Yesterday, after I got off of work at 4, I picked up the boys and we headed out to see if Penney's still had any children's clothing left on the clearance rack. There was almost nothing, so we strolled down the mall to look at puppies.
It is so easy to resist buying a puppy at the mall pet shop. The prices are ridiculous. If I'm going to pay for a pure bred dog, I'm going to meet the parents, you know? What kind of stock does that $400 bloodhound come from? Where did it come from? But, it was super fun to watch Hoot check out all the dogs. Man, when we get back from Orlando, there is definitely going to be a chaotic, four footed addition to the family. I recently gotten into the habit of pulling up Petfinder.com and browsing for a potential fur ball. I'm a bit sad that the dog we thought might happen at the beginning of the month didn't work out, but it will be much better if we wait until after the trip.
But, here in the dog days of summer, it's also good that I don't have to keep opening and closing the back door for four footed family members. It is hot, hot, hot and there is no real relief in sight. We've been over 100 for several days, and the forecast is for more hot weather. Yesterday, the temperature gauge in the car said 109. Now, I know she exaggerates, but still, that is as high as I've ever seen her register. Heck, I haven't seen a squirrel in the backyard for days. Not even first thing in the morning. Mr. Opossum doesn't seem to mind too much, but I guess he has that nocturnal thing going for him. I just hate it when it is even too hot to go to the pool. Miserable, really.
To help keep the house cooler, I've declared it the week of salads for dinner. I bought plenty of lettuce, tomatoes, dressing, cheese, and quick cooking meats to add on top. Tonight, I boiled a dozen eggs and am considering cooking the chicken for tomorrow night's Caesar salad. If the weather keeps up, I may look into adding a toaster oven into August's budget. That way, I can make quick mini-pizzas and such without heating the big oven.
I am also scared for my electric bill. Our June/July bill was super high, but not the highest we've ever seen. Just the electricity came in at $290. Our record for electric alone was somewhere in the neighborhood of $350. If the streak of 100+ days keeps up, I'm totally afraid we will break it. I budget it to be super high in the summer, but I love that it never uses all the money budgeted for it. I really wish our co-op participated in an equal billing plan.
One surrealistic, coincidental thing about the weather, though. I've finally started reading Stephen King's Dark Tower series. I first bought The Gunslinger when it came out. Before I read it, I loaned it out and never saw it again. Now, its super hot and dry as I'm reading about the gunslinger trek across a blazing desert. Kind of fitting, huh? But, I have a few days off from the bookstore, and I've been wanting to do this series for years, so I'll just take it as a sign that I should be reading it.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Hoping for Pixie Dust!
Last year, on our "Last Free Hoot, Free Dining" trip to Walt Disney World, we chose to go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party on September 14th. It was the night before we left and I had seriously looked forward to it for months! It was hard for me to buy a separate ticket for an evening in the park, but I really wanted to go. I justified the expense by giving Tee her ticket for her birthday and getting my ticket for my birthday, using the Halloween tie-in. Then, I spent hours making our costumes.
So, after a quiet day, we donned our Lighting McQueen Pit Crew costumes, and set off to MNSSHP around 4:30ish. We had a great dinner at the Crystal Palace and just before 6pm, we set out into the park to find some trick or treating. By 6:15, we were huddled under the walkway in front of the Baby Care Center. Being Florida vets, Tee lived there for years and we have numerous relatives within an hour of the World, we figured it would pass. Maybe an hour tops. So, we donned our ponchos and set out.
Eventually, we began to realize this wasn't just any old garden variety Florida rain storm. This was more like Forrest Gump's rain in Vietnam. You remember, "and sometimes, it even rained straight up." Our candy turned in to a soggy mess. We didn't dare get out our cameras and we spent way too much time on It's a Small World. When we got back to our rooms, we all looked like we had be pushed into a pool.
Disney rarely issues a rain check. So, when they do, you know the weather was truly awful. But, on that night, they passed out postcards saying that our MNSSHP tickets would be good for a single day entrance into the Magic Kingdom. But, the offer would expire in one year. So, I tore up the house trying to find the MNSSHP tickets before we booked our September 2008 trip. I never found them, and eventually gave up. We booked our trip to start on September 15, 2008! One year, and one day after our soggy disappointing night.
Today, I was getting out one of the suitcases and I found a wad of ponchos in the side. Mixed in to the mess, was a MNSSHP ticket! I couldn't believe it! Tee had found hers about a week ago, and I had asked DH about 15 times if he knew where they were, and then ta-da! So I was telling DH that I had found one of the tickets and I was going to email and see if they'd let us use them for the September 16th party. Now, I know I accuse him of not listening a lot, but seriously this is why: He immediately said, "Oh, hang on." He then went into the guest room and returned with his MNSSHP ticket! I was too happy to be angry!
I emailed the address on the postcard and I am eagerly awaiting their reply. Yes, it is two days past the deadline, but hey, it is Disney. I really hope they live up to their customer service standards on this one! Then I would only have to buy Hoot a ticket for the event. (He was still under 3 last time.) So, if they say yes, it will save me $147 out of my vacation budget! I have my Tinkerbells crossed!
Overheard at the bookstore:
Team Edward or Team Jacob?
But seriously folks, I'm up to my fangs in teenage werewolves and vampires...
Current reading:
I picked it up sometime back when I used microfiche to look up books for customers, but I've just started Stephen King's The Gunslinger. I am hesitant and excited at the same time. It's been years since I read anything by him, and the last time it was a novel, it had to have been a 19-something.
So, after a quiet day, we donned our Lighting McQueen Pit Crew costumes, and set off to MNSSHP around 4:30ish. We had a great dinner at the Crystal Palace and just before 6pm, we set out into the park to find some trick or treating. By 6:15, we were huddled under the walkway in front of the Baby Care Center. Being Florida vets, Tee lived there for years and we have numerous relatives within an hour of the World, we figured it would pass. Maybe an hour tops. So, we donned our ponchos and set out.
Eventually, we began to realize this wasn't just any old garden variety Florida rain storm. This was more like Forrest Gump's rain in Vietnam. You remember, "and sometimes, it even rained straight up." Our candy turned in to a soggy mess. We didn't dare get out our cameras and we spent way too much time on It's a Small World. When we got back to our rooms, we all looked like we had be pushed into a pool.
Disney rarely issues a rain check. So, when they do, you know the weather was truly awful. But, on that night, they passed out postcards saying that our MNSSHP tickets would be good for a single day entrance into the Magic Kingdom. But, the offer would expire in one year. So, I tore up the house trying to find the MNSSHP tickets before we booked our September 2008 trip. I never found them, and eventually gave up. We booked our trip to start on September 15, 2008! One year, and one day after our soggy disappointing night.
Today, I was getting out one of the suitcases and I found a wad of ponchos in the side. Mixed in to the mess, was a MNSSHP ticket! I couldn't believe it! Tee had found hers about a week ago, and I had asked DH about 15 times if he knew where they were, and then ta-da! So I was telling DH that I had found one of the tickets and I was going to email and see if they'd let us use them for the September 16th party. Now, I know I accuse him of not listening a lot, but seriously this is why: He immediately said, "Oh, hang on." He then went into the guest room and returned with his MNSSHP ticket! I was too happy to be angry!
I emailed the address on the postcard and I am eagerly awaiting their reply. Yes, it is two days past the deadline, but hey, it is Disney. I really hope they live up to their customer service standards on this one! Then I would only have to buy Hoot a ticket for the event. (He was still under 3 last time.) So, if they say yes, it will save me $147 out of my vacation budget! I have my Tinkerbells crossed!
Overheard at the bookstore:
Team Edward or Team Jacob?
But seriously folks, I'm up to my fangs in teenage werewolves and vampires...
Current reading:
I picked it up sometime back when I used microfiche to look up books for customers, but I've just started Stephen King's The Gunslinger. I am hesitant and excited at the same time. It's been years since I read anything by him, and the last time it was a novel, it had to have been a 19-something.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Round in Circles
It all seems to go round and round in circles. Especially money. We ended up spending about $440 on DH's Saturn. It wasn't as bad as I initially thought, but the out of town towing totally bites and we added a new tire on top of the deal. I may actually turn this receipt in for towing with my insurance, which is something that I almost never do. I will have to think it over, because we've been claim free for quite some time. But, it was $95 and that's a chunk of change.
My parents came in to town this weekend so that we could take Hoot to his first rodeo. We had a blast, even if we didn't get to stay for the entire show. They had pony rides and a petting zoo set up in the exposition hall. Hoot was beside himself. I've never seen such well cared for and clean animals in a petting zoo. Not even at the zoo! In addition to the usual sheep and goats, these people had four deer, still young and spotted, a llama, a wallaby, and a kangaroo! Seriously, what kid comes home for a rodeo talking about a kangaroo? Well, mine.
The pony rides were also a big hit. This was the first time for Hoot to ride a real pony and he was super excited. The first ride was awesome. DH walked next to Hoot and he did really, really well. Later in the night, Hoot was a little tired of the rodeo, so we walked down to see if the petting zoo and pony rides were still open. After more kangaroo petting and chasing sheep, we went for another spin on the pony ride. I guess he was a natural, but got just a little too cocky. He did well for a bit, but then decided to go hands free. Seeing how much fun that was, he then began to lean back and be cool in the saddle. As there were no kids lined up to ride, it lasted quite some time. Perhaps too long. Hoot then began to try and spur the pony on. He kept telling it to pass the other ponies and go faster. We were tactfully and carefully told that he should enjoy his last ride of the evening. Dang. My son got blacklisted from the ponies! At least he didn't realize it.
I also spent too much money over the weekend. It's hard to not spend when my parents are here. They bought the rodeo tickets, so we bought dinner. I also spent a little more on groceries than I would've if we'd been alone all weekend. There is a chance they might be back later this week, depending on Dolly's projected path. But, we'll deal with that storm when it happens.
I made some progress on the rental car. I made reservations with Enterprise for our September trip with a rate of $19 a day. This was the first time I had seen this rate and be able to make a reservation that could be cancelled without penalty. So, I did that on Sunday morning. Then tonight, I found the same car through Hotwire, with Enterprise for $16.95 a day. Again, it wasn't a Pre-pay, but a reservation so I feel like prices are creeping down. I really hope to get to my $15 a day goal before we go.
My parents came in to town this weekend so that we could take Hoot to his first rodeo. We had a blast, even if we didn't get to stay for the entire show. They had pony rides and a petting zoo set up in the exposition hall. Hoot was beside himself. I've never seen such well cared for and clean animals in a petting zoo. Not even at the zoo! In addition to the usual sheep and goats, these people had four deer, still young and spotted, a llama, a wallaby, and a kangaroo! Seriously, what kid comes home for a rodeo talking about a kangaroo? Well, mine.
The pony rides were also a big hit. This was the first time for Hoot to ride a real pony and he was super excited. The first ride was awesome. DH walked next to Hoot and he did really, really well. Later in the night, Hoot was a little tired of the rodeo, so we walked down to see if the petting zoo and pony rides were still open. After more kangaroo petting and chasing sheep, we went for another spin on the pony ride. I guess he was a natural, but got just a little too cocky. He did well for a bit, but then decided to go hands free. Seeing how much fun that was, he then began to lean back and be cool in the saddle. As there were no kids lined up to ride, it lasted quite some time. Perhaps too long. Hoot then began to try and spur the pony on. He kept telling it to pass the other ponies and go faster. We were tactfully and carefully told that he should enjoy his last ride of the evening. Dang. My son got blacklisted from the ponies! At least he didn't realize it.
I also spent too much money over the weekend. It's hard to not spend when my parents are here. They bought the rodeo tickets, so we bought dinner. I also spent a little more on groceries than I would've if we'd been alone all weekend. There is a chance they might be back later this week, depending on Dolly's projected path. But, we'll deal with that storm when it happens.
I made some progress on the rental car. I made reservations with Enterprise for our September trip with a rate of $19 a day. This was the first time I had seen this rate and be able to make a reservation that could be cancelled without penalty. So, I did that on Sunday morning. Then tonight, I found the same car through Hotwire, with Enterprise for $16.95 a day. Again, it wasn't a Pre-pay, but a reservation so I feel like prices are creeping down. I really hope to get to my $15 a day goal before we go.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Saturn Freak Out
I can't really complain when DH's Saturn breaks down, but I want to. Oh, it doesn't matter that it has almost 200K miles on it. Who cares if it was an original part! I want that car to last forever and never cost more than a set of tires and an oil change. Yeah, I know.
Of course that means DH's Saturn broke down today. He coasted into the parking lot at work, with all the dials and gauges going crazy. He phoned our wonderful mechanic who sent a tow truck and it will be back up and running tomorrow. It seems the tensioner rod broke, so the belt came off. It shouldn't be bad, but it put me into a slight panic this morning.
I spent a bit trying to figure out how much cash I could come up with, how much was open on the credit card and so on. But, really it shouldn't be an issue. Maybe $300 on the outside, so I relaxed when the mechanic called. Now I just have to deal with DH driving my blue bug to work tomorrow. Oh, do I cringe when he drives my car! I always imagine him a wild man. Windows down, tongue out, eyes bugging, stereo blasting, flames shooting from the exhaust... you get the idea. Seriously, I do want him to drive the Saturn until there is nothing left but burning ash on the side of the road. One day, I want to get to where I can keep my bug under a protective cover in the garage and tell my grand kids, "This is what I drove when we could still get oil!"
Overheard in the bookstore:
My ex husband is getting remarried tomorrow.
You gonna give him away?
For my comment leavers:
Hazel, for comics, you might try Mutts by Patrick McDonnell. His comic strip has been around quite some time and the animals might have great appeal. Get Fuzzy by Darby Conley might also do the trick. You should be able to find some of their books at your library. I know if you get down to your local big box bookstore, that I don't name, you will be able to find books of each of the strips. Plus, they should have some Calvin in the bargain area. As for Dodie Smith, how did I never foist her on you in college? I still have the same copy of 101 Dalmatians that I got in elementary school, and I must confess, it's only been about three years since I've read it. I loved I Capture the Castle, and I've been meaning to try the movie version that came out in recent years. As for the Guernsey book, I neglected to mention that it will be released on July 29th. I am still thinking of it very often during the day. Love and kisses to all.
Bryan, it looks like the dog may be a no go for now. Thanks for the thoughts about Baxter. When we get back from our September trip, I am going to seriously go on the hunt. Maybe another Mohawk Mel will come about! :) I did see our Slinky opossum tonight, so at least there is something furry in the yard.
Of course that means DH's Saturn broke down today. He coasted into the parking lot at work, with all the dials and gauges going crazy. He phoned our wonderful mechanic who sent a tow truck and it will be back up and running tomorrow. It seems the tensioner rod broke, so the belt came off. It shouldn't be bad, but it put me into a slight panic this morning.
I spent a bit trying to figure out how much cash I could come up with, how much was open on the credit card and so on. But, really it shouldn't be an issue. Maybe $300 on the outside, so I relaxed when the mechanic called. Now I just have to deal with DH driving my blue bug to work tomorrow. Oh, do I cringe when he drives my car! I always imagine him a wild man. Windows down, tongue out, eyes bugging, stereo blasting, flames shooting from the exhaust... you get the idea. Seriously, I do want him to drive the Saturn until there is nothing left but burning ash on the side of the road. One day, I want to get to where I can keep my bug under a protective cover in the garage and tell my grand kids, "This is what I drove when we could still get oil!"
Overheard in the bookstore:
My ex husband is getting remarried tomorrow.
You gonna give him away?
For my comment leavers:
Hazel, for comics, you might try Mutts by Patrick McDonnell. His comic strip has been around quite some time and the animals might have great appeal. Get Fuzzy by Darby Conley might also do the trick. You should be able to find some of their books at your library. I know if you get down to your local big box bookstore, that I don't name, you will be able to find books of each of the strips. Plus, they should have some Calvin in the bargain area. As for Dodie Smith, how did I never foist her on you in college? I still have the same copy of 101 Dalmatians that I got in elementary school, and I must confess, it's only been about three years since I've read it. I loved I Capture the Castle, and I've been meaning to try the movie version that came out in recent years. As for the Guernsey book, I neglected to mention that it will be released on July 29th. I am still thinking of it very often during the day. Love and kisses to all.
Bryan, it looks like the dog may be a no go for now. Thanks for the thoughts about Baxter. When we get back from our September trip, I am going to seriously go on the hunt. Maybe another Mohawk Mel will come about! :) I did see our Slinky opossum tonight, so at least there is something furry in the yard.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Canis rental carrius
Some days, my life seems full of surreal quests and actions. Today, was definitely one of them. Because of Stephanie Meyer and Mickey Mouse, I have two tasks that I really want to finish soon. They are ongoing quests, but both of them have deadlines looming nearby.
The first part of the morning involved our upcoming trip to Walt Disney World. We will be there for the week of Hoot's fourth birthday. Our first night in Orlando is off park at cheap hotel I Pricelined for $30. This is due to the Hotwire deal on airfare that allowed all three of us to fly non-stop, round trip from DFW to Orlando for $432 (including taxes and fees.) We don't check in to Pop Century until the next day. On Tuesday of that week, we will be driving over to Plant City to visit my grandmother, take her to lunch, and have Hoot's birthday cake and presents. So, we need a rental car for at least the first three days of our trip.
Tee is meeting us in Orlando, and originally, she was going to drive. Now, she is flying in and her flights match our times very well. The poor thing is back in a walking boot due to her foot problems and her car now sports a handicapped sticker. She is all about having the rental car option for the entire week. I really don't mind. Disney transportation is good, but with the exception of the Magic Kingdom, handicapped parking is super close and makes transportation very quick.
Here's the issue. I can't find a deal cheap enough to suit me. Yep. Imagine that. I can find a full size car (gotta be full size or we won't fit when we pick up Granny) on Hotwire for $19.95 a day, but I want it to be cheaper. I've been bidding every night for over three weeks, and I still haven't gotten a hit. I've even gone as high as $17. Last year, we won with a $15 a day bid for full size. I've spent hours trying out different coupons, AAA rates, and codes for all of the major car rental agencies. It's making me nuts, because even though I have roughly two months to go, I'd love to have this all sewn up. So, I spent another hour or so this morning, repeating the drill, but hitting nothing.
This afternoon, I change tactics and quests. Hoot and I set out to look for a wolf. Who knew it would be this hard? I need a simple plastic wolf figurine. I've found several that I like online, but thought I could just pick one up today and be done with it. Well, canis plasticus is proving to be as difficult as rental carrius. But, that Breaking Dawn ticker over on the right side of your screen tells me that I am running out of time.
Why do I need a wolf? Well, if you haven't read the books, in Breaking Dawn, Bella is about to marry vampire Edward, but the werewolf Jacob seems to still be an unresolved issue. For my release party, we are having a wedding cake with two chess pieces, a white queen and a black king, as the bride and groom toppers. I really, really want a wolf to add to the bottom layer.
Seriously though, I have been to Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Wal-mart, Target, and Toys R Us looking for a single decent plastic wolf figurine. Honestly, I think it tried Hoot's patience far more than mine. The only ones I have found were in tubes and looked horrible. When Tee does her vendor service at Zoo Atlanta next week, she's going to look for me. I'm pretty sure she can find what I'm looking for and she'll drop it in the mail quickly.
As for the rental car, I guess patience is required. *sigh*
The first part of the morning involved our upcoming trip to Walt Disney World. We will be there for the week of Hoot's fourth birthday. Our first night in Orlando is off park at cheap hotel I Pricelined for $30. This is due to the Hotwire deal on airfare that allowed all three of us to fly non-stop, round trip from DFW to Orlando for $432 (including taxes and fees.) We don't check in to Pop Century until the next day. On Tuesday of that week, we will be driving over to Plant City to visit my grandmother, take her to lunch, and have Hoot's birthday cake and presents. So, we need a rental car for at least the first three days of our trip.
Tee is meeting us in Orlando, and originally, she was going to drive. Now, she is flying in and her flights match our times very well. The poor thing is back in a walking boot due to her foot problems and her car now sports a handicapped sticker. She is all about having the rental car option for the entire week. I really don't mind. Disney transportation is good, but with the exception of the Magic Kingdom, handicapped parking is super close and makes transportation very quick.
Here's the issue. I can't find a deal cheap enough to suit me. Yep. Imagine that. I can find a full size car (gotta be full size or we won't fit when we pick up Granny) on Hotwire for $19.95 a day, but I want it to be cheaper. I've been bidding every night for over three weeks, and I still haven't gotten a hit. I've even gone as high as $17. Last year, we won with a $15 a day bid for full size. I've spent hours trying out different coupons, AAA rates, and codes for all of the major car rental agencies. It's making me nuts, because even though I have roughly two months to go, I'd love to have this all sewn up. So, I spent another hour or so this morning, repeating the drill, but hitting nothing.
This afternoon, I change tactics and quests. Hoot and I set out to look for a wolf. Who knew it would be this hard? I need a simple plastic wolf figurine. I've found several that I like online, but thought I could just pick one up today and be done with it. Well, canis plasticus is proving to be as difficult as rental carrius. But, that Breaking Dawn ticker over on the right side of your screen tells me that I am running out of time.
Why do I need a wolf? Well, if you haven't read the books, in Breaking Dawn, Bella is about to marry vampire Edward, but the werewolf Jacob seems to still be an unresolved issue. For my release party, we are having a wedding cake with two chess pieces, a white queen and a black king, as the bride and groom toppers. I really, really want a wolf to add to the bottom layer.
Seriously though, I have been to Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Wal-mart, Target, and Toys R Us looking for a single decent plastic wolf figurine. Honestly, I think it tried Hoot's patience far more than mine. The only ones I have found were in tubes and looked horrible. When Tee does her vendor service at Zoo Atlanta next week, she's going to look for me. I'm pretty sure she can find what I'm looking for and she'll drop it in the mail quickly.
As for the rental car, I guess patience is required. *sigh*
Monday, July 14, 2008
A Booklovers Book!
About two weeks ago, I picked up an advance reader's copy of a fantastic novel. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows was lying quietly on the break room table when I spotted it. I knew nothing of the book, but seriously, I totally had to handle it with a title like that. I think others had looked it over as well, but for what ever reason, it was still there and ripe for the taking. I couldn't be happier that I did!
Every once in a while, what I call a true book lover's book comes about and I fall in love. It's been some time since that happened for me. The last time, I believe, was The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, and that was several years ago. So, my heart is all a pitter-patter over my newest book lover's book.
Set just after World War II, in England, the story is told through letters, telegrams, and other various communications between the characters. An author, Juliet Ashton, is attempting to get a grip on her post war existence. She receives a letter from a stranger requesting suggestions on reading materials and a bookshop. The stranger is a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, who has chanced upon a copy of a book that Juliet once sold, but neglected to remove her bookplate. A correspondence is struck up, and soon there are letters flying back and forth from Guernsey to London.
Soon, you discover the book group was formed almost accidentally due to the German occupation of the Channel Isles. But, as sometimes happens in life, accidents can lead to wonderful things such as the discovery of books and their power in our life. The group members all form vastly different attachments to vastly different written works. Before the sudden invention of the society, most of them had never read a book since they had left school. Circumstances require them to continue their little group until it had a life of its own.
A great book reaffirms something you already know, teaches you something you didn't know, and never lets you finish it, long after you have read every word. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society reaffirmed my belief in the power of books, gave me a sharp, almost graphic lesson in history, and indeed, I have thought about it every day since I finished it.
In fact, I may have to put the Islands of Guernsey on my to do list.
Overheard at the bookstore:
It's a good thing there was a witness, though I am terribly glad he didn't look at me, as I would have burst into booming laughter at the time.
Man on cell phone in Science Fiction/Fantasy:
So, how much did that monkey end up costin' ya?
Every once in a while, what I call a true book lover's book comes about and I fall in love. It's been some time since that happened for me. The last time, I believe, was The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, and that was several years ago. So, my heart is all a pitter-patter over my newest book lover's book.
Set just after World War II, in England, the story is told through letters, telegrams, and other various communications between the characters. An author, Juliet Ashton, is attempting to get a grip on her post war existence. She receives a letter from a stranger requesting suggestions on reading materials and a bookshop. The stranger is a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, who has chanced upon a copy of a book that Juliet once sold, but neglected to remove her bookplate. A correspondence is struck up, and soon there are letters flying back and forth from Guernsey to London.
Soon, you discover the book group was formed almost accidentally due to the German occupation of the Channel Isles. But, as sometimes happens in life, accidents can lead to wonderful things such as the discovery of books and their power in our life. The group members all form vastly different attachments to vastly different written works. Before the sudden invention of the society, most of them had never read a book since they had left school. Circumstances require them to continue their little group until it had a life of its own.
A great book reaffirms something you already know, teaches you something you didn't know, and never lets you finish it, long after you have read every word. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society reaffirmed my belief in the power of books, gave me a sharp, almost graphic lesson in history, and indeed, I have thought about it every day since I finished it.
In fact, I may have to put the Islands of Guernsey on my to do list.
Overheard at the bookstore:
It's a good thing there was a witness, though I am terribly glad he didn't look at me, as I would have burst into booming laughter at the time.
Man on cell phone in Science Fiction/Fantasy:
So, how much did that monkey end up costin' ya?
Thursday, July 10, 2008
A Call to Action!
Life has been crazy around here, as usual. I'm all caught up in planning our September vacation to Walt Disney World, balancing my budget, chasing Hoot, and planning my Breaking Dawn release party at work. But, tonight, I am going to put all that on hold. Tomorrow, I will be mailing out a few letters. Sure, there will be a few bills in the mix, and a birthday card for my brother in law, but three letters will be at the top of my list.
It all started with an email from AirTran. I opened it up thinking, "Yippee! A sale!" But, I got something far better. I got a swift kick in the butt about not doing a thing about oil prices. Yep. A few airlines kicked my butt. (You can read a copy of this letter here, on the AirTran website.)You see, there has already been a lot of discussion with family members about oil speculators driving up the already high costs of our oil. But complaints and discussions weren't doing a thing. I was too wrapped up in my daily life.
Our oil shortage is just part of the problem. Oil speculation is a giant chunk of our pump pinching. Sure, we can all get greener. We can all start conserving. We can all jump aboard the Pickens Plan. But, in the mean time, we can get enough pressure on Congress to stop the oil speculators. By stopping the speculators, we can help our economy while we figure out alternative fuels. Congress has this power, but they are not using it.
What did it cost you to fill up last time you were at the pump? Really? That much? Would it be worth twenty minutes of your time to reduce that cost? Seriously, twenty minutes. Give over twenty minutes of your time to read through this website: Stop Oil Speculation Now. Use the information provided to email your congressmen. It doesn't take long at all, and if enough of us do it, we really can make a difference. Me, I'm not going to email. I'm going to stamp those letters myself. The money you save will be your own.
Around the Household:
Why is it that when you open a brand new Barrel of Monkeys, you think, "Wow, there aren't many monkeys in that barrel!" And yet, when you are trying to vacuum, you think, "How many blasted monkeys came in that barrel?"
It all started with an email from AirTran. I opened it up thinking, "Yippee! A sale!" But, I got something far better. I got a swift kick in the butt about not doing a thing about oil prices. Yep. A few airlines kicked my butt. (You can read a copy of this letter here, on the AirTran website.)You see, there has already been a lot of discussion with family members about oil speculators driving up the already high costs of our oil. But complaints and discussions weren't doing a thing. I was too wrapped up in my daily life.
Our oil shortage is just part of the problem. Oil speculation is a giant chunk of our pump pinching. Sure, we can all get greener. We can all start conserving. We can all jump aboard the Pickens Plan. But, in the mean time, we can get enough pressure on Congress to stop the oil speculators. By stopping the speculators, we can help our economy while we figure out alternative fuels. Congress has this power, but they are not using it.
What did it cost you to fill up last time you were at the pump? Really? That much? Would it be worth twenty minutes of your time to reduce that cost? Seriously, twenty minutes. Give over twenty minutes of your time to read through this website: Stop Oil Speculation Now. Use the information provided to email your congressmen. It doesn't take long at all, and if enough of us do it, we really can make a difference. Me, I'm not going to email. I'm going to stamp those letters myself. The money you save will be your own.
Around the Household:
Why is it that when you open a brand new Barrel of Monkeys, you think, "Wow, there aren't many monkeys in that barrel!" And yet, when you are trying to vacuum, you think, "How many blasted monkeys came in that barrel?"
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Dependence Day
For the Fourth of July, we had a simple plan. It was frugal, it was fun, it was shot to heck. Our plan involved sleeping late, or at least late to us. I was then going to do the grocery shopping alone. We would use the pool pass to keep ourselves cool and entertained. For dinner, we'd dine on homemade hamburgers. The day would be finished off with the small fireworks display that happens locally. No fuss, no muss, no extra money spent.
So, I did get to sleep late. Well, late for me, anyway. Then, at around 11 am, the phone rang and innocently enough, I answered. Meme. Meme with a plot. Trouble. With a capitol T, it rhymes with P and that stands for Plot. Who knows how many days this had been cooking up in that brain of hers? But, typical Meme, she calls at 11 that morning.... Did we want to meet them in Shiner?
Shiner, Texas, home of the Spoetzl Brewery, hosts the Half Moon Holidays every year on the first weekend in July. The Spoetzl Brewery is home to Shiner Beers. (A little history here: Shiner Bock is the beer I went to college with.) I had never heard of the Half Moon Holidays, and I looked up the website that my mom emailed me. I finally told her we'd call her back.
After arm twisting and teeth gnashing, it was decided that we would indeed, drive the 120 miles to Shiner and meet them at the festival. I can't even go into all of the reasons without making myself crazy, so lets just say we did it.
It was a great drive down. We even went through a pretty heavy rain storm, which had us very confused as it had been so long since we had seen rain in person. It seems to only happen on tv these days. The weather was very nice for the Fourth and it wasn't hot at all. We arrived at the Half Moon Holidays to find that almost everything that had been listed in my mom's newspaper was happening on Saturday the 5th, and not on Friday the 4th. *sigh* No pony rides, no tornado slides, not much of anything really.
I spent most of the time on a nice shady park bench shooting the breeze with Pop. DH and Hoot trolled the few craft booths and played on the playground. They had an old fashioned merry-go-round that thrilled Hoot to no end. It also reinforced our belief that he is fearless. Every time he flew off, he laughed and got right back on.
DH gave in to his shopping gene and bought me a homemade toy and Hoot a wooden frog. We shared a nice cold Shiner. Then we all went to dinner at a little steakhouse called Werner's. It was a great dinner, but when the waitress asked if we wanted the check split, DH said, "No, I'll take it" with way too much gusto. So, that was another unplanned expense for an unplanned expensive day.
The Old People, (which I'm not supposed to call them anymore, but hey, what the heck) had a great time. Hoot had a great time. So, really we all had a great time. But, it was a $111 great time. So not planned.
At the bookstore:
To the lady who painted her toenails in my Children's Department:
I'm not sure what impressed me the most. That you were incredibly limber and took up very little floor space during your toe painting? That you didn't spill a drop of paint on my carpet? Or that you pulled toe separators out of your purse?
So, I did get to sleep late. Well, late for me, anyway. Then, at around 11 am, the phone rang and innocently enough, I answered. Meme. Meme with a plot. Trouble. With a capitol T, it rhymes with P and that stands for Plot. Who knows how many days this had been cooking up in that brain of hers? But, typical Meme, she calls at 11 that morning.... Did we want to meet them in Shiner?
Shiner, Texas, home of the Spoetzl Brewery, hosts the Half Moon Holidays every year on the first weekend in July. The Spoetzl Brewery is home to Shiner Beers. (A little history here: Shiner Bock is the beer I went to college with.) I had never heard of the Half Moon Holidays, and I looked up the website that my mom emailed me. I finally told her we'd call her back.
After arm twisting and teeth gnashing, it was decided that we would indeed, drive the 120 miles to Shiner and meet them at the festival. I can't even go into all of the reasons without making myself crazy, so lets just say we did it.
It was a great drive down. We even went through a pretty heavy rain storm, which had us very confused as it had been so long since we had seen rain in person. It seems to only happen on tv these days. The weather was very nice for the Fourth and it wasn't hot at all. We arrived at the Half Moon Holidays to find that almost everything that had been listed in my mom's newspaper was happening on Saturday the 5th, and not on Friday the 4th. *sigh* No pony rides, no tornado slides, not much of anything really.
I spent most of the time on a nice shady park bench shooting the breeze with Pop. DH and Hoot trolled the few craft booths and played on the playground. They had an old fashioned merry-go-round that thrilled Hoot to no end. It also reinforced our belief that he is fearless. Every time he flew off, he laughed and got right back on.
DH gave in to his shopping gene and bought me a homemade toy and Hoot a wooden frog. We shared a nice cold Shiner. Then we all went to dinner at a little steakhouse called Werner's. It was a great dinner, but when the waitress asked if we wanted the check split, DH said, "No, I'll take it" with way too much gusto. So, that was another unplanned expense for an unplanned expensive day.
The Old People, (which I'm not supposed to call them anymore, but hey, what the heck) had a great time. Hoot had a great time. So, really we all had a great time. But, it was a $111 great time. So not planned.
At the bookstore:
To the lady who painted her toenails in my Children's Department:
I'm not sure what impressed me the most. That you were incredibly limber and took up very little floor space during your toe painting? That you didn't spill a drop of paint on my carpet? Or that you pulled toe separators out of your purse?
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Ain't No Cure...
It's barely July, and I seem to have those dreaded summertime blues. *sigh* Really? My budget has too many variables for comfort this month. But, then again, I have too many variables for comfort this month. I guess that's just it in a nut shell.
I have a few days off for the Fourth of July, then a few more at the very end of the month. Extra time off without plans makes me crazy. Even if I just plan to stay home and play with Hoot, I like to have some idea what I'm going to do. I also have a weekend off right in the middle and the word "beach" has come up more than once. Hello? You know there's a budget right? Well, if you peruse my budget, you'll see what I mean.
$300 for miscellaneous? WTH? Okay, I'll tell you. There is a small chance we may add to the household soon. We've been talking dog for quite some time and our life just isn't complete without fur on the furniture. It's been over 3 years since Miss Lissie passed away and there is constant talk. I've been trying to hold out until after our September trip (yes, I have said this for the last few years) but this year I really mean it. We want to get a dog that is still young, but maybe past the big chew. There is way to much to be chewed in this house, and heaven forbid we get a puppy devoted to eating Hotwheels. So, we have talked a lot about a rescued dog. I'm not even sure it will work out, but there is a chance a basset hound mix might need a good home soon, and if that is the case, we're going to meet him. I wanted to make sure that if it happened, I was covered. I have no idea if he would come with a bed, or kennel, or whatever he's used to having, so I pumped out a miscellaneous category of epic proportions. If the pup doesn't work out, I might (that's only a might,) consider using part of this budget to spend a weekend at my parent's house and go to the beach.
The birthday budget is also quite large this month. My brother in law is going on a mission trip to Africa this fall. We want to help, so we are giving him our check for $100 as his birthday present. Two birds and all. My niece is having her 16th birthday, even if she is anything but sweet. I feel like 16 is a marker that needs a little bit more of a present, even if I can't decide what that will be. She has gotten a car, so it may be as simple as a gift card for gas.
I've added an eating out category for this month. I wasn't going to at first, but I have a big event to plan at work and let's face it, when it's super hot outside, who wants to cook? Hopefully this will just be a one month thing. I guess I'd rather budget it than face it being over budget due to circumstances I'm too lazy to control.
Liquor store budget. Did I mention my melancholy? Well, there's always a bit of a perk for me when I get some alcohol into the mix. A trip to Spec's can really improve my mood. No, I don't drink often and with the whole No Buy thing it is even rarer. But, there's just something about summer that calls for cold beer and margaritas. I haven't been to Spec's since Christmas Eve, and well, that was over SIX MONTHS AGO! Don't I get points for that? Honestly, I really wanted to give myself a $100 budget for this and put some beer and wine back in the fridge. But, concessions have to be made even if I want to give a liquor pushing rabbit (a reference to their super cute, yet retro mascot) some serious cash.
I have a few days off for the Fourth of July, then a few more at the very end of the month. Extra time off without plans makes me crazy. Even if I just plan to stay home and play with Hoot, I like to have some idea what I'm going to do. I also have a weekend off right in the middle and the word "beach" has come up more than once. Hello? You know there's a budget right? Well, if you peruse my budget, you'll see what I mean.
$300 for miscellaneous? WTH? Okay, I'll tell you. There is a small chance we may add to the household soon. We've been talking dog for quite some time and our life just isn't complete without fur on the furniture. It's been over 3 years since Miss Lissie passed away and there is constant talk. I've been trying to hold out until after our September trip (yes, I have said this for the last few years) but this year I really mean it. We want to get a dog that is still young, but maybe past the big chew. There is way to much to be chewed in this house, and heaven forbid we get a puppy devoted to eating Hotwheels. So, we have talked a lot about a rescued dog. I'm not even sure it will work out, but there is a chance a basset hound mix might need a good home soon, and if that is the case, we're going to meet him. I wanted to make sure that if it happened, I was covered. I have no idea if he would come with a bed, or kennel, or whatever he's used to having, so I pumped out a miscellaneous category of epic proportions. If the pup doesn't work out, I might (that's only a might,) consider using part of this budget to spend a weekend at my parent's house and go to the beach.
The birthday budget is also quite large this month. My brother in law is going on a mission trip to Africa this fall. We want to help, so we are giving him our check for $100 as his birthday present. Two birds and all. My niece is having her 16th birthday, even if she is anything but sweet. I feel like 16 is a marker that needs a little bit more of a present, even if I can't decide what that will be. She has gotten a car, so it may be as simple as a gift card for gas.
I've added an eating out category for this month. I wasn't going to at first, but I have a big event to plan at work and let's face it, when it's super hot outside, who wants to cook? Hopefully this will just be a one month thing. I guess I'd rather budget it than face it being over budget due to circumstances I'm too lazy to control.
Liquor store budget. Did I mention my melancholy? Well, there's always a bit of a perk for me when I get some alcohol into the mix. A trip to Spec's can really improve my mood. No, I don't drink often and with the whole No Buy thing it is even rarer. But, there's just something about summer that calls for cold beer and margaritas. I haven't been to Spec's since Christmas Eve, and well, that was over SIX MONTHS AGO! Don't I get points for that? Honestly, I really wanted to give myself a $100 budget for this and put some beer and wine back in the fridge. But, concessions have to be made even if I want to give a liquor pushing rabbit (a reference to their super cute, yet retro mascot) some serious cash.
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