Gramma Ray's Blog

DH and I went to what used to be one of our favorite little places to eat this weekend for lunch.

It is a fun little grill joint that you throw the peanut shells on the floor...

We hadn't been there in months...so we were looking forward to the treat.

By coincidence, we both ordered the same thing,down to the drinks (iced tea).(Married a long time perhaps?)

About halfway through the meal, DH said- you know, I am so used to us cooking at home, this doesn't even taste as good as what we do. And I had to agree.

Lunch was $25- and half of each went home to the dogs.

Needless to say, I stocked up on stuff to cook at home...(hense the huge grocery bill) But we are well stocked and I can truthfully say that we will be back in the groove of eating from home...not just for the money saved, but also because we enjoy it more.

Funny thing, there was a day, that thought would have never crossed my mind!! (ME cook? NEVER!!)

You have to spend money to make money.
You have to spend money to make money.
You have to.....

I am using this mantra so I don't shift into panic mode over the money we are spending lately.

The wood business is all about spending right now. New chainsaw, new trailer, gas to get to the sites, money to pay the guys who are helping, new work jeans and shirts for DH, etc. My stack of deductible receipts is GROWING quickly...but so is the debt.

Time for a reality check. I have to look at our finances this morning and figure out how to pay off as much as possible (Challenge account may have to start from scratch)...

Come August/September, when we start deliveries- the situation will turn around...but I am having some major anxiety over all the spending...not to mention the meal or two out that went on the CC to be paid off with future earnings...

This weekend just felt like the old spending habits had snuck back in...we went over grocery budget by almost $100- We did some stocking, but still....

Major setback...stumble...oops...I dont even know what to call my not so frugal choices and decisions the past few days...

50 lashes and a good dose of reality today...and I should be back on track...we shall see.

I have a few heroes here on this site, who have made such a difference through advice, kind words, friendship, etc. I am sure you know who you are

This entry I am dedicating to FLASH.

I recently weeded through a post that she wrote about all of the offers that were available...it took quite a while to go through them all, so i can only imagine how long it took her to put the list together.

Anyways, I replied with a few of the offers that would be on my wish list...and here just a few days later I receive a stack of great deals from her!!

Flash is a busy lady. She writes articles, researches ideas, contacts manufacturers, etc...then she routinely does her *Amazing Shopping Trips* and shares her secrets with us...

Ok, so somewhere in there, she also takes care of a home and family...and I hope squeezes in a little time for herself now and then.

Flash, thank you SO MUCH for making time to send lil' ol' ME this envelope full of goodies...I will use and appreciate them all!

You truly made my day!

Boy, did I just get a scolding from a very unhappy DS....he was scheduled for a 'yellowjacket' job...but it ended up being a 'hornet' job instead.

OK...so hornets, when treated, get very aggressive and mean...hornets should NOT be treated mid-day (which it is) and hornets nests tend to be HUGE compared to their less aggressive cousins...

Mental note... ALWAYS make sure I am differentiating the two when scheduling these appointments...even if the customer says 'yellowjacket'!

At least DS did NOT get attacked or stung...otherwise, Id probably be writing this from the unemployment line .

I am a bit nervous about my electricity bill this month.

After running my AC ALOT, the bill was only $.27 more than last month, when I barely ran the AC, if I did at all....poor memory, Ive slept since then...But this month, we ran it alot- being as the business is here in the house and DH sleeps during the day, we have to run it almost 24/7 when it is really hot out.

So, ive been pondering how on Earth the bill was so close to last month...

I have heard that sometimes the guys who check the meter skip a month of reading and just guesstimate...perhaps?

But I am hoping, that the fact that I have dried ZERO clothes in the dryer for the past few weeks is more the cause.I have been diligent about hanging our clothes.

Im not sure how else to explain it.

This week is much cooler...and so the AC is off for now....but Im not sure what to expect on next months bill...and I am not like Ima Saver, I do not know what those little dials mean out there...I just know that somedays they turn alot faster than others!!

I guess for now, i will be happy with the still reasonable bill...and hope that it doesnt catch up to me in August!

My business partners and I (otherwise known as mom and the kids) have been talking about business finances for the winter and have pretty much agreed that the business wont pay employee salaries once we slow down in October...which means that we need to come up with our own income for 4-5 months.

Hmmm...does this mean a part time job for me? I am not sure yet. I know DH and I will have some additional income from the wood business...and hopefully, Anna (my lab) will be having a litter of puppies before the year is done.

One of the issues with me getting a part time job is that I would still need to be home during the day to answer the business phones. We dont get many calls each day, but we still need to answer those that we do.

Which means an evening and/or weekend job. or perhaps DD1 and I can rotate.

I have always worked in banking...never tried anything else. But I would prefer trying something new if I were to venture out part time.

Of course, I will look at the budget and see what we can scale back on first.

I am struggling with this and here is why...DH has been so gracious about me working from home...and I emphasize WORKING because I have been bringing in a weekly paycheck, even if it is a fraction of what I used to make...but I am really not comfortable not bringing in ANY income, when I am capable of doing so.

Hmmm...i guess I have some thinking to do.

Ideas?

It is supposed to get to the 70s here today...yesss!!! I so enjoy cooler weather anymore.

I am anticipating another no-spender here again today. At least for me.

I need to take another business deposit into the bank and we have to buy a black ink cartridge for the work printer. But as for me, there not anything we need today!

Just planning on enjoying the weather!

I had a no spend day today. I worked with DD1 in the office, took the business deposit to the bank and checked out a couple of library books.

The mail today contained a John Frieda hair shampoo, condition, style sample and $1 coupon. I also received 3 movies from Blockbuster as I am taking advantage of a one month free trial. I watched one movie tonight and will watch one more before the mail runs tomorrow...then those two are on their way back so I can get two more before the weekend. I hope between the one month trial and all the weekly freebies in store, we will see pretty much everything we've wanted to see.

Tomorrow I need to cancel Complete Home and Insider club. My month trial is up this week!

I am still working on the 2 big bags for Goodwill and weeding through all the piles for the dump.

Have not made time for crafts (yet)!! But that is definately on the to do list.

And that's it for today!

After coupons:

Spray N Wash- .87 cents
Glass Plus... .85 cents
4 LARGE bottles of Pantene conditioner (normally 6.99 marked down to $1.48 with $1 off on two...only .98 cents each!!)

and best of all...Nice n Easy on clearance for $1.37...$2 coupon so they GAVE ME .63 cents back in cash!!! Plus, the box had a FREE SAMPLE of Pantene shampoo attched to it!

Continue to stock up on free or almost free!!

Love these deals!!!

DH, who stayed up unitl 2am playing his game will sleep until later today.

We have been invited to DILs moms house for a party this afternoon. All of my family will be there...as will lots of other people.

They have a built in pool and a 'pool' house large enough to host a big party. (It has a full kitchen, bathroom and activity room with a pool table) Nice, nice place.

I have been asked to bring a big green salad..so I am going to town shortly to pick up the makings.

I also noticed at Target yesterday, they had Nice n Easy hair color on clearance for $3.38...and I have a coupon for $5 off two and $2 off one...so I will pick up 3 boxes while Im out.

I have two goals this week:
1. organize all of my coupons and rebates by Friday.
2. Find enough stuff to fill two big bags for Goodwill and deliver the bags by Friday.

I have been working on both each day.

I requested the Complete Tightwad Gazette again (library)and plan to reread it over the next couple of months.We can renew book for up to 9 weeks here so long as no one else reserves them...so I will keep it as long as possible.

Happy 4th to you all!

DD1 and I went in search of khaki pants today. She has gotten a part time job and will need them to work there.

While we were at JC Penneys we ran into a lot of 60% off sales.

We found some great make-up kits (what girl doesnt enjoy those?) for Christmas gifts...$12 each for the nice big ones...so I got 4 (1 for each DD1, DD2, DD3 and DIL) then I got some of the smaller $5 ones for DD3s Christmas gifts for friends...so I will stick those away.

They also had some great smelling Itailian bath and shower soap...normally $27.50 per bottle on sale for $4.50 each...so I nabbed two of those for a couple of friends Christmas gifts...and I will knit them each a yummy washrag to go with....I have been collecting little baskets that the gifts can go into. ...and I can adorn the baskets with the big box ($2.50) Christmas decorations that I scored at the garage sale a couple of weekends ago.

Please excuse the interruption...From the Living room at Rays house: Effin piece of S*&T game, Im gonna throw the effin friggin.....etc, etc...DH is having fun? I dont know, Im just staying in here outa the way....lol I love X-box....NOT

Any way, back to Christmas....I am happy to say that I have a few more gifts tucked away!!!

Yes we have one. We bought it about 4-5 years ago when all the kids were still at home...and now they are mostly all grown and on their own...but we still have 'the box'.

DD3 doesnt care for it...

But DH is an addict. And he loves anything WAR...so the past two days have been an X-box frenzy for some reason...over *gulp* $65 on two games...

This has so killed the budget. But DH is in X-box heaven...and it is something to keep him relaxed (and outa my hair maybe?) for a few hours...otherwise he would be out getting wood or cutting wood...and he needs to take some down time.

But I have to say...it is a little odd at my age to have a DH addicted to something like this. I guess there are much worse things...

I found a place that we can trade or sell his old games to...they normally run about $50 a pop, and we will probably get $5-10 credit each.

...I bet he has 20+ of the darn things...if I multiply that $50 per, by X% in lost retirement savings and compound it over 20-30 years....oh, I dont even want to go there...

ugh.

One of my favorite children's book is The Napping House by Audrey Wood.


The story is about a little boy who is napping at grandmas house and he, grandma, the dog, the cat, a mouse are all napping on grandmas bed when a flea comes along and wakes them all up!! the pictures are fun...it is just a great book.

This afternoon, I have a napping house...Papa Rick is napping, Colton (GS, age 2) is napping, Grace is napping....and all is quiet. and as far as I know, there are no fleas coming along anytime soon.

Last nights entertainment:

Cheap...free...

Left overs for dinner
Gone with the Wind on TV...
listened to my $.50 garage sale CD that I got last week "December" by George Winston-piano music, lovely.
Surfed the net...read some of my fav sites...
and finally, up to the nice air conditioned bedroom to read one of my library books...

Enjoyed it immenseley...and it was all pretty much free or very cheap.

I certainly have made a shift the last year.

Once upon a time, I would have went SHOPPING with that time...as that was my natural habit...I would go in search of 'IT'...that 'little something' that would make me feel that all my hard work was worthwhile.

Of course, 'IT' was not in any store..but I found lots and lots of things that I thought were 'it'...and now my house is cluttered with them.

"It" was always just being content with who I am and what I have. "It' is quiet time to read a good book, watch a great movie, spend time with the people I love- or time alone. For me, "IT' is living a less stressful life so that I can enjoy all the natural, "ITs" that exist around me.

Have you found your 'IT'?

Oh boy.

I went garage selling with nana and papa today.

Sounds innocent enough...like a nice leisurely kinda way to spend a Saturday morning....right?

But they wanted to take their car...and papa wanted to drive. They have a PT cruiser...cool little car if you are driving or in the front co-pilot seat...but in the back, it is near impossible to see anything up ahead because of the way the car is designed...

So, off we go. I gave papa strict instuctions to keep the air on (nana, gets chilled easily, even on these super hot days...but c'mon, the air has to flow past to get to the poor pssengers in the back...ie, me!)

So, air on and we are off...but neither nana nor papa can see the garage sale signs unless we are either 1. stopped- which is no good on a busy street, or 2. Right on top of the sign forcing a turn at the last second, and often over a couple lanes of traffic to head the right direction...and I am telling you this from experience...

Egads.... we had folks honking, people passing us with that look- you know the "what r u stupid or something!" look...papa was stoping on major hwys to read the signs...he sat through a green light trying to determine which way an arrow was pointing...

sigh...Papa, should I drive? No, no, Im fine...

And nana, bless her heart, spotted a PENNY lying in the street while walking to one of the sales and stopped to pick it up...ok, exept this was a busy street and there was a car coming pretty fast....

We wrapped up the shopping pretty early. My parents are thinking Im am a wuss for not having more stamina than I did...lol...(its got nothing to do with stamina, but much to do with SANITY)

and then Papa insisted on buying the girls lunch...so we stopped at a little burger joint and had a really nice lunch and then headed for home.

The only bargain I found was one of those rocking gaming chairs that you can use for x-box gaming...My SIL was wanting one and I found an almost new one for $40- new they are almost $100---so I called SIL and he went and picked it up....otherwise, no deals for me today.

Glad to be home...no, make that VERY GALD to be home.

DD1 is working the office today, so I am enjoying a day off!! Typicaly, Fridays are slower for us, but today is pretty busy so far.

Funny~but having our office in my home means just moving to a different desk to be 'off'. DD1 is actually just sitting about 10 ft away from me as she works...but I am 'off' none-the-less and can come and go without worry.

I have to run to town this afternoon to deposit DHs paycheck.

No big plans. Just trying to stay cool.

The clouds have thundered all afternoon and finally opened up and it's raining!!

Is there any smell better in the world than the first 10 minutes of rain on a hot day?? Ok...maybe a freshly bathed baby and puppy breath....but I mean after that????

Glorious, wonderful rain.

No wonder Bing was singin...

I have to brag on my DD1 and DS...I have some preliminary numbers for June for their business....and those kids are finishing up their best month ever!! I thought it would happen next month, but low and behold...it is this month (now they just have to beat that next month!!)

My ear is sore tonight, I was on the darn phone most of the day today...and we sold 7 new customers...two of them, commercial businesses.

I am one proud momma. I know that this business will provide them both with a stable future...They made huge financial sacrifices this first couple of years to get it up and running....I loaned them as much as I could and then some...and we are seeing the fruits of it all...and how sweet that fruit is tasting this afternoon on this new knowledge.

Party dancin here!!!

Oh yeah, oh yeah, they did it, they did it!

The Kiplingers magazine finally came today! (Thanks Retire@50 for the great lead!)

I also received a Walmart Sample- Shower to Shower shimmer effects.

DH got one of those sample pens with his business name and address...he will LOVE that.

And NO BILLS. (Cant complain there!)

The phones are still busy today- this has been a GREAT MONTH for us. We beat June 2005's total by almost 50% ...and if the momentum holds, July will be our biggest month yet!!

The sun is back today and it is getting super hot out there...which means hot in here this afternoon...

At least we have fans and an AC to sit in front of....Poor DS, hes out in the field crawling under homes with all the creepy things and doesnt even have AC in his truck to recoup between jobs...Something we will fix by next summer.

Off to read Kiplingers!

I went shopping yesterday afternoon with DD3 to get some last minute things for her camping trip today. (She is going with a school friend/ family for 10 days)

While at Walmart, I purchased quite a few essentials for near free (2 boxes pantiliners $.84, tums .44,deodorant .64, bandages .50 box.) I also picked up aquafresh and advil pm for rebates.

At Safeway, they were having a sale on pepsi and coke and on a few of the boxes (7up, rootbeer, etc) there was a dollar off this pack coupon... so I bought 3- 12 packs for $4.50!!

I am sure stocking up on things for free or near free! DH wanted to know why all the stuff...and when the cashier was done, he was impressed. OK, impressed might be a slight exaggeration...My DH does not get as enthused as some of the other DHs on this site....but he was glad the cashier was finally done so that he could buy the dog food. lol

It looks like another cloudy, humid day here today.

Still no sign of Goliath....he is probably a she and is off procreating her army as I type...

Have a good one!

Please remember to send your good thoughts to Fern today for her surgery!!!

This is a news flash that I just stumbled across:

FROM 4 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING

* A VERY MOIST AIRMASS IS IN PLACE OVER THE REGION. A DISTURBANCE COMING UP FROM THE SOUTH WILL ALLOW THUNDERSTORMS TO INCREASE IN COVERAGE AND INTENSITY LATER THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING. VERY HEAVY RAIN IS POSSIBLE WITH STORMS WHICH MAY LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING.

The rain dance worked!!!

What does this have to do with money??? Well, me thinks the AC can go off for a little while tonight!!!And if nothing else...it means a little more sanity!!!

The flash flood thing is a little less exciting but that would be in the mountain regions...which is NOT us.

WOO-HOO

Little sucker strategically moved during the night...

But that's ok, I am ready for him...

Wearing shoes all day today, have a broom and a heavy duty fly swatter with me at all times...found a can of raid... and my eyes are always on the lookout. (then again, so is every nerve in my body, hense the reason I keep jumping when the fan blows my hair)...

And I always send Grace into the room before me... (kidding, sort of)

Can you believe NO ONE in my family was willing to find him for me???? Perhaps it was my description of him...or how fast he moves....or perhaps, arachnaphobia is hereditary....

Goliath will not see sunset...HEAR THAT GOLIATH??? I AM RECLAIMING MY SPACE!!!Come out, come out wherever you are...just make sure I can see you (please)

In the meantime, feet safely tucked up...and sitting a good foot back from my desk....*shiver*

At least I am not so focused on the heat today.

Makes perfect since that someone paralyzed by arachnophobia would work for a pest control company doesn't it?

Sure, if you could see my 'office' that I work in, we have all these posters of bugs...and of course the one RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME...is the 8 legged creatures...No wonder I have nightmares...

But that is not the worst part...no...not even close.

You know the addage...that the cobblers family goes barefoot because the cobbler doesnt 'bring his work home'...or however that saying goes...

Well, I have scheduled a bug spray here several times and each time, there was a reason why it couldnt happen...

So today, I am cleaning up and pick a towel up and whoa.....

This thing was at least TWO INCHES in diameter...kinda hairly looking...I think it even had a "MOM" tattoo...and its name must have been Goliath...

and it ran super fast....right under my work desk (hense the reason my feet are currently tucked up high right now)...

I seriously have the woobie-jeebies...just thinking about it...
and we have no appointments for at least a week....*shiver*...

I guess tomorrow I am off to buy raid...Look out Goliath, youve met your match...this is war!

But for tonight...I will tip toe out of the office, so G. doesnt come after me...

I cooked up a batch of boneless/skinless chicken breasts (1.79 lb)a couple of days ago and we have had chicken ceasar salads a couple of times, chicken burritoes a couple of times and tomorrow we will have chicken, potatoes and veggies...all compliments of the microwave since the chicken was ready and waiting in the fridge!!

Today was another scorcher...although it supposedly only got to 99. (umm, I dont think there is alot of difference when it is 95 or above...it is just HOT)
This evening, however, there is a wonderful breeze of about 10 mph.
The rest of the week...low 90s.

Also, another busy day for bug calls. (a good thing!)

I did squeeze a little site perusal today...Funny, I look forward to reading all your posts each day...and really miss it when I dont have time to keep up!!

Not much else is going on, right now life is pretty much: survive the HEAT and answer phones all day.

Stay cool!

Gads.

I think every bug west of the Rockies invaded southern Oregon homes this weekend...which resulted in every homeowner calling us today...which has resulted in our first ever, fully booked out week....Yep, we are booked until a week from Friday!! woo-hoo!!!!

This morning I predicted alot of calls...but I had NO IDEA of the onslaught we were in for...there was about an hour of quiet time around noon...but otherwise, we were ringin off the hooks!!

Doin the happy dance here...for 1. all the business...and 2. the work day is over I aint pickin the phone up not no way, not no how until 8am tomorrow!

Put a fork in me, Im done!!!

Again, is it winter yet?

I just love old sheets...I dont care what color, if there is a small hole, I could care less the thread count...or if the sheet has had a second life as a drop cloth while painting....

Why my fondness for old sheets you might wonder?

Well....I live in a open/ tri-level house...and I spent a good part of my day covering every window and doorway with every old sheet I could find...so my airconditioning is only having to cool about 900 sq ft, instead of 2000. (those sheets really do make a difference..especially if youre not too hung up on making an interior fashion statement. Then again, isnt that sort of an eclectic look or maybe an 'extreme shabby' look...(honestly, I dont care so long as its a little cooler in here! lol)

The house is almost livable having done this...if you consider 80-85 degrees livable...which I do, since before today the house averaged 95+....downstairs...

Is winter almost here???

C'mon my friends, wish harder for a break in this weather!!!

I woke up with a bad sore throat...it is 7:38am and already HOT in my house....egads. And I KNOW the business phones are going to be BUSY today...(bugs would much rather be in an air conditioned home too!!)

We had a great time at the bbq yesterday...although after about 20 minutes, the guys all called it quits on the wood cutting (it was too, too hot) and, instead, opted to drink as much cold beer as possible!!

I met some new people, which I am a borderline phobic about when put in a group of people I do not know....But I pushed myself to keep asking the other ladies about themselves...and eventually we were all enjoying ourselves and talking pretty candidly.

Today I will try to get some housework done, answer those phones and mainly, stay as cool as possible. I am cooking up a big batch of chicken which will be used for some cool salads the next couple of days...(did I say ugh yet)

Have a good one!

Edited to add that I just looked at the forecast...tomorrow we should be in the high 90s and then low 90s the rest of the week...I hope we can feel the difference!!!

Sunday- and 107 to look forward to today (NOT).

DH and I have alread unloaded a truckload of wood (up at 6am to beat the heat)...Well, I helped as much as I could, those logs were heavy and poor DH had to do the lions share. But he appreciated what I was able to do.

This afternoon we are going to a 'working' BBQ. The guys are all bringing chainsaws and cutting up some wood for a friend. Then we will BBQ- I am bringing the bean layer dip thingy. These friends live right on the river...so I am looking forward to it!

DH, who never gets too excited about my shopping trips, seemed pleased with the 'finds' from yesterday. He is eager to use the 'golf clubs' and 'tools' that I got for GS (2).

Stay cool!

It is 101 today (105 expected tomorrow)

My mom and I went garage selling today and boy, I had no idea!!

I confess, I haven't been to a yard sale in at least 10-15 years...and then it was only once or twice.

Here is how we did:

Adorable cradle to paint for Katlyns doll (christmas gift) $4
Big bag of near new shirts for colton, plus a vest-coat $1
Bag of clothes for Kaitlyn (3 whole outfits, 2 pr jammies), plastic dinosaur plate for Colton, baby blanket for cradle and shirt for Lexi $2.25

Big box of CUTE christmas decorations to use on my craft fair projects $2.50 and they through in 3 childrens books for free!

2 beautiful, new sets of christmas bath towels (towels, hand trowels and washrags) $5 for both.

Little tykes golf set for the yard... .50 cents!

little tykes tool box with all tools... 50 cents

Pair of new girls pants and pretty shirt for Lexi $1

My mom scored big time on a Oscar Blender with original book $2.50

wow---I am HOOKED. I am amazed at the deals that are out there!!

Thanks for all of your posts that helped to nudge me into this new hobby!!!