The Last Day!!!

I came up with a dandy plan for this coming month. For the whole month of September, I won't buy any groceries. Well, for the exception of eggs, bread, milk and of course some peanuts to boil. I have spent the last several weeks organizing my pantry shelves. I have bought and used coupons to stock up, plus we start in September getting our co-op box of veggies. My main worry is..I wonder how long I will last at this challenge. I love munchie food, which I haven't stocked up on too much. We can go out to eat, just not to the grocery store. I hope that I don't have a junk food attack during the month of September. Stay tuned to know if and when I break this challenge.

No Receipt..No Problem!!

I had to return a printer this weekend to Walmart. There was just one tiny problem, I didn't have my receipt. I have every other receipt that I have gotten from Walmart in the last 6 months except for this one. I actually think that it was the one I threw away and then dumped left over tuna salad in the same bag. YUCK!! Anywho, I thought I would just take my chances and see what happened. I had talked myself out of purchasing another printer (this one was broke). I went in with my printer along with my receiptless self. The lady was very nice. She asked if I paid by check. If yes, then she could look my receipt up no problem. I even had my duplicate check and the number. I thought how cool and easy. WRONG!!! Me having the check...EASY!! Them looking it up...not so easy. Then she wanted to know which register I checked out of. WHAT!!! That was 2 weeks ago, how do I know. I wanted to remark, "one of the only 2 that were open.". Seems that they only way they can trace your check is to go to each individual register and look the check up. How long would that take? Too long for me. I opted for a gift card instead. It actually worked out better. We were going to get gas (it was 2.47 a gal) and with the gift card you get an additional 3 cent off a gallon. No sweat!! The next time I write a check though, I am going to write the register number on the duplicate just in case.

Cookie Monster!!!

The last few weeks has found me baking cookies.  Not for us to eat...okay I kept a dozen or so.  I made these for business' who help make my life easier.  As you know, we stay part time with my father in law who has dementia.  This can be challenging in several ways...not just dealing with the dementia, but also helping deal with his everyday life and affairs.  I gave the girls at the bank and big platter of cookies, because they know the situation and they let me help with his banking.  I watch him closely and when he forgets something...I step in.  The girls at the bank are wonderful.  They have made my life easier as dementia takes a little more of his mind every day.  Next went a platter to the post office.  These guys have been so nice to me since I have been here.  They have been really helpful in sending out my ebay packages.  They have given me pointers to keep shipping cost lower and saved a few boxes for me.  Next came the library.  The librarian has chased down books that I want to read and has offered a great friendship.  We talk about our situation, she is in the same boat with her mom.  Then there is the pharmacy.  Our pharmacy staff has been so helpful and gone beyond the call of duty to help us.  Not only have they provided great medical advice, but they have become a haven to have some much needed girl talk.  I am grateful for the time they spend talking with me as I take a break from the house.  The cookie monster showed up with just a simple treat to show them how important they are in our everyday life.

And The Winner Is....

After eating at a local restaurant in town for many years, I finally won a free meal.  Russell's Seafood and Country Buffet has a page on Facebook.  Every person that becomes a fan gets put into a drawing.  I was probably in the top 10 people who first became a fan on Facebook.  They have a great buffet.  When dining there, I feast on chicken, deviled crab, grilled tilapia, shrimp,chicken and dumplings, fried squash, yeast rolls, peach cobbler and fried okra to name a few.  They have great vegetables that is seasoned like you do at home.  Grandma would definitely eat here without compliant.  It is really that good.  I won a free buffet dinner in the drawing today.  I can hardly wait to go and use my certificate.  Thanks Mr. Larry Russell, owner, for a great restaurant with great food and a good family atmosphere.  If you haven't eaten there before, go on over and sample their delicious food.  Located on Hwy 22 in Southern Pines.

Mr. Larry Russell, owner of Russell's Seafood and Country Buffet

Giving Back!!!

We took this past Monday morning to take our donation of school supplies over to Rocky Point Primary.  Every year, we donate school supplies to a school to help them out.  There are two reasons for doing this.  One is to help the teacher's have their rooms stocked for when a student is in need, and in memory of our twin girls, Hannah and Faith.  They would have been juniors in high school this year.  This is just a small way to give back.  A friend of ours gave me this idea about 10 years ago.  He had a son that had died, and every year they help children at Christmas in memory of their son.  They spend what they would have spent on him at Christmas and help make Christmas happen for those who are less fortunate.  I know we would have spent more on our girls than these school supplies totaled, but it is just a way to show that we care about others and that our daughters are real (the were still born).  I got to meet the principal and vice principal of the school.  I was so impressed with the staff that I met.  We just hope that in some small way that these supplies help make some one's year a little better, and eases some burdens off the teacher's . 

A tote full of supplies such as pencils, crayons, markers, rulers, erasers, scissors and rulers.

Our van loaded with composition books, notebook paper and book bags.

Books and More Books!!!

This month all the books I have read have either been by Carol Higgins Clark or Leslie Meier. Both are mystery writers. I love a good mystery. I have 2 more books to read by Carol Higgins Clark then I am finished with all that she has out at this time. I have lined up 2 more mystery series that I will be starting next week. The first is the Pennsylvania Dutch Inn series by Tamar Myers. The other is the crochet mysteries by Betty Hetchman. I am looking forward to starting another series by a new author. I pre-ordered Nicholas Sparks new book "Safe Haven" and it will shipped September 14th. I look forward to getting that book. If you know of a great mystery series, let me know. I also have read Joann Fluke's books and Laura Levine's in the last several books. I love to read. The more (books) the merrier I am.

Please Santa...Don't Bring!!!

I have purged my closet in the last several weeks. This weekend I reorganized my dresser drawers. To my surprise and a little to my horror, I have 40 pairs of underwear. LOL. I couldn't believe it...I recounted to make sure. This is not including all that I have in Moore County. What an interesting fact. So please Santa don't bring me any underwear this year.

Doggone It!!

We stopped at a Food Lion on the way home today. I sit in the van as Mark runs in the store. A truck pulls in front of us a couple of spaces over. The driver sits there for a while, then gets out. No sooner is he in the store this car pulls up behind his truck. This woman gets out of the car goes over to his truck and starts trying to put her hand down the window. I am intrigued now, and start to watch. She then goes back to the car where the drive has whipped out her cell phone and they are getting this man's license plate number. The elderly man comes out (riding in a motorized wheelchair). The car with the ladies leave. I don't usually say anything, but something compelled me to get out. I asked the man if he knew those ladies and he said no. I told him what I observed. I also told him that once I saw his dog in the car, that I thought they had turned him in for leaving the dog in the car. I can't repeat everything he said on here, it' a family blog. He did tell me that he sat there to run the a/c up and he had the windows cracked. He wasn't in the store even 5 minutes and when I went over the air coming out of the truck was noticeably cooler. Let me say that we had just gone by a thermometer and it read 80 degrees. The dog was not harmed and probably loved more than most children in this world. He thanked me, and I told him that I just wanted to make him aware in case he got a call or a visit. He left, and those ladies pulled up beside our van. She asked if I was getting on the elderly gentleman for leaving his dog in the car. Before I could answer she so smugly informed me that they had already called the law on him for leaving the dog in the car. I told her no. I said, "I ask him if knew you two because you were all over his truck like you were breaking in and getting his license number." That smug look left her face and she said, "Oh", and sped away. I love animals...Lilly is like my child and I never like to see one mistreated, but I wonder if she would have been so fired up and called the law if that was a child in that car??

Ponderings!!

These are just a few things that I have thought about lately and wanted to share.

(1) Am I spending my time wisely, or just wasting those precious
moments that God has given me?

(2) Do the things I do I have a lasting effect? or am I not
hitting the mark on some of the things I spend my time doing.

(3) Does anything I do or say help those around me?

(4) Am I helping make a difference in any one's life? I am talking
more about a difference of where they will spend eternity.

(5) Do other's see Jesus in me?

These are just a few things I have thought about lately. We have a new pastor, and some of his sermons have made me examine myself to see just what I am doing for the kingdom. I don't want to be sitting around idling, but have myself in gear and trying to encourage and reach people for Christ.

Drip, Drip...NOT!!!

I would have almost believed that today was Monday instead of Wednesday. That is because Monday type things have happened today. First, I can't find the cord that connects my blackberry to my computer so I can download pictures. I put all my cords in this pouch, but no blackberry cord. I have 2 cords to our MP3 players and a cord for a digital camera that I no longer have, but not the cord I need. I am sure that on Friday, I was putting it somewhere safe and easy to find when I returned...hahahahahaha!!

Next we wake up to no water today. No drip drip going on in our sink. Nothing, not even air in the line. The joys of having a well. I miss my county water in Pender County in times like these. We call Donald Oldham, who is so faithful to come and fix our problem. I think the culprit was that someone let a toilet run all night. I don't want to point fingers, but I am sure that is what happened. Donald to the rescue. It wasn't long before Donald had the faucets spewing the pure natural water from the well. Thanks so much!!

I am almost afraid to venture anywhere today as they say things comes in three's. I did misplace my keys, but I can't count that...I always misplace them.

PS: Wrong Date

I posted a new blog today entitled "Going Back". For some reason it posted it under August 11th, which I believe is the day I actually wrote the blog. It is the one I was waiting for the internet to come back on, so I could post a picture. Whew, glad that is straight now.

Fill 'er Up!!

Tonight we went to a local restaurant that has a buffet. Well, you would have thought that I had never eaten a piece of meat in my life. I always joke that I am meatatarian, not a vegetarian. I had shrimp, deviled crab, chicken (several kinds) and roast piled all over that plate. On the side of the plate sat about ten little lima beans. When I go to a buffet, I act like it is the only time I am allowed to eat meat. I look like I have been on a big hunt, and the meat is my prize. I always figured at buffet prices the only way I get my monies worth is to fill up on meat. So if you are spooning up some blackeye peas on the buffet, you won't have to worry about me standing behind you puffing and huffing to hurry you up. I will be on the other side where the meat is at filling 'er up.

Got Milk??

It's 4 am and I can't sleep as usual. My blackberry dings indicating that I have an email. It is from Harris Teeter announcing their weekly specials. I make a mental note to swing by there later that day. They have Deer Park water BOGO free and grape jelly for .97 and milk for $2.47 a gallon. I get to HT and grab a buggy ready to save some money. With my items in the cart, I make my way to the check out. All is fine, except my milk didn't ring up right. The cashier called the head cashier over, who was full of attitude. She told me the milk wasn't on special, so I opened the blackberry up and showed her the email. She huffed and puffed and did a little eye rolling before saying something stupid. She asked if I could print off the email so she could make sure it was from HT. My reaction was, "you've got to be kidding. You can see this is from HT.". Just then the manager arrives to see if there was a problem. After viewing the email, he looked at her and told her that he could tell that it was their email. He apologized and had the cashier to give me the milk for the sales price. He walked off with the head cashier, but not before I heard him tell her that she had better not never treat a customer like that again. Sometimes a little authority goes to persons head. Anywho, I got milk.

Down, Down, Down!!!

I have a blog typed and ready to be published except I want to include an old photo the blog. My problem is that the internet has been down here all week, and that stinks. I called Century Link back today, because they promised it would be up and running today...NOT. After telling me that it would be tomorrow before it was fixed, they then asked if I would recommend Century Link to family and friends. Duh!! No I would not be recommending them. I even told them that I would like the bill pro rated for the days we didn't have internet. This has been a week where as a customer I have had to fight for my rights and not let companies take my hard earned money. Big episode at Harris Teeter that I will blog about later. Better blogs to come when the internet gets up and running.

Going Back!!!

With school starting just around the corner, I have once again taken a trip down memory lane. As school supplies fill the entrances of every store, I am reminded of those glorious years. Oh, the fun of picking out just the right color notebook. In my day the big decision was going with a unicorn notebook or one that had kittens on the front. I always got a pencil pouch, but rarely keep them in there after the first few days. Picking out a book bag was exciting as it would become your most used possession as the school year rolled by. Don't forget the lunch box. That is what could make you the envy of the class, if you had the right lunch box. I remembering having a Holly Hobby, Strawberry Shortcake and my favorite one The BeeGee's. Although I am not really sure I even knew who the BeeGees were. LOL I loved getting new clothes and picking out just the right outfit for the first day back. The first day was exciting, seeing all my friends again. The newness of the school year was intoxicating as you were a year older. Then reality set in, and you realized that you were stuck here for 180 days. The newness faded into weariness has you prayed for a hurricane to hit (hey, I am from the coast), just hoping for some days off. Then during the winter months you prayed for snow, in my case at the least some freezing rain. The school year dragged by as I wondered why I was even excited about coming back. Before long Spring Break came and the end was in sight. The count down had begun. The last day of school is in sight, and visions of the beach dance in my head. The last day arrives and I say farewell to my friends. 2 months of summer fly by, and before I know it, we are back to school shopping again. I am excited all over again, but give it a few weeks and it will end. LOL

I get a desk for my birthday or Christmas and school play begins. If I only realized that pretending turns to reality too soon.

Ka-Boom!!!

Sometimes I wonder why I even try being nice. It gets exhausting at times trying to spare peoples feelings, especially if they are wearing them on their sleeves. I finally decided on some that I don't care anymore, if they want to act childish and sever ties with family...so be it. This was the last straw with me this week. No turning back and definitely never the same. All of this because I tried to be thoughtful and nice this week, only to have it blow up in my face. Other than being accused of something that I nor anyone in my family did...I am not sure what the problem really is except now a relationship ( on my part) is forever lost. The next time I get the urge to be nice and share...I won't. I will be stingy and keep everything for myself. Although that is really not my nature. All of this because I thought I was being nice and sharing what few old family photos my mom has on Facebook, so that our family could get copies. Family that gets mad at you for having these photos instead of being grateful that you shared. Lesson learned here you can't be nice to some people (I will never try again) because your nicest explodes in your face like a bomb.

Blast From The Past!!!

I got a new wireless all in one printer this past week, and I have gone crazy scanning old photos of our family. Just wanted to share some of these with you. I will be raiding more photo boxes in the weeks to come. I have enjoyed going through all the photos and seeing some pictures for the first time, and reliving those special moments in life. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here is about 8,000 words worth. LOL

This is me and my mom on my 2nd birthday. That cake looks yummy.

Mark and his brother Dwight coming out of Matthews Market. I love the expression on Mark's face in this picture, it is typical little boy.

My first photo taken in the hospital. Most laugh at my hair do, but I like it...I think that I look cute.

Mark with Dwight and Gail. This is my all time favorite picture of him when he was little. He is just the cutest little thing.

Me and mom at Easter. This was taken when we lived in Lake Forest. The good old days.

Our family picture taken when I was in the 8th grade. Probably my favorite picture of the 3 of us.

Mark on the day he answered the call to preach. A priceless picture.

Mark's whole family. I love this picture of him as well.

Real Christian????

I have become skittish of people who say that they are a Christian. That has become such a loose term anymore. Back in the day as my friend, Leigh, would say Christian meant that you knew Jesus in a personal way...that you had a personal relationship with Him. Now it can mean that you believe in a higher power of some kind or you believe in something or the fact that you went to some kind of service at Christmas. That is not what Christian means to me. It means you know Jesus personally and you believe the Bible and you don't compromise the bible regardless of how it effects you. Some believe the bible until in effects something that they want to do or don't want to do. The bible isn't multiple choice, you either believe it or you don't. It is plainly written and doesn't need my sinful attempt to interpret what I think Christ (who is all knowing and perfect) is trying to say to us. If we are who we say we are and pray, plus listen to God, we know what God is saying through His word. I don't really care to know what some think God is trying to say. I tend to watch or become leery of those who want to interpret the scripture...most of the time they interpret them for their own benefit. The Word is the Word, and there is no changing it...you believe or you don't. I will just say if you don't believe then I would check my heart to see if I was a true believer. There will be lots of people who think that because they are good that they are going to make it into heaven...not so. You can't have a head knowledge it has to be a heart knowledge. Even the devils tremble. God is real!!! My question today is are you a real Christian? Do you fully have that personal relationship with God or are you pretending? Hiding behind the word Christian? I see people say they are Christians are all the time and lots of their actions and beliefs contradict what the bible says...It just makes me wonder. I am not any one's judge, but don't let the devil trick you into believing you are okay. I was like that for years, before I realized I needed Jesus. The devil wants you to think that you are okay...when he really has you. Being a Christian means that you are different from the world...if the world can't see a difference, then maybe it is time for a check up.

Silly Sexy!!!

Today was a huge packing up Ebay day. I arrived back at Moore County to over 30 packages going out. I got up early this morning and started the long process. It really takes me more time to pull the orders than it does to pack the items. I get all that done and head out to run my errands. I go to my usual three places, the bank, PO and library. Then I had to return an item to Best Buy. While in there I decided to buy Mark the Xbox360. I am looking at the consoles when I noticed this man looking at me and smiling. He kept on looking at me, or more specific he was looking at my legs. I started smiling because I am thinking, "I've still got sexy legs at ALMOST 40." I was puffing up with some pride, and we know what the bible says about pride? He keeps looking and smiling and I am about to get giddy, I mean I was getting full of myself. That was until I looked down. To my horror there was a piece of packing tape stuck to my leg, and at some point the sticky end had snagged part of a McDonald's napkin. He didn't think my legs were sexy at all...he thought they were silly. So, don't hate me because I have silly sexy legs. LOL

This Excuse Won't Stick!!!

Yesterday I go to Walmart (my first mistake) to finish out buying school supplies. Mark and I don't have children so every year we buy supplies and donate to a school for those students who can't afford them or their parents are to sorry to see that they have everything they need. Anywho, I had some glue in my buggy for $1 a bottle. Then I saw a box with a picture of some school glue on the box for .25. I decided to get the quarter glue. I got all that was in the box. When the cashier rang it up it came up $1.68. I told her this was wrong and went and got the box that had the picture of the glue on it. She called someone over to look over things. She proceeded to tell me the bar codes were different and the glue was in fact $1.68. Even after the box with the 12" picture of the glue says .25?? Yep!!! I didn't get the glue, and told them that was false advertisement. They don't care. Walmart no longer cares about the customer. This surely isn't how Sam Walton made it big, by falsely advertising items. In the good old days they would have let me had the glue for .25. I didn't argue, who wants to make a sticky mess over some glue. I was not a happy camper when I left. What am I going to do? Call the Better Business on them. They have the monopoly and they know it. That is why the consumer no longer matters. Where else am I going to buy notebooks for .15 each? They just really stuck it to me yesterday.

PS: My new motto: Make me mad...find yourself the subject of a blog. LOL

New Marriage

I got remarried today in the cellular phone world. We have started a new love affair with US Cellular. I am already loving this new union. I look forward to many years together.

PS: It was cheaper to marry them.

Safe and Secure!!!

Once again, I find myself going to buy tags. This time we are going for my dad. Their week is full of appointments, so we are helping them out. I lost Andrew the last time I went to get tags (dreadful). Anywho, Andy is safe and secure. I am letting Mark hold his hand this time...the pressure is too much for me anymore. LOL