Sweet sundays

It's just before 9 here Sunday morning and it is an absolutely gorgeous Sunday here. There is sunshine (a rarity here these days). The leaves are turning and there is a smattering of them across my lawn. It feels like a great day to go for a walk and appreciate the little moments of the fall.

Yesterday was a busy day. DS1 had a hockey meeting then a game, which together, ate up most of the day. DS2 had a Scout Bottle drive which went from 9 AM to 3 PM. thank god for divide and conquer parenting.

For the bottle drive, all the scout/cub/beaver members and their families are expected to show up. The fees for scouting at the beginning of the  year go to head office, not the local groups, so the bottle drives twice a year are our fundraiser for all the local activities. We take two postdated cheques of $100 each from each scout family at the start of the year. If they show up for bottle drive, they get one of the cheques back. ditto for the spring one. It helps ensure someone from each family shows up.

It always amazes me how many bottles we collect in our wee community....bags and bags that won't go in the landfill.

Yesterday was also payday which is my favourite day of the month. The good news is that just before payday, I was able to go to the bank with 800 lovely dollars and top off the rest of my RRSP goal for the  year. Hello completed goal and pretty fulfilled sidebar. wheeee

It also means then that the $400 a month that was dedicated to the now goal filled RRSP, EF and XMAS fun, can be syphoned into extra money on the vehicle loan, at least for the Sept 25, Oct 25 and Nov 25th cheques.  That makes me very very happy.

I will start moving money into the 2011 goals starting at the end of December.  I guess it's almost time to start thinking about what I want to do for 2011. wow the year has gone by fast.

Woo hoo it's finally here!!

Well it's been two months since I ordered it but my couch is finally here. It arrived on Tuesday. It was great to go down and put the balance on my Credit card (for the airmiles) knowing that I am going to the bank today to pay it off with the cash that I saved up for it.

However it was not all joy and giggles. Getting the darn thing into the basement was a nightmare. I am glad DS1 is old enough and strong enough to do the heavy lifting. We took the legs off and managed to get the first piece down the stairs but getting it around the corner into the recroom was a big challenge. We had narrow space to work with. It took about 20 minutes of shifting and angles to get it in there.

Then came the second piece. Larger. With the joining part so it was much harder to work with.

We had to take the door off to the house to get it in through there. Good times. We haven't had that door off in awhile and those pins were stuck tight. When we finally got it down the stairs, it became apparent that it was not going to make that turn. The extra length and the sides put us about 6 inches too large to get through as we played angles. We tried this way and that. high and low. rotating it. We got it stuck a couple times in the narrow hall as we tried to turn and approach the door differently.

Apparently asking my husband at that point "you DID measure before I bought it like I reminded you???" was a bad idea. Furniture moving, furniture assembly and hanging wallpaper = reasons to divorce.

At one point he dropped it on DS1 as DS1 was wriggling under it (as per his father' s instructions) to move into laundry room to lift that way. Nothing broken on his arm, but close.

I finally called my dad. He's really good at reading angles and such. I promised him he would not have to lift....just give us directions or tell us it was impossible. After all, he's 74 and shouldn't be lifting tons. He's stubborn however and really hard to tell not to do something.

We got it in. He saw an angle we hadn't seen in the heat of the moment.

Thank god for dads!!!

It looks really good down there. There's tons of room to sit and it's very comfortable. The cats were excited beyond belief and took no time at all deciding where they wanted to sit when the boys were down there.

Was it wrong that when I went downstairs this morning to change a load of laundry and chase DS1 upstairs to the shower, that I said good morning to the couch? lol

After 6 weeks of sitting on the floor, the boys are very much appreciating the luxury of a couch. DS2 says I feel like I'm so high up!! I say 'well anything is higher up than the floor darlin' LOL

It's bought.It's paid for. It's mine! wheeeeeeeeee

Weekend This and That

It's been absolutely crazy this past week. Like being tied to a treadmill and it just keeps getting faster and faster.

It was a short work week. 3 days. Our school was gone out of town for a teacher conference for Thursday and Friday. There were a ton of people there. Lunch was provided but transportation, parking and overnight(for those who chose that option) were on our own. It wasn't a bad conference...not the worst I've ever been to by far. I came away with some things I want to try this week in my classroom. Still, being away from 6 AM to 5:30 PM including drive time, really puts everything behind at home.

Thursday night when I got home I had enough time to head to facebook to reply to a few birthday greets and then it was off to watch DS1 play  hockey. Birthday supper was rink fries and a mocha. mmmm rink fries :-)

Friday night by the time I got home I was exhausted. I had picked up a lovely cold sometime Wednesday that was blossoming and blooming so it was early to bed for me. Apparently I was out like a light so obviously I needed it very badly.

Saturday was catch up day. A few 'run here run there' errands, including one to Walmart to pick up some of the great sales they had. I was not alone. It was like Christmas shopping and I could see how a good case of cart rage could  develop.

Some much needed house cleaning was done including re-arranging some furniture downstairs to accomodate the sectional which is coming soon to a house near me on Tuesday or Wednesday. The boys are very excited to know it's on the way.

I had to wrap my head around Grade 10 Math for awhile yesterday. It truly is a species all on it's own. I hope he catches on to it or it's going to be a steep learning curve for mom as he and I learn it together.

today is a mishmash of things. DS1 is at a referee clinic, so he can hopefully make a bit of cash here and there to pay for gas for his car. With his hockey schedule, a regular teenager part time job isn't really an option if I still want  him to get his homework done and sleep sometimes. ah well, we shall find our way.

Then DS1 heads out of town for hockey and DS2 and I will stay at home, so I can supervise his homework and then go to my mom's for a small, belated birthday supper. Somewhere between I have to grocery shop and get some schoolwork done.

I really need to get myself back on Weight Watchers. It's been the only plan I've ever had success with, though I will be the first to admit that each new time I go on it, it is progressively harder and harder to stick with. Alas I have not only blew my goal of losign 40 lbs out of the water, I have gained. I am at a highest ever so I guess it is time to get moving.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Ok now I am offended

*chuckles* Last one of these I will post but please do note what I've enlarged and put in bold.

Dr. Patrick Mensah,
Regional Manager,
Zenith Bank Ltd,
Kumasi Main Branch,
Adeabeba, Ahodwo Road,
Kumasi, Ghana.
I got your contact during my search for a reliable, honest and a trust worthy person to entrust this huge transfer project with. My name is Dr. Patrick Mensah, I am the Regional manager of the above mentioned Bank In the Northern region of Republic of Ghana.

I am a Ghanaian married with two kids. I have contacted you so that this transaction can benefit the both of us, knowing you are advanced in age with the fear of God, but if you are not willing to get involved in the Deal, do not REPLY THIS MAIL, as you will never hear from me again.

I am writing to solicit your assistance in the transfer of Us$12,500.000.00USD.This fund is the excess of what my branch in which I am the manager made as profit during the last year. I have already submitted an approved end of the year report for the year 2009 to my head office Here in Ghana and they will never know of this excess. I have since then, Placed this amount of US$12,500.000.00 on a suspense account without a beneficiary.

As an officer of the bank, I cannot be directly connected to this money thus; I am compelled to request your assistance to receive this money into your bank account.

I intend to part 40% of this fund to you while 60% shall be for me. I do need to stress that there are practically no risk involved in this. It is going to be a bank-to-bank transfer. All I need is for you to stand as the original depositor of this fund.

If you accept this offer, I will appreciate your timely response. Note that you are free to come to Ghana for confirmation.

With Regards, DR. PATRICK MENSAH.

sigh I mean really...just because it's my bday tomorrow and I'm now over 40.....lol

On the bright side, I've an invitation to go to Ghana to confirm things.

ok i'll be good and not throw these up anymore. Just made me chuckle

There goes another $500

I went last night to sign my sun up again for his band program. They meet in the evening once a week. They also meet 2 noon hours a week for practice. He absolutely loves the program and even moreso, the conductor. They did a lot of great things last year concert-wise.

The painful part was the payment tonight. The cost??? $500

Here's how it broke down:
1) cost of the program - $150
2) cost of the instrument rental - $150
3) fundraiser payout - $200

ouch

The program is well worth the fee.

The rental...well it's cheaper than when I used to rent one out of the city.

The fundraiser payout - well it's either work 8 bingos (5 hours each) for $25 a shot, or payout $200. That's saying my time is $5 an hour.

On their own, each component isnt' bad at all...but together, it bites!! hard.

sigh. ah well. good thing I saved up for this.

Rounding up for Ronald MacDonald house

Our local grocery participated in a Round up for Ronald MacDonald house for a month. It started sometime in August and wrapped up last week. Customers, whether paying in cash, debit or credit, were given the option to round up to the nearest next dollar and that change would go to the charity.

It seems like such a small amount to give. I mean at most, it's 99 cents per visit. While your pockets don't fill with change, it's a rather non threatening way to donate money. No one is going to knock on your door or call and say 'our books show that you gave to our cause last year....how about this year too?"

If you pay via debit, it makes that bank statement look slick with zeros :-)

I wonder if they will let folks know how much this store was able to contribute during that one month period? It would be nice.

Where the money stands

Debts
Mortgage - $36 195.18
Vehicle Loan - $ 20 191.55
Total Debts - 56 386.83

Savings
EF - $2000
XMAS 2010 -$1000
RRSP = $700
Total Savings - $3700


Planned Savings
RRSP Portfolio - $1000
RESP - $1755

Another extra payment bites the dust.

I hit the bank yesterday to pay down another extra payment on the principal of my vehicle loan. Though the teller each time is different, they seem to know what I am talking about when I ask to do that....that's a huge bonus :-)

Since I started being in a position to make extra payments on this loan in late spring, I have knocked 5 payments. With the interest I have saved, I knocked an additional one off, bring the total to 6 payments gone.

The loan was originally due to be finished June of 2014. I have now happily brought the final payment into 2013. December of 2013 to be precise. I know, I know, that is a lifetime away. My DS1 would be at Christmas of his first year of University at that point.

My goal is to get this paid off before DS1 graduates from High School which is June 2013. Given that I am in a position (knock on wood) right now now to continue to make both the regular payment and an additional payment each month, this goal is quite achievable.

Still, the darn loan is over $20 000. It's been 15 months and I haven't yet paid off 10 grand. I am just under at about $9500 paid off. It would have only taken about $200 to get it under that $20 000 point but I just can't swing it this month.

I will have to be patient and wait until the beginning of Oct to get that rush of accomplishment.

P and G free samples

I 'think it's only Canadian but I am not sure.

The new free sample kits are available.

I went here to request mine.

P and G free samples

Labour Day Monday

There's a slow, steady rain outside while I curl up in the quiet house in jammies, with a cup of coffee. It's rained most of the night. Rather typical weather for SK's labour day long weekend. This extra day off is like sneaking one more thin slice of cheesecake after the company has gone.

It's been a busy one. DS1 has been playing hockey; a camp one more level up in the Junior A level. He did well. Not outstanding. But well. He made two cuts and now gets to travel with the team for the annual labour day rookie game against a community about 2.5 hours from here. The travel time for hockey is what kills you. Load the bus at 2 to get there by 5 to warm up, to play at 7:30, to drive back home and arrive just before midnight. With his reg team this year as well as this team, it's definitely not allowed to ride the team bus. Ah where did those days go when I used to have to go in the dressing room and get him ready, one layer of equipment at a time.

Since his father's off work this week on holidays, he's going to drive down and I will stay at home with DS2. DS2 couldn't give a rat's *ss about hockey so we try not to make him go more than we have to LOL

DS2 is getting ready for his investiture with Service Scouters. We got the call with the info yesterday and we go in to the city next weekend. DS1 plays hockey in the same city then too so we will divide and conquer and make sure there is family at both events to celebrate their successes.

and moi? well I did a mess of  cleaning and laundry this weekend between runs with the children. DS1 had a report on the Hound of the Baskervilles (a report in the first week of school!! LOL)  I actually have never read it so I blissfully could not offer much advice beyond making sure he sticks to the criteria of the assignment and ensuring he wrote a powerful opener. DS2 has been avoiding eye contact when I ask about homework so I'll have to tackle him this morning when he gets up and crack the motherly whip. Nothing worse than homework that is 'suddenly due' at the last moment on a weekend.

I also began the process of setting my mother up on face book. Mom is almost 70 and while they have a computer, she doesn't even  know how to turn it on. She protests she's not smart enough to do it, but you dangle a few hollow threats about what great pics of her new great grandson are on there, and suddenly she's (reluctantly) willing to try.  Can't tell me she can make buns as light as air and a piecrust that melts into your mouth and yer not smart (her words) enough to log in online. mmmm homemade buns and pie. man my diet's gone to h*ll in a handbasket.

I will give DS2 the responsibility of biking over there every couple days and forcing her to log in and then she will see it's not that hard.

and what will I do? I will happily read some blogs I got behind on this week. Work really interferes with my blog reading :P  I will finish the bed linen laundry. I will shop for some groceries for the week. I will do some  of my school work, either here at home or I will go to the school.

and I will bake something. This is baking weather. something........................cinnamony and..........................pumpkiny. mmmmmmmm nothing like the smell of baking on a grey, rainy day.

Heh gotta love spam

I haven't had one of these in ages. I love in particular the last paragraph where they get angry at me for having wasted their time :P

Dear Beneficiary,
RE: SWIFT TRANSFER OF US$ 1.5 MILLION ACCURED INTEREST INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.

I am Dr.Patrick Mensah the Head of Treasury Department ,HSBC BANK ACCRA GHANA in our bank, your over-due contract /Legacy funds was brought to our bank from all African Apex Bank, THIS MONEY WAS TAKEN BACK to the Federal Government Treasury for the period of time this money was in our bank. It generated an Accured Interest which we considered your long suffering/delays with WEST AFRICAN bureaucratic government officials. your name was brought to our bank as one of the unpaid beneficiaries whose funds has not been paid.

The World Bank auditors, International Monetary Fund (I.M.F) and other Monetary agencies resolved the issue in London after one week meeting and decided to pay you this accured interest funds via Swift Telegraphic Wire Transfer(KTT) into your designated account.

What we need from you now is any form of your identification for example,Your International Passport number or Your driving license number, Then your Telephone and Fax number for easy communication Your account information.

As a matter of fact we don't have enough time to waste since we have wasted time in contacting our respective customers, so try and comply with the entire necessary requirement for remittance.

We await your prompt response.

Best Regards,
Dr. Patrick Mensah
Head Of Treasury Department.
Hsbc Bank Ghana

who wants to go shopping with my money from the Bank of Ghana ????? lol

I have to giggle

It's now been 2 weeks since our garage sale. Two weeks of there being no couches/chairs downstairs where the boys hang out. We're waiting the arrival of our sectional. The store said to check in at the beginning of September so I called today. Not in yet. Check back again in 2 weeks.

meanwhile my poor poor children are sitting on the floor downstairs.

This is the best possible thing that could have happened. (  I say that now, hoping this sectional isn't forever coming in).  If we had went straight from one couch to the next, the new one would have been taken for granted.

This way, the boys are missing having something to sit on. They are appreciating the one we had before, and they will appreciate the one coming in.

The routine is now engrained

....of my fake weekly payday.

I am a once a month paycheque kinda girl. End of the month to be precise. Before I was Gail Vaz Oxladized and went on her budget and jar system, I really hated those last two weeks of the month. The money was gone. I had spent willy nilly and it was hard to make it through to the end of the money, before I made it through the end of the money.

When I went on the jars I had to decide what my 'weeks' would look like as I divided up my month. I couldn't go with the simple 'once a week' option, like say every Friday. as that leaves me with a few days each month with zero dollars.

So I took the variable option.  I just curl up with my big calendar and added one day to each week until I ended up with a normal week at the end of the month. That makes most of my pay weeks about 8 days long. I indicate each weekly 'pay day' with a lil star on the calendar.

For example. I got paid Wednesday, August 25th, or Week 1 as I call it. Week 2 is on Thursday, Sept 9th.  Week 3 starts Friday Sept 17th and then payday comes around Saturday Sept 25th.

I started with this about 18 months ago. It takes me about 10 minutes to go through the year's calendar, figure out my 8 or 7 day weeks, star them and I'm good to go. I just got my new "Mom's Helper" calendar last week so this morning I will star up the weeks until next fall.

What is great about it, is that I now 'see' myself as getting paid once a week.  I know what day I get paid the new weekly jar money. I know how long I have to make it last and I know that I will have another payday in about a week.

It makes it soooo  much easier than when I used to have to make the money last all month. So much more manageable. so much more freeing.

It might now work for everyone, but here at the Money Tree House, it makes my world run so much better.

Potions and Lotions

One thing clutter cleaning really does is remind you of what you have, and how much of it there is. In the days before work started, when procrastination really set it, I cleaned. Procrastination brings in some of my best cleaning moments LOL

I went through my stuff and found heaps and oodles of potions and lotions. Still. I mean I went through this last year and was on a crusade to ' use up'  the things I had. But the stock has crept up again and it's time to get serious.

Use up provides 2 things for me:
1) I dont spend money buyinig things I think I need, but really already have 12 of.
2) I clear out clutter in my house.

What all do I have ?
hand lotions and body creams. body wash and body scrub with the lil exfoliators in it. More facial cleaning pads and make up removal pads than any girl should have. foot creams and under eye creams. crest white strips. lil shampoos and conditioners.

Most of these things, I don't think I purchased. You pick them up here and there. Hotels. freebies. gifts. None of them are so special they need to be  hung onto until the queen comes.

So that is my September mission - use up as many of these products as I can and clear up space in my world.

PS - My time with the Arbonne test kit has come to an end. I will miss it very much. I absolutely love the products.