Contrary1'$ Money Musings

Being at moms is feeling pretty good. Can't find a negative yet, plus we seem to always have a good time. It will feel great to not be thinking of the day I have to go home all the time.

However, the dog.....is a different story. He hasn't eaten now for over 24 hours, which isn't a big deal for most dogs.....but this is a tiny little guy. Barely 4 lbs, (with his sweater on), so he isn't supposed to go this long with no food. He has been drinking water, but barely nibbles any food offered.....and goes & lays down. He is also obsessed with being outside, since there are so many new smells and sounds. Too much to do I think....he just has no interest in food. Hoping he snaps out of this phase & starts to perk up when breakfast is served tomorrow.

The people at the other house are doing OK, the biggest problem is they have run out of egg cartons to put eggs in. Today they resorted to using tupperware containers, they called to report. I'll get to see how they are holding up when I go back for Fri & Sat this week end.

Spent money today.....needed a haircut, and having forgotten to bring my hairdryer, it was almost a necessity. Now I've got the shortest hair I've had in decades, won't need a haircut for at least 6 weeks this time.

Received notification my first mystery shop passed muster, so I'm eligible to sign up for others now. Have put my name in for one this week, as well as next week.........we'll see. I have no idea how many people are in this pool, so don't know how many I need to sign up for in order to end up with an assignment.

Worked in the garden most of the day, getting beds ready for the truckload of compost coming next Tues. I should be ready by then! I am taking pictures so I have a record of the progress. My camera & moms PC and software aren't well aquainted as yet, so posting may have to wait until I go back to my PC, or pack it all up and move it here.

Definitely more things on the plus side for the move.......and I'm having fun identifying what is important & what I can surely live without...speaking of life stuff, not possesions.

Hoping all of you who care for others have a special day yourselves!

I am at my moms, we've had a fun day planning her new gardens! No work, just the fun stuff........walking through the spaces, talking about ideas, plans, etc.

My kids are calling in, most of them know if I'm not home, to check here at my moms... My son had even sent me flowers here ahead of time, so they were here when I arrived. Nice, since he isn't the sort who usually manages stuff like gifts, etc.

I brought an entire van full of my things this week, and have them all put away. Mom is pretty flexible, telling me if things aren't like I'd like them, just make any changes here I would like. I've got a couple things on my list here.......but nothing urgent. If I do end up moving in, I'll paint whatever room I end up using....as I can't stand her paint colors in the bedroom. (to be fair, she didn't choose them, the grandkids did when they were living here)

Still many things to decide on re; how I'm going to handle the "sort of moving" stage I'm in. What things to drop out of, what to consider important enough to spend the gas money to drive to....those kinds of questions. Taking this a day or so at a time for now. So far, life is very relaxing here!

**Not much related to finances here, using the space to vent about a neighbor/dog issue that has made me more than cranky....

I'm so ticked at a neighbor today I can hardly speak coherently. Her 2 dogs are usually in my yard a couple times a day (they have at least 5 acres, but the dogs always come here!) but the last week or so, there have been 3. And, this new one is a pit bull. I'm truly a dog lover, but these guys all have to stay out of my way, or they are going to be re located.

I tried their phone this past week, disconnected. No real surprise. I went to their house yesterday, no answer at either door. (thought as I was doing this, how stupid I was.........all 3 dogs loose and barking at me the whole time) And, today again, the 3 dogs in our yard.

I got my camera, went out, they were all still hanging around my place......and I got some lovely shots of all of them.

I went next door again, found the dtr home (middle school age) and told her I was NOT happy. I asked for their phone, she wouldn't give it to me. I asked for the grandmothers phone (she owns the place) and was told she had sold it to the woman who used to own my place. (yes, the one that keeps returning, asking to buy this place back) I told her I would call the new owner & deal through her.

As soon as I got home the neighbor called from work, telling me she would have me arrested for harassing her dtr. Gads! By the time she got off the phone she was apologizing. She said she didn't know the dogs were let out.......ever. And, her parents still own the property, and I got updated phone numbers.

I did tell her I had pictures, and if I saw any of the dogs out again, I was turning them all in. Have the county complaint form bookmarked!

Needing to do some deep breathing to calm down....I was so ticked she would try to turn this into my problem. She told me I had bought property in the country and would need to get used to having animals on my property.... What????

I did turn all my angry energy to good use when I got off the phone..... I have cleaned out and organized my clothes...a Freecycle bag on the porch, my clothes packed to go to moms tomorrow and the rest can move over if & when I take the furniture. So, a good job done.

Will need to head to the fabric store later, have a customer needing a replacement jacket zipper. Hate it when they don't bring the parts for the job & I have to go out. The price goes up, that's for sure. I always make a point of telling everyone how I hate shopping, and it would be cheaper for them to go. But, it will be one zipper ....in and out, no other expenses today. (and this one will be reimbursed.)

We're gathering almost 2 dozen eggs a day these days! Yikes. Even if we all ate eggs daily, we couldn't use all these!

I need to find some outlets for them. Advertising on CL to no avail. Only interest has been from one time buyers, to incubate the eggs for their own flocks. No help at all!

I'll be taking a couple dozen to moms this week end, by Sunday, it might be closer to 4-5 dozen! She can pass them out to her bridge playing buddies.

I have had the same size flock before, actually for over a decade (not the same chickens, new ones every couple years, but always 24 hens or so) but I don't remember having this many eggs.

I don't live on a street with any traffic, so a sign out front won't work. Will keep thinking of options. Will call foster dtr to see if she'd like a half dozen hens for Mothers' Day?? They lost the flock they had to predators. If they have a closed in coop/run, that might be a solution to my problem.

In the meantime......everything we all cook and eat MUST contain eggs!

Another of my mixed bag sort of days here.

Started off with emails re; 2 books that had sold on Amazon. Packaged them up & took them when I headed out for a days errands. Why is it the books that sell here are the ones I don't have packaging for?

Went to the dentist for a quick check and some paperwork, then off to the only imaging place in the Seattle area for a CT scan thing. Gads, 5 minutes and BIG bucks. What a business. With this scan however, I think I'm heading into the last half of this dental work I had scheduled for this year.

Stopped on the way home for my first Mystery Shop event. Fun, actually. Took a total of 30 min, plus about 15 to log my results after I got home. We'll see if I "pass" now.

New horse lady paid for 2 months ahead. Nice. And, a call arranging a meeting for this evening re; storing a boat and a motorhome on the property.

So, it was a money out.........money in sort of day. Got home soon enough to enjoy some time in the gardens.

The garden is loving the taste of spring weather we're having this week. 60 and sunny out..........I can almost hear the plants growing!


I know this isn't a picture of the veggie garden, but it just screamed Spring!!! to me. Veggie seedlings just didn't have a 'wow' factor!

The rhubarb looks full grown and it is barely spring. I've harvested a couple times already and will be sharing with freecycle by next week. There is no reason I have 4 hills of rhubarb. I'm still finding packages of this in the freezer from last season. Must share another hill.

Broccoli, brussel sprouts and strawberries are all growing like crazy. Berries are starting to set; there are at least twice what I had last season.

Sugar snap peas, bush green beans, radishes and cucumbers were all planted from seed and they are now all up and putting on true leaves.

Still no sign of the lettuce mix I put in from seed. Hmmmm Might have to re do this one. Cilantro not up either, but it was planted most recently.

And, there is a row of something coming up, but it was before I made my vow to mark everything, so.....it's a wait & see crop!

Cosmos from seed are coming up; I love having flowers among my veggies as I think it helps bring the bees to the garden. Sweet William and Love in the Mist also planted from seed.........no sign of the seedlings yet. Lupine seedlings are growing great.

This is the time in my garden where there seems to be little to do......compared to the getting ready to plant stage.....or the keep up with the harvest stage. I'd better pull up a bench in the garden & enjoy it!

Yes, it's one of those entries where nothing seems to go together........but I'm tossing it in the mix anyway!

No spending today, however no money in either....so it's a wash.

I have given the go ahead for the re fi of the house here, so I can get the monies out for the remainder of my much wished for dental work this year. I will need the funds by August. I'm doing an interest only loan, for 10 years, which will lower my payment and have no penalty if I pre pay anything. I just couldn't find anything wrong with the deal, no matter how long I looked at it. No paperwork, no appraisals, just someone else finishing this up and I sign it. Works for me. There is an advantage to working with the same person all the time.

I'm making almost no headway on the Shut the Land Line Down issue. Neither phone provider here offers a limited version of a phone. Neither will shut down the 411 calls. But, with my cell phone provider, I called re; the possibility there & found that both mom & I are eligible for new phones (both free), and then I can use my current phone with charger here for the 911 set up. It won't have a number, so the tenants won't have a phone to use for messages, but I can see they are unable to limit their usage of it as it is.
I'll head to the phone store within the week, pick out a couple phones and then turn this line off before the end of May.

I continue to let people know about the phone number change, as well as the move..... Inching towards being freed up here.

Doing a Mystery Shop on the way home from my dental appt on Thurs. (it is actually on the road home) Seems easy enough, no real shopping required, but taking a tour. Sort of combines acting with writing! Not expecting to get rich with this deal, but it falls into my category of free money. I'll try it once & then decide if I want to continue. My mom is jazzed about it, as she wants to do the out to dinner 'shops'. This could get lots easier when I move to her place, as everything is so much closer then.

Got the call yesterday; the news feature re; Frugal Gardening is finished & the producer says it turned out well. The downside is.........I probably will never see it. Hmmmm, that could be a good thing too!!

Got yet another email from tenants at the other house; they want to tell me again how they can't afford the full rental amount. I haven't backed down, so this time they also asked if they could pay the full amount each month, but in 2 payments.
I did agree to this, as I'm not so picky about when I get the money, as long as I GET the money. Still crossing my fingers about the state licensed facility coming through for August when the lease runs out.

New tenants here at this house have paid their rent, in addition the back yard people have paid something towards rent for the first time! A bit of a victory I'd say.

See, nothing did hang together here........a bit of this, a bit of that ....thus, Blog Soup.

I'm getting so ready to shut down the land line phone here, as the autistic kiddo calls at least 7 times a day. Early as 6AM too, if I don't remember to unplug the phones the night before~

This would also curtail the use of the phone by the 2 couples living here......a couple of them have used 411 more than a few times this past billing period, even though I provide the free411 number at each phone.

However, I realized that left no phone here at the house in case of emergency. I'll be taking my cell phone, room mate person has her cell, but is frequently not here...and only one of the couples has a cell. (although, they have been known to misplace theirs more than a couple times)

I've been checking on line, for options re; providing a cell phone here, with no plan attached to it, truly no phone number. Just the ability to call 911.

Anyone have a better idea? Or ideas as to specifics re; the phone?? I understand all cell phones are supposed to make free 911 calls, but I'm reading about not using an old phone for this, due to the numbers being programed into it?? Rapidly heading into uncharted territory here for me....
I want to make sure the phone isn't set up for other calls, so I keep myself from getting a surprise bill.

I re joined our local gleaning group, mainly to receive the old bread and produce to feed the chickens. However, it is going to be a nice addition to the food budget here too.

I used to be involved with this same group, for almost 15 years, quitting when I had the difficult autistic kiddo move in. (couldn't be involved with anything with him there)

The organization is run differently these days & it is a bit difficult to not keep saying "when I was doing this....." to the leadership team. But, I'll learn.

Today I did my "job" alone for the first time, they think I'm properly trained now I guess. The chickens are all set up with fresh food for the week, as well as the kitchen is brimming with things I brought home for people.

The food often looks perfect. Hard to tell what the store is getting rid of it for.......until you do this for a bit. Let the perfect food sit a day & it becomes pretty apparent.

I spent a few hours this AM chopping, slicing, steaming and freezing......so none of the people food is going to go to waste. I have no idea how much this would be if I had to pay for it, but then, I would never buy this much produce at a time either. Nor, this variety. But, I'm set up for all veggie meals for most of the week.

Food rescue programs are so important for so many reasons.......well worth the time it takes to get involved. Stores save the dumping fee, others get to eat fresh food when they normally wouldn't, and we're saving space in the land fills.

My bedroom and my morning coffee out of "the cup", is about all I need to think about taking with me when I move on....

I've been looking at things differently as I move through my days here, and there isn't much I want to take anywhere!!

Having just moved in '05, I pared down considerably and have made an effort not to add more stuff since then.

There are things I don't want to part with, but there is no need to take the piano to moms, as she already has one, etc.... So, it looks like one bedroom and a coffee mug with pink roses on it will just about do......and some clothes of course.

I do think I'll pay to have the things moved, as there are some huge pieces and if I hire someone, I know they will all get moved in and set up. If I use the room mate person & the new big truck here, I will end up doing most of the work.

Barn sale going on again today, yesterday was so successful, room mate person decided on Round #2 today. Busy around here. Horse boarding person is repairing and replacing fencing, at her expense...can't beat that.

In the Extremely Small Business News.....
we've sold a couple dozen fresh eggs today!! {Pretty sure I can't retire on the Egg Money, but it is fun to see people so excited about them.)

Completed another Pine Cone Survey as well as one from Greenfield, gotta love these regular little deposits. Also got the funds for the books sold through Amazon.

That's me. Just getting around to mastering something the rest of the world is way past comfy with.

*insert drum roll here.....*

I have, just this afternoon, figured out how to set up voice mail on my cell phone! Not only have I figured it out, but I HAVE it set up, and it works!

Stuff like this baffles me. The clock in my van, programing the cable box or setting the VCR/DVD to record (heck, I have days when I can't get it to even play a silly movie!) and anything to do with the auto features on any and all appliances are something I've pawned off on the kids who lived with me over the years.

But, for some reason, the voice mail on the cell never made it on the TO DO list. Thus, it was now on the top, as I can't switch clients over to the cell number if I have no voice mail.

So, one BIG thing off my list of what needs doing prior to my trial move. I also started talking about the whole event with the autistic kiddo today. He seems OK with it, but who knows? And, truly, I need to remember I'm not in charge any longer.

Next step will be to wean the couples who stay here off the house phone. I have let them all use it for a message phone, since it is impossible to get a job set up without a phone number & an address. I need to be ready with my answer to the next question........."Can I use your cell phone?". Not sure of my answer yet.

The thought of not having a phone ringing dozens and dozens of times a day is absolutely heady to me. I'm getting closer to that being possible & it spurs me on!

On a money front......I participated in a Pine Cone survey this AM, at least the first part of it. I presume a product will be on its' way here & then there will be an additional survey. Love these!!!

Working this week end as my last young man is scheduled to be here this afternoon through Sunday afternoon. I will give notice to his dad when I see him Sunday. Not sure about the timing, but will most likely see him through the end of June, giving them almost 2 months to decide what to do.

Room mate person is holding a huge Barn Sale today & tomorrow, which is part of her commitment to clear stuff out of here, prior to me discussing leaving the place to her to manage. So far, she's doing a huge amount of business, which in the long run is good for me too.

My moving out decision is feeling more like the right way to go each time I tell someone what I'm doing. Details are falling into place, there aren't any road blocks and I can sleep well even tho I'm making a big change. Means I'm on the right track! My biggest disappointment is telling my new walking buddy I'm moving too far away to meet 3X a week to walk.

I'm keeping up with my walking program, one of the many goals for 2007.... Having located a walking buddy has made a huge difference, as neither of us wants to be the one to wimp out. And, believe me, if we were going to wimp out, today would have been a good choice.

The weather seemed OK when we left...but before returning, the sky opened up and it poured. Then, the wind blew, and it hailed and just for special effects, there was thunder! Gads, it's May for heavens sake!!! (currently, the sun is out and it looks like a different day!)

Anyway, we're both proud of ourselves, we're walking 3miles, 3 times a week at this point. Not bad for a couple of old, out of shape women!

I've made a list of things that need to happen prior to trying out my "move". (I'm an obsessive list maker!) Things are pretty divided up into the finances to hand off to the room mate person....and the sewing customers to notify and finish up current jobs.....and then the personal stuff like giving notice to volunteer positions.

Mom & I have talked about this possibility since last June, so this isn't anything new. I just wanted to stay here a year before making a decision. By the time I get moved, it will be a year. Moms house is so big for just her, there is no way she can keep it up, and it has a full acre of yard too....... so there is plenty to do.

If I can just keep managing the 2 places of mine as rentals, and keep up with my knitting, sewing and such for some spending money, I'll be in OK shape. It will just be different. And, I know I can do different.

This new living situation will give mom & I time to spend together without me feeling like I need to head home to take care of things here........ And when I'm here at home, I always feel like I should be helping out my mom. I think I'll feel less of a pull if I'm at her place...that is the question of the day.

No money out today..........just worked here on my "list" and in the sewing room. Walking in the AM sure gives me a jump start on my daily chores...what a difference getting up, dressed and out of here!!! I'm not seeing a weight difference this week, but not gaining either and that's a good thing.

There were just too many things happening yesterday and today for me to not get the hint it was time to move on from my current house.

First......and oddly enough, the previous owner of this house showed up at my door & wanted to know if I'm willing to sell to her ..again! Yes, she is the same one that called me last fall with the same question. She needed to be in her home 2 years prior to buying this back...and it's almost 2 years at this point. Got me to thinking!

Number 2: I got a screaming, swearing, out of control phone call from my previous placement here..........the autistic kiddo & his mom. She was attempting to get her son in her car to head back to his house and he was beating her up, etc. Impossible to handle this in person, let alone over the phone. His "normal" schedule includes calling me 7 times a day anyway & I can tell it is still draining the sap out of me. I've decided to cut the phone here at the house & use my cell... This would lower a bill, the "kiddo" doesn't have my cell # and all I have to do is let my current list of sewing/knitting customers know the new #.

Number 3: My housecleaner quit this week. I'm feeling like I'm missing a family member! He has been helping here since I moved to this place & I've totally enjoyed having him as a friend too. (he has agreed to come clean my moms house monthly, as a favor to her...so this is still a good thing)

Number 4: The new couple that has moved in are not on my favorite people list. I think I'm just getting too old to make any effort at compromise. They aren't bad, I'm just not into getting as chummy as they would prefer.

So, in looking at things this week.......I'm getting closer to making a move to my moms for a 2 month trial period...to see how I like that life. There are more positives than negatives & my room mate person assures me she can handle the entire house payment here as rent........the 2 months will also be a trial to see if she can do this. (the previous owner & her buy back offer is still in the wings)

Things are just falling into place & if the only thing I get out of this is a way out of the constant phone calls, it will be a good thing.

Last bit of good news; my mom got the signed agreement for her apartment I had listed for her.........It is rented, as of today, with a years lease. That feels so good, and the best part is the tenant said he could help me out with the yard work! Can't beat that.....

I so enjoy reading other gardening blogs, it spurs me on to get out in the dirt here, as well as gives me new ideas.........so I'm jumping on the bandwagon & going to try to keep up with a listing of what's growing here in my corner of the world.



The seeds inside are in all stages...
Cucumbers up and almost a true leaf stage
Cosmos up and growing
Pumpkins sprouting

Seeds directly sown outside...
Lettuce of all kinds......no sight of them yet
Cucumbers..One seedling showing itself this AM
Multiple packages of flower seeds outside...lupins are up, so far no sign of anything else.

Starts of onions, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts all growing like crazy.
Rhubarb producing enough I have been sharing already.
Strawberries; Many flowers this year and already noticed a few tiny berries forming.

Just added a row of carrots, beets and radishes....too early to start looking for signs of life there!

The cost to me is almost zero this year, as my mom paid for all the seed and starts this time. I put all her things in for her, so she paid for my plants & seeds. Since the water is from the well, no water bill......and the fertilizer is from the flock out back...... I can't think of anything this is costing but the work. And, I'm pooped!

I'm working hard to have a garden that is a true cross between Organic........and Free.

Here's a picture I took today, of the crew out back; Rocky (the rooster) and his flock of Ladies, busy at work, creating my absolutely free and most definitely organic fertilizer.



I don't have to go far to get my fertilizer...right out the back door. I'm currently taking a bit of the bedding from the coop each week and distributing it through the garden beds. The plants that are up already are loving it! I also rinse out the nesting boxes and use that water on the gardens too. Nothing goes to waste here!

The chickens have a 2nd job these days, like all the rest of us! Besides being in charge of producing all the eggs we can consume, they are taking care of all the weeds I can pull every day. Busy gals out there...

I'm getting closer to my June deadline ....the month I make a decision as to what to do re; my life, retirement, where I'm living, etc, etc.

After paying the property taxes this month, it is horribly clear to me I'm not cutting it with my pasted together lifestyle I've created this past year. It's been fun, as well as different, but I can't continue indefinitely, or I'll run out of savings. Not a good plan.

Touchy keyboard, it published while I was typing... I know, I should type in Word & cut & paste. Too lazy. This is about the biggest risk I take in life, so I'm going to continue this way!

We welcomed a young couple into the mix last night.........might work....or??? They do have some challenges, but what else would be appropriate for this place? Only one car, a part time job between them, 2 cats and 1 BIG dog. We'll see.... They are paying more than the last couple & seem willing to work too, which sounds like a good combo to me.

I've been advertising my moms apartment too, and today I think I had the first great response. The woman has done a drive by already and had a phone interview with my mom..........they are scheduled to meet at the apt tomorrow. That would be a great deal if it comes to pass.......a years lease and the amount I had researched.... another good combo.

Neighbors of the others houses' tenants called today........a bit of a soap opera going on in that neighborhood re; a culvert and drainage as well as a delinquent young man mixed with alcohol, a vehicle and goodness knows what else. The sheriff and the health department are both involved .... My tenants are the ones having to deal with this, not the ones causing it.... It makes it hard for me to keep reminding them they aren't paid up on their rent too!!!

And, if all this weren't enough, I'm trying to wade through the numbers about refinancing my primary home, to get some cash back. I have a bit more to scrape up for the dental work I'm getting done this year and this would almost do it. The payment would be lower, the interest rate would be lower.......and I'm pretty darned close to saying 'do it', especially since it is with the same company I have both the houses with now. No paperwork involved on my part, no appraisal needed either...something called Fast Track. It is sounding attractive at this point.

The check came today for the 2 classes I taught this month.... Payment came to $175. for Knitting!!! Such a deal. Money for having fun; my kind of job. I'm set for more classes Fall quarter already too.

Didn't spend anything.....but getting myself ready for the Big Spend day here soon. Property taxes due by the end of this month. YUK. Wouldn't feel so terrible if I thought I was really getting my monies worth!

Since I last posted...........I've been in the garden if it has been daylight. Nothing like a film crew scheduled to visit your garden to spur one on!!!!

The crew just left & said they had some "good stuff." Hopefully, I answered the questions with reasonably intelligent responses??? I did get to sit down for most of the interview; so all my gardeners muscles were grateful!

Never did come up with a local gardener to participate in the feature; perhaps the producer has been more successful. The crew was asked not to film things like evergreens or palm trees for the spot........no problem with palm trees here, but there are evergreens everywhere you look from my yard. No idea how they will get around that problem.

I'm glad to be back to my version of "normal" here.....gardening when I want to, instead of ALL the time! I have to say....the front yard here has never looked so good!

I'm stepping into uncharted territory ...for me! Needing help........big time, and quickly!

Background: Jeffrey passed an email on to me, from a network news organization....who wanted to do a feature on Frugal Gardening.
They have contacted me and now want to do several other interviews & stretch out the topic to cover other aspects.

What I Need: The producers asked if there was anyone I knew of that had read the blog or articles on www.frugalgardening.com AND had followed any of the tips. Anyone??? Plus, they want this person by tomorrow, Tuesday! Anywhere in the U.S. is fine, they explained, as they have affiliates throughout the nation!

If you have created a garden on the cheap, using Craigs list, Freecycle, a plant exchange among your friends & neighbors..........I would love to hear from you. If you have procured free plants from landscapers, nurseries, etc.......I would love to hear from you!
I would need your contact info, in order to pass it on to the producer I'm working with. Speed is of the essence here....as they plan on finishing up the feature here in the Seattle area on Thursday. (yes, THIS Thursday!)

I'm contacting others locally, in addition to a landscaper who dumped their trucks of trimmings here last year.......and a local nursery owner......so am scrambling to come up with people available here to speak with reporters this week. (and yes, I am still crocheting like a crazy woman, to get my samples set up for my Thursday evening class...THIS week!)

I'll check email often.....And, a huge thank you to anyone able to help out!

I weighed myself this AM (after being at my moms for a few days) and surprised myself with a brand new number! I knew I was making progress, as I've been able to button the bottom button on a few shirts....that used to be an open type, jacket only situation! All buttoned up these days, and I can sit down without ripping the buttons off too! Must be the walking!

Felt jazzed about the weight loss & started getting busy on the TO DO list around here. I've got laundry out on the line, the burn pile started and the compost dumped. Eggs collected and chickens fed.

I brought home some free wood from my dads vintage wood piles.......I found great stuff to make some roosts for the chickens. Now, I just need to figure out how to mount them to the walls. (these are to replace the almost silly version of a roost that a very helpful someone made for the coop......looks more like a prop for a manger scene in a Nativity)

Now, I'm back to crocheting the first of my samples for this Thursdays class. The purse is done, now I'm working on the handle, then out to the sewing room it goes for the lining and assembly phase. I'm wasting too much time today, thumbing through patterns, when I just need to grab one and start on another item for the display. Thinking small things at this point.....planning on a soap sack, 2 different size hats and a scarf at this point. I can start a small baby blanket after I get these done......

Back to work........

Back home from my few days at my moms again. Getting to be routine these days....although it is a bit hard to know which place is more like home. Confusing.

My beginning knitting class went well ...the huge one with the Parks Dept. It was a little chaotic, as there were knitters there who should have been in an intermediate class......so it was like teaching 2 different levels of class in the same room at the same time. No way am I getting paid enough for that. Not sure if I will do it again. Pondering that for a bit.

I do have the crochet class next week......I'm expecting it to be the same way, as I have 2 people attending that I had in class already this week. Not beginners!!! So, I'll think on how best to structure the class.

Got moms lawns mowed; beginning to feel overwhelmed with the 3 yards I'm taking care of now. No renter in sight for her rental house, and of course, the yard needs to be maintained or we will never rent it. Electrical problems to surmount prior to even listing it.....Tons of work.

Spent some of my supply money from last weeks class on supplies for this coming week.......will still come out ahead. I realized I had NO samples of my crochet work here.......so I'm a crocheting maniac this week. On the plus side of this, I'm making sort of a market bag/tote thing.....to use as my own purse/bag over the summer. Black & white slubby sort of cotton yarn....I'm liking it so far.

Did get the taxes in the mail......on time, no extension this year. Small victory. I did have to pay, but only a small bit. I wish I understood this part of my finances more......I'm totally in the dark. I have usually had an income that was non taxable, so this is new stuff to me here. By next year, I am thinking I'll be tossing my paperwork in with my moms, as I'm inching towards handling more and more of her affairs. Her tax prep person is more affordable than mine too!

Spent more money on seeds & starts for the veggie garden. Did get some flower seeds too, as I'm certain the rule about planting flowers in and around your veggies is a good one. Plus, I love it, it makes the garden more fun to work in!

Here's my best shot this morning.......took the pics when I thought it was daylight, but obviously, it was still pretty dark, thus the odd white eyeballs!

Mama & twins!



Off to pick up tax paperwork today & then headed to my moms. Hoping the rain will hold off a bit so I can get her place mowed.

Then, a shower & change and off to my BIG knitting class this evening. Hoping I haven't forgotten anything. I have only taught big classes like this in a shop and always had extra supplies there. This will be a bit different, I'm hauling everything with me.

Timing being what it is here, I'm going to miss the Navy pulling out. Will handle the goodbyes via email. Left the newly lined jacket here for him to pick up on his way out. Tough duty he has....6 months in the south pacific, supervising exercises with all the little island nations navy's.

I've been keeping a close eye on the neighbors pregnant cow, checking the window facing her pasture every time I go past...

This afternoon, I could tell (even with my limited cow experience) that she was standing odd... Best description I could come up with. Looked a little closer and there was a teensy little pile of brown calf on the ground. Not moving yet even.....I must have missed the birth by minutes.

I just pulled the couch around and decided to plug into the local calfvision channel. It didn't take long before I realized there was going to be another calf. And, I got to watch it being born. Sat there for what seemed like ages, watched both calves practicing using all 4 legs at once. So cute. When I finally decided to get back to work, both new little additions had figured out how to walk a few steps and where dinner was located.

Way better than television and totally free. I didn't have watch a calf being born on my life list........but if I did, I could cross it off now!

I've totally spaced on a commitment made at least a month ago........& today is catch up day.

I had been asked to re line a jacket for Mr Navy's wife..... I hadn't started it, since I was waiting on her answer re; the existing buttons. (seems she shuts them in her car door frequently.....not so good for glass buttons). Anyway, the Navy is shipping out this month and I was asked about the status of said jacket. Status??? Still hanging right where it was a month ago. As of last night, the lining is out, pressed & ready to use for a pattern. Just waiting for the local fabric store to open up..........have always thought all night fabric stores would be a good idea!

I'm hoping the lining just slides into the jacket and I can finish it up before lunch...then, off to pick up the tax stuff & get it in the mail.

I have to leave for moms tomorrow & be in her area for my knitting class tomorrow night, so both the jacket & taxes need to be completed today.

Still fitting in my walk today.....and picking up the free bread for the chickens at the same time. ..I'm determined not to let these additions to my day interfere with my new plan of putting ME on the TO DO daily list.

Here's hoping everything goes without too many glitches today......

I've come to the conclusion I don't. I don't have typical days here, unless the fly by the seat of my pants, deal with who & what crosses the threshold qualifies as typical. I try to make some sort of blog entry that is neat & tidy and has some sort of theme to it.......and fail miserably most times. Today is no exception. Nothing has hooked together at all....

Started with email & phone calls. Contacted the tenants; the downstairs couple is bringing 2 months rent (which brings them current) this evening. Just got an email from the upstairs people, they are only sending the check minus the $600. they asked about. (I had told them I couldn't reduce the rent) Now what???

Foster dtr with grandbaby stopped by for a visit..........Fun to see her feeling so competent with him.

Called new potential tenant here......left message about him moving in. No response.

Gathered 8 eggs from the new chickens. Getting at least 6 a day now.....Making for some frugal meals.

Received my order of supplies for this months knitting & crochet classes. Used my new ball winder & made up smaller balls of yarn for each student. Wound up some odd balls of mine, to use for a couple door prize drawings at class. Almost ready now, which is good.....one day to go before the knitting class.

And, because I promised myself I'd campaign for Obama if & when he decided to run for President.......I signed up to volunteer here in our county for his campaign. I've always wanted to be involved in a political campaign, but couldn't due to kid type commitments....so this actually qualifies as something I'm doing for ME too.

So, I guess today is typical for me. Just one thing after another...all unrelated mostly. I think this is why I'm unsure about getting a 'real' job. I think I would be crazy doing the same thing all the time. As I get closer to June (the end of my one year trial at semi retirement) I find I'm looking at employment ads & imagining myself doing something.........anything........

OK, this is the 2nd try here to post an entry. I had almost finished a long rambling on post about my day & all the details when...........with much internal grinding noises, my PC flipped a few pages instantly and there I was viewing Thrifty Ray's latest post about her new job starting tomorrow.

Now, I'm always interested in Rays new adventures, but I would have liked to have finished my post before reading hers!!

So far, I haven't disappeared again....and all the error messages on my Add Entry page are not included this time.......so I'll do an abbreviated version.

I put ME first today, in line with my 2007 goals. Walked before I got started on the things for others.......and fit in a haircut......even tho I didn't have a coupon or a half off offer.

Interviewed a potential renter for the room here.....a single gentleman who says he loves to split wood. Is there a better way to make points with me???

I'm committing to sending the icky email to the tenants in the house.....the ones who want to reduce their rent by $600. I've checked locally, my rent there isn't out of line. The state hasn't answered yet, about the possible new home, if they do, I'm giving the tenants notice asap.

OK, that's the quick version........still probably more than anyone wants to know.
Will try this and see what happens!

Easter took on an added meaning 6 years ago, when my dad died on Good Friday. Even if the date doesn't jive each year.......on Easter week end, I'm all about doing something pertaining to Dad.

This year, a project was calling....no, make that 'screaming' for attention. Dad had been given a house as a young man, and it has been vacant since Halloween. I picked up my mom this AM, and her lawn mower and assorted tools and off we went to Dad's house. What a disaster it was. This is the place that put the BIG dog in the little yard and let it tear the place up.

I mowed for what seemed like a couple hours, then mixed up a serious batch of Round Up and sprayed everything that was growing where it should not have been growing.
I took a lawn chair for mom, and she did a fair job of sitting down....with occasional spurts of clipping and pruning something spliced in.

I had even remembered my camera & got some shots from the street to post with the upcoming rental ads (HAVE to do something to the inside walls and electrical system prior to renting).

We're exhausted, but feel like it was a day well spent. I prefer doing something like this, rather than making a trip to the cemetery.... We had a chance to visit about Dad all day, didn't have to cook a company sized dinner and got some great sunshine & exercise too. A pretty good combination! (and no money spent either)

Love the new look with the blogs ....and I can't wait to see what else is in store. I will start playing with the colors some day...just not today. Too much on my list.

Still working hard aiming to clean out the strawberry bed. How is it the weeds far out number the strawberry plants, no matter how many buckets of weeds I pull? The chickens are thrilled again....and gave me 6 eggs this morning as a thank you!

I cleaned out the nesting boxes, right into the garden bed under construction. Have 6 wheelbarrows of good compost added to the mix and think I might be ready to plant this week.... I need to get to the nursery to check out veggie starts & pick up some fresh seed. Fun, fun, fun!!!

Almost had a full scale rodeo in my front yard this morning. The new horse lady brought a friend (with another horse) and they decided to try a ride. The horses had other ideas & gave quite a show tossing riders as soon as they were in the saddle. So, I had gardening; with a Show!

Combine the rodeo with a parade.........a continual stream of freecyclers arriving this AM for strawberry plants & my morning has been busy. Still have oodles of plants left, so I need to get to my list here and arrange for some more potential gardeners to show up....there is no way I'm planting more than a dozen more strawberry plants!

Again, it snowed this week (Monday) and now we have a record breaking day for the Seattle area??? Gorgeous & lovely to work outside in, but it is just odd. Taking advantage of the weather & have clothes on the line.

I'm still dividing and cleaning out the strawberry beds.....too many necessary breaks when it is over 75 here. I'm hoping to save up some energy and tackle the project again after sundown. I'm sharing with 7 freecyclers now.........maybe more, depending on how many plants are hidden among the weeds. The chickens are thrilled with the new gardening schedule, as they eat the 5 gallon buckets of weeds as fast as I can pull them and haul them to the coop. Feels very thrifty turning weeds into eggs for breakfast!!

My week end young man is here for just 2 days, due to the Easter holiday. Seems peculiar having someone here after being gone so long....and this one only comes 2 week ends a month anyway. But, this will mean a paycheck from this source for April, which will be nice.

I started advertising the vacant room, as well as the parking spaces out back. No bites yet, but did get one on my moms apartment (which I also listed).

Walked again this AM, with my walking buddy.........we didn't go as far as usual since we're both just getting back to this after taking our 2 weeks off. How out of shape can one get in 2 weeks??? Apparently, quite a bit.......Sad really!
But, it is one more item on my 2007 goals list......doing things for me, so it always feels good to do it regardless of the collection of aches & pains.

A no spending day here........like most of the days. I wish I was more organized & could figure out a system where I would keep track of these. I have started several, then around the 2nd week of the month I realize I have no idea. I should challenge myself to do a no spending month some day....other than necessary utilities & house payments of course.

It was just Monday of this week.....just 4 days ago, I woke up to snow.......all over!

Today......the thermometer said 70 and I was mowing the lawns & wearing short sleeves & sandals. My garden won't know what it's supposed to do!!!

I didn't get to spend much of the day outside, as it was the day for another looong dental appointment. The last of my cleaning appointments before the new work begins, and tons of measurements & such. By the time I got home it was already 4PM. But, I will get this accomplished & be able to check off the biggest goal on my 2007 list.

I heard from the parks & rec dept re; my scheduled classes this month.......the knitting class has hit the max number we decided on.....I OK'd adding 2 more in, if they would extend the time in case I can't get everyone to Get It by the time the class ends. I'll need to pick up more supplies; of course I had just sent in my order (and yes, I tried a quick phone call, but the order had been shipped, drat)
I'm working on the lesson plan and some hand outs.....I never like to teach a class without sending the group home with lots of materials.

Quitting early tonight, as I'm going to meet my walking partner again in the AM....we were both a bit wiped out on Wed.......at least it wasn't just me!