I Wanted A Fresh Start

The biggest reason I decided to move to Arizona last year was because I felt, at the time, I needed a fresh start.  A whole new chapter in my life in a whole new place.  I was so excited about it.  My children were excited too.

It didn't happen.

In spite of all my best efforts and good intentions so many weird things happened to us last summer that kept impeding our ability to go.  Everything from strange delays beyond my control to mechanical trouble.  There was even a flash flood at one point.  After awhile I began to feel I was meant to stay here.  It wasn't until I finally conceded to that idea that things began to settle down but it still took me awhile to get there.

Looking back at my posts just over a year ago when we set up our new to us RV and moved into it I sounded like I was fine with the way things were going.  I have to admit I was so pissed off.  I did not want to be here.  I wanted to be somewhere else.  I wanted my fresh start.

I remember after the girls went to school one morning and I was sitting at the table, drinking my coffee and shopping on Craigslist for a bigger pickup truck.  I was still thinking I was going to get out of here.  As I scrolled through all the listings I heard this colossal boom just to my right and I knew exactly what that was.  I didn't even want to go outside.  But I finally did.

One of the four tires on the trailer had just suddenly blown out.  Not just a little blow out either.  We are talking major.  Do you think God was trying to tell me something?  I think He was serious.  I needed to stay here.

Why?

For months I tried to figure it out and as the weather got colder and we dealt with sub zero temperatures, power outages and frozen water lines I got more and more irritated.  The more irritated I got the more crap kept happening.  And then finally I got a clue.

I stopped being irritated and started to seriously embrace what I had and where I was.  I know I drove my one of poor friend's nearly out of his mind but he stuck it out knowing I'd come to terms with things.  More than once he told me to just calm down and get my shit together.  He was so glad when I finally did.  And guess what?

Everything is okay.  I'm okay, my kids are okay.  My friends still love me.  Not a single one of them has said "sure wish you had moved".  And I gave them plenty of reason to feel that way, I'm afraid.  I was not a happy camper.

Life is great.  It really, really is.  And I'm finding I didn't have to move out of state to get my fresh start because I'm getting it now.  Finally. 

And I'm excited too.

Welcome Home

Over Labor Day weekend we moved back into our house.  It wasn't what we had originally planned but I have to admit I'm happy it has worked out this way.  We had planned one more year in the RV and then moving into a different place when the girls were at a point that they would both be changing schools.  However, as I know all too well, plans change.

When I picked up July rent from my tenant she informed me she was having money troubles and was concerned about paying the rent.  Her roommate had lost his job and wasn't able to help her at all.  She also shared a few other financial worries she was having.

After talking with her some more I proceeded to issue her a 30 day eviction notice which was actually six weeks.  In Idaho, this is the way to legally take back your home once you have rented it to someone.  It sounds meaner than what it actually is.

As it turned out she couldn't make rent in August so I had to cover the mortgage in addition to our regular monthly expenses.  This is why having an emergency fund was so important to me.  It literally saved my hide.

When my tenant moved into the house fourteen months ago she bought my front loading washer and dryer from me.  She agreed to leave it for me in good shape and working order as remuneration for the rent.  I agreed and that has worked out well for both of us.

On Saturday we packed away the fragile stuff and loaded up our RV.  Sunday morning we got up early to flush the holding tank and disconnect the water, power and sewer lines.  A friend of ours hooked up the trailer to his truck and brought it to the house.  He backed it into the driveway so I am able to unpack and move in at my leisure.  It was the smoothest and easiest move I have ever made.  After all the crazy crap that happened last summer I am incredibly grateful.

Our longtime next door neighbors were extremely happy to discover we were back.  There were lots of hugs.  It was the best welcome ever.  We have our work cut out for us.  Tenants rarely take care of your home the way you do so we'll be busy. 

I am so grateful to my friends for taking the time to help me out and get us moved on to the next chapter in our life.  Thank you my dear friends!!!!!

50 Years! Not Possible.

I turned fifty years old today.  Not quite sure how that happened but here I am.  I don't feel fifty.  I don't think I look fifty.  But yet, I am.  So in the spirit of fifty glorious years on this earth I thought I'd share fifty highlights about me and my life with all of you.

1.       I was born in 1964 in the great state of Washington in a suburb of Seattle called Redmond.  I have never been in the Space Needle because I am afraid of heights.

2.      I graduated from high school in 1982.  I attended a year of college, dropped out, went to tech school and graduated with a certificate in Optical Technology.

3.      I always wanted to be a nurse, but didn't have the stomach for it.

4.      I got married and divorced.  I have been divorced for 27 years.

5.      I have had four children.  I gave birth to two of them and adopted two.  My oldest son died as an infant after being born with a serious heart defect.  My second son is an adult, married and made me a grandma.  They live in Colorado.  As you know my girls are younger and still live with me.

6.      I have lived in Idaho most of my life.  I have also lived in Oregon on two separate occasions.

7.      I have worked predominately in the eyecare or accounting field.  I am currently still in the accounting field.

8.      I own my own house.  I've had it nearly 20 years now.  Wow!  Doesn't seem possible.

8.      I love my children more than anyone else in this world.

10.    I have been to Mexico four times Japan and China twice, but never Canada.  I want to visit Europe.  And Canada.

11.     I have been to Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Montana, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.  Oh, and Idaho.

12.     I love to go camping.  I've long dreamed of having a little cabin in the woods.

13.     My favorite actor is Antonio Banderas.  It has little to do with his acting abilities.

14.    I love chocolate, red meat and red wine.

15      I prefer vegetables to fruit.

16.    My favorite color is black.

17.     I have held the pink slip to every car I have ever owned.  My RVs too.

18.    My first big crush was Paul Michael Glaser from Starsky & Hutch.  I plastered my walls with pictures I cut out of Teen Beat and Tiger Beat magazines.

19.    I have been alive during 6 different decades.

20.    My favorite foods are Mexican, Asian & Italian in that order.

21.     My favorite athletes are Ken Stabler and Michael Jordan.

22.    I met Ken Stabler in 1979 at a Raiders football game when I was fifteen.  He didn't say much.  Neither did I, for that matter.  No, I didn't get an autograph.

23.    My favorite classic car is a 1969 Pontiac Firebird.  Black of course.

24.    I was 10 years old the first time I was paid to work.  I babysat.  I charged 50¢ an hour.  A year later I upped it to $1 an hour and cleaned their house too.

25.    I was 12 years old when I owned my second business.  I mowed lawns.  I would tie the mower handle to my bicycle seat with a piece of rope and put the gas can handle over the handlebars.  I charged $3 per yard.

26.    I was fourteen the first time I got a job.  I addressed and stuffed envelopes for a furniture store in downtown Boise one summer.  I also worked for my father in his construction business.

27.    I played the clarinet.  I started in fourth grade and stayed with it until I graduated high school.  I can still play.

28.    I love music.  I listen to it every day.  My favorite band is Queen.  I cried when Freddie Mercury died.

29.    I love to cook, bake and keep a nice house.

30.    I can sew, embroider, knit (sort of) and crochet (simple stuff).

31.     I still play with my dolls.  I have a collection.  Mostly I just make clothes for them.

32.    I can fix a lot of stuff.  I can build stuff too.

33.    I like power tools.  My favorite tool is my miter saw. Oh, and my hammer my dad gave me for my birthday one year.

34.    My best friend in the whole wide world is my grandma.  She died in 1999 and I miss her every day.

35.    I love kitty cats.  And chickens.

36.    I have always wanted to be an author ever since I was a little girl.  I never told anyone until about a year and a half ago.  I have written several novels no one knows about.

37.    I published my first novel last year.  I am getting ready to publish my second one very soon.

38.    I am really good with computers.  Not so much with cell phones, VCR/DVD/DVR players or hooking up gaming consoles.  I've never recorded anything on TV because I could never get it to work.

39.    I absolutely HATE snakes.  They super creep me out.  I'm fine with spiders.

40.    I have no desire to win the lottery or be rich.  Most people don't believe me.

41.    I have never smoked pot or done drugs.  However, I have consumed plenty of alcohol.

42.    I have never been arrested.  I have never had a speeding ticket (knock on wood).

43.    My biggest pet peeve is people who blame others for their problems or make excuses.

44.    I can't stand bullies or mean people.  I have a zero tolerance level for that crap.

45.    I met Bruce Willis at a bar in Sun Valley, Idaho.  He was really nice and shorter than I expected.  He and I are the same height.

46.    I drink my coffee black.  I like my tea plain.  My favorite tea is Earl Grey.

47.    I can't stand watermelon.

48.    I have three piercings (in my ears) and no tattoos.

49.    I beat up a boy in high school (a football player) and got sent to the principal's office.  He was expelled and I got sent back to class.

50.    I have a big heart and I care about a lot of people.  I'd do almost anything for a friend in need.  However, I have difficulty letting people get close to me or accepting help from others.  I am still working on that.

So there you go.  How about that?!

In fifty years I'll post a list of 100 things about me.  We'll see where we all are when that happens.  J

Last Week's Thrifty Moves

We had the craziest busy week last week with very little time to do much of anything other than be thrifty.  Believe me!

A friend of mine brought me a stack of coupons from her Sunday paper she had saved for me.  She is awesome that way.  I cut out several for items I have on my September grocery list.  Yaaay!

I worked overtime all week so I will have some extra money on my next paycheck.  Hurray!

We finished off our pantry challenge and bought we did no grocery shopping last week in the process.  Another Hurray!

I did not need to buy gas or propane.

I did some online bargain shopping which I am eager to tell you about in a separate post next week.  I am so thrilled.

I made a gelatin and canned fruit salad for our potluck lunch at work using ingredients I already had in my pantry.

I needed to replace our kitty box and found the best price online at Amazon for $19.98 plus free two day shipping so I bought it.  It is a nice vented covered one because no one wants to see that. J

Our meals this week included Teriyaki Chicken & Rice on Sunday, Steak Sandwich on Monday, Pork Verde & Rice on Tuesday.  We polished off the last of the verde in the freezer and the last of the rice in the pantry, Grilled Chicken Sandwiches on Wednesday finished up the chicken and some hoagie rolls in the freezer, a chili & cheese omelet on Thursday used up some beanless chili in the freezer.  I added a can of kidney beans to what was left for our lunches.  Friday we had sandwiches and Saturday we were invited over to friends for dinner. 

How did you manage your thrifty week?  Any great buys?

Menu Plan - September

I made my menu plan for the month of September.  Because I had nothing in the pantry and freezer to base my plan from after clearing everything out this month I decided to go with things we hadn't had for awhile as well as some of our favorites.

This is what I came up with: 

• Beef Tacos
• Spicy Romano Chicken
• Cobb Salad
• Roast Chicken (from the deli)
• Vegetarian Quiche
• Pot Roast & Vegetables
• Tomato Basil Soup & Bell Pepper Quesadillas
• Pasta Bolognese
• Veggie Stir Fry & Rice
• Chicken Noodle Soup
• Pesto Pizza
• Chicken Enchiladas
• Meat Loaf
• Chinese Chicken & Cabbage
• Creamed Tuna & Biscuits
• Breakfast Hash
• Burgers & Fries
• Beef Barley Soup
• Swedish Meatballs
• Enchilada Stack
• Wiener Wraps & Tater Tots
• Eggs Benedict
• Pork Fried Rice
• Italian Black Bean Soup
• Chicken Broccoli w/ Rice
• Mushroom Pasta Alfredo
• Beef & Bean Burritos 

I am planning to make big batches of the soups as well as extra burritos so I can freeze some.  The roasted chicken carcass will be simmered with celery, onion and carrot to make broth.  When I make pizza I also plan to make extra dough to freeze.

Hopefully I will have the time to get back to baking bread again.  I really enjoy doing it and you just can't beat the taste of fresh bread right out of the oven. 

It all sounds pretty delicious to me.  What great things are on your menu for the month of September?  I'm always looking for new ideas so please share.

Christmas All Year Long - Christmas Candles

I love to burn candles especially at Christmas time so candles are usually something I give as gifts.  Last year I found some wonderful candles at the dollar store.  I am hoping to have the same luck this year too.

Sometimes inexpensive or discount candles aren't very good.  Either the fragrance isn't really fragrant or they won't burn right because the wick isn't inserted straight up and down or the wax burns too hot and the wick lays over and then gets buried.  To make sure I buy a couple to try out and if they are good then I go back and get more.

I find that vanilla scented candles are a good safe bet, unless I know for sure that someone enjoys a particular scent like cinnamon.  I myself can't burn cinnamon candles because it bothers the inside of my nose and makes it sting so I like to be sure before I buy someone a strongly scented candle.

I will usually tie a pretty ribbon around the glass jar the candle comes in to dress it up a little.  I saw on Pinterest once that someone had added some artificial holly leaves and berries which looked really nice.  I may have to try that sometime.

Do you enjoy candles at the holidays?  Do you give them as gifts?

Last Week's Thrifty Moves

I have embarked on a whirlwind crazy week this week that started quite early so I wasn't able to get my usual post up on the blog this morning.  But, better late than never.  Right?

Last week I watched a TV show on Hulu and a BBC mini serious Lady Chatterley on YouTube.  Both programs were free.  I also listened to music on YouTube.

We continued to eat primarily from our pantry and freezer.  I shopped for lettuce, spinach, a package of tortillas and a half gallon of milk to round out what we had in our pantry and freezer.  I also bought a package of hotdogs to use up the last of our hot dog buns.

We gave our kitchen scraps to the neighbor's chickens.

Pantry meals this week included stroganoff by using up a package of ground beef, half an onion, a large can of cream of mushroom soup, some sour milk and rice for Sunday dinner.  Monday I used up the last ball of dough in the freezer, the mozzarella and the rest of the sauce I had set aside to make a cheese pizza.  Tuesday we polished off the last of the stroganoff.  Wednesday we had hot dogs for supper.  Thursday I used up a package of ground turkey, a package of fideo pasta and a can of diced tomatoes and made up a batch of Sopa Seca.  Friday we thawed out a bowl of beanless chili and made nachos.  Saturday we finished up the leftover Sopa Seca.

Not much going on last week in the thrifty department.  How was your thrifty week?