(NEW) SMART SPENDING CHAT THREAD

[Sharon]

I liked my scale this morning.  It said Lo.  Okay so the battery needs to be replaced but every once in a while it is nice to step on the scale and see that.

[marvholly]

mother
My late DH was like your son. I ALWAYS remembered his commitments & Dr/dentist appts. He ALWAYS argued w/me. I was ALWAYS right.

Sharon
I am NOT happy w/my bath (or kitchen) scale. Told the DDs I want/need both/either for Mothers day or my bday.

One of my routine shopping site discussion boards has been shut down. I can well understand why. It has been dead for quite a LONG time. I had dropped from vising every few days to hitting it just 2x/week. But then, all the sites I routinely visit (including the not msn forums) seem MUCH slower.

I am really OUT of the local loop. A local art, crafts, music, food & antique street fair has changed their dates. Back in the dark ages it was the weekend before Fathers day. I have not gone in at least 5 years (it is IMPOSSIBLE to park). Now it is Fathers day weekend & has been for at least several years. I had hoped DD1 would go w/me this year. I have an acquaintance that makes jewelry & I hoped to have her pick out something for her bday. Not likely to happen now. Would have made it MUCH easier. Even if she did not see exactly what she wanted, she could have ordered it & easy for me to pick up as he works FT at a store I hit regularly.

[mrsdutt]

Life is hopping around here.  Two bdays within 4 days, strawberry season, Mother's Day, yard getting done tomorrow (yay) tomato plants doing great, picking up DD1s kids after school tomorrow, and I had a consultation with a decorator.  All in a week's time.

I found one of the pieces the decorator suggested last night.  It's for the office, but I put it in the guest room for my Labor Day guest.  She'll be staying for a week so the drawers in it will serve well.  It's a bench with drawers and 3 baskets under the drawers.

Tomorrow a friend and I are going to the farm to get strawberries.  I'm going to teach her how to freeze them.  When I get home I'll make freezer jam too.

The yard is getting done with 2 raised (high) beds so my tomatoes, cukes,  and blackberry bush can go in one of them.  Once it's done, I'll ask MOLLY to put a pic on here if you all are interested.

MOTHER:  I know how difficult it is not to have your 'chicks' with you.  If you'd like, I can give you my number in a PM and we can talk once in a while.  I have endless long distance, if you don't and I can call you.

Stay safe and enjoy the day.

[TheOtherMe]

Back in a bit of a crisis mode tonight with mom and dad.  Somebody who had been on the waiting list for five years has decided she wanted the apartment June 1.  Parents have 3 days to decide.  DS is scared to put the 10% down without knowing what happens if house sale falls apart.  I did talk to realtor and he says appraisal was ordered and worst that can happen is that closing gets pushed back about a week.  DS is still nervous.  To make it worse, our cell phone service is out and she can't call parents after she talked it over with her DH.

Lucy and I are totally alone in the duplex tonight.  Young couple next door have sold their house and close on Friday. He came by to mow and get the rest of their stuff while wife cleaned.  Said our goodbyes.  I never got to see new baby as she was always sleeping when I dropped by.  Told him I wanted to see the new house when it gets built.  They are breaking ground tomorrow.

I don't know what will happen if DS decides not to put the 10% down.  This was going along smoothly.

[TheOtherMe]

I forgot to add that the great niece for whom I babysit had one of her drawings selected as the winner of the day care contest at the hospital where her mom works.  This week, it is the screen saver on all of the hospital computers.  They gave me a postcard of it.  On the back, it says artist and her name.  How cool is that!

Found out what it's like to be a parent.  Had to help great nephew with homework or he couldn't join dad in BIL's fields last night.  He did the math on the way home in the car.  Then he had to read to me for 15 minutes.  Both books he brought home from the library are too advanced for him and he really struggled.  It took about 30 minutes to read 4 pages and there were lots of pictures.  Military vehicles and planes.  I can see why he wanted the book, but it's not 2nd grade reading.  Then we did spelling.  That was fun.  He did great at that.  

[Sharon]

Today is going to be an expensive day.  DD called me last night and she had a small amount of smoke coming out of her laptop.  Apparently that is a bad thing.   Today after work I will be driving down to school and we will be laptop shopping.  Anymore in college a laptop is an absolute necessity.  There are 4 more weeks left in the term so we can not wait until summer.

She was having issues a couple three days ago and I told her to back up everything.  Well I guess she backed up some things but not everything.  It will be interesting to see what she has lost.

[mrsdutt]

No garden today. (Sad face)  Tomorrow, I'm told.  Oh well.  I'm glad that's my only problem in life this day.

[TheOtherMe]

Crisis averted.  Mom told DS to make the down payment.  We're going this afternoon to do it!  Very happy this morning.

[mrsdutt]

May 16, 2013 7:54:10 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Crisis averted.  Mom told DS to make the down payment.  We're going this afternoon to do it!  Very happy this morning.

YEAH!!!!

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

I am whiny, bloated, grouchy, and hormonal .....Gosh, I'm tired of my monthly cycle! I suppose things would be better if I could have chocolate or alcohol ~ but I can't have either, and there's no one around to strangle! (silly grin!) Anyway, add a skeeter bite ON MY FOOT and I've just generally been in a sluggish, crampy, cranky mood all day long. (So I've been trying to stay off the internet!)

Tomorrow, I shall try kitten therapy in the afternoon.

[Sharon]

Theo I'm glad you parents decided to go ahead and put the down payment on the apartment.  Your Mom must finally be feeling better and be ready to move.

We found a new laptop for DD that was reasonably priced and got good reviews.  I am pleased with it.  She is still sad about having to give up her old one.  I had purchased an extended warranty for it and we are going to send it in and it should either be fixed or replaced.  If everything happens like it should then I will use the old laptop.  I don't travel alot but have wished that I did have a laptop from time to time.  At home I love my desktop model.  Hopefully it works out as a win-win all around.

[marvholly]

My doorbell rang at 7:00 AM on Thur. As a woman living alone I generally do NOT answer the door if I am not expecting someone. Looked out my peep hole & saw a young man in work clothes. Turns out my street had been posted no parking the previous afternoon (must complain to town re: lack of reasonable notice) because they were cutting down trees.

Cut down the totally dead one & the 1/3 dead one on my neighbor south of me's parkway. Left the totally dead one on the neighbor 3 house's south parkway. Do NOIT understand the thinking here.

[marvholly]

I have been a VERY good girl about recipes this week (and NOTHING else). Copied 2 new ones from the net in the last 7-10 days and actually made both. First needs some MAJOR tweeking but the second is quite good as is.

Meeting up w/DDs today for early dinner for belated Mother's day. At least I get to buy MUCH cheaper gas but will burn about 3 gal since DD2 is an 80 mi rt. Trying to figure out what I will wear since we are going to a 'nice' place on a Sat eve but know it is likely both DDs will wear jeans. Also, will NOT need a jacket going but will coming home.

[mrsdutt]

I went to the church rummage sale this morning with a girlfriend.  I found a old time emanal coffee pot with a picture of a lighthouse on it.  I grabbed it up and planted my philadendrum in it.  It's on the coffee table and looks mighty fine.

[NancysSummerSip]

Hi all. I don't get to stop over much. I did the volunteer thing most of the day, and got soaked by a rainstorm for my efforts.

Doing a load of laundry, and dinner (a pork loin I got on sale and marinated in teryaki, soy sauce, barbecue sauce, mustard and maple syrup) is in the oven. I'll serve it with rice and buttered carrots.

Tomorrow is a trip to the local greenmarket, then home to clean the home office closet, finally. I have two suitcases that I want to put in that closet, but it has become such a catchall, that they won't fit there right now.

[motherto2]

Evening all!  It's been a crazy week, but today was very relaxing.  I told you all about the two birthdays, but then my grandmother that I go to sit with on my day off had a heart attack on Wednesday.  They put a stent (sp?) in Thursday, and seems to be doing better.  She has some issue going on with her kidneys also, but not really sure what that's all about.  My coworkers and I bought lottery tickets for tonight's drawing.  Keeping fingers crossed!!!!  First thing I would do if I won is take care of my grandmother.  It would relieve a whole lot of people and give them some much needed time off. 

I'm also a little concerned about my mom.  When she got out of the car to walk in to the restaurant Wednesday she got dizzy.  Apparently that is happening more than I was aware of.  And she forgot that DD is in Kuwait.  She also forgot that I took DS to Roanoke Monday.  She was having some sort of lights in her left eye and her peripheral vision was off on the left side.  It finally cleared up after a half hour or so.  She refuses to go to the Dr. when these things are happening.  Very worried.

The pup and I went to the Farmer's market in town today.  We stopped in a dog store on the way back to the car.  I bought him one of those thunder wraps that is supposed to help calm dogs down during stressful situations.  The girl that waited on me said it was 100% satisfaction guaranteed from the company.  I've thought about trying it because he gets a little stressed when we go around a bunch of people.  Partially because he's not around a bunch of people, and when we go on our walks we don't usually run in to many people.  He loves people, but crowds are a little scary for him.  And he's always pulling and sniffing.  I put it on him to try it out, and he is like a changed dog.  He would walk beside me for the most part (still a little sniffy but not like usual).  I also bought him a doggie seat that attaches to the seat.  He likes to sit in my lap but not the ideal way to travel.  I think it's going to take a while to get him broken in to riding in it but I think he will get there.  Am I turning into one of those crazy dog ladies

I haven't been able to talk to DS since he left.  I am assuming he's not allowed to use his phone.  I hope things are going well.  I'm sure he's probably pretty sore right about now .  This part of his training only lasts 29 days, so only another 3 weeks or so to go!

Dutt, I'm going to PM you my number.  It will be great to talk to you!!!

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Checking in ...

We had 1 kitten adopted Friday and 4 kittens adopted today at our Petco Adoption Center ~ yay! I will admit that I'm covered in kitten scratches ... which is what happens when you wear shorts around kittens! Yikes! Their little fishhooks are SHARP! 

We went out to dinner tonight with some friends, which was nice.

We bought a new 75 ft hose and some sprinkler attachments so I can keep my tomatoes watered and I can work on the brown spots on our grass. I've already got a few red cherry tomatoes!

Looks like my wonderful DH gets paid May 24 (for the missing part of his May 1 check, and his May 15 check). I've looked online, and it's not correct (of course not), but it's close ... so that's encouraging!

He leaves again for a week in San Antonio on June 9. That's annual aircraft training.

Our new pool sweep doesn't spray the back windows! YAY! We're trying it for a month to see if it's a keeper, but my vote will be YES!

[marvholly]

Had dinner out w/boith DDs yesterday. This was a belated Mother's Day + my bday next month combined since DD2 is due in late june and she was a month early w/#1. We ate at a GRET tapas place near DD2. Did 2 shellfish plates (calamari & shrimp) that DD2 7 I shared plus 5 other veggies plates we all shared (DD1 is a lacto-ovo veggie). They got me BOTH the kitchen and bath scales I wanted to replace (3 out for 2 in).

I guessed WRONG on everyone's dress. DD1 wore a real dress and wedge heeled sandals. DD2 wore a black top and denim skirt. i wore black pants, dressy white blouse & carrried a black & white blazer. It got & stayed warmer than I expected.

[Sharon]

I spent the weekend with my Mom and Sis at a cabin in the mountains along side a river.  We enjoy going to this resort and go 2 or 3 times a year.  They have these cute little cabins that are along a river and there are plenty of trails where you can walk by the river.  Saturday morning while we were eating breakfast a deer walked in front of the cabin.  It was a nice relaxing weekend.

My Future Son in Law (FSIL) brought me some strawberry plants for my garden.  He also brought me some fresh picked strawberries from their field.  I see a lot of strawberries and ice cream in my future.

[TheOtherMe]

DS and I went to parents' house yesterday so parents could sign contract for their apartment.  We went over every single paragraph.  Mom would have signed anything, but we don't want them saying we didn't explain things to them.  Mom signed in all of her places while Dad went to bathroom.  We had shown them the billing statement for what they need to pay on move-in.  The calculation included the down payment DS made as a minus.  Dad didn't even see it.  

When he came back to the table, he said I sure hope the house sells.  Dad, it's under contract and the appraiser has now been there.  My DN2, DS and I as well as mom told him this is pretty much a done deal on the house.  He finally signed the paperwork.  I am to call to arrange the telephone.  When they went to order pizza, the phone was dead.  When we got there, the mowing guy was there.  DN2 went outside and it appears a line is cut by the house.  I've never seen phone wiring that is not in a box, but the wires were on the ground, very weathered and corroded and one was no longer attached.  No repair people until in the morning.  

Mom is not well.  She runs out of medicine tomorrow.  She kept insisting she was not going to call the doctor again.  By the time we left, she had agreed to call doctor tomorrow once phone is fixed.  DS and I were on her case all day.

When we reminded dad of his dr appointment with a cardiologist, he said he wasn't sure if he remembered how to get to the doctor's office in Dubuque.  Dad, you are NOT driving in Dubuque.  He just isn't sure if he wants to give up his car.  We're hoping when he realizes he doesn't need a car, it will be easier for him to give it up.

[TheOtherMe]

And guess what I will be doing one week from now!  I will be gazing in to the eyes of my main squeeze!     

[mrsdutt]

ell, let's give this another try.  The garden guy is suppose to start my yard today.  We'll see what happens.  I found snails out there this morning so I had a salting session.  I picked my first salad this morning.  Spinach and lettuce for lunch.  Good thing because yesterday I ate mostly garbage food.  Who eats cake for breakfast, I ask??    I was super lazy too and took 2 naps.  This morning I was on the go at ten to six.  I swept the garage, got rid of snails, (slugs), fed the dog, made the bed, did a few dishes, picked my salad and 'fed' the tomato plants.  It's now 7:08.

I have to take the car to get inspected.  I can't wait to see how much I'm charged for the seatbelt light staying on.  Then out to breakfast with SIL.  I need to grab 8 tomato cages too.

Enjoy the day and stay safe.

[TheOtherMe]

We had a big storm last night that lasted over an hour.  DS had a hog barn blown off the foundation so they are out round up pigs and figuring out where to put them.  Winds were very high.  My sump pump is running, but not constantly as it has after some of the storms we get.  We supposedly got .68 inches of rain.

Lawn furniture is blown all over, but I didn't have any out.  

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

I spent the day glued to the Weather Channel.

I watered my tomatoes ... doing well. Still nursing my skeeter bites.

Will help staff the Petco Adoption Center Thursday and Friday.

[marvholly]

We were/are forecast for HEAVY rain/wind starting Mon afternoon & continuing off/on into Thur am. Ended up doing my outside errands Mon morning in the miserable humid. It is actually quite nice right now. Will have to see what happens.

set up my new scales Mon am. Do NOT like the reading on the new bath scale. MUST control eating MUCH better. Kitchen scale did NOT work. Tried calling the company and got a 'leave a message & we will get back to you' voice mail.
Was NOT happy. Replaced the batteries provided w/some of mine. Worked fine but ticked they sell items w/BAD batteries. If it had come from a local shop I would have returned it but DD2 does most of her shopping on Amazon.

[mrsdutt]

I'd like to take this opportunity to announce the birth of the last (no one is having any more) lduttinger family baby!!!!!!!!

Girl
8lb 5 oz
delivered by C Section one hour ago!!!!

We're all on cloud 9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

 Yay for your new grandbaby!

[Sharon]

Congrats to the Duttinger family on the arrival of it's newest member.

[Sharon]

The tree service that I hired came today and trimmed trees and hedges.  Everything looks wonderful.  They even handled the cranky pants neighbor and got him to agree to let them on his property to trim the hedges from that side.  I had 2 hedges trimmed, 3 arborvitae removed and various limbs removed from 4 trees.  It was well worth it.

Those guys did such a good job and everything was left neat and clean.  I called the office and told them how great those guys were.  Everyone is always quick to call when things are wrong so I try and remember to call when things are really good.

[TheOtherMe]

May 21, 2013 14:15:34 GMT -5 mrsdutt said:

I'd like to take this opportunity to announce the birth of the last (no one is having any more) lduttinger family baby!!!!!!!!

Girl
8lb 5 oz
delivered by C Section one hour ago!!!!

We're all on cloud 9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!!!!