(NEW) SMART SPENDING CHAT THREAD

[TheOtherMe]

I bought the vacuum sweeper from Kohls. After 30% off coupon, it was much cheaper than same vacuum at Amazon. And I have enough left to buy a tank of gas to go visit mom and dad, so they get what they want also!

Yes, my sister needs to learn to give what people put on their lists and not reject the list as not being any fun.

Thank you all for your support.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

;D

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 11, 2012 12:00:59 GMT -5 mrsdutt said:

Christmas is a time for giving and thinking of others. THEO, your DS needs to say Merry Christmas and drop control over your gift choices. If you need me to, I'll send Marley to kiss the hey out of her until she lightens up.

Thank you and

[Sharon]

Today has been a busy day and I am not talking about work. It looks like DD has been able to arrange the church and reception venue for her wedding. She and her fiance will go put down the deposits tomorrow.

We also made a quick trip to DD's college town and we have hopefully found an apartment. It isn't very nice but it is cheap and it is month to month.

[TheOtherMe]

Sounds like you have made progress on the wedding.

I've also had a busy day. Went to volunteer agency and we called all the creditors for my new client. Opened the bank account and wrote checks. Her son is not going to be happy with how much money I'm sending his mother and that receipts are to be turned in to justify how it was spent. It better not all be bar receipts.

Going to enjoy seeing my main man this evening at the 12-12-12 concert.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Enjoy the concert!

We've got rain here.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Today was 12/12/12 .... just one of those fun days on the calendar. Speaking of calendars, I went on to Amazon tonight and ordered myself a new sea turtle calendar to hang on the wall. I know, I could've gotten a less expensive one from the Dollar store, but sea turtles are my favorite! (smile)

My wonderful DH got most of his paperwork and inprocessing done on Monday, so he decided to take the rest of the week off, yay! Today was rainy and grey and we only ventured out (well, HE only ventured out) tonight for some chinese takeout! We spent the afternoon watching free Amazon Prime streaming videos. We've just finished Season 6 of West Wing and will probably tackle Season 7 starting tomorrow. We've also been re-stocking up on basics: cat litter, cat food, bird seed, and Diet Mountain Dew (smile!)

Yay! He's adjusted the pool sweep time down from 6 hours to just 3 hours, so I no longer have to zip outside in the mornings to turn it off by hand! He also changed the time so it now runs from 9am to 12pm, so if I do want to turn it off earlier, I can do so at a sensible time of day (and not 6am!)

I think the cats have now calmed down again and gotten used to having him home again.

[motherto2]

Evening all! It's been a couple of busy days here. Work has exploded (isn't that always the way right before the holidays?). It gets old, but it's a paycheck. I get tired of all the baloney (that's a nice way of putting it ).

I have flared up my tailbone really good this time. I slept probably most of the nigh 2 nights in a row on my back, which is a huge no-no for me. Rough weekend. I told my boss that come January that is my New Year's resolution - to find the right kind of doctor to help me try to at least figure some ways to live with it. We will more than likely start our long commute near October, and that will surely put me over the top.

I made the hummus this evening. Yuuuummm! I need to do some tweaking on it, but it was awesome! Marv, I think it was you that said you use peanut butter and sesame oil. How much pb do you use?

I ordered a foam mattress today. The biggest complaint was that it was too soft, and that is exactly what I need. It's on backorder, but I went ahead and ordered it in case the price goes up. Wish me luck!

[marvholly]

mother
I am a touch cook so its a glob (2T?) of PB and a few shakes (drops) of the oil-<1/2 t but that is really to taste.

[TheOtherMe]

The 121212 Concert for Sandy was very enjoyable. Paul was last so I had to stay up much too late. Next morning was working at the church. Pastor wanted Christmas letters sent to the entire congregation, so worked extra. Then I closed on my refinance. My mortgage is now at 3.125%.

Right now I am angered and saddened. A man has gone to his mother's classroom, kindergarten, killed her and several students. Kindergarteners. Innocent children who had nothing to do with the issue with his mother.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

The news is so unbelievably horrific. I cannot even fathom how a person can just kill 27 people, most of them children.

Theo ~ that sounds like a great rate on your refinance.

Today was payday, so I did some banking and some bill paying. And I just delivered small snowman-shaped boxes of See's candy to our gardeners out front (I didn't want to wait until next Friday, in case I was busy or missed them!)

My wonderful DH's new exercise bike arrived last night from Amazon and he happily spent about 4 hours assembling it. He even read the instructions! It will eventually end up in the guest room along with the treadmill, but for the moment it's in my family room.

Theo, you will appreciate this: our latest litter of kittens are named John, Ringo, George, Paula and Yoko. (Someone was feeling musical, it seems!)

[motherto2]

Today is a heavy heart day. I just can't imagine being that angry at someone. To take those poor children away from their families. I know it's not for us to question, but we can still feel the pain. It reminds me of 9/11. I left work and picked my kids up from their schools - I didn't want them on the buses. When my son came walking down the hall it was all I could not to scoop him up and protect him forever. I was afraid I might scare him with my emotions. Same when I got to the middle school to pick up my daughter. My thoughts and prayers arewith all that have been affected today.

Apparently there is a rumor flying around our high school that someone is going to shoot at the school on 12/21. They even sent a letter home to the families. I don't think there will be many children in school next week, especially after today.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

[marvholly]

We still have not gotten any measurable or sticking snow. If it is not YET a record it is only off by a day or 2. I just checked the 10 day extended forecast and there is NO snow showing all the way to Christmas eve.

[Sharon]

Yesterday DD and I went to Macy's and got almost all the Christmas shopping done and also covered many of the birthday's for the following year. Between coupons and sales I was able to get $355 worth of men's clothing for $110. My FSIL probably won't be very happy with his Christmas present. He is a farmer/college student and jeans and t-shirts/sweatshirts are what he wears. He does have some type of dress shirt from 8th grade, yes 8th grade, that he wears when absolutely necessary. I bought him a dress shirt and tie. ;D Everyone needs at least 1 outfit that qualifies as dress clothes.

[Sharon]

Today has been a miserable cold rainy day. At times there has even been snow mixed in with the rain. I felt sorry for Santa Claus. Today is the day that Santa Claus goes around on the back of the fire truck and hands out candy canes. They go to every street in the city. Anyone who comes out to meet Santa gets a candy cane regardless of age. Yes I went out and got my candy cane from Santa. ;D

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 14, 2012 15:20:24 GMT -5 ❤ mollymouser ❤ said:

Theo, you will appreciate this: our latest litter of kittens are named John, Ringo, George, Paula and Yoko. (Someone was feeling musical, it seems!)

I do love these names--but Yoko!!! My female Paul's were named Paulie but I do know people who have used Paula for their cats and kids.

[TheOtherMe]

The snow we got last weekend was washed away by rain overnight. My sump pump is running! In December. Amazing.

When I got my mail, there was fog forming. It wasn't even totally dark yet. I think I have grown to dislike the fog more than the cloudy skies and cold here. I grew up in Des Moines and we weren't so close to the Mississippi and didn't get heavy fog as often as we get it.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

We're cold and grey, too ... with some fog, cloudiness and rain in the forecast. Tonight's overnight low is 39, tomorrow's high is 57. 57 Monday. 51 and rainy on Tuesday.

We had five kitties go to their new homes today at Petco ... yay! Afterward, we grabbed dinner to go from Whole Foods (tuna sashimi, turkey tetrazini and some tequila lime chicken .... yes, a weird combo, lol!) After dinner, we went and got my hair cut (yay, I needed that trim), and then popped over to a friend's house to see their holiday lights, inside and out. Very festive. She also loaned us a Netflix movie that we've wanted to rent .... saving us a few bucks! I think we'll make a Sunday afternoon matinee out of it.

I did pick up some candy cane taffy at Whole Foods, too, as part of the gift for Amanda (my chore girl!)

[marvholly]

Sharon
It was rainy & miserable here in metro Chicago all day Sat too. I just ran to the library, CVs & WAG. Drove <5 mi total.

Theotherme
Heard my sump pump a lot too, but we had rain.

There is a nearby burb that has MANY homes w/BIG holiday light displays. I want to drive thru that area before the kids get off school – maybe Mon. It used to be an annual ritual when my kids were kids but have not done for several years.


Today I plan to do a bitr of cooking (have a small pork roast out), watch the political talk shows and the Bears game (if I can stand it).

[Sharon]

Today I want to get a start on the wrapping, I am so behind this year, and do some holiday baking. I have made big meals the last two days so today is every person for themselves.

I also need to finish getting my box ready to go to nephew in Afghanistan. I have assigned DD the task of standing in line at the post office and getting it mailed. ;D

[motherto2]

I took DD out for lunch at Outback yesterday as an early college graduation celebration since I won't see her until next weekend. I gave her a card with $100 in it also. DS and I are taking her to a place near DC called They Gaylord. They do this HUGE ice park that is completely enclosed by a tent thing, and they have all these ice sculptures, etc. This year the theme is Shrek. We are also having dinner at the fancy schmancy restuarant at the hotel. Can't wait. What a celebration!

I had lunch today with one of my best friends. It is so disconcerting to hear of all the troubles going on where she works. It made me say a little silent prayer of thanks. I just feel so bad for so many people right now.

DS is supposed to be home sometime Tuesday night after his last exam. Totally excited!

Pray that DD's last paper and exam (it's a live presentation of the paper) goes well tomorrow. And then she's DDDOOONNNNEEE!!!!!

It's kind rainy/overcast here today. I bought my first eggnogg yesterday, so I think I might get a taste and watch a Christmas movie. I only have another week before the movies will be gone until next year

[Sharon]

Mother congratulations on your DD's graduation. That is truly an accomplishment. Enjoy your time with your kids.

We are under a high wind watch this evening. Peak winds are expected between midnight and 5am. Right now winds are about 35mph. They are supposed to get up to 55-60mph later tonight. Hopefully the fence and the trees stay where they are supposed to be, upright and in the ground.

[TheOtherMe]

DS invited me to come over and make Christmas cookies with her grandkids. I had been wanting to give them hugs since the news on Friday and got to give them several hugs. The adults probably needed it more than the kids as these kids don't know much about it.

DS showed us a rash on her back. I knew what it was. She has shingles! I know because I had them three years ago. She had them when she was a kid also. She's been so stressed with the teacher she works with having Stage IV cancer and one problem child in the class who hit her this week when she tried to discipline him. One thing after another. That was pretty much the way I felt when I got them--too much stuff was going on in my life.

I didn't go to the doctor very soon so pretty much suffered through them. She's going tomorrow to her doctor. By the time I went to the doctor, they were drying up. Hers are just forming so hopefully she can get some relief.

We also celebrated her son's 25th birthday. He can rent cars now!

DS also gave me a Christmas tree that I admired. It's pretty much Lucy proof. Lucy isn't the least bit interested in it. It doesn't have lights, but it does have bulbs and makes things a bit cheerier for me.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Ouch ... shingles HURTS. My wonderful DH has had them.

A neighbor ran our doorbell at 8am (Sunday morning!) to ask for our advice on housebreaking a cocker spaniel she rescued MONTHS ago. I was sound asleep and didn't even hear the doorbell ... but my wonderful DH did and did his best to answer her questions. But 8am? On a Sunday morning? To ask us for dog advice? (We're CAT rescuers!)

We went to Sonic Drive-in for lunch, lol ... we both wanted tater tots! Afterward, we went chair shopping for new dining room chairs (I was looking to update our 20+ year old ones that I bought used in 1992) and found some we both liked ... and bought them! We also went treasure hunting at the Grocery Outlet and came home with cheese and yogurt and spiral ham and some pastrami!

I also filled bird feeders and snapped some fun finchy photos today!

And we watched The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel this afternoon!

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 16, 2012 23:29:06 GMT -5 ❤ mollymouser ❤ said:

Ouch ... shingles HURTS. My wonderful DH has had them.

I had them 4 years ago, at about the same age she is. Doctor confirmed our diagnosis and since she is in pain, she is on two medications. By the time I went to doctor, mine were clearing up. Her teacher with cancer was wanting to come to the PreK holiday program on Wednesday, but she can't if DS does according to her doctor. DS has offered to take the day off.

I don't know anybody whose doorbell I would ring any day of the week at 8 AM unless there house was on fire. Nobody. Way too early. I'm often still sleeping at 8 AM any day of the week.

I'm doing my work at the church on Wednesday instead of Thursday since a big winter storm is supposedly coming in Wednesday evening and Thursday with 6-8 inches of snow and wind. That means my drift right behind the garage door will be there on Thursday. Pastor kindly agreed to my request to change days. I will have three bulletins to prepare--Sunday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I definitely have to get the work done--just not in a blizzard.

DS has decided we are having Christmas at her house on Christmas Day. She has no idea of the time. I guess it was up in the air because the Santa Claus presents are at her house for the kids. Her SIL thinks his children should open Santa Claus presents at their house and I agree with him.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

<----- not not not a morning person ;D

[marvholly]

We have definatly passed the 'latest snow' day ever. As of Mon morning the forecast was for snow Thur BUT by evening it was forecast to his south of me. We'll see.

[TheOtherMe]

We now have a 100% chance of snow on Thursday with high winds. Snow is to start Wednesday evening. I will be hibernating on Thursday. I can get caught up on everything inside.

I am not a morning person either.

My favorite basketball team sent me a Christmas card and a box of chocolates!

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

We're supposed to be 33 overnight .... brrrrr. I was out filling bird feeders today in the wind and it was nippy. Of course, I was barefoot and wearing shorts ~ but I did have a sweatshirt on!

I cleaned out my sock drawer today, and decided to throw away every pair that was hole-y, or stretched out or otherwise unwearable. Amazingly enough, now I have lots of room! LOL!