Double Whammy

The stress of broken plumbing really had me down this week. To recap, I'll start by telling you that I had a couple of temporary crowns put in by my wonderful dentist. At least he was wonderful until this incident. I guess I should preface all of this with the fact that I have a very high tolerance for mouth pain or discomfort. Once during a root canal, my numbing wore off and I endured the rest of the drilling without any medication. It was so painful that I cried. I gave him the benefit of the doubt on that occasion because he was kind of in a bind. It wasn't like he could stop and numb me. I could have really had more trouble had he done that. However, this week when I went in for my crowns, I really thought I'd be in and out in an hour and pain had not even entered my mind.

My appointment was at 1:00 and Caroline decided to go with me so that she could get her hair cut (and she did....six inches whacked off). She sat patiently in the lobby, by herself, while I went back. FOUR HOURS later, I walked out of the dental office. Those were four tough hours. Again, no numbing but lots of drilling. Lots of painful drilling. I'm not sure what took so long except that there was one emergency that came in. I still feel like it was very unreasonable to keep me there for that long. Just send me home and reschedule my appointment for goodness sake. As for the numbing, or lack of, nothing comes to mind. I'm not sure what this man was thinking. I really believe that since he knows I have a high tolerance for this type of pain, he takes advantage of that. After all, it takes longer to do these things if you have to give a shot and then wait for it to kick in. I left there very frustrated, not to mention my day was wasted and sweet little Caroline had been bored to tears in the waiting area, all alone for four hours. Not fun! I came home and told Jeff that as soon as my permanent crowns are ready and put in, I will find a new dentist. This guy is really good but I've just had all I can take of him.

The rest of the week went about the same way. On Thursday, our main bathroom tub sprang a leak. Turns out, there's a broken piece up in the pipes. There's no way to cut the water off to the tub so we've had to turn the main water off. When we finally got in touch with a plumber, he told us he couldn't make it until Saturday. Ok....we found a way to cap off the pipes and were able to use the water sparingly. We just had to turn it off once we were done. By Saturday morning, the leak was much worse and we weren't able to turn the water on for more than a few minutes. We did manage to grab a shower but that's about it. Saturday the plumber calls and says he can't come until Tuesday. We couldn't get anyone else to call us back so we just had to deal with it. On Tuesday, we waited all day for this guy to show up. We called but couldn't get him. At 9:00pm, he calls and says he had a really bad day. What?!!!! I mean, I'm sorry for him but why did he wait until 9pm to call? By this time, we had called and touched base with another guy who was to show up Wednesday morning. Thankfully, he did show up. Unfortunately, he could not fix the problem. His license only allows him to do so much and this problem is major.

Now, here we are....it's a week later and still no water. There's supposed to be a new plumber come today but it's after 2pm so I'm not very optimistic. As soon as we get this horrible mess behind us, I've got plenty of happier things to share!

How is your week going?

We ~Heart~ Animals

Who could resist this?

If you read here regularly, you know that we have many pets and love them all. Currently, we have a miniature schnauzer and four cats. Our dog, Sadie, is like one of our children. Our cats, Lucy, Molly, Tabi, and Mr. Tumnus, bring lots of joy to our lives. It's hard for us to imagine anyone living without a pet.

Recently, we learned of an online social network for pet lovers. At zootoo we found like minded people who love their pets and love to help other animals. There is so much information available and all very helpful. For instance, do you have a general pet question? Do you have questions about pet products or services? Do you want to read pet news? You'll find all of this plus a lot more. One of my favorite areas is the free pet samples. Here you can sign up to try out and review pet products. This is especially helpful if there's a product I'm curious about but unsure of whether to invest in it. Another favorite place is the pet video area. The kids and I usually spend an hour or two a week just watching pet videos online. There are also ways to help a shelter get a make over or generate income for them by becoming a member of zootoo. We are always looking for ways to help animals so this was a no-brainer for us.

There are so many ways we can help animals so I encourage you to see what you can do to help shelters in your area. Start at zootoo and go from there. Animals bring so much joy to us. Why not return the favor?

Hannah's New Car

Have you tried buying a car lately? Sheesh! A few weeks ago, we co-signed a loan for my niece so that she could get a newer car. We thought it would be a fairly simple process but it took about three days to complete everything. Our niece, Hannah, is only 19 and she doesn't have any credit built up so she came to us for help. She and hubby spent a day or two looking and finally found a car. They went back the following day to do the paperwork and get things squared away. Well, things were going great until the dealership realized Hannah didn't have any insurance. She was planning to get it as soon as she left the car lot. We thought she had existing liability insurance that would cover it until she got to an insurance place to bump it up to full coverage. What happened was that she canceled the liability insurance that day and decided to go to another agency to get full coverage. When this agency proved too expensive, the only option she had was to do a car insurance comparison. That took an entire day. In the meantime, the car she had just bought was sitting on the lot. She wasn't even able to bring it home. She was upset but in the end, it all worked out. She got the insurance she needed and was able to pick up her car. She is now the proud owner of a 2004 Saturn Ion. She is thrilled. It's been tough for her and her brothers since my BIL passed away. He would be very proud of Hannah. I know I am.

Blog Tour: Washington's Lady by Nancy Moser

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing

Washington's Lady
(Bethany House June 1, 2008)
by
Nancy Moser


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Moser is the author of three inspirational humor books and eighteen novels, including Solemnly Swear, Just Jane, and Time Lottery, a Christy Award winner. She is an inspirational speaker, giving seminars around the country. She has earned a degree in architecture; run a business with her husband; traveled extensively in Europe; and has performed in various theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She and her husband have three grown children and make their home in the Midwest.

ABOUT THE BOOK


It has been said that without George Washington there would be no United States. But without Martha, there would be no George Washington. He called her "my other self."

Who was this woman who captured the heart of our country's founder? She dreams of a quiet life with her beloved George, but war looms...

Though still a young woman, Martha Dandridge Custis was a wealthy, attractive widow and the mother of two small children with no desire to remarry. But when a striking war hero steps into her life, she realizes that she is ready to love again. She is courted by, then marries the French and Indian War hero.

Yet she wonders whether this man, accustomed to courageous military exploits, can settle down to a simple life of farming and being a father to her children. Even as she longs for domestic bliss, Martha soon realizes she will have to risk everything dear to her and find the courage to get behind a dream much larger than her own.

Her new life as Martha Washington took her through blissful times at Mount Vernon, family tragedies, six years of her husband's absence during the Revolutionary War, and her position as a reluctant First Lady.

Known for moving first-person novels of Nannerl Mozart and Jane Austen, in Washington's Lady, Nancy Moser now brings to life the loves and trials of the First First Lady of the United States.

If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE.

Oh No He Didn't!

Our neighbor had to go out of town for work this week. While she's gone, she asked if we would tie her dog up in the yard during the day and put him up at night. Make sure he has food and water....you know the drill. Jeff told her that we would be glad to do this for her so she left cute little Gabe (I call him Gizmo because he looks like a Gizmo) in our care this morning. We tied him up in our yard and let him romp. Midday, I noticed it was pretty hot so I went out to check on him and make sure his water was filled up. I had been purging the house all morning and decided I'd take a break. I plopped myself down in the yard, within Gabe's reach. He came over and let me pet him and then proceeded to sniff me. I started talking to Jeff and Gabe was behind me, breathing on my back. At least that is what I thought! I was thinking to myself, "his breath sure is warm." No sooner than that thought popped up, I realized it wasn't Gabe's breath. He had hiked his leg up and peed on me!

So, he's officially marked his territory and I belong to him now. I wonder what my neighbor will think of that?

You Say Goodbye & I Say Hello

Dear Turtle Chex Mix,

I'm sad to say it but we must part ways. I've enjoyed your chocolate covered chex squares, caramel popcorn, and crunchy pretzels the past few days. You've tickled my taste buds way too many times lately. You left chocolate residue on my fingertips. You tempted my nose with that wonderful chocolaty smell. You made me forget all about last week's dental woes. You made my tum-tum happy.

While I think you are wonderful, my waste line does not like you. My favorite clothes are lonely. It's been far too long since I've pulled them on. This affair must end. I'm leaving you for something healthier. It may not have that wonderful chocolate aroma or taste but it will allow me to get into my favorite jeans again. It's sad, I know. Someday we will meet again. Maybe until then, you can work on being more nutritious while still being your same delicious self. Until then, (or until this last seven pounds is gone) I bid you farewell.

Goodbye Turtle Chex. Hello Smart Ones Double Chocolate Cake and my beloved exercise equipment. I've missed you!

Two New Loves In My Life

Here's the deal. Gas prices are ridiculous. Food costs continue to rise. Everywhere I turn, someone wants more of our money. It's getting out of hand. Something has to give. Since no one is going to allow drilling in Alaska for oil, it's up to all of us to learn to save and stretch our dollar. For me, it has become a goal to save as much of our money as I possibly can. Long gone are the days of going to Walmart and buying that cute little shirt or that new board game on a whim. Nope. Not going to happen anymore. So, what am I going to do you ask? Well, I've already started. I started two weeks ago and I'm on a mission.

It all started when a friend at church suggested trying the Grocery Game in order to save money on groceries. I remembered the GG because there had been a piece on the Today show about it a few months earlier (I blew that off). I decided that I would spend the $1 trial for four weeks and see how it went. Shortly after I signed up, my MIL had a heart attack and not long after that, my BIL passed away suddenly. Needless to say, the GG was pushed to the back burner and I forgot all about it. Ok. No problem. Well, not quiet. Because I didn't cancel my trial subscription, I was charged the regular fee for the next eight weeks. After I picked myself up off the ground, I decided that I was just going to have to use the GG to my advantage until the eight weeks were up. Then I would cancel. Those next eight weeks proved very eye opening. With the GG, I was building a stock pile and saving a little bit of money. Instead of canceling my subscription, I renewed and have been using it ever since. **If you've never heard of GG, please visit the site and read about it. If you have questions, email me and I'll try and help explain anything I can.**

The same friend told me about their CVS shopping trips and all the extra care bucks they were earning and using to their advantage. I decided to give that a whirl too. On the first shopping trip, you have to invest a little bit and purchase at least some things that earn ECBs. I needed several things and they had a pretty good sale going so I purchased about $40 of stuff. I walked out of there with $21 in ECBs to use on my next purchase. The next week I made my shopping list, purchased a few items that would earn new ECBs and paid for my stuff with the ECBs I had earned the week before. Now, I didn't quite work things right so I ended up spending more out of pocket than I wanted. However, this was a learning experience and although I was mad at myself, I knew it would take a few transactions to catch on. Yesterday was my third trip to CVS. A new ad was out and a new monthly ECB catalog was available also. I did plenty of coupon researching over the weekend, I bought two Sunday papers (because there were really good coupons in it), and I wrote out what I wanted to buy. I worked out my transactions on paper (and I was sure to take it along when I went shopping) and got my coupons and ECBs in order. Here's what I walked away with:

Transaction #1

1 Listerine 3.49 (earn $3.49 in ECBs)

2 CVS band aids 3.98 (earn $3.98 in ECBs)

4 CVS cotton swabs 12.76 (earn $12 in ECBs)

Used $1 off listerine and $18.97 in previously earned ECBs

OOP: 38 cents

Earned $19.47 in ECBs

Transaction #2

2 Dawn $2 (earn $1 ECB)

1 Brut deo $3.39 (earn $3 in ECBs)

Used 2/.25 dawn coupons, $1 off Brut coupon, and $3.89 in ECBs

OOP: 14 cents

Earned $4 ECBs

Transaction #3

1 Listerine $3.49 (earn 3.49 in ECBs)

2 Oral B 2pks $13.98 (earn 13.98 in ECBs)

Used $1 off listerine and $15.47 in ECBs

OOP: $1.19

Earned $17.47 in ECBs

Transaction #4

1 Gillette Phenom Razor $9.99 (earn $4 in ECBs)

1 CVS cotton swabs $3.19 (earn $3 in ECBs)

Used $4 off razor coupon and $7.48 in ECBs

OOP: $2.23

Earned $7 ECBs

Later on in the evening, I had to take some movies back. It just so happens that there is a CVS in the same shopping center as the movie store. So, I just had to go in and see if they had any more Brut deo (my CVS only had one). I was happy to find that they did have more so here's what I did:

Transaction #1

1 Brut deo $3.39 (earn $3 in ECBs)

Used $3 ECB

OOP: 43 cents

This deal could have been better IF I had more of the $1 off Brut coupons but I didn't.

Transaction #2

2 Brut deos $6.38 (earn $6 in ECBs)

Used $6 in ECBs

OOP: 85 cents

Again, if I had more of the $1 off Brut coupons, this would have been an even sweeter deal. I can still purchase one more stick of deo before I hit the limit so I'm waiting to see if I run into another one of those coupons. Even without the coupons, I got plenty of deo for a little of nothing. I made ECBs to roll over and I'm pretty happy with my purchases. Doing the CVS thing is a learning process and I know I'll get better at figuring it out as I make more purchases. Once you make your initial investment, as long as you purchase wisely, you can keep rolling the ECBs and really save yourself a lot of money.

I want to say a special thanks to my friend A and her hubby, who introduced me to all of this. Secondly, my faithful friend, Jenny, is always quick to answer my questions. She has lots of patience with me. There are so many helpful blogs out there. I can't name them all but I do want to mention Alyssa over at Keeping the Kingdom First. She has answered every question I've thrown at her and I believe she truly wants to help others learn how to save money. As an added bonus, she's pretty cool too! I'm happy to have her as a new friend! Check out her blog if you are interested in saving money by shopping this way. She has really inspired me to be more frugal about how and where I spend our money.

If you're totally overwhelmed by all of this, welcome to my world! It does seem overwhelming at first but the ultimate goal is to be good stewards of what God gives us. All it really takes is a little bit of preparation and you can save your family more than you would imagine.

**No pictures of my stuff because I sent the camera to West Virginia with my girls**

For One More Day

The in-laws 50th Wedding Anniverary (Mike is on the far left)

Wow, it's been a busy week or two. June is usually our busiest month but this year, May almost got the best of me. I have no idea how I got anything done when I had a full time job! My posting has been sporadic. My house really needs a good going over. There are still things to plant in the garden. I won't even mention the landscaping projects we have going on. We'll get it done. It'll just take lots of elbow grease to get there.

We spent Memorial Day with my in-laws. It was nice but a bit sad. It seems that we really miss my BIL on holidays. Those are the times that we were all together, cooking out, playing board games, or listening to the men play their bluegrass favorites. We did cook out this year and we also made a trip to the cemetery since the in-laws wanted to put some silk flowers on Mike's grave. It's in a beautiful country location and he loved this area. It was all he ever knew. I wish everyone could have known him. He was such a gentle, caring, compassionate person. He never knew a stranger and never had an enemy. He was fun to hang out with. He was smart and had wonderful writing skills. He spent most of his life trying to help kids in some capacity. He had one of the softest hearts I've ever known. I loved cooking his favorite desserts when I knew he was coming over. I think the last thing I made him was a big batch of "puppy chow." You know, the chex mix, smothered in chocolate, and then covered with powdered sugar. He loved it. I had to be careful how much I put out because if I didn't watch, he would eat an entire gallon ziploc bag full. Since he was diabetic, I always tried to put out just enough so that it wouldn't make him sick later on.

We've definitely entered a new phase in our lives. It's different without him around, but we rejoice with the knowledge that he is with the Lord. I hope that the sting of his death will be short lived and that we can spend our days telling our children wonderful stories of their favorite uncle. I hope that my in-laws will find more comfort in the Lord as each day passes. I pray that the end of their lives will be lived out in joy and peace, remembering the wonderful 47 earthly years they had with him.