mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:12:46 GMT -5
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Post by mizbear on Dec 16, 2011 21:23:24 GMT -5
We didn't have any of those things- but I scored 800s on my SATs in the 7th grade for the CTY Talent Search in 7th grade. Only 3 of us in our middle school did and they wanted to jump me a grade. My parents both kick themselves now for not having let me do it. (Mother was for it mostly but father was dead against it)
ZBear is spending night with DM. She is not feeling well, so I gave her the option to stay there on the couch instead of coming over here (she had fallen asleep). Poor kid. But TBear is enjoying the "grown up" time with me tonight.
My Secret Santa gift should arrive to its recipient soon.
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Dec 16, 2011 21:51:41 GMT -5
Update: 10 NSD and 5 CSD
Today was the last day of school for two weeks. Except for some planning and writing thank you cards I am taking a break from school activities for as long as I can. I have books to finish, shopping and wrapping to do and lot of sleep to catch up on. I also have the house to clean -- mainly done as I am hosting a party tomorrow -- and jewelry ideas to try. I finally got on Pinterest but only played around with it a little. Hope to explore the possibilities more while I'm off.
Need to catch up on what I missed in the last few days on the thread. Will check in later.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Dec 17, 2011 9:31:39 GMT -5
SES - Happy Birthday.
I'm out of it this week. I try to read on my phone, but the last 2 days have been crazy and no time to do that. I've spent a lot of money on me this month, but all of it out of allowance/birthday money, etc. I've also seriously bargain shopped. I bought a pair of jeans and 2 tops at JCP for $16 yesterday. Anyway, I better get the computer. DS is being a pill and DH is getting frustrated. 6 more days until we leave for to go to mom and dad's for CHristmas.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Dec 17, 2011 11:06:13 GMT -5
muttley - I hit up JCP yesterday too. I got myself a long-sleeved red tshirt, and blue a pair of pj pants and a sweater for Christmas, for $24. Saved something like $100 with their sale and my coupon. I wanted to get blue a few small things to throw him off. He can open these, and a few little geeky things that will be in his stocking, Christmas morning. I'll play the "Sorry I am broke" card or something. Then we'll get to his parents and he'll open the iPad that is from all of us. mwhahaha. I can't wait to see his reaction.
Today I'm baking cupcakes for a Christmas party we have tonight, and trying a new stir fry recipe. Lots of cooking ahead! Good to have blue back - he was in VA the past few days. House gets lonely.
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financialpeace
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Post by financialpeace on Dec 17, 2011 11:54:59 GMT -5
Update: 5/15 NSDsI agreed to accompany my friend today as she finishes her Christmas shopping. My no spend strategy (I don't need to get anything) is to leave my wallet at home. I can't spend money if I do not have any cash, debit or credit cards on me
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ses
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Post by ses on Dec 17, 2011 12:22:02 GMT -5
financialpeace--very smart tactic
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Dec 17, 2011 13:58:33 GMT -5
I won't be on for a while. I have computer problems, as in no computer. I am at the library and will try to get here at other times. Sheila; I have your name and will send your gift as soon as I can. I have 17 NSD and 17 NEO. Be back when I can.
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spruby
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Post by spruby on Dec 17, 2011 17:40:05 GMT -5
3cats - did your computer break? everything ok?
ses - happy b-day!
crazy busy here - I worked over 120 hours the last 2 weeks and spent a ton of time in NY.
i'll update tomorrow
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reeneejune
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Post by reeneejune on Dec 17, 2011 22:06:15 GMT -5
So between a) the general ickiness and depression that comes along with working retail during the holidays b) 4 days down with the most horrible stomach bug I've had since I was a kid and c) my regular procrastination.... 1) I'm going to skip assigning captains for this month and get a fresh start in January. 2) Christmas Cards will be going out Monday and thus may or may not arrive before the holiday. 3) I have not yet completed the secret santa gift I'm making, so Dakota, I'm sorry but you may receive your gift after Christmas. The up side? I have today and tomorrow off from work. I suppose to butter me up since I'm working both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. I cleaned the apartment top to bottom this morning, braved the stores to pick up a few things I desperately needed, and baked a huge batch of cookies for BFF's work. (BFF works at a gun/coin shop and her boss regularly buys the odd coins I find at work. Bonus, BFF meets way more single guys at work than I do and she pre-screens them for me ;D) I'm not tracking this month, but I did finally receive the reimbursement for the over-payment on my student loan. Which means that I'm finally current on all of my bills. It's the little things.
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reeneejune
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Post by reeneejune on Dec 17, 2011 22:16:38 GMT -5
spruby - I received a box in the mail on Friday with two wrapped gifts inside! And since I have the attention span of a gnat, I opened them. thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!! And then I remembered that you said something about I should be looking for two packages. I have to admit to having a "oh my God there's more?!" moment when I remembered that tidbit. ;D A proper thank you note will be in the mail soon. Just wanted to let you know that part of it arrived. P.S. Loved the Mickey/Minnie wrapping paper.
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spruby
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Post by spruby on Dec 17, 2011 22:56:41 GMT -5
renee - you have one more box coming! It just shipped. The gift is not wrapped - I'll let you decide how to handle it! Glad you like the gift. Hope you like the last one too.
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reeneejune
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Post by reeneejune on Dec 17, 2011 23:43:14 GMT -5
I need some help dear (cheap) friends! I made myself a lovely tree skirt to go with my Christmas tree this year. I love the darn thing. It's me having a laugh at being a single girl at Christmas time. This is what it looks like (and it's not the part in need of help) It doesn't show up much under my tree, unless you're down there trying to figure out what's going on with the crazy lights. I had originally bought myself a cute little 4ft tree that I set up on one of my storage cubes, draped the tree skirt around, and tucked into the corner. It was cute. It worked. BFF announced it was too small. She and hubby got a real tree this year and passed their new-ish costco tree on to me. It's pretty. But if you look there on the left, it's got this big vortex of lights that were lit at one point but have given up. I'm confused. I thought modern strands of lights are supposed to stay lit even if a few bulbs are out? And they seemed to go out bough by bough, not all at once. Anyone have any ideas on how to track down the problem with my lights?
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MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Dec 18, 2011 1:04:31 GMT -5
reenee: Let me know when you figure it out, I am having the same problem with my tree. Luckily enought it has fiber optics also so you don't really notice that 1/4 of the tree's lights are not lit.
Having quite the night/life. DS#2 has been stripping every night. Great since he is not poddy trained. So I have been washing his comforter almost daily. Tonight he pooped, so at 11 pm we were cleaning sh1t off him, the walls, his toys and the carpeting. Then duct taping down pads so the crap is away from him. (He sleeps on the floor right by his door so I can't sneak in and put a diaper on him.) Oh lovely. I got to bath an autistic child after waking him, when he doesn't like baths. DF got to clean up his room. At least we don't care about his carpeting as on the 28th it will be ripped out and vinyl installed.
SES: Happy belated b-day. My computer has been hosed so I haven't been on much.
Cards going out hopefully on Monday. Secret Santa gift will go at the same time, so it may be late.
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pointy
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Post by pointy on Dec 18, 2011 9:56:23 GMT -5
update: 13/21 NS and 14/26 No QVC Happy holidays everyone!
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Dec 18, 2011 17:35:58 GMT -5
reenee- No clue on the lights- My late grandfather and I used to mess with the lights until they got on our nerves- and then told my grandmother we needed new ones ;D. As far as making the skirt show up more- I would suggest adding a contrasting trim. Maybe use a velcro so you can change it out depending on flooring color. (BTW- that's cute!)
Really wish everyone was having a better Chistmas.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Dec 18, 2011 18:32:34 GMT -5
rene- my lights have a wonky connection so I had to take the piece where they join the next strand and hide it with a big snowflake. Then when half the tree goes dark I just jiggle it a little and it comes back on. I might retire that strand or check it out for bad bulbs when the tree comes down. mk- so sorry to hear about the sh*t you're dealing with must be frustrating to clean up on a nightly basis and not be able to keep DS from repeating. Hugs to you because I have no advice and know that you're such a great mom. SES- Happy birthday! woooo to the hooooo! Hope you've had a lovely day and none of your presents were wrapped in Christmas paper Reminds me that I need to pick up Mom's bday present because her day is Dec 26th. After almost 8 months of unemployment, Mom has her first temp job on Tuesday. It's a short term (2 weeks) project and she is also hoping for a second interview from another employer in January. I know she and my Dad really need the health insurance since Dad's diabetes medications are not cheap. Dad is doing a lot of car restoration work for friends who have the parts and money but no time to work on their own cars. He likes it and can spend more time with my grandma making sure she's okay. Grandma is 91, still living at her house and doing well and all the neighbors have been looking out for her. I'll probably be visiting her after Christmas but have no set dates yet. Finally today I decided to tackle the mess which is my finances. Sigh. After a year of working so much that I didn't spend enough time planning or taking care of my stuff, I've got a lot to clean up. Not fun. But I'm determined. The plan is to have everything paid off by Tax Day and make sure all my business taxes are in order and paid in full. I hope to also have the Cadillac paid off by then. There's just $2300 left on my student loan and about $400 left on another education loan I have. Lots to do in the coming months but the primary thing will be earning more and putting that money towards the payoff - it's one of my biz goals to have a six figure business by Sept of 2012 so I'll definitely have the cash to pay everything off and save for my business, it's just going to take a lot of discipline to get there.
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reeneejune
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Post by reeneejune on Dec 18, 2011 20:46:19 GMT -5
I guess I should have been more specific, it's a pre-lit tree. Were it just a strand of lights that were being bad, I'd yank them off the tree and replace them with a new set until I figured it out. The way it's set up (and I have no idea if this is normal or not), the lights are connected to each of the branches individually, and then there's about 6 plugs that plug into the tree. On top of that, there's 2 or 3 places where strands connect. It's very strange. Next year I may not bother with the existing lights and just throw a few strands of my own lights on there.
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Dec 18, 2011 21:00:48 GMT -5
reenee- No clue with pre-lit trees.
I am making all of my Christmas cookies and getting them delivered this week. Oy vey! 4 recipes of snickerdoodle, and then 3 tons of chocochip and sugar
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spruby
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Post by spruby on Dec 18, 2011 21:14:19 GMT -5
renee - we had that problem this year unfortunately somewhere on that segment of the strand a bulb is missing/out - the whole tree doesn't go dark but one segment will. good luck
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MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Dec 18, 2011 22:23:34 GMT -5
reenee: I have a tree skirt my grandmother made me. She did sequins and beads. since one can't see it under the tree I use it on a side table and put some Xmas decorations on it. Then I just have one I don't care about under the tree. HTH.
I think I may have outlasted DS#2. I have been going into his room every 5 minutes and putting the diaper back on him. The last 2 times I checked on him it has still been on. He won't leave the pads alone that I put on the floor to protect him from the wet carpeting (DF shampooed it with a vinegar/water solution) so he is sleeping on the wet carpeting. He will probably end up with the comforter beneath him.
Start: Thanks for saying that. I really needed to hear it tonight.
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financialpeace
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Post by financialpeace on Dec 19, 2011 0:49:00 GMT -5
startsmart- Six figure income from your business?! As usual, I am impressed. I admire your drive and seemingly clear vision. I have been so lost since I became unemployed. I don't have the slightest clue what to do and I am getting zero bites on all the job apps I submit. You are inspiring.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Dec 19, 2011 10:55:32 GMT -5
Saturday was the only day this last week that we didn't spend money. I don't even want to count up my CS and NSDs right now, so I'm not (even though they are all marked on the calendar.) We had dinner with Firebird and her DH on Friday. They were in town to visit family, and we got to hang out a bit before they had to catch their plane home. MK: You are an amazing mom, and you should never forget it. You have challenges to face that the rest of us can only stand in awe of. On that note, I'd like to mention to folks that part of the Greater Good Network is the Autism Site. You can go there every day www.theautismsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=11 and click a button and sponsors will donate money to pay for therapy kor kids with autism. And if you look at the banner across the top, you can see their other sites for causes you might care about.
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dakota4600
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Post by dakota4600 on Dec 19, 2011 11:14:29 GMT -5
Hey all- This chick has had it! I'm exhausted and the holidays haven't even started yet. This weekend started off badly. I took a half day off on Friday and went to my niece's school Christmas program, then hit the gym. While at the gym my cell rings, it was DH saying that he got a call from mini-D's school that he had split his chin open. I made from the elliptical to the locker room and out to my car in 3 mins. By the time I got there my mom called (she was picking him up so DH & I could have a date night) and said she had picked him up and he was fine the bleeding had stopped, but I wanted to see him and met them at my mom's. Not only did he split his chin, a few mins before that he was running and smacked into another kid and got a bloody nose. His nose looks worse than his chin, but is not bruised, but definitely not its normal shape, called the after hours ped nurse line and they said to give it a few days as long as it wasn't causing him problems, then if it still looked bad to take him to the ped.
DH & I still went on our date, then as we were leaving the concert I checked my cell phone and there was a message from our IT company that our server was down, so DH & I came to my office (the concert was like 3 blocks away). No luck getting it up and running, so I arranged to meet the IT tech at the office the next morning. After meeting the tech and getting the server up, which came up pretty quickly for him, then I spent the rest of the weekend baking.
Reenee- No worries, I haven't got my secret santa gift in the mail yet either.
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azmom
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Post by azmom on Dec 19, 2011 11:16:15 GMT -5
Hey Girls I was catching up a little on facebook and first: ***SES: HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY***and second I saw a post from SS that I thought would make a fun conversation question here on this thread (SS I didn't think you would mind if I stole it from you) her post said "Confession time: I have never made a gingerbread house. What "essential" traditions have you skipped? #marthastewartiamnot" and I'll add "what "essential" traditions have you skipped because they are not financially wise?"My Confessions:I used to take my kids to take pictures with Santa every year (because we did when I was a kid) and they cost an arm and a leg for 1-5x7. After taking control of our spending habits we no longer purchase the picture but we still take the kids to see him. I used to buy everyone under the sun a Christmas present (the very thoughtful generous kind) but now we just cook a feast and have everyone over for food, dessert and a good time AND I just saw It's a Wonderful Life for the first time this year AND I have NEVER seen a Miracle on 34st. Yesterday was DH's birthday and I don't know if I mentioned it here but his step dad (who has MS) is in the hospital anyway we have Cardinals season tickets and there was a game yesterday (an awesome OT winning game, I might add) but my MIL is our babysitter so DH decided to sell our tickets and not go to the game (not for much because we were playing the Browns and well they are not in demand) and we joined two other couple friends for a day of fun sledding in the snow! All four of our kids were with us and we had such a great time. 6 adults and 12 kids! It was a nice break from reality and it was basically free. We used the money from our tickets and birthday money from MIL to finance this trip and took our own lunch! We are not exactly were we need to be when it comes to being wise with our money but we are so much more smarter than we were when I first joined here! ~Happy No Spending~
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Dec 19, 2011 11:49:43 GMT -5
Red: We got 37 lbs of knowledge We had a rough idea of what subjects would be on the test (which Math it was, which science- physics, chemistry, etc). We knew which books, music, etc would be in those sections too. So we would get huge volumes of stuff. Copies of Tale of Two Cities, all the historical documents for super quiz, etc. Plus we wrote our speechs and that. We would study in the evenings and on weekends and every day at practice we went around the room with the coach giving us oral quizzes. We would "buzz" in if we knew the answer. We also took written tests he prepared and all that jazz. Like I said- it was pretty intense, you had to commit to doing AD and nothing else for nearly the entire school year. 3cats: it's all good. Don't worry about it. my Secret Santa gift went out in the mail today. You should have it before Christmas (they promised!) Hope you like it. Tried to get things off the list you posted one day. Hope I did ok. Not much else exciting going on in my world. Work, work and more work it seems. Still have a healthy list of Holiday things to finish up. The Boy is home sick with the icky 24 hour stomach bug that's going around. He better not share it with me.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Dec 19, 2011 13:04:16 GMT -5
azmom- no worries! It's been fun to see how many people do not have the "picture perfect" holiday - makes it more real!
mk- feel free to print that on cards and post them all over the house.
financialpeace- it's going to be a lot of work, for sure, but the coach I'm working with is amazing and showing me how all the little things I'm doing now are creating income that will continue throughout the year. It's a big switch from working with one job, definitely, but that's part of the fun.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Dec 19, 2011 15:41:42 GMT -5
dakota - ouch!! I bet you were out of there in no time flat. Glad he's okay!
azmom - It's A Wonderful Life is one of my favorite traditions. It's usually what I wrap gifts too. Blue isn't as into stuff like that, thinks Christmas music is corny unless it's instrumental only, isn't into cheesy Christmas movies... I keep calling him the Grinch. I get that he doesn't love it like I do, but it seriously rains on my parade and is making me not enjoy Christmas as much (somehow this was never an issue before this year). I'm already not going to see my family this year, the least he can do is watch Rudolph with me. Sorry. Feeling a bit resentful about it this year, probably just because I won't be seeing my Christmas-loving mom this year.
Speaking of blue, I asked him to help me finally put up our lights outside yestrday. And of course some were not working, and our big reindeer died although blue tried to fix it, and he was stomping around muttering about how pointless it was. Afterwards he apologized and I made sure to thank him a million times, but again, buzzkill. Lights look pretty decent for being half what they were last year. Hoping he gets into the holiday spirit by Saturday...
sheila - yikes! I did AD and about twelve other clubs. Being editor of the literary magazine was my major time-suck though.
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MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Dec 19, 2011 22:35:56 GMT -5
Bad night guys.... REALLY bad night.
Shanen: Thanks for the SS gift! LOVE it all! The kids and I have already broken into the chocolate!
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spruby
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Post by spruby on Dec 20, 2011 6:41:36 GMT -5
MK - hugs
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Dec 20, 2011 10:39:08 GMT -5
MK: I'm glad you like it. I love the scent of tea tree, so I hope you will, too. And I couldn't not send you chocolate Sorry you had a bad night. *hugs*
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