I know that everyone thinks newspapers are a dying artifact of our culture. But, the fact is, I enjoy them! I look forward to the paper delivery on Saturday and the coupons that come with it. I look forward to reading the news in print form.
I have been subscribing to the local newspaper wherever I lived since I was in college. There is a trick I've learned along the way. Usually, promotional rates are for a year period. When the year is over, the weekly rate will go up. I always discover this when the bill takes a big hike for the next period.
That happened to me today. In the past, I've opened up the newspaper to compare rates that they are offering and called to sign up for one of the rates listed. They've stopped publishing these rates, so I called the newspaper. I asked what promotions they have available. Usually, the best rate is only open to new subscriptions. I discovered when I asked that there is a rate available for $1.50 per week (vs. the $4.50/week I had just been charged on the most recent bill). I told the customer service gal I would like to sign up for that promotion. She mentioned it starting when this billing cycle ended. I informed her that I'd like it to start this week. I knew I could ask for that (since I had done this in the past). She good naturedly said "Okay."
My paid up date extended by 2 months with that phone call. Yay!
So, that's my newspaper renewal story :)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
To See God Provide
One of the things that brings me such sweet joy is to see how God works things out. My younger daughter's tennis shoes started coming apart yesterday. They needed to be replaced ASAP.
At the beginning of the summer, I had bought there the cheapest--yes, literally the cheapest tennis shoes Target had for $10/pr for each of the girls. It was summer and I knew that their sandals would be what they'd wear most of the time and that they'd probably grow some more over the summer. I anticipated buying new tennis shoes in the fall. The girls were happy with them because they liked the colors of the shoes (pink and white) and I was thankful that they didn't mind the cheap construction of them (the price was justified).
Well, fall is here.
The girls are getting to an age where they need better athletic shoes. I want them to have some support for their feet. So, we've been going to the Stride Rite outlet when we can for tennis shoes. But, that takes planning and time. Neither of which I have in the immediate future. So, I went by the Stride Rite store in the mall. The tennis shoes were all very flashy except for some Saucony's that were $49/pr. They did have a buy one get one half off sale, but that would have made two pairs of shoes $75 plus tax. It felt a bit steep to me and the shoe colors were flashier than I'd like. So, we left without any new shoes.
We traveled onward.
I thought we'd stop by Dick's Sporting Goods on the way home just to check to see if they had any. They only had 1 style. It happened to be on sale! They were $30/pr but they only had 1 pair of 12s and my girls both wear size 12. So, the sales associate checked the online store and found the same price online. I learned that if you order them from the store, you won't pay shipping. Yahoo! So, Sami left the store wearing new shoes (I had the cashier throw the old ones away) and Autumn has a package on its way in the mail with her new shoes. Both girls are happy, though Autumn is already pining for her package to arrive. I can't blame her. She was a great sport about it.
It was interesting at the Stride Rite when Sami told me she liked the flashy shoes and I explained that I didn't. I shared with her that I would choose what I thought might be some good choices and ask them if they like them. After this summer's experience with Sami, I know this is important. I bought her some sandals that she only thought were so-so and wouldn't wear them until her old ones were literally falling apart. Thankfully, this one pair came in white/teal/light yellow and the girls both loved the colors!
The total came to $60 plus tax for the two pairs.
I was very thankful to save some money on the shoes and see God provide a pair of shoes that Sami, Autumn, and I all like. It was a little blessing that made me smile.
At the beginning of the summer, I had bought there the cheapest--yes, literally the cheapest tennis shoes Target had for $10/pr for each of the girls. It was summer and I knew that their sandals would be what they'd wear most of the time and that they'd probably grow some more over the summer. I anticipated buying new tennis shoes in the fall. The girls were happy with them because they liked the colors of the shoes (pink and white) and I was thankful that they didn't mind the cheap construction of them (the price was justified).
Well, fall is here.
The girls are getting to an age where they need better athletic shoes. I want them to have some support for their feet. So, we've been going to the Stride Rite outlet when we can for tennis shoes. But, that takes planning and time. Neither of which I have in the immediate future. So, I went by the Stride Rite store in the mall. The tennis shoes were all very flashy except for some Saucony's that were $49/pr. They did have a buy one get one half off sale, but that would have made two pairs of shoes $75 plus tax. It felt a bit steep to me and the shoe colors were flashier than I'd like. So, we left without any new shoes.
We traveled onward.
It was interesting at the Stride Rite when Sami told me she liked the flashy shoes and I explained that I didn't. I shared with her that I would choose what I thought might be some good choices and ask them if they like them. After this summer's experience with Sami, I know this is important. I bought her some sandals that she only thought were so-so and wouldn't wear them until her old ones were literally falling apart. Thankfully, this one pair came in white/teal/light yellow and the girls both loved the colors!
The total came to $60 plus tax for the two pairs.
I was very thankful to save some money on the shoes and see God provide a pair of shoes that Sami, Autumn, and I all like. It was a little blessing that made me smile.
Friday, September 2, 2011
The Sugar Problem and Our Kids
There's been a huge increase in obesity in children in the last decade. It is a growing concern among doctors, educators, and parents. I think it has an awful lot to do with the food we're feeding our children. One of the culprits is sugar.
I was thinking about this and wondering how I could find some good kid-friendly recipes with less sugar when I realized that diabetics must eat less sugar. I found a cookbook for kids with diabetes and was excited to see what was inside it!
The cookbook is America's Best Cookbook for Kids with Diabetes by Colleen Bartley. It's published by Robert Rose Publishing. Honestly, I really like how they format their cookbooks. The fonts are very readable. The spacing is great so that it's easy to follow a recipe and come back to the step you're on as you're cooking. You don't lose track of what you're adding or what you're doing!
In this cookbook, there's a great introduction and discussion about sugars and artificial sweeteners. The discussion about artificial sweeteners isn't very indepth, but it's a good introduction to the topic and gives some food for thought.
As I flipped through the cookbook, I immediately thought "What a great cookbook!" The recipes are all what I what I'd say are "kid-friendly". I have often noticed that well intentioned cookbooks for kids throw in a lot of healthy ingredients that kids are reticent to eat. If you have amiable eaters, that's great. If you don't, you may often find yourself in a pickle like I do.
Over the past few weeks, I've made several recipes from this cookbook. One night we had the fish sticks and the tartar sauce. I was surprised at how well the coating stuck to the fish. I've had a lot of problems with that over the years! Then, a few days ago I made the Baked Apple-Raisin Oatmeal. Of course, my picky eaters won't eat raisins, so I subbed in mini-chocolate chips. I know this adds in sugar, but for an afternoon snack, this was still a lower sugar alternative than cookies. A friend of mine was over and ate some. She commented how much she enjoyed them because it wasn't quite so sweet. Another recipe I made was using the teriyaki sauce from the pork chop recipe. I used it when we barbecued chicken. It good and mild. Each of the recipes were simple and quick to make.
If you a) have picky eater and are looking for simple, healthy recipes or b) have a child with diabetes, then you might really like this cookbook. I did.
Please note note that I received a complimentary copy of this cookbook for review from Robert Rose Publishing.
I was thinking about this and wondering how I could find some good kid-friendly recipes with less sugar when I realized that diabetics must eat less sugar. I found a cookbook for kids with diabetes and was excited to see what was inside it!
In this cookbook, there's a great introduction and discussion about sugars and artificial sweeteners. The discussion about artificial sweeteners isn't very indepth, but it's a good introduction to the topic and gives some food for thought.
As I flipped through the cookbook, I immediately thought "What a great cookbook!" The recipes are all what I what I'd say are "kid-friendly". I have often noticed that well intentioned cookbooks for kids throw in a lot of healthy ingredients that kids are reticent to eat. If you have amiable eaters, that's great. If you don't, you may often find yourself in a pickle like I do.
Over the past few weeks, I've made several recipes from this cookbook. One night we had the fish sticks and the tartar sauce. I was surprised at how well the coating stuck to the fish. I've had a lot of problems with that over the years! Then, a few days ago I made the Baked Apple-Raisin Oatmeal. Of course, my picky eaters won't eat raisins, so I subbed in mini-chocolate chips. I know this adds in sugar, but for an afternoon snack, this was still a lower sugar alternative than cookies. A friend of mine was over and ate some. She commented how much she enjoyed them because it wasn't quite so sweet. Another recipe I made was using the teriyaki sauce from the pork chop recipe. I used it when we barbecued chicken. It good and mild. Each of the recipes were simple and quick to make.
If you a) have picky eater and are looking for simple, healthy recipes or b) have a child with diabetes, then you might really like this cookbook. I did.
Please note note that I received a complimentary copy of this cookbook for review from Robert Rose Publishing.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Birthday Parties
Birthday parties are expensive. A less expensive option than having a party at a bounce place or Chuck e. Cheese's is to have a special party at home. I try to do it as wisely as I can. The parties are always on the back of my mind. During the year as I'm walking through Target, I watch for clearance items that could be the future stuffings of birthday treat bags. I watch for invitations and decorations. I even watch for plates. This has worked as my kids have been little and I've had a lot of say in the themes of their parties. But, as they get older, I am finding they have more opinions and it is important that I listen to them.
Fortunately for me, my girls have loved the princess theme for several years. This year is no exception. So, I've been doing my usual. Collecting supplies, invitations, etc. My girls will have a joint birthday party at the beginning of November. A few years ago I tried to have separate parties. The problem? Six little girls could come to Autumn's party and none to Sami's two weeks later, because everyone had gotten sick. So, now we have one party.
The princess theme can be a little tricky for me because we don't do the whole "Disney Princess" thing in our house. So, what can I do new this year? Well, I found a little book to help me.
It's the Pink Princess Party Cookbook.
Fortunately for me, my girls have loved the princess theme for several years. This year is no exception. So, I've been doing my usual. Collecting supplies, invitations, etc. My girls will have a joint birthday party at the beginning of November. A few years ago I tried to have separate parties. The problem? Six little girls could come to Autumn's party and none to Sami's two weeks later, because everyone had gotten sick. So, now we have one party.
The princess theme can be a little tricky for me because we don't do the whole "Disney Princess" thing in our house. So, what can I do new this year? Well, I found a little book to help me.
It's the Pink Princess Party Cookbook.
Inside you'll find plans for 6 different types of "princess" parties like a "Snowflake princess party" and "Enchanted Pony Princess Party". There's one called the "Spa Princess Party which I think would be perfect for a young tween that mom wants to have a party for and the daughter wants to be a kid and a grown up at the same time.
Each party has food suggestions and recipes as well as crafts you can make. The crafts are appropriate for 6 or 7 year olds to 11 year olds. In the front, the author does say that children can make the recipes and crafts. Her advice is that 5 to 7 year olds will need more help and that children 8 and older will be able to do things with less assistance.
This party guide is smaller than you'd expect. The font is small, but readable. The directions are pretty simple. At first, I thought they were too simple. Then I tried the author's directions for the Snow Princess Punch. She suggests dampening the glasses with a lemon or sugar half (I just used a lemon wedge). It worked well! I've tried putting salt on margarita glasses before with mediocre success. The lemon wedge worked much better! So, I learned through trial and error that the directions were enough with some recipes and crafts. In one craft, the directions weren't quite enough. Or rather--I'd do it a little different. The craft was the Pink Princess Tiara. It would have been nice to know how much room you needed to leave on each end of the pipe cleaner without beads and also that a little bit of space should be left between the beds. The other change I would make is to use glue dots instead of tacky glue. It would be very hard to make 4 or 5 little girls wait an hour for their tiaras to be dry!
As my girls and I looked through the book, we picked from each of the parties what we wanted to include in theirs in a few months. Autumn wanted to do the snowflake meringues, but they didn't go with the other things they picked out. So, we'll save them as a special treat for Christmas.
If you're wanting to throw a princess party for your daughter, this book will give you lots of ideas. Some are easier than others, but amidst the bunch, you'll find enough to have a fun party!
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Simon and Shuster Publishing.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Confessions of a Sugar-Loving Mom
Two or three weeks ago, I wrote that I was going to cut sugar out of my diet. I did...for a few days. I continued to ponder it and decrease my daily sugar intake, but I didn't continue to cut it out completely. I like sugar!
Almost two weeks ago, I was among friends and our kids. The occasion was a beautiful day and a picnic at one friend's house. The other gals had the discipline to forgo half of an Eskimo Pie for dessert. I didn't. I never buy Eskimo Pies. They were a treat to me. So, I chose to have half of one as my dessert for the day. I felt bad because my friends and I had been discussing forgoing sugar... And there I was eating half an Eskimo Pie! Ay Ay Ay!
After talking with my husband, I've been trying to eat sugar in moderation. If I cut it out completely, I am afraid I will crave it all the more. If I'm able to choose a dish that has less sugar in it, I am. I've cut back the sugar in my coffee and I still drink it before anything sweet in the morning--even yogurt. I've also been taking acidophilus pills because a friend said she had greater success with those than with eating yogurt.
So, that's me. I needed to confess to you that sugar is a weakness of mine--but I'm trying. I respect my friends who are much stronger than me and were able to forgo the Eskimo Pies!
Almost two weeks ago, I was among friends and our kids. The occasion was a beautiful day and a picnic at one friend's house. The other gals had the discipline to forgo half of an Eskimo Pie for dessert. I didn't. I never buy Eskimo Pies. They were a treat to me. So, I chose to have half of one as my dessert for the day. I felt bad because my friends and I had been discussing forgoing sugar... And there I was eating half an Eskimo Pie! Ay Ay Ay!
After talking with my husband, I've been trying to eat sugar in moderation. If I cut it out completely, I am afraid I will crave it all the more. If I'm able to choose a dish that has less sugar in it, I am. I've cut back the sugar in my coffee and I still drink it before anything sweet in the morning--even yogurt. I've also been taking acidophilus pills because a friend said she had greater success with those than with eating yogurt.
So, that's me. I needed to confess to you that sugar is a weakness of mine--but I'm trying. I respect my friends who are much stronger than me and were able to forgo the Eskimo Pies!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Buzzzzzz Bars
I went to college in Oregon. The little coffee shop on campus made these super yummy bars called "Buzz Bars". Before I left college, I somehow got a copy of the recipe even though I didn't work there. Here it is:
For a 9x13 pan:
Cream 2/3 cup butter with 2/3 cup brown sugar. Cream well.
Mix in 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk.
Mix in 2 2/3 cup rolled oats.
Mix in 3/8 cup light corn syrup.
Spread in a 9x13 sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes (I did 18 minutes.)
The "crust" will be a little runny, but put immediately into fridge and let cool completely.
Melt 2/3 cup Skippy Natural peanut butter to spreadable consistency in a pyrex measuring cup. I microwaved it for a minute. Spread over the base and cool in the fridge.
Melt 1 cup of chocolate chips in the microwave for 1 minute. Don't overcook the chocolate chips or they'll harden up. Stir for a minute or two. If you need a little more time and the lumps aren't all getting out, microwave for 15 seconds more. When all the lumps are out, pour over the peanut butter and spread with a spatula. When cool, cut and eat them!
Today, I made a bigger pan. I have a half size bun pan (half of the commercial size cookie sheet). It has a low lip, so it works really well for this bar. At the cafe, they used full size bun pans to make them.
If you make the larger pan (18 x 13)like this one that I bought at the webstaurant store online, here are the measurements you'll need:
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
4 cups uncooked rolled oats
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 cup peanut butter
1 1/3 cups chocolate chips
If you try them, I hope they turn out well for you!
For a 9x13 pan:
Cream 2/3 cup butter with 2/3 cup brown sugar. Cream well.
Mix in 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk.
Mix in 2 2/3 cup rolled oats.
Mix in 3/8 cup light corn syrup.
Spread in a 9x13 sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes (I did 18 minutes.)
The "crust" will be a little runny, but put immediately into fridge and let cool completely.
Melt 2/3 cup Skippy Natural peanut butter to spreadable consistency in a pyrex measuring cup. I microwaved it for a minute. Spread over the base and cool in the fridge.
Melt 1 cup of chocolate chips in the microwave for 1 minute. Don't overcook the chocolate chips or they'll harden up. Stir for a minute or two. If you need a little more time and the lumps aren't all getting out, microwave for 15 seconds more. When all the lumps are out, pour over the peanut butter and spread with a spatula. When cool, cut and eat them!
Today, I made a bigger pan. I have a half size bun pan (half of the commercial size cookie sheet). It has a low lip, so it works really well for this bar. At the cafe, they used full size bun pans to make them.
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
4 cups uncooked rolled oats
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 cup peanut butter
1 1/3 cups chocolate chips
If you try them, I hope they turn out well for you!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
My first dresses
Last Sunday, two of the little girls at church were dressed in the cutest matching dresses. I could tell they were homemade so I asked my friend about them. She explained that her mom had bought them from someone who had made them and that they were called "pillowcase" dresses.
Hmmm... the wheels in my mind started spinning... could I make one? I've only ever attempted one outfit and it was with the help of a friend in Australia. AND that was 17 years ago!
I went home and found this youtube video:
It seemed pretty straight forward so I thought I'd give it a try. Here's my first attempt on the hanger:
The video was very helpful. It doesn't give measurements though. I figured those out on my own. The dresses are called pillowcase dresses because they were originally made from pillowcases for little girls. I believe they are similar to the flour sack dresses of old. I searched for sample measurements and came up with these for a size 6x dress: The top piece is 26" long and 18" wide. You need two of these pieces (front and back). You need one piece for the trim that is about 37" long (room for trimming) and 4 1/2" wide. This will give you a dress that is about 28" long. The armhole I cut was 4" long and 1 1/2" wide. The video shows a good example of how to cut these. I did fold my material in half to make sure the hole cuts match in size.
The first dress I made took me about 2 1/2 hours. The second about 2 hours, The third about 1 1/2 hours and the same for the fourth. The first dress took so much time because I needed to remember everything from the video and figure out the fabric measurements.
Tips I learned in the process:
1) I took the time to wash and dry the fabric first so that the dresses won't shrink. I made myself slow down and make sure to wash and dry the fabric before I started this project.
2) White thread on fabric that has a white background blends in. White thread on the red dress really showed up!
3) These are simple dresses so you don't need pins if you feel comfortable with eyeing things. But, if you feel better with pins, use them :)
I'm excited. I never thought I could make a dress for my girls. They were thrilled. The most challenging part was juggling making the dresses with the rest of my life. It was very stressful having the girls attempt to come in and out of the room where I was sewing and ironing. I am very anxious about one of my children knocking over my iron and getting burned. This morning I made my third and most of my fourth dresses while my kids were at vacation Bible school. I have to admit that this was so much easier. In the future, I am only going to work on these when they are in their rooms. When they are a little older, I look forward to teaching them how to make these dresses! But, I think that time isn't here yet. They need to be able to slow down and concentrate a bit more. They also need to be better at obeying my directions to a tee. There's no room for error around a hot iron!
Hmmm... the wheels in my mind started spinning... could I make one? I've only ever attempted one outfit and it was with the help of a friend in Australia. AND that was 17 years ago!
I went home and found this youtube video:
It seemed pretty straight forward so I thought I'd give it a try. Here's my first attempt on the hanger:
The hem and dress are actually not tilted--it's just hanging on the hanger that way. Here is my younger daughter modeling her new dress
After she tried it on, I hemmed the yellow piece so that the dress would be shorter. When she's taller, I can let out the hem and she'll be able to wear it for longer.
Here's my second attempt:
The video was very helpful. It doesn't give measurements though. I figured those out on my own. The dresses are called pillowcase dresses because they were originally made from pillowcases for little girls. I believe they are similar to the flour sack dresses of old. I searched for sample measurements and came up with these for a size 6x dress: The top piece is 26" long and 18" wide. You need two of these pieces (front and back). You need one piece for the trim that is about 37" long (room for trimming) and 4 1/2" wide. This will give you a dress that is about 28" long. The armhole I cut was 4" long and 1 1/2" wide. The video shows a good example of how to cut these. I did fold my material in half to make sure the hole cuts match in size.
The first dress I made took me about 2 1/2 hours. The second about 2 hours, The third about 1 1/2 hours and the same for the fourth. The first dress took so much time because I needed to remember everything from the video and figure out the fabric measurements.
Tips I learned in the process:
1) I took the time to wash and dry the fabric first so that the dresses won't shrink. I made myself slow down and make sure to wash and dry the fabric before I started this project.
2) White thread on fabric that has a white background blends in. White thread on the red dress really showed up!
3) These are simple dresses so you don't need pins if you feel comfortable with eyeing things. But, if you feel better with pins, use them :)
I'm excited. I never thought I could make a dress for my girls. They were thrilled. The most challenging part was juggling making the dresses with the rest of my life. It was very stressful having the girls attempt to come in and out of the room where I was sewing and ironing. I am very anxious about one of my children knocking over my iron and getting burned. This morning I made my third and most of my fourth dresses while my kids were at vacation Bible school. I have to admit that this was so much easier. In the future, I am only going to work on these when they are in their rooms. When they are a little older, I look forward to teaching them how to make these dresses! But, I think that time isn't here yet. They need to be able to slow down and concentrate a bit more. They also need to be better at obeying my directions to a tee. There's no room for error around a hot iron!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Credit Monitoring and The Stuff Movies are Made Of
For the past year, we've had some very quiet neighbors living next door to us. The house was bought by a man who owns several properties and he rented it to a family of 4, sometimes 6 people. It was hard to know how many people were living there at any given time because they almost always stayed inside.
There was a mom, a dad, and 2 young kids 3 and 5 years old. There were two teenage boys who seemed to come and go. The mom and dad worked in the mortgage business. He said he worked on restructuring loans for the people struggling to pay their mortgages.
Two weeks ago, they suddenly packed up and moved. They told my neighbor they were moving back to where they came from one day and left 3 days later.
This weekend the landlord started cleaning out the place...that was full. It was as if they left their children's whole lives behind--baby pictures, wedding pictures, toys, figurines, furniture... The strange part is that they left here in a Uhaul--and made 2 trips. Does this sound like an episode of a drama on television yet or a 48 hours mystery?
It sounds very sketchy and strange to me. I'm not sure what the real story is, but I'm sure it's complicated. Honestly, whatever it is can't be good. It likely involves a lot of the yuckiness and troubles in this life.
There's a catch though, because my neighbor happened to process loans for people with troubled mortgages. The landlord said he is a skilled liar. That statement alone makes me very uneasy considering what he purported to do for a living.
I read a recent article in the Sun about some of the recent scams that have been pulled on people with troubled mortgages. One of the scams was that someone would offer to help them refinance or restructure their loan. They would give them a fake pay booklet and instruct them to stop paying their old mortgage company and to instead pay the new amount (based on the new, but fake loan) to another address given to them by the person who is restructuring/refinancing their loan. After missing a few payments, the bank that still held the loan would foreclose on the property and the property owner would lose the property.
There have been other scams that I've read about over the past few years, but this was the most recent one I remember.
So, what would you do if you found yourself duped? Or potentially duped? I've been reading the business section of the Baltimore Sun for the past 6 years and it's been surprising to me the little financial issues that I've begun to think about. (It used to be a much better and thicker section before the recession of course.) But, all that I've read gave me several ideas of what I would do.
#1 Get credit monitoring. If I'd given forms to someone and I didn't know where they were or what the status on them was, I'd make sure to get credit monitoring right away. There would have been a lot of personal information in those forms that would enable someone to easily steal my identity.
#2 Start a real refinancing loan or a restructuring loan via a bank. I would look for an organization that was financially backed and secure. I would begin this process quickly so that no one would step in and mess with my home. I would want to take control and know what was going on.
#3 I'd watch my back and be wary. I'd check my credit card and checking balances and stay on top of them. I would want to notice anything unusual right away.
I guess I'd be a bit paranoid, but I've already been the victim of minor identity theft as have other members of my family. I am naturally on my guard. My job is to protect my family. I hope that the situation for my former neighbors isn't as bad as I've imagined it might possibly be. This experience has reinforced the belief that I need to be observant and careful. You never know...
There was a mom, a dad, and 2 young kids 3 and 5 years old. There were two teenage boys who seemed to come and go. The mom and dad worked in the mortgage business. He said he worked on restructuring loans for the people struggling to pay their mortgages.
Two weeks ago, they suddenly packed up and moved. They told my neighbor they were moving back to where they came from one day and left 3 days later.
This weekend the landlord started cleaning out the place...that was full. It was as if they left their children's whole lives behind--baby pictures, wedding pictures, toys, figurines, furniture... The strange part is that they left here in a Uhaul--and made 2 trips. Does this sound like an episode of a drama on television yet or a 48 hours mystery?
It sounds very sketchy and strange to me. I'm not sure what the real story is, but I'm sure it's complicated. Honestly, whatever it is can't be good. It likely involves a lot of the yuckiness and troubles in this life.
There's a catch though, because my neighbor happened to process loans for people with troubled mortgages. The landlord said he is a skilled liar. That statement alone makes me very uneasy considering what he purported to do for a living.
I read a recent article in the Sun about some of the recent scams that have been pulled on people with troubled mortgages. One of the scams was that someone would offer to help them refinance or restructure their loan. They would give them a fake pay booklet and instruct them to stop paying their old mortgage company and to instead pay the new amount (based on the new, but fake loan) to another address given to them by the person who is restructuring/refinancing their loan. After missing a few payments, the bank that still held the loan would foreclose on the property and the property owner would lose the property.
There have been other scams that I've read about over the past few years, but this was the most recent one I remember.
So, what would you do if you found yourself duped? Or potentially duped? I've been reading the business section of the Baltimore Sun for the past 6 years and it's been surprising to me the little financial issues that I've begun to think about. (It used to be a much better and thicker section before the recession of course.) But, all that I've read gave me several ideas of what I would do.
#1 Get credit monitoring. If I'd given forms to someone and I didn't know where they were or what the status on them was, I'd make sure to get credit monitoring right away. There would have been a lot of personal information in those forms that would enable someone to easily steal my identity.
#2 Start a real refinancing loan or a restructuring loan via a bank. I would look for an organization that was financially backed and secure. I would begin this process quickly so that no one would step in and mess with my home. I would want to take control and know what was going on.
#3 I'd watch my back and be wary. I'd check my credit card and checking balances and stay on top of them. I would want to notice anything unusual right away.
I guess I'd be a bit paranoid, but I've already been the victim of minor identity theft as have other members of my family. I am naturally on my guard. My job is to protect my family. I hope that the situation for my former neighbors isn't as bad as I've imagined it might possibly be. This experience has reinforced the belief that I need to be observant and careful. You never know...
Shampoo and Conditioner
Back in June, I ran out of conditioner one morning for my hair. I'm one of those people that always has a spare in the closet. I don't like to run out. But, I had mistakenly bought a 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner (which doesn't work as conditioner). So, I was stuck. I had shampoo, but no conditioner. I wondered if I could use Suave or a more inexpensive conditioner. I have pretty plain hair. It's stick straight. I don't perm or color it.
So, I tried.
First, I tried Suave. I used it for a few days and felt like I was tearing my hair out. Every day, I found that my hair got rougher and rougher. I knew I had to get some new conditioner for my hair--fast!
I had been using Herbal Essences for about 7 years. Before that, P&G used to make a great shampoo and conditioner comparable in price to Suave that was as good as Herbal Essences. I've always saved the coupons for Herbal Essences, but this time when I ran out, I didn't have any. That was really what prompted me to think about Suave. Over the years, I've tried a few others like Dove (really watery), Tresemme, Aussie, Pantene... But, I've found that Herbal Essences works the best for my hair.
Since I still didn't have any coupons for Herbal Essences and I am quite stubborn, I felt determined to see if I could find something else that would work.
I discovered in my search of shampoo aisles that ShopRite carries a generic of Pantene. I also discovered that Costco has tried to make a generic professional shampoo and conditioner.
I tried both, but with so-so results. The generic Pantene was quite watery. I like conditioner that is thicker because it coats my hair better, goes farther, and I can use a smaller amount. The Costco conditioner works pretty well, but it has weighted my hair down so that it's flatter and straighter than normal. I am still using it because I didn't want to waste the bottle.
Over vacation, I used VO5 conditioner and I found that I had the same results with my hair that I did with the Suave.
Finally, some coupons came out in the paper for Herbal Essences and in the BJs coupon book!
With the combination of the two, I got a great deal on two large bottles (40 oz.) of Herbal Essences conditioner for $5 ($2.50/each). I did use coupon in July and get two large bottles (40 oz.) of Pantene Conditioner for $4 ($2/each).
In all this time, I had been using my herbal essences coupons at Target because they had the best price and I learned long ago, that using coupons on the smallest size is often a better deal than using the coupon on a large size item. So, I had never checked the prices at BJs using coupons (store and manufacturer together). It turned out to be a great deal and a much better value than buying them at Target!
I'm really looking forward to finishing up my Costco conditioner and getting back to my old Herbal Essences!
So, I tried.
I had been using Herbal Essences for about 7 years. Before that, P&G used to make a great shampoo and conditioner comparable in price to Suave that was as good as Herbal Essences. I've always saved the coupons for Herbal Essences, but this time when I ran out, I didn't have any. That was really what prompted me to think about Suave. Over the years, I've tried a few others like Dove (really watery), Tresemme, Aussie, Pantene... But, I've found that Herbal Essences works the best for my hair.
Since I still didn't have any coupons for Herbal Essences and I am quite stubborn, I felt determined to see if I could find something else that would work.
I discovered in my search of shampoo aisles that ShopRite carries a generic of Pantene. I also discovered that Costco has tried to make a generic professional shampoo and conditioner.
I tried both, but with so-so results. The generic Pantene was quite watery. I like conditioner that is thicker because it coats my hair better, goes farther, and I can use a smaller amount. The Costco conditioner works pretty well, but it has weighted my hair down so that it's flatter and straighter than normal. I am still using it because I didn't want to waste the bottle.
Over vacation, I used VO5 conditioner and I found that I had the same results with my hair that I did with the Suave.
Finally, some coupons came out in the paper for Herbal Essences and in the BJs coupon book!With the combination of the two, I got a great deal on two large bottles (40 oz.) of Herbal Essences conditioner for $5 ($2.50/each). I did use coupon in July and get two large bottles (40 oz.) of Pantene Conditioner for $4 ($2/each).
In all this time, I had been using my herbal essences coupons at Target because they had the best price and I learned long ago, that using coupons on the smallest size is often a better deal than using the coupon on a large size item. So, I had never checked the prices at BJs using coupons (store and manufacturer together). It turned out to be a great deal and a much better value than buying them at Target!
I'm really looking forward to finishing up my Costco conditioner and getting back to my old Herbal Essences!
What can you do when your hands burn?
Yesterday, we were at a church picnic with friends and the topic of jalapenos came up. What do you do when you've cut a jalapeno and your hands burn?
One of my friends said she'd looked online and found that if nothing works to take 2 benadryl and go to bed--sleep it off. I've done the same recently to cope at times with my outbreaks of hives.
Jalapenos and other peppers can really be a doozy. For me, plants can have the same effect on me. I have contact dermatitis so my skin is particularly sensitive. I have found something that works for me.
My dermatologist several years ago recommended cleaning my hands with Cetaphil. I found that Target carries a generic. When I have touched anything--a jalapeno, a plant, crabs with tons of Old Bay on them, I wash my hands as soon as I'm able to with Cetaphil. It has worked wonderfully for me. If I forget, as I did once last week, and just use regular soap I end up with burning or itchy hands. So, I really try to remember to use it. Honestly, I've been surprised at how well it works. When I bought the generic at Target about 2 years ago, the bottle I bought cost about $3.50. It may cost about $4 or $5 now, but it will last you quite a long time. I get my hands wet, put a quarter size amount in the palm of my hand and rub it all over for a minute or two and then rinse my hands.
So, if you're in the same predicament I am--try the generic Cetaphil.
I do also try to use gloves as much as possible. I wash my dishes with the pink lady gloves from Casabella. I save my coupons for Bed Bath and Beyond and buy a few pairs at a time. A friend recommended these to me about 5 years ago and they've been a lifesaver for my dishwashing! They do unfortunately have latex in them so if you are allergic to latex, as several friends of mine are, they won't work for you. But, if you aren't, they are great. I find that one pair lasts me several months. They're about $5 or $6 a pair at BB&B.
If you know any other good solutions for burning or itching hands, I'd love to hear what you've found works for you!
One of my friends said she'd looked online and found that if nothing works to take 2 benadryl and go to bed--sleep it off. I've done the same recently to cope at times with my outbreaks of hives.
Jalapenos and other peppers can really be a doozy. For me, plants can have the same effect on me. I have contact dermatitis so my skin is particularly sensitive. I have found something that works for me. My dermatologist several years ago recommended cleaning my hands with Cetaphil. I found that Target carries a generic. When I have touched anything--a jalapeno, a plant, crabs with tons of Old Bay on them, I wash my hands as soon as I'm able to with Cetaphil. It has worked wonderfully for me. If I forget, as I did once last week, and just use regular soap I end up with burning or itchy hands. So, I really try to remember to use it. Honestly, I've been surprised at how well it works. When I bought the generic at Target about 2 years ago, the bottle I bought cost about $3.50. It may cost about $4 or $5 now, but it will last you quite a long time. I get my hands wet, put a quarter size amount in the palm of my hand and rub it all over for a minute or two and then rinse my hands.
So, if you're in the same predicament I am--try the generic Cetaphil.
I do also try to use gloves as much as possible. I wash my dishes with the pink lady gloves from Casabella. I save my coupons for Bed Bath and Beyond and buy a few pairs at a time. A friend recommended these to me about 5 years ago and they've been a lifesaver for my dishwashing! They do unfortunately have latex in them so if you are allergic to latex, as several friends of mine are, they won't work for you. But, if you aren't, they are great. I find that one pair lasts me several months. They're about $5 or $6 a pair at BB&B.If you know any other good solutions for burning or itching hands, I'd love to hear what you've found works for you!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Making the Most of the Harvest
Every summer there's squash and cucumbers a plenty at our farmer's market. I have to admit that every week when I go to the market my eyes are bigger than my stomach, or rather my family's stomachs. Part of my problem is not knowing what to do with the squash and cucumbers.
This summer I have started using a cookbook that I've mentioned in a few other entries on this blog, Put 'em Up by Sherri Brooks Vinton. I've made some Asian Cucumber Pickles, Cumin and Coriander Beets, and Blueberry Vinegar. I know that if I have extras this summer--there's something that I can do with them.
I really was expecting this book to be mostly about jams and jellies. After all, that's what most people think of when they think of "canning" or "preserving". But, I'm so thankful that it's not! Instead, this is a cookbook all about how you can preserve the varied fruits and vegetables of your harvest.
The explanations, illustrations, and general information in this cookbook about how to can are great. They are easy to read, well formatted, and simple to follow. For someone like me who has a lot of questions when I try something new, most of the answers are here.
I did write a few weeks ago that I'd keep you posted about how my blueberry vinegar turned out. It turned out just fine. I used it in a salad dressing with tomatoes just the other day!
If you're looking for a canning cookbook that focuses on sauces, pickles, jams, jellies, and other toppings (there's even a lemon curd recipe!), I think this is a great cookbook. One way that I know whether I really like a cookbook is whether I continually want to come back to it. I've had this cookbook for two months now and it has been one that I've opened up numerous times--which says a lot to me!
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Storey Publishing.
I really was expecting this book to be mostly about jams and jellies. After all, that's what most people think of when they think of "canning" or "preserving". But, I'm so thankful that it's not! Instead, this is a cookbook all about how you can preserve the varied fruits and vegetables of your harvest.
The explanations, illustrations, and general information in this cookbook about how to can are great. They are easy to read, well formatted, and simple to follow. For someone like me who has a lot of questions when I try something new, most of the answers are here.
I did write a few weeks ago that I'd keep you posted about how my blueberry vinegar turned out. It turned out just fine. I used it in a salad dressing with tomatoes just the other day!
If you're looking for a canning cookbook that focuses on sauces, pickles, jams, jellies, and other toppings (there's even a lemon curd recipe!), I think this is a great cookbook. One way that I know whether I really like a cookbook is whether I continually want to come back to it. I've had this cookbook for two months now and it has been one that I've opened up numerous times--which says a lot to me!
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Storey Publishing.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Yeast Infections
This is a bit of an odd post, but it is a harbinger of what I suspect will be several future posts. I, like many women, have struggled with yeast infections over the years. Due to my recent bout with poison ivy and the antibiotics I took, I am faced with this challenge again.
I went to the Nurse Practitioner at my gynecologist's office yesterday. I learned that the Diflucan takes care of about 80% of all yeasts, but not all.
Basically, my best option to helping my body is to take sugar out of my diet. Sugar feeds yeast. So, I need to take my body off the sugar kick its been on.
Honestly, I've felt this coming for a long time. I have a good friend whose mother discovered that sugar was the contributing factor to her mood swings. When I heard her story, a seed was planted in my mind that sugar can have more of an effect on our body than we realize.
So, last night I felt I was faced with a choice: do I take the medication the NP prescribed to me or do I wait and see if I need it? Do I try to do something else? I am opting first to take out the sugar.
Here's what I've found works:
1) 3 Tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar in a pan with 2 cups of water. This is a good soak and wash when the itching. You can only use over the counter vaginal creams externally 3 or 4 times a day. This is a natural way to help.
2) The NP says that cranberry pills work for some. Not cranberry juice because of the sugar in it.
3) Probiotic/Activia yogurt works for some. Not everyone.
4) Drink lots of water to flush out your system. This is one I am horrible about and need to work on.
5) The final suggestion I've found is to take out the sugar. That's the one I'm trying now.
I'm going to be looking into what this means for my diet. I have requested a diabetic cookbook for review. I cut the amount of sugar in my coffee by half this morning--I couldn't quite do without it completely. I am realizing all the little ways that sugar is in the food I eat throughout the day. We'll see how this goes...
I went to the Nurse Practitioner at my gynecologist's office yesterday. I learned that the Diflucan takes care of about 80% of all yeasts, but not all.
Basically, my best option to helping my body is to take sugar out of my diet. Sugar feeds yeast. So, I need to take my body off the sugar kick its been on.
Honestly, I've felt this coming for a long time. I have a good friend whose mother discovered that sugar was the contributing factor to her mood swings. When I heard her story, a seed was planted in my mind that sugar can have more of an effect on our body than we realize.
So, last night I felt I was faced with a choice: do I take the medication the NP prescribed to me or do I wait and see if I need it? Do I try to do something else? I am opting first to take out the sugar.
Here's what I've found works:
1) 3 Tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar in a pan with 2 cups of water. This is a good soak and wash when the itching. You can only use over the counter vaginal creams externally 3 or 4 times a day. This is a natural way to help.
2) The NP says that cranberry pills work for some. Not cranberry juice because of the sugar in it.
3) Probiotic/Activia yogurt works for some. Not everyone.
4) Drink lots of water to flush out your system. This is one I am horrible about and need to work on.
5) The final suggestion I've found is to take out the sugar. That's the one I'm trying now.
I'm going to be looking into what this means for my diet. I have requested a diabetic cookbook for review. I cut the amount of sugar in my coffee by half this morning--I couldn't quite do without it completely. I am realizing all the little ways that sugar is in the food I eat throughout the day. We'll see how this goes...
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Another Chocolate Chip Cookie
I really like chocolate chip cookies.
I have a recipe that I've made for 20 years from my mom. It's my mom's version of Mrs. Field's Chocolate Chip cookies. I have another recipe that has oat bran in it. Another that you melt the butter for and chill the dough! Another that has oatmeal in it.... Can you tell that I like good chocolate chip cookies? Because I've made so many different cookie recipes over the years, I'm always surprised when I find another recipe that I like for a chocolate chip cookie.
On Friday, I made one. It was the Super Chip Cookies in Let's Get Together by DeeDee Stovel and Pam Wakefield. This recipe is a little different because it has more rolled oats than flour and includes some whole wheat flour--though you'd never know!
I have been trying out a few recipes from this cookbook over the past two months. My favorites so far are this chocolate chip cookie recipe and the recipe in the beginning of the cookbook for scones. Both are hits with my kids.
This cookbook was written by the authors as a collection of easy to fix recipes for when you're having company. The recipes are written simply and are easy to follow. The breakfast recipes are good standards. I've actually been looking for a good scone recipe for a few years. There's a wide variety of lunch, appetizer, and main dish recipes. The ingredients are mostly basic, but there are a few recipes with unusual ingredients like fennel, radicchio, and arugula. I did make one salad dressing that my family didn't like, but I should have realized that before I made it. I've found that after cooking so many different dishes over the years, I can tell from reading a recipe whether we'll love it or not. The salad dressing was iffy because of the proportions of the ingredients--it was too strong for us. The dessert recipes are surprisingly varied. The Super Chip cookie recipe is one of them.
I have to admit, though, that I did do a bit of substituting with the super chip recipe. I used semi-sweet (not bitter sweet) chocolate chips. I also substituted extra chocolate chips for the grated chocolate and pecans for the walnuts. That's me and the way I cook.
If you enjoy entertaining and want flavorful, but pretty easy to make food, this is a great cookbook. There aren't any pictures of what the dishes will look like, but the recipes are simple enough that you don't need pictures to successfully make the dishes. The recipe I'm still looking forward to making sometime soon is the blue cheese stuffed flank steak. I'm saving it for a special dinner with my husband the next time we have a reason to celebrate!
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Storey Publishing for review.
I have a recipe that I've made for 20 years from my mom. It's my mom's version of Mrs. Field's Chocolate Chip cookies. I have another recipe that has oat bran in it. Another that you melt the butter for and chill the dough! Another that has oatmeal in it.... Can you tell that I like good chocolate chip cookies? Because I've made so many different cookie recipes over the years, I'm always surprised when I find another recipe that I like for a chocolate chip cookie.
On Friday, I made one. It was the Super Chip Cookies in Let's Get Together by DeeDee Stovel and Pam Wakefield. This recipe is a little different because it has more rolled oats than flour and includes some whole wheat flour--though you'd never know!
I have been trying out a few recipes from this cookbook over the past two months. My favorites so far are this chocolate chip cookie recipe and the recipe in the beginning of the cookbook for scones. Both are hits with my kids.
This cookbook was written by the authors as a collection of easy to fix recipes for when you're having company. The recipes are written simply and are easy to follow. The breakfast recipes are good standards. I've actually been looking for a good scone recipe for a few years. There's a wide variety of lunch, appetizer, and main dish recipes. The ingredients are mostly basic, but there are a few recipes with unusual ingredients like fennel, radicchio, and arugula. I did make one salad dressing that my family didn't like, but I should have realized that before I made it. I've found that after cooking so many different dishes over the years, I can tell from reading a recipe whether we'll love it or not. The salad dressing was iffy because of the proportions of the ingredients--it was too strong for us. The dessert recipes are surprisingly varied. The Super Chip cookie recipe is one of them.
I have to admit, though, that I did do a bit of substituting with the super chip recipe. I used semi-sweet (not bitter sweet) chocolate chips. I also substituted extra chocolate chips for the grated chocolate and pecans for the walnuts. That's me and the way I cook.
If you enjoy entertaining and want flavorful, but pretty easy to make food, this is a great cookbook. There aren't any pictures of what the dishes will look like, but the recipes are simple enough that you don't need pictures to successfully make the dishes. The recipe I'm still looking forward to making sometime soon is the blue cheese stuffed flank steak. I'm saving it for a special dinner with my husband the next time we have a reason to celebrate!
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Storey Publishing for review.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
New Email Scam
Email Scams are funny things...I get a lot of junk mail in my email. I've had it since the internet began. I have never responded to any of the scams. I'm pretty guarded.
A friend of mine got this email over a month ago and since she has genuinely gotten emails about daycare previously, she responded.
Here's the email:
A friend of mine got this email over a month ago and since she has genuinely gotten emails about daycare previously, she responded.
Here's the email:
Hi,
My name is Greg Mason and my wife's name is Jenny Mason we are both busy parents, we are blessed with 2 Children 1 boy and 1 girl, the boy's name is James 7 years old and the girl's name is Mary 3years and six months old.
We are relocating to your city , I want our little Daughter to enroll in your day-care as soon as we arrive there on 5th of August. Let me know what time your day care opens in the morning and what time is the closing hour, how many days a week does your day care work?
and what is your price per hour?
NOTE: PLEASE I NEED YOUR AREA ZIP CODE TO BE SURE THAT YOUR DAY CARE CENTER IS NOT FAR FROM US.
Thanks
My name is Greg Mason and my wife's name is Jenny Mason we are both busy parents, we are blessed with 2 Children 1 boy and 1 girl, the boy's name is James 7 years old and the girl's name is Mary 3years and six months old.
We are relocating to your city , I want our little Daughter to enroll in your day-care as soon as we arrive there on 5th of August. Let me know what time your day care opens in the morning and what time is the closing hour, how many days a week does your day care work?
and what is your price per hour?
NOTE: PLEASE I NEED YOUR AREA ZIP CODE TO BE SURE THAT YOUR DAY CARE CENTER IS NOT FAR FROM US.
Thanks
She did email back and forth a bit but things got fishy and that's when I went fishing on the internet. I found forms of this email on two different websites: http://www.dogwalker.com/possible-scam-email-being-sent-to-dog-walkers/ and https://daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?p=119538
My friend tried to be guarded about it. I'm thankful that the internet helped me figure out that it was a scam.
Be on your guard, my friends!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Enchiladas
When my husband and I first got married, I started making enchiladas. I grew up in Southern California eating a lot of Mexican food. Usually my family ate tacos, though, not enchiladas. My husband and I found that we enjoyed them a lot. Then, we realized that the sauce I was using (from a can) had MSG in it.
No more enchiladas for us.
It was only a few years ago when my husband gave me the America's Test Kitchen Family cookbook. I found that it had an easy enchilada sauce in it. I found this recipe online that includes the sauce I make:
http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2008/03/essentials-easy-enchiladas-recipe.html
For a filling, I often use ground beef sauteed with minced onion and cheddar cheese, or chicken, black beans, and cheese (jack or cheddar).
To make the sauce, I saute the onion in the oil. Then, I add everything for the sauce to my Vitamix blender. Since it spins it so fast, it cooks the sauce. If you're using a regular blender, just blend the ingredients and then add them back to a saucepan to cook for about 5 minutes before you use the sauce.
I find that this is a very mild sauce (use mild chili powder) and my kids will eat it. They actually enjoy dipping tortilla chips in it too. I'm so thankful enchiladas are back on our family menu!
Sunflowers
In our backyard, I planted some sunflower seeds. This picture is what they look like in my backyard right now. The largest one is getting ready to bloom. It has amazed me to watch it grow. I simply planted about 10-15 seeds in the dirt. The stalk on the largest one is probably an inch and a half in diameter. It is probably at least 6' tall--it's taller than me!
The rest of my garden has had mixed results this summer. I planted the wrong beans--bush, not pole beans, so I didn't use my space wisely by my trellis. My zucchini plant died as did my cucumbers. My tomatoes have many on the vines, but they are taking time to ripen. The small ones are ripening fine, but the larger ones are getting a bit of rot on the bottom--a common malady for tomatoes so I need to look up how I need to treat that tomorrow. My raspberry plants are growing, but they won't bear fruit until next year. My basil is doing well, but not thriving. We've had a few banana peppers and jalapenos which My husband has enjoyed. I haven't pulled up any of the onions yet, but plan to soon.
This is a picture of one of the small sunflowers that has already bloomed.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Blueberry Vinegar
This book has given me a lot of ideas for what to do with vegetables and fruits I normally have no idea what to do with.
The week before last I made some pickled beets with cumin and cloves. I did not have cumin seed and cloves, so although the author encourages no substitution, I hoped my substitutions were okay. I used cumin powder and ground cloves instead. My husband was very pleased with the results and they stay in the fridge for 3 weeks.
Yesterday I made two special errands. The first was to pick fresh blueberries. The second was to pick up canning supplies at a Mennonite store near the blueberry farm. The blueberries were easy to pick and thankfully there were plenty left. My luck at the other store was good, but I didn't find everything I needed. Some of the recipes in this cookbook require Pomona Universal Pectin. The store carried several types of pectin, but not Pomona. I have found it online, but you have to buy a larger quantity at one time and pay for shipping. I have read on several websites that it is a good pectin to work with. But since it isn't readily accessible here, I've decided to stick with the recipes from this cookbook that do not require the pectin.
Today I made some blueberry vinegar. It was a very simple recipe. I put the vinegar and blueberries in the blender and blended them until they seemed, well, blended. I am supposed to shake the container once a day for the next 5 to 7 days, strain out the solids, and then it should keep for a year.
I'll let you know how it turns out! So far, I like this cookbook. It has a wide variety of recipes and does include many jam recipes that don't require pectin--they are longer cooking recipes rather than quick cook jams and jellies.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Thoughts on Netflix
Yesterday, I received the mass email that Netflix sent out about raising their monthly rates for current subscribers come September 1, 2011. When Blockbuster closed most of their stores and discontinued their monthly watching service, I knew Netflix didn't have much competition. So, when I got the email about the increased prices, citing of course increased costs, I just wasn't surprised. When Hulu changed their movie service to a fee for service, I also wasn't surprised. Everybody wants a bigger profit.
But, the reality is this: Netflix is a want not a need. The plan I was on will increase from $10 a month to $16 a month. I have known all along that Netflix is a time and attention sucker for me. In a way, the rate increase was a blessing to me because it forced my hand. It compelled me to do something I probably should have done a long time ago.
I cancelled my subscription.
One thing Netflix seems to be forgetting is that most networks broadcast their shows weekly on the internet the day after the television airing. So, both shows I watch through the summer can be seen on the internet--for free.
When NPR reported the rate increase this morning, I was pleased that it was getting coverage. The reporter even interviewed an analyst who explained that Netflix was basically doing this out of a desire for greater profit, because they have no competition. The man basically confirmed what I had immediately thought when I received the email yesterday.
My husband pulled back from watching movies several months ago. We also cancelled our cable service back in March. This move on my part will be good for me. I will be more efficient with my time on the computer and less distracted. That extra time will be time I can spend doing the things I should be doing rather than being wasted by watching on the internet. And one blessing is that I will be saving money to boot!
But, the reality is this: Netflix is a want not a need. The plan I was on will increase from $10 a month to $16 a month. I have known all along that Netflix is a time and attention sucker for me. In a way, the rate increase was a blessing to me because it forced my hand. It compelled me to do something I probably should have done a long time ago.
I cancelled my subscription.
One thing Netflix seems to be forgetting is that most networks broadcast their shows weekly on the internet the day after the television airing. So, both shows I watch through the summer can be seen on the internet--for free.
When NPR reported the rate increase this morning, I was pleased that it was getting coverage. The reporter even interviewed an analyst who explained that Netflix was basically doing this out of a desire for greater profit, because they have no competition. The man basically confirmed what I had immediately thought when I received the email yesterday.
My husband pulled back from watching movies several months ago. We also cancelled our cable service back in March. This move on my part will be good for me. I will be more efficient with my time on the computer and less distracted. That extra time will be time I can spend doing the things I should be doing rather than being wasted by watching on the internet. And one blessing is that I will be saving money to boot!
Thoughts on Netflix
Yesterday, I received the mass email that Netflix sent out about raising their monthly rates for current subscribers come September 1, 2011. When Blockbuster closed most of their stores and discontinued their monthly watching service, I knew Netflix didn't have much competition. So, when I got the email about the increased prices, citing of course increased costs, I just wasn't surprised. When Hulu changed their movie service to a fee for service, I also wasn't surprised. Everybody wants a bigger profit.
But, the reality is this: Netflix is a want not a need. The plan I was on will increase from $10 a month to $16 a month. I have known all along that Netflix is a time and attention sucker for me. In a way, the rate increase was a blessing to me because it forced my hand. It compelled me to do something I probably should have done a long time ago.
I cancelled my subscription.
One thing Netflix seems to be forgetting is that most networks broadcast their shows weekly on the internet the day after the television airing. So, both shows I watch through the summer can be seen on the internet--for free.
When NPR reported the rate increase this morning, I was pleased that it was getting coverage. The reporter even interviewed an analyst who explained that Netflix was basically doing this out of a desire for greater profit, because they have no competition. The man basically confirmed what I had immediately thought when I received the email yesterday.
My husband pulled back from watching movies several months ago. We also cancelled our cable service back in March. This move on my part will be good for me. I will be more efficient with my time on the computer and less distracted. That extra time will be time I can spend doing the things I should be doing rather than being wasted by watching on the internet. And one blessing is that I will be saving money to boot!
But, the reality is this: Netflix is a want not a need. The plan I was on will increase from $10 a month to $16 a month. I have known all along that Netflix is a time and attention sucker for me. In a way, the rate increase was a blessing to me because it forced my hand. It compelled me to do something I probably should have done a long time ago.
I cancelled my subscription.
One thing Netflix seems to be forgetting is that most networks broadcast their shows weekly on the internet the day after the television airing. So, both shows I watch through the summer can be seen on the internet--for free.
When NPR reported the rate increase this morning, I was pleased that it was getting coverage. The reporter even interviewed an analyst who explained that Netflix was basically doing this out of a desire for greater profit, because they have no competition. The man basically confirmed what I had immediately thought when I received the email yesterday.
My husband pulled back from watching movies several months ago. We also cancelled our cable service back in March. This move on my part will be good for me. I will be more efficient with my time on the computer and less distracted. That extra time will be time I can spend doing the things I should be doing rather than being wasted by watching on the internet. And one blessing is that I will be saving money to boot!
Thoughts on not wasting food...
Peer pressure is a powerful thing. It can be good and bad. Often it is a good thing.
Two weeks ago, I went over to a friend's house and took fixings for PB&J sandwiches for my kids along with bananas. My kids were horrible about wasting a lot of their sandwiches. I don't usually force my kids to finish their food when we're guests in someone else's home. But, I could tell by my friend's face and gentle words that she didn't want to waste it, so she put their leftovers out for the birds. Her reaction made me pause and think.
Last week, we went to visit my mother in law's home for a week and over the years, I've realized that it is very important to her as well not to waste food. So, I paid close attention to what my children were given and ate or didn't eat off of their plates. I don't usually give them too much food, actually. I give them the amount that I've seen them eat before. The problem is that sometimes they eat it--and sometimes they don't!
So, I took a different approach yesterday. I have never been a mom to cut off crusts. I figured that that was just wasting food from the beginning. But, the problem I have faced has been how to get them to eat those crusts! The lunch menu at our house yesterday was PB&J or Ham & Cheese and watermelon balls, with water to drink. Instead of giving them a whole sandwich as I usually do, I gave them each just a half. I also gave them 5 watermelon balls. My deal with them was that they could only have more watermelon if they ate all of their sandwich--which meant all of their crusts. My oldest daughter who loves food easily ate her whole sandwich and had a second serving of watermelon. My second daughter who is my pickiest eater successfully also ate her sandwich, though it took her much longer. My son, who is an on again off again picky eater, was the slowest. But, he did succeed! All sandwiches, crusts included were eaten. Interestingly, no one asked for a second half or complained of being hungry. I do use homemade whole wheat bread so it is filling, but I still thought it was interesting that one half was enough.
My conclusion is that I think I've been wasting a lot of bread for the past year! I am encouraged by what happened yesterday. I am going to try and be consistent about starting out with smaller sized servings and then giving second servings, rather than larger ones to begin with.
I know the reward approach isn't fool proof though. Dinner did not go well with my pickiest eater because of the one piece of squash I wanted her to eat. And that's the way it is in our house--some meals are easily eaten by my daughter and others are not. At the end of the day, it did get eaten. But, I keep pressing on! I suppose I should celebrate the little successes and be encouraged by them!
Two weeks ago, I went over to a friend's house and took fixings for PB&J sandwiches for my kids along with bananas. My kids were horrible about wasting a lot of their sandwiches. I don't usually force my kids to finish their food when we're guests in someone else's home. But, I could tell by my friend's face and gentle words that she didn't want to waste it, so she put their leftovers out for the birds. Her reaction made me pause and think.
Last week, we went to visit my mother in law's home for a week and over the years, I've realized that it is very important to her as well not to waste food. So, I paid close attention to what my children were given and ate or didn't eat off of their plates. I don't usually give them too much food, actually. I give them the amount that I've seen them eat before. The problem is that sometimes they eat it--and sometimes they don't!
So, I took a different approach yesterday. I have never been a mom to cut off crusts. I figured that that was just wasting food from the beginning. But, the problem I have faced has been how to get them to eat those crusts! The lunch menu at our house yesterday was PB&J or Ham & Cheese and watermelon balls, with water to drink. Instead of giving them a whole sandwich as I usually do, I gave them each just a half. I also gave them 5 watermelon balls. My deal with them was that they could only have more watermelon if they ate all of their sandwich--which meant all of their crusts. My oldest daughter who loves food easily ate her whole sandwich and had a second serving of watermelon. My second daughter who is my pickiest eater successfully also ate her sandwich, though it took her much longer. My son, who is an on again off again picky eater, was the slowest. But, he did succeed! All sandwiches, crusts included were eaten. Interestingly, no one asked for a second half or complained of being hungry. I do use homemade whole wheat bread so it is filling, but I still thought it was interesting that one half was enough.
My conclusion is that I think I've been wasting a lot of bread for the past year! I am encouraged by what happened yesterday. I am going to try and be consistent about starting out with smaller sized servings and then giving second servings, rather than larger ones to begin with.
I know the reward approach isn't fool proof though. Dinner did not go well with my pickiest eater because of the one piece of squash I wanted her to eat. And that's the way it is in our house--some meals are easily eaten by my daughter and others are not. At the end of the day, it did get eaten. But, I keep pressing on! I suppose I should celebrate the little successes and be encouraged by them!
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