Money, Money, Money

Friday, October 08, 2010

Today we have an appt. for the cable company to come out and check our cable connection since we are having problems with our phone and internet going in and out at times. Next week we have someone coming to replace our air conditioning/heating system (and what a ton of money that will be), so it seems like everything is falling apart again around here.

I hope to get some errands run today since tomorrow I have to pick up my unsold items at the church consignment sale. I'm crossing my fingers that a lot of stuff sold, but being realistic and wishing/hoping for at least half of them to be gone, LOL. It won't be much money at all regardless if everything sold since I only get 60% but it's been nice to get rid of more things each consignment sale I go to.

My husband got to go and see the kids at their horseback riding lessons yesterday and they got to go on a trail ride which was a different experience for them.

We have another home school family that has horseback riding lessons with us and I was talking with the mother while our kids rode the horses and found out about an organic co-op that she is a part of that I might be interested in joining. It was so funny to see how much we had in common regarding the stores we shop at, the foods we eat, etc.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KISSFAN1 10/8/2010 6:04PM

Anita - Isn't that the truth? Please, no coming in 3's at my house, 2 things going wrong at the same time are enough, LOL. Hopefully our internet is fixed (as well as the telephone which is also cable). Comment edited on: 10/9/2010 8:04:37 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

ANITA012 10/8/2010 2:01PM

It never seems to fail...when something breaks down, then soon after, something else follows suit. Hopefully it doesn't happen in threes! Good Luck with everything and just know... Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNABRIGHT 10/8/2010 9:20AM

Thanks for sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

Figuring Out If I Like My New Hair Style or Not

Thursday, October 07, 2010

After almost 3 hours (minus about 10 minutes) I finally got my hair dyed, highlighted, cut, and styled yesterday. I hope to put up some pics in the near future. This time around I got more layers cut into it than the last time although I'm not sure I like it since I have a tendency to not like a lot of layers in my hair because of the texture and it being naturally wavy. Let's just say that I look nothing like Jennifer Lopez although her hair style was my inspiration.

It's only hair after all and will eventually grow back. I also got thicker highlight layers put in this time because my husband loved them the last time and asked that I get more put in. He made a big deal over my hair when I got back home and said he loved it (or at least was smart enough to say he did, LOL).

I went shopping after getting my hair done since my husband is on vacation and was schooling the kids. I tried on lots of pants, but was unsuccessful finding anything. Size 12 jeans were too big for the most part and size 10's were a little too small so I came home without any of those, but I did buy myself some cute pjs and a new pair of digital bathroom scales.

They are pretty much saying the same thing as my old scales so I suppose they are somewhat accurate. They are both saying I'm in the 130's (high 130's of course) so I'm glad to finally see that number although I'm on the edge of it.

It looks like we're going to have to lay out thousands on a new air conditioning/heating unit this week or next. We tried turning it on yesterday and there was no heat at all. The system we have is around 15 years old, so I suppose it's time it was replaced, but not looking forward to shelling out all that money.

We're going to have to change our plans on a vacation this year and will probably just drive up to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN instead since it is cheaper than the other places we were looking at. The kids love going there so I suppose we could afford a few days of a cabin in the mountains since we tend to not spend a lot of money there on other attractions and instead hike, eat at the cabin, and play pool, get in the hot tub, etc. all included in the price of the cabin.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KISSFAN1 10/9/2010 7:38AM

Anita - I wish it was something minor. We've had the same furnace since we bought the house and it is original to the house when the previous owners lived here so it's really needing to be replaced. We've had it fixed many times and keep getting told that it needs to be replaced, but we've held off as long as we can I'm afraid. I'm hoping the extra efficiency of the new system will save us some money eventually with lower electricity/gas bills. Caroline - I'm so glad to see you on here! I promise I will take pics soon and post them. I'm still not liking it as much as I hoped I would, but my husband loves it, so I'm glad that at least one of us likes it, LOL. Suze - I naturally have medium/dark brown hair so I got the gray covered up as much as possible with that same color (recommendation of the hair stylist) and then had ash blonde highlights put in. She put them in thicker this time so more hair is covered with ash blonde (since my husband loved them on me). My hair has more layers in it this time than the last time she cut it since I wanted something new, but I still kept it long because I look ridiculous with short hair. I've got coarse, frizzy, wavy hair and I have to put a million things on it just to get it to look like I'm not constantly putting my fingers in light sockets. We've been to Gatlinburg a few times so it's not exciting for me to go there, but the kids love it because we usually get a cabin with hot tub and a pool table (both of which we don't have in our home) and they have fun just doing that and being in a different setting. We don't do all the expensive "touristy" things although we did go to some caverns in a nearby town the last time we were there. It's an affordable place to go if you eat mostly at the cabin (like we do, but we do occasionally eat out), hike in the Great Smoky Mtns. Park, etc. I take a lot of food with me to save money as well. I'm barely in the 130's (139 although the scales did say 138 one day) and it's been a very long struggle to get there lately. I guess what they say is true, when you're close to goal it's a lot harder to get there than it was to lose weight in the beginning. I want to do more exercise (need to anyway since I need to tone my body up some) and see if it makes a difference. Comment edited on: 10/9/2010 8:12:58 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

SUZYMARC 10/8/2010 8:32PM

I cannot wait to see the new photos! Whenever you get a new hairstyle it takes a period of adjustment. You are so extremely lucky to have a husband who is so positive about your small changes you are making in your appearance, I am so happy for you. I wish I could claim to be in the 130s but its not happened yet. Now that the driving challenge has been won, I will see what I can do to re-evalute my eating and exercise to get the darn scale to move like you've been doing. I think I will be battling the same thing as you with the in between size. The size 12 jeans I got during the summer at a church thrift store are loose in the seat and legs and a bit in the waist. But I think size 10 pants will run a bit tight, I have plans next week to drive out and see for myself. We had to replace our heating system and all the duct work back in April. Since we knew it was big investment we went with the top of the line Maytag one, and yes it was costly but its very quiet and I am definitely seeing a difference in our monthly electric bill. Good luck and get a bunch of difference estimates first. As for the family vacation in TN, I am again jealous. The Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area is where we went out to get married and I have hopes of doing a family trip that way with our son. I throughly enjoyed the mountains and it sounds like you take full advantage of the fresh air when you go. What color did you go with for your hair? I am thinking of getting some dye this weekend and having Deb help put highlights in on Monday and am looking for ideas. Hey, my hair always looks like a curly whirlwind hit it especially when its humid or going to rain. It cannot be all that bad, lets have a look. -Suzy Report Inappropriate Comment

CAROLINECHICAGO 10/8/2010 10:19AM

Sorry about your furnace. Our neighbors are going through the same thing right now. But I can't wait to see the pics of your hair! Report Inappropriate Comment

ANITA012 10/7/2010 12:23PM

I'm sure your hair looks great. Sometimes it's just a matter of time to get use to the change. Did you have your unit checked, to make sure it isn't something minor? Maybe a fuse/filter, etc.,? It could maybe save you some money and buy you extra time to get a new one. Good Luck and look forward to seeing the pictures! Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 10/7/2010 11:40AM

LOL, I'll post a pic when I get time to flat iron it. It looks too much like I stuck my fingers in a light socket right now since I washed it this morning. Report Inappropriate Comment

BNBLYNNE 10/7/2010 10:02AM

I came to your page wanting to see pictures, lol. I bet it's cute. Sorry about your heat. Report Inappropriate Comment

Apple Orchard Feedback & Hair Appt. Reward Today

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

We had a nice trip to the apple orchard in the mountains of North Carolina yesterday. They have the most beautiful scenery in the background of the mountains and it was a very cold day up there since the wind was blowing and the weather turned cooler.

It is definitely a workout to pick apples there because you go up and down hills through the orchard and after picking all your desired apples you have to either carry a heavy basket or take a wagon with you. I left the wagon pulling to my husband and he was definitely out of breath by the time we got back to the orchard store to buy the apples and other goodies.

I ended up eating two apples while I was there because we had a very late lunch and the apples were delicious. We bought 1/2 bushel and let me tell you, that is a lot of apples! I hope everyone in the family helps me eat them because they will be around a while for sure.

We decided to eat a late lunch in Hendersonville and it was sort of hard to find something that I could eat without eating thousands of calories. This wasn't a national chain restaurant so I had to use my intuition.

I ordered a grilled white Alaskan fish sandwich (only took a few bites of the wheat hoagie roll and left the rest of the bread on my plate) and ordered steamed broccoli (which definitely had no butter or seasoning whatsoever and I could literally see water underneath it in the dish) versus the regular potato chips for extra, but definitely worth the extra money for way less calories and more nutrition. I wouldn't eat them even if I wanted them, but I'm really not a huge potato chip girl anyway.

I'm excited because I have my hair appt. today and although I know the process will be long to get it highlighted, dyed, cut, styled, etc. I deserve to feel better about my appearance, and the lady who does it did a great job the last time and at a very reasonable rate.

It worked out that she had this day available while my husband is on vacation and that means I get to go by myself without the kids being bored out of their minds for hours.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KISSFAN1 10/7/2010 9:34AM

Jean - I hope you find an apple orchard in your area. It's so much fun and the kids enjoy seeing where their food comes from vs. when you buy it at the grocery store. It's good exercise, sunshine, scenery, healthy food, etc. Gail - You're so lucky to have your own apple trees, what a wonderful thing to have. 60Sixty - I'd love that fat-free apple crisp recipe if you don't mind sharing it. Comment edited on: 10/7/2010 9:40:25 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

JEANBEAN13 10/6/2010 11:16AM

Sounds like a great day and some good exercise as well. Makes me a bit envious. Maybe I'll have to find an apple orchard and do it! Report Inappropriate Comment

GAILRUU 10/6/2010 9:59AM

I have picked apples in an orchard and had a lot of fun doing it. I now have my own apple trees and this year harvested about 2 bushels from a 5 year old tree! I still have a half bushel left after baking pies for the freezer and making applesauce. I found some great recipes here in the Spark Recipes and I am trying to use them while I still have fresh, organic apples. Report Inappropriate Comment

KATHRYNLP 10/6/2010 9:14AM

Have fun Report Inappropriate Comment

BNBLYNNE 10/6/2010 8:38AM

I can't wait to see your new hair. 1/2 bushel of apples would not last long in my house and I'm the only one who eats them, lol. I can eat them at every meal and for snacks, they are my favorite fruit. Report Inappropriate Comment

60SIXTY 10/6/2010 8:36AM

Your apple orchard trip sounds wonderful. I buy apples from a local orchard & am planning to make my fat free apple crisp recipe. Sounds like you are getting a real treat today. You are worth it. Report Inappropriate Comment

KARIJO-OSAGE 10/6/2010 8:36AM

Enjoy your time being pampered, you deserve it~ Post some new photos for SP to see :) Report Inappropriate Comment

Going Apple Picking in the Mountains

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

I'm so excited because today we are going to the mountains and picking apples. I've already got my address straight (should know it by memory since we've gone a few times) and some alternate apple orchards should this particular one be barren of apples on the trees.

I really don't like buying apples or any other fruit picked if I can avoid it, I prefer the freshness of picking it yourself which can't be beat.

It's supposed to be in the 50's today (high temperature) in the mountains so I had to break out the kid's winter clothes out of the attic last night when we got back home from dropping my items off at the church consignment sale.

I wish I could stop time sometimes when the weather is cool like this, the leaves turn to pretty colors, there is the fall crispness in the air, and you see everything that reminds you of fall all around you.

My family is looking forward to the apple cider as well as apple doughnuts at the apple orchard (I will avoid both and feast happily on my apples) , and I'm looking forward to picking crisp apples with my family while enjoying the beautiful mountain view.

I've been sleeping much better lately so I think the sleep issues I was experiencing were hormonal (that time of the month). Hopefully it is past me because I was getting unbearable to be around with lack of sleep and hormones mixed in together. :-)

Tomorrow I have an appt. to get my hair dyed and highlighted and I can't wait since I am ready to get this gray out of my hair and have my hair not be so dull and dreary.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BNBLYNNE 10/6/2010 8:20AM

Yay, glad you had a good time Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 10/6/2010 8:05AM

BNBLYNNE - I did eat an apple for you and for me, LOL. I couldn't resist them because they were so yummy and crisp and so I ate two apples while I was there. Anita - I hope the kids enjoyed it, I know I did. We didn't get to go last year because all the apples were picked and I wanted to pick them myself, so I'm glad we got to finally go this year. Report Inappropriate Comment

ANITA012 10/5/2010 10:50AM

There is nothing like a trip to the mountains and making an adventure out of it. The kids will love it and will always remember it! Have fun! Report Inappropriate Comment

BNBLYNNE 10/5/2010 8:00AM

Have a great time and eat an apple for me, lol. Share some pictures of your new hair too. Report Inappropriate Comment

Bargains Found Lately

Monday, October 04, 2010

I am so glad that tonight is the last drop-off I have for a church consignment sale. It has been great to be able to get rid of extra things in my home and make a little money in the process, but I am very worn out after the 4th one this season.

I'm taking a break and spending my energy and time on other things for a change.

I forgot to mention that I went yard saling Saturday and it was for the most part, not that productive since it seems most items people are selling in my area are either overpriced or not what I need or want.

I did come across one yard sale where I was told everything on a blanket was 50 cents each and I noticed a hair dryer that had $2 listed on it and asked if that was included as well and it was! I was skeptical that it really worked, but it did and I'm happy I didn't have to spend $15 - $25 for a new one and only spent 50 cents instead!

I was too cheap to buy too many souvenirs during our trip to Washington, D.C. last year due to how expensive our food, hotel, etc. were and so I was excited to find a brand new Washington, D.C. t-shirt for my husband for 50 cents at the same yard sale.

I went to Mighty Dollar yesterday and bought these awesome weather tracker books that had a reclosable/weather-proof cover on them for the kids to use with our science curriculum for $1 each! They had a tag that said they were $16 originally and had a lot of weather information in them including information about different clouds, tornadoes, etc.

I love that particular Mighty Dollar more than I can say and have turned a friend of mine onto it. She went after I mentioned it several times and even called me to gush about how awesome it was. The crazy thing is, this one is in a smaller town and is bigger and nicer than the one in Charlotte which is sort of disappointing. The good thing is, it's closer to me than the Charlotte one so I'm happy and love to go there to see what new goodies they have available.

I got the two books I ordered for our home school Saturday (Greek/Latin Vol. 1 Book and a Biology for Kids book) which I was lucky enough to find at great prices on Amazon. I normally order a lot of things from a home school site called Rainbow Resource as do most home schoolers since they tend to be cheaper and have a large variety of items for sale, but Amazon had these items cheaper than them and I didn't have to pay for shipping either.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KISSFAN1 10/5/2010 7:40AM

Oscar - I wish you could find that deal too, but I bet you have lots of deals in your area that I don't have. Anita - That is so awesome about your daughter and her great purchases at the yard sale. I haven't been as lucky with finding furniture deals, but I know they are out there. You have taught her well and she will benefit from you being a great teacher and example. Report Inappropriate Comment

ANITA012 10/4/2010 2:10PM

You know...sometimes we are frugal because we "have to be", but isn't it nice when we "want to be"? I think it can be rather addicting. It's just like giving yourself a raise when you are able to make up the difference between what something costs new and what you actually end up paying for it. Our daughter is moving out on her own this week and went yard-sailing with a girlfriend of hers this week. I was so proud of her when she came home and showed me a beautiful coffee table with two end tables made of a kind of wrought iron and heavy glass. She paid 30.00 for the entire set. She said she almost got them for 15.00 but the husband got upset when he found out his wife was wanting to sell them at that price and he stepped in and upped the price. Ughhh! But they were still worth it. She also found a beautiful full length mirror for 3.00 and a set of new dishes that were still in the box...(a Christmas gift because there was still some wrap on the box) for 7.00. It's nice when we can instill the idea of saving into our children that way and needless to say she did a great job and I know she will do well on her own. Thanks for sharing your story! Comment edited on: 10/4/2010 2:13:09 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

CONTENTCHRIS 10/4/2010 12:05PM

Wish I could find that kind of deals on the weather books ! Awesome for you!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 10/4/2010 8:26AM

I try hard to stretch every single penny that crosses my hands, LOL. Since we are an one-income family, I feel it's my job to get as much as I can with my husband's income. Now to work on him being as frugal as I am, LOL. Report Inappropriate Comment

DAWNDMOORE40 10/4/2010 8:24AM

job with the bargain shopping! Report Inappropriate Comment

MYUTMOST4HIM 10/4/2010 8:11AM

You are quite the bargain hunter Report Inappropriate Comment