No it's not the mosquitoes...

TOO many tomatoes!

What was my husband thinking?? The little natural science major inside him delights in the growth of plants. But the farmer's wife here grunts at the practicality of processing the fruits of his labor.

OK, enuff philosophizing.

Below in the foreground are the broccoli (spent and by the way, this species is a dog, way too little edible parts for the work and size of the plant), and the left background is the tomato jungle. There must be a 100 green ones in there.

So for those who think this is a blessing, feel free to come by in a few weeks and take a bag. Otherwise, send tomato preserving recipes. But note:

~I don't like em stewed
~I am not willing to can them
~They are not going to be boiled down into sauce, are you kidding :-/
~I chopped and froze some last year to use in the slow cooker later, mildly successful, but there are still too many

He is a great asset to the company and deserves the $500 (after taxes)!

Last time he used it to go abroad (by himself) to learn the world. Especially since he teaches geography at night as a 2nd job!

This time he used it to join a fitness club for 3 years. I'm ok with that. After the 3 years it reverts to a $12 or so monthly fee for life. Assuming they don't disappear, move and he sticks with it.

An honorable use of a bonus. Hip Hip Hooray!

In the mail was a $2 off coupon for Shell gas with the purchase of 10 gallons. Our family holds a Shell credit card because they reduce the price by 5.5% if you use it to charge gas. Which is what we use this card exclusively.

On Sunday, in preparation for the coming work week, I filled the tank and received cash of $2 (according to the attendent it was easier to give me the cash instead of reducing the charge amount).

Why do they bother though? It is nearly impossible to reduce gas consumption anyway -- I have to get to work and the kids to school. There is little to no discretionary driving already. Is this supposed to entice me to go to Shell instead of some other brand? How in the world is $2 going to make a difference to them? What marketing guru dreamed this ridiculous scheme up?

Nevertheless, you are probably wondering how I was taken to dinner for $2. Also receieved in the mail was a coupon for a free burrito from Chipotles. This is one of the nice 'gourmet' mexican counter service restaurants. In the same vein as La Salsa, Baja Fresh, Sharkeys (if you aren't familiar with these, too bad, they're yummy). Chipotle charges $5+ for a burrito, way alot for mexican fare. (Except they are mixed up too. This restaurant plays jazz and old swing tunes, has Rat Pack trivia on their cups and such. Now whose marketing guru's sister or brother got in on this one?? Idiots! But that's the subject of another blog entry...)

So off I went with the $2, free burrito coupon and bought a soda for $1.34.

I guess Shell Oil actually paid me to go to dinner.

My favorite kind of store - going out of business!

Everything is 20% or more off. Except 'The Planet Earth' DVD set (5 discs). The one thing my husband wants! ARGGGGHH!

I completely splurged getting it for Father's Day (you don't want to know how much it costs...). He is an earth science teacher, so it is far and away the right thing to get him.

The store hands out a coupon for one free 'Planet Earth' DVD with every Discovery Channel online purchase.

Also purchased a human anatomy model for our best friend's daughter's birthday next weekend (the one where the lungs, intestines, bones, etc are inside a clear plastic person). At about $18 it was a very good choice for a 7-year old with an 8-y-o sister. The parents are both teachers. I always want to give kids educational stuff, and have given them books in the past.

One more going out of business store also today!

It was a gift type shop with a number of jewelry racks for sale. I picked up 3 velvet blocks for $1 ea. GREAT for the June, July, Aug, and Sept craft shows I am in with Pretty Cheap Jewelry!

One Sunday a month I volunteer as a host at the Art Association Gallery. It is located at a marina, a moderate sized tourist attraction with restaurants, souvenir shops, and a National Park site within.

The gallery sees some foot traffic, but not as much as we'd like. The gallery atmosphere is on the spartan side. It is quiet (with low volume jazz or soft rock playing), uncluttered, with wares for young adults on up. Framed items, glass works, textiles and jewelry are displayed among other things.

Is this not enough in the age of clever media marketing?

Do people need to be bombarded with tempting signs, sales, and all the frills so common nowadays?

On the other hand, what about those shops that contain maybe 5 (stratospherically priced) purses or shoes? There's practically NOTHING in the store, yet they stay in business?

Ha! ha! Any thoughts welcome :->

This band speaks to me even as an oldster and I am truly heartened that they are using their video for positive

Nickelback If Everyone Cared

I am going to buy the record.

The ABC news had a short story on a new website/host offer at

weebly.

The beauty is it's highly user-friendly to put together a website, ie 'drop and drag' design set up.

Worth a trial run for a few weeks instead of paying even $10/month. Includes photos, blog and more. I haven't looked if there are charges for increased memory size, etc.

BTW I posted this in the Freebie/Computer forum but becomes too invisible due to the many subcategories in freebies.

After arriving a couple hours early and a successful check in at the airport a couple days ago, I settled down to do some cross stitching until my flight would board.

Happily working away with my scissors in my lap. When it struck me...

Oops, sharp objects not allowed. I kept working a little while more showing no alarm. Then slipped them inside the book of patterns and packed up my tote bag.

Hoped the scissors would not be taken away, as it was the only pair I brought. I wondered if even the actual needles would be taken away

What about the return trip?

Taking a flight tonight and thinking ahead :P

Packing a few dry snacks in my flight bag
Save about $5 by bringing snacks instead of purchasing, drinks must buy

Bringing radio/movie earphone jacks purchased on previous flight
It may not be compatible between airlines, but doesn't hurt to try (husband says some airlines give these out free now too)

Saving of the green $$

Want to get away without spending anything? If you don't mind making up your own bed, take a vacation in your own backyard, so to speak.

Vacations are for ...seeing new places... shopping new stores...meeting new people...relaxing...

1. See New Places
Take a hike! Have you ever explored trails nearby? Check the local

Sierra Club chapter activity listing for free guided hikes in your area. You don't have to join the Club to try a hike (ask to be a guest). Or just get an idea of where good walks exist. The Club hosts a huge variety of outdoor walks; short to long; easy to expert.

2. See More New Places
Go Birdwatching! OK, sound sissy? If you dare to try beware of having fun! Audubon Society is a wonderful organization full of folks ready to swoop down and fill you with knowledge. It becomes a challenge and contest filling your journal of sightings. Borrow binoculars from a friend or Audubon host.

3. See New Shops
Instead of buying the week's groceries at the same old place, try a different store. A new store's displays and selection are a breath of fresh air. For the really ambitious, shop someplace completely different like the specialty sushi market(!), tea and coffee shops, and organic groceries.

4. Meet New People
Is there a community college in your area? Or a local art association? Listen to a lecture! Attend an art show opening! It doesn't have to be something you know about, go to open your own horizons. Ask others about the topic, people are more than willing to talk about themselves.

5. Meet More New People
Go Stargazing! Look up the nearest astronomical society and go to a meeting. A fantastic experience, it might change your outlook no matter where you vacation in the future. Usually the club sets up some pretty nice equipment and allows all guests to peer out to space. These telescopes are high tech and are unlikely ever to be owned by the average joe.

6. RELAX
No hot tub, spa, pool at home? Fill up the tub and take a long hot bubble bath. (It might feel silly at home, but don't knock it till you try it). Light some candles, use shampoo or liquid hand soap for loads of bubbles, and send the kids away with spouse or the neighbor. Turn on something different on the radio. If you never tried the classical music station, DO IT NOW. Or tune to country if you usually listen to pop. Or jazz if you usually listen to country.

Start planning your next 'Trip' now!

'Del Monte' west producing too much:

-romaine lettuce
-spinach

and not enough:

-grapes
-flowers

OK, can't complain about the flowers. I've had a gorgeous purple/white/yellow bouquet of iris and calla lily for 1.5 weeks. Do you EVER buy flowers? Coral, pink and yellow roses on the way.

This is our backyard garden. How much salad can you eat bleh, time to give away some romaine...

Whoa! It took 3 days of wrestling with the antennae, 5 calls to the tech person in India (how's the weather?) and about $100...

but we have 2 PCs and a couple laptops on wireless DSL in the house.

Will wonders never cease. The $$ didn't really hurt, the frustration cost more. (Me, not the DH who worked miracles with a few electrons).

I am a proud new owner of Starbucks stock! HA HA

Have they played themselves out? My advisor thinks they are poised to expand a little into China for the 2008 Olympics.

It's worth it for a couple years.

Besides, I go there myself, too much

For the last few weeks (maybe after the forums were updated?) I can't log in to the forums sporadically.

Yesterday I could log in, today not.

I enter the correct name and password and even get the 'Thank you for logging in...redirecting you' page. But then I am back on the forum page NOT logged in and NOT allowed to make posts, etc.

I can't even put a post in the 'New Forum Bugs' thread HA HA. I see others had this problem in that thread.

So can someone do this for me? Or I will try to log in again later or in another day to get help.

Funny, I get logged into the blogs just fine

I tried to invite the craigslisters over to us here on savingadvice.com by posting on their frugal forum,

and it was removed,

twice!

What's up with that? Is craigslist afraid of a little competition?

Ah yes you were right about where to put the code for Etsy sellers who blog...

Now to add the button

Well, hope this works for adding the 'button'

DH and I are currently on dial up. With one child becoming an internet user, and the second close behind, it's time to move up.

Budget allows for an increase in cost but we're comparing the options:

1. Cable/Internet Combination. Evil cable operator in our area has alienated many of our neighbors and friends, us included. And the program content is not acceptable for my children.

2. Dish/Satellite. Seems to be the most expensive.

3. DSL/additional phone lines. Maybe this is the answer?