then be able to stay home and recharge the batteries...A WHOLE DAY of guiltless indulgence...I really needed it. I have to say, I had to do double duty today to catch back up (11 hours, with a 15 minute lunch) but I definately feel the unplanned day off was worth it!!

I did things like wash my curtains, sort clothes, sort old mail, read....THANK GOODNESS there are days like that in the craziness of life!!

The next week and a half are going to be very hectic and then things will slow down a little. My next time off is at the beginning of June...so I need to pace things between now and then.

I got a doozy of a phone call this weekend..from a friend of a friend.

She recently remarried after several years as a single mom. While she was a single mom, she had managed to rent a small home for her and her daughter- who recently graduated from high school.. and mom had earned her MASTERS degree in social services.

When she called me, she was quite upset and wanted some answers.

Her new husband (bless his frugal heart) did not want to start their new marriage out full of debt...which she had accumulated plenty of during her graduate years as a single mom...to the tune of $30k in just credit card debt.

So, he took his savings and paid that credit card debt in full...

soon as he did, SHE received a notice from her CC company (BofA) to call right away. Seems BofA wanted to know HOW IN THE WORLD she was able to pay off her debt so quickly....


So she explained her recent MBA graduation and subsequent job...and her new marriage...and how they had come to the decision to pay off the debt...

BofA's response...after putting her on hold to talk to "the supervisor" the rep came back with "well, we have no choice but to CLOSE your credit account with us"..

Poor girl was all upset at this...wanted me to explain WHY they would do this...she had been a LOYAL customer all during her single years when she didnt have squat...and now that she was married and had a good income they do this to her.....and WHAT SHE COULD DO ABOUT IT.

So I told her my thoughts...but before I share them here, I thought I would see what everyone else would have said...

What would you have said to her???

I will post my response to her tomorrow night...

My friend is living a financial nightmare right now.

A few months ago, her son was in a horrible car accident. He was using his vehicle for work...and was transporting two disabled patients for his job. Both cars were totalled and there are some very substantial medical bills..

Long story short, sons job is refusing to pay anything, the sons insurance is pointing to the job and saying they wont cover it...and the son has nothing. (He is the one who I blogged about that just married)

So, the other party is coming after my friend because her name was on the title...Her home, which is very expensive, is paid off...and so there are definite tongues wagging at the prospect of socking it to her...so today she retained a laywer for $2500/215 per hour...and the ticker is now ticking away...money that she is having to toss at an attorney because she did not think about taking her name off the title of the car. Her only crime was procrastination...I sure hope the attorney can sort through this tangled web and come up with a better answer for my friend than anything she has heard so far..

I have double checked all of our kids car records tonight and we are off everything...how about you???

EGADS.

Guys, if you are male, you may want to skip this post...if you want a good laugh...cmon in, sit down and enjoy! HOWEVER, this has NOTHING to do with finances...

My doctor has been after me for 7 years to have a mammogram. Each year, I say "oops, that's right I was supposed to do that"...

Ok, lets stop the story to add a disclaimer here...I support routine care and preventative tests...I just have this fear of pancakes when it is in reference to my body (kidding guys, I have no good reason)

Anyways...today was the day...bright and early I am sitting in a waiting room full of nervous nellies...

and they call my name. I look at the woman next to me and ask if she would like to take cuts...and it relieves some tension as the room fills with nervous laughter...

The testing starts and I am lifted, rolled and manuevered until everything looks right..and this big glass comes down from the sky ans starts flattening....the tech says" I need you to lift your chin"...um I can't lift my chin and watch at the same time...and I am mesmerized (or terrified) by the shape I am taking on....thinking to myself, ok it can stop now, which thankfully it does...then, the tech quickly turns this crank....ok, you girls know what Im talking about here...WTF???...a little tighter just to make sure??? and she says, don't move...LIKE IM GOING ANYWHERE WITHOUT MY BOOB! and then she says hold still and don't breath...LIKE I COULD IF I WANTED TO...I am afraid even a breath of air in my lungs will make things worse...

And then, relief as we prepare for the next side....and part two starts...but for some reason, this time I get TWO FLIPPING CRANKS....(wait till I get my hands on her...if I can ever move again)I think to myself...

She comes back and says, ok now we need a side view...WHAT??????????? Surely you flattened them out enough to see anything thats lurking in there...and if there is anything lurking SURELY you just killed it....???

But to no avail...she smiles and says "Were almost done."...um yeah, In my dictionary it says HALFWAY....

This time I get to hold this bar and twist around and stand up on my toes (ok, the toe part was after the crank)...and what is it about when they say "Ok don't breathe, you suddenly have to breathe???

And finally, the exam is over and although she now knows "the twins" better than my spouse, she doesnt even look up when she says I can go....(whatever! I didnt ask her name so I guess we are even)

I get dressed and head back through the lobby...I look at the ladies and say it's not so bad afterall...just watch out for that crank...

And I head to work, surprisingly relieved that I have taken the right steps for my health.

Ladies, it is not so bad...and it really can save your life...If you haven't had one lately, make your appointment...JUST WATCH OUT FOR THE CRANK!

In no way am I complaining about my job...I am just speculating on a day in the life...

The assistant the day before a big meeting:

Create an Agenda so that those who will be facilitating the meeting will know the order to discuss important stuff with staff...

Forsee topics that need to be discussed that may have been overlooked and add them to the agenda...

Anticipate the value of a supporting powerpoint presentation and create it so that those who will be facilitating the meeting can provide a cool visual...be sure to compile supporting information and values..find great pictures to add a punch to the presentation...add humor, staff will be trying to wake up and will appreciate a chuckle or two...

Make a list of food to serve to staff...they will be hungry since they are coming in an hour early to work tomorrow...send support assistant to the store to buy food...

Make sure the room is set up properly and that all conferencing equipment is set up and ready to go...

Remember things that the boss wanted to insure were discussed and add those to the Agenda...prioritize and organize discussions...rewrite agenda anticipating bosses priorities...add a few notes of things for the presenters to say...

Email staff and remind them about meeting.

Show boss the finished powerpoint presentations when he gets out of his meeting (yes, it is an hour past your normal time to go home, but his meeting went unexpectedly over)..

Take last minute edits to the presentation home to work on and get to boss before bedtime...yes, working on the finished product is slower at home, but the fam is waiting for dinner...

Finish presentation by bedtime and email to boss...uh oh, it takes WAY longer than could ever have been expected to transmit..stay up until the message has been fully transmitted.get to bed over an hour later than expected...set alarm clock and wake up many time during the night worrying that you have not set the alarm properly...or that you have forgotten something...

On the way to work the next morning, determine that assistant may not have bought enough food and stop at 6:30am (thank goodness for 24 hr stores) and buy a few more containers of goodies...

Get to work and start coffee...then make another pot... set out food, print agendas and make sure all presenters are versed in what needs to be discussed...

Answer staff questions...and make sure boss remembers to discuss key items...

print copies of all last minute information to be distributed to staff...

set up phone for conference calls...make sure all have dialed in successfully...

remind boss that his team is there to greet staff...locate his staff and remind them to greet staff...

wipe sweat from brow and colapse into chair while the meeting runs flawlessly...boy can the boss run a meeting!!!

...congratulate boss on such a great meeting...start clean up...and make a mental note that the extra food was a good idea - since there are very few leftovers...be grateful these meetings are only once per quarter...

When the day is over...head home and colapse again...ready for a good nights rest...

Oh they both fought it...sleep is the perceived ultimate enemy when you are 4 and when you are 7 months...You might miss out on something afterall. GD rubbed her little red eyes, but darned gramma kept humming away and rocking in the chair...and finally, sleep won out...right there on grammas chest...so we napped for almost an hour...then mommy came and took GD home...and GS (age 4) crawled into the empty lap, REFUSING to consider a nap...but darn-it...gramma just kept rocking and humming...and for the next 2 1/2 hours, GS napped away.

An afternoon in the rocker with sleeping babies..absolutely priceless. Everything else can wait...for today, I was needed elsewhere...

So much for jumping into the housework this morning while GS was sleeping...at about 6:45am, I hear this little voice "Hi Gramma, the suns out!"...drasted sun!!! (But I forgive it...as it looks like a gorgeous day for hanging the laundry!!)

So, we got up to make waffles and low and behold the milk monsters (aka the hub and DD3) had tanked the milk and we have none...Luckily, I froze the extra waffles from last time GS and I made them--so we popped a couple in the toaster and, while it was not his preference, he was satisfied with the results.

Now we are watching Sponge Bob while gramma wakes up and has some coffee.

My youngest GD (7 months) is coming for a visit today too. Her mom has a nail appt and asked if I could watch her...a real treat since I do not see her as often as the other two grandbabies. She is a very unique baby. Does not smile on demand like most little ones ...she holds her smiles for those truly deserving moments...the rest of the time she is carefully studying and considering. I have never seen a baby quite like her...and she is so beautiful.

Thankfully, DD3 is here and has offered to help with the kids today so mom can catch up on the housework..Im not sure how it happens, but it sure seems like no matter how hard I try, the house takes a nosedive each week and I spend way too much time getting back to livable on the weekends. I truly envy those of you who are organized and can do it all (probably with less effort and time than us unorganized folks).

I am very pleasantly pleased with our budget and savings/spending plan. It seems to be working!!

That was one expensive uh-oh. A while back my LCD screen on my laptop was damaged and slowly, the black blob that followed took over the screen...each day, a new blob shape...not unlike ink blots you would find in a shrinks office...each day, I would cringe as I noticed, first a guppy and finally a whale of a blob taking over the screen...first I lost the abilitiy to see the date in the lower right corner, and then the ability to scroll, and then over half the screen took on a life of its own....so I took it to the repair shop where it currently is--until the $400 in repairs is done.

So, I have been bringing my work puter home and at least can stay connected...but I am looking forward to have my own pc back.

I have been putting in lots of hours...and finally today, had an opportunity to come home early...and as often is the case when the kids get wind mom is home, I am babysitting. GS will be here to spend the night and will be here all day tomorrow (I see waffles in our future!) I will be very tired tomorrow night...Sunday, is the day to relax.

My moms tests are all done...the most serious remain undiagnosed...suspicious, but because of her age and health the doctors want to "wait and see"...so six months to know for sure. At least we didnt get definate BAD news.

I am looking forward to catching up to all of your blogs now...cant wait to hear how everyone is doing!

I did something completely out of character today...I slept until 10:30am. wow. What a wonderful feeling to wake up when your body says OK, youve had enough sleep...and then have that wonderful feeling that you really have had enough sleep!!

Yesterday, I hit the dollar tree and found a ton of stuff for the hubs b-day this summer. We are having a luau and they had a huge supply of things that I can use to decorate, all the plates and glasses, etc. I was really happy with everything. I spent $42 --and would have spent at least 2-3 times that if I hadnt found these things at a dollar store!

Last night the hub and I got to go to another company sponsored event. While our tickets were paid for, it ended up being a $206 night. The event was a fund raiser for the kids club here. Included was a silent auction...and the hub was the winning bidder on what turned out to be a wonderful basket of goodies. Two childrens fishing poles, a big bundle of camping and fishing supplies, flashlights, glow sticks, bait, tackle, two kids chairs, a gift cert for $20 for whatever we didnt get in the stash (although I doubt there was anything we didnt get) and 2 night stay in a Yurt at one of the county campgounds...I know the grandbabies will LOVE using this stuff...and I see memory making in the future!! Best of all, the money went to a great cause.

Today was GS's 4th birthday. We woke up to snow everywhere...um, this is April??? but it melted off by noon.

We went to a fun center and then to a pizza parlor..A wonderful afternoon with all the family.

Tonight I am getting everything ready to go back to work tomorrow. What a fantasic weekend this was!!!

Tomorrow is Nana's 71st birthday. I have already made plans to take her to a nice little Italian rest. for Chicken Picatta (our fav). This will be her first bday without my dad since she was 18...boy- I am sure it will be a tough one for her.
I will be doing whatever I can to make this a special day...this weekend is also GS's 4th (on Sunday) and a fun job sponsored night our for the hub and I Sat night...

DD3 (16) had decided she does not like me anymore because I enforce the rules and boudaries...boy, I had almost forgot how much fun the last few years in high school could be...ugh. I suspect DD3 is trying some things that I dont want her trying...it is a tough job to raise a teen in these days...much more of a challenge than even 6 years ago when I was trying to get her brother and sis graduated. and I am now much older... (ugh again)

Work...well, I love my job, I am getting a new, really cute, newly built office in the next two months...and I have a great boss. I think considering all things, work is my sanity right now.

This has been a killer week. Because of evening meetings, I put 13 hour days in both yesterday and today...no OT because I am salary- but it washes on days that I have to leave early and get paid for a full day anyway. I am pooped.

I sent our taxes in yesterday. We paid (a lot) but it is because of the kids business (long story) and eventually I will be paid back...but it still hurt to write checks for over $7k (wrong or right, I took it from my IRA---but the kids know this + penalties has to be paid back down the road)...ugh. There's just something about mailing in a check at tax time that makes you question all the frivulous spending our govt does. I dont mind paying for things like schools, libraries, etc...but it irritates me big time for all those expenses that make no sense...(like $1200 rebates to stimulate the economy??? huh???)

My newly revised budget is working!! I have refueled the yearly escrow and emergency fund accounts and have started saving for DC. We even have a small long term saving account started!!

My mom has had two of her tests done so we should know some of the results early next week.

I hope life is good in your lives!

Thank you friends for all of your support regarding my mom. We are taking things one day at a time and I will post as we learn the results...

Now about my mind lately...I truly feel like the "before" picture lately...or the poster child for what you dont want to do.

I finally took care of the Netflix issue..NO, I did not mail the movie back because it somehow got misplaced after I delegated the mailing to DD1...so, after procrastinating 5 months and then just paying for the darn movie, I figure I spent $60 dollars..the ironic part...I NEVER WATCHED THE MOVIE. ugh.

Oh well, I can check that off the list now.

Today, I took my books back to the library...unfortunately, there were a few I could not renew online as they had been reserved by others...I should have returned them before vacation, but got busy and completely forgot...so over $10 in late fees today...and again, ironically...for BOOKS I DIDNT FINISH READING! ugh again...

again...at least I am not on the most wanted list at the library anymore.

I think the biggest irony is that I often counsel others on budgets and finance...and have helped several friends and family get on track....and then I do really dumb stuff like this.

Aich...I need to walk my own talk...I need to practice what I preach...I need to do as I say instead of as I do....

50 lashes with a wet dollar bill--and a commitment to do better now that I have a fairly clean slate.

geesh

My mom is facing diagnosis on 4 serious health issues this week. I won't go into details but three of them are very serious. (breast and skin cancer, and another blockage to her heart) She learned about 2 of them the day we left on vacation(the doc called as we were walking out the door to the airport...and scheduled the second exams to confirm his suspicions) Symptoms started on the other two while we were gone. All I can do is be there for her and try to keep her spirits up. We should know by next week just what she is up against. Today was a bad day for her..she is missing my dad and is very scared.

I feel like I just climbed back on a very dark rollercoaster without a seatbelt. I can only imagine how she is feeling.

I am at a loss of what to do except be there when she wants to talk and try to keep her from worrying. (um, yeah)

Sigh.

Can't think of anything financial that is even registering tonight...

I talked briefly tonight to the hub about saving for our DC trip next February. I have blogged a little about being invited to attend a conference there for my job.

We will have a week there, all expenses paid...but I will be at the conference each day--which won't leave much time for all the things we want to do. So we are planning to take an extra week and see some sites in DC and surrounding areas...but I have also always wanted to visit NYC. So, we need to budget this in so that we save an ample amount oof money. Problem is, I have no idea how much we should save- and the best way to plan our extra week. Any suggestions?

I am excited to make these plans now so that we are sure to have enough money saved to get to see everything.

Dinner was wonderful, CATS was phenomenal...the costumes, the music, the dancing!! What a fun "free to the hub and me" night!

I am on the final day of my vacation today. I feel rested and I am ready to go back to work.

Today will be a spend day- we are needing a good grocery shop to restock and prepare for the busy schedules.

I am planning to spend the day today decluttering and doing laundry. I love having a whole day ahead of me with the sun out- and no place to go. Just enjoy doing what I enjoy doing.

I hope you all have a good one!

I recently left the country life for the big city to attend a wedding. I stayed with a dear friend who I've been buddies with since we were 12.

I moved to the country, she stayed in the city---and I can't help but compare lives when we get together. Not to determine who is better off, but just to compare the CHOICES in our lives.

I have to say, CHOICES have the potential for more spending.

For instance, I live about 25 minutes from town...something that discourages last minute meals out--My friend lives in town and there are restaurants on every corner to temp and entice. Where we have a dozen choices...she has hundreds...

CLOTHES--I definately think Princess Perky is on to something when she blogs that they have fewer clothes so that the propensity is not there to have laundry overload on the weekends... Our stores definately get the leftovers from the big cities...we do not have the amazing variety-- but with variety, again, comes the urge to own.

My friend's homeowners assn bans things like washing your car in your driveway, garage sales, and hanging your laundry on an outside line...My husband uses one of our two acres as a log deck and wood processing business. :O

Our entertainment...well, we have two theaters, a miniature golf course, a couple of wonderful live theater venues and an expo for home shows and rodeo's...and then we have lakes, rivers, mountains and an endless supply of wildflowers...My goodness, my friend has dozens of theaters, Disneyland, Knotts, museums, zoos, almost every inch of land is put to some kind of use...and on and on...

We both have nice wineries...the difference is that the city wineries are at the end of a long traffic jam and are very popular and crowded--here, unless it is a special occasion, there are usually just a handful of folks to converse with and you take a two lane country road to get to them.

And talk about fast food and coffee shops...whoa boy...I am certain that my friend could try a new place everyday for a full year and not have the same thing twice!!

Please don't think I am saying one is better than the other...I am not. I am only observing that living in the country means fewer choices- which leads to less temptation--I applaud those of you who blog about frugality from big cities...you are clearly more disciplined than I could be with all those wonderful, expensive CHOICES.

I had a wonderful time on vacation!! All of our flights were on time- our hotel that we stayed in the first and last nights whie we were in vegas, while very inexpensive ($39.99 per night) was nice (I've stayed in nicer, but also paid a lot more than that.)

Going to Vegas first and then driving to SO calif saved us money and allowed everyone to go where they wanted/needed to go (each of us had different So. CA destinations)

The wedding was beautiful. The bride has been deaf her whole life and has dreamed of her wedding for years...she wrote her vows when she was 16 (she is now 23). She wanted to give her husband something special, so she learned how to play a song on the piano and played it during the ceremony. It mattered not that it was off key in spots and that she lost her place in others...it was the most lovely song Ive ever heard--as it came from her heart.

DD1 took the pics and got some beautiful shots..

My friend and I went wine tasting, to the ocean, shopping, got in lots of girl talk, and I came home with a few bucks still in the wallet...so all in all, a great time!

I have enjoyed the time away- but there really is no place like home!! Today I babysat GS and GD and Im worn out! Tonight and tomorrow I can rest some- tomorrow night I get to go out to dinner and to CATS (a gift from my boss)...and Monday is back to work!

Vacations are way too few and far between arent they?? My next is a 4 day weekend in June....(Im already eager for it!!)

I am leaving on vacation for tomorrow afternoon and will be gone until the night of the 10th. I will be missing all of my blogging buds and will keep good thoughts for each of you!!

I was having a little bit of BA's blahs today. Many reasons, none of them good.

How many of you have some sort of life list?? Things NOT money related that you want to accomplish...

I would be very interested in hearing others life goals.

I think I spend so much time working and caring for others that I lose site of what I want...as in "do I even have any idea of what I want looks or feels like??"

Sometimes I feel like I get lost in the needs of everything around me and I honestly have no idea what I would ask for if I had a magic wand...is that something to worry about??? or am I just so darn satisfied that there is nothing I want??

I dunno...I just think everyone should have some sort of wish list....but I do not. Perhaps its time to start one...

Oh, vacation...take me away!

hugs to you all!~!!

The final results are disturbing. A couple, aged 28 & 29 decided to burglarize a home, stealing saddles and other items and immediately sold them over the internet. To cover their crime, they posted a hoax ad on Craigslist saying that the owner of a home had left the area quickly and was posting his stuff free for the taking on Craigslist. Lots of folks showed up and were taking what they wanted when the owner came home and discoved all these stranger going through his stuff.

The perps have been arrested...but the owner is out several thousands of dollars worth of stuff because of the crime. Unreal.

I am getting ready to go on vacation...I cant even begin to describe how much pressure there is when you are responsible for a CEO and are leaving for 10 days....To make it worse, he is gone this week and so I am communicating via email with him to finalize everything. My saving grace is that I have an AWESOME employee who will take over for me..but I want to make sure that she is prepared for anything that will come up with...in any case I am READY for this break. We fly out on Thursday...and I fully plan to RELAX for at least two hours...(just kidding)...I fully plan on totally relaxing while I am gone so that I am ready to tackle everything that is waiting when I get back.

Oh well, that's aworry for a different day..tonight is all about making a good packing list....just incase I make it through the next couple of days with the sanity intact..

Well, this is blog #600 for me! Have I really had 600 different things to blog about???? Seems incredible. I will dedicate # 600 to Jeffrey and Nate.

Jeffrey and Nate, if you are reading this, I want to THANK YOU- from the bottom of my heart for giving us a site that we can come to and share experiences (good, bad, savings related or not) and know we are among friends. I know that Saving Advice was once just a thought...and you guys took that thought and turned it into a reality...(did you have any idea of the success you would realize with that thought?)

I often wonder if you are proud of your site...if you know all of us like we know each other...if you ever learn something new...of if you are ever truly amazed by an entry...or surprised???

I am sure it is a combination of at least a little of all of the above.

I just want you to know that I am grateful to you for making this site available for all of us to learn, share, challenge, and enjoy. I do not know if you will ever fully know the impact you have had on our lives. Hugs to you both!!!


And now, on with my original post...

....ok you know its a major transition on your head when even the IS guys notice the new "do"...lol. Sassy was my new nickname at work today...followed closely by :wow, what happened to your eye!" argh.

Now, can I share a little excitement with you guys???

As part of my job, I arrange hotels, flights, reservations, etc...and I recently purchased CATS tickets to our local theatre for my CEO who wanted to surprise his team with Dinner and a show..I booked dinner this weekend at a great little Japanese restaurant that specializes in Chop/chop show style cooking...

This morning my boss let me know that he included me and a guest in those tickets I bought and dinner reservations I made!!! How cool is that??? One of the many perks I've enjoyed since re-entering the job. So, when I get back from my vacation, I get to go on a spectacular night out!!! I have no idea about CATS except that Ive seen commercials on the East COast channels that we get here.

Several of our senior leaders have been challenged to open ING accounts and to check out the opening process...(huh? they dont have one???) So tonight, I sent them all referrals in the hopes that they will use my link and I will earn some referral money!!!

Tonight we pulled some steaks out of the freezer and the hub bbq-d dinner before I got home...so a cheap, but yummy meal.

If I overlook DD3s teenage (& p'd off)attitude this morning and the major hub blowup from GD once again destroying the house before we got home while mommy was busy in the office, I would consider this a great day!!

Afterall, how many grammas get the title of SASSY after one haircut??? lol

ps...Jeffrey and Nate, please don't sell us to the loan sharks tomorrow... teehee

I joined a local winery's wine club last year. I am committed to purchasing a "shipment" every three months (under $40 for two nice bottles of wine)...and in return, I have a discount on their wines, am invited to some spectacular events- which are free...and I can take up to 6 friends wine tasting any time I want, for free. I enjoy wine tasing, so this seemed like a great deal...and I have not been disappointed.

So, today I needed to get by and pick up my shipment and asked my mom (71)if she would like to go with and do some afternoon tasting.

We went about 1pm...and we were the only tasters there. Of course the gal behind the counter took one look at me and said "Oh boy, what happened to that eye"...argh.

We sat at the little counter and proceeded to have a few samples while visiting with the gal working there. Then, these two other ladies came in and the 5 of us began chatting about our roots...all 5 of us were from Southern California. (not uncommon here in Oregon)...pretty soon a man came in and he was just passing through on his way back home...to California...lol. My mom actually became the life of the party, telling some great stories...reminiscing...and even got to talk about my dad. Any of you who have ever lost someone you love dearly know how wonderful it feels to say their name out loud and talk about the good ol days...

We noticed that it was starting to snow outside...and we all enjoyed the fact that the sun was out AND it was snowing!

A couple came in then, by now my mom and I had been there about and hour and a half..the young couple was there to check on wedding locations...so I mentioned that my SIL and DD1 do DJ and photography...and they took their numbers.

Nana and I decided to head home and everyone told my mom how much they enjoyed getting to know her. On the way home, my mom was glowing...and mentioned that she might consider getting out a little more...she said she'd forgotten how nice it was to socialize.

Wine tasting = FREE
Nana being the center of attention for a whole afternoon while she told tales about my dad....absolutely ....well= need I say more?

Gads. Call it Murhpy's law. You get a great new "do"...and are all excited about getting up and fixing it all special only to look in the mirror and see a GROTESQUELY RED EYE. Ugh. Not sure how or why, but a blood vessel has let me down and turned my eye a yucky bright red. My first day of trying "vanity" on for size and now this...(of course, it's instant karma for wanting to enjoy vanity for day...lol.)

Oh well. I guess thats why they made sunglasses...lol so watch me do my laundry on a dreary cloudy day...in my dollar store sunglasses with my lovely new do...lol.

I have to admit, I was a little nervous about the reactions from my SA friends about my extravagance yesterday...and could not have been more surpised ( and pleasantly) at the support you gave me and how many of you said I was "worth it".

As a mom, wife and frugal wanna-be, it is hard to justify things that are just for ME. Thanks for helping me understand that many of you splurge on yourselves and that it is important to do that (once in a while anyway)

Today is laundry, housework and getting ready for the next work-week...but first a morning cup of coffee and visit to this site!!

I hope you all have a good one!


ps...it just occured to me that this thing will take 10-14 days to go away...and I will be on my vacation for most of that.....ARGH. My sunglasses will be a very familiar site!!!

I was very UNfrugal today. I honestly didn't leave the house thinking..."ok, Im going to spend an outrageous amount of money on my hair"...(which is something I never do...until today)

My weekend "look" has definately been the "grandma who is a little hefty with dark roots having a bad hair day".

So, I walked into the JC Penney salon and asked for a hair-cut (no I don't need it styled, thanks)....

And then I sat down in front of the mirror and was looking at the frumpiest, tired person Id seen in a long time...there was no spark in those eyes guys.

So "Becky" walks up...she was about my age...a little heavier than me..which I mention ONLY because... SHE LOOKED GREAT. She asked me what kind of cut I would like and I looked at her and said...I want to walk out of here feeling as good as you look.

...and Becky looked at me like I was crazy. And I don't blame her one bit.

So we talked through cuts, my roots, my timeline for getting ready in the morning, etc...and I looked around the room and saw a room full of women who were smiling, chatting, foil in their hair...and thought - what the heck.

So I asked for the works...a cut, color, highlights, even an eyebrow wax..(ouch)...
Guys, it took over 3 hours!

Becky took her time and purposely kept me from looking in the mirror...at one point I told her it felt like there was a SURPRISE PARTY happening on my head...lol.

And then, the moment of truth, Becky asked me if I was ready...and I closed my eyes...but first a few people (customers and stylists) said, you are going to be happy....

And she swung me around...

I honestly didn't recognize the person looking back right away...

She looked happy, at least 10 years younger, definately not old enough to be a gramma...and FRUMPY was no where in sight....FRUMPY had left the building....

I'm not sure if there is room for treats like this in a truly frugal budget...sometimes I think I will never make that leap from a wanna-be to truly frugal like some of you...

But I am so excited about looking my age again...I can't tell you...

It was a major extravagance...even for a wanna be- but I am not sorry I did it.

and I don't anticipate buyers remorse, as I will be able to smile when Ilook in the mirror each morning!!!

Oh guys, I am ashamed of the content of this post..but if I don't own it, I will never change.

I literally threw away $250 this month...no wait...$265...$274....

Ok, $274 forever lost and it is all because Ive been disorganized and not paying attention like I need to. And it makes me FRUSTRATED!!

The $250 is the pre-paid medical that I paid in 2007. I thought I had until March 30 to turn in claims and get reimbursed...but alas, it was only til the 15th and there is no wiggle room. Just like THAT $250 is gone. I, again, got a debit of 8.95 from Netflix because I have misplaced the little sleeve thing to mail back a movie...and $14.95 to Napster because I foolishly allowed DD3 to use my card to set up an account and now we are having trouble getting th account closed. CLASSIC examples of the cost of disorganization...

VERY EXPENSIVE "oops" stuff...and I am really, really kicking myself. bleh. phooey.

poop

I am resolving Netflix and Napster this weekend. The other, well, I am going to make certain my prepaid medical is put to good use well before the end of 2008.

You are all welcome to witness the public flogging if I do not take care of these as promised!

First of all, Craigslist coughed up an IP address and the computer/owner who posted the hoax ad have been located. No charges until enough information is retreived from the computer...but I sure hope the perp gets whats coming!! (The owner has still not recouped all of his things)

I dont think Ive mentioned this yet but...

One week from NOW I will be almost touching down in Las Vegas...I am going to my friends son's wedding in So Calif...and the cheapest way to get there was via Las Vegas...darn, I have stay over coming and going...lol. Actually I enjoy Las Vegas, I guess because I am not a gambler so my entertainment is people watching.

This will be my first full week off work for vacation in one year...I have just taken long weekends and time off when my dad died...I am ready for the break.

My mom is going with us (me and DD1)--but we will be dropping her off at one of her dear friends homes....traveling has been out of the question for my mom for so long that she is giddy with excitement...(a good thing since she has been struggling since my dad died). It took a little extra planning to set her up with dialysis while we are there...but I think we have it all set.

DD1 is the wedding photographer...so I will act as her assistant at the wedding.

One week to go...then I am off for some R nR...ahhh....life is good.

This post is dedicated to our blogging buddies who have become MIA...

I don't know about the rest of you, but I get attached to the folks who blog here. I consider you blogging sisters and brothers, or buddies, or friends...whatever you want to call it. I read about your lives and I care about what is happening to you. I appreciate you advise, I celebrate with you, do the happy dance for you, and sometimes even cry with you. GOSHDARNIT...you are like family.

And then...for no good reason, one of my blogging buddies will up and disappear. *poof*...just one day I scratch my head and realize I have not read anything in a while...and then a while longer...and then a while longer.

I am sure this is common in blogging land. I know life happens...but I have a favor to ask.

Could you just post a parting blog to let me (us) know you are taking a break, leaving, wont be back, etc. whatever?

I just want to know you're ok. That's all. I will miss you...but at least I don't have to worry too...

SO...as you read this, please raise your right hand and repeat after me....

I promise to sign off...if I wont be blogging for a while...or ever...so that my blogging buddies can say adios and not worry about me when they realize it's been a while...

That's all. And if you are still checking in and reading, but not blogging...and you see yourself in this post...consider this your get out of jail free card....complete amnesty just for letting us know how you are.

Easy enough, dontchathink???

This past weekend an ad was placed on Craigslist that a guy down on his luck had to leave town and all of his belongings were free for the taking, tools, household goods, clothes, everything...It also said that he had to abandon his horse, and if someone could rescue the horse...blah, blah...

So, someone showed up and rescued the horse and alot of other people showed up to get some free stuff...

But the owner showed up--and he DID NOT place the ad. Someone had placed it as a hoax. Can you imagine coming home and having people rifling through your things and carting them off?? And having your horse missing?

So the owner gets very angry and tells the free-seekers to return his things and THEY START ARGUING with him that they are just responding to an ad. OMG!

The police were called and now they are trying to get people who had already came and left before the owner got home, to return his stuff. Luckily, the horse rescuer was a very honest, kind person who called immediately and returned the horse...but can you imagine???

There is a thread on this article and some of the free-seekers are angry that they 1. have to return their freebies and 2. they can't return it at their leisure otherwise they will be charged with theft.

Um...ok.

This is wrong on so many levels. The system is broke if someone can easily place a hoax ad that causes such emotional distress and financial damage. Why would so many people just assume it is ok to and show up and start taking...without confirming the facts...
And the arguing and resentment over not getting to keep the free stuff is beyond my comprehension.

The proper folks are investigating and hopefully someone will be prosecuted...but wow.

There have since been reports that this has happend to others in other states...boy. Logic clearly defied.

I have to wonder how many deviled eggs found their way into todays lunch bags...

I mentioned doing some community service on Saturday. Well, when we were getting ready to leave, the coordinater pointed to a huge box and said, please help yourselves to as many of those goodies in the box. We are trying to get rid of them.

So, I looked in and there were dozens of these beautiful red tin containers that would make great Christmas decorations or containers for gift "baskets"...there were also some large boxes decorated with fruit (These were from Harry and David stores- very good heavy quality.) So I took several and now have some great containers for future gifts...I cant wait to spend some time turning them into something. I love freebies!!

I certainly hadn't expected anything for our work- and it was a nice surprise!!

I had such a horrible headache this morning..it has been lingering for days-- so I took a nap and really had to do an inner debate about going to the Easter gathering at DILs moms this afternoon.

Decided to go and here are just a few of the reasons I am so glad I did...

Deep fried turkey...unless you have had it, there are no words to describe how yummy this is.

Visit with the inlaws that I only see on Holidays like this...luckily, they are all very good people and my kids have done a great job of chosing mates/families that blend well..

Having all of my kids together for the afternoon. such a joy to see them all together, enjoying each others company..

the grandbabies...I rocked GD 2 (6 months) to sleep..no feeling quite like it..watched GS 3- and GD-2 hunt eggs..they had a blast with all the other kids.

But the number ONE blessing was having the entire family together and know that they are all happy, healthy and enjoying their lives.

I did spend $60...I gave DILs mom money towards the 2 turkeys, 2 hams and all the trimmings today...She is a gem and loves making the arrangements for these get togethers...It was well worth the $60 to help with the costs..Money well spent for a gorgeous afternoon.

Happy Easter Everyone!

I have prepared a basket of Easter Eggs this morning especially for my SA friends.

Let's open the eggs together:

In the BLUE egg, I have placed a wish for GOOD HEALTH. May you enjoy the peace and comfort that Good Health brings.

In the YELLOW egg, I have placed a wish for SUNSHINE and warmth in your lives.

In the PINK egg, I have placed a wish for HOPE. May you always keep the joy of hope in your heart.

In the GREEN egg, I have placed a wish for healthy financial decisions so that you can reach your goals in your journey of life.

In the SPECKLED egg I've placed a wish for a variety of wonderful surprises to keep your lives intersting and to keep you excited about what the future will bring.

In the GOLDEN egg, I placed a wish for LOVE. May you never doubt that you are special to someone who is special to you.

Have truly blessed day!! Hugs.