I've Become My Mother!

January Challenge Day 25

2012-01-25T19:04:00.000-08:00

I just realized that I have saved over $78 this month by not buying diet coke or bottle iced tea...

I truly believe I have saved over $200 thus far this month by not going out to dinner or popping by a fast food joint for a quick soda....

Thought that was pretty cool..........

This recipe lasted us a few days - so yummy - 2 dinners and 3 lunches for two (2) people and the neighbors had a bite too!

Cream Cheese Chicken Casserole

6 Chicken breasts
2-10 oz packages frozen broccoli
2 cups of milk - I used non-fat - tasted good
2- 8 oz packages cream cheese - I used low fat - tasted great
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Cook the chicken and then break into bite size pieces. Cook broccoli in salted water. Place the broccoli in a 9x13 greased (I used Pam) casserole dish. Heat the milk, cream cheese, salt, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese over low head, stirring till the mixture is smooth. Pour 1 cup of sauce over the broccoli. Add the chicken into the pan and pour the rest of the sauce over it. Sprinkle the top with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minute.... And enjoy!

Kara my youngest helping me - stir the sauce until it's creamy

Yummy cooked broccoli
Broccoli with sauce

Chicken covering the broccoli
The Finished dish - with croissants

January Challenge Recipe - BBQ Beef Sandwich

2012-01-20T11:15:00.001-08:00

This morning my daughter glanced at the calendar and was in complete shock that it was already January 20th - How did that happen???? Wasn't it just a few days ago that I was taking down our Christmas decorations?

The first week of my January challenge I mentioned either on this blog or on my Facebook ~~the days and events are running together and I am completely going nuts~~ that I was making a BBQ Beef Sandwich recipe... I later mentioned it was really yummy and even my picky kids ate leftovers... Many friends asked me for the recipe - so finally - I'm sharing... The picture is from the recipe book - I forgot to take pictures -but mine looked just about the same...

1 boneless beef chuck roast (about 3 pounds) - purchased buy 1 get 1 free -net price less than $4
1/4 cup ketchup
2 TBSP brown sugar
2 TBSP red wine vinegar
1 TBSP Dijon mustard
1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp liquid smoke (this is what the book recipe called for - I put 1/8 tsp - not fond of smoke)
10 to 12 rolls or buns...

Place beef in Crock-pot - combine ingredients (except the rolls of course), in a medium bowl - pour over meat - Cover; cook on LOW 8-9 hours

Remove beef from Crock-pot and shred with 2 forks.

Combine beef with 1 cup sauce from Crock-pot - and voila!

Tonight I'm making a Cream Cheese Chicken Casserole - left overs for lunch and possibly dinner the next day?

Getting What You Want Out Of Your Credit Card

2012-01-17T17:39:00.000-08:00

Last summer - I took my girls on a Mom/Daughters trip to the East coast from California. My airfare and rental cars were covered... I did not have to pay one red cent to fly or drive! You know why? I had earned points using my Chase Reward card and racked up enough points to cover all three of us. It's FREE money!

Not many people know where to look to get a credit card that is best for them. There's a site that takes the leg work out of calling every credit card company out there. CreditCardCity does ALL the work for you. They are an on-line unbiased company that gives you all the information you need to find the card that is just right for you.

CreditCardCity gives you credit card advice on all you need to know about Airline cards -Cash back cards - low interest cards - no interest cards -cards with rewards - gas cards - any kind of card you can think of - it's there. All you need to do is answer a couple of questions on what you are looking for and click the button and there you go - All the cards that fit your criteria pops up. It's so easy.

I think it's great when you can use a credit card to buy your everyday needs and at the end of the month - you have free stuff... My card took me to Washington DC and back. What has your card done for you?

January Challenge Post 5

2012-01-14T15:03:00.000-08:00

Scroll Down To See Our Kitty On A Leash - So cute

I have to say that January has started off to a very busy beginning of the year - I have a few new clients that have given me some really good loans to process... It looks like a few will make me money at month's end and next month fingers crossed will be an excellent one... But I still need more to keep up a flow of work... Craig's List is a great place to advertise - I place two (2) ads each Sunday and it's FREE.

I need to reconnect with my older clients that I had to let go beginning of last year - I had to complete a bunch of classes - take a few tests - get a broker license - a couple of endorsement certificates because The Department of Real Estate required all this stuff so that I can stay in business and do what I have been doing for over 20 years... Crazy I know... So it kind of sucks that a few of my awesome clients I worked with last year - most likely found a new loan processor or two and have developed good relationships over the past year... But I will do everything I can - to remind them on how good we had it.... ha

So Now To the January Challenge...

I have been writing down everything we spend -everything... I am in complete shock on how much money I spend - AND I'm not buying random stuff! It seems that I live at Target and Albertson.. Two weeks ago - I shopped for two week's worth of dinners.. That so far has worked out really well - My other shopping is to get milk - bread - school necessities, cleaning supplies, and other items we ran out of...

I did purchase a Shark Floor steamer for $69.00 - We have tile floors and a cat and a dog... My biggest thing is I want my floors clean - and I think about the cat using the liter box and walking around the floor and my dog stepping in her poop and tracking it around the house... The bathroom where the cat's box is hidden in the shower (no one uses it) - I once or twice weekly wash the floors and the shower with bleach water - the living room floors - I'm not as good as I should be - once a week at most... Thus the steamer AND - To save $200 a month - I will have to let go of our housekeeper -yes, I've been spoiled and I love a clean clean house - but I have two teens, a husband, and me - I think we can handle it... At least until our savings is replenished...

Cleo The Handsome Cat

My poor dog Charlie has had a bad week.... I took her in on Monday for her annual shots... She is gaining weight and she is not overfed - so the Dr. examined her - She has another ear infection.. so antibiotics - oral and for the ears - While I was waiting for the Dr. to come in with the shots - I was petting her and found strange grown on top of her paw under all her hair.. The Dr. did not like it and she will be going back next month to have it removed and a biopsy.. Oh and she has a urinary tract infection - First Dr. bill - $480 and next month will be around $700 - OUCH...

Charlie The Expense Baby Girl

So Today - I'm fine tuning our menus for the next 2 weeks - I'm trying to find ways to save more money - but I do believe in the long run - the savings will show itself - it's hard to see it now due to the residuals of past year....

On Monday - We had homemade pizza - Less than $5 - Tuesday - Beef tacos and Mexican Rice - $6.00 Wednesday - Left over tacos and grilled cheese sandwich - less than $4. Thursday - Meatball subs - less than $5 - Friday enchilada pie About $6 - Tonight Teriyaki chicken and rice. Tomorrow -Left overs...

January Challenge To Save Money Post 4

2012-01-07T10:57:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love a good sale???

Today is Saturday - Day 7 of my Challenge for January and for the most part - I am on track... I haven't had an impulse buy - nor have we visited a fast food.... We did go out to dinner last night - my beautiful niece from Australia was out on business and our entire Southern California family met up with her at Mimi's Cafe in Long Beach... Before we arrived - I asked both of my girls to not order soda - I'm the ice tea queen of the world but I also opted for water... I asked that they share a plate due to the portions at Mimi's are huge... I enjoyed a cup of my favorite soup - French Onion and a small dinner salad... I learned that although the "soup and salad" meal is a lunch special - most restaurants will let you order it for dinner - Imagine that!

During my last post - I was making grilled pork chops, rice, green beans, corn, and apple sauce... I grilled them to perfections... They were so tasty in fact both of my girls ate everything on their plate... Granted my oldest gagged a little on her green beans - At that moment I realized that I have not introduced my kids to the joys of vegetables... Thankfully - it's not too late and before I am done - my kid will crave those green beans... instead of ice cream... Yup.. I can dream...

Tropical Mum - shared some of her ideas with us - The recipes sound fabulous! Thank you Tropical Mum

January Challenge To Save Money Post 3

2012-01-05T16:55:00.000-08:00

I learned something today..... When you don't eat out - You run out of the basics more quickly -ie: Milk, and bread.... This morning - I did a Target run.... Usually when I go - I take a circular route - through the shoes... to the book section... to the DVDs... and then to the food... Many times along my journey - I would randomly throw books or movies into my basket.... I made the decision when I walked in the door - that I knew what I needed... and that is all I'm going to get...
Bread - $1.99, Brown paper lunch bags (I can't get my kids to use lunch boxes) $1.02 (on sale I bought 2 packs of 100. Target brand Sweet n low - on sale - bought 2 boxes (1/2 the price as the brand name product and tastes the same), 1 gallon of milk - 1/2 the price than Albertson's... Now I did make a purchase that I did not intend to make - Frozen fruit... I'll tell you why on my next post.

Last night - was the last night to have "kid favorites" - yummy - Cheese burgers - I personally like barbeque sauce on mine... How do you eat yours?

Tonight it's Grilled pork chops, rice, green beans and apple sauce..

January Challenge to Save Money Post 2

2012-01-04T18:08:00.000-08:00

Be Sure To Go To Scroll Down For Something Cute

Well 2012 is off to a somewhat good start - I've been working a lot of hours - this is a good thing... I have finished gathering my business tax information for our accountant this is also good. My goal is to get more organized... and PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE MY MONEY IS GOING!!!! With that said - Here are a couple of things I am doing...

I am keeping receipts of all money I spend.. Grocery - gas - whatever... I have also created an accounting program/process for our home spending - Household (groceries) Credit card, Ebay (my husband's ~~addiction~~ clothes shopping, gas, mortgage, insurance, and everything in between...

The Menu plan is always good - Sunday was Chicken Fried steak - always a winner with the family.. Monday was a complete FAIL - Crockpot Chicken and Rice - with broccoli, and salad - smelled good but very bland, Wednesday (Just me and the kids) Spaghetti, and tonight Thursday (Just me and the kids) cheese burgers and fruit... Tomorrow the plan is Grilled pork chops, rice, green beans, and apple sauce.

The chicken - looks good, doesn't it? Scroll to the bottom - you'll find a cute video of my kids and their young cousins with Nana - dancing on Christmas - so sweet and a good memory...

Christmas Musical

Day One - January Challenge to Save Money

2012-01-01T18:45:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!! It's been a crazy couple of weeks and I have not had a chance to blog... The good thing about being too busy is that I have gotten a couple of new clients and I am starting to make some money again.... Just in time for the new year!

One of the presents my loving husband gave me for Christmas was a compact chest freezer - it's perfect!!! Yesterday - I set it up in my office - it's small enough to not be in the way and close enough to the kitchen to not be a pain in the back side to reach.... After it cooled down - I tossed all the meat bargains I had purchased in December... My goal is to keep my weeks food in the freezer in the kitchen so I have exactly what I need on hand.

Today - I clipped some coupons... Went to Target and shopped for groceries for two weeks... In addition to food - I purchased kitty litter - laundry detergent (coupon $2.00 All detergent) - dog food (coupon $1.50 Pedigree) - and a couple of other household necessities.... With the coupons - I saved a little over $10 and using my Target credit card (I pay the balance each month) - I saved an additional $ 5.88... The only thing I could not find at Target was garlic cloves, biscuits (they were sold out), and frozen hamburger meat..

By the way - the month of December we ate fast food once and it was last night - My daughters and I went to Carl's Jr and got cheeseburgers and fries.. January was to start the no fast food rule but I decided to try and cut back in December and I did pretty good... - this is a family that eats fast food regularly.. Last night - When I purchased the cheeseburgers I did not buy sodas like I typically do and I realized that just by doing that - I saved almost $6.00.. crazy isn't it?

So tonight's Menu... Chicken Fried Steak, mash potatoes, country gravy, corn, and biscuits..

The steak - I purchased cubed steak in a buy one get one free at Albertson's last month...

4 steaks = $3.80
Mashed potatoes = I used the bag of frozen potatoes I had in the fridge since Thanksgiving.
Corn - $.90
biscuits = $1
gravy = $1
Flour = $1 or less
eggs - 3 = .75

Total: $8.45

Recipe for easy chicken fried steak..

Season steak lightly with seasoning salt.
dip steak in flour - tenderize steak by lightly pounding
dip steak in flour again.... dip in egg and then dip in flour..

pour 1/4 cup of vegetable oil in skillet - heat skillet till it gently pops if you flick a drop of water in it.. (that's how I test it any way.. lol)

Cook each side approximately 4 minutes until a golden brown using med/high heat..

I really did not get a chance to take a final picture - the potatoes were ready to be mixed and the biscuits buzzer was going off and the gravy was starting to boil... You know how it gets....

Tomorrow - I'm trying a Chicken and rice crock-pot dish with broccoli.... And the chicken I also purchased on a buy one get one free... Love those!

C.S Lewis Quote On Christmas....

2011-12-20T09:04:00.000-08:00

Among the oxen (like an ox I'm slow)
I see a glory in the stable grow
Which, with the ox's dullness might at length
Give me an ox's strength.

Among the asses (stubborn I as they)
I see my Saviour where I looked for hay;
So may my beastlike folly learn at least
The patience of a beast

Among the sheep (I like a sheep have strayed)
I watch the manger where my Lord is laid;
Oh that my baa-ing nature would win thence
Some woolly innocence!

Please be sure to join me in The January Challenge to save money - click here for details => CLICK

Getting Ready To Save Money - Join Me? 2

2011-12-19T13:44:00.000-08:00

Pictures Of My Beautiful Girls At Their Christmas Ball

Last week I invited fellow "want to save money" bloggers and friends to join me in a January Challenge - Feed A Family of Four on $10 a day... The challenge also includes any tips on money savings - stretching the dollar... I am asking for tips, recipes, ideas, and whatever you can contribute to the January Challenge - So far I have a few bloggers ready to share - Also - anything and everything that is submitted will have a link and credit that will go back to the contributor...

I would love your input - Please email any tips, recipes etc to me at Ivebecomemymother@yahoo.com

So what have I done so far??

Yesterday - I created a menu using only the items that I had in my kitchen... So here it is

Breakfast (it's Christmas break so it makes it easier).. Frozen pancakes, Frozen french toast, eggs, cereal (all kinds), and Nutrigrain bars.

Lunch - lunch meat, canned chili, fruit, tuna, boxed pasta, frozen corn dogs, soup, frozen chicken nuggets, egg salad.

Sunday night -Jerk Chicken - Homemade - This is my husband's favorite recipe.. It's easy and really yummy - (I found an old post with this recipe and a video of my youngest making it - I had forgotten about it - nice find.)

Monday night - Ahi Tuna - I bought 2 steaks from Trader Joe's a while back and I keep forgetting to make it - the kids will have Bertolli's Chicken parmigiana - this is surprisingly really good....

Tuesday night - Beef and cheese enchiladas, re-fried beans ( I had 6 cans, really), Spanish rice, and salad. I had bought a couple of cans of Target brand enchilada sauce - I have no idea how it's going to taste - I typically make my own sauce but I was looking for a short cut - I will finally use it - I'll let you know how it tastes.. And the other 5 cans of re-fried beans - they are being donated in a Christmas food drive tomorrow morning at my husband's work...

Wednesday - Mini slider burgers, tater tots, and corn. I am hoping the burgers are still tasty and not too freezer burned... They were purchased a few months ago - I don't have mini buns and I went by Albertson's yesterday and they no longer carry them - we just might have to use regular bread or the we can double up the burgers and put them in a large bun... I'm sure we'll figure it out...

Thursday - Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic toast, and Caesar salad - simple.. I will have to buy lettuce....

Friday - Pork chops, apple sauce, and cheesy potatoes... Last week - I grilled them - I usually bake or fry them... But I have to say the grilled ones were amazing and I'm doing it again...

Saturday is Christmas Eve - We will be celebrating with my mom that night -We are attending service at her church and then take her out to dinner... Looking forward to this...

Sunday is Jesus' Birthday also known as Christmas... Dinner will be at my in-laws... Looking forward to it....

So yesterday- I went to the market for dog food, fresh fruits and veggies and what did I see?? The meat department was having an amazing sale.. So I loaded up on buy 1 get 1 free chicken breasts - 50% off on beef rump roast and lean hamburger at 2.75 per lb - got a few pounds... The prices were good..

Today - I have also cancelled all movie channels as of January 1st.. So glad Dexter's season finale was last night.. ha

Getting Ready To Save Money - Join Me?

2011-12-15T10:39:00.000-08:00

The other day I was paying my bills and realized that the last couple of months - We were spending more money than what we were bringing in.... I had a very rude awakening - I realized that I have been extremely foolish with our money - spending too much on things that we don't need - eating out for almost every meal and being just plain irresponsible and it's stopping NOW!

I went through my cupboards and refrigerator looking for areas I could save... I looked at our different bills we pay.... And this is what I came up with....

For the entire month of January I am going to...

Feed A Family of Four on $10 A Day!

So how will this work? This is where I am hopeful that fellow friends and bloggers can send me money saving ideas and recipes - I will post and link back to the contributing site... On January 1st - I will add a linky to every day posts and have a month long hop and I hope we can get some great stuff to help everyone who wants to participate...

Please email me at: ivebecomemymother@yahoo.com - be sure to send recipes with pictures would be awesome - ideas on how you save money - coupons - anything and everything that can save money - send it.. Be sure to add your name and your blog address... If you are not a blogger I will be happy to give you credit too -

This is where I am starting today...

We average $25 a day on eating out... It could be more... I know it's NOT less - No more eating out - January is a NO EAT OUT - time... I have already let the kids know...

We pay $49 a month on movie channels through our cable service - the only show I watch on cable is Dexter... I can wait for it to come on Netflix... January no more movie channels - except Netflix - this is used often and is very inexpensive at $7.99 per month.

I buy the cat and dog food in little bags so it can fit nice and neatly in my box in my office - this is expensive - I noticed yesterday at the store - the size I get is twice the cost per oz then it would be to buy in bulk... January - buy large bag and store big bag in garage and pour into my box in my office for convenience...

I need to stop buying frozen quick foods - frozen french toast - waffles - pancakes - chicken nuggets - I need to organize myself and precook and set up a menu plan... I know that this is a BIG money saver -it's HUGE.. I love the weekly menu planner from $5 Dinners - I will be using many of her recipes in January...

I buy a bunch of crap thinking we're going to eat it.. or I buy stuff with intentions of eating it and it just sits in my pantry and/or fridge... Goal - eat it and then move on...

My last idea for the day - is I am a HUGE diet coke drinker and unfortunately my teenagers have also become addicted to the poison... I pay in upwards of $1.50 for a 2 liter bottle.. If I'm lucky I would hit a sale at $1 per bottle.. January - NO MORE Diet Cokes - I have no doubt that this alone will save us over $3 a day... Instead of diet coke - I will make homemade ice tea - using Target brand tea (tastes the exact same as Lipton for a 1/3 of the cost) and Target brand sweet and low again a huge savings with the exact taste.... This would cost pennies a day....

Would love for you to join me - In this economy every bit helps... If you want to join in on the January Challenge - Say "Count Me In" and if you want to add tips - recipes - anything helpful - Please be sure to email me at ivebecomemymother@yahoo.com..

The Social Media Police Mom

2011-12-14T10:20:00.000-08:00

photo by Nate Arnold

When my oldest was ten years old we gave her her first computer... I remember setting it up in her room while she was swimming with friends in the backyard -I wanted to surprise her... It was a ~~cheap~~ bundle desktop - came with everything - Very basic... I set it up so she could go on the Internet for homework and to email her grandparents... This was way before social media became popular - this is before FaceBook... But still I wanted to keep her safe - so I put parental protection through America Online... I believed I was doing my part.... and I was SOOO WRONG...

First off - AOL is only one of many browsers - I had no idea there were more... But my kid knew... So the sites I thought she could not go into - she became an active participant in and I had no idea until she let it slip one day... Because this had been going on for quite awhile and my kid knew what she was doing was wrong - she lost her computer for a while... I gave her several chances as time went on but she kept losing this privilege. When she was 14 - I bought her and her sister both a laptop - the desktop was no longer any good... We as parents explained the rules to both girls - no computer at bedtime... homework time.. no chatrooms etc... They both signed an agreement and I hung it in my home office.... All was good for the most part until.... Facebook came along...

Today - Facebook rules the world... Really.... In the car this morning - my 13 year old was telling me how surprised she was that so many of her friends are on FB during school... And it's true... Just the other day - my high schooler posted a silly status from her Spanish class saying something about her and a friend wearing crazy snow globes at Target.. No idea what she was talking about... typical high school funny stuff - but I did text her and asked her to call me on her first break.... She said the teacher said it was okay... yea sure she did.... It is not unusual for my kids to run to their cellphone - IPod - computer to do a FB status update... Whatever happens - goes on FB... I have to admit - I am often guilty of this too.. It's fun to stay in touch with friends but there have to be boundaries.... for my kids and for me...

My kids will forget about homework and/or sneak onto FB when they are suppose to be studying.. I have caught them many times... Today - I take all their electronic devices away during homework and I have seen an increased improvement on homework and grades.. That's not to say they don't ever sneak on when they are working on an assignment for school on the computer - but it's much better. I no longer allow them access to a computer in their bedrooms - it's all downstairs where I can monitor.. On many days I feel like a police officer and I hate that... but the end result is - I have to be the adult and make boundaries when my kids can't or won't.... I see the big picture.. whereas someday ~~soon I hope~~ they will see it too.. Until then - I am the FB and social media police - this includes texting... On a side note - texting can be just as bad if not worse than FB - I love the fact that I can have parental controls on that too - I can block people - I can create cell usage time frames and I can disable and have only numbers I choose... I hate to put controls on the phones and for the most part I don't have to - I use controls as a last resort if their grades are dropping - they neglect their chores... etc...

The Internet can be so dangerous - it opens the door for unwanted people into your home... bullying.. It can show our kids things that they are not ready for.... Many times I wish my kids did not need to use the Internet but unfortunately it is here to stay and schools expect the kids to have access to a computer at home - many of their assignments are on the computer.. It's crazy.....

Some parents may think I am too controlling and that I should allow my kids to do what they want and not check on their activity... Some think that I should let my kids learn from their mistakes... and they may be right but I need to do what I feel is right for me... and my kids so today - and most likely tomorrow too - I will be The Social Media Police Mom...

This is a scene from Cyber Bully - I have seen best friends turn against their friend on FB and the awful things that can happen..

A mom's biggest fear - and I believe this can happen very easily..... A couple of years ago my oldest met a boy on-line - within 24 hours they were "in-love" - it was a very scary time... Thankfully - my daughter went to her counselor at school and talked about this boy and other life issues.... I think she was lucky... I think we all were....

FML - An Acronym That Drives Me INSANE!!!!!

2011-12-09T11:07:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago my oldest was getting ready for a dance.... In the middle of getting ready - I see her Face Book status pop up... It read FML with a sad face... Seriously I had no idea what that meant so I went to my youngest and asked her... She told me that it meant F**K My Life.... I had to scratch my head on that one... What could have happened for my oldest (she's 15) to suddenly post this awful acronym... So I asked her.... You know what her answer was???? She poked herself in the eye with her eyeliner... Yep - that's it... She poked her eye with eyeliner and at that moment she felt inclined to rush to her Face Book to let the world know that her life is F**Ked...

Now that I know what FML means... I often see it on Face Book and more often than not it's an adult making the post and to tell you the truth it really really REALLY bugs me... This is why....

Life is pretty good if you - have your health... healthy children.. a home to live in... food on your plate... heat coming out of your heater.... Life is pretty good if you have loved ones.... people who care about you... Life is pretty much NOT a FML moment if you have any of these.... And for someone to post FML when they are so blessed is kind of a blast to those that are enduring serious tragedies...

Personally - I know two people on Face Book that are grieving the loss of a child... I know many who are enduring the heartbreaking moments of their sick and/or dieing parent (s)... I know many who have been looking for a job and can't afford to pay their mortgage or rent.... There are those without a home... without a meal... without someone who cares about them....

So the next time a person thinks their life is so F**Ked and feels inclined to post it on Face Book - I hope they will take a moment and really looked at their life and if they don't see anything worth while then go ahead and post it....

So I took My Kid to See Katy Perry

2011-11-28T17:37:00.000-08:00

Last summer Katy Perry tickets went on sale - I was lucky enough to grab three in the first 5 minutes.. Man - they went fast... I bought them for me and my two girls.. After I purchased them - my oldest informed me that she had no interest in going... Not her style... So I took my youngest and her friend... I was amazed how versatile the audience was.. I think everyone that came to the concert left feeling satisfied... The concert was at the Staples Center in Los Angeles two days before Thanksgiving...

My kid singing to I Kissed A Girl and I liked it... ha

Best Buy or Fry's - Who Has The Best Service?

2011-11-28T11:14:00.000-08:00

Several years ago I bought a HP desktop computer from Fry's Electronics... I purchased the three (3) year warranty... In less than a year - my computer stopped working - I brought it down to Fry's - stood in the help line for over 15 minutes before someone bothered to look up at me... Then another 30 minutes for the "technician" to plug the unit in... look at the unit... Only to confirm that Yes - it's broken and Yes -it needs to be sent out to the manufacture and Yes - it would take up to three (3) weeks to get my computer back. After a couple of days - I received a phone call from the service department - telling me that the mother board was shot and some other major component was broken - the problems were covered in the warranty I purchased and I should get the unit back in a couple of weeks.... Well a couple of weeks went by... another week went by - finally I got the call that my computer was ready for pick up....

I was very happy to get my computer back until.... I learned that many of the drivers were missing... and many of the same problems were appearing... Took the computer back - only to find out that the mother board was never touched... In addition - something about the back up was messed up and long story short - Fry's messed up and HP would no longer honor my warranty. Fry's had their heads up their butts because apparently they had no idea what they had done wrong and had no idea on how to fix it... I spent over $1500 for this computer and I was stuck with trash.... Fry's would not offer a refund... or a comparable computer... I was screwed... I run a business and cannot work without a computer - so I had to buy another computer and I was NOT going to buy it at Fry's!

I went to Best Buy and right away - I felt a higher quality of service... So much in fact that - I have purchased several computers for my home and office - In addition to the products - the "Geek Squad" rocks... My first experience with them was when they networked my office - I had 3 computers and an assortment of printers that needed to work together - The Geek had me up in running right away and explained to me in detail on how to maintain my network.... And my most recent interaction with them was when my daughters' computer was attacked by a yucky virus... They immediately knew what virus it was - they offered to back up my computer in case anything got lost... (Fry's never offered this).. I purchased a 24/7 Tech support - that helps with anything from removing viruses to installing software to my computer is acting weird and I need you to look at it remotely... Wherever I am - I'm covered.....

I am not a computer savvy person - but I feel confident that any computer problems I have Best Buy is there for me... AND I just bought my first refrigerator in 23 years from Best Buy last month - I loved the fact that I could use their credit card and use it as the same as cash.. no finance charges... no interest.... Would you believe that this post is NOT a Best Buy paid advertisement? It's true... I've been so happy with Best Buy that I wanted to share my experiences... I am however - an approved affiliate for Best Buy but that's it....

Did you know that you can Buy Online, Pickup in Your Local Best Buy® Store. - I like this...

What I Don't Like About Being Married!

2011-11-21T13:10:00.001-08:00

After almost 23 years of marriage I have finally figured out what I don't like about being married.... No, I have not filed for divorce... it's a little too late for that - he's stuck with me... poor guy..

So here goes....

I HATE sharing a bed.... that's it... I want my space... I want the TV to not exist... and when I snore - I don't want to be woken up by the grumpy monster husband saying - "Kelly, You're snoring!!! KELLY, YOU"RE SNORING!! KELLY, YOU'RE SNOORRRRRIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGG!!!! Last night after he woke me up- he fell back asleep and started to power snore - I'm telling you - the neighbors were yelling at us to stop the racket.... So I kicked him and asked him to politely to roll over about 20 times... "Dusty - roll over... Dusty would you please roll over... Dusstttyyyyyyyyyyy - I'm tired and you're snoring.. Pllllllllleeeeeassee roll over...." as tears of sheer frustration roll down my check.. I feel like I've hardly had any sleep at all...

So that's it - that's what I don't like about being married.... Solution? I'm thinking of converting the "game room" into my own private suite with deep jacuzzi tub and tons and tons of closets.... Do ya think I can convince the husband????

My Dad Remembered This Christmas Season....

2011-11-17T19:32:00.001-08:00

When I was in the 7th grade my school had a Christmas concert... Back in 1977 - Christmas was still celebrated in the public schools... No one thought anything of it... It was a different time....

My parents came to watch me and my classmates sing our hearts out... Now I have to tell you something... I am by far the worst singer I have ever heard... I'm down right awful... But I do love to sing and Christmas carols are my most favorite... So any way back to my big night performance... My mom and dad were in the audience watching their ~~favorite~~ youngest daughter sing.. On the last song - all the kids circled the auditorium and we sang my dad's favorite song.... Oh Holy Night... I remember seeing him standing there next to my mom... His eyes were glistening from the tears he shed... After the show.... he swore he could hear me sing... and he said I sounded like an angel.... I know he was telling a tale... but it still made me feel special..

This Christmas will be the 3rd one without my dad... But he was with me today - while the radio played Oh Holy Night.....

Breakfast With My Baby...

2011-11-16T10:15:00.000-08:00

Today my 8th grade daughter had a late start at school... So I dropped off the high schooler at her normal time and then treated my baby to a mom/daughter breakfast.... There was a time when she and I would talk and talk... laugh - tell and listen to stories... But now that she is thirteen..... We mostly had silence.... Although I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my beautiful girl... I miss the conversations we used to share.....

Digging into her cinnamon roll french toast

Getting ready to take her first bite...

Now she's done and ready to puke... SOOO MUCH FOOOD

I was hungry for the Denver potato pancakes.... They were soo rich - had a hard time eating more than a few bites...

Destroy Your Hotel Room Keys.... Here's Why!

2011-11-15T16:19:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what is on your magnetic key card?
Answer:
a. Customer's name
b. Customer's partial home address
c. Hotel room number
d. Check-in date and out dates
e. Customer's credit card number and expiration date!

When you turn them in to the front desk your personal information is there for any employee to access by simply scanning the card in the hotel scanner.. An employee can take a hand full of cards home and using a scanning device, access the information onto a laptop computer and go shopping at your expense.
Simply put, hotels do not erase the information on these cards until an employee reissues the card to the next hotel guest. At that time, the new guest's information is electronically 'overwritten' on the card and the previous guest's information is erased in the overwriting process.

But until the card is rewritten for the next guest, it usually is kept in a drawer at the front desk with YOUR INFORMATION ON IT!

The bottom line is: Keep the cards, take them home with you, or destroy them. NEVER leave them behind in the room or room wastebasket, and NEVER turn them into the front desk when you check out of a room. They will not charge you for the card (it's illegal) and you'll be sure you are not leaving a lot of valuable personal information on it that could be easily lifted off with any simple scanning device card reader.

For the same reason, if you arrive at the airport and discover you still have the card key in your pocket, do not toss it in an airport trash basket. Take it home and destroy it by cutting it up, especially through the electronic information strip!

If you have a small magnet, pass it across the magnetic strip several times. Then try it in the door, it will not work. It erases everything on the card.

Information courtesy of: Metropolitan Police Service. Canada

And The Winner Is.......

2011-11-14T08:41:00.000-08:00

Okay - The way I came up with the winner of the $25 Godiva gift card is a little strange considering all the different computer ways a entry can be pulled... I decided to Brown Bag it...

First I had my daughter cut up each comment - a total of 50..

Then I put the entries in a "you got it" - a brown paper bag...

Then I reached in and I pulled out The Winner.....

The Winner Is Dee G - I will contact you via email for your mailing address..

Congratulations!!

$25 Godiva Gift Card Giveaway!

2011-11-10T08:49:00.000-08:00

I get to have a giveaway - yea.... And it's not just any kind of giveaway - it's chocolate... Twenty-five dollars worth of yummy yummy chocolate... So this is what you have to do....

Follow Me On Blogger/Google or whatever you want to call it....
Follow Me On Twitter.
Like Me On Facebook.
AND.....
Leave a Comment about What You Are Thankful For...

That's It - Oh and be sure to leave me your email address on one of your entries..

Winner Will Be Announced On Monday - November 14..

A Video Interview With My 13 Year Old Daughter

2011-11-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

So last week we were in the parking lot of Trader Joe's waiting for my other daughter to finish her appointment... We had a camera... we were bored.. And here you go...

It's so different to see her with dark brown hair... she went from this two weeks ago..

To This.... I think she is beautiful either way....

Haley Has Gone Home....

2011-11-08T09:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday in the late afternoon -Haley went away..... She wasn't in any pain and her loving family was by her side... She fought a good fight... She was a lady to the end....

Everyone wanted a miracle.... a true healing of her body.... but that was not to be.... Today and forever more - a family will grieve the loss of their beautiful daughter.... sweet sister.

Please pray for this amazing family during this sad sad time..

Not Wanting To Let Go....

2011-11-07T13:19:00.000-08:00

Last night Haley's parents posted on Haley's Facebook page that Haley's kidneys have stopped working and now is the time to make Haley comfortable and try to prepare themselves to say good-bye to their baby.... The update was made over 15 hours ago and I do not know if anything has changed... I do know that Haley has touched so many lives with her strength and courage during her fight... Currently there are over 100 comments on Haley's status and 36 re-shares... No one wants to give up on this precious life... We have been praying.... crying... making bargains with God... We want to believe that some how some way - She can be saved... She should live the incredible life that was in front of her a year ago... A star volleyball player at her high school.. A young girl with too many friends to count.. A girl whose beauty took your breath away.... A smile that was contagious... A girl in so many ways just like her mom... A mom I have known for over 35 years.....

Cathie and I on my wedding day

I regret that I never had a chance to "know" Haley... I remember the day she was born on April Fool's Day - I remember holding her when she was only a couple of days old... As the years went by - Cathie and I would try our best to get together for a movie or dinner. We both were working moms and it was very difficult at times for us to see each other.. But when we did - we started right where we left off... We would have little get togethers at each others' homes... I remember a particular New Year's Eve at Cathie's home and Haley and Ashley played with my two girls so that we adults could bring the New Year in.... I always enjoyed the stories about Haley... her funny and quirky ways... her amazing talent in volleyball... and I still have every Christmas card that Cathie sent out every year with her and her sister Ashley's picture... During the past year - I have seen how much Haley has meant to her friends and family.. What an amazing girl/woman she is...

No parent should ever have to say good bye to their child and I know that Haley's parents are going through the roughest time of their lives... I cannot stop crying - because I can see both of them in my mind's eye and it's so heartbreaking.... There is nothing at this moment in time that will ease their hearts.. or minds.. They are sad.. They are destroyed right now... and only time will lesson the pain..... A lot of time....

Praying For God To Say YES!

2011-11-06T13:36:00.000-08:00

I'm mad... I'm sad... I'm wondering why God lets awful things happen... If you have been following my blog this year - you may have seen and/or read several posts about a young girl named Haley who is fighting a rare disease called Myelodyspastic syndrome (MDS).. At first - we were looking for people willing to sign up as a bone marrow donor via Be The Match. Many people signed up and after a few months a donor was found...

In August - Haley started chemotherapy to get her body ready for the donor marrow... She received the transplant... Within a week - She was not feeling well and was advised that she had a deadly fungal infection in both of her lungs... The doctors tried to prepare the family to say their goodbyes.... All of a sudden - the idea to get donor white cells to fight the infection came up... People showed up in droves to UCLA Medical center to donate their white cells - ( a long 3 day process).... Haley's lungs were clearing up - She was taken off life support and a light at the end of the tunnel was starting to be seen... The possibility of coming home by Halloween was even discussed... until...

Haley started to feel poorly again by the beginning to middle of September... October 5th - Haley learned that the transplant did not work... By October 14th she is back in ICU in need of oxygen... Every day - getting worse... Every day Haley's mom, dad, family, and friends watch Haley go further away.. Many of Haley's friends have come by to love her.. share stories with her... two of Haley's favorite bands were even allowed to serenade her in ICU this weekend.. Such an outpouring of love... prayers... compassion... and an over powering feeling of helplessness....

I know this is not about me... I get it... But I can't help but feel so mad... I can picture in my mind -my life long friend (Haley's mom) cuddling in bed with her baby girl.. Wishing like hell she could switch places with her... I can't help but wonder where is God in this... Why does it feel that He is sitting back and just waiting to take Haley home? I hate being mad at Him... But I would be a liar if I said that I wasn't... This is not fair... This sucks.... and I want to fix it!!!!

I had a daughter that passed away shortly after she was born... Many of my friends felt very uncomfortable.. not knowing what to say... feeling helpless... trying to avoid the topic of my loss... avoiding me because they to wanted to fix it.... I would hear those little sayings that people say in a time of loss - things like... "She's in Heaven visiting with her grandparents" or my personal favorite - "Heaven is this perfect place and could not be perfect without children" Well - you know what - these sayings are crap... So if you find yourself wanting to comfort a friend with these stupid little sayings.. do everyone a favor and don't - hug them instead... or just be still....

So today, November 6 - Haley is still fighting for her life... Her family and friends by her side... Today I am Praying for God to say "YES - I will heal her body" "YES - I will give Haley's family a HUGE miracle"....