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Archive for December, 2006

Possum Drop

December 31st, 2006 at 10:51 pm

Have you ever heard of a possum drop? They are having one near here tonight and have been doing it at least 22 years. (as long as I have been here)
They get a live possum, put it in a cage and lower it at midnight. They do it at a little old gas station and hundreds of people turn out to watch.
I am not making this up folks. This happends in Brasstown, N.C., right over the gerogia line! Someday I will have to go and see it for myself!

My last two dollars!!

December 31st, 2006 at 09:20 pm

I just went to the store to pick up some steak for tonight. It is raining and cold, and we have decided to stay home. I saved $2 with my store card, so that will be my last contribution to my challenge money for 2006.
Prev. total $20,023.00
today 2.00
FINAL TOTAL $20,025.00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

No party tonight!!

December 31st, 2006 at 04:50 pm

We were invited to a party tonight but i think we are staying home. It is a very formal affair (tux or suit and tie) but it ends at 9:30. (It says so on the invitation.) dh needs to draw some house plans, and he wants to just stay home. I will have to run to the grocery store and get something for dinner. It is a miserable rainy day, so maybe it is better to just stay home. There is a local lodge serving dinner with a live band for $120 a couple tonight. I have never been to it (brand new)so I think we will just save the money. Talk about a cheap new year's eve!!

New Year's eve, eve!!

December 30th, 2006 at 09:30 pm

Well, the year is almost over and for the most part it has been a good year. i will be so happy when we finally close on that darn house. I still have no date for closing. It seems funny to keep paying the power and water bill and put propane in the tank, for a house that is just sitting!! And it makes me sick to think of all the interest we are losing. We will have a big celebration the day we finally close on that property.
I think I have decided one of my goals for 2007 is to take a real vacation. We have not been on one since 2000. My husband is always too busy to take a week off. We are going to use a little of the profit we make on the house to take a trip. Maybe to the beach!
I went ahead and did my grocery shopping today instead of tomorrow. I saved $3 using my advantage card, so I will add that to my challenge. I am looking forward to starting over on Monday morning, Jan. 1, 2007.
prev. total $20,020.00
today 3.00
new total $20,023.00

Window cleaner's challenge

December 29th, 2006 at 09:00 pm

We had a window cleaner here last week. we have spotty windows from pressure washing the house so much. He tried on one window and could not get the spots off. He is back and trying again. We may have to live with these spots forever or sell the house!! Or put up curtains!

Valentine cookies

December 29th, 2006 at 06:15 pm

I just got back from the grocery store. There is a whole table full of valentine cookies for sale.
Hey, it is Dec. 29th, right?
Valentine's day is Feb. 14th??

Who is going to buy valentine's day cookies right now??

Going to show the house

December 29th, 2006 at 01:42 pm

I am going to show our spec house today. Ok, I know, it is sold! We have a contract.
However, it is just sitting. It is finished and just sitting. I called 3 weeks ago and said I was ready to close. Nothing much has happened.
I am losing over $50 a day in interest. I am still paying the water and electric bill. I am still paying to heat the place.
We are closing by mail and the bank is blaming the slowness on that.
The lawyer handling things has decided to close this week.
The people in fla. are in no hurry to close cause they will have to make two house payments.
A Lady called yesterday and wants to see the house so I agreed to show it to her.

Now, I wish I hadn't. After we set the time to meet this morning, she asked me a lot of questions.
I told her my husband was the only licensed builder in the county and he is. Licensing is not required until next year, but my husband got licensed in North Carolina 17 years ago.
She said, how do I know you are telling me the truth?
That did not set well with me.
This is a small area and we are old fashioned here.
We do things with a hand shake, not a contract.
I have letters from all the people that he has ever built for. My husband is considered the best builder in the area.
I think I will be wasting my time this morning. Oh well, I have it to waste.

Thunder road!!

December 28th, 2006 at 08:23 pm

I made a liquor run today. That is part of our weekly budget, so technically, I did not spend any unbudgeted money today. I called the place we ate last night and asked about their tipping policy. all the employees are paid at least minimum wage, so tipping is optional. I do tip at places like that. They do bring out your food and will bring you a to go box.

new restaurant

December 28th, 2006 at 04:16 pm

After 3 nights of sitting home, we tried out a new restaurant last night. It is a seafood place named Mike's and they allow brown bagging.
You have to stand in line to order your food and get a ticket with a number. Some young girls come out with your food and call your number. They went around the dining hall cleaning up the "dishes" Actually, there were no dishes, just plastic baskets and plastic forks and knives.
My husband was a little upset with the tip I left. I only left 10%.
I honestly feel that the girls working there were not working on waitress wages, which is $2.17 an hour.
I think they are making at least minimum wage, so I did not tip as much. (You get your own drink too there)
What do you think? We are going back tonight.

Grocery store

December 27th, 2006 at 09:59 pm

I needed to make a bank deposit so I stopped at the grocery store. I was out of sour cream, so I picked that up also. I could not believe how busy the grocery store was. I thought that all we had done the past 3 days was eat!! Why do we need more food?? also, the lines at the post office were very long too. Hey people, Christmas is over!! Bring on the new year and the new $20 challenge!!

Days getting longer

December 27th, 2006 at 08:54 pm

I hate the days being so short. As of Dec, 21 or 22, the days are now getting longer. Only a minute a day, but longer still. I only wish my husband did not have to work outside all winter. This has happened 4 winters in a row.

A no spend day today.

December 26th, 2006 at 09:29 pm

I had planned to cash the paycheck then head to Ingles and CVS. It is such a raw cold day, I never got out of the car. I just went thru the drive in at the bank and came home.
My favorite restaurant is closed all week until Friday night. It is going to be a long boring week! Guess it is honeybaked ham again tonight.

A quiet christmas

December 26th, 2006 at 04:38 pm

We seem to do so much housework on christmas. I think it is because we are bored. We changed sheets, washed rugs, cleaned up the garage, cleaned and washed the car, etc. Then we rode around looking at some of the new subdivisions.
We were all alone for christmas. It looks like everyone in the neighborhood had company, there were so many cars.
We eat our big meal at night, about 8 pm. So, we put on some music and ate by candlelight. Then we got up and danced in the living room.
I do have a few more dollars to add to the challenge. I saved $6 buying sprite on sale on christmas eve.
Prev. total $20,014.00
today 6.00
new total $20,020.00

Merry Christmas to all.

December 25th, 2006 at 09:56 pm

I hope everyone had a wonderful day. We always open presents late, after breakfast. We really tried to cut down and not spend much money this year and I think we did a good job of it. Using the reuseable bags and tissue made the clean up much easier. I bought my husband a lot of "edible" presents so we have pigged out on junk food all day.
We are having a "free" honeybaked ham for supper tonight.
I bet I am the only person on the forum to get an Elvis nightlight for christmas!! Happy 2007!!!!!!

Christmas party

December 24th, 2006 at 03:38 pm

We went to our last christmas party last night. It was really nice. They set up the bar downstairs in the basement so you had to go downstairs if you wanted a drink. Plus they gave you real small glasses.
I don't know if they were trying to keep us all sober, but we sure got a lot of exercise. I forgot how uncomfortable it is to stand up all evening in high heels.
The food was great. I hate to see how much weight I have gained this month.
They finally got in some diet sprite at Ingles yesterday, so I managed to save another $8 to add to my challenge.
prev. total $20,006.00
today 8.00
new total $20,014.00

Everyone is so busy!!

December 23rd, 2006 at 05:36 pm

Wow, I have been reading all the blogs and you all are sure a bunch of busy people! Everone is either spending time with their families or having families over for christmas!!
We will be all alone for christmas, but thankfully we have each other.
I stayed home yesterday, so I used no gas. I walked a mile, so I have $2 to add to my challenge money.
prev. total $20,004.00
today 2.00
new total $20,006.00

A sweet treat

December 22nd, 2006 at 07:28 pm

I had a sweet treat at a party last sat. night. It was so good, I called to get the receipe. But I forgot to ask the name.
I am not much on cooking , but this is fast and good, so I will give you the recipe. all you need are:
2 sticks of butter or margarine
1 cup of light brown sugar
1 cup crushed pecans
graham cracker squares

Spray one of two cookie sheets (with sides) pre heat over to 350 degrees

Melt butter in medium saucepan.
Add brown sugar
Bring to a rolling boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly
Take off of heat and stir in pecans.
Immediately pour over the graham crackers (liquid will spread a little when baking, so crackers don't have to be totally covered.
Bake for 10 minutes in oven.

Don't let it cool too long, then cut into bite sizes pieces.

Help me name this!!

I did it!!

December 21st, 2006 at 08:41 pm

I just got back from Ingles. I went to stock up on diet sprite while it was on sale. Unfortunately, they have been out of it for two days. I did my grocery shopping early for the week.
Between my advantage card and three coupons I had, I saved $5 plus another dollar for walking a mile, for a total of $6. I will add that to my challenge money.
drum roll please....................

Prev. total $19,998.00
today 6.00
new total $20,004.00

Great dinner!

December 21st, 2006 at 02:31 pm

I had a great dinner last night. First of all, I learned that one of the teenagers that works at the restaurant, is an orphan and lives with a brother. she is working her way thru high school. But she has no clothes and has to wear shorts to work in the wintertime. I gave her a christmas card last night with enough cash to buy a few outfits. I am not thru with her, I intend to give her money to help her out thru this coming year.
Second, I got to see my granddaughters for the first time in over 3 years. They are both bigger than I am. They are just like grown women now! (16 and almost 18) They drove to come and have dinner with us. We had a wonderful meal, but they sure don't eat much!!
They have had a very hard life, with both their mother and father giving them up, but I think they are turning out well.We have all just written off the mother and the father. It is sad, but maybe that is why the kids seem so grown up for their age.
We really enjoyed ourselves.
I have some more money to give to another teen at the restaurant tonight. She is one of 7 children and money is tight.
This is what christmas is all about. I am so glad I save my money. It is so fun to give it to people in need. That hug I got from the orphan teen last night, means more to me than any gift I could ever get. Merry Christmas!!

Pinecone check!

December 20th, 2006 at 08:53 pm

I received a check from Pinecone today for a coffee survey I took. I feel a little guilty cause I don't drink coffee. Any way, it is a bit more to add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $19,993.00
today 5.00
new total $19,998.00

$2 anyone??

No closing!

December 20th, 2006 at 04:58 pm

I am disappointed. We have the house completely finished and I am taking the papers to be bank today. But the loan officer that is handling the loan says it cannot be closed before the end of the month. Everything has to be mailed back and forth. So, no closing til sometime in January. We have so much money sitting in that house and I can hardly wait to get it back into the bank.

My electric bill came

December 19th, 2006 at 06:28 pm

It was a few dollars more than last month, but it was still way under budget at $90. My electric envelope has $200 in it, so i have $110 to add to my challenge account.
prev. total $19,883.00
today 110.00
new total $19,993.00

Getting close!!

stocking up on soda

December 18th, 2006 at 08:11 pm

I pretty much drink just water, except for in the evening, when we have mixed drinks. We both use diet sprite in our mixed drinks, so when it comes on sale, I really stock up on it.
I ran to Ingles to buy some deli ham and diet sprite was on sale 4 12packs for $10. So I got 4 of them and saved $8 for my challenge. I think I will go back tomorrow and get some more.
prev. total. $19,875.00
today 8.00
new total $19,883.00

Question for Jeffrey??

December 18th, 2006 at 03:28 pm

I have a question for Jeffrey. Are we going to start a new $20 challenge? I have really enjoyed it and hope we do. There is only 12 more days left in this challenge and I am really trying to hit $20,000 for the year!!
I earned $2 for walking 2 miles yesterday to add to the challenge.
prev. total $19,873.00
today 2.00
new total $19,875.00

Another great christmas party

December 17th, 2006 at 05:18 pm

We went to another great christmas party last night. This was pretty much a neighborhood party and all the neighbors attended.
We had planned to go out to dinner after the party, but we got full and it got too late. So I am adding the $20 I saved to my challenge money.
I also ran to Bi lo this morning to buy something for supper tonight. I saved $3 using my Bi Lo card. So that is $23 more dollars to add. I am getting close!
prev. total $19,850.00
today 23.00
new total $19,873.00

Put that back!

December 16th, 2006 at 07:12 pm

I can't believe I did that! A complete stranger was talking to his wife on the phone in the grocery store and she was telling him to get sweetened coconut. He picked up a box which cost 40cents more than the same brand in a bag. I noticed the ounces were the same, so I held up the bag to him and said, "this one is 40 cheaper and it is exactly the same thing! He asked his wife if a bag was ok, she said yes and I gave him to him and took away the box.
I feel foolish after that, so I donated to the H.S. band which was outside playing for tips.
If I was ever in a band, I would want to be a drummer!!!
I did manage to save $3 using coupons, so I will add that to my challenge.
prev. total $19,847.00
today 3.00
new total $19,850.00

Propane

December 16th, 2006 at 04:44 pm

I turned on the heat on Oct. 15th, so yesterday I checked my propane tank. I have used about 100 gallons in the past two month, or about 50 gallons a month. Of course, I know that winter has not really started yet, but I feel that is still doing pretty well. I have a little less than 400 gallons left, probably not enough to do me all winter, but I should not have to order but one more time this winter. I budget $30 a week for propane. I use to only budget $20, but since the price of everything has gone up, I found that $20 a week is really not enough.

Drive In post office

December 15th, 2006 at 11:23 pm

Someone accidently drove thru the wall of our only post office. It was right where the customers stand too.

she meant to hit the brake and stepped on the gasoline. There had been a long line 5 minutes earlier. Luckily only two people were hurt and not serious.

Some on the computers were down today, so it was a long wait that stretched out the door. I think all of us were a little nervous and wish they would install a gate around the post office. I spent almost $5 to send a register letter to the licensing dept. Still trying to get my husband a license to build houses.

Our house is finished!!

December 15th, 2006 at 08:07 pm

We closed on the land on October 15, 2005. After 14 months of hard work, the house is completely finished. The guys are cleaning windows today and hauling boxes to the dump. I just checked it out , and everything looks beautiful. Now if we could just move to the closing!
Then i will be doing the happy dance of Joy!!

GRRRR

December 14th, 2006 at 10:59 pm

We took a class to fill out the paperwork we need to get my husband licensed as a builder. We submitted letters from the buyers and the building permits in lieu of certificates of occupancy. We were given the forms to do that at the class. Our county did not give out certificates of occupany until this year and this was for the past 3 years.
We get a letter to day asking us to PROVE that our county does not issue certificates of occupancy.
This is so frustrating. No one we know has gotten licensed yet! This state is certainly not on the ball.
We have been licensed in North Carolina for about 20 years. I guess we should move there, it is only 10 miles away.
On the bright side, I saved $4 with a coupon at CVS today, so I will add that to my challenge money.
prev. total $19,843.00
today 4.00
new total $19,847.00


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