Well, cold for US. We had a cool front come through and the temps are in the 60s. It feels amazing. We will be sleeping with the windows open to take advantage of the 50s tonigh. Yes, we like to sleep in COLD air. At least it won't be the AC tonight!
We don't have big plans for the weekend. I WILL be replacing the valve on our ice maker and cleaning the dryer. It is time to delint the dryer so we don't have to worry about a dryer fire.
Hubby just told me he had merchandising jobs at WalMart this weekend, so I may tag along tomorrow and do any drugstore shopping on the way. I wouldn't go, but I need to pick up a filter for our air purifier and they are they best price at WalMart. Otherwise, I would not go near a WalMart on the weekend.
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Clean out your jewelry boxes!
The price of gold is up now. I needed a watch battery, so took the opportunity to clean out my jewelry box. I had a broken gold necklace, a few mismatched earrings and an anniversary ring from my first hubby. I took them all to the jeweler and walked out with $300! For stuff I didn't wear that was just languishing in my jewelry box.
So if you have some broken or mismatched gold jewelry, it is a great way to make a little extra cash!
So if you have some broken or mismatched gold jewelry, it is a great way to make a little extra cash!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Need some ideas for Christmas?
Go check out McVal's blog here. She found some great ideas for gifts to make for Christmas!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
"I'm sorry we are so late..."
Chance is home!! We are so excited to have him back!
We had a great time at the casino. Won some and lost some and managed to come home with some of the money we brought to gamble with. On Tuesday, at one point, I was up $150 over what I brought, but kept playing. LOL! Hubby said I should call the 1-800 gambling hotline. I am not THAT bad. I would never gamble more than I brought to leave there. And I saved the money specifically for the trip. We lost a total of around $300, but we didn't pay for our room for 2 days and didn't pay for food for 3 days. So, I think $300 is quite a reasonable amount to spend for a nice 3 day vacation.
Yesterday, we drove to DeRidder, checked in and relaxed for a couple of hours, then headed to Fort Polk for the Welcome Home Ceremony. It was so crowded! It was wonderful to see so many people there to welcome our soldiers home. I managed to snag some seats while Hubby went to the bathroom and when he came back, Meredith and the kids' mom were with him, so we scooted over and had them join us. Otherwise, they might have ended up standing. I sat next to the kids' mom...Hubby sat right behind us in the bleachers. I would have preferred to have Hubby sitting next to me, but like I said, it was really crowded. And we got there an hour early!
Hubby did NOT speak to his ex, but he did not make it really obvious, so it was not uncomfortable. He still does not like his ex. Who does? But he is never rude to her. She and I get along as I have always tried to do what is best for our kids and we share some wonderful kids.
When the soldiers started coming it, there was wild applause and yelling. There were SO MANY soldiers in the group that the applause would die down a little, then start back up. I clapped the entire time. I figured every soldier deserved applause. Plus, I used to go to the ballet a lot, so had experience clapping even after your hands are aching. :-)
After a prayer and playing the Star Spangled Banner, someone said a few words and the soldiers sang "Rolling Along." It was so moving to hear all those soldiers singing! Then the soldiers were released and it was pandemonium. But we spotted Chance and waved and he spotted us and headed our way.
Meredith headed down out of the bleachers and through the crowd and I headed down too. I had planned to hang back and let his mom, Hubby and Mere to get in the first hugs, but his mom and Hubby did not head down fast enough. So Mere hugged him, crying her eyes out. I got to them a few seconds later and got my hug. And I, who rarely cry over anything, was crying as well. I thought his mom and Hubby were right behind me, but they were not, so we guided Chance back to where they were. More hugs and more tears, of course. I meant to get a pic of Hubby hugging Chance, but my camera was in Hubby's pocket, so that didn't happen. But we were taking a lot of pics as did Chance's mom and Mere and we will snag them off of each other's Facebook, so we got some great pics.
One of the first things Chance said to Hubby was "I'm sorry we are so late getting in." LOL! We told him that there was no need to apologize. He walked out to our cars...his mom had parked right behind us which was amazing considering how many cars were there. I got this pic. Doesn't Hubby look happy?
We had a great time at the casino. Won some and lost some and managed to come home with some of the money we brought to gamble with. On Tuesday, at one point, I was up $150 over what I brought, but kept playing. LOL! Hubby said I should call the 1-800 gambling hotline. I am not THAT bad. I would never gamble more than I brought to leave there. And I saved the money specifically for the trip. We lost a total of around $300, but we didn't pay for our room for 2 days and didn't pay for food for 3 days. So, I think $300 is quite a reasonable amount to spend for a nice 3 day vacation.
Yesterday, we drove to DeRidder, checked in and relaxed for a couple of hours, then headed to Fort Polk for the Welcome Home Ceremony. It was so crowded! It was wonderful to see so many people there to welcome our soldiers home. I managed to snag some seats while Hubby went to the bathroom and when he came back, Meredith and the kids' mom were with him, so we scooted over and had them join us. Otherwise, they might have ended up standing. I sat next to the kids' mom...Hubby sat right behind us in the bleachers. I would have preferred to have Hubby sitting next to me, but like I said, it was really crowded. And we got there an hour early!
Hubby did NOT speak to his ex, but he did not make it really obvious, so it was not uncomfortable. He still does not like his ex. Who does? But he is never rude to her. She and I get along as I have always tried to do what is best for our kids and we share some wonderful kids.
When the soldiers started coming it, there was wild applause and yelling. There were SO MANY soldiers in the group that the applause would die down a little, then start back up. I clapped the entire time. I figured every soldier deserved applause. Plus, I used to go to the ballet a lot, so had experience clapping even after your hands are aching. :-)
After a prayer and playing the Star Spangled Banner, someone said a few words and the soldiers sang "Rolling Along." It was so moving to hear all those soldiers singing! Then the soldiers were released and it was pandemonium. But we spotted Chance and waved and he spotted us and headed our way.
Meredith headed down out of the bleachers and through the crowd and I headed down too. I had planned to hang back and let his mom, Hubby and Mere to get in the first hugs, but his mom and Hubby did not head down fast enough. So Mere hugged him, crying her eyes out. I got to them a few seconds later and got my hug. And I, who rarely cry over anything, was crying as well. I thought his mom and Hubby were right behind me, but they were not, so we guided Chance back to where they were. More hugs and more tears, of course. I meant to get a pic of Hubby hugging Chance, but my camera was in Hubby's pocket, so that didn't happen. But we were taking a lot of pics as did Chance's mom and Mere and we will snag them off of each other's Facebook, so we got some great pics.
One of the first things Chance said to Hubby was "I'm sorry we are so late getting in." LOL! We told him that there was no need to apologize. He walked out to our cars...his mom had parked right behind us which was amazing considering how many cars were there. I got this pic. Doesn't Hubby look happy?
He had to report to the barracks, but is free all day today, so is having breakfast with his mom and Meredith, then will come go to lunch later with us. We cannot wait to spend some time with him. I am one happy mom!
Monday, October 10, 2011
We are at the casino!
Well, not right now. Now we are taking a break and relaxing. It would be a bit of a pain to carry my netbook around the casino. LOL!
We got up early this morning. Ugh! Hubby made me get up early on my vacation. But it was okay, since we got on the road a little before 8 am. We made the drive in 3 hours and were able to check in to our room at 11. Hubby was so glad. Checkin is actually at 3, but Hubby wanted to see if our room was ready as he likes to unload and put everything up before anything else.
We are staying in what is called a "chalet", which is like a small one bedroom mobile home. Not really mobile as they are skirted and have a nice deck with picnic table and grill. We really like staying in them as the bedroom is separate, so if one person wants to stay up when the other is ready for bed, there is no problem as the living room is a separate area. There is also a full kitchen which is great for us as we just bring a lot of food, so no extra food spending. We will get some comped meals at the casino, but we will also eat some "at home."
Oh, and the best part...the room is comped. So FREE!
We did some gambling already and had fun. We lost a little, but I was happy as I usually have terrible luck in the afternoon and I had better luck today.
Wish me luck for the evening gambling! I will let you know how we do.
We got up early this morning. Ugh! Hubby made me get up early on my vacation. But it was okay, since we got on the road a little before 8 am. We made the drive in 3 hours and were able to check in to our room at 11. Hubby was so glad. Checkin is actually at 3, but Hubby wanted to see if our room was ready as he likes to unload and put everything up before anything else.
We are staying in what is called a "chalet", which is like a small one bedroom mobile home. Not really mobile as they are skirted and have a nice deck with picnic table and grill. We really like staying in them as the bedroom is separate, so if one person wants to stay up when the other is ready for bed, there is no problem as the living room is a separate area. There is also a full kitchen which is great for us as we just bring a lot of food, so no extra food spending. We will get some comped meals at the casino, but we will also eat some "at home."
Oh, and the best part...the room is comped. So FREE!
We did some gambling already and had fun. We lost a little, but I was happy as I usually have terrible luck in the afternoon and I had better luck today.
Wish me luck for the evening gambling! I will let you know how we do.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Chance is coming home!
I haven't talked about Chance in a while, so some people may not realize that our 22 year old son, Chance, has been serving in Afghanistan. Well, next week he comes home!!
We are all so excited! We want to go welcome him home, but it has been a feat trying to find out when he will be here. I finally told my boss that I am taking off the entire week next week, since last Monday we still didn't know when he would be home.
Tentatively, his welcome home ceremony will be next Wednesday night.
So, Hubby and I are combining the casino trip I promised him as a birthday gift and the treck to welcome Chance home. We will heading to the Coushatta Casino in Louisiana on Monday and will spend Monday and Tuesday night there. Free room, of course. Then heading to DeRidder on Wednesday. We have a room there for the night. Not free. Bummer.
We will attend the welcome home ceremony, then hope to get to spend some time with Chance either afterward or on Thursday. His mom will probably go and if he does, I am sure she will spend time with him after the ceremony. Mom always comes first, of course. And Hubby, WILL NOT, under any circumstances spend any time around her if he can avoid it.
But we can work around her.
Then I guess Chance has to work for the rest of the month, or do whatever they do when they come back from a deployment. Then he has the month of November off and he will be spending time visiting family.
We will have him here for Thanksgiving! Yeah!!
I am so grateful for all our troops that are returning home!
We are all so excited! We want to go welcome him home, but it has been a feat trying to find out when he will be here. I finally told my boss that I am taking off the entire week next week, since last Monday we still didn't know when he would be home.
Tentatively, his welcome home ceremony will be next Wednesday night.
So, Hubby and I are combining the casino trip I promised him as a birthday gift and the treck to welcome Chance home. We will heading to the Coushatta Casino in Louisiana on Monday and will spend Monday and Tuesday night there. Free room, of course. Then heading to DeRidder on Wednesday. We have a room there for the night. Not free. Bummer.
We will attend the welcome home ceremony, then hope to get to spend some time with Chance either afterward or on Thursday. His mom will probably go and if he does, I am sure she will spend time with him after the ceremony. Mom always comes first, of course. And Hubby, WILL NOT, under any circumstances spend any time around her if he can avoid it.
But we can work around her.
Then I guess Chance has to work for the rest of the month, or do whatever they do when they come back from a deployment. Then he has the month of November off and he will be spending time visiting family.
We will have him here for Thanksgiving! Yeah!!
I am so grateful for all our troops that are returning home!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Get a discount on your medical bills
I thought I would throw something out to all my frugal friends.
I ALWAYS, ALWAYS ask for discounts, if I think I can get them and often when I think I can't. Last week I got a bill from my cardiologist. I had gone for a routine stress test and my part of the bill after insurance was $101 dollars. I had not problem paying that. I expected it and we had the money.
When I called to make a payment, the lady asked if I wanted to pay in full. Well, that amount, I did plan to pay in full but you know me. I said, "Well, unless you can give me a discount." And she said she could!! She gave me a $30 discount just for asking. I didn't have to tell her I was broke or anything!
So, always ask for a discount.
I ALWAYS, ALWAYS ask for discounts, if I think I can get them and often when I think I can't. Last week I got a bill from my cardiologist. I had gone for a routine stress test and my part of the bill after insurance was $101 dollars. I had not problem paying that. I expected it and we had the money.
When I called to make a payment, the lady asked if I wanted to pay in full. Well, that amount, I did plan to pay in full but you know me. I said, "Well, unless you can give me a discount." And she said she could!! She gave me a $30 discount just for asking. I didn't have to tell her I was broke or anything!
So, always ask for a discount.
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