Thank you God for a stocked Pantry and Freezer

Posted on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 12:08 by AMY JO - 3 Comments - Post Comment - Link

With several things happening lately asking for large sums of money in the last month (the medicare story......we owed our 1/3 of my parents house sale which is 15,0000 and we only had 5,000 on hand.  My brother paid the other 10,000 for us and now we owe him that 10,000 back and plan to pay him in full over the next year and a half) plus the fact that my car needed new tires, and while they were working on it, they found out it had a bent tire iron as well.  That costs us a small chunk of our emergency cash to fix (thank goodness we had it to spend).  Matthew's car needs new tires SOON as well.

We spent about half of our tax incentive check on stocking up the pantry a few months ago, as well as stocking up on disposable diapers, toliet paper, light bulbs and other household goods.  Now that we are running tight, with very little in our emergency fund and looking at refinancing the house (the last time we tried this a few months ago, it was a no charge refinace, but our house appraised at TOO MUCH...........LOL and we did not get the refinancing.  How weird is that?? Most of the time, houses get appraised at too little to obtain a loan.  We bought a 60,000 house for 42,250, and now the house appraises for too much and we are having trouble refinancing.  We have a company that can help us, but we will have to pay a fee this time.) , we are thankful for the stocked pantry and the whole hog and other things in our large freezer.

We are trying to use our grocery budget to still stock up on items we know we need regularly and to stock up on grocery items that can be stored, or frozen easily.  And we are shopping from the pantry as much as possible right now.  I am so thankful that God placed it on our hearts months ago to stock up on items that are now going sky high (rice, grains, etc).  We were able to buy them just before the prices skyrocketed and have been careful to ration them out so they last the longest time possible.  I know some people thought we were crazy for "hoarding" as they call it, and when girlfriends see my pantry they are in shock and awe at all the stuff we have.  But I don't have to worry too much on groceries now because of it, and when a friend is in need, I have enough for our family, that I am able to help out.  We have helped one of Matthew's friends who was short on cash and didn't have any food in the house back in February with a car trunk full of food for his family.  And several times since then I have been able to help a few friends who were running a tight budget, or in between paychecks with bread, meats and milk, etc.

I am so glad we listened to God's urging for us to completely stock our pantry and freezers~!~

Tuesday

Posted on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 12:15 by Isabella - 1 Comments - Link

Plans for the extra Overtime Hubby has been getting

Posted on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 11:53 by AMY JO - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

During the rainy season of the year, my husband Matthew seems to be very busy with rebooting towers, and changing out injectors on the internet towers in town.  (He works for the city in the utility company, internet department)  It seems these towers and the computer parts of them are super technical and the slightest temperature change (hot or cold), makes them act weird, so this last weekend he was called out several times to reboot, change out injectors and one time had to turn on the AC in the tower room because the computer was overheating.  They also start being tempermental when it rains, or they are hit by lighting,  which happens OFTEN!!! 

Matthew stayed at work late last night due to in house internet problems with the networking and obtained another 2 hours of over time (I think we are at 11 hours on this paycheck so far, and we have until the 15th of the month to obtain more.  I am assuming he will obtain at least 2 more hours between today adn the 15th) 

Matthew wants to SPEND IT on toys of course.  A computer game, or more memory for the computer, or a new MP3 player.  He truly is a kid at heart, and takes after his father on this.  My hubby and his father are into every electronic out there.  We don't have the money to waste on such luxuries, but it sure is nice to dream about it.  Honestly, we have more than most people do in the area of elctronics probably, but no where near all the electronic toys that his father has (9 cameras and you can only shoot one at a time. LOL  His father also has several computers, etc. etc.)

So we have decided to build up our emergency savings account again.  We had to almost clear it out recently when Medicare came back on us asking for the sales money of my parents house after they both died.  At first they told us they were not coming for it, and myself and my two brothers has received our 1/3 of the house sale.  We spent part of ours, and then had to pay the rest back to Medicare, so that almost cleared us out!!  We currently have $1000.00 in savings and we would like to build it back up soon.  So we are taking anything above and beyond Matthew's regular paycheck and putting it into this emergency fund savings account.

We are also trying to build back up our personal Christmas account money, since some of the money we had to give Medicare was earmarked (but not in a separate account), for Christmas presents this year!!  I plan on making many gifts this year and have already gotten a good head start on them, but we will buy Noah some gifts (at 2 he isn't much into homemade gifts. LOL But I do plan on making him some flannel PJs with some cute frog flannel I already have on hand).

This is just something on my mind right now I guess.  FINANCES!!!  It is a bad word in this house. LOL Almost as bad as a four letter word in some cases. LOL  We are blessed though, I must say.  My brother payed for our other portion of the money owed to Medicare ($10,000.00.  OUCH!!), and besides that, we only owe our mortgage.  We have a plan to pay my brother back and should be done with this $10,000 debt to him (interest free....thanks bro) by December 2009!!!  We have no car payments, no credit cards, no hospital or doctors bills, and no bank or other personal loans except the mortgage and this loan, so we are very lucky.  I just HATE oweing money, and especially to family like this!!! 

Debit Card Charges we DID NOT MAKE!!!

Posted on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 11:44 by AMY JO - 2 Comments - Post Comment - Link

I try to keep a close eye on our banking accounts now, because some mysterious charges started popping up lately.  I hate numbers, and balancing the check book.  And I do mean HATE it.  LOL  We have started using more cash because of this!!  I hate writing out checks and mailing our bills (and buying stamps and more stamps), so most of our bills are paid online is at all possible!!

I checked our accounts last night (we have two bank accounts, and one savings account),and was shocked at what I saw.  On our account with the debit card (Matthew uses this account so he doesn't have to carry alot of cash, or a checkbook with him) there were two charges on Sunday for gas.  One was for $50 and the other for $65.00!!!  Now to some of you, this may not be shocking, comsidering the high prices of gas lately.  The suprise is because, we had decided since it was my car, and it mostly sits in the driveway most of the time until I need it, and because there are people out there draining your gas tanks while you sleep, we would NOT fill it up, but simply put $20.00 of gas in it!!!

As soon as Matthew came back downstairs I mentioned to him that I thought we only put $20.00 of gas in the tank.  He said I did hun, why what is wrong???  I showed him the computer screen showing the two debits.  And neither were for $20.00!!!!  So Matthew is calling the store where we bought the gas today and asking them to remove BOTH charges and then charge us for only $20.00.  If this doesn't work, we will have to fight the bank over the charges.

I thought using a debit card for purchases like this was safe, because no one else handles the card.  Matthew swipes the card at the pump and then the password, and collects his receipt each and every time we do this.  If this continues to happen, I am going to have to make Matthew carry a small amount of cash for gas purchases!  Crazy!!!  I hope he gets this settled quickly today.

An Update of Sorts

Posted on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 11:11 by amanda - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Good Afternoon Family & Friends! It has been ever so long since I last blogged. Not by my choice though. We are still without a computer at home. I don't see getting one too near in the future. I would like to get a new one when they have tax free day in NC. That would save me about $100. They also usually have good sales on computeres then. Lord willing, in all things though!

Our corn completely dried up this year. We are getting a bit more rain lately. Just too little too late though. I was able to gt about 180 ears of corn last week from a nearby farmer. I ended up freezing most of it off the cob with some on the cob. I am thankful to have found it. It ended up costing about $13 a bushel. That is so much more this year than last. Never the less in ALL things be thankful! And so I am!

We are also getting over a strange stomach bug around my house. We have never had the "uck bug" as I call it, in the summer!  Everyone was accusing me of having hot flashes last week. It turns out tht the "bug" starts out with serious "hot flashes" then the puking and an aweful fever and body aches. It only lasted 2 days though. Thank The Lord for that!

We should be starting school back on the 21st of this month. I still need to get a few more supplies for my dd (14). I found a new Bible devotions curriculum by Plain Path Publishers. It looks like a great curriculum for our daily devotions during the school year. I chose the Character issue.

Well, I need to go. My time on the library computer is about over. ( I MISS my computer!)

Have a blessed week in The Lord! For is is Foreverto be praised!

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

After the Departure

Posted on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 10:40 by Regina Scott - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Ahhh. My house is a mess and I am sitting here enjoying the relative peace and quiet anyway. My in-laws just left this morning. It was a good visit, but it can still wear a girl out.

The kids have had a blast. They have played hard. We took them all to the movie theater yesterday to see WALL*E. Very cute little movie. We all loved it. We don't go to the movie theater very often. I almost choked when we had to pay almost $40 for everyone to get popcorn. IT"S POPCORN. My goodness. The kids were all wonderful, though, and the only one who made a mess was me, hehe. I went to reach for something and forgot that the large bag of popcorn was perched on the armrest between me and dh. I accidentally upended half the almost full bag of popcorn right into my dh's lap. Poor guy he just sat there looking at me with this very startled look as I tried to refrain from laughing. I failed. I laughed. I have never once claimed to be graceful.

We also got to take a trip by some of the museums on the nearby base this weekend. Once again, the kids had a blast. They decided to run around picking out which was each's favorite tank, helicopter, etc. We also got to see some of the memorials that they have set up for fallen soldiers. They have one set up for Iraq also. That was rather sobering to look at with my husband beside me, who leaves in November. I rest in the sovereignty of the Lord, though. I found yet another verse a few days ago that will be added to my prayers for him. Psalm 34:7 "The angel of the Lord encamps around them that fear him, and delivers them."

Anyways, here are a few pictures.

Anyways, I am going to go do some reading and then get to my chores. I am reading the book of Ruth. I will have to sit down and share sometime. I love when God gives me something right when or even right before I need it.

HEALTH AND BODY CHALLENGE

Posted on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 10:09 by tractorchick72 - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Week 6: June 15th
    Weight: 172.8  Chest: 35.5  Hips:  41  Waist:  33  Thighs:  22.5  Biceps:  14

Week 9:  July 8th
    Weight:  175.2  Chest:  34.75  Hips:  40.25  Waist:  33  Thighs:  22.5  Biceps:  14.5

So I have a few ups and downs this time ....my weight is up a bit and so are my arms...but my chest, hips and thighs are down a little and my waist is the same.   With all of this...my total inches lost now is 9.  This pleases me even more than if my weight had dropped a lot because this means that the fat is going away and the muscle is building up! 

So here are my goals for the next three weeks:  As hubby just helped me fix my mountain bike, I'll be riding that 2 days a week (did that yesterday and thought I was never going to walk again (darn hills!))  2 days on my stationary bike and 2 days of walking to the mailbox (2.88 miles..hubby and I walked it together the other day).  This way I'm mixing things up a bit and won't tend to get bored with just the inside bike.  Plus I really need to be more diligent with my calorie intake.   So off I go again on another 3 week adventure LOL.  See you next time!

God Bless, Tricia

Musings On A Quiet Monday....

Posted on Monday, July 7, 2008 at 08:34 by Sher - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

  It's been a wonderful two days now that the 4th of July celebrations are over and while we had a nice family picnic I'm happy to have the fireworks overwith as are our dogs!  Poor animals, they don't understand the loud bangs of the fireworks and firecrackers going off and it scares them into a panic.  We were taking care of my sister's dogs too while they went camping and they were frightened beyond belief as well.  Fire crackers, sparklers, bottle rockets and the like are illegal in NY but it seems there's still no shortage of those who feel the need to acquire them and shoot them off inspite of the law.  I just wish they wouldn't shoot them off for hours on end but hey, I'm not intruding on anyone's right to celebrate as they see fit.  It's just a bit sad to see the animals running scared and that includes the horses in the pasture next to us.  Fireworks without the loud bang and flash of bright white light are great, we love those kind!!!!  It's the loud ones that we don't enjoy and over the years it seems that most of the displays have more and more of the "bangers" as we call them....  So anyway, I'm glad it's all over for another year! 

   I started working on a small braided candle mat, it's coming along but not quite finished as it needs to have a few more rounds sewn on.  Here's a pic of what it looks like as of now. 

  Just a little scrappy braided mat is all and nothing fancy.  Other than this I haven't really been working on anything although I do have quite a few unfinished projects that need my attention.  I always tell myself "tomorrow, I'll work on finishing this or that project" and of course tomorrow never comes as it gets pushed off to yet another day.  Ho hum, sooner or later (likely later) they will get done I'm sure. 

    I was out in the flower garden pulling weeds yesterday before the weather became too hot and humid.  Here's a pic of the friendship flower bed I started with the help of my dear friend Sher/Keith.  I'm really enjoying it this year as some of the perenials surprised me and survived the cold winter we had here in Upstate NY. 

   From left to right the flowers are: Cosmos, geraniums, Love In The Mist, Forget-Me-Nots, Bee Balm, Blanket Flower, Pink Yarrow, Sweet William, Yellow Lilies, Black-Eyed Susans, Some type of Poppy like flower and a yellow flower that I don't know the name of but was from a packet of wildflower seeds sown early in spring.  Along with the flowers there are chives, Clematis and Morning Glory's planted at the other end of the flower bed. Last year I had beautiful Zinnia's but after a fungus disease did them in I decided not to replant those seeds this year though I did enjoy the colorful Zinnia's as well.

My favorite flowers this year are the Blanket Flower and the Red Bee Balm, both of which are perenials! 

 The hummingbirds love the red bee balm too!

More Needlecrafts and feltcrafts

Posted on Monday, July 7, 2008 at 06:02 by Flossie - 2 Comments - Post Comment - Link

I am in a pin cushion swap over at Down to Earth Ideas and so I have been looking at a lot of cute ideas:

cupcake pincushion

Easy Felt Needle Holders

Strawberry Needlebook

Needlebook

From Vintage Threads - Grandma's Needlebook

22 free pincushion patterns from tipnut

Easy Pin Cushions

We are busy working on the soda bottle pinchushions and soon the Easy Felt Needle holder.  Stay cool!  IT is very smoky here in California and so we are trying to stay in doors!

SON'S 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND

Posted on Monday, July 7, 2008 at 03:25 by tractorchick72 - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link