Don't think that my laptop and camera being stolen have kept me too down. It's just a lot harder to get online and post my thoughts...especially with DD's computer...which is TEN YEARS OLD. Can't even install my software for the El Cheapo Camera. Horrible. We will be submitting our "package" of boxes and books and receipts to the insurance this coming week and hopefully will get something back to buy our life back into normal. It's a little difficult to not go and grab a credit card and just go buy new stuff, especially with the prices of things plummeting all around us. But, I'm sticking to my "Dave Says..." phrases and am trying to save up enough cash for what is important. And yes, I'm trying to figure out how to designate which things that were stolen as important. We will just have to wait and see.
I was going to try to post some of the cards that I made but apparently DD's computer is not ready for that. SAD FACE!!! I will definitely have to get something fixed in the computer area...
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Friday, December 19, 2008
One More Day until Vacation
So, it's Friday night and I'm typing this from DD's computer, which is about ten years old and SUPER SLOW. It seems to take forever for anything to appear on the monitor...what's the point of typing if the letters take about a second each to appear? But, the point is that I do have internet access, which, at this time, is a blessing.
I have decided to take next week off work. Quite excited. DH is taking the week off as well and it is the first vacation we have taken together in YEARS. Sad, but true. Not sure what we will be doing or where we are going since we are stuck due to weather to the south of us and to the north of us. But, we will be together. And that is what is most important.
This week at work I hosted a Cookie Exchange. Not too many people participated, but it still turned out. I copied all of the recipes and will be making little books for the participants. I think those of us who did participate enjoyed it. Hopefully next year we will have a bigger turn out.
This week was also the last week of official school until the new year. DS and I made goodie bags out the larger cellophane bags from Stampin' Up. Then we stamped some images and he punched them out with the 1 3/4 inch punch and the scallop circle punch. He loves the punches. DD and I worked off of an idea from Chic'N'Scratch and made Snowman Soup for her morning class and chocolate chip cookies. Of course, I stayed up until 11:30 doing all of this but it was well worth seeing all of the kids' eyes light up when they saw their goodies.
Will post pictures later...still trying to find all of the connectors to what remains of the belongings that didn't get stolen...which is still an ordea.
I have decided to take next week off work. Quite excited. DH is taking the week off as well and it is the first vacation we have taken together in YEARS. Sad, but true. Not sure what we will be doing or where we are going since we are stuck due to weather to the south of us and to the north of us. But, we will be together. And that is what is most important.
This week at work I hosted a Cookie Exchange. Not too many people participated, but it still turned out. I copied all of the recipes and will be making little books for the participants. I think those of us who did participate enjoyed it. Hopefully next year we will have a bigger turn out.
This week was also the last week of official school until the new year. DS and I made goodie bags out the larger cellophane bags from Stampin' Up. Then we stamped some images and he punched them out with the 1 3/4 inch punch and the scallop circle punch. He loves the punches. DD and I worked off of an idea from Chic'N'Scratch and made Snowman Soup for her morning class and chocolate chip cookies. Of course, I stayed up until 11:30 doing all of this but it was well worth seeing all of the kids' eyes light up when they saw their goodies.
Will post pictures later...still trying to find all of the connectors to what remains of the belongings that didn't get stolen...which is still an ordea.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Robbery!
We've been robbed!
Perfect time of year, for the bad guys, too. Christmas, holidays...bringing in the new to get rid of the old.
They tore apart the house, clothes and food all over the place. They broke down the front door, they bent the Christmas tree and they ripped up the few gifts that were there.
They stole four game systems...2 laptops, my digital camera...my daughter's wallet, a collection of state quarters, some Susan B. Anthony's and the Sacajawea gold coins. Some stuff I use for my work, a purse, just about everything we use on a daily basis to either have a good time while stuck at home or to earn income.
Insurance deductible: $2,000.00. Cost of items stolen: I haven't even tallied everything because I'm still realizing stuff is missing. But apparently they deduct for what an item is worth at the current time. Can't wait to see how much they deduct...
Time to start new. Wish I had the opportunity to purge myself...at least get some form of compensation to start over in the positive. But starting over is starting over, and I've learned something new about how homeowners can protect themselves.
Perfect time of year, for the bad guys, too. Christmas, holidays...bringing in the new to get rid of the old.
They tore apart the house, clothes and food all over the place. They broke down the front door, they bent the Christmas tree and they ripped up the few gifts that were there.
They stole four game systems...2 laptops, my digital camera...my daughter's wallet, a collection of state quarters, some Susan B. Anthony's and the Sacajawea gold coins. Some stuff I use for my work, a purse, just about everything we use on a daily basis to either have a good time while stuck at home or to earn income.
Insurance deductible: $2,000.00. Cost of items stolen: I haven't even tallied everything because I'm still realizing stuff is missing. But apparently they deduct for what an item is worth at the current time. Can't wait to see how much they deduct...
Time to start new. Wish I had the opportunity to purge myself...at least get some form of compensation to start over in the positive. But starting over is starting over, and I've learned something new about how homeowners can protect themselves.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
The Beginning of My Christmas Crafts
I finally got my Stampin' Up products from my hostess night, plus some stuff I ordered from few other demonstrators of various craft products who have been super helpful and challenging. It's like Christmas, opening up the boxes and playing with all of my new items! I love it.
This is a second gift card holder...I just kind of winged it. The sentiment is from Big On Christmas and I watercolored it with Bashful Blue and embossed the snowman's hat in black. I used Pacific Point and Riding Hood Red and White grosgrain ribbon. The sentiment I had done last night. I had wanted to use it for the first card but once I put it all together, I realized that the sentiment covered up the majority of the cover on the holder and it wouldn't work quite as well as I hoped. So I made a library card pocket quickly, punched holes on the right for the ribbon, took another scrap of Riding Hood Red and used the Slit punch to hold the card in place. I then punched a hole at the right of this card, ran the ribbon through and tied it in a bow. When the recipient unties the ribbon and pulls it, they will also pull out the gift card.
I've been gathering ideas from demonstrators across the country...carefully reading their blogs and watching all the tutorials that they post for inspiration and instruction. Let me tell you, I am in awe of some of these women. I only hope that I get to be as good as they are.
Here are some pictures of some of the crafts DD and I worked on this weekend. DS was way too busy to help...he recently discovered that his new teddy bear from Build-A-Bear has a hole in his back and he has been extra careful to "clean" and "re-bandage" his newest associate. Love it. I wish I could capture his sweet spirit in a bottle for when his Grumpiness errupts in tantrums.
These first two pictures are of a gift card holder I saw on Creations by AR. It came out super cute! Let me tell you, Adela is a GENIOUS! She is super talented and obviously very patient. I recommend checking out her blog at least once a week.
I used Pacific Point and Riding Hood Red CS, Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, my new Snowflakes embossing folder from Provo Craft, and I embossed the sentiment from Holidays & Wishes. The bottom is stamped with snowflakes from Punch Pals.
This is a bag I cased from my demonstrator, Tina. We did this project last month with the Pampered Stampers and DD fell in love with it. I used Bashful Blue cardstock and had DD punch out the scalloped circle and she did the scalloped border on the bottom. She then picked out the stamp (the deer from the Deer Friends set) and used Chocolate Chip and Real Red. We then took some printer paper, ran it through the shredder, then ran it through the crimper and stuffed it into the bottom. We are waiting to fill up this little bag with goodies.
This is a bag I cased from my demonstrator, Tina. We did this project last month with the Pampered Stampers and DD fell in love with it. I used Bashful Blue cardstock and had DD punch out the scalloped circle and she did the scalloped border on the bottom. She then picked out the stamp (the deer from the Deer Friends set) and used Chocolate Chip and Real Red. We then took some printer paper, ran it through the shredder, then ran it through the crimper and stuffed it into the bottom. We are waiting to fill up this little bag with goodies. 
This is a second gift card holder...I just kind of winged it. The sentiment is from Big On Christmas and I watercolored it with Bashful Blue and embossed the snowman's hat in black. I used Pacific Point and Riding Hood Red and White grosgrain ribbon. The sentiment I had done last night. I had wanted to use it for the first card but once I put it all together, I realized that the sentiment covered up the majority of the cover on the holder and it wouldn't work quite as well as I hoped. So I made a library card pocket quickly, punched holes on the right for the ribbon, took another scrap of Riding Hood Red and used the Slit punch to hold the card in place. I then punched a hole at the right of this card, ran the ribbon through and tied it in a bow. When the recipient unties the ribbon and pulls it, they will also pull out the gift card.
As I was typing this, I realized I could quickly make this card that much better. I used my Crop-a-Dile and put silver eyelets in place of just the punched holes for the ribbon to slide through. 
It does look a little bit more polished this way.
I hope you enjoy checking these few things out as much as DD and I did making them.
Monday, November 24, 2008
My Own Creations
In case you haven't been following, I've recently been entertained with a company named Stampin' Up. It's a scrapbooking/rubber stamp company that sells all sorts of nifty things like inks, ribbons, paper, sticky things, punches, and crazy looking tools.
I've joined a little group of women affectionately called The Pampered Stampers. We get together once a month, eat junk and create until our hearts are content. Our Creative Coach, Tina, also hosts other small gatherings where you can learn different techniques or how to use a product, and you go home with some beautiful cards and other cute creations.
For years I have tried to follow in my mother's footsteps. She is so crafty and nifty...and, despite the similar the relation, it seemed like I was a lost cause. I have so many craft tools and papers and other things...nothing created...nothing finished.
Well, I have pulled out my craft tools, my paper, my sticky things, my embellishments, and I have started creating things on my own. I have been "blog stalking" and trying to re-create. I've had to readjust my budget and allow for creative purchases. The hardest part? Making my thoughts work. And making sure to find projects that I am able to create with the kids climbing all over me.
So, here are my latest: Thanksgiving cards to the family and a Going Away card for a girlfriend at work.
The Thanksgiving cards I used mostly products from Stampin' Up: the Earth Element colors, Happy Blessings (holiday mini), the scallop circle punch, and the 1 3/8 circle punch. Of course, as you can see, none of the cards are the same. Maybe this is my fault, but I'm still learning. I had fun doing these, and it took me probably all of two hours to complete them. Mind you, I also completed two loads of laundry, made cupcakes for DS' Fourth Birthday, cooked dinner, and did the dishes. Not bad.
This last card I made for my girlfriend at work using a technique DD and I thought was amazing and had to create TONIGHT (we did, it took some time to create, only because we don't have the right adhesives, yet). My friend is a hard-working, beautiful inside and out, under-appreciated woman. She's been at the office for quite awhile and is, in every way, under-appreciated. She finally got a job at another location, and a considerable pay raise. While in reality this means that my days will be a little rougher and I will miss her terribly, both professionally and personally, I am extremely happy for her. No one else deserves a change for the better more than she does. I hope that the grass truly is greener on the other side for her.
I know that these look a little rough, but I am still learning and practicing. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I did creating them.
I've joined a little group of women affectionately called The Pampered Stampers. We get together once a month, eat junk and create until our hearts are content. Our Creative Coach, Tina, also hosts other small gatherings where you can learn different techniques or how to use a product, and you go home with some beautiful cards and other cute creations.
For years I have tried to follow in my mother's footsteps. She is so crafty and nifty...and, despite the similar the relation, it seemed like I was a lost cause. I have so many craft tools and papers and other things...nothing created...nothing finished.
Well, I have pulled out my craft tools, my paper, my sticky things, my embellishments, and I have started creating things on my own. I have been "blog stalking" and trying to re-create. I've had to readjust my budget and allow for creative purchases. The hardest part? Making my thoughts work. And making sure to find projects that I am able to create with the kids climbing all over me.
So, here are my latest: Thanksgiving cards to the family and a Going Away card for a girlfriend at work.
The Thanksgiving cards I used mostly products from Stampin' Up: the Earth Element colors, Happy Blessings (holiday mini), the scallop circle punch, and the 1 3/8 circle punch. Of course, as you can see, none of the cards are the same. Maybe this is my fault, but I'm still learning. I had fun doing these, and it took me probably all of two hours to complete them. Mind you, I also completed two loads of laundry, made cupcakes for DS' Fourth Birthday, cooked dinner, and did the dishes. Not bad.
This last card I made for my girlfriend at work using a technique DD and I thought was amazing and had to create TONIGHT (we did, it took some time to create, only because we don't have the right adhesives, yet). My friend is a hard-working, beautiful inside and out, under-appreciated woman. She's been at the office for quite awhile and is, in every way, under-appreciated. She finally got a job at another location, and a considerable pay raise. While in reality this means that my days will be a little rougher and I will miss her terribly, both professionally and personally, I am extremely happy for her. No one else deserves a change for the better more than she does. I hope that the grass truly is greener on the other side for her.
I know that these look a little rough, but I am still learning and practicing. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I did creating them.
Mail Call!
So, it's just a few days before the holidays. I'm slightly depressed because I haven't received anything great in the mail for quite awhile. I feel like ordering something just to get excited about putting the key in the mail box. But...I need to keep working on my debt snowball.
Today, however, is different. I opened my mail box and inside was a KEY! A key to the bigger mail box down below...which indicates PACKAGE.
To my surprise, I found three small packages. I rushed to the house...ripped open the tape and found, to my delight: One Secret Clinical Strength Sport full-sized deoderant; a sample size of Cheerios; and last but of course not least: a Tide To-Go mini stick and a sample size of Tide detergent.
How exciting! Specifically the deoderant. Come on, you know how much this stuff is! I'm happy. Lately none of my freebies seem to work. I've been dissapointed, no coupons, no free stuff. Nothing. Only bills.
Ahhh...finally. I'm comfortable with leaving my mail box.
Today, however, is different. I opened my mail box and inside was a KEY! A key to the bigger mail box down below...which indicates PACKAGE.
To my surprise, I found three small packages. I rushed to the house...ripped open the tape and found, to my delight: One Secret Clinical Strength Sport full-sized deoderant; a sample size of Cheerios; and last but of course not least: a Tide To-Go mini stick and a sample size of Tide detergent.
How exciting! Specifically the deoderant. Come on, you know how much this stuff is! I'm happy. Lately none of my freebies seem to work. I've been dissapointed, no coupons, no free stuff. Nothing. Only bills.
Ahhh...finally. I'm comfortable with leaving my mail box.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Happy Birthday Marines!
Semper Fi and Happy Birthday!!
For those of you who don't know...today is the Marine Corps' Birthday. 233 years...starting off in a run down, low key place: Tun Tavern.
I called some of the people I served with, I said a prayer for those still serving, and for those up above still standing watch.
I know, I've been out for a little while. But there are some things that you never forget, some parts of your life that you can never put away.
My military experience was good and bad. I would hesitate to recommend it to just anyone...you have to have something about you, something that not many others have. And being a Marine, well, it's different. There is a pride, an attitude, and a bond that is, dare I say it? Thicker than water.
Tomorrow is Veteran's Day. If you have the day off go to the parade and support your troops. Stop off at the VA and say Thank You. Hold the door open for the one in the wheel chair to stubborn to ask for help. They deserve it. And each one of us on this piece of soil owes it to them. They may not have agreed with what their commanding officer told them to do, but they did it, they are doing it. And it's because of them, I get to do what I do.
So Happy Birthday Marines! And thank you, thank you for the most unselfish act, regardless of when or where you served.
For those of you who don't know...today is the Marine Corps' Birthday. 233 years...starting off in a run down, low key place: Tun Tavern.
I called some of the people I served with, I said a prayer for those still serving, and for those up above still standing watch.
I know, I've been out for a little while. But there are some things that you never forget, some parts of your life that you can never put away.
My military experience was good and bad. I would hesitate to recommend it to just anyone...you have to have something about you, something that not many others have. And being a Marine, well, it's different. There is a pride, an attitude, and a bond that is, dare I say it? Thicker than water.
Tomorrow is Veteran's Day. If you have the day off go to the parade and support your troops. Stop off at the VA and say Thank You. Hold the door open for the one in the wheel chair to stubborn to ask for help. They deserve it. And each one of us on this piece of soil owes it to them. They may not have agreed with what their commanding officer told them to do, but they did it, they are doing it. And it's because of them, I get to do what I do.
So Happy Birthday Marines! And thank you, thank you for the most unselfish act, regardless of when or where you served.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
The Today Show - This Morning
Good morning. For some reason I had to get up and turn the t.v. on this morning. The Today show was on with a title of "Frugal Fun". I try to pay attention to certain things television shows talk about, to see if there are any new ideas out there that I might follow. But most of the time, I am very disappointed. This morning was no different.
Three women (two guests and the co-host) were discussing how to be "frugal". They chatted up the idea that if you buy regular Starbucks every morning, you could save more money if you bought Dunkin' Donuts. THAT'S YOUR ADVICE?? Or this one: Buy Generic - Not Name Brand. ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!
Here are my ideas: Make Your Own Coffee!! A large container of ground coffee can be bought for about $9.00 - and you can find coupons for $0.55 off certain brands of coffee. Then, buy a pound of sugar...right now there are tons of coupons for sugar due to the holidays. Or better yet, buy it in bulk and pour it in gallon zipper bags. Buy creamer on sale. Sunday papers almost always have coupons for it - usually $1.00 off. So there...that's more than a month's worth of coffee for less than $20!!
And obviously I believe in coupons. Almost every time I go shopping, I save at least $20.00 in coupons alone - this does not count my store discount cards and the sales that they offer.
I don't live frugally. I'm trying to spend my money smarter. I try to get things while they are on sale. I'm not using my credit cards and am still active in my debt snowball. I scour the internet for rebates. I do put away the money that I would have normally used elsewhere...and I watch it grow. I save my pocket change and use that to buy something "unnecessary" - a new lipstick or lunch out with the girls. Right now with the holidays coming, I'm trying to stick with my "cash is king" beliefs and buy only what I can actually afford. It's going to be a different Christmas for the family this year, but it will be less stressful, less damaging.
My biggest goal with my new (can I say that? It's been more than 8 months...) lifestyle is that my children will learn the importance of spending money wisely, of living debt-free. They have had to give up a lot of things, and I'm pretty sure they hate "the budget". But, I have tried to bring them into my activities...somebody holds the coupons...somebody helps write the grocery list...somebody keeps track of the spending and the saving. We cook together, we plan how long it will take to save to get that one thing somebody just has to have. We play games together, we play with the toys that we already have...we do things together.
If they get nothing else out of Mama's struggle to bring the family to debt freedom, I hope they remember all of the times we spent together as a family...and carry that with them to whatever families they go off to create.
Three women (two guests and the co-host) were discussing how to be "frugal". They chatted up the idea that if you buy regular Starbucks every morning, you could save more money if you bought Dunkin' Donuts. THAT'S YOUR ADVICE?? Or this one: Buy Generic - Not Name Brand. ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!
Here are my ideas: Make Your Own Coffee!! A large container of ground coffee can be bought for about $9.00 - and you can find coupons for $0.55 off certain brands of coffee. Then, buy a pound of sugar...right now there are tons of coupons for sugar due to the holidays. Or better yet, buy it in bulk and pour it in gallon zipper bags. Buy creamer on sale. Sunday papers almost always have coupons for it - usually $1.00 off. So there...that's more than a month's worth of coffee for less than $20!!
And obviously I believe in coupons. Almost every time I go shopping, I save at least $20.00 in coupons alone - this does not count my store discount cards and the sales that they offer.
I don't live frugally. I'm trying to spend my money smarter. I try to get things while they are on sale. I'm not using my credit cards and am still active in my debt snowball. I scour the internet for rebates. I do put away the money that I would have normally used elsewhere...and I watch it grow. I save my pocket change and use that to buy something "unnecessary" - a new lipstick or lunch out with the girls. Right now with the holidays coming, I'm trying to stick with my "cash is king" beliefs and buy only what I can actually afford. It's going to be a different Christmas for the family this year, but it will be less stressful, less damaging.
My biggest goal with my new (can I say that? It's been more than 8 months...) lifestyle is that my children will learn the importance of spending money wisely, of living debt-free. They have had to give up a lot of things, and I'm pretty sure they hate "the budget". But, I have tried to bring them into my activities...somebody holds the coupons...somebody helps write the grocery list...somebody keeps track of the spending and the saving. We cook together, we plan how long it will take to save to get that one thing somebody just has to have. We play games together, we play with the toys that we already have...we do things together.
If they get nothing else out of Mama's struggle to bring the family to debt freedom, I hope they remember all of the times we spent together as a family...and carry that with them to whatever families they go off to create.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Coupons by Mail
Hey...it's time to check your Couponizer and see if you have enough coupons in your stash. I found some links to order some nice ones that will put a dent in my store bill - hopefully you find them useful, too.
Triaminic - $2.0ff - just go to the bottom of the page, click on "Help" and have the coupon mailed to you. It won't work if you try to print the coupon...and sometimes the Coupon Brick won't work...it's easier this way.
Children's Tylenol - $1.00 off - same thing - go click on "Help" and have it mailed.
Aveeno - $2.0ff any product - uh, it's getting repetitive...
Tide To Go - $1.00 off - I love this stuff...
That's enough for now...I still have to get up in the morning!
Triaminic - $2.0ff - just go to the bottom of the page, click on "Help" and have the coupon mailed to you. It won't work if you try to print the coupon...and sometimes the Coupon Brick won't work...it's easier this way.
Children's Tylenol - $1.00 off - same thing - go click on "Help" and have it mailed.
Aveeno - $2.0ff any product - uh, it's getting repetitive...
Tide To Go - $1.00 off - I love this stuff...
That's enough for now...I still have to get up in the morning!
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