American Idol - The Show of Davids

I don't think I'm alone here in thinking that this show is over. It's just a matter of the winner will be an Archuleta or a Cook. But rest assured it will be a David winning this thing. It's just a matter of waiting the time to get to the finale. There are no more surprises left. Brooke and Syesha have been playing in the bottom three (and the bottom two for Syesha) for awhile now. They don't have the fan base. Dreads Castro has the fan base, and that's about all he has. If he cut his dreads off and went bald, I'll bet you the fan base would fall out so fast it would make his head spin.

I loved the faster paced show this week. Idol with music and less filler make me VERY happy! Now if we could just do half hour results show and leave out all the filler THERE I would be EXTREMELY happy!

David Cook, “All I Really Need Is You’
David Cook, “I’m Alive”

My dh doesn't agree with me, but I feel David is a lot like Daughtry. A smart powerful voice! At least THIS year they appreciate it more. Thank Mr. Daughtry for opening the doors to THAT!

Brooke White, “I’m a Believer”
Brooke White, “I Am I Said”

I'm a Believer was an embarrassment! I actually felt bad for her! Hey! I have the perfect career move for Brooke: GO WORK IN A PIANO BAR! They seem to really like you behind the piano best. Since you have no stage presence -- it probably isn't a bad idea.

David Archuleta, “Sweet Caroline”
David Archuleta, “America”

Two of my favorite ND songs! Although, I thought he butchered Sweet Caroline, America was AMAZING!! Record labels are going to eat this kid alive -- chew him up and spit him out after his fifteen minutes of fame are over. But he'll have a good run while it lasts.

Syesha Mercado, “Hello Again”
Syesha Mercado, “Thank the Lord for the Nighttime”

Loved the last song. It's too bad her fan base won't cover her. Jason Castro just has to show up and smile on screen and that will get more votes any performance she will ever do -- it's sad. She's actually very good.

Jason Castro, “Forever in Blue Jeans”
Jason Castro, “September Morn”

I didn't mind either of these two songs. I don't understand what the judges wanted from him. He's a laid back musician who will always give you a laid back performance. He is what he always was. I guess they thought they could mold him into something. Kudos to him for sticking with his style......but I stand by my previous comments of him.

Budget Plan for May

Budget Snapshot courtesy of:

You Need A Budget "YNAB" Software

Budget for May
Why yes, it does look so similar to April. I'm not counting in the government rebate check into this yet. I haven't finalized plans for it. Ideas playing in my head keep changing a little bit. I would love to put it all towards my Bank of America debt, but reality is -- I really want to put some into our pantry stockpile and a little aside for Christmas too.

Also in May ... my hubby and my 17th Anniversary. Right around the corner, actually. We haven't made plans yet on what we are going to do to celebrate our anniversary, but the day before we are going to the Brewer's Game. (hence the blow money is a little inflated)

Car insurance went up, but the ds is paying the difference so that will be manageable.

I think the only thing that I can think of that poses problems is the grocery bit. Seriously, I've been comparing prices between 4 stores and it's truly a riddle I can't solve. Walmart is cheaper on some things - but not all. I really need to start writing a price book.

When Getting out of Debt Gets Boring.

Now that we have only larger debts left - the pace has slowed down to mere creep. I'm a constant checker. Check to look at the balances. Check to look at the snowball. Check to look at the budget. Things don't change, but I'm constantly looking. I don't know what I'm expecting to have changed.

Don't worry, I'm not jumping ship - but I feel I need to spice this process up a little bit.
I feel bad for you guys too. A blog that was once filled with exciting Debt Fighting action is now just a monthly update of what got paid.

I usually go through a slump in March and I think it's hitting a little late (because of the loooong winter, probably)

What do you do to keep energized?

American Idol - Night on Broadway.. yippee

Another boring theme night at the American Idol Corral. Ughh... well at least we know who's going home tonight. Try as the judges might, Jason Castro is a force to be reckoned with from the Itunes download totals I read. So I don't care what they tried to do ... Brooke is going home tonight.

David Cook, “Music of the Night” -- sounded wishy-washy in spots - but he was able to put the Cook feel to it in spots.
David Archuleta, “Think of Me” -- had it muted. How was it?
Syesha Mercado, “One Rock and Roll Too Many” -- cute. I agree this is her area and just in the nick of time. Saves her from the bottom three.
Carly Smithson, “Jesus Christ Superstar” -- in her comfort zone, but she's lost her appeal to me.
Jason Castro, “Memory” -- I actually liked it. Suprisingly.
Brooke White, “You Must Love Me” -- Grew bored of her weeks ago. 1 Trick pony.

My votes for the bottom three:
Carly
Jason
Brooke

My thoughts on going home: Easily Brooke (although Mr. Archuletta forgot the words early on and he was safe -- can anybody say DOUBLE STANDARDS)

Weekly Update

What a Mess!
Day off on Monday! Thank goodness - I really got to get a handle on this clutter!
Paperwork strewn everywhere - a kitchen table I can't even see - my dresser top is loaded with stuff and the computer desk has (barely) a spot for my coffee mug! I have to make a grocery list and sort through my coupons, but my coupon pile has again because a cluster! How does it get this way?

Accountable without excuses
Since my "tag" recently, it's come out that I am a Motley Crue fan. Two sides of myself have now collided. I usually keep the different facets of my self separate but since they merged - they merged. The big announcement last week was for their upcoming tour. Now, any time Crue comes to town I want to see them. I try to talk myself out of it sometimes (as I did last week) - but deep down I have this passion that eats until I get tickets. Well, long story short - I got tickets. 3rd row center. I spent money for them. I spent cash for them. I'm holding myself accountable for it, but I won't make excuses for it. The inner brat won - and this time, I have no problem with it.

Gotta Do List for the Upcoming Week:

1. Organize my piles of clutter
2. Make a grocery list
3. Attack dust bunnies (there's a mutiny -- they are out to get me!)
4. Bake some desserts for dh's lunches
5. Organize coupons (again)
6. Work on 2nd page of blog that has been neglected!
7. Finalize May budget
8. Get Envelope Cash from the bank
9. Re-Organize sinking fund envelopes (stupid move of borrowing from envelopes- I need to pay them back now)
10. Meet with DS's guidance counselor about "after grad plans"
11. Write a Weekly Meal Menu.

Sharing a yummy, quick, cheap dessert recipe:

Key Lime Pie

• 1 sm box of Lime Gelatin Mix
• 2 regular sized Key Lime yogurt cups

(mix together)

• 1 small container of Cool Whip

(fold into mixed ingredients)

• Graham Cracker Crust

(pour into crust - cover and refrigerate a half hour)

YUUMMMYYYY!
I'm going to try it with Strawberry gelatin and yogurt next!

100th Post Blabber Fest

This is my 100th post on Debt Freedom Fighters
As I hit the NEW POST on my Blogger Control Panel today, I noticed that low and behold, I snuck up on my 100th post! Of course, a 100th post deserves great things like cake and balloons - however, I'm having morning coffee and the hair is in a funk and I have no make-up on so we'll just have to leave as "Oh Yeah! 100th Post! Whooo Hooo!" There I got that out of my system.

Who would have thought that Mariah Carey week would turn into Boys Night. Hats off to them. I was going to skip the show because I'm not a Mariah Carey fan and my opinion was it was a tactic to move the less talented girls forward another week. Again, I was wrong! This is becoming a habit that I'm not liking too much!

David Cook, “Always Be My Baby” -- Amazing. Thank you Simon for getting your head out of your butt this week! God, when this guy belts it I get goosebumps.
Jason Castro, “I Don’t Wanna Cry” -- It's Jason. Love him or you don't - he is who he is. At least he didn't have his "little guitar"
Carly Smithson, “Without You” -- Is she falling apart after her first trip to the bottom three or what? She's not near as vocally strong as she was early on. I think the eliminations are weighing heavily on her.
David Archuleta, “When You Believe” -- no comment.
Syesha Mercado, “Vanishing” -- good performance, I thought. But does she have the fan base?
Kristy Lee Cook, “Forever” -- After last week's Michael Johns elimination, I will never like another thing this girl does on this show. Her time was up weeks ago. At the start of the song she looked pained -- actually I thought she botched the words or something because her face contorted. LOL Alas, that was musical expression. Who knew?
Brooke White, “Hero” -- Hiding behind the piano again, Brooke? I don't know.... She's good but I don't see her selling a whole lot of albums.

My votes for the bottom three:
Carly, Brooke and Kristy

I'd be happy with any of them leaving....but particularly Kristy

It's just hair
If that was the truth why do women feel the need to spend so much money to look beautiful?
I spend my birthday money from my mom on a salon day. Cut, color, highlight and eyebrow wax. Exciting, huh? I wouldn't have done it without the birthday gift because I don't put that kind of money in an envelope for hair cuts. Truth be told, those little "natural highlights" as Shelley called them aren't being covered by box color for longer than a week. I'm not ready to start showing age yet.

Once I get camera batteries I'll start taking pictures - my camera has been dead since before Thanksgiving. UGHH!

The Big Announcement
Long and Short of the Motley Crue Major Announcement was that they are doing a Cruefest with the other bands on the music label that Nikki just got signed as President for. I don't want to see the other bands on the list - and I'm not much for the "fest" of these concert things. Turns into a long day of dealing with drunks. And if I'm not one of them -- I don't want to deal with them! LOL. Presales for the tour happened yesterday as I was out doing errands. It wasn't until 9:00 last night that I realized I even had a password for presales (without joining the Fan Club) from an email I'd received. At that point, the available seats were well away from the stage and I'm not interested in being anywhere but rows 1-4.

Good news is, the new album will be ready on time! JUNE!

Inner Brat
As you know, I still have the 2 debts left. This is the lowest debt I have had in quite some time, but still nothing to be proud of. It's dirty credit card debt.

My son (with his new driver's license) wants that car! Although, he has given up on my parental need to help fund this new adventure of his - he doesn't have a whole lot saved up. So what kind of car can you get? An old car with a whole lotta miles on it!

This is where my maternal inner brat kicks in. And unlike the child inner brat, I feel this one is worse because you almost feel justified. I started looking at used cars for me so I may be able to give him my old car while he saves up for a better car. My car has a lot of miles and I don't know how many miles she has left - but at least he wouldn't drain his savings to get her on the road. How about that for hair brained ideas?

I keep looking at that debt total and trying to figure out what I can do to eliminate it in like -- A WEEK! LOL

On the Workfront
Let the training begin! I am the coordinator of our training program. We do a major training blitz every spring to get the servers we need to contend with the summer tourist crowd. That means extra days and extra hours and even a touch of overtime which I don't see any other time of the year. Great! My paycheck soars up about $200 or more (bi weekly) I can't wait to see the extra money take down that damn credit card debt! It only lasts until mid June so I have to take advantage of it while it's here.

The dh's work is stable, but under new ownership who isn't quite sure how to get the ball to move in the right direction. There's a lot of side stepping, rethinking and hem-hawing going on over there. All that might lead to an end of his overtime. I'm hoping they rethink some more! LOL

Revolution Money Exchange
I just read that they've extended their free $25.00 offer to sign up until May 15th!
Interested in signing up - click the little box in the right panel. :)
THANKS!

Oh Man! Look at the time!
I have to get ready for work -- make that money!

Saving Money Online - My Favorite Stomping Grounds

What do you do on the Internet?
I'm not one to play computer games although I do get my fix of pogo.com and NetWinner every once and awhile. What I really do online lately is hunt for new ways to save money and research things.

I've come across a few GREAT blogs lately that I have been traveling to daily. It's amazing these places exist and I wish they were around in the early 90's and I may be sitting in a different situation right now.

Money Saving Mom
The first of my latest fascination is Money Saving Mom. Have you ever said, "I wish I could find deals like that?" This blog is a detailed how to in finding those great deals and the grocery and drug stores! I hit up Walgreens using posted sales/coupons/rebate scenarios and walked out owing little (and getting money back in rebates!) I'm pretty good at finding deals, but having someone wrap them up in a pretty little package is SWEET!

More Than Enough
In the same fashion as Money Saving Mom, the next on the list is: More Than Enough . Again, the nice package with a pretty bow can help you find those money saving scenarios at Target, Walgreens, CVS and other stores. Also gives you tips on finding those great coupons that other savers are finding. Did you know you can call a company and ASK for coupons?

Hot Coupon World
This one isn't a blog, but a website. A lot of hard work goes into this message board as posties post about weekly sales and coupon scenarios, plus has an extensive coupon database. I joined Hot Coupon World a while ago, but didn't get into it until recently. I go there multiple times a week now.

I admit, I do spend a lot of time on the internet - but a lot of it is beneficial time spent.
(yup, I'm going to keep telling myself that)

Oh Man! I forgot about that!

You know, I've been waiting for weeks for the weather to break. I've been so ready to pack away the ice scraper, snow shovels and my winter jacket. This winter has been brutal on my peace of mind, I'm telling you that! One thing I did forget about with this anticipation of spring .... THE CLEANING!

{{insert loud groan here}}

In assessing the job ahead of me, I noticed that the dust bunnies took advantage of a cold winter. They spent the time multiplying as bunnies do. My windows are atrocious and I'm afraid to empty out the fridge to clean the shelves. It goes without saying that the piles of paper that I have in multiple areas of the house will have to find new homes too (in which case, I will never be able to find them again)

I'd be perfectly happy to welcome in spring from the comfort of my hammock - but I have to attack these dust bunnies before they get me first! If you don't see me post for awhile.......... SEND HELP!

UPDATE: It's amazing what you can find on the internet! I found a website dedicated to HOUSE CLEANING! Amazing that people enjoy enough to build a website to help others along. It looks well laid out and extensive. FLYLADY.NET

Awaiting the 15th

Wow! What a day Tuesday is going to be:

Revolution Money Exchange - Last Day for $25.00 Sign Up Bonus!
UPDATE: Offer extended until May 15th 2008!


Revolution Money Exchange has been the talk of the internet the last few weeks - popping up on blogs all over the place. As many Paypal users are complaining about their fees - Revolution Money Exchange has been getting an amazing amount of Buzz. Is it because they are offering $25 to sign up or is it because it's offering it's service for free?*



From Their Website:
FREE to register for an account
FREE to add money to your bank account
FREE to send money
FREE to receive money
FREE to request money
FREE to transfer money to your bank account

The only thing that looks different from Paypal is that you are required to have existing funds in your account to use the money. The reason I say this is because they have an Overdraft charge of $35.00. Paypal will use existing funds and sweep needed funds from your joined account.



The Taxman Cometh


There's always a certain amount of stress that day, even when I get a refund back every year.
I haven't filed my ds's return yet - but he gets all of his money back anyway. Next year I will be a little more worried, as the ds will be 17 and we will no longer be able to get that CHILD TAX CREDIT $1,000. I don't know, but I think as long as they are still in school we should be able to get the credit.



Major Announcement will make me OH SO HAPPY!



Ahh, well Vince can't keep a secret to save his life and Nikki has a "thing" for MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS and POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE. Vince already leaked that the Crue has penned a 3 album 3 tour deal although Nikki and the record company have denied it. Vince never lies, he just doesn't keep things under wraps very well. We will see on Tuesday.
My hopes? That I have enough time to save some blow money for KILLER SEATS!

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

April Goals

Where's the Desk?
My computer desk is cluttered with everything from internet coupons, my online survey log, my son's taxes that I haven't filed -- hmmm.... even the yellow pages (how long has this been here??)

Educate myself
I bought 3 books (used of course)

1. The Millionaire Next Door
2. Money Still Doesn't Grow On Trees
3. Mutual Funds for Dummies

I hope get into one before the month's end.

Get the Keyboard working:
I started work on my second page entitled: Debt Freedom Fighters BS2
My beginning story is posted, but I have a lot left to tell.

Organize May
Although the budget should stay reasonably the same month after month - I still have to tweek it.

Rebates
I sometimes have a horrible habit of NOT sending in my rebates on time. Probably because of task A on this list. LOL Don't forget to send out your Walgreens Easy Saver for April, Wendy!!

Revolution Money Exchange - Free $25.00 in 2 minutes?

I've been around the internet for awhile. Paypal wasn't alone in the world of online payments - but they were the BEST and so others came and went and Paypal reigned as online payment of choice. It made Ebay flourish because payments could be immediate and you didn't have to wait for checks to pass through the pony express.

Now there is a new kid on the block: Revolution Money Exchange that wants to take on Paypal as the Online Payment Giant. Who am I to argue? I've seen this around on the web for awhile - and BUY.com was having people sign up to save money. Oh the referral credits they must have received!

Working the same way as Paypal, you have an adjoined account and you fund this online payment program through your checking account. Looks as if the fee schedule isn't as harsh as Paypal in some instances so read the terms carefully if you are looking to replace Paypal all together.

It has an affiliate promotion that anyone who signs up gets $25.00 - and the affiliate will receive $10.00. NOTE: Promo Period Ends April 15th!

It took me 2 minutes to sign up and I already have the $25.00 in my account. I've been reading about people transfering the money back into their checking account with no problem. Free $25.00! I wonder if Ebay will consider taking Revolution funds? LOL

Please comment if you have any experience with Revolution Money Exchange (good or bad)

American Idol - (not so) Inspriational

What would that make me if I was uninspired by music that inspires others??


David Archuleta, “Angels” -- different sound for him. Nice- but I still want to know what genre HE belongs in HIMSELF.
David Cook, “Innocent” -- his head didn't look in the game. Not pompous as Simon said, but I don't think he was there. Didn't care for the song too much, but I still love his voice!
Jason Castro, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” -- Okay seriously! I'm beginning to wonder about my musical tastes if they thought this was anything but obnoxious! I couldn't wait for it to be over.
Brooke White, “You’ve Got a Friend” -- I liked it. We definitely know what kind of album she would put out there.
Michael Johns, “Dream On” -- Steven Tyler he is not, but yes Randy - American Idol IS about dreams! Idiot! He was an ass last night. Back to Michael Johns. He picked another powerful song to hopefully capture his Queen accolades. Just goes to prove the judges don't know what they want.
Kristy Lee Cook, “Anyway” -- Did a nice job. Did she get over the hump?
Syesha Mercado, “I Believe” -- Very nice song - I liked it better than when Fantasia sang it (but still liked Diana's version better)
Carly Smithson, “The Show Must Go On” -- Angry? I saw it during the chorus, but I do that when I sing too (and it's not a pretty picture vocally or visually! LOL) I think Simon is getting bored with her.

My votes for the Bottom Three:
Carly
Jason - not if the judges flowery spew swayed the votes
David - being honest although I think he is the star of this show -- that song didn't do it for him.

My vote for the one way ticket home:
It should be Jason - by everything good in this world it should be Jason HOWEVER
I think it may be
CARLY.

Happy Birthday to ME!

1. 
   YOU WERE A LITTLE GIRL IN THE 70'S IF
   
   You wore a rainbow shirt that was half-sleeves, and the rainbow went up one sleeve, across your chest, and down the other. (nope, never into the rainbow stuff)
   
   You made baby chocolate cakes in your Easy Bake Oven and washed them down with snow cones from your Snoopy Snow Cone Machine. (asked for one for Christmas at least three times and never got one! Boo Hoo! My dh got me an ornament of it one year though! LOL)
   
   You had that Fisher Price Doctor's Kit with a stethoscope that actually worked. (ahh yes, I played doctor a lot!)
   
   You owned a bicycle with a banana seat and a plastic basket with flowers on it. (Yup! My 7th birthday present!! Don't forget the metal bell too!)
   
   You learned to skate with actual skates (not roller blades) that had metal wheels
   
   You thought Gopher from Love Boat was cute (Admit it!) (I was tv boy crazy!!! Every show had some hottie on it!)
   
   
   You had nightmares after watching Fantasy Island.
   
   You had rubber boots for rainy days and Moon boots for snowy days.
   
   You had either a "bowl cut" or "pixie," not to mention the "Dorothy Hamil" because your Mom was sick of braiding your hair. People sometimes thought you were a boy. (ALL THE TIME!!!!)
   
   Your Holly Hobbie sleeping bag was your most prized possession. (still have mine)
   
   You wore a poncho, gauchos, and knickers.
   
   You begged Santa for the electronic game, Simon. ( I got the generic version called Einstein. Same thing. Played it for hours!!!!)
   
   You had the Donnie and Marie dolls with those pink and purple satiny shredded outfits. (actually, I had the LP, not the dolls -- but my friend did!)
   
   You spent hours in your backyard on your metal swing set with the trapeze. The swing set tipped over at least once. (next door neighbors house -- we used to have jumping contests all the time!)
   
   You had homemade ribbon barrettes in every imaginable color. (ahhh, yes!)
   
   You had a pair of Doctor Scholl's sandals (the ones with the hard sole & the buckle! (check! white ones.)
   
   You wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder really bad; you wore that Little House on the Prairie-inspired plaid, ruffle shirt with the high neck in at least one school picture; and you despised Nellie Olson! (I had the box set of books!)
   
   You wanted your first kiss to be at a roller rink. (isn't that what you DID at the roller rink?)
   
   Your hairstyle was described as having "wings" or "feathers" and you kept it "pretty" with the comb you kept in your back pocket. (yep, yep!)
   
   You know who Strawberry Shortcake is, as well as her friends, Blueberry Muffin and Huckleberry Pie. (loved Blueberry Muffin!!)
   
   You carried a Muppets lunch box to school and it was metal, not plastic. (I don't think I had Muppets, but I do remember Scooby Doo)
   
   You and your girlfriends would fight over which of the Dukes of Hazzard was your boyfriend. (No arguements, I had Bo!)
   
   You had Star Wars action figures, too! (Does GI Joe count??)
   
   It was a big event in your household each year when the "Wizard of Oz" would come on TV. Your mom would break out the popcorn and sleeping bags!
   
   You often asked your Magic-8 ball the question: "Who will I marry. Shaun Cassidy, Leif Garrett, or Rick Springfield?" (oh the list didn't stop there!!)
   
   You completely wore out your Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Fame soundtrack record album. (Grease for sure!!! Did it get any hotter than John Travolta??)
   
   You tried to do lots of arts and crafts, like yarn and Popsicle-stick God's eyes, decoupage, or those weird potholders made on a plastic loom. (my specialty was yarn crocheted around hangers so your clothes didn't slip off)
   
   You made Shrinky-Dinks and put iron-on kittens on your t-shirts! (Ahh, yes. It wouldn't be a birthday without Shrinky Dinks!)
   
   You used to tape record songs off the radio by holding your portable tape player up to the speaker. (Oh, without a doubt!!!)
   
   You couldn't wait to get the free animal poster that came when you ordered books from the Weekly Reader book club. Double score if it was a teddy bear dressed in clothing.
   
   You learned everything you needed to know about girl issues from Judy Blume books (Are you there God, It's me, Margaret.) (... and don't forget Wifey!)
   
   You thought Olivia Newton John's song "Physical" was about aerobics.
   
   You wore friendship pins on your tennis shoes, or shoelaces with heart or rainbow designs. (ahh yes, Jr. High!)
   
   You wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer. (fer sure!)
   
   You had a Big Wheel with a brake on the side, and a Sit-n-Spin. ( I had a Green Machine! Those were even more RAD!)
   
   You had subscriptions to Dynamite and Tiger Beat.
   
   You spent all your allowance on smurfs and stickers for your sticker album! (never did the sticker thing....)

I've been Tagged! - 7 Random Things

I've been tagged by FLORIDACHIC at Debt Smack to list 7 random and/or weird things about myself. Hmmm.... Okay - here goes.

1. I'm a Motley Crue fan since 1983. Yes, THAT Motley Crue -- followed by a Yes, REALLY!
I was able to meet the band in 2003 backstage at the Better Live than Dead tour. It was a mind blowing experience because you were allowed some time (albeit short) to talk to each of the band members, get autographs and took a picture with them. My "man" is Nikki (to the left of me in the picture) but Tommy (to my right) was so incredibly friendly. That whole experience is a story for another day.

2. Going along with #1 - in high school I was a rocker chick! It was the 80's and I was a mix of Joan Jett, Madonna and Glam Metal. Black makeup, big earrings, spiky mullet, even red leather jeans, studded belts and fingerless gloves! ROCK ON!

3. I've been to DisneyWorld twice in the last 10 years. I was like a kid in a candy store the first time. A state of AWE the whole first day. I'm a heavy planner so we had good time and caught a lot of the action!

4. I love hand cranked homemade pasta! My absolute favorite thing is homemade ravioli, but it's such a pan in the butt to make by hand I make it VERY rarely. My pasta machine was my grandmother's and doesn't have the capabilities of attachments (like a ravioli maker) like the new ones do.

5. I've worked in the restaurant business my WHOLE LIFE! Minus a few months working as a teacher's aide in a day care setting right out of high school. My parents owned different sorts of restaurants during my life. A Hot Dog Stand, A Diner similar to Mel's Diner if you remember that show, A Bar, A Sub Shopppe and an Italian restaurant. I worked at all of them except the bar. My dad passed away in 1994 and a year later my mom had to sell our last restaurant. I took a couple months off - and found the job I am working now... a restaurant.

6. My son is named after a comedian's skit that I heard in the 80's. About what a cool guy ____ was. He was everybody's friend and everyone wanted to hang around _____. Much more to the skit, but you get the idea. It stuck with me and I never needed to think of another name.

7. I don't remember meeting my husband for the first time. The story he tells is that he used to come order pizza from our restaurant all the time. I don't remember ever talking to him there. (nice first impression, huh??) I do remember seeing him outside of work and thinking, "My! My!!" though... but not at the restaurant. The story of him asking me out for the first time is a winner. There was a parade going through town and I couldn't get past it because the streets were blocked so I decided to stop at the restaurant for awhile to talk to my dad. He wasn't there, so I stopped in the bar next door to see if he was in there. I had no make-up, no hair done and I believe wearing sweats when this guy who I had crushed on before came up and asked me out. I was flabbergasted because I looked like the Wrath of God and he asked me out anyway. I found out after the fact that he had been crushing on me and that's why he ordered so many pizzas! LOL


I tag:
Kris at Simply Us
JW at Need to Be Debt Free
Jennifer at Finding Financial Peace


Here are the rules:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog. Some random, some weird.
3. Tag up to 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Selling Stuff? How about your old books?

Hmm... here's a strong alternative to selling on ebay. Cash4Books PAYS YOU for your books rather than YOU having to SELL your books on ebay or half.com! Not a bad idea. Definitely a better way to play in my opinion. Here's some basic info from the site:


Get Cash for your Used (or New) Books!
Just Follow These FOUR EASY STEPS:

Step 1. Enter the ISBN(s) from your book(s) into the Cash4Books form above. Type in ISBN(s) by pressing the Enter key after each one. Click 'price my books' to see our offer. If we are buying the book(s), they will be added to your Seller Cart.
Step 2. Go through Checkout and give us your contact information. Please thoroughly read our book condition requirements.
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Now to go find all my books and dust them puppies off!

Amazing Shopping Trip

First off .... this does not happen to me.
I get good deals at the stores from time to time, and to save 50% of my grocery bill is great. Today was just flipping INSANE!

I needed a prescription filled for Chelsie cat's eye drops. Meijer had a deal that if I got a new prescript filled they would give me a coupon for $25. off my next visit. Okay. Well first the bonus that Meijer's cost of the eye drops was $20. cheaper than Walgreens was the last time I filled it. Double bonus. Armed with this coupon (and others) here's my shopping trip.

• 2 cases of Pepsi products
• 3 bottles of ERA detergent
• 3 bottles Ecederin Tension Headache (24 counts)
• 1 bottle of salad dressing
• 1 can of Sheba for Chelsie's birthday
• 1 pork loin (3 meals)
• 2 eggplants
• 1 large tub of Ricotta Cheese
• 2 gallons of milk
• 2 2L of Sprite
• 1 bag hot dog buns
• 1 bag hamburger buns

After coupons total out of pocket -- UNDER FOUR DOLLARS!
I was floored! Completely and utterly! And mind you, I NEEDED the 'script anyway - and saved money on THAT to boot!

Of course, that savings gave us allowance to go out for a Birthday meal that I didn't think we would be able to afford. I went armed with my FREE birthday dinner from Houlihan's and my FREE ice cream from Coldstone Creamery saved us about $30.00. Good news -- I still didn't spend all the money that was in the envelope for this week's groceries! There's still some left!

How cool is THAT??!

American Idol -- Dollywood

I like Dolly Parton. You have to give her a lot of respect for being in the industry as long as she has and being as successful as she's been! That being said, I really HATE Artist Theme Weeks! And every year the judges are the most critical as they don't enjoy it either. WHY must we do this! Nobody really stood out to me -- but I tell you what. I hope David Cook stood out enough to not get voted off tonight in a sea of "Ehhhh"

David Archuleta - "Appalachian Memories" -- This is one of those vocalists where everything on the album will sound the same.
Syesha Mercado - "I Will Always Love You" -- Ups and downs during the song - but I still had tears. I just knew Simon was going to tear her apart. Nobody could do Whitney.... oh except Mr Archuleta.
Carly Smithson - "Here You Come Again" -- Was what it was. She went through the motions. I agree with Simon. Yes, we know -- you are the one with the tattooed arm. We got it. Can you wear SOMETHING with sleeves already!??
Kristy Lee Cook - "Coat of Many Colors" -- One of my favorite Dolly songs! I liked what she did. Funny thing about her is she takes what works the week before and duplicates it and hopes it works again. Will America buy it?
Ramiele Malubay - "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind" -- Can she PLEASE be in the bottom three this week? Enough with the "cutsie" votes already!
Michael Johns - "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right" -- Chills! Loved the ending!!
Jason Castro - "Travelin' Thru" -- Nice job, Hippy. I actually liked this one.
Brooke White - "Jolene" -- Perfect song for her! I liked this one too.
David Cook - "Little Sparrow" -- Glad the judges liked it because I wasn't sold. I still have chills from last week to carry me through though.

My votes for Bottom Three:
Ramiele (for the love of everything!!)
Shyesha (for not being able to be Whitney incarnate. So sorry, Simon.)
Carly Smithson (for her wardrobe inadequacies)

(in denial over here, I WILL NOT PUT HIM IN THE BOTTOM!)

Voted off: Ramiele

Happy April Fool's Day

Our History of April Fool's Day
Well, 17 years ago today I found out I was pregnant! How about THAT!? We weren't married at the time and can't even think of what was going on in his head when I told him we were PG!
On April Fool's Day! That's okay, I didn't really want to know either!

Truth of the matter is ... 17 years later we are still together and things are good. Now that April Fool's Day miracle has his driver's license and is borrowing my car ... ALL THE TIME! Wish me luck -- this is when the fun part of teenage parenting starts!

Baby Step Two (the beginning)
I've been starting work on my second page Debt Freedom Fighters BS2 that shows our story from the beginning. Yesterday I spent time reviewing the archives of floppy disks and found some of our original budgets and that will tell it's own story. One was from 1995 and one was from 1996. If I had any other budgets saved before that, they would have been on 5.25 floppies (remember those!?!?) and I no longer have a drive for them -- and I think I cut up all those floppies before we moved into the new house. However, the budgets I do have paint the appropriate picture. Stay tuned.


I baked a PIE!
I don't do pies. Oh, well if it's pudding in a store bought graham cracker crust - that I can handle. Pies never really turn out for me. Burnt tops - raw bottoms etc. Well, yesterday I made a recipe I found sometime in my life (I spent Saturday going through clipped recipes and organizing what I should keep and junking those I didn't) called PERFECT APPLE PIE. I figured, if the recipe was "Perfect" the worst I could do with it was "Okay" The voting around the house gave me a "Very Damn Good" (which I believe is somewhere in between) so I'm happy. I can officially bake a pie.

The Countdown Begins
I wonder at what age I will stop caring about my birthday. I mean, seriously now!
I'm going to be 39 in SIX MORE DAYS! And things about my birthday that never change:

1. My mom calls me and sings the Happy Birthday song... "and manyyyyy more!"
2. My mom STILL bakes me an incredible chocolate fantasy cake of a recipe she hunts all year for!
3. My husband needs a list of what I want for my birthday. (at least he remembers the date!)
4. It's our eldest cat, Chelsie's given birthday too. We are figuring her to be 21. I got her in August 1989 and she wasn't a kitten then. She's amazing and is using every one of the 9 lives she was given. Bless that damn cat! We love her!