Emeal update

Tonight's dinner on our emeals list is Dirty Rice and Sausage.  They have many menu types available, but what I really like is how versatile the menu and grocery list.  I chose the Any Store Meal Plan.  The first week I followed it exactly, which was really difficult for me because I like to twist things up a little... its my personality!

The following week I crossed out some items to allow for some things I new the family would not want to eat.   It was as easy as they said.  Where ever I saw the number 4 on the grocery list (that was the meal we decided not to eat)  I just crossed that item out.   Also I don't follow the list like Monday is rock solid for meal 1...   I generally just pick and choose, which you could do either way.  I am just not that structured.

The other thing I enjoy about it is I can easily change items like whole grain brown rice vs. white, or fresh spinach vs. frozen.  The menu can be molded to fit your needs.   So in essence, if you are not sure sign up for a trial and see how it goes.

I think you will enjoy it, if you are strapped for time, fighting with a disability, or just would like to alleviate one of the pressures of your day. I think this would be a good fit it has worked for me so far.

Emeals!

Well we are on our second week of Emealz.  I had decided to do a 3 month trial.  But I already LOVE IT!    I am not a too busy mom type, but I am sick and in dealing with those issues I am not always on top of everything.   I wasn't too sure if I was going to be a fan because generally I like to do everything myself, because it saves money.

But the menu's are organized really well.  So if there is something I don't like I just cross of ingredients on the shopping list that correspond with that menu number so if I don't want meal 6, I write in hamburgers or whatever I happen to want to make or is requested on the shopping list I cross out all items that have the #6 next to it and add meat and buns (or pizza night)...  right  are we clear.

There are a ton of kinds of menus, like low fat, carb free, gluten free, based on particular stores, or just general.  We are using the basic menu, and so far things have been tasty.  I have also made a few changes that were relatively painless to do, like ground turkey in place of ground beef, substituted certain veggies I already know that won't work with our family.   Its been easy to maneuver around.

The price didn't change too much for us, because we were already at 80-100 per week budget, however the variety is fantastic, it has been nice getting away from the  Monday hamburgers, taco tuesday wednesday chicken and rice a roni...  etc.  I was getting tired and so was my menu.   

And frankly its nice to have one thing I don't have to think about. There is enough on my plate, and anything I can do mindless I am all for.   So my rating is... so far so fabulous!

Homemade Costume Ideas... with a unique twist!

Okay so this is a list of websites that have the cutest ideas for really cool homemade costumes.  I am really into the illusion costumes this year.  There are links all through this post of where I found the costumes, so be sure to check them out.  These costumes are a different take on what I remember as 'homemade costumes' and they are fabulous ideas. When I was little homemade costumes consisted of fake giant boobs made from random material and wildly hairsprayed and glittered hair which I am convinced is responsible for the styles of the 80's...

http://www.coolest-homemade-costumes.com

Now, this first one is pretty cool it is a stroller costume, of a cabbage patch kid,which pretty much consists of a box painted and some online printed logos modge podged to the box.  It is cheap, cute, fast to make, and fun with no actual costume for the baby to wear and can be found at this link.
This fire truck is also easy and very cute, and looks like it sits just nicely on a stroller.  This is one last stroller costume I found at the same website as the cabbage patch kid (which really deserves some quality time searching through) is R2D2  a little more time consuming to make but very cool follow this link for pictures.

Another favorite category is the illusion costumes.  Some of these are very elaborate but some are not and still very cool.  The first one is one that looks fairly easy to make, and very well might end up being my costume this year, there is a lot at this link.  I am not a fan of the bloody ones, but that's just me.  This next website has a lot of them with instructions but my favorite is near the bottom called 'witch with frog in cauldron'.   Here is another creative one that is extra, super cool; the link for this video also has the instructions and the there another video of the same costume as well that shows more of it here.  These girls made a version that seems to be easier to walk around in, as long as you secure the foot better, this is also a video link.   When searching for illusion costumes I find it best to select the images option and also the video option, to get a better idea of what you are looking at.  

This website has a few great ideas, check out the lego costume at this link.  If you change the red sweat suit to blue you'll have Mike from Monsters Inc at this link.  Familycrafts.about.com has alot of cute ideas including more stuff to do with cardboard boxes.  There is a really cute aquarium at Costume Idea Zone which also has a skill crane costume as well.  Family Fun is pretty great site I like their "last minute costumes" with their clever renditions of a quarter back and smartie pants,  but don't forget to check out all of their categories I especially love their jellyfish costume.

Budget101.com has tons of ideas for costumes, parties, decorations, makeup/special effects and more.  I would plan on spending some time here.  And last but not least, dog costumes; there's no reason why fido can't join the fun.  Check out family.go.com or animal.discovery.com for some cute ideas.

So go out, exercise your creative muscle and make a costume.

You can also comment at: http://thirtyzone.blogspot.com/

Recycled planter

One of my favorite finds recently is a giant asparagus fern at target on clearance for $3..  it was root bound really bad and I needed a giant pot.  And as it turns out, giant pots are expensive.  I started poking around the garage and the side yard, and found a perfect solution.

Last year we took out the diving board because it was cracked, and since we didn't really care about having one or not my husband took it out,  that is where my other free find, my "bistro set"  is now living.

which is good place because it also covers the small bolt holes and prevents the kids from running full circles around the pool.   


We hadn't gotten around to throwing it out yet so when I saw the base sitting there I knew it was perfect.  The holes were already in the bottom, so drainage wouldn't be a problem.  


I just filled it with potting soil and inserted plant.  So the total cost is $3 plant, $5 potting soil, and $0 for the planter box...  it is dark so I will finish up in tomorrow sometime.  I was just so excited that I had to share now.

On Vacation

I have been on vacation/hiatus for a bit...  but wanted to start off with:  I didn't get nearly as much done as I wanted and feel like I have wasted my opportunity!    *sigh*   I feel better now!  Well my point was to strip down some of my stuff to clear up more time for some sculptures but didn't, I did manage to make a painting that I am mostly happy with.

But the semi-good new is I am finally getting settled into this new medication, which was another reason for the strip down.  I had been recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia...  I know right what the heck is that?  Well I looked it up at good ole' webmd, and it seems that it is a nervous system thing (I won't bore you with details).  Anyway it makes way better sense than arthritis all over my body.  The medication is working and I do feel more functional, still super tired, but functional, still forgetful if I don't write everything down... but some things never change.

I feel like I am on the beginning of a new path, I am a little scared though because it fits into what I have been trying to do for many years.  But we will see how this goes, I will be sure to fill you in on these details as I begin this new journey!

Some Translations of lol from Wiktionary that are hilarious

• mdr: French version, from the initials of "mort de rire" which roughly translated means "dying of laughter", although many French people now use LOLinstead as it is the most widely used on the internet.
• חחח/ההה: Hebrew version of LOL. The letter ח is pronounced 'kh' and ה is pronounced 'h'. Putting them together (usually three or more in a row) makes the word khakhakha or hahaha (since vowels in Hebrew are generally not written), which is in many languages regarded as the sound of laughter. The word LOL is sometimes transliterated (לול), but its usage is not very common.
• 555: The Thai variation of LOL. "5" in Thai is pronounced "ha", three of them being "hahaha".
• asg: Swedish abbreviation of the term Asgarv, meaning intense laughter.
• g: Danish abbreviation of the word griner, which means "laughing" in Danish.
• rs: in Brazil "rs" (being an abbreviation of "risos", the plural of "laugh") is often used in text based communications in situations where in English lol would be used, repeating it ("rsrsrsrsrs") is often done to express longer laughter or laughing harder. Also popular is "kkk" (which can also be repeated indefinitely), due to the pronunciation of the letter k in Portuguese sounding similar to the ca in card, and therefore representing the laugh "cacacacaca" (also similar to the Hebrew version above).
• mkm: in Afghanistan "mkm" (being an abbreviation of the phrase "ma khanda mikonom"). This is a Dari phrase that means "I am laughing".
• In Chinese, although 大笑 (da xiao; "big laugh") is used, a more widespread usage is "哈哈哈" (ha ha ha) on internet forums.
• هاها: The Arabic هـــا makes the sound "ha," and is strung together to create the sound "haha".
• In some languages with a non-Latin script, the abbreviation "LOL" itself is also often transliterated. See for example Arabic لــول and Russian лол.
• In Japanese, traditionally the kanji for laugh in parenthesis was used in the same way as lol; （笑）. It can be read as wara and so just w has taken over as the abbreviation.

Food: Tongue Scraping Bad!

Have you ever ate something so bad that you wanted to scrape your tongue and scour your mouth with bleach.  Well, I did.  Now I love to try new places, so when I had to go to Fresno for lab work, and didn't eat all morning I was starving.  Now my standards are lower when I haven't eaten for a while, so I am afraid.

We were driving down blackstone when dad and I  saw this very old looking restaurant called BJ's Country Kitchen, their sign highlighted biscuits and gravy so we pulled in to try it.  The parking lot was empty, and though that should have been a warning sign, I ignored it.  My new phone has internet, so I looked it up, and all the reviews gave great ratings, 30 people and more gave it 4-5 stars out of 5.  So I figured it was a diamond in the rough.

When I walked in I was immediately met with this weird smell, kinda like dead skin meets must.... (no fluff here folks this was the real smell)  Now you would have thought that I would have run away, but no, I was sucked into this vortex, because hunger takes over and depletes my brain cells.  The place matched the outside very old and weirdly decorated, with ugly green vinyl seats.  Oddly there were people there, but I soon realized they were employees and family members hanging out... not eating!  (I should have been really scared)   *note the falling down tile, another sign from God, that I ignored.

The waitress, who was super nice, seated us.  We got coffee, which was good!  Fast forward too food.  After all the forces of good trying to prevent me from certain death, I decided to... no, not leave, but order something "safe" like an ortega burger, surely thank can't screw up meat and cheese!  Instead of fries I thought I would try their potato salad, the waitress told me it was homemade (are we sensing the pattern of my inadvertent suicide)

When I got my food, which was not slow, but I expected that since their were no customers but us.  It looked all right, so I dug in.  I opened the burger and notice there was no mayo or mustard like the menu said, when I asked she walked off presumedly to get me a little bowl of mayo, instead she brought back packets..... PACKETS, because they only use packets!  The potato salad had an odd flavor and smell to it, I told myself they used too much vinegar and that it was not spoiled from sitting out too long, after all it was already in my body.

I started eating the hamburger and well you guessed it, yuck!  It is meat and cheese and they managed to ruin it.... I mean I eat liver for pete's sake and I still thought this was gross!  I also discovered a little gift with my burger, which for me was particularly awesome...

Now through this all the waitress, was very nice, so for that reason I did leave a tip, not a great one though, I think she should have warned me or something.  At this point I wanted to get out, which meant if I had to pay for this that was okay, I did not want to take any extra time.  The back of the check there was a comment section and so I filled it out, cause obviously they had no idea.

I wasn't going to say anything but the cashier did ask me, so I quickly let her know about my experience there... ironically she only seemed upset about the bread bag tie that came with my burger, and not anything else.

So this was my experience at BJ's, my only thought is that there must be another one in Fresno that everyone is talking about because I did not share their views on the place.

So good luck and good eating!

Jesus served me today?

Okay so I was going through my receipts, and packing up my 2009 tax folder for storage, when I came across a receipt that made me fall on the floor laughing.  It is from Walgreens, it is a feel good customer service phrase that also tells you who the cashier was.  Mine reads...

I'm JESUS. Thank you for allowing me to serve you today

Exactly like that too, with JESUS all in caps.  I still haven't recovered from it, and giggle as I type.  Now you have to think what a fun name to have, and this guy probably hears alot about this.  Which is probably why the good Lord allowed me to miss that little gem.  After all I am my fathers daughter, bad jokes and all.

At first I was thinking... that must be a real switch for Jesus (not walgreen's jesus) to serve us.  And I thought well maybe not.  I mean sure we are here to serve him, but how often has he served us, I can't tell you how many times that my butt was saved and the first thought was "thank you god, or wooo Lord that was a close one, thanks for that"  Or blessings that I have credited to God.  Is that a way of Jesus serving us in a sense...

And here's another thought, this one is for pastors cardiologist 8) cause I remembered something and could actually find it in the bible, he tells us this story in the bible:

Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet

² The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. ³ Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴ so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.⁶ He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" ⁷ Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." ⁸ "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."  Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." ⁹ "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" ¹⁰ Jesus answered, "Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." ¹¹ For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.  ¹² When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. ¹³ "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

If Jesus serves us, then how can we not consider serving each other, or blessing each other.  So how can I do that, I think that it is more than just writing a check, not to discount that, because if I don't write a check then things don't get done at church and shelters, that I am not capable of doing, like jackets to kids in thailand, or food at the local shelter, or even paying those fabulous people at church who listen to me when all hell breaks lose... again!

But how else can I serve/bless/support someone.  Maybe just by listening to someone in need, drop off a bag of groceries for someone and run off before they see you, volunteering at an organization religious or otherwise, just offering a helping hand and being there to fill a need.  Kind of the ultimate pay it forward from God right...




i'm just sayin'

Your Cleaning Lady product review

On a recent shopping trip I was looking for steel wool pads. I was just about to grab my usual box, when I saw a new one by Scotch Brite Never Rust Soap Pads they look just like steel wool but they are made of plastic. My first reaction was... so what, plastic scrubbies never work for the real cleaning jobs. But I thought I should try it, to know for sure.

When I got home I opened it up, they look the same except for they are blue. I set out on my quest and grabbed my cast iron skillet from last nights dinner, I had burnt some taco meat into it, and was just too tired/lazy to look at it. I brought it over to the sink added water and started scrubbing. And WHOA! It was coming right out fairly easily too! Amazed I ran place to place, scrubbing, it is pretty good stuff, it even worked on old soap scum.

I am still nervous about using it on things like metal sinks, or scratch sensitive areas, but otherwise A+ for sure. My favorite part of this is it is made from recycled material... specifically, the pad fiber is 100% recycled (100% post-consumer material) and the box is 100% recycled (35% post-consumer material). So it is also good for the environment.

I found mine at the 99 cents store, however they are in new packaging in many stores, hardware stores, and online

this blog is in no way associated with Scotch Brite its company and its affiliates.... its just a review ya'll

Christmas... Dave Ramsey style!

Its a Dave Ramsey Christmas... but this year we did decide to squeeze out a few gifts for the kids and for parents who lived in the area, no shipping this year. Our budget is a shocking $5 per person. I knew that this was crazy, cut somehow it was doable. Now I know what you are thinking... $5 why bother. The hardest part is getting past the idea that you are only spending $5 on a person, I mean mentally that is really, really hard, but doable. I think that even if they did find out that your budget is the size of a pea, that they don't really care, and if they found out you are trying to pay off your bills and be debt free they still wouldn't care. They would probably even be excited and or proud of your endeavors.

I decided that if I was going to work with this budget, I was going to have to really flex the creative muscle. First I put everyone's money in envelopes so I wouldn't go over at all. The hardest part was putting things back when I new even with taxes I wouldn't have it. Seperate envelopes would have been much easier because I was more tempted to over spend, using a seperate envelope would have helped me mentally, you know "self.... there is really on $5 in there so you have to choose between bath salts or candle to go with the bubbles and lotion"

Another key to this was to not just blanket shop. I knew that I didn't want to just pull out my printing block and make 30 prints of a christmas scene, or crochet a bunch of doilies. I wanted to let each person know that we were thinking of them individually, personalize it.

So my daughter and I headed out to shop. Now for the girls it was easy. For my mother-in-law who just moved into a new apartment I made a basket of bubbles, candles, pretty soap very easy, and at the good ole' dollar store, very cheap, but shockingly nice. I found a beautiful necklace at target on clearance, for my niece who is a teenager now and rolls her eyes alot... in fact I am sure that just now as I write this she just rolled her eyes and doesn't even know why. Michaels had 80 piece art kits on super sale $2 each and at this point the younger kids just know that their aunty loves art and that is just what they are going to get. I got a larger art kit for my nephew, it has some pastels in it. I decided that I was going to print some online lessons to include with it, and go to walmart and get a couple of packs of their cheapy copy paper, I use it for alot of practice drawing or trying out new techniques or supplies 500 sheets for $2 is great to add into their kits for practically nothing each.

I was lamenting over what to get for my father-in-law for christmas, the budget was only $8... normal budget was only $5 but I was under budget on some others (if you can believe that) and was able to increase here. Still it was hard. So it hit me on the way out the door when I was checking the time... he likes tools. A tool clock. So I went to micheals with my 50% coupon and paid only $3.50 for battery operated clock mechanics that comes with the arms and everything. Then I stopped at Harbor Freight and found the cheapest circular saw blade I could find right about $3. Then I picked up a little pack of washers, I was lucky to find a small container with mulitple sizes.. including very large, like a half dollar. I went home and started assembly. Fumbling through, ad-libing, and using washers to make hole smaller and a couple of smaller ones to fit inside the hole so it won't wiggle, (my husbands idea). And a sharpie to write in the numbers, they have number kits you can buy but I thought that a sharpie was just as good. And as it turns out there are a ton of instructions online for these... so google it!

Also another gift I made that is was perfect was for my other mother-in-law. Her kitchen decor is apples, so at Michael's my daughters mission was to find an apple stamp, and not only did she do that but she said look mom this one is only $1 so we can get this cute house too, its also $1! Love that kiddo... so we got that some ink, some felt, and went next door to Lowes and bought 4 tiles. We stamped them, glued little felt squares on the four corners, and I am going to use hairspray cause I forgot to buy spray fixative. Great gift, a project I found online also.

So this is how christmas went this year, I didn't list everything but I think you get the picture. Though I have not seen the results yet, I do believe it will go well.

Merry Christmas!

Marriage and money? oi!

So we are working on Marriage and money. This topic is quite touchy some say it is the number one reason for divorce, which is very scary considering a future with the person you love is hinged on a checkbook. I don't think so... instead I wonder if it is the lack of communication or a plan concerning finances, and a secure future. How far can we go in a boat without a navigation system, or at least a compass.

One of the topics covered in this lesson was separate checking accounts. I hear about many couples who keep separate accounts, bills, even divvy up household expenses. That concept is something I couldn't see working in our household. I feel like that would also drive separation within the marriage, once you begin to tear a sheet of paper, it is weakened, and soon will begin to further split, maybe into 2 pieces. Now that we budget for entertainment and pocket money, I feel like I get to spend a little more freely, a little more equally (I'm a shopper).

Recently, I also posted our additional paid off debt. I have learned that it is now exciting to not only pay off debt but to close those accounts, checking the mail daily waiting for the letter of closure. I am however resisting the urge to frame them, my child does have friends, and I would like for them to not think that I am completely nuts (or at least know the truth). When I think about our communication style for money, I am happy that they have generally not been screaming matches, and we have been on the same page, however it was the wrong page! We never had financial goals other than, how to spend spend spend, and also finagle being able to run out and buy something that we wanted. With our budget in place I see our path and future, and it does feel secure, even clear.

New concept.... saving for emergencies and purchases! What is up with all this crazy talk!

Saving for emergencies AND purchases! I don't know, that seems foreign somehow. Who plans for emergencies anyhow, isn't that what insurance is for.... oh wait we're not talking about ambulances? You mean put money away so the next time you look at your tires, and determine that they must have made a mistake at the tire shop 8 years ago, and accidently put on racing skids!

I think our idea, and probably most peoples idea of an emergency fund is... pray like mad until something gives, or a loan shark... eh hem I mean loan company comes along and "helps". So here we are at class, and some questions are put forth. What was the last major unexpected financial crisis you face? How would that have gone differently is there was... gasp... money in a savings account?

Well I think the last major one was when I lost my job, our shop, and the car in the same quarter. Well that was quite the zinger, not to say that there was no other crisis, but when I think major that is what appears. So had we discovered Dave Ramsey earlier, and we had a fully funded emergency fund, it wouldn't have been so devastating. You know like being punched in the stomach and just for kicks rip out the carpet from your feet so it was easier to kick you in the ribs cause your flat on your back... oh sorry rambling a little.

Maybe things would have been different altogether, you know saved up cash for the car instead of financing, or at the very least, rather than panic about those events, taken a deep breathe, and thought about the next step, rather than run around like a crazy person.

Now my favorite questions are "dream big ones" you know what would you do if you won the lottery! Well I am a little small town so I am okay with this one: What if you were debt free (except your home) and had $10,000 sitting in the bank just for emergencies? How would your life be different? How would you be different?

Dreams would come true... I would be sitting in my studio downtown, throwing and firing all day beautiful pottery and sculptures, painting on occasion. Selling my art and maybe others too, but at a bargain so that everyone can see it. Then go home wait for my family to come home, cook dinner, and enjoy seeing them, and hanging out. Thinking about this for a moment makes me smile. I get excited, cause in a short time and with these little goals my husband and I have acheived already, I think that this is reality, this can actually happen. This is motivation! This I can do. I would never get a loan again, and in fact when I think about this little dream I start rolling around numbers in my head thinking... how much do I need to put away to make this happen, what can I do to acheive this goal and how long will it work.

This new thought process is funny because when I would think of this before I would think to myself, how can I crunch the numbers for the bank, how can I convince them to loan me the money. This concept of paying cash and saving for things is not extreme thinking anymore, just different thinking. I hear the testimonies on the radio everyday. This is real cause right now it's happening to us, little by little we are progressing from the depths of financial despair to financial freedom.

This is awesome!

Big dose of Financial reality or Financial Peace University lesson 1

Today is lesson one of financial peace university. It was relatively easy to go through, the layout was very nice, easy to use. I had video issues, but learned it was because I had left a ton of stuff on my desktop running in the background.

So far we are off to a good start, the emergency fund is in place. Though we had to dip into it, it is nice knowing that it was there, no panic! We will have to budget tonite and be ready to stay on path.

I had an ah-ha moment today when I was looking at quickbooks... it seems we really eat out alot, now I consider ubakes and as well or anything like that, not fully prepared by me as dining out. it is my weakness.. my solution is to time manage better and to cook better meals, or some that kind of similiar to what we get when we go out. Maybe I will even squeeze in some healthier stuff!

So though tonite will be boring and busy, I look forward to moving through these steps to financial freedom!

the trial

I originally wanted to write about stevia and all these different reports about it, but I was reading the newspaper about a local girl who has abandoned her babies, one had died all happening over the past couple of years, what a terrible situation.

As I was reading about her recount of abuse that occured by her father, and then by her boyfriend, all right in front of everyone, I couldn't help to think about how powerful abuse can be, so much so, that that they couldn't find courage to call the police. How when someone is overpowering you so much either physically, emotionally or both that you literally feel trapped like there is invisible bars all around you, tightening in until you feel you can no longer breath.

So powerful that she like many others in her place hid her pregnancy from all the people in her house and in an desperate last ditch effort made the worst possible decision. I am guessing because the other 2 were found, she had no reason to believe that this one would be too, still though. It is sad, that instead of advocating the benefits of adoption people are using this as an argument for abortion, something that still doesn't solve anything and would leave her in the same emotional place, but this time 2 other children that would never experience life, and 2 other families to never experience those children.

When I think about this situation, I think about the times in my past when I didn't do something or say something, when I witnessed it or even knew about it, what was else was going on that I didn't know about. What was lurking there under the cover.

What have I missed.

Getting back... housing woes

fwwwwwwwwwwwhhhh.... let me dust this thing off~ sorry everyone. I have been in a whirl wind lately, in escrow... again... on yet another house. Really its not even exciting anymore. I mean I love this house but some sellers are very crazy right now, at the last minute asking for more money, and I'm thinking that wasn't in the contract, but I would rather walk away than deal with that. However it also helps that the perfect house is around the corner, and so far this looks like it but I refuse to get excited anymore until we sign paperwork and get keys.

Also, more good news is we are on track to paying off our bills completely, thanks to a radio show called Dave Ramsey, officially in the very beginning of 2010 we will be debt free except for the house (maybe even sooner). We will be putting all the money we normally pay to our debt to the principal on the house, and maybe even more. There are those who live on the bare essentials, you know rice and bean people for a few short years and manage to pay off their mortgage in a handful of years. I would like to have that motivation, and who knows maybe I will after we are debt free in a couple of months.

Thanks for your support and encouraging emails!

Cash for Clunkers... wonder or blunder

*Update* I realize I did not put in the cost of parts and repairs for the older vehicles!

hmmm. Admittedly I am tempted, after all there are cars out there you can get for $5000 brand new after the government credit! So why do I hesitate, the gas mileage would be alot better than my Nova (which by the way is never an option for trade in or sale) My van is decent mileage about 18 or so on a good day. It would be prettier than my van that is for sure, poor little work truck, filled with gear, waiting for a little more in the budget for her makeover.

So I couldn't help myself... had to figure it out. Now I am no accounting wizard here just gathered some information from what I knew personally regarding parts and from what I got when I called local shops.

So here it is check it out I think you would be shocked as I was! The money alone we could save... would fix the air conditioning in the van, brand new paint job, and reupholster the whole thing in just a couple of months of what I would save if I opted to not get a new car. The Nova by the way is perfect in all those departments

The figures for monthly expense includes what you would need to put away for replacement of wear and tear. Most people say well older cars are not dependable. On our newer car we learned that everything is much more expensive; from simple oil changes, inspections, etc. From talking with other people at the time our car payment was considerable low at the time. All in all these figures I believe will be different for each person, maybe your car payment is higher or maybe your gas mileage is better. I think it is better to hammer out the long term factors before considering Cash for Clunkers.

For me I'm thinking maybe not, because I can put the van in perfect running order with new paint and interior and not only, not have a car payment but save other expenses as well.

Good Luck in your decision

Stage 3

Well, its Stage 3... Surgery in about a week. very sad... don't know what else to say.

Cleaning woes

I am trying to clean get caught up on housework... but here I sit. I am not looking forward to this at all, but I beat myself up a little for not having it done already. Weird little place I have myself in. Really I am just trying to keep busy till Wednesday or at least till Thursday when she has the appt. for results.

My goal is to get everything cleaned up... light cleaning. Then on Wednesday I will do the blinds and the bathrooms. I am also trying to put better effort into dinner. You know make some really fabulous we never had this before... Your the most amazing mom/wife on the planet.

But I don't want to aim to high... aim for mediocre I always say.... then when you do something good then really its more like WOW! not really but it sounds fun.

Illness' again

Well I can't really say who, in case not everyone knows yet, but someone I know and love has got breast cancer... Well it looks like cancer, feels like cancer, and is growing at a crazy insane rate like cancer... the pathology report will be out Wednesday.... aaaarrrrgggg!

I am crazy worried about it, I don't know what to say or do, you would think that after all this time and friends & relatives who have had it or died from it, it would be less shocky, but its not. I think it is because of the uncertainty, you live or die, maybe next month maybe it will go into remission for 20 years or forever, you just don't know.

I feel like a little kid, stomping her feet... now now now.... go away...... it would be nice if it was that easy.

VBS & summer church activities... thanks Crossroads church

Here is a list generated by Crossroads Church or local VBS and church activities....  this is what is left for the summer

What:  Summer Movie Madness

When: Thursday afternoons from June 25 – July 30 (1:00 PM-3:00 PM)

Where: New Hope Church

Ages: 1^st Grade – 6^th Grade

Cost: Free

Contact: Raylene, 636-8733

July:

1What: Extreme Makeover, Bible Edition

When: July 12^th – July 16^th (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

Where: Christ Lutheran Church (3830 W. Tulare Ave.)

Ages: Birth – 100 years old

Cost: Free (includes a meal)

Contact: 732-1851 or office@clcvisalia.org

 

2.       What: Outback Jack (Stillwaters Ranch)

When: July 13^th – July 17^th (6:00 PM – 8:30 PM)

Where: Calvary Chapel (11720 Ave. 264)

Ages: 3 years old – 6^th Grade

Cost: Free

Contact: Pastor Mike, 687-0220 or mikebuford@calvarychapel.com

 

3.       What: Naz Sports Camp

When: July 27 – July 31 (8:30 AM – 12:15 PM)

Where: Visalia Nazarene Church (3333 W. Caldwell)

Ages: 4 – 12 years old

Cost: $85.00 per child

Contact: Dee Flynn, 734-1117

 

 

 

 

 

4.       What: CKidz Miracles Preschool Camp (Crossroads Community Church)

When: July 31^st (8:00 AM – 10:30 AM)

Where: Adventure Park

Ages: 3 years to Kindergarten

Contact: Barb Shy, 280-0172 or Barb@visaliacrossroads.com

 

August:

1.       What: CKidz Crazy Camp (Crossroads Community Church)

When: August 3 – August 7 (8:00 AM – 10:30 AM)

Where: Adventure Park

Ages:  1^st  Grade– 6^th Grade

Contact: Barb Shy, 280-0172 (Barb@visaliacrossroads.com)

 

 

Bad Bad Day

So my cat had been missing for several days, and I thought that since she was so old that she had died somewhere.  Until I had heard from one of the neighborhood kids that one of the parents had been trapping cats because they "p" in his backyard?!  So on an afterthought I went down to the VOSPCA to see, not expecting much.  

I filled out a gaggle of information just to get to the "cat house" (ha ha), which is really just an old trailer.  I was perusing the cages saddened by the sheer amount of cats and kittens, there were tons of them.  When I heard the familiar deep meow of my cat Calico, I was dumb founded and burst into tears, she rubbed her head against the cage and I tried to pet her with my finger through the bars and reassured her (well, more me) that I will be right back.  

 

I trotted back to the office to tell them the good news.... and to get my kitty.  The lady smiled lightly, obviously nowhere near as excited as I was, come to think of it as any animal "liker" would be, which you would hope would be some sort of pre-requisite at this organization.    So she asked some more questions, and printed some stuff and walked up to the counter and said, the total cost is $74!   What?  Cost?  

She went on, stiffly, saying that there was a boarding fee, a penalty fee, a shelter fee, a licensing fee... First of all what licensing fee, aren't cats free roaming animals; as it turns out it is a city fee that has been around for a while.. funny how since I never got a notice that a license on my cat was due.... just like all the other animals I have adopted over the years from the VOSPCA, why wasn't I notified?  

I burst into more tears and freaked out thinking how is my budget going to handle this, there was no offer of any help at all, and not a shred a compassion from this women.  I freaked out thinking how in the hell, am I going to be able to walk out these doors and leave my cat behind, the whole family will be upset about it, including my 8 year old.  At first I was real angry at the neighbor for doing this to me, which the women was kind enough to repeat a few times that it was within his rights to trap this cat and bring it in.  But I ask you what about my rights, it's not like I can keep this cat from jumping a fence, like a dog.  Granted she is an inside cat about 90% of the time but still she needs the fresh air.  

And guess what even if her breakaway safety collar that has her info on it and/or license, comes off you will still be penalized.  Oh yeah even if she is chipped and or licensed it still would have cost me a ton of fees to get her back to the tune of $58, so what is the point here really.  So that would mean each time the neighbor catches her, I could pay up to $40 per incident to rescue my cat, and that is if they can get a hold of me after only one day.  

I can justify these fees with dogs, I have had dogs if your fence is good, they won't get out.  But a cat, and especially since this is the first time I have ever had to pick up a lost animal ever and we have been adopting from VOSPCA for over 15 years if I am remembering accurately 

Most of them she pointed out were city fees,  so I asked her who I can talk to at the city..... after a brief moment she said "well I don't know the name of the person"  that's okay, what about the department I can talk to anyone about this, maybe get some of the fees removed...  again she said "I don't know the number"   Now I am getting frustrated because her actions and answers make me feel like she is being evasive, does she not want me to talk to the city.  So what is the name of the department, I can find the number myself... "I don't know... maybe animal welfare"  You collect fees for the city and you don't know where you send the check to.  I was on fire at this moment, because either they have hired an office manager who truly has no idea what is going on other than processing checks, and filling out lost animal and adoption reports, or there is something else entirely going on. 

oh and by the way "tomorrow is the last day because she has been here for several days"  I panicked, and I assured her that somehow I was going to get the money and for nobody to touch my cat!  I finally was able to get my kitty, and get her home, she follows us all around the house meowing constantly and  is nearly frustrated when we are all not in the same room.  

I still can't stop thinking about this whole thing.  When I called the city, I was transferred to many offices who not only do not have any idea if there is an animal welfare department, they don't even know where the money goes.  The best answer I have gotten thus far was from a nice gentleman, is that it is suspected that the VOSPCA keeps the money for their services to the city. But no one know where to get a copy of the contract to even look at it.  Why was she so evasive with her answers, why doesn't anyone know what is going on with this relationship the city has with this group.  

In my frustration I have decided that the pen is mightier that a few aggravated words on the phone... phone calls are easily forgotten.  So I have a series of letters explaining in detail my dealings with this situation that will be going to the board of directors, executive director, the city or phantom department who handles animal welfare, and anyone else who might be interested in hearing about it.  

In the past I have always been a huge supporter and advocate of the VOSPCA, but after this experience I am just not so sure.  I have found that there are other groups, shelters, and animal advocacy's in this area that I will support instead.