Making it through the winter chores...

There is just something about the winter months that keeps me soo busy.

First it's the holidays and all of it's hoopla, get ready for, then doing and then there is the recooping. Then we move into the switching over to the new year, for me that is a big deal. Switch out all the previous folders of bills and reciepts, tally the expenses of the year, file away all this junk and throw away the stuff from years past (but first go through it all and determine that it is throw awayable). Then there is all the stuff that was in storage that we are going through and repackaging, organizing and downsizing, what a chore. AND lets not forget TAX season, what a big stresser! Naturally I had to add to the mess with taking on 6 crochet projects to be finished before the warmer weather kicks in, which happens fast here in Texas.




Well I made it through all the paperwork and craziness and managed to get it all done. My desk is finally clean and my drawers/folders are ready for the new year, finally. The holidays are finally behind me (except for hubby's upcoming b-day)and the crocheting is more than half done. Still working on the storage stuff.

Maybe now that I have eliminated a large portion of it all, I will be able to think straight and get back on track with this blog and all my friends.

A Busy Weekend

This has been a very busy weekend.

Saturday... I went to my best friends house and picked her up in the sloppy mess of weather we have been having lately. We ventured out into the abyss of people in the caos that is Walmart. Our mission was yarn. What a huge disappointment. The one color we was most certainly after, was not there, as it should be. The one thing that made the trip bearable was getting to see bf's greatgrandkids, who met us there for a brief visit. We were off to the next closest walmart to do another search for that one color. This time the selection was good, much to our relief. We loaded up our buggy with as much as my card could stand.

The torment of the day was the rumor that walmart is going to discontinue their yarn sales. This has us greatly distressed. Walmart is the cheapest place to get yarn and soon we will no longer be able to get it. Okay maybe we will be able to get it, but at a much higher price. A blanket that once costed $40-50 to make is now going to be around $65-90, depending on where you get it. "They" say crochet and knitting is a dying art, well when forced to fork out higher bucks and search at length for places to buy, that really just might happen. Very sad.

Okay, enough of that pity party.
Soo we are driving along and I see this batch of black cows just standing around, I guess they we holding a meeting or something. I suddenly burst out laughing. My mind comes up with the stupidest stuff and amuses me greatly. Hubby says "What's soo funny?" Okay soo what I saw was one of the cows face was half white and he or she was the only one with any white on them. My mind wondered...I wonder if that cow knows that it looks like that? Has the other cows told him that he was different? Do they not let him play cow games? LOL! It's still funny, at least to me. Then I got to thinking about all the other animals in the world...How do they know what they look like? Do my dogs know? Do they judge each other by looks as people do? AND there ya go...the mind is a curious thing and super funny at times.

Sunday...We spent the whole day cleaning out the spare/storage room. I told hubby that in order for us to save $40 bucks a month to go towards this **** new car payment, we were going to have to clean out that room and bring home everything we have in storage. I said that a week and a half ago and all I had done to begin this process was to fill up the back of my truck and left it sitting there all week. I was determined to get this done TODAY! Hahaha, the joke was on me. Kinda like the eyes are bigger than the stomach thing.

I got up and opened the door to the jungle of the spare room. Sigh. Okay heather, just move one item at a time and all will be okay. First I begin at picking up an item and expamining it, do we really need this? Is it broken? Could I possiably get away with throwing it away? Could I find a perament place for this item? Before I knew it I had made a dent. Then the unexpected happened (secretly expected), hubby got up from his lazy sunday position in front of the tv and joined in on the expedition. I say secretly expected cause it is sooo easy to get him to join in. All I have to do is ask questions about this item or that item and the response is almost always the same... What are you doing? What are you throwing away? LOL! AND up out of his chair he comes! He just makes it way too easy. LOL!

I told him I was wanting to find at least 20 items that could be trashed. We ended up throwing away 74 items. I was very impressed! We worked hard and the room looks soo much better, well for now it does, cause I still got plenty to fill it back up again. Ohhh I sure do need a linen closet. Sigh.

That is about it for now. I need to get back to my crocheting.
Yall have a great one!

Weekend with Hubby

Saturday I went to the flea market. I was really in the need for a personal shopping trip, even though it wasn't an extravagant trip (15$), it was alot of fun just browsing around for a little while. Then I went grocery shopping, which is always an exhausting ordeal. The store was packed with last minute shoppers for Halloween, I was just doing my weekly shopping. I came home content and tired. I saw hubby was already home and I was thinking I was finally going to get some help with carrying the groceries in. NOT! (normally he would)

This is the reason why:

Here is his story (after some henning from me about bring things home, but this time I was kidding cause this work bench he really needed):

He saw this man on the side of the road selling alot of things but mostly he saw that bench. On his way home he stopped to look it over. He asked the man how much. The man said he wants a 100, but he would let it go for 85. Hubby lets him know he only has 65, so if he was still around next weekend he would give him 80 for it. The man mulls it over and says he would hate to have to come back next weekend, so he will take that 65. Hubby spent all of his saved up pocket money, but personally I think he made a good deal. Anyway he was piddling with his new toy that came with a vise and a bench grinder with a light. Very happy hubby! BUT he had to work really hard to get the shed cleared out to put it in there. Soo he was happy, but tired.
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Saturday night we watched Scared Shreikless, yeah it was funny! Loved it when gingy was telling his story! I tried to stay up to watch Gremlins, but couldn't stay awake. I thought I was going to take a short hour nap, it turned into 5 hours! I know, I was just as surprised! I stayed up for 5 hours and then slept even four hours more. NINE hours of sleep! Blows my mind!
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Sunday morning I had soo much energy, must have been from all that sleep. I attacked the kitchen and started moving things and cleaning behind and under and a little reorganizing. Plus putting a roast on.

Hubby the channel flipper, was bouncing between the race and old scary movies. You know..Boris Karloff and Vincent Price, then suddenly it's Brian Vickers and Clint Boyer. I let him do his thing, well cause...both were good choices and I was watching both with him.

Suddenly out of nowhere (most likely brought on by a commercial) I say this:
Me: Soo, you think we will get any trick or treaters?

Hubby: Me!! (with his hand out)

Me: You’ll have to get dressed up in order to get any candy.

Hubby: What I’m not scary enough right now?!

Me: I‘m laughing and decide to share this with yall and as I walk by he says

Hubby: “Hey”

Me: Yeah

Hubby: “BOO!!!”
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Hubby later out of the blue says:

Trick or treat?

I get up and go in to look at him.

I say (Stupidly)..TRICK.

Hubby: Ohhhhh, you are sooo in for it now! Your gonna wish you had given me a treat!

I laugh and come back to the computer.

About 20 minutes later, while sitting here all engrossed in what I am researching...

BOOOOOO!!!! Right in my ear, with finger jabs to my sides!

#@%&!!! Scared the "you know what" out of me!

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I spent the rest of the day buying yarn on Ebay, finishing up the mess I made in the kitchen and watching Avatar with hubby (my second time, his first).
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Not a single trick or treater as I knew we wouldn't. We haven't seen one of those since the late eighties!
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A very nice weekend with the hubby. HAHAHAHAHA (insert evil laugh)

Writer's Workshop: Boysitting

This week I choose prompt #5, A memorable babysitting job.


Waaaay back when I was 17-18...

I was married and my husband at the time (NOT my current hubby) had been transferred to a different store in a different town. The commute was long and the graveyard shift was dull and boring. I went along to help keep him awake. A local woman was looking for a babysitter for her 6 boys, ranging in ages of 6 to 12. The job came with a place to stay on their property and it was just blocks from the husbands work. Her husband was a truck driver and she wanted to go with him to help earn extra money.

I was extremely scared to take the job. I mean we are talking BOYS and being responsible for all of them 24/7 was a huge thing to consider. My husband was all for it cause of the location and housing and apparently men are not intimidated by a group of boys. In the end we accepted the job.

She took me through the tour of her house and showed me the ropes of money, chores, food and schedules. In two days of getting to know the boys and there routines the "Parents" were gone. I say "Parents" cause I still felt like a child in soo many aspects, I was instantly terrified! Thankfully the husband was there to enforce the authority and the boys were very kind and on their best behaviors.

What made it memorable other than the boys, that should be memorable enough, RIGHT? Well a few things stand out.

The mother helped me get my drivers license that first weekend they came home, so I could use their van to take the kids places and so she wouldn't have to come home as often. On another weekend they purchased a one ton flatbed pick-up, I got taught how to drive it. That was very intimidating but yet thrilling and powerful too. I always manage to remember her when ever I get my license renewed or look at my birth certificate that she sent away for.

I was exposed to a new religion. Mormon. They weren't the type of Mormons you hear about, they didn't have a harem of wives and kids. They were like the Brady Bunch, him and his kids, her and her kids, makes for one crazy house! I slightly took an interest in their religion till I got to the levels of heaven.

My Grandfather died on my 18th birthday and I went back to Maine for the funeral and to say goodbye to my parents who were staying in Maine. My baby brother bawled his head off and begged me to put him in my suitcase and bring him back with me. The tears flowed for many reasons that week. My husband came up the next day and we left together. At the change over in New York, the husband got his wallet stolen.

I was exposed to the lovely quality of organizing. With six boys, the mother came up with a system for her children. Each child had his own color. This color was on everything that belonged to that child. In the toes of their socks was a loop of that color thread, it was also found on the tags of their clothing, in the waistline of the undergarments. They had their own set of dishes in that color, of which they were responsible for washing. Even their towels were of their own color. There was no confusion of who's stuff belonged to who and blessedly no fighting over things. I found this system to be amazing. She had a chore chart that had that child's color on it for what chores they were to do for that day. When the child did said chores they got a popsicle stick that had been mark with their color and at the end of the week they turned them in for a quarter apiece for their allowance. I also learned the importance of financial organizing.

I took the kids to the city pool for some fun, a good time had been had by all and we stayed till they closed. We got back to the house and all the kids lumbered out of the van and into the house. I let them leave their stuff in the van with the strict instructions to retrieve it in the morning. The next morning we was rushing around getting ready for school and I sent one of them to go get all of their shoes out of the van. The boy rushes back into the house and yells that the van is GONE!
The whole herd went out the door to confirm this. I called the police, the school and then the parents. Come to find out it was a repo. I had experienced my first repo! I'll tell ya though, walking out in the driveway and that van being gone was a moment I will never forget!

I guess the mother felt it was too much hassle to try to keep up with the financial things at home and being out on the road, so she came home. We stayed another two weeks and then moved on.

All of my time with them was an experience that will always be remembered.

Now go visit Mama Kat to join in or just read some more posts.

Creating New Tabs For your Blogger Page

I have been wanting to address a question in my head.

Well as most of you know I am using dial up as my Internet connection. I know it is ancient technology, but it is all I can get in my area and surely I am not the only person left on the planet with dial up (Gawd I hope not).

The more pictures you have on your main page the longer it takes for dial up to load and sometimes it wont at all. Now yes I know it is my problem and why should you change your place to accommodate one person. By NO means is that my intention here. Everyone has the right to have their page as they see fit, heck it IS your page. I'm not complaining, not really. I visit your pages no matter how difficult because I find yall to be fabulous people. Lets just say my curiosity has been peaked and puzzlement has taken over.

I was just talking to a fellow blogger about this, that is why it is so fresh on my brain.

I know a few of the folks I follow have added new tabs to their page, so I guess this wouldn't apply to you.
This also only applies to folks who are using Blogger as their blog source.

My question is...Do you know how easy it is to add a tab?
If not I will tell you. (If you know this part, skip to the bottom)

Step 1) Go to "New Post"
Step 2) Go to "Edit Pages"
Step 3) Click on "New Page" or "Create Page"
Step 4) Name your new page, like... Awards, Buttons, Poems or Recipes. Whatever you feel like.
Step 5) Hit "Publish"

Voila! You have now created a new page. It takes all of 3 minutes at the most. High speed folks, probably less than 3 minutes! Easy Peesy!!
You don't have to fill it in all in one shot, a little here and a little there. And you can even change the name of each tab later on. It lets you have up to 10 tabs!
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Now for those of you who did know and still have opted to not go with it.

I was wondering if you could tell me... Why?
I am very curious and interested in what the answers are going to be.

It's not that I am trying to influence you (Okay maybe I am), I was just wondering why everybody isn't on board to all the features blogger offers.

If you are worried about messing up your existing template, like ones specially made. Then just copy and paste it into a word document or click on the "Download Full Template" before you start.

I have only had a computer for two years! If I can do it, I know yall can!

For those of you are bored by this or already know it:
Please feel free to view what I have written in the About Me tab above.

My New Desk and Rearranged Office.

So, you all know I have been on the hunt for a computer desk. I have looked at new ones and even used ones online. I have scouted my local thrift stores and flea markets and have come up empty. I knew what I wanted and what would work for the space I have. New ones were too expensive and used ones either looked like junk or didn't fit the profile.

While on my quest I came across a local store Desks Galore advertising on Craig's list. I checked out their website and wrote down all their info. You know, just for future reference. From what I saw on the website the prices where out of my range.

Hubby's check this week was the best one so far this year. I actually had some money left over. I figured it couldn't hurt to check the place out, since I had to go to town (the big city San Antonio) anyway. I called first to make sure they were open on a Saturday and while I had they guy on the phone I asked if I could unload that other desk (I was trying to sell to that lady who wanted me to deliver).

Another wise decision on my part. I think I am up to three for the year so far.

I got there and OMGoodness! They pretty much had every kind of desk imaginable. They have bookcases, file cabinets, conference tables and chairs too. From new to slightly used to very used. The man meet me at the door and immediately started asking what kind of desk I was looking for and the size of area it was for. He forgot to ask what price range, but he was soon to find out!

I followed him but I kept getting distracted by this desk and that desk. I was ohhh'ing and ahhh'ing! I saw the desk I ended up choosing in the fourth row. It was the first desk I ohhh'ed over. BUT I was good and continued to follow the man around. He took me to see a brand new desk for almost $400, I nearly choked at the price. Finally he asks about the price range. He then escorted me to a regular folding table, which I did consider for a moment, until I remembered the one I saw in the front.

We were making our way back towards the front and finally I broke formation and went to get a close up look at THE desk. I knew just from a glance it was for me and getting a closer view, I knew for sure! It was meant for me!

It:
was in the group of slightly used,
has 5 drawers,
space for my big body and big chair,
is long,
is skinny,
has vintage handles,
is solid wood,
has vintage legs!!
Those legs were the selling feature, you all know how much I love vintage furniture!
I also picked up a black two shelf bookcase.

Now having picked out my purchases, I informed the man about the desk in the back of my truck. He went out with me and looked at it. I was just hoping to have him take it off my hands, instead he says "How does $25 of your purchases price sound" Woohoo!! I was expecting that!

Total purchase price..$83.00
After trade in..$57.00!!
I was grinning all the way home, speeding a little too! LOL!

Hubby helped me unload, kudos for him.
I went grocery shopping in record time, I just couldn't wait to get back home and get busy putting my new office in order.
Hubby helped unload the groceries, another kudos for him! I think hubby just might get a steak dinner for all his hard work helping around the house! LOL!

I spent the entire rest of the day (7 hours), cleaning, rearranging, reorganizing and untangling cords. Seriously, how do those cords get so friggin tangled?
Things were loaded into the trucks (again with the help of hubby): to get dropped off at the local thrift store for Sunday, more things in my truck to be taken to both my sisters to fight over (just kidding) and more things for the upcoming baby.

The old old desk is now gone, along with the kitchen table that bf and I found on our way to bingo. My most favorite table is now actually the kitchen table, instead of being my computer desk.

By nine pm my office (along with the entire kitchen) is done, perfect and I finally got to take some pics of my new desk and new office.








Looks like Whiskers approves! LOL!

Tagged

I was tagged by Suzicate (months ago)to tell you ten things about me that you don’t already know. I bet you thought I missed that or forgot about it. NOT, just lazy.

1) I am a stocker. I stock up on household items. A habit that was formed when hubby started hauling locally. The job is weather based and the winter months checks can be very small. So I stock up for us to make it through the winter. I sound like a chipmunk! LOL!

2) I love any candy that involves chocolate and peanut butter. Reese's are my weakness! I have to stay away from the candy isle at the store!

3) I have awful feet. Some people are so blessed to have beautiful and/or pain free feet. I am not one of them! My toes never grew right cause my shoes were too small as a child, they curled. The bones are not straight, they give me hot burning pain from time to time and I have one toe that loses feeling. I also have a friggin bunion!!

4) I eat Tums like crazy. I have heartburn all the time.

5) I am hooked on Jewel Quest Solitaire!

6) I am obsessed with the silverware drawer being perfect. Everything must be in its proper slot. Hubby messes with me all the time, by throwing the silverware in the drawer! Even stuff that don't belong in that drawer!

7) My Dictionary and my Atlas are the most frequently opened books in my house. The dictionary...cause YALL USE A LOT OF BIG WORDS!!

8) If the phone rings in this house it is 98% of the time someone in my family. Mom, Dad, sister, brothers, SIL's, niece and even MIL's!

9) I must have a night light on. Not that I am afraid of the dark, but this is more for the reason that I am a clutz!

10) I love to watch birds. Hummingbirds are my favorite. I put out two hummingbird feeders and sit on the patio with my coffee and just watch.

Now, who to pass this on to?

The Locals Love It
Starting Over
RockyCat
Pines Lake Redhead
out of the boondocks and into the burbs...
Morgan Madness
Life in the slow lane
Here is what I think...
Gently Said
Day to Day Life

Okay folks, I'm done! That took up so much brain power, I'm going to have to go take a nap to reboot!

I Get Amused with Myself

I am sitting here laughing and amused with myself.

I put in the corner of my page that it was time to dig out all the paperwork for the year and get ready for tax time.

I got it all out and got curious about how much we spent on this and that.

I have spent the last four hours going through and calculating everything.

We spent this much on groceries and this much on gas, so on and so on.

I am laughing at myself cause I am soo OCD when it comes to the paperwork of this house, I save everything from bills to receipts for dinning out. Everything is organized and within reach of my desk, the central hub of the house.


I love this disease my grandmother passed to my Dad and he then passed it to me. I am the only child in my family that caught it. Special just for me. LOL!

The only weird part is that, this particular OCD doesn't branch itself out to the rest of the house. Okay well maybe a little bit, but not like it is with the business center. The business center is perfect at all times, but the rest of the house (feels to me) is in constant chaos.

Of course this is my feelings, but hubby totally disagrees.
I do get aggravated when he does things he knows will drive me crazy...
Like throwing the silverware in the drawer instead off carefully putting each item in its designated spot.
Like trying to be a hero and putting the laundry away, if you saw how that boy folds you would cringe too! Something like holding an item with one hand and using the other to roll it around the fist and shoving it in the drawer. He proclaims "DONE" and in record time! Worse thing on top of that is the rolled up clothes aren't even in the right drawers. He is never allowed to touch my clothes!

My tendencies to being organized, hubby says is over kill, but hey I know where every dollar went for the year! Boy, there were a lot less of them this year. I was going through the tax papers and over the last five years we have had a steady decrease of 2-3 grand a year in gross income, to the tune of 11 grand. Blows my mind to think we are still surviving.

I guess the OCD comes in handy when you have to stretch every dollar.

Now if only I could put it to use more efficiently in other areas of the house!

I would be such a happy camper!!!