Contrary1'$ Money Musings

Today starts my week end..........again, I'm just the opposite of most people. I don't mind, it's been this way for years.
No kids for a bit today, a whole day stretching out, full of hours for me to put to use. (or not, which is usually the case with my first day of no kids)

Getting the coupon train package in the mail, along with Easter notes to a few people. Going to go to the antique booth today, knowing they are open this time! Crossing fingers that tons of stuff have sold..........

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Life intervened here.......and I've been to the booth, things did sell (can't add to my challenge, as I'm still in the red for this project); I added more and they still didn't ask for my rental $$ for April. Odd way to run a business.

Got the coupons mailedI know I pulled enough of them out of the train to cover my postage costs many times over. Just working with the coupons caused me to take another look at the food on hand, items needed and what we tend to use frequently. Good exercise.

DAILY $$ TRACKING: Spent postage, used some gas to get to antique booth. That should be it for the day. Eating out of the freezer & pantry again (still).

For those of you following the local farm report here.............TA DA...........

The dead cow just got picked up! Finally. I couldn't do more than just peek occasionally at the process next door. On the other hand......my autistic kiddo sat outside on the back porch and watched the whole event. YUK.
All he wanted to know is where the cow was going?? I told him I didn't know which was just a way around not going into what a rendering plant is.
He then replied "to garbage".

I let it go with that.............

Hoping to share a sure sign of spring in my entry area here.......... (just think, I could have taken a picture of the....... still there.....dead cow next door!)



As it is, I'm not sure what (if any) picture might appear. Too funny.... The things I've learned here-perhaps I'll learn this too??

Spent a few $$ in gas today, went to the antique booth to update, only to find it closed. Stupid. Went to the bank & then mailed a package to my son. Forgot all about taking the coupons, will try again tomorrow. Brain is past dead after 5 days with autistic kiddo home. Shouldn't have planned to go out in public already today.........needed some recuperation time I guess.

Emailed the figures into the tax lady, hoping I have all she needs. Still can't find a couple items, may have to forego listing them........I'm not sure if that comes out to be a plus or minus for me........I hate taxes, don't understand them and NO, I don't even want to. I've always had a non taxable income, so usually don't need to file......but this past year is different....and I hate it.

Yes, the neighbors dead cow is still in the field. Still draped with the blue tarp. This is going to get gross pretty darned soon. I am so thankful it is raining here.

I did some research today, found out WA state has a law saying dead livestock must be properly disposed of within 24 hours. Gads, we're going on 48+ at this point. The difficulty is, no govt offices are open until tomorrow.

On a totally different topic........I've been thinking of mentioning this site to a couple friends, but haven't. (and keeping my mouth shut isn't one of my best skills) I'm enjoying having a confidential place to track progress, or lack of, in addition to letting my ideas form and finally gell.

I have considered myself fairly open & honest, but there is no way I would share the things I write here with any of my local friends. So, they are out of luck. I did share with my mom, absolutely sure she will never visit the site. (although, she sure wants me to ask questions for her, giving her feedback from the group)

RE; my mom, or parents in general. I'm wondering if anyone else is in a position to be inheriting from parents, and including that in your retirement plans? I've worked for years with my parents, & now my mom.......setting up a trust and working on their finances with them. Don't get me wrong, I'd trade anything to have my dad alive again......and I'm not counting the days til mom dies; but.........the thought does cross my mind about the estate they have been able to put together........

A no spend day today........staying home will do that! But, I have no trouble not spending money; it's easier for me than spending it.

No matter what I did yesterday, I was going backwards. Didn't make progress, didn't get things off my TO DO list........

First off, the neighbors dead cow is still in their field, albiet....covered with a blue tarp now. They had someone come that I thought was going to remove the carcass but, no........they left. My autistic kiddo is on hyper alert, checking out the window, Oh, about every 5 minutes, asking "why dead?". I am getting more frustrated by the hour, I have no answers and not sure there are any.

So, with dead cow/autistic kiddo......needless to say, the jelly project never left the TO DO list stage. Fortunately we were having one of our "encore" meals, so there was no cooking needed.

I did manage to get a huge batch of bacon cooked ahead, love whoever I got this tip from. Layer a jelly roll pan with bacon and bake, (12 min in my oven) at 350. I drain, wrap in paper towel and then pop in a zip lock for the fridge. Makes for quick help at breakfast time, makes a BLT possible around here at lunch.........a good tip for me, even if I'm heating up the oven.

It's raining here, but a light spring rain, not one of our sky opens up sort of rain. My free strawberry plants are beginning to look a little more like plants and less like planted compost material! (see http://www.frugalgardening.com if you would like to get a free strawberry patch for yourself) I should take a picture now, so I can track the progress, I'm confidant I'll have a lush patch this summer! Small, but lush. Looking at the poor plants now, one has to have the imagination & vision of a true gardener, or they would bunch the project immeadiately!

I was the recipient of the coupon train yesterday. Spent the evening adding my stash and going through to pick out things that would be helpful to our household. I remember using coupons years ago, but just got out of the habit here, since I'm not the household grocery shopper. We have an "arrangement" here that I have worked out with my tenant person. She is on disability & gets food stamps. She doesn't cook however.....and shops poorly, even with a list. So, a few years ago, we came to an agreement....I'll do the cooking, she will shop for what I put on the list and we've been making this work ever since. I'm feeding the household (which is 3 adults during the week and either 4 or 5 on the week ends) for what she gets in food stamps. Usually, we don't use all the money, it gets added to the next month. She even has a "budgeted" amount of the $$ to use for her expensive snack type items. According to her, she can still use coupons with the food stamps........we ought to be doing well re; food expenses, she now has a handful of coupons, and is planning to organize them according to her favorite store. Hmmm, sounds like progress to me.

Long winded entry for not much happening. I'm off to make a few phone calls about how long one can leave dead livestock in your yard around here??

Nothing exceptional today, it's my Tuesday.........working for my $$ today.

I did make an exceptional batch of orange marmelade; I always feel Oh So Frugal when I can something. Since I've got everything out, and my kitchen is a sticky mess......I figured I might as well keep going. I've got berry juices canned, that will be heading to the jelly kettle this afternoon. (if all goes according to plan)

Have another load of laundry out on the line........read someone's recent post on how much energy it takes to run the dryer for an hour & I feel great each time I hang laundry outside. Rather use my own energy on this task, thank you very much.

Will be paying out $15.00 for my local teen to hang out with my autistic kiddo this morning. Still think this is money well spent........noting that it is one more expense I won't have afer June.
The rest of the day is free of expenditures......

Spending some time this AM getting a couple boxes of items cleaned up and priced for the antique booth. (my $20.00 Challenge) Nothing that is terribly valuable or collectable this time, but it's free to me, so the price was right. Can't complain.

My current roadblock to getting my taxes finished up.........finding numbers related to real estate, back to the 80's. Yuk. Have my files all organized now, but still have to get some figures from the county re; property taxes for 89. I think the real roadblock is I HATE numbers and I know I'll be paying tons this year on capitol gains re; the sale of the property.

FARM BULLETIN: The neighbors' cow did die. As we predicted. They finally came out this AM and threw a blue tarp over her.........which is causing my autistic kiddo to obsess as to what they're going to do with the cow & who is going to do whatever??? I'd really love for the neighbors to do whatever they're going to do.....Quickly!!!

The mail was full of samples today; yes, I will have continued wrinkle free, smooth skin. It seems like the majority of freebies pertain to keeping me smooth!

But, there was also a package. Not one of the little ones that contains the teensy tubes of goodies, or the little mailer things with the packets of product, but a box. And, in it is a full size facial lathering cleanser........I'm to use it for 2 weeks and then fill out an email re; my experience. Now, I'll have Clean, wrinkle free, smooth skin! All for free. Also got a box with 2 candles for free. Love candles!

The mail also had 2 of those "checks" with offers attached. I haven't read them yet (I used to toss anything that looked like this), but now I'm thinking ..........Free $$.......Will research them tomorrow.

Got a check for the horse boarding, although it is late. This months rent is due this coming week........ I just can't push people for $$. I will talk to her & let her know I'm going to be counting on the "horse" $$ to make ends meet here.

FARM NEWS BULLETIN: Cow still alive, but hasn't stood up now for 2 days. Calf getting bottle fed. I'm not much of a farmer, but boy, would I have done a few things differently had these been my animals.

Depending on the circumstances here....and those can change minute to minute due to having an autistic kiddo here, I've filled in the blank with all sorts of words and feelings.

I can think change is a great thing, exciting new possibilities ahead

And, I can think this was a really stupid move, to retire before I had my act together (but, would I get it more together???)

The number of decisions seems to be immense, should I try to stay here, cutting expenses to close to nothing?, should I keep looking for another job?, should I bunch the whole affair and move in with my mom (who has graciously offered) Too many things to concentrate on and still deal with day to day life here.

So, the plan for today is:
1) place the new ad in the local paper TODAY, paying for it month by month
2) I asked for placement in a local church newsletter today, most likely, I'll advertise there too
3) placing ads on Craigs list daily, room for rent, RV parking available, and this dumb fridge I'm still trying to sell.
4) cutting back on things I can, although I need to keep many of the services until my kiddo moves. Then, I can cancel lots of things......

It looks to me like I'm deciding to try this here.........but I'm not willing to use up my savings to stay here, so......
We'll see how things look by the time the paychecks end the first week in July. Then, if I've got additional income I'll give this a shot for 3 months at a time..........

No matter what happens after my guy leaves here in June, I know I will heave a huge sigh of relief. Yesterday was a trial every time I turned around (spring break here, so he's home until Monday).
Not living life at the brink of a crisis will be amazing! We've been at this level now.....for 4 years!!!

DAILY $$ TRACKING: No spend day, cooked a huge turkey roast yesterday, so meals are a snap for a few days. Pantry & freezer holding up well.

For those who are tracking the daily
FARM NEWS: The neighbors' cow is still down, their vet just visited again, the calf is getting fed by it's human mommy.
I did get to talk to the neighbors over the fence.....asked for a phone number, they told me they would have to do that.
(not feeling optomistic on this one)

I noticed my neighbors cow going down this AM (early) and watched her struggle, trying to give birth. These are neighbors that have the gate between the properties chained & padlocked, as well as a gate with alarm and keypad at the front. I've only waved at them, they have made no effort to introduce themselves since Oct.

I had to watch this cow today without knowing what to do..........(and really not knowing much about cows) But, this cow got herself lengthwise in a drainage ditch of sorts and couldn't move. So, my take on it is.......she couldn't help with labor, and it took forever.

I noticed the female neighbor (now know her name is Carolyn) out with the cow around 3PM, helping birth the calf. I asked if she wanted help.......it was fairly obvious she could use some, even if inexperienced. She said No, she had some boys that were coming. Along came a couple boys and they tried to pull her (the cow) out of the ditch. They didn't get her out, but did get her more upright.

The calf thinks my neighbor is her mom, the cow hasn't paid any attention to the calf and the whole thing looked bad to me.

The vet is now at my neighbors, it's almost 6PM. The cow hasn't moved. I can't imagine the cost for a farm visit.......and if they had been monitoring the cow in the first place, or if I had a way I could have reached them...........Blast & darn, I will feel so bad if this cow dies. The calf should make it since there is another cow with a calf born on Sunday.....A foster calf of sorts??

Frustrating day here. I feel like a nosey neighbor, but like I said......what a waste if this cow dies just because she needed help and there was none.

Since I stayed home however........it has been a no spend day, one positive.

The new addition here at the ranch.........a 19something or other travel trailer. (with pink appliances, no less) I'm hoping we can put it to use, housing someone that needs a safe, cozy and dry place to stay. (that likes pink!!)

It really is cute & has been taken care of well. Everything but the oven works.

I want to be able to tell the next person that comes across my path, here's the keys, you get the cute unit out back there. I've always had to tell people I had space, but they needed to scare up their own trailer/RV. This should help.

None of this is bringing any $$ into the coffers, but it feels right. I couldn't turn this down, it was FREE. And, it got hauled here, leveled and has a title. Couldn't ask for much more. I guess this qualifies as one of my LIFES' RULES:

When someone offers me something for free, it would be a shame to turn it down. It usually means I'll be needing it soon anyway!!!

Here's hoping it gets used well.....

OK, I'm not doing a bunch of things right here. I've been giving this gift card deal a try, with a couple that were noted here on the site and they just don't seem to be working like everyone else says they do.

I have found a better way for me to track these deals (before getting charged for any of them too!), but when I call to cancel, I get yet another "offer" and on some, the trial period extended. Those I get. Those I have taken.

The ones that are confusing to me are the ones that get close to the 30 day period and I call to cancel, (without having received the GC) and then they tell me they will send me my gift card if I want to keep the account active. Anyone else having this little hiccup in the process?? I thought the offers arrived in the 30 day period??

I admit I am pretty confused on these, when I started, I thought I could keep track of who was sending what. Duh! Not a chance. So, I have no notes as to what is supposed to be coming. (I have changed my ways here and now note it in my Deal Busting Notebook!) I've only got 2 now in limbo land, the rest is all sorted out, offers coming and nothing but the $1 charges on my account. I even got the $10.00 credit to my CC account for trying some sort of bank offer. I didn't see that this month, so I called to check on it, it snuck in just after the billing cycle. Free money.......I don't care how it got into my account, as long as it got there. Will call & cancel that offer now that I confirmed the money.

DAILY $$$ TRACKING:
spending today for housekeeper for my house & my moms. It is Wed & he will be here.........we'll be sparkling by this afternoon, but it is a big chunk of $$.
No other expenses, a stay at home day. Spring break here so I'm really working!
Dried clothes outdoors yesterday for the first time this season, saved $$ finally.

I think I'll soon be living in a tent city here! Anyone else have communities where the homeless are banding together and forming tent cities?

I woke up really early this AM (probably due to daylight savings time and my internal clock being out of whack). Went outside to walk my fierce chihauhau and was thinking we were all by ourselves, like usual. Just strolling down the driveway (pretty slow, chihauhau's don't go very fast!) and there was a pick up parked just behind the pump house, out of view from the house. Since the truck belonged to my carpenters helper, I'll presume he didn't have a place to stay either and has decided this would be an OK place to camp out.

This certainly solves my problem of night time vandals taking the fencing down & letting the horses out. Now, I've got people in the front and in the back, coming and going all the time. Who knew this would be the solution??

Word is getting out about the new place here. I used to always have a "person in need" staying at my old house. We're just picking up steam here. I was contacted by an old friend today, offering us a free travel trailer for the next "person in need". We'll see how this shapes up. Never boring here, that's for sure!

My autistic kiddo will be back this afternoon; I can feel myself gearing up for the tension. The 3 days he has been gone, found myself thinking on the EEK side of what I've done in retiring without a plan. By tonight, I know I'll be fine with it, the stress will point out I just might not live through this TO retire, if I don't just jump ship.

Still have a couple huge safety nets in that several family members have approached me with offers of help. I must come across as fairly pathetic.....or, I can look at it......I've been living below my means.

I'm still attempting to give this a go here, although there have been no obvious doors.........or windows......opening to me. Staying alert to possibilities, keeping an open mind and telling everyone I come across........I'm ready to start the second half of my life.

DAILY NOTES: Off to the antique booth, have a few items ready to add to it, hoping for big, blank spaces where things have sold. No spend day, other than the gas for the 23 miles.
Eating from the freezer & pantry ( we could do this for a couple months and not even notice )

I've told my carpenter person (formerly the homeless man, that is now living in the back 40 here) that I just might move into the new coop he is building.

I've never seen anything so fancy for chickens! My last one was a very creative, artistic venture that had multiple helpers..........giving us a unique event for sure. The chickens didn't mind, but visitors would always ask "what is that?". Wasn't an obvious abode for chickens!

This new addition to the yard is an amazing deal, including an automatic watering system from the gutter to a rain barrel and then to the watering can. Roosts that hinge up for easy cleaning underneath, a concrete floor with a screen on the low side, so I can hose off the floor and out the screen the water goes. Eggs can be collected from outside the coop (no more chickens escaping), there is a top on the run even to foil the hawks and we've got a trench so the fencing continues under ground. HA, the critters will have to work really hard to invade this coop.

I'm getting this fancy coop built the year of the bird flu. Ironic. My usual sources for chicks are getting wet feet re; shipping birds. Not sure yet if I'm going ahead with this project when it gets done, or if I'll wait. Seems a shame to wait, I do enjoy my chickens!!

DAILY MONEY UPDATE: No spending day, and I should get the first of the checks for April this evening, so some $$ IN.
No clients here for dinner, so I can concentrate on just cleaning out the fridge, plenty in there for several meals.
Still gathering paperwork for the tax lady.
Starting to plug in numbers for the net worth project at the same time, it sort of overlaps with the tax figures.

I live on almost 5 acres, just moved here last fall..........and I tell you, there was 5 plants on the whole place and 7 trees. The previous owners must have taken a blade to it and just scalped the property.

I've been diligently planting since the ground unthawed here........and today I came home to a front yard full of plants. I had been telling everyone I knew about the flat........bland.......boring....plain yard I'm living in and all of a sudden (the sun was out here today, think that had something to do wtih this) several people had stopped by and unloaded pick up loads of plants. Full size plants. Free plants!

I've got my work cut out for me this week, getting all of them in the ground and off to a good start. I don't want anyone coming over and seeing I didn't appreciate their gift enough to get these planted! I had cleaned out my moms rhubarb bed too today, so have buckets of that ready to plant also.....along with a couple buckets of other assorted things from her place.

The problem with planting on a place this big is; Nothing shows!!! I think it will take me a couple years to make a noticable difference. Things just get swallowed up it seems.

But, at the end of this week, I should be sore to start with.........but there will be some beds that actually have plants in them! TA DA. Free for the asking, from other gardeners, anxious to share.

DAILY SPENDING: Just used some gas today, coming home from moms. We're seriously using the sleep over deal when visiting each other, so we can double up on our visit time, using half the gas. It would be fun to know the $$ value of the plants that were delivered today, but I'm not going to take time to do that. Over a couple hundred however, just as a rough guestimate.

FREE ENTERTAINMENT UPDATE: The neighbors cow just gave birth this morning. Calf watching has captured me... I have been watching them since I got home. Too fun!!! It wasn't there yesterday, so it is only hours old!
Sure beats TV!

That's what was on the back of my deposit slip from yesterday. I normally don't pay much attention to them, honestly........I usually toss them. But, the back was facing me as it fluttered out of my bag & onto the desk and it said "Realize Your Dreams!" I was hooked and read on..........

*Home Equity Loans
*Personal Line of Credit
*Personal Loans
*Credit Cards
*Education Loans

That was it. No mention of saving in any form. Disappointing. I need to remember banks aren't about saving $$, like my mind says they are supposed to be........but they are about making $$.

A good reminder, my money shouldn't get too comfortable at the bank. I'll start thinking of it as a holding area prior to putting it to work!

I wonder what would happen if the bank started printing off a Daily Money Saving Tip on the backs of the receipts? Would people notice? Is it possible if enough people paid off CC debt and got themselves in the black that banks could no longer stay in business as we now know them?

DAILY CHECK IN:
spending $15 today for the young man I pay to hang out with my autistic kiddo. I get 3 hours of relative quiet this AM, I still supervise, but from afar, getting some much needed respite from interruptions every 5 min.
I get my moneys worth from this $15.00!

The older I get, the faster time goes. I'll never finish my TO DO list.....there just isn't time.

March's goals are still sitting here taunting me; I didn't get much accomplished.
DID: find out the furnace really needs a memorial service. Dead Duck. However, the wood stove kept us toasty warm & now we're not even lighting it most days....
Result: Not going to do anything.

DID: get a paltry handful of acorn squash seeds planted indoors. Not much of a beginning on the garden I'm counting on feeding us. Will keep this on the list & aim for a little more variety in our diet!

DID: get the antique booth opened up at a local mall. have it barely stocked. Will continue working this angle to fund my $20 Challenge, visiting weekly to stock with new items.

DID: come up with 2 more places to advertise the new sewing/knitting business, ads will start in April.

Generally, I am so much more aware of my finances and finding more to learn each day. I'm jealously reading others blogs about net worth, absolutely in the dark as to what mine is. Going to ad that to my list of things to do for April.

My main goal will be to tighten up the budget, eliminate items that I won't be needing after my client moves out in June and begin to add some income to the equation. If the next 3 months go as fast as Jan - March did, I'd better hurry up.

I've had this rule for as long as I can remember, in fact..........I think I was raised with it. My parents didn't talk about it like I do, so I don't remember being "taught" this one; I just absorbed it.

I call it my "24 Hour Rule". It has governed my life, my household, raising hundreds of other peoples' kids and has probably saved me thousands of $$ up to now.

I don't make any major decisions in the NOW. So, I'm never pressured into anything, saving $$ and stress. (mine, not others....I'm sure my rule has ticked off many a salesperson!) This is one level of the rule, however the more personal level has evolved into more of a lifestyle than anything.

This rule has smoothed out our household, given me something to use as back up when parenting multiple kids, difficult ones too. This rule was on the top of our sheet of House Rules & I can't remember veering from it. (only fire, flood & blood qualify)
I used the 24 hours to my benefit, although it turned out everyone benefited, as I was more able to assist everyone. Everyone relied on me for transportation (we lived 7 miles from the nearest public transportation system, much to kids dismay) & they needed to request my help 24 hours earlier for rides to activities, jobs or social events.
If someone needed treats for a meeting, class, etc...........you got it, 24 hours necessary lead time. (saves tons if these things are planned ahead. Again, saving stress AND $$$)
Works for added guests too.........either for a meal or sleep over.
The household schedule ran smoother......I was less apt to be cranky........the kids learned to plan & organize; a definate WIN-WIN in my book.

As I look at some of my adult kids, now raising families......most of them have adopted the 24 hour rule too. These days, there are more things pulling families in different directions and having a 24 hr heads up for things certainly helps.

"Blaming" the House Rule is easier than having a band of kids on my case too. House Rules were carved in granite in my home, so there was a non negotiable status with them. Saved my sanity many a times (did still end up gray however)as kids didn't think it was ME out to get them, they could mumble under their breath or swear to the roof tops.... about the stupid rule!

Finally, something was missing from the antique booth.....I can't remember what, but that means at least one little something sold! (please, oh please....let it be sold and not have sprouted legs and walked to someone elses' booth) I didn't have to pay next months rent, which is odd, the month is up. Who am I to tell them how to run their busines; it does tell me things are pretty lax. I'm just hoping they do a better job at advertising and pull some customers in. I'd like to have great big holes in my space, where some of the larger pieces sell....that is just too fun to go in and find it like that. One time where upset and messy are good things!

Answering the question this week.........Just how far can 2 chickens go??? We've been eating off them all week, still not to the soup stage either. Going to pop the remainders in the freezer & do a shrimp/pasta event tomorrow night.......before the chicken isn't welcome any longer! Will pull it out for Chicken Surprise next week.

OK, I'm taking the $20.00 Challenge to a new realm. How far in the hole can I go?? I've done nothing but spent money so far....and tomorrow the rent will be due on the antique booth space at the mall. Hmmmm.......... Anyone else loosing money on the challenge, or am I in a contest all by myself?

I know 30 days isn't long enough for this to take hold and begin making money, but to what length am I willing to go here?
The only costs have been printing price tags, booth rental and gas to get to the booth (23 miles round trip). This first month I haven't had it full, as it takes alot of work to get enough items cleaned, marked and hauled in. Full spaces sell more, people feel more like shopping I guess. I've been taking additional loads of things weekly and have a new batch of items to mark this morning and take in today. It might look full after todays additions.
Since I'm doing this project alone, unlike when I did it with a partner a couple years ago, I'm limited as to what I can take in by myself. I've got a great dresser to get cleaned up....but then I started trying to visualize how to get it out of the van and actually into the booth. I can picture it, it's just not pretty!!

I did get the #2 file cabinet emptied and almost everything re filed in order even. Novel plan. All my files pertaining to the questions on my "info for tax lady" list are sitting behind the desk, waiting for that part of the job to be finished. Going to tackle that tomorrow and get at least a beginning FAX off to the woman.
In the process, I've now got a huge box of check registers to organize. I've always kept them since on occasion they have saved my behind. Planning to organize them before putting them away this time.

March is almost over and I feel like it has been extremely productive. Besides deciding to quit my job and live the 2nd half of my life doing something else......I can tell a real mind shift here. I've not had any major changes in spending (because I hardly spent anything already) and I didn't make any huge changes to save money (I'd done most of the things on all the "50 things to do to cut your household bills" type lists years ago). What I have noticed is a focus on money and finances.......or perhaps how everything relates to money & finances?? I have seen so many small things that I would not have noticed prior to my joining this list and beginning my financial boot camp of sorts.
Looking forward to April (even tho' it is property tax month!!)

Will be paying booth rental and of course using gas to get to the antique mall......but no other expenses.

I did it. I sent off the last notice, so it's official.........I'm retiring from my job in June. I feel a huge surge of relief and only a tad of anxiety.

I won't NOT work, just not at the same job I've been doing for the last 33 years. (I can't believe it's been that long!!! I started when I was 6!!! HA!)

Life as I know it might change a bit....or I might decide to change it totally. Not feeling like I really have to pin it down at this point.

I would have liked a few more of the bills to be paid off prior to making this move, but timing is everything and if I didn't quit in June, there wasn't going to be a GOOD time.

I'm hoping some of my brain cells regenerate, living with autistic kids has taken a toll..........

I'm always so glad when Wednesday rolls around........it's cleaning day here at our place...and someone else does it!! There is nothing like having a totally clean house, all in one day...effortlessly! I do have to pay for the service, but it is well worth it. As one of the discussion questions tosses around, what do you consider Luxuries?? Well, this is definately one for me.

The benefits are so many,at least for me. We no longer purchase cleaning supplies, what I have on hand will last for years, plus we make most of our own anyway. Cheap, cheap, cheap. I can do other projects on cleaning day, getting way more done this way. And, having this gentleman help out weekly has put the household on a schedule where I'm not considered the one with the whip and the chair; making people tow the line and pick their stuff up. Now, when it is Tues night, people know if they want their areas cleaned, personal stuff needs to be picked up, handled, washed, whatever. I'm out of the loop and I get the clean house feeling too. Just can't beat Wednesdays around here!

Dinners done, will be serving what was on the menu last night and got pre empted by the Autistic Kid meets the Dry Cleaner Event we had yesterday.

So,that leaves me in the bookkeeper role again today. I hate, hate, hate income tax time. The only good thing I can find about the days I'm working on this project is my file cabinets are getting organized............and I love being organized. Music & coffee didn't even help yesterday.....I ended up with unexpected company and I was way too happy to put the many stacks of file folders on the back burner. Visited the day away and I'm no closer to having my ducks in a row to start faxing numbers in. Drat. It won't be so bad next year....is what I keep as my mantra here!! It won't be so bad, it won't be so bad.........................

The best laid plans & all that.......... I had planned to take my client to the dry cleaners this evening to pick up his coat he "plays" Mr Rogers with (way long explanation I'll politely skip here)......the receipt said to pick it up this evening after 5. So, the plan was to go get it at 5:30, then come back here for dinner, which was all ready to heat up...
The cleaners had just put his jacket into the machine....and told us it would be ready in an hour. Not wanting to go home & right back, needing to feed the autistic kiddo and waiting not being his best skill.........we moved to Plan B.
(Plan B's always cost money in my life here)
I checked my entertainment book I always have in the van & there were no coupons in our little town........rush hour, there was no way I was going anywhere else for dinner, we wouldn't make it back before the cleaners closed either.
So, off to the mexican restaurant we went. Gads, I had no idea things had got so expensive. Even if we had the special for the night, both entrees were just over 10$.
As if that wasn't enough, the coat wasn't pressed yet.......so next door to the hardware store to pick up something to use for a compost bucket in the kitchen. (really did NEED this one, somehow ours got mangled in the move & we've made do since Oct.)
Finally, the coat was finished & we added another 9$ to the evenings expenses.

Even with all the changes, I had a happy kiddo by the time we headed for home. It was just interesting to me how even tho I plan, plan, plan.........I can't smooth all the bumps in the road. And, bumpy roads sure cost more money, at least for me!

My favorite thing...........making something worthwhile from things that were going to be tossed. Today, I'll plant my seeds from the acorn squash I saved this winter. I don't have a greenhouse, so I'm starting these indoors; hopeful I will have a tangle of vines come harvest time......covered with acorn squash.

I finally found the seeds I had brought with me from the old garden; will have to wait a bit longer to plant directly outdoors, but there are a few more I can jump start inside. It looks nothing like spring here today however..........gray and drippy.

Just the kind of day to force myself to tackle the other file cabinet as I continue to search for files necessary for the tax project. 4 drawers to go, then I can start replacing the piles I've got everywhere. Some good music and a pot of coffee........I can be finished by this afternoon. An added bonus, when I get the project done, it should leave me more room in the new space for my sewing room to spread out.

Anxious to see the mock up for my ads today. More money out.........but I really can't spread the word adequately without paying for some real advertising. Spend $$ to make $$ it seems.

I'm working my way up to giving notice and retiring from my job........been doing the same thing for 35 years now & I'm pooped. Too exhausted to think straight most nights. I sent off one email today, letting my respite worker know, then I have my clients mom, the agency I work for..........and then my client. Hoping to have them all notified by the end of this week. Feel crappy about doing it via email, but I can't do anything in person, as the client is always here. Can't use the phone, since he stands here and echo's everything I say when I try to use the phone.

As if I needed a push to quit, this afternoon was just awful here. Life without this kiddo will be absolutely heaven. Way less money to work with, but I'll manage........at least I'll have my wits about me.

Meeting with the newspaper folks tomorrow, to put an ad in re; my sewing/knitting business. Hoping to pick this up to full speed by June when the income takes a nose dive. Also meeting with a woman who answered my ad about renting a room here.....the thought of getting rent from an adult is a novel idea.........no care involved there!!! Each piece that fits together here is helping to offset the loss when the state paycheck stops. (feeling very motivated after the afternoon we had here)

Dinner from leftovers........bless the microwave!

Picked up my box of dishes from the Freecycle wanted ad.........Way nice, the woman said she would be getting me more, took pity on me I think, I had kids with me & must have looked desperate!

Went out for brunch with my mom, she paid too.......again.....She is really pushing me to quit this job and move in with her......telling me I wouldn't have to work at all. Decisions, decisions.
Drove, so I used gas & spent .83 cents on postage today, but it was a pretty cheap day all round.

It has been a bad month for my NO $pend Days. Today is one, but they have been few and far between for March.

Still digging for paperwork for my tax preparer. (I know, should be doing those myself, but YUK, I hate numbers) I've got most of the purchase prices located, now working on collecting all the improvements to 2 separate pieces since buying them. Can't wait til I get this project done. I dislike having to do something by a deadline, and then when it involves numbers too......I can procrastinate better than most!

I've begun cancelling the first of the trial offers I signed up for & can't believe how persistant the folks are. I did have one that I got a second level offer of sorts, one more free month, they would send me 4 certificates to get my oil changed if I would not cancel yet. I did try this out........ The rest are difficult to get out of, but as long as I'm doing this while my kiddo is in school, I'm OK. Uninterrupted phone time is necessary.... I can see why they don't let you cancel on line....they want a fighting chance to convince me to give them my $14.95 a month for whatever.........

All meals out of the freezer or pantry today..........makes me feel frugal & self sufficient. Can't hardly wait til I can go out to the garden in the morning and pick the days produce!!! Fresh salads; a reason to put in a veggie garden!!!

Using my local freecycle group today.......trading a tree for a new to me set of dishes.
I have a tree in the front yard that is just too odd, pussy willow sorts of poofs on it, then they explode into yellow little burst events. (I have a no yellow rule in my garden) So, the tree is getting dug up.....and I'm not having to do it........it's happily going to someone elses' yard.
And, the flip side........I was getting frustrated with not enough dishes to get through a couple days here, so I advertised for Corelle dishes. Just like magic, I've got an appointment to pick up a box full of the same pattern as mine on Monday. Such a deal. Thanking whoever thought Freecycle up!

Got some positive results on my electric bill today.........I don't think I will need to wait much longer before calling to get the averaged monthly bill lowered. I'm racking up a credit every month, even during the winter here. I knew $150 was too high, but that was the best I could get it to when we moved here. Good to know this is the highest is it going to be.

A no spending day..........and the meals for the week end are all from the freezer/pantry. Only 2 clients here this weekend, pretty quiet.

Back from a couple days off and the new goal is to compile all the paperwork needed by my tax preparer person. YUK
The only good part of this, is I will definately have a nice neat file system completed too, when I have recovered the necessary paperwork.
(note to self..........don't let helpful friends & family pack file cabinets in the future.)
I have dedicated the next couple weeks to this project, setting up a table near each of the 4 drawer file cabinets. I'm using post it notes like crazy. Piles of folders, covering all surfaces. Hoping to come up with a useable system at the same time I'm locating things like purchase price of a house from 1989, all improvements to the same house until the present and other little details. I knew 05's taxes were going to make me dig for documentation, but I had forgotten all the stuff that goes with a rental.

The new posts are in for the clothesline......I can hardly wait til it is functional. Bye-bye dryer!!! Looking forward to some LOW electric bills as we get to our spring/summer season here.

Another life decision crossed my path this week. While spending time with my mom, she was really pushing the plan for me to move into her place and us pool our resources. This would allow me to actually retire, with no job. Not sure if I'm ready for that step, but it is a nice safety net in case I want to try the other plan of sort of retiring!

Lots of great free mail type stuff when I got home. Just applying for a couple a day keeps a steady stream of very useable, necessary items coming in. Wonder why I didn't do this before??

A no spend day, other than the gas to get home this AM, & technically, the full tank of gas was from mom!

It wasn't as bad as Fridays meeting, in fact, it seemed as though the inspector had a change of heart/attitude. She came across almost nice, and she corrected everything that she had initially found out of compliance. So, we're good to go. Thanks everyone, for the kind thoughts, they helped!!!

I did sneak in a 20 minute session on my treadmill today, a new habit I'm trying to add in to the days here.

Picked up a Dave Ramsey book Financial Peace at the library, anxious to thumb through it this week.

Heading to moms, will take gardening items, so I can bring home a van full of free plants.

I've packed a weeks worth of things into today........so, taking a deep breath and diving in. It's cleaning day here, so I've already done my run around picking things up routine......before A. gets here to clean.

I've got armloads of paperwork to take to my appointment with my tax preparer this AM. (yuk) Hoping like anything, she estimated the $$$ right, when I asked her to guestimate how much I will need to pay in capitol gains tax. I've got it in a short term CD........I would love for that chunk to be enough.

After the tax appointment, I'll head home for my exit interview from the annual state inspection last Friday. Another YUK. Friday was so terrible, I can't imagine how I'll feel after todays event. 3 people are coming today....not just the inspector person. I can't wait to see what regulations I'm out of compliance with.........the group I got cited for on Friday were not mentioned in my license requirements. Anyway, I'm so far down my road of making a life change, I'm just going to sit at this meeting and try my hardest to keep my mouth shut. Contemplated knitting through the meeting........but will most likely just take notes.

After I've made it through the exit event, I'm taking myself & the dog and going to my moms to stay overnight. We have a new pact, with gas prices so high.......we're going to stay over & get more from a visit if possible, without spending more for gas. Going shopping with her for more new furniture for her remodeled house. Asked her if we could do meals at home, no spending, less calories.......so it should be a great couple of days. Hands down, I've got the greatest mom, we have such a good time together.

Hoping for enough time between tax meeting to dash through the library, return books and pick up the things on hold (finance something or other) and still have time to use the treadmill here for at least 20 min.

Looking forward to having today behind me, totally against all my live for the moment tapes in my head!!!