Monkey Mama*s Monkey Money Blog

Current Tally:

Lunch In: 10
Lunch Out: 1

Tuesday
---------
Breakfast - apple sauce, mixed nuts, water
Lunch - tuna + cheese (@ home, per LM's request. Dh doesn't do tuna!), soda, farm picked cherries
snacks - cookie provided by work

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Yesterday:

Lunch In: 9
Lunch Out: 1

Monday
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Breakfast - apple sauce, water
Lunch - salad, soda
snacks - peanut m&ms

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Yesterday I brought in a ton of food (some freezer stuff, some dressing, etc., etc.). I actually wasn't very hungry and didn't eat much at all yesterday.

Dh picked me up 2 cases of 8-oz. sodas, so I brought that in today. I think I am good for June!

I need to work on the eating out. I thought dh and I would have a date "in" today, but forgot he is working a shift at Scholastic.

I do need to get together with a client for lunch. I always eat in - I need to work on some eating out (social).

I am also meeting a friend tomorrow after work, so I think it's less likely I will meet my goal of eating out 4 times this month.

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The last few days have been spendy. I ordered some new sunglasses, signed BM up for "summer camp," and reserved a hotel room in Denver (pre-paid).

We have 2 huge coupons so asked dh to get the oil changed in both vehicles (we go once every 6 months - mine is due and his is due in a month - but worth it one month early for the discount).

I need a haircut - has been 5 or 6 months. My massive amounts of hair are driving me nuts with this heat - chop chop chop.

The funny thing is I wanted to get my hair chopped before our camping trip (not sure when I will have time???) BUT just heard there is still snow on the ground. Maybe I will be glad to have the hair. The unusually cold winter/spring means a cool camping trip, I am sure.

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Dh "worked" all day Saturday and used his Scholastic voucher to bring home a giant box of books yesterday. Probably no need to buy any kid gifts for the rest of the year. (More than books - some toys, games, etc.)

So, our new super grocery whatever Target just opened.

Dh went to check it out. He said he noticed that the very few things he buys at Safeway were a better deal there. So, he is very happy! (Probably shops primarily at Bel Air, secondarily at Target (generic cereal, cat food, laundry detergent, etc.) and Safeway when he has to. Hehe). So, narrowing it back down to 2 stores, is good. Though I think it is good to go in all the stores once in a blue moon. Safeway used to have much better pricing on bulk things - just all phased out since the recession has hit. As such, it's easy to see that things change rapidly, and your best bet is to keep your options open.

(I still find it funny how many people assume Bel Air is some expensive store when it's like the cheapest store around, as far as we can tell. But yes, it is super nice too, as the name hints. Win-win).

This is probably temporary, but they don't have scales? I asked him to pick up some bananas, if the price wasn't bad. (He bought some last night and didn't know we had already devoured them - LOL. Gone in 12 hours?). Anyway, he said he grabbed a bunch of the biggest bananas he could find, because they were "19 cents per banana." We were talking about how odd that was, until I said, "They must not have scales at the checkout lines." I then googled it to see if that was standard. Not at all... So, lord knows when we will get scales. As long as they have big produce, could be deals to be found. The bananas were not a bad deal at all! I suppose if things are picked over, and only small fruits and veggies left - not so good. This whole thing makes me curious about the rest of the pricing. Maybe they just found it easier to price the bananas that way - I am not sure. (I since found that banana price is common in Targets in California. Saw 19 cents per banana at some other ones. Maybe they have scales, after all).

**Dh wasn't planning to make dinner (we've got oodles of leftovers), and I remembered I still have some red-potatoes left. I made this recipe a week or so ago - was simple, but delish!

Roasted Potatoes with Thyme & Garlic

http://southernfood.about.com/od/bakedroastedpotatoes/r/r903...

They even re-heated decently. So, decided to whip up for tonight. Heck, I could go for these for a main course.

**Dh bought his "Father's Day" monitor. It's like, HUGE! He is happy though. (Me too - it is nice to get rid of old monstrosity. The screen is huge, but it takes up WAY LESS space than our ancient monitor.) One down, two to go?. I am hoping for some energy savings...

**Not always, but sometimes the kids are really great at making like minded friends with like minded parents. I mentioned that dh really hit it off with LM's little girlfriend's dad. SO, today LM (& all of us) were invited to go pick cherries on their family farm. This meant a bit of a drive, and some good old fashioned fun. BM and I were stuck with work and school. But, the other boys had a blast. Dh got to meet the missus, and said we would all be getting together soon.

Actually, the only other person I can think of, we were friends first, and our kids are like bosom buddies. I suppose it goes both ways. But, friendships like this seem to happen about once every 5+ years, with our anti-social tendencies. So, this could be interesting.

We got some fresh picked cherries and radishes out of the deal. BM brought home garlic from the school garden, today. It was a bountiful day.

**That said, we have quite the social calendar this weekend. I am going to a friends' sales party (I know I know - I probably shouldn't go, and am considering it more a playdate. I literally don't expect to buy anything - and don't expect that will be hard. To not waste my money on crap. ).

Actually, the main reason I said yes, was since I can only stay an hour anyway. I can cut out before it gets obnoxious.

**Feeling guilty that our neighbor has yet to ask us to babysit in return (the whole babysitting swap thing was her idea), I invited them over for dinner. They haven't decided yet. I haven't thought ahead to what we will cook if they say yes.

**Tomorrow is the annual community BBQ - I suppose it is put on by the HOA. We will get an afternoon of free food and waterslides/bouncy houses for the kids.

& that makes for an unusually social 3 days or so.

Ah, but CHEAP. But for a grocery run, don't foresee particularly spending anything.

**It doesn't stop there. I've got a work dinner next week, dh has a reunion, and then we are doing the family camp thing in Tahoe (which is a very social thing).

I am going to be exhausted once June is over! But, I can't say it is boring!

**Seems like everyone is done with school this week. Facebook was filled with preschool/kinder/1st grade graduation pictures... BM has another week and LM "graduates" preschool on the last day of June.

It just hit me that I will have a Kindergartener in exactly 2 months. Oy vey! Will be here before we know it. What's more crazy? Having a second grader, or a Kindergartener? *sigh* The end of an era... A hard one, but a GOOD one!

**The kids' party RSVPs are rolling in. So far it seems their best friends are planning to come, while the bajillion other people in their classes haven't responded. I can only hope it stays that way; that I don't have to double the size of the party, but that all their favorite friends show up. Will see!

Current Tally:

Lunch In: 8
Lunch Out: 1

Friday
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Breakfast - apple sauce, water
Lunch - salad, chicken nuggets, soda
snacks - TBD

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Today I brought in a salad for lunch. Grabbed some chicken nuggets (from freezer) for some protein.

Dh bought some frozen pizzas on sale, so I brought them in today, to store in the freezer.

I will have to run to the store to stock up on soda. I think I have one more can left. I have settled on the 8-oz cans. Regular cans are just way too much, and I can't control myself with the 2 liters. So it's my little treat. This weekend, I will to stock up for the rest of the month.

Anyway, back to the salad. I made up a big lettuce, red cabbage, carrot salad. This one didn't keep so well in the fridge - not the lettuce anyway. Last night, I shredded more cabbage and carrots, and stored that in a bowl in the fridge. I tore off some lettuce from the remaining head of lettuce, for dinner last night, and lunch today. That seems to be working well. I also keep chopped green onions separate, to sprinkle on top.

SO, today I went for lettuce, cabbage, carrots, green onions, and some spinach dh had leftover from cooking.

I actually didn't bring any dressing - thought I may find some in the fridge (like fast food salad dressing). I found some but wasn't sure how old it was so, took a bit of someone's "Creamy Cesear" dressing. Okay, now I am hooked! I will buy my own to keep in the fridge. I justified it because I have BBQ sauce and all sorts of stuff I don't care if people use sparingly (will take forever for me to get through, alone). So, it was a good way to find a new flavor. Yummy! I will find out whose dressing it is and make sure they know they can have my BBQ sauce, or salad dressing, any time.

I sometimes bring things in little plastic tupperware type containers (dressing or sauce). But, lately, more and more, I just bring in a big bottle and keep it at work - it's easier that way. Less to pack and deal with. Though I don't want to be too much of a fridge hog, either... So, BBQ sauce and salad dressing, + a couple of cold sodas, is probably good.

Current Tally:

Lunch In: 7
Lunch Out: 1

Thursday
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Breakfast - apple sauce, cake (brought in by someone else!)
Lunch - Chinese/Japanese/sushi Buffet (lunch date!)
snacks - bread, banana

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**Yesterday was really nice. The public TV station had their annual volunteer appreciation dinner, which is always really nice. However, it usually gets pretty long-winded on the awards and stuff. Last night they set up a photo booth with silly props (we took some hilarious photos), some blackjack tables, and Beatles rockband. We kind of walked in and said, "This is interesting." But, we arrived a little late, had time to eat, mingle, and play. & they did a good job doing the rewards in a little more compact time frame. Made for a more fun evening than usual. (Though no complaints - they ALWAYS do a good job).

I, won a t-shirt!!! I probably hadn't bought a t-shirt in 15 years, and had been trying to replace some older ones. So, I put all my raffle tickets in the t-shirt pile, which no one else really wanted. Score!

All that sad, dh's hearing has become more trying, with time. I think initially he has seen it as no biggie. But last night I had to keep directing him to people who were trying to address him. I said, "If I weren't with you, people would think you were RELALY rude!" He's got a learning curve ahead of him. He really just hasn't done many social situations like that. I know he will adjust...

While it was nice he sat with his good ear to me, this meant he couldn't hear anyone else who was talking to him. Next time I should probably take the "bad ear" side.

With the neighbor insisting to take the kids, it was a nice FREE night!

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**In other news, we got our Denver airline tickets. I've never not had time off approved, BUT felt it was prudent to check with the boss before I bought tickets. Anyway, got approval when I asked, but when I went online to book the tickets, prices had gone up a bit. $16 per ticket (which adds up fast with 4 of us!!). I considered the 11pm arrival (original price), but decided to just go with the higher tickets. I think it is MUCH preferable to get home at 8pm on a Sunday night. We can probably bum a ride home at that hour, anyway. & allows some leeway for delays and such. 11pm was just pushing it too much. (I am also used to avoiding late flights like that because the main airport we usually fly out of has a curfew. Nothing like a delay that means you can't fly home until the next day!). I did have to tell myself - "At least there isn't a curfew!" But, it was still hard to justify. If I am spending a bajillion dollars, what's another $64???

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**I did something crazy. I actually bought glasses online. (After wondering if everyone is out of their minds). Actually, my goal was to buy a nice pair, in -person, and to order some online, and compare.

That said, I hadn't gotten around to buying proper glasses, while I had gotten around to ordering some online glasses.

My experience was hit and miss, but I think I am an online glasses convert...

Before I made the purchase, I scrutinized the reviews and looked up any advice I could. I was still skeptical, but gave it a whirl.

The awesome tips I read were how to measure my PD (dh helped me) and how to measure your existing pair of glasses as a starting point (never would have thought of that!!). That was excellent advice.

I have been resistant, because I have had my current pair of glasses for 6 years, and was last told I didn't need a new prescription after 4 years. (i did get one though). I also got a really nice high quality pair of glasses. To wear every day for 6 years, what am I going to complain about. I'd rather pay for some real quality.

BUT, I left my optometry appointment with the impression that I was heading into "new every 2" year glasses route. This made me a lot more open to try these online glasses.

Anyway, I dutifully measured my glasses and looked for something as similar as possible.



Sure, you could find really cheap glasses for $8, but I Wasn't overly impressed with those. These looked closest to what I already owned. "We shall see!"

They were $19 plus $5 or so for anti-reflective coating (which I read mixed things about the quality).

I then ordered another frame (maybe $10?) and paid about $10 for anti-reflective coating and a dark sunglass lenses.

Shipping was $4.95, so my total was about $50.

Fast forward a few weeks, and my glasses finally arrived. My prescription had changed so much, that it was rather obvious when I put on my new glasses that they were eons above my old pair. I could still due the "buy in person and compare quality" test, but overall, for my purposes, I think I am good. I suppose it was good I was lazy!

The quality of the pair of glasses were GREAT. They actually were extremely similar to my old pair, which had cost something like $250 (or was the retail, anyway).

They fit great, and no complaints...

I only have 2 minor complaints. The little diamond on the side looks REALLY cheap. Much nicer in the picture. But, not a biggie unless you look up close.

I can see what people mean about the anti-reflective coating. It's not terrible, by any means, but it is noticeable. If I look in the mirror, the glasses can look a little green. I notice green/rainbow out of the corners of my eyes at time. Nothing I can't live with to save $100-$200. Not as bad as many of the reviews alluded to.

Now, onto the sunglasses. I did buy a plastic pair, since I don't wear sunglasses very often. Didn't mind going cheaper.

Bad bad bad purchase! I tried to go for similar measurements, but was a very different frame shape. For one, it looks terrible on me. Secondly, they look cheaper/more slapped together than my kids' toy sunglasses.

I am not overly impressed in that area. I do have a pair of sunglasses lying around somewhere that I really like. SO, I may try again and go with the measurements/shape from that pair. My other alternative is just to go kind of boring and get a second pair of the same glasses, with sun shades. That would be the cheapest solution. I know I would like them at least. But it does defeat some of the purpose of online glasses - how you can buy a few cute pair of sunglasses real cheap. Eh.

I will probably just go that route, because I wasn't impressed with the plastic shades, that is for sure. It's like you could see all the glue around the lens. The metal ones just looked much higher quality (& I hope this means that they are!!)

Anyway, I have been wearing my new glasses a few days. I wanted to give them some time before I shared the results!

I suppose, if I am happy to wear the same style of glasses forever (which I probably am), then I found a very affordable eyeglass solution. I suppose I could go try on frames in the store, and carry measuring tape, as another alternative. For now, I just welcome the chance to save money.

Current Tally:

Lunch In: 7
Lunch Out: 0

Wednesday
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Breakfast - apple sauce
Lunch - Salad, pizza (leftovers)
snacks - TBD

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Yes - leftover pizza counts. It was take and bake ($5.99???). It's our "go to meal" when we have guests over.

I am not particularly craving a meal out or anything, but dh and I decided we better get out tomorrow. His free days are dwindling, with school out next week. So, tomorrow we are going out for sushi/buffet.

If we think about it, we should take advantage next Tuesday, too. BM's last day of school is on Wednesday!

We could totally meet at home or pack a lunch and meet somewhere, but eating out is as rare as getting a date. I look forward to eating out, and just paying for two of us.

(That said, we have a dinner date this week and one next week. Very unusual!) Maybe we will just eat in next Tueday. Probably don't need all that restuarant food. But, I still look forward to tomorrow... Tomorrow is just the 2 of us!!

Current Tally:

Lunch In: 6
Lunch Out: 0

Tuesday
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Breakfast - apple sauce, granola bar
Lunch - Tuna with cheese
snacks - banana, dried cranberries, cheerios

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We were spoiled the last 2 years by a reasonable private swim instructor at our pool. Cheap, GREAT, and so convenient!!!

BM is completely fine. HE could maybe learn/improve with group swim classes. HE doesn't really need anything at this point.

Poor LM. Though he can be very timid, he is VERY gung ho with the pool. No fear, but any swim skill he had was forgotten. (Last year, he went from fearful to little fish, in just 4 days).

I was going to probably just sign up the kids for group city lessons. But was thinking about it today. I kept telling everyone the private lessons were really more effective, so cheaper in the end any way. If you only have to take one week of classes every summer, to become a sufficient swimmer...

SO, I decided to look what is around.

Interestingly, a client of ours, offers year round indoor pool lessons.

It's $150 for 5 lessons (I think it was $100 for 4 lessons, with our other instructor).

It's a bit out of the way, but being indoors is a big plus. I remember melting outside, last time BM took group lessons in July.

So, now I just have to sell dh.

I think LM needs enough learning that it will be worth a week of private lessons.

OF course, while there, it's probably worth it just to sign BM up, too. Might be his last year of instruction. I am sure LM will learn faster this year, and maybe could be his last year too - if he practices all summer.

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There is also a dirt cheap summer camp at the park down the street, that BM really wants to go to. We were wary last year, with the heat in summer. (I suppose it is cheap because it is outdoors??). BUT, heard great things about it.

They might not have enough people this year, so decided to go ahead and sign up. Will aim for 2 weeks at $30. It equates to less than $1 per hour. Kind of hard to beat. I suppose it's not a huge loss if it gets 100+ degrees and we decide to keep him home some days, too. Dh and I are still not sold that outside is the best place to be in the summer. But we aren't from here, either. The kids are used to it I suppose.

4 Out Of 5 Real Housewives Of Atlanta Are Actually Broke

http://jezebel.com/5110249/4-out-of-5-real-housewives-of-atl...

Will The “Real Housewives Of Orange County” Suffer Now That Everyone’s Broke?

http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-will-the-real-housewives-o...

Of course, this one is the doozy:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37572292/ns/today-entertainmen...

"According to court documents filed on October 29, 2009, the two are $8,709,831.34 in debt and claim a yearly income of only $79,000. They also receive $120,000 a year in “assistance” from family."

If you've seen the show, they are the most extravagant of the extravagant. Holy Crap!!!

(Half of that $79k income is from the show!!!)

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I share, because we all have seen how unreal TV can be. In sitcoms, blue collar families are often shown to live in upper class homes or seem to afford upper middle lifestyles. There are a slew of articles on that subject.

But then you enter the "real" rich people of the world. & in the end it's just fake fake fake.

I had a strong feeling all along.

I can't find it anywhere, but the first episode of "Real Housewives of OC" started with a statistic that the median household income in this community was something like $500k. I don't remember what the figure was, but it sure as hell wasn't $1 mil +. It might have been $200k or $300k.

Meanwhile, the whole show is about people who clearly are living $1 million + annual lifestyles.

I know the masses are generally clueless. $200k sounds like the riches of the rich - you could afford anything, right? Well, I live in the cheapest area of the state of California, and have many clients who make in the $200k-$500k range. None of them could afford these lavish lifestyles. Buy a house, pay your incomes taxes, and you can do well (don't get me wrong), but you ain't dropping thousands of dollars here and there like it's nothing, either. IF you live in SF or LA, pfffft. Housing costs are insane - income taxes are high.

I was so caught up in the middle class income figures they tried to pass off as "wealthy elite," that I hadn't even thought too long and hard about how much debt these people must be in.

WOW!!!

Poor naive dh told me that this was a good opportunity for these women to get real, on TV.

Pffffft.

I told him that they would just find more rich/successful men. That is definitely the pattern for most of them.

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On the flip side, maybe it is all very real. A relative of mine married into some money. The family does have real money, but the part she married into was on the verge of bankruptcy and foreclosure. They'd fit in real well on these TV shows.

Current Tally:

Lunch In: 5
Lunch Out: 0

Monday
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Breakfast - cheese, water (lost track of time)
Lunch - salad, chicken nuggets, soda
snacks - cake, on the boss!

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Today I packed a salad, some cheese, and a big cup for water. + Banana and a granola bar (in case I had run out). Still lots of food stored around the office.

I mostly skipped breakfast, which wasn't planned. I realized when the hunger hit around noon. Not good!

I made a big salad yesterday - chopped lettuce, shredded purple cabbage, shredded carrots, and chopped green onions. I had cut up some radishes, but BM ate them all yesterday! As long as there is space in the fridge, the home made salad is working our splendidly. (Dh is into those prepackaged salads, but they are too drenched in dressing for my taste). Obviously, chopping up our own veggies is much cheaper, and it has been keeping well in the fridge. I just toss it in a large bowl and keep a wet paper towel on top to keep it moist. Top with some plastic wrap, and the last cabbage salad kept a good week. We eat through it fast, anyway.

What I forgot is some pepperoncinis. A local buffet place keeps slicing them up and keeping them in the salad bar. O.M.G. I love them, but had never seem them sliced up like that. I keep forgetting them for the salad - adds so much flavor.

I have been more into the salad thing with the bigger food processor. All the shredding makes for tasty/easy salads.

Maybe next week we can do spinach and sunflower seeds. It's easy to mix it up.

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Yesterday I worked out pretty hard. I figure today may be a decent night for a walk to the park, after work. (Though it may be on the hot side).

We had been wanting to get a basketball, and I spotted them on sale at Walgreens yesterday. So, I got one and if we luck out with an empty basketball court, we can try it out tonight.

Ooooh, I also spotted pistachios on sale. I ran in for some "needs," and came out with pistachios and a basketball.

The basketball felt "meant to be." I wouldn't have even thought to look there - we had just been talking about getting one the night before.

Ah, what a weekend. Strangely I feel refreshed... Busy, but not too busy, somehow.

**Kids were bouncing off the walls so sent them outside the last couple of mornings. We don't do that enough. Was a HOT weekend, but was so nice and cool in the mornings.

**Annual International Festival for BM's school. It's like the most culturally diverse school district in the country (maybe 2nd). Needless, to say, they put on one hell of an International Festival every year. We took $40, and only spent $20. We ate quite a feast, the 4 of us. A great deal for some good home made cooking, of all wonderful kinds.

The only long lines were for the sno cones. Lord, was it HOT!!! We were buying drinks every few minutes it seemed. We saw that line, and had to buy more tickets for the sno cones. Decided to leave and get frozen yogurt. I can just donate more to the school later - wasn't worth the line! Or the heat stroke...

**Kids had a playdate today. Actually, LM has a girlfriend. It looked very serious though he is keeping his options open. LOL. They were just cracking me up. (He's 4 - and a bit of a player).

Their old preschool was all working parents in a neighborhood by my work. I felt bad that it was difficult to cultivate any relationships. That said, 1.5 years at a local preschool hasn't really developed much. Until this sudden love affair the last month of school. Kind of funny, BUT dh and her dad really hit it off. SO, I feel less guilty that he can maybe maintain this relationship. (Not too guilty since he will obviously start the world of neighborhood school, next week).

It was interesting because one of the first things he told us was that "his wife makes the money." He is out of work and dh and him really hit it off and that is awesome. It seems to be the area. Our 2 closest neighbors are the same way - though only talked more openly about it recently (didn't necessarily realize the wives were the main breadwinners). It's not even that we gravitate towards these people, but our kids gravitate towards their kids. Though, I suppose we can relate with them.

Of course, the guy was very nice and open and one of the first things he told us was they were considering walking away from their house. It was kind of an ackward thing, until he starts asking us what WE are going to do.

"Um, we're fine?" Dh and I talked about it when he left. I said we may be the first young parents he's met in the area, who aren't in that situation. The WAY underwater situation.

I suppose that explains why he felt very open about it - walked in and thought we were in the WAY underwater club too.

I've known the thoughts were there, but just the first person to blurt it out like that - LOL.

**All that excitement this weekend, and I finally made it a point to take the kids roller skating. Something I had been meaning to. That was about $20. If we stick with it, we can manage costs with family night, buying skates, season passes and stuff. Today was kind of exploratory to check the place out.

BM is a natural. He has no fear and was flying around the rink by the end of the session. LM didn't do half bad. We may be able to work in family night a couple of days a month. Might do lessons this summer - very reasonable.

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Often, weekends like this leave me exhausted. Ironically, I just feel refreshed.

The heat is killing me (came on suddenly), but we will adjust! It's just average weather - we've been spoiled by the unusual cool.

Yup, we flipped on the air. Just before bed Friday. Saturday when we got home at 6, because I felt like I was going to melt after being in the heat a couple of hours. Today we ran the air most of the day since we had guests. Welcome, summer!

**I just redeemed another $250 Chase Freedom cash reward. It's the third one I have redeemed since they started phasing it out. So basically, the third one I didn't really expect!

**I just got news that our flood insurance premiums will not increase for 2011 & 2012, after all. I should look into the details. Since we renew in December. Could this mean that I could lapse coverage a couple of weeks, and skip the whole increased premium, altogether?

Probably not worth it, or doable. BUT, definitely worth looking into.

So, it will be up this year, but that's it. Until someone changes their mind anyway. It's all politics. This was pretty unexpected news, though. Phew!!

**My neighbor offered to swap babysitting and we took her up on it.

Unexpected "free" babysitter for our dinner this week - just worked that out with her. Even better, I offered to watch their kids anytime this weekend, but they are busy. Not sure when we will have to return the favor.

"Free" is in quotes. Dh and I mostly decided we rather never go out, or rather pay our hard earned money for a babysitter, then have to watch other people's kids. Dh is good with kids, but that's his full-time job anyway. I am fine with my own kids, but other kids scare me. That sums it up pretty well. LOL.

BUT, aged 5 or 6 is the age where we send them over to their friends' houses, and vice versa. The supervision/stress level goes way down at that age. I admit that is very different, because you just send the neighbor kids home if they start to drive you crazy.

BUT, the idea didn't make me cringe. So, will give it a whirl.

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**It's good I ran out of money to buy invitations at the end of May. I picked up the "15 provided invitations" for the kids' party earlier in the week.

They were great, with a map to the place, and a liability release to sign. (One of the things I liked was not having to walk into a party and sign a release. Whoops! Guess I was supposed to sign one?). That said, it will be nice to read and sign ahead of time.

SO, the 15 invitations were perfect for LM's preschool and their few combined friends. I filled one out for BM and made 25 photocopies for his classmates (& for a few friends not in his class).

Invitations, check. My work is done.

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Almost forgot, I am suppose to be making cupcakes for a school festival today. Better get baking!

**Geez, this week flew by!!

**Good news. Our flood insurance will only be full rate (or bigger rate? maybe not even full?) for one year. We will save $1k-ish in both 2011 and 2012. Don't ask - it's all political. I think they flip coins to determind the flood map. Actually, I think the builders paid off whoever to make it a 200-year-flood zone. (Yeah, right!!!!). Powerful/wealthy residents hit back with the 10-year-flood zone thing so repairs would be a priority. Truth is probably somewhere in the middle. This is the overly simplistic version, anyway.

All I know is that for the short term, it is good for the pocketbook!

A lot of preschool money (50% of it) was being diverted to flood insurance. So, now I am very happy!!! We can divert it to other savings. Since LM will be out of preschool for 6 months this year, it all goes to the flood insurance. But next year will be nice to have some extra cash flow.

**Our impromptu Colorado trip is taking shape. Found some decent flights/deals. Think we may go for 3 days in August, to see my Grandma.

There goes $1k!

I actually googled Motel 6 real quick in the area, and saw $39.99/night. Grandma can provide food. But for the airfare, it will be a modest trip.

**As the year progresses, I feel that our Hawaii trip is becoming much more modest. That said, I don't think it really matters either way. My fondest memories of Hawaii are of hiking, boogie boarding, and snorkeling. We will do all that low cost stuff - exploring the island by car and foot and sea, etc., etc. I think we can have a really nice trip, even if all we can really afford is a basic car rental and some food.

Part of you thinks, "Free trip! splurge splurge splurge." The other side thinks, "It's hardly free if you would have never gone otherwise, and the thought of a car rental and food for a week stresses you out!"

So I am fondly thinking of past Hawaii trips, and how I still vacation like an 18-year-old. & how, if it ain't broke, why fix it? Vacationing like a broke college student has always proved to be fun. & I know dh and I - we deplore wasting our money on fleeting things. Good memories don't have to cost a lot of money. I think we will find plenty to do in "paradise" for a week. & odds are, we will feel more content when we return, that way. I know us too well.

As the purse strings tighten, probably for the best.

Current Tally:

Lunch In: 4
Lunch Out: 0

Friday
---------
Breakfast - string cheese, roasted potatoes (leftovers), apple sauce, water
Lunch - burrito (leftovers), soda
snacks - dried cranberries, water

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Today was not a "run out the door" kind of day!

Made BM lunch, and took some time to assemble a burrito for my own lunch.

I spotted some potatoes still in the fridge and thought that would be a good breakfast (before they went bad). Gave the kids watermelon from Monday, for breakfast. Figured we better eat that too! Where did the week go???

It's funny because dh said we were running out of food, like last weekend. I talked him into getting stuff for burritos and spaghetti. Cheap with lots of leftovers. Our month "closed" yesterday and I asked if he was going to the store today. He wasn't planning on it, and we haven't even made the spaghetti yet. Glad I talked him into a small grocery run to get through the last week!

Current Tally:

Lunch In: 3
Lunch Out: 0

Thursday
---------
Breakfast - dried cranberries, granola bar, water
Lunch - burrito, rice, water
snacks - banana, water

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Today I grabbed a banana, a large cup, and a bag of dried cranberries, on my way out the door.

Was pondering what to eat as the pantry is getting low. Then I noticed the big bag of dried cranberries that I think a relative gave us in January. I checked the "sell by" date and since it said July '10 - figured we better get eating them.

I also brought a banana to eat around 5:00 - before I hit the gym.

For lunch, I figured dh and I should do a lunch date. BUT, no money for lunch. Today is the close of our fiscal month. So, we decided to meet at home for lunch. Not sure what I will eat - probably leftover burritos. Or a sandwhich.

Anyway, works out. I could be extra lazy and pack my gym clothes at lunch then.

I was wide awake at 5:45am, but only spent about 30 seconds grabbing food for work. On another day, I may have packed a really nice lunch with all that time!

Current Tally:

Lunch In: 2
Lunch Out: 0

Wednesday
---------
Breakfast - string cheese, cheerios, water
Lunch - leftover rice/veggies from last week + 8 oz. soda
snacks - chicken nuggets dipped in sauce

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Today I grabbed some cheese and a cup (for water) on the way out the door.

Figured I better eat my leftovers for lunch, before they go bad.

Ate early, so didn't eat much breakfast. I will likely snack on some chicken nuggets in the afternoon, to get some protein.

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YEsterday was super coool, because some piano music I ordered, arrived yesterday around the noon hour, just as I plopped down to eat my lunch.

I got a series of jazz books that I fondly remembered, and couldn't find anywhere (in my stash, anyway. I feel lucky I found it online!!) The songs are "easy" but sound much more complicated than they are. They are all short. I have 15 jazz pieces. I am making it a project to learn them all (or most of them) and build up a bit of a repretiore.

I think the level of music is perfect. Not TOO easy. Not very difficult. I have some much more complicated things to tackle. I don't know why - but really like to play ragtime and jazz. I Was trained clasically.

I was bummed it hadn't arrived Saturday (the delivery was likely to be then), but arriving when I was home was nice. Tonight I will have more time to practice.

This is a good step in the "Finding Time for Things I Enjoy," direction, which is easy to lose sight of, with kids!

Bringing lunch/snacks to work is a lifestyle for me. But I joined the challenge - gives me something to blog about.

I pledged to bring lunch in 16 of 20 working days in June.

Personally, I have to work on eating out more. Lunch is my social/date time. (It's a frugal thing as dh and I can meet for lunch, and not have to pay for a babysitter. I meet another friend at Taco Bell all the time because it's just easier to meet/socialize in the middle of a weekday than any time else. & it's hard to eat for much cheaper than Taco Bell!).

But, dh and I got out of our lunch date routines during tax season. & yikes, I just realize the kids only have a couple of more weeks of school! So will plan dates for the next 2 weeks, probably.

---------------------------------------------

Today I plan to go home for lunch. I have aerobics in the evenings on Tuesdays, and that makes for a long day.

I usually go home for lunch and pack up my gym clothes. Today I can deposit my paycheck at lunch, too.

I brought a granola bar for breakfast (wasn't sure what I had at work) and a banana for some energy for aerobics. I also brought a large plastic cup for water (to fill with water from our water jugs at work). We have glasses and small paper cups around, but I like a giant cup for my water.

When I got to work I took stock of what I already have stored there:

-1 case of 8-oz sodas
-2 packages of tea bags (for winter/cold weather)
-2 frozen pizzas (generally for last minute lunch changes - happens all the time!)
-1 bag of frozen chicken nuggets (+ BBQ sauce and honey mustard sauce)
-some dinner leftovers from last week - rice/veggies
-1 yogurt
-1.5 granola bars
-1 plastic container filled with cheerios
-1 jug of apple sauce with 1 serving left
-1 bag of Sanwhich Thins (bread - is SO GOOD plain, though)

Why do I keep so much food at work? So I rarely have an excuse to go buy anything, for being out of food. I've always got something around.

Personally, I think "I don't have enough time," is a lame excuse.

Today I spent 5 seconds grabbing a cup, a granola bar and a banana.

Planning ahead and "making the time" are what it's all about. When it becomes a habit, you don't even think about it. I never pack lunch the night before, but I can generally throw something together in under a minute. To me, it's just not a time consuming thing.

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Current Tally:

Lunch In: 1
Lunch Out: 0

Tuesday
---------
Breakfast - apple sauce, granola bar, water
Lunch - tuna with mayo & cheese, brownie, small glass of pepsi
snacks - cheerios, banana, water

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This week could be on the boring side. Trying to hold off any grocery shopping until Friday. (May credit card month closes on Thursday). So am stuck with whatever we have at home, for snacks. Running low on a lot of it. What I have a lot of is: granola bars!

I want to buy some nuts, yogurt, and some frozen fruit for the hot smoothie weather. For lunches at home, a smoothie is great on a hot day.

I kept feeling like I haven't had as much time as I should!

I finally figured it out - I have been cooking a lot more. Kind of time consuming! (Which doesn't really make much difference in the grand scheme of things, since dh cooks 90%+ of our meals). But, I have been enjoying cooking more, all the same.

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This weekend was nice. Had a nice visit with my parents on Saturday. Yesterday we went swimming. It was about 90 degrees (after weeks of unusual cold and rain).

Today we stuffed ourselves silly at a friend's Housewarming BBQ.

I had planned to bake up some red potatoes and I have a ton of cabbage salad in the fridge. For dinner - keeping it light.

Dh bought a $3 watermelon to bring to the BBQ - we ended up bringing about 1/2 of it back home. We can add that to dinner.

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Yesterday was the first day it got a little warm in the house, this year. I was disappointed since it was the first "hot" day, (the house heated up so quickly) but we managed to be comfortable enough without the AC. I thought we would cave at bedtime - even if we only generally turn it on a few minutes to cool off the upstairs before bed.

But, we didn't cave, and it turned out to be cooler than expected, today. Was sad not to see the sun, but the weather was "just right," otherwise.

To get through May without flipping on the AC for a few days, is a new record. Not one I could take credit for. I missed having a little warmer May, but glad it wasn't sweltering, all the same. We've got all summer to swelter. But, kind of glad to say good bye to these grey skies! Next week is looking hot. Time for that AC weather.

The month of June is getting a wee bit crazy!

Dh is volunteering about 30 hours, nights and weekends. Just seems to be a big volunteer month (Scholastic and Public TV station).

BM has a last day of school BBQ, and a big fundraiser; LM has graduation from preschool (hard to believe!)

Dh is organizing some grade school reunion (lord knows why - so unlike him!)

My work is having a big dinner.

We are going on our family camp trip for 4 days in Tahoe.

I think I have turned down 10 invitations on the day of June 18. It's like the day all the stars aligned. Some of these things have been scheduled to work around us (work dinner got moved to the 17th?).

Oh yeah, dh has a volunteer appreciation dinner (which are always really nice - at the TV station).

I don't remember the last time the kids had a babysitter, and now we have 2 dinners in one month. I think we can arrange a "trade" with a neighbor - & have a 15% off coupon for the drop-in place, for the other dinner.

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This weekend is also turning up a wee bit crazy. I was kind of looking for some quiet/settling down time. Suppose we can try for July.

We can tend to be really hermit-y. You wouldn't know it, but we do have one extrovert child, which forces us to come out of hermithood more than we care for. LOL. So, it's a bit much, but will be good for us all the same.

My folks are coming up this weekend and we made plans with friends on Monday. Sunday we can have a full day of being hermits - phew!

**So, started both kids on piano lessons. Is going well.

Time is so finite and precious with small kids, my tolerance for using precious time, has been thin the last few years. But that has lightened up quite a bit, with time.

Anyway, I am finding this good practice for me. What I need to do is get back into practicing a bit myself. Though I know I am perfectly capable of teaching, I am a little rusty, and don't have much to show how I was a much more accomplished player at some time or other.

I realized I Am probably in no shape to teach at the moment, but am considering letting the neighbors know that I teach, and starting to offer lessons. Maybe in a year. One or two nights a week. With the uncertain economy and everything, I think it is good to start building the foundation for a side income stream.

Oh teaching was so much WORK last time. As all teaching is.

For now, my kids are the guniea pigs.

I suppose another idea is to contact local teachers and ask if they need a substitute. Or a tutor of sorts. Might be more my speed. I primarily taught 15-minute private lessons to kids in group piano classes, as a student teacher. It would be helpful to network with teachers, I suppose. I've got the experience but no music degree. Not sure how it would be taken, but you don't know until you ask!


---------------------------------------------------

**Well, the weather here has turned manic depressive.

(I suppose I like that term?)

I was sweltering in my car the other day around the noon hour. I Was kind of like, "oh, it's not hot enough for the AC," but whimped out in the end. About 4 hours later, when I left work, it was freezing!!!! I flipped on the heat. At 5pm. Like, I rarley do that in winter! It was so bizarre! A storm had moved in rather quickly. I think it was the shock of the cold - not that it was "that cold."

I skipped aerobics Tuesday because it was pouring rain out of nowhere and I didn't want to deal with the stupid drivers. (My drive home is rather reverse commute, and wide open, but the route to aerobics cuts through some bad traffic). I figured it could take hours, anyway. Accidents, traffic and everything.

Today ain't looking much better. It was rather nice a few days this week. Got in some bike rides and walks, etc. But stormy stormy stormy today.

That said, should warm up this weekend.

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**This weekend, plans are filling up the schedule:

Saturday - going to a little zoo/park to see a show and some sheep shearing. Free with our membership.

Sunday - is supposed to reach 86 degrees. I think Sunday will be a great day for swimming, though I think it is possible they won't heat the pool until Monday? Like, it opens Memorial Day? Hopefully they mean, "Memorial Day Weekend." Usually we get a heat wave and brave the pool anyway in May, but it hasn't been swimming weather at ALL! Well, at 86 degrees, probably fine in the afternoon, heat or no. We like the morning when no one else is there, is all. Giant pool to ourselves!

Monday - Invited to a BBQ

----------------------------------------------------

I'd like to have a no-spend week - until next Thursday. The credit card closes Thursday - I think we spent enough this month. We are like this every month.

BUT, I feel like the forces are working against me.

I keep thinking of little things. Like, I thought the weekend might be nice to cook up some salmon. $10/pound. Eh, nevermind. Plus, we should bring something for the BBQ...

Well, will try to keep it low key. I can bring cabbage salad - I got a TON!

It's just been that kind of week, is all. Haven't been out to lunch in forever, and a friend was available at the last minute, yesterday. Wasn't worth saying no. I had been bugging her to get together for a couple of weeks and hadn't done much lunch since last year (surgery, tax season, everything). But sometimes no-spend weeks are easy peasy, and sometimes not so much. I will be practicing a lot of self control for the next week! Trying, anyway.

Overall, I think we have a nice, low-key weekend plan. Want to get caught up on some house cleaning, too.

In the last couple of weeks, dh made $130 with Amazon.

Our disgrunteld ebay buyer (or scammer?) let his complaint expire, so that whole thing is over. We theorize he probably was a scammer, and gave up once we didn't roll over and give him a refund? Either way - he doesn't seem that concerned about it.

It's for the best - I think Amazon has been easier, and more profitable, for our purposes. Not sure we would have thought to try it, if not for bad e-bay experiences of late.

Dh also made a $70 craigslist sale, today.

It's not as grand as it sounds - he took $230 from our checking to buy some big game bundle thing, and gave me back about $250 in the end. HE did it more to keep some of the good stuff that came in the bundle, than for a profit. So, with the $70 sale, it's probably a rather average $100 profit month.

----------------------------------------------------

In other news, we had a good month. I don't keep cash around, nor do I keep any money in my checking (just works best for us - we are aggressive on the savings), but BM needed $20 for a yearbook. I actually don't mind the yearbook purchase. We actually don't buy the school pics - could care less - but the yearbook is a nice way to get a picture of his class and all that. $20 is pretty reasonable, I think.

Anyway, it is no biggie, but it was going to be a pain to transfer $20 over, etc., etc.

Well, lo and behold, I got some random $21 refund in the mail yesterday. A RX refund from our HMO? No idea what the heck it is.

Well, that makes it easy! It's been a while since things have worked out like that. But often, they just do.

I was actually wary, because it was clearly some blue statement or notice, which I had never seen. "What the heck is this?" I thought. I was nervous. I actually thought it was a "late/overdue statement" because a $1500 payment I had made through the mail hadn't cleared yet.

Instead, it was a check. Yup - never got a refund from them before!

They have seemed to have lots of problems adjusting to their new deductible/out-of-pockets this year. I am sure it stems from that. Maybe a RX purchase that should have been reduced to a co-pay since we had used our deductible? I don't know. We generally do not have prescriptions, but we all had pink eye twice, BM got an inhaler, and dh got some pain meds after surgery. So lord knows which prescription this applies to. Any other time it would probably be obvious - but we are a mess this year! I presume the inhaler since it cost like 3 times as much as LM's had. I suppose that was a mistake.

-----------------------------------------------------

We decided to get a new computer monitor for Father's Day. We primarily use one computer, and 2 of our computers have monitors circa 1980.

This is something we have been meaning to purchase for a long time, and I see our window of opportunity closing, as our finances tighten a bit.

My idea was to just buy it because it would probably save energy. (Changing light bulbs was a bust because apparently we don't use them enough. That, and our non-CFLs were apparently quite energy efficient, as is). The computer monitor is something clearly heavily used and ancient. I think we have better odds to improve on it!

I think dh has a modern monitor in his office for video editing and such. (Now that I think about it - we only bought that one because one ancient monitor went dead after nursing it along for many years). When I brought up the idea to dh, he really liked it, since he plans to use the main computer for more editing. Basically, I didn't realize he was kind of thinking of getting a monitor anyway - for his own working purposes.

We will pay for it with the first month of "no preschool." He's already picked one out - I asked him to card it in June or after, is all. So I don't have to touch savings for it.

I think that will cool it on big purchases for us. Last year was really good financially, and this year has not been so good. We used last year's bounty to really catch up on some stuff around the house. So, it's been a really good run. But we are happy to cool it for while.

We also discussed keeping it a low key/close to home year. We re-instituted a vacation budget in the last couple of years (survived many years without one) and it's kind of the first thing to go. Last year we used it more for season pass/amusement park type stuff. Staycation. We didn't even go on a big trip. But, I was telling dh last night that maybe it's best his surgery used up so much of my vacation time - and this big Hawaii trip his mom has planned. Because, I think we should contract it in and be a little less spendy this year.

I can't even manage a day off for an amusement park (avoid places like that on the weekend - can't stand crowds). So, works out.

-----------------------------------------------------

We will survive just fine!

We already went to Monterey Bay Aquarium (which is quite a treat!).

We have memberships to the local parks/zoos, museums, and can spend our summer at the pool and bike riding by the lake. Cost is like $100 vs. $1500! (Our vacation budget is only $1500 - and we generally do the memberships on top of that, anyway).

It's fun to splurge once in a while, but it doesn't have to be all the time.

I think this is also an easy year to be low key. IT has more to do with my work situation than anything (which we haven't vocalized to anyone, so no one really knows our compensation has been hit. I might have talked about it to my mom, but that is it). That said, dh's surgery situation hasn't been that huge a hit, but people kind of expect us to be broke because of it. It's always easier to be frugal when people expect that you are broke. So, phew.

I am in the way super early stages of thinking about gardening.

I've never had much luck in the garden, and don't consider it really my thing. But as I look for new ways to economize, gardening is kind of the next obvious step. Dh is also a little more into it, and has always liked the idea of growing a garden with the kids.

"Sacramento's long growing season (240+ days) gives us two major vegetable planting periods— spring and fall. As you'll see from the calendar below, however, there's actually something edible to plant every month of the year."

{I am having no luck pasting the link here - something like sacramento gardening dot com.}

I suppose we will start with peppers (easy and May is the time to plant). Next would be carrots, radishes, and deciding on some herbs. Those seem obvious, anyway.

Anyway, yesterday, I came across a blog entry on gardening (on another local blog). The blog mentioned it is nearly impossible to grow edibles in our soil, and went into "frugal" ways to build raised garden beds. May be on the fugal side, but seemed pretty complicated to me. Ugh.

I thought, "there has got to be something more frugal!" So I googled "cheap raised garden beds," or something of the like, and probably got a zillion ideas on re-using recycled materials. Much more my speed!

OF course, then I came across the best idea of all:



I have been storing these forever (to freecycle, or use, at some point. I might have at least 6 laying around the house right now (some white ones too!). We will probably cut them in half (top half/bottom half) and make holes in the bottoms of them.

So, today I was ruminating on where to make space for all these plastic containers, in our soil. I am sure we will invest in some nicer looking ones for the patio and such. These will be good around the yard as we find places to sneak in some veggies around the yard.

I thought of Thriftorama's plan to hide her veggies behind bushes in her front yard (you know, due to the "no gardens in the front yard" thing to which I have the feeling my HOA would subscribe to). Even if that wasn't an issue, fact is, we have very little yard to grow anything out front.

So I Was ruminating, and then it hit me! I totally forgot that we had some unused space in our front yard, hiding behind a pile of bushes. We used to fret about what to do with that space and eventually just figured no one could see it so who cares.

ding ding ding!!!



We will have some weeds to clear out - but it ain't half bad - looks like it even gets water back there?



SO, I have to think Thriftorama for that idea.

Time for a secret garden!

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Finally, I need all the luck in the world. The only thing I have successfully planted, ever, is my wildflowers (from seed). As I mentioned earlier. While taking pictures, I snapped a pic.

My little wildflower jungle!



Hopefully I can expand my horizons beyond wildflowers...

Anyway, if nothing else, I feel relieved that it looks like we can start gardening, whenever. Summer and fall is a good time for lots of plantings. Yay!

I didn't go the cheap route, but I did go the SIMPLE route.

Got the kids' party reserved.

Was going to say, now all we have to do is show up. BUT, I suppose I need to send out invites first. Then track RSVPs, and then show up.

& if I drive down some day at lunch (not too far from the office) I can pick up 15 invitations.

-------------------------------------------------

We've got room for 15 kids, including my own 2.

We want to invite about 45 kids. Is that insane?

Thing is, the 20 kids from BM's class, and about 10 from LM's - I don't expect most of those to show. It's hard to say though. Last year we did a weekday party (only a few showed). On the flip side, even if Saturday is more popular, it is still in the middle of summer when everyone is on vacation.

Also includes cousins in another city who likely will not come.

cousins = 4
friends = 7
my kids = 2

That leaves 2 random kids to show up. More like 6 since I don't expect the cousins to show.

For another $45 we can double the size of the party, up to a week before. So I will just hope people respect the RSVP! I wouldn't mind doubling it if the turnout is big. I just don't expect it to be big.

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Dh has scored a bunch of video games and books for the kids, and has some Scholastic shifts this next month (where he gets paid with games and books). SO, I ain't shopping for them or anything. The in-laws will also spoil them rotten.

I'd say, that was the easiest birthday to plan, ever! It took a 10-minute phone call.

I am still adjusting to the weather here, but I don't remember May as a month of endless rain. I remember it as Hotter than Hades! Not that HOT is normal, but it seems we get at least one or two heat waves every May.

So, I am enjoying the pleasant weather (not crazy hot) but am kind of over the rain, all the same!

Today I did my first a.m. bike ride, this year. I could stand to lose a few pounds. The secret, for me, is just to be active every day. So, I am hoping summer will help motivate me.

I was wide awake at 5:30 am (not unusual for me) and the sun was peeking out, so I Decided this morning was a good of time as any.

The air was SO COLD!!!!! Bah. It was slightly humid and I didn't feel overly cold, but my ears and eyes (if you can believe it) were FREEZING. It took me a while for my eyes to adjust to the cold. This was something new.

It got a little better as the sun rose and I felt some warmth.

I thought I was just being overly whimpy, but the I checked the weather when I got back. "Feels like 45 degrees." Holy Hell!

This girl does not do 45 degrees. Gah! I mean, that is a winter low temp. WINTER!

So, I was awake, and the sun was out. But next time I think I will hit the gym. Or at least check a thermometer before I head out. There is a reason I don't do dawn bike rides in the winter. So my eyes don't freeze?

What can I say - I am a California girl.

Anyway, I did warm up a bit and it was a nice ride. I saw a TON of jack rabbits. I will usually see a couple. Today I disturbed a lot of them, and saw some little baby rabbits. Too cute!

I didn't see a soul outside - it was divine!

First off, I am terrible at eating my fruits and veggies. Doesn't matter how well dh cooks or stocks the house, I've got 25+ years of bad eating habits to overcome! (I don't think I ever saw a fruit or veggie as a child - don't ask. Thank goodness for dh to set us all straight).

Secondly, my unofficial goal this year has been to expand my culinary skills. Dh and I cook a fair amount, and well more than the average American, but that isn't saying much!

I suppose it started when my mom gave me a pile of extra potatoes. I decided I better figure out what to do with them. I've never cooked a potato before. I might have made mashed potatoes from scratch - once?

Of course, I felt silly because it was uber easy to cook with. & I love potatoes. A good way to add something on the healthier side, to my diet. We are hooked on potatoes now. I just fry some up every weekend with some seasonings. I never have to order a french fry again - home made is so yummy! & much healthier, I presume.

Next was fresh salmon. I decided to be adventurous and try some new things.

Of course, since then, I haven't thought of anything new. We did try some lentils, I suppose (dh did, in the crockpot).

Until, slaw!

Actually, it all started when we pigged out all weekend. The in-laws ordered us a pizza. My parents treated us to a mexican feast, etc., etc. Come Sunday night I told dh I would be happy to skip dinner. I told him all I could possibly eat was a salad. Very out of character for me, but I couldn't take one more giant/greasy meal, either.

SO, I don't remember what I ate Monday, but Tuesday I came home and still felt bloated from the weekend. Dh had a package of cole slaw in the fridge. It sounded DIVINE! I have never had it but for at a restaurant and always thought it was super yummy. I don't even know what cole slaw is. I am not a veggie fan, but love salads, for whatever reason.

So, I asked dh if he needed it, and actually, he had no idea what to do with the leftover slaw (had used some for a recipe).

I wondered aloud what I should do for dressing, and dh pointed out it had a recipe on the bag. It was okay.

Today I perused online and found this recipe, and read how great cole slaw (cabbage) was for the diet.

Anyway, this link had a vinegar-based and a mayo-based dressing. I will try them both.

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/coleslaw

I am sure I could get sick of it real fast, but today a summer of cole slaw and frozen fruit smoothies sounds divine! I could eat that stuff all day. (I'll eat any fruit in blended/frozen form). I don't even care so much about the cole slaw dressing. Just something to help slide it down a little easier. A little dab will do!

Actually, I also love green onions, which was mentioned in the recipe above. Carrots, green onions, and cabbage. Yum!

Anyway, dh asked if I wanted more cole slaw, when I told him I got some dressing recipes. Oy vey. No, I need some cabbage, carrots, green onions, and maybe some radish to spice it up. Prepackaged, shredded cabbage? Is he kidding me?

It's just one of those things we generally don't *get.* How hard is it to chop up a few veggies? Particularly now that we have the big processor and a mandolin slicer. I told dh I think I could handle shredding some cabbage up.

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Cole slaw and potatoes. Pretty basic stuff, eh? I am learning...

I've actually been experimenting with rice recipes as well. Screw rice-a-roni. I think the internet is awesome as far as finding those "just right" recipes. I always tell people that a well rounded cooking repretoire takes time. We've eaten primarily home cooked meals for about 8 years, and we still have so much room for improvement. But, it's like one habit at a time. Get used to home cooking A, then B, then C, and on and on and on. Slowly the prepackaged items have been disappearing from our pantry. Which means, our grocery bill continues to go down, with time. The learning possibilities still seem endless.

So, what shall I tackle next???

I did end up picking a couple of mens' t-shirts up at Target. Actually, kind of stupidly, since I picked up a couple in San Jose with higher sales tax rate. They did not fit, so I returned them at home. (We had noticed the reverse was true before, and scored some extra sales tax refund a few times recently, so I guess it evens out!). BUT, they didn't have the same dirt cheap t-shirts, either. I spent $28 for 3 shirts. Was about $20 for 3 shirts, in San Jose! But, it is really nice to have some t-shirts for working out, etc.

The only other problem is I avoid Target for clothing since it all seems to fall apart so quickly. Admittedly, depends on the brand, but Target is heavy on crappy clothes. So, I am not sure if this is the best solution for the long run. I am replacing some REALLY old shirts! 15 years?? Will see how these hold up...

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While there, I picked up some flower seeds. I really wanted to get dwarf sunflowers (they love our hot summers), but all they had was full sized sunflowers that grow from 6 to 8 feet tall. Not what we need!

So, I grabbed some poppies (variety) and another variety of daisies, etc.

I admittedly have a very black thumb. BUT, I got a wildflower mix almost a decade ago, and now those things grow like weeds! (I planted them close together since I didn't expect them all to take, and well, I have a mini windflower jungle in my yard, now).

We may rip them out to make room for a veggie garden. That is what I really want to get going, eventually. Dh is kind of like, "We don't have the "just right place" for that." He tends to be that way. It's not rocket science - we will make room! At the least, we can make some raised beds and put them on the lawn, you know? I am sure we can utilize the side of the house for things that don't need a ton of sun. That entire space is not being utilized, and looks very similar to where my parents grew their garden when I was a kid.

Anyway, our front yard has no flowers, I have a couple of pots, and our backyard has some spots we can fill in. So, I plan to do some seed planting this weekend. Wish me luck! I hope they take because some color in the front yard would be good!

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I am making progress on the car rental options.

Dh was cute. HE told me whatever I do, do not go super cheap just to save a few bucks. He was telling me about how horrid his experience was when his family went to Florida last time. He said, all that, to save $5 a day, or something. (They went to a place that was not at the airport).

I suppose it's good because I was wary of the super cheap stuff I came across. So, I think we will be a little particular. I've whittled it down to $400 for a convertible (about 8 days?) and maybe $250-$300 if we go economy. I could care less about the economy - we have a compact car and would be totally fine with it, even if we had the kids. BUT, we may splurge on a convertible. It is Hawaii, after all! For now, I got time, and am just waiting out deals.

I wouldn't be surprised if we go cheap and get the economy. In the grand scheme of things, I don't think it matters either way. But for a small premium, I'll take the convertible.

Will probably go directly with a car rental company, because they do not have deposit or pre-pay requirements, in general. I am not interested in pre-paying $200-400 to save a very few dollars. Since kids, we always lean towards more travel insurance and cancellation leeway, etc. So, I haven't been very impressed with the discount sites. Of course, I have found that over the years anyway. At one time the discount travel sites were AWESOME. Now, you prepay, everything is non-refundable, and they charge you more anyway. How it has been with hotels and airfare, anyway. Rental cars look about the same.

AAA discount has come in handy. Duh - I could have thought of that!

Anyway, same goes for our Colorado trip. Just waiting for an airline ticket sale. We have got some time to wait it out.

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I forgot it was payday yesterday. I also forgot to deposit a check last time. So, went to the bank today, to deposit all that and some cash dh made on Craigslist.

I set the credit card to pay (last month's balance), and that's about it for the rest of the month. I spend so little time actually paying bills or worrying about it all. I LOVE Quicken. Was thinking of getting it for my sister, for her birthday. Yup, I should do that. I was just telling dh, I wish I had gotten it sooner. Have had it about 4 years (since age 29???). & thought I should get my sister a copy! She's an accountant so I know she can get the hang of it quickly and appreciate it.

I just read an article about a guy on Net Worth IQ who was kind of obsessed with keeping meticulous financial records and had Quicken from 11th grade. Color me jealous. How young is too young to get my kids set up on there?

I probably could make separate files for them, yes? Don't tempt me!

I perused airfare to Colorado, today. It's not horrid. Probably $250-$300 per ticket.

But, hard to stomach all the same. I am a very "reactive" traveler. Not "proactive" at all. Last time we flew to Colorado was "because tickets were $150 per person."

In fact, I've rarely flown anywhere across the country for more than that.

So, I should probably just suck it up and be happy that I have probably never paid more than $200 for an airline ticket. May this be the first and last time?

OF course, I have never PAID for 4 airline tickets before, either. Yeesh!

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Along the same lines, when in the hell did car rentals get so expensive?

I was thinking about our Hawaii trip today and thinking maybe we should get a car reserved. It will be our main expense, since the room and air is covered with timeshare points and miles (courtesy of MIL - she ain't SO bad!)

I peeked today and cringed at the prices.

So, I was discussing it with dh. I don't think I have ever rented a car. Maybe once like 10 years ago. To which dh tells me it should be $35 a day. To which I think he is crazy. He did tell me, "It's been a while. Maybe it cost more these days."

So, I have questions for all you wise bloggers:

1 - How far in advance would you generally reserve a vehicle?

2 - Where and how do you get a good deal on a rental car? What are all the tricks??

Airfare, I can so do. Car rentals are like a foreign language to me - hehe. I suppose we just drive so much or tend to travel to areas with good public transport. Just not something that has come up much.

Last time I rented a car was because we got some awesome one-way air ticket deal, to Vegas. So we rented a car to drive back. Must have been 1997 or something. Another reactive trip! I don't think we had much choice - being 21 and renting a car - not many companies would rent to us. (The plane ticket was something like $30, and splitting the car rental 4 ways was like $20 each - a trip with the girls).

We rented a car in 2003 also. That was a whole other thing. Basically, our flight home from LA was canceled (indefinitely, due to wildfires - the whole airport was shut down), and getting this nursing momma home in 6 hours was priceless. I don't remember what that cost was - just that I can't imagine the alternative. It's a miracle we got that rental car in the first place. I don't think we had much choice that time either - probably got the last rental car at the airport.

That really sums up my car rental experience!

Due to bad planning, I had to cancel a camp that I had signed up BM for. So, got the $160 (partial) refund and decided to use it for Monterey this weekend.

Worked out. Spent $155, to be exact. About $100 for the admission (4), $15 to park, and $40 to eat lunch there.

We could have maybe gone cheaper on lunch, but dh's Grandma slipped him $40 to splurge. Ironically, lunch was $40 about exactly - we considered it a treat from her.

Thus, we really only spent $115!

There was gas and all that too. But we drive around the state enough, we won't really notice the gas. That's already in the monthly budget.

Um, last year we had stayed in Monterey a night and made more of a vacation of it. We decided it wasn't really necessary this time, but had plans Saturday so didn't make it to the aquarium until Sunday. The part I didn't think through was the almost 4 hours to get home, since we had to get home Sunday night. There was little difference in crowd on a May Saturday vs. Sunday (I hate crowds, but it was pleasant enough). So, I suppose cutting out the night stay was fine. Next time we will go on a Saturday though, and crash with a Grandma before heading home. As such, we felt rushed - no time to go out to eat by the ocean, grab ice cream, window shop, etc.

Personally, I'd be fine to crash, wake up before dawn, and drive home Monday morning. I have done it many times in the past. The kids would probably even be fine with it. But to the night owl dh, this plan would be a nightmare. So, we got home quite late last night.

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Visiting with the fam was, interesting...

My Grandma is doing much better and I talked to her on the phone. She practically begged me to bring the kids to come visit her. Oy vey. I think I had to impose myself to bring BM to meet her, a couple of years back. She did not want us to come, at all. BUT, in the end it was a really pleasant trip. I am sure this is what swayed her. BM and her got along quite well.

So, she REALLY wants to meet LM, after her recent "near death" experience. This is fine, but he can be a bit of a difficult personality, and I am not thinking it would go so well. She also wants me to bring BM. I suppose I could travel all alone, with the kids, to save a few bucks. But I don't really look forward to it. I think it would be worth the 4th plane ticket for dh - the only added cost of having some adult company/help.

Of course, MIL has insisted we go to Hawaii for our anniversary, for about 10 days (no complaints here!) AND I took a few days off with dh's surgery. Plus I got some attitude about that from a co-worker, who is now gone. It's really none of her business and I probably shouldn't worry about it. My boss is very low key and flexible. But with the economy and all, I don't want to push it either. I have taken advantage in past years, and I don't want to be perceived to get special treatment, or people to think I demand extra time off every year, either.

It's a pickle, but I think I will work it out. We would probably go on a Thursday night and come back on a Sunday. To Colorado. A quick trip. I could work the weekend before to avoid using any vacation time. That, my boss doesn't care about. I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for one non-vacation day off, if I make it up. It's not like dh's surgery was some super fun time!

I've never really been in a position to spend money "now or never," but this would be the time. My Grandma's health has been going downhill, and we feel we should go as soon as possible.

Ironically, we aren't very close. But even my "could care less/not so nice" Grandma came around with age. Like, she wanted nothing to do with me, and suddenly around 18 she wanted to act all interested in my life. I am closer to my Grandma than probably any other faraway relative, and I think she wants a little more time as the end draws near. She suddenly is much more excited about her only great-grandchildren, that is for sure.

Not the wisest financial choice, but we will do it. I just think this is the first time I have ever been in this kind of position. A "screw the money" type position.

OF course, my mom has offered to pay our way, but that just feels ultra weird considering their current financial situation and the fact that they aren't going with us. Will see. Maybe we can compromise with 50/50.

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OF course, then yesterday my dad tells me he wants to take the kids and I to Japan in a couple of years. Maybe even dh. This is very awesome and generous, while overwhelming all the same.

Particularly since dh has a relative in Asia, and then he brings up it might make since to plan that "eventual" Asia trip and combine it with a trip to Japan.

Of course, all I Could think, was my dad really going to take us, and not my sister? How is that going to fly? (She is crazy in love with Japan). I hadn't even thought about her husband, which dh brought up to me later.

Of course, for dh's family Asia trip, he has a much bigger extended family that may want to go along.

I have a headache thinking about it. & while there is no way we could justify such a trip, financially, I would feel obligated to contribute a few thousand dollars if we did go.

This means, I should probably sit on all my vacation time next year, and we shouldn't go anywhere, at all, to hoarde up some cash for this wild trip.

*sigh*

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I think this whole thing kind of touches at the edge of why I don't like to travel. I suppose if time and money was unlimited, I could get into it a little more. But honestly, I like to use my 3 weeks vacation time every year, to buy 3-day weekends and flexibility. This means, I can generally take time off whenever I Want, and we do a fair amount of 3-day-weekend type stuff. But the commitment of one big trip means I can't get 5 minutes off the rest of the year. Ugh! No wonder people hate the rat race. I can't stand that, either. I usually don't identify because I am totally happy to stay close to home, and buy flexibility with my vacation time.

Anyway, I generally rather buy myself flexibility, than go on big trips every year. A big trip is fine once every few years, as far as I am concerned.

Anyway, dh's mom is WAY into travel and these giant family trips. What is unusual is finding my dad in the same boat. I didn't really know this side to his personality. I never saw it when he was a working stiff. But now, he has all the time in the world.

So, I Feel totally blessed to have so many travel opportunities, and yet overwhelmed at the same time.

I told dh, part of me says "screw it," we should humor all of our elders while they are still around. The other side of me just wonders if they all live a really long time. Dropping everything to go wherever everyone wants us to, isn't terribly practical for the long run, is all. But I suppose for now, we will just go with it, a bit.

What do I know?

Just came across an article in print:

INVESTORS STORM HOUSING MARKET
Absentee, cash buyers pounce on deals

http://sacramento.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2010/05...

Thank you to the French for helping keep home prices afloat?

Some excerpts:

"Investors are pouring back into the Sacramento market and now account for more than 25% of homebuyers."

"This time, it's France. French investors seeking San Francisco real estate found the prices too expensive and so headed east to Sacramento."

"Absentee buyers made up 27% of all buyers in March. Cash buyers made up 31% of home sales."

WOW!!! (Cash buyers - not young, locals, I will tell you that much! I think the absentee investors go with the cash payments. I was just griping about all the virtually non-existent down payments of friends buying right now).

"Prices relative to rents are looking attractive to a lot of people."

"Small-scale investors are also on the rise." They talk about someone who works at Target and is buying an investment home for $130k and expecting to rent it out for $1300/month. Oh yeah - sounds familiar. I presume these are not the cash buying type. I know a lot of BROKE people trying to strike it rich with these type purchases. $130k does not buy much worthwhile around here - I'll tell you that.

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I personally think it's a lot more of history repeating itself. Investors went crazy in Sacramento the last decade. This depressed rents. I mentioned the other day I Was surprised by the rent fetched by our next door neighbor (just got new tenants). Maybe rents are holding strong, and prices are bottoming out. I don't know how terribly sustainable it all is. We had a huge problem of way too many investment homes, just a few years back. A LOT of vacant homes, since they just flooded the rental market.

That said, I have said all along, Sacramento will never go back to the little town $100k-median priced homes. It's a REALLY nice place to live and the secret is out! As long as LA and SF still have insane home prices (& they do), we won't sink into despair or anything. Some of these investors may be smart. But, the frenzy of it all feels very remniscent of the bubble, all the same. Leaves me skeptical. Though I am relieved some people actually have some REAL skin in the game.

See what I mean? The real estate is in the toilet, but the frenzy is insane.

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Another quote: "Home values have plunged as much as 40% from the peak."

Yes true, but they also spiked at 200% appreciation in a few short years, before the "plunge." Are prices rock bottom? I suppose as long as people believe they are... My house is still worth what it was in 2001. I remember people at the time we bought our house, freaking out about the "unsustainable peak prices." Fast forward a decade later, as far as I am concerned nothing has changed, and now it's the "deal of a century."

Human nature is pretty interesting to watch.

I haven't said much about real estate lately, because it's pretty same old, same old here. What is the phrase I keep using to describe it? Manic depressive? Balancing all the foreclosures and market depression with the enthusiasm of first time homeowners and wanna-be investors. Means a nice house will sell in minutes, if the price is good. But there is a lot of empty homes and foreclosures going down all the same. I think "manic depressive" sums it up pretty darn good.

The single story homes in our neighborhood had bottomed out around $200k. Anything priced $199k or below would ignite a bidding war of bubble proportions. (Which is good to know, since we owe about $208k on our mortgage, still!) The split level homes (like ours) had settled around $250k. Maybe a little more.

So anyway, I peeked to see what was going on. Tons of foreclosures in our neighborhood. But a house sold for $292k!!! Woohoo! I looked at it to see if it was a large lot. It was a house facing the empty field. They might have fetched a small premium for the view, but otherwise, nothing much unique I could see about the house. It looks like a slight uptick in price. It's hard to tell though since so little is actually selling.

Another interesting observation was a single story home, listed for sale at $250k. The home was purchased in 2002 for $340k. Ouch! I keep thinking that people's memory is so short term - that we bought well before the boom - but we only bought a few months before this home owner did (though I admit they must have had a TON of upgrades or something. Or the public figure could be wrong). I suppose people were really getting into bubble terrirtory as early as 2002? WOW!

But that is not the interesting part. The interesting part is that our neighborhood peaked out at $650k prices in 2005. Only a few really gullible people bought at that price (most after the market started to turn - REALLY gullible people). But, I remember getting little flyers about all these homes in our neighborhood, for JUST $3000/month. Some of these were ARMs and etc. JUST $3k/month mortgage payment! (For reference, our payment was $1300/month, at the time).

Right now, our payment is $1100/month (we refied below 5% - fixed rate), and this house advertised home ownership for as little as $1041/month!

A larger home advertised a mortgage payment of just $1200/month.

I don't think I have ever seen advertisements of such low payments, in our neighborhood. (Or in this state, ever, for that matter!) IT's a combo of the prices and the interest rates. My how things change...

For now, we get to stay in "well above water land." But, I am still wary what the short term will bring. For now, our neighborhood is attracting first-time borrowers and anxious wanna-be investors. Phew, for that. What makes me nervous is the sheer number of people I know who are borrowing for home with like 3.5% down. Those FHA loans, correct? I don't know anyone putting any real money down on any home purchases. I still get the feeling no one has learned anything, and this mess will be prolonged for a while. It's kind of a mess, and I don't think I have had anything new to add. I have said all of this before, pretty much. We may be the only ones in our age group, with some equity to spare around here, but we are ALSO quite clearly the only people in our age group (+10 years) who ever considered putting a real down payment on their house. It just boggles my mind that this "no down payment business" still prolongs. $9k down payment on a $250k home? Give me a break. OF course people walk away when the going gets rough!

I had kind of given up on the piano lesson thing (teaching my kids). I was teaching okay, but couldn't get dh to co-operate with practicing during the day, etc. I can't do it ALL!

I had mostly given up and was resigned to sign up BM for lessons.

BUT, this year has been a little spendy with medical bills, and I lost 10% in compensation. Yeah... I no longer feel like I can afford the piano lessons. I suppose it is good we didn't started.

A 10% compensation cut means back to the drawing board. So, will retry lessons.

I had talked LM into lessons too, briefly, and he backed out. He turns 5 soon - no rush. I do not want to wait much longer to really get into it, for BM. HE will survive with parental lessons (the big no no) to get started. In a couple of years it may not be a big deal to pay for lessons.

I think the biggest "no no" is because it is hard to make the commitment. I am determined to overcome that to save money. (I used to teach piano, in college).

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My Craigslist sales are abyssmal. I am leaning towards donating everything, but the couple of items I know I can sell for decent money, with patience. *sigh*

I tried! Couldn't sell a thing...

With the economy, I find it harder to sell things. Though EASIER to give things away...

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Amazon selling is doing good. Dh has been averaging one sale a day.

For the longest time we didn't have a post office. Not within 10 miles? I know - but I am a CITY girl! We need closer post offices. Anyway, this never would have worked.

BUT, we now have a post office branch in our grocery store, and so dh has been stopping by every day. Usually it has been on his way somewhere (or he had to run and get some groceries, anyway). So, it's working out well. He is trying to build up positive feedback, so runs to the store with every sale - to mail it out ASAP. I am sure he will tone it down a bit, with time. But yeah, was thinking this whole Amazon thing wouldn't work out quite so well with 20 mile round trips to the post office.

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Yesterday I went on an adventure. I had found a semi-decent bike route to downtown. It's only about 6 miles - easy peasy. I was estatic to have found a bike route that avoided freeway overpasses and such.

To get to the meat of the stores, etc., in our own neighborhood, we have to cross the freeway overpass. Too dangerous. No lights or anything - cars coming on and off can be very reckless. So, we avoid. I would cross it, but refuse to take the child along.

So, I tested out this route I found.

It was a bit of a dissappointment. Might be quieter on a Saturday morning, but still way too many streets and cars for my liking. I also knew there was a unsafe stretch that I doubt I would ride without a large crowd or a big strong man.

I ended up making it about half way and called dh to pick me up. I just didn't want to ride back.

Left me dissapointed, but I will get over it. I think I will stick close to home. I may not be able to pleasantly ride to downtown, or even to any stores, but all we have is wide open space by our house. NExt time, we will just enjoy that.

I realized just how much I hate city bike riding. I also extra appreciate the fact that we have some insane long bike trial in our area.

We may have to drive up to the bike trail, and ride it to downtown, but that will have to be our comromise! IT is a ride I want to do soon.

My favorite ride is about 25 miles away by car. (It's the end of a bike trail which extends well east and west of our home. The trail is a 3-mile drive from our home, I suppose - though a little less crowded and safe in our vicinity - why we go to the safe/beautiful end).

But yes, we may try some other parts of the trail, as well. I want to explore closer to home, this year.