10/31 Expressions

I am waiting to give our a few treats this evening.  But I spent 10 minutes on the phone, my husband spent another 5 and we made $40 :)  How you say?  Uh remember a couple of months we said we were switching our internet/phone provider because they doubled on us?  The representative told my husband the gaining company would take care of disconnection.  New to us - but okay.  We figured they told us that so that the losing company wouldn't get a chance to meet or beat our new rate.  Well, apparently, they can disconnet the phone - but not the internet.  So, we got a bill for $116.XX for 2 months of internet service from the losing company.  Yup, I got on the phone - and worked my up.  Even asked for the president of the company's address - they gave me the chief customer relations person . . . and another supervisor would be calling.  In any case, they would not credit this amount because we did not call them.  Next call, the gaining company, they apologized - and gave us a $40 credit - and also said they would send us a print-out that shows we were using their internet service and not the losing company's.  Okay, no call back from the manager and I am tired of talking.  So, I have my husband call the losing company to give them one more chance stating that we have proof we did not use their service, that their business practices were deceptive and that we would be writing not only to their customer service representative - but also will copy the attorney general of our state - uh, hold the phone - they credited the entire $116.XX - and we will have 2 months of credit from from our gaining company :)  Oh, tile has been grouted - and we get the hot water heater, washer, dryer, stove back tomorrow . . . may be a temporary sink because the cabinets have not been refinished and probably won't be until the end of the week.

10/30 Expressions

Pictured is the tile that got installed today.  Tomorrow, is the grout.  So, it looks like a few more days without appliances.  What we miss the most is the hot water heater.  The water was so cold, it practically knocked the wind out of me when I hopped into the shower.  My daughter and I have our treats ready to take to our respective places and we are ready for any treaters that may come by.  I got a large bag of mini candy bars from Rite Aid almost a month ago for next to nothing.  I also have 4 10 counts of Wendy's Frosty Jr. coupons.  I brought the pumpkin in.  As soon as the oven gets install, that pumpkin is going to turn in to puree.  The last time I left my pumpkin, someone took it and placed it in my neighbor's yard.  We picked up a few more microwavable meals this evening and some cheap socks at the Dollar Tree.  Oh yeah, we miss the wash machine and dryer too.

The real 10/29 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I am try to get some frugal motivation :)  When emptying cabinets, drawers, and shelves, I came upon some old cookbooks.  I have never been much of a cookbook reader - but I have started reading one - $5 Meals - has some interesting tips and recipes.  Maybe I will get some inspiration when the kitchen is back up and running.  I didn't leave the house.  My husband and daughter and made a run to the bakery - we got 2 dozen petit fours - according to the baker - if we freeze them and take them in Monday, they will still taste fresh.  So, they are in the freezer.  Now, they are out and about looking for a Redbox movie - we have free codes from McDonald's Monopoly game.  They ate the last free breakfast sandwich this morning too.  They did swing by Starbucks and got some more grounds (and coffee).  I probably have the best smelling to me compost :)  I watched an on-line video with Amy Dacyczyn last night - and was inspired by her use of fabric scraps for place mats.  The Queen of Frugal is still frugal :)  I need to get motivated and start working.  Also looked up ways to get rid of popcorn ceilings.  I may slowly start removing ours.  Thank goodness our home was built in the late 80's - so, no worry about asbestos.  Lowes, here I come.  I think I will buy a large scraping tool, re-use a spray bottle - and the worst cookie sheet and start out slowly.  Oh, and while I was dumping my coffee grounds into the compost - near my "garden" the tomato plants that really didn't produce this summer have small green tomatoes and a few more buds - maybe a good present of a few cherry tomatoes?  I'll take them :)

10/29 Expressions

I am writing tomorrows post today - because I want to relax most of tomorrow.  Anyway, keep your eyes open for fun free entertainment.  I just RSVP'd us for a free event for members only at our art museum.  I purchased our membership at a discounted price.  Anyway, we will get to preview the new display before it is opened to the "public".  Also, they will have live music, and free refreshments :)  Also, on Monday, my office is having a snack day, and my one of my daughter's classes is having the same.  So, since we don't have an operational stove/oven, I am going to use my $20 bakery groupon - originally, I was thinking of using the whole thing for the office - but now, I think we will split it and maybe add a few more dollars and be done with it.  This bakery specializes in delicious petit fours - a baker's dozen is around $11 - so, 2 boxes will be just over the groupon value.  My daughter is going to take some more clothing to the consignment store.  She is trying to think of ways to come up with $ to buy a professional quality camera.  I suggested saving aluminum cans.  I saw a recycling place near where we went to pick-out our tile - in an industrial place - much closer than the last place - and I am thinking the price per pound is up.  Actually, may be she can take all of our scrap metal.  Like our old water heater.  I noticed the the items the neighbor put out - rusted items were trashed picked - apparently no wanted old carpeting or pillows - because that was what was left for trash pick-up day.  I am also thinking about taking my Lowes giftcard and checking out the plants - hoping to find edible plants I may be able to plant before it really gets cold?  I noticed one of my neighbors has planted a bunch of fruit trees in their back yard.  Apparently, they still own several fruit orchards in their "old" country which they visit in the summer to work/visit.  I am hoping to stay home tomorrow and let my daughter and husband do any errands.  I have had enough for the week.

10/28 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  My $5 Amazon e-card has activated from Swagbucks.  The tiling people just left - and will be back tomorrow.  I hit a milestone in retirement account - I printed the statement - because I am not sure what will happen today - or any other day for that matter.  We got our electricity bill and it was the lowest.  They switched to a new system - hmmmm, maybe they mistakenly calcuated the ones in the past.  Other bills are low too - so, those Wal-mart giftcard helped out this month :)  Added:  Updated the link to our beach condo on the sidebar :)

10/27 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I entered a few more codes into the McDonald's Monopoly game - and won an EA game.  Yippee!  We are going to sell it - and put the money towards my daughter's savings goal for a new camera.  The kitchen is moving along fairly quickly.  They put the sheetrock and flooring in and painted.  Tomorrow, the tile will be installed.  I took a couple of hours off from my day job to let the contractor's in this a.m.  This evening, my daughter and I are heading to Wendy's for our dinner - and to see if they are selling the Halloween coupon booklet for the frostys.  I will keep a book myself :)  They are small servings - but probably more appropriate.

10/26 Expressions

Frugal deeds for the day:  I got a sample of Infusium 23 leave-in conditioner - and I sure needed it today :)  The $1 coupon was nice too.  The contractors are here ripping up my floor.  Oh, and by the way, did I know they were painting my kitchen too?  Nope - I need to pick-out paint colors.  I am going with the same colors, except a tad lighter - and matte finish - because those colors are still "in" this year :)  But, if I want my pantry and laundry room painted - it is another $250 - have at it.  Oh, and they are going to refinish the bottom cabinets.  Not the top ones - so, my husband only has to finish up half of the cabinets now.  But, my water has been off all day - really an inconvenience . . . the fridge is in the dining room.  Cold coffee with creamer is still tasty :)  I ate leftovers in the fridge for lunch.  I was really tempted to take the dog and leave for a moment.  But thought the better of it.  I wonder if they are working tomorrow?????  I need to go back to my day job - although I have Friday off -with lots of appointments - dental for my daughter, grooming for the dog.  So, my day "off" from my day job is tied up with lots of errands.  I pick my husband up from the airport, so, he will be around to help a bit.