DH and I had the past week off. We ended up doing quite a bit, but nothing expensive except an overnight beach stay. Here is what we did:

Sat: Portland Saturday Market (free) and Chinese Classical Gardens (1 free admission and dd2 got a student discount) Also paid $3.50 for parking...much cheaper than taking MAX (our lightrail system)

Sun: Movie....(2) $2.00 off admission coupon

Mon: Portland Rose Garden (free), Japanese Gardens, and Pittock Mansion (2) $2.00 off admission

Tues: College visit...spent $25 for 3 tee-shirts in the campus store and $4.00 for a car sticker.

Wed: DD2 driving test....she PASSED! $9.00 for the test and $60.00 for the license. Coffee with my mom (free...she treated)

Thurs: Beach trip....hotel cost...bought some taffy and a cute starfish ornament....ice cream and coffee treats.

Fri: Home from the beach, dinner out for DH's b-day.

Sat: Family bbq for 3 b-days...movie (free with gift card DH received)

Sun: Pedicure with my sister.

All of these excursions included a meal out. We only ate dinner at home 1 day, and most days included lunch out. We really didn't plan on eating out so much, but that was just the way it worked out. We spent far less though on all of our activities so I think it balanced out ok...after all....we were on vacation. I really didn't want to spend my whole week off cooking and cleaning...that wasn't the point of being on vacation.

So....next week is back to real life, cooking at home and planning for some expenses that are coming up.

Here are a few pictures from our week off...enjoy!

Portland Rose Garden




Chinese Classical Garden



Pittock Mansion



Beach



Japanese Garden

Yipee! DH and I have a week off.

We plan to spend the time doing local things with the exception of an overnighter at the beach on Thursday.

We decided to do a staycation for this week as we had the big cruise in April and we decided to go to VEGAS for a couple of nights in October for our actual anniversary!

Some of the things we have planned:

1. Portland Saturday Market and Chinese Classical Gardens (coupon for that)on Saturday

2. Tour college dd2 is interested in (Tues) and hopefully see dd1 and her boyfriends duplex they will be living in for college this year (they are transferring from previous college and it is the same one dd2 is interested in).

3. DD2 takes her driver's test...Wed...yikes! Prayers would be appreciated....for the parents and the would be driver!

4. Overnight trip to the beach (Thurs).

5. Dinner out on Friday...dh's b-day

6. Family barbeque next Sat for 3 b-days.

We might see a movie on Sunday. Possible zoo trip on either Mon or after driver's test on Wed and/or a visit to Pittock Mansion (coupon). Other possible day trip through the Columbia River Gorge.

There will definately be some eating out, but not every night...though I am not planning elaborate meals for the nights we eat in....after all...we are on vacation!

Here is a pic of the bag my mom made for Christmas...can you tell I am a coffee lover? Finally figured out how to post pics!

Crazy! A facebook friend posted that it cost her $106 to fill her tank the other day! She drives a Suburban because she has 2 kids in sports and has to haul them and all of their stuff around.

To be fair, they probably need more space than a car....I spent many years hauling kids and sports equipment around myself. But....my small suv (Ford Escape) has done us just fine....before that, I had annother small suv...a Mazda Tribute.

They also have a sporting event across town this weekend....at least 30 miles each way and she joked that the tank would probably last the weekend and she would have to fill up again.

No thanks! Even though we have a new car payment with DH's new Focus, I am glad we did it.....it might not make sense now (having a car payment and all), but we are working to pay it off as quickly as we can...that and the fact that it gets 34 miles to the gallon is even better....hopefully within the next few months it will even be better.

Paid the MasterCard bill today....ugh! Approx $3000.00. Most of it was from the new tv that we purchased before we went on our cruise. Picture was having some issues and the tv was about 5 years old. DH cannot live without his beloved tv, so a new one is ours. It is pretty nice....a smart tv....can view YouTube on it (yeah...oh wow) and NetFlix is on it too as well as the internet. We did not however, get one with 3D. A co-worker has one of those but she has small kids. I am not a huge fan of 3D and neither is DH so we opted out of a tv that had that.

Anyway, May had 3 family birthday's with gift cards at $25.00 each.

Mother's Day had us buying some pretty flowers for our Mom's. DH asked what I wanted but I said nothing....we had our cruise and I got some stuff then.

We relaxed over the long holiday weekend but ate out a few times. We went and put flowers on my grandparents graves. My mom gave me some money to defray the cost. My maternal grandparents are buried on somewhat of an incline and there is no way my mom and aunt can navigate that...especially since the ground was wet and muddy. My paternal grandparents are buried on flat land, but my dad has a degenerate muscle disease that makes it very hard for him to walk....it is getting worse and worse and he is finding it harder and harder to get out. My sister, nor my brother and sil offered to go so it fell to DH and I....no bother though, we were happy to do it. We also went out and purchased some flowers for our yard and pots. Almost forgot to add....2 baby shower gifts for the girls at work.

It was a long and busy May, but we had some good times spent with family and friends

Hopefully June will find us spending a little less money! I didn't really realize until I typed this out, how much spending we really did!

So, a few weeks ago, DH and I were visiting with our insurance agent. We had to get a new life insurance policy as our current 20 year term (where does the time go)? policy is expiring. We got all of that set up and then started our annual review.

Our agent (who we really like and trust) brought up umbrella policies. Part of the reason she did, was because we have a teenager and a semi-adult (20 year old who lives with us during the summer since she is in college). She was explaining to us that if something tragic happened, obviously we could be sued. We have $250,000.00 on our homeowners right now and that an umbrella policy of 1 million might be a good idea. She said that people that tend to sue, typically will settle if someone has a 1 mi umbrella policy rather than going to court. If you only have $250K, they are much more likely to go after your other assets like your 401K ect. She also said that an attorney could argue that someone with $650K in assets, and only $250K on your homeowners policy, wasn't doing their due diligence.

So, for about $17/mo we could have this umbrella policy....we can afford this no problem.

Our agent is not pushy or dramatic.....just offering the information up.

So...my question is for all you is....does anyone have this policy? What if any is your experience? Any pro's or con's that you could think of on why we should or shouldn't do it?

Thanks much!

We had a story on our local newscast this evening. They were talking about how cash is eventually going to go away. They were saying how "most" people wouldn't care anyway in this day and age. They had an author on who wrote some book about it....saying how expensive cash is....to print it, haul it to the bank ect.....also talked about how filthy it was...he likened it to passing a used tissue!

They were showing how now a days, you can use your smart phone for just about anything....how someday (maybe now)? you could even use it to pay people like your babysitter or server in a restuarant just by touching your phones together.....transferring the money and all.

It was interesting to say the least....what do you think?

Finally feeling like I am back to the land of the living....the 3 hour time difference really kicked my butt! Have done nothing this past week except work, make dinner, dishes, and watch tv! It did help however, that ALL of the housework was done before we left....that was the plan! And it worked beautifully!Now I am feeling up to normal and the house needs to be cleaned this weekend.....

Anyway, May is shaping up to be busy....the weekends at least....I don't think we have one free weekend this month except Memorial Day. This weekend dd2 has the SAT....have to be there at 7:45am about 30 min away....ugh! Sunday she is getting her hair cut and colored. Next Friday, we are having a baby shower at work for the 2 gals that are expecting....brunch at my bother and sil's house on Sunday. The following weekend we have a family birthday celebration for 3 of dh's family.

Gift's that need to be purchased:

2 baby shower gifts (both girls)!

3 b-day gifts/gift cards for dh family (mil, bil and nephew)

1 b-day gift card for my aunt....normally don't buy for her but she did get me something on my b-day and both the girls last year....feel somewhat obligated.

Flowers for memorial day....will take and put on all of the grandparents.....my dad's parents are burried next to each other and my mom's parents are too, though at different sites....we missed last year so we really need to get there this year....plus since my grandmother passed in Feb, it is a must.

I think that it is......goodness....I hope so!

We had a great time on our cruise! We saw 4 islands (Grand Turk, Dominican Republic, Curacao, and Aruba)and had some great adventures but I am glad to be home after 10 days away.

Took today off from work (as did DH)...house was clean before we left so all there was to do was laundry and groceries. I am still working on getting back to West coat time....for some reason, that 3 hour time difference really got me this time....I am just dragging today.

Ended up spending about $500 total between shopping on the islands and the ship. This also includes the meals we had on Friday before getting on the ship on Saturday and a meal and snacks on Sunday coming home....it also includes bingo on the ship on a day at sea and some adult beverages and specialty coffee drinks on the ship....all in all....not too bad....I feel so much better knowing everything else was paid for before we left.

Will try to post some pics but I have no idea how to do it on here....any instructions would be appreciated

is the big day! We fly out (at long last) for our anniversary cruise we have had planned for a year. So excited! We will fly all day Friday and then spend the night in a hotel and hop on the ship on Saturday.

As I mentioned before, our cruise, flight and excursions are all paid for in full which is a huge relief and a blessing too!

There are a few expenses that have cropped up (cruise related) but not a worry at all.

DH and I have both purchased a few clothing items.....dh needed some new swim trunks and I needed some new sandals. We also both purchased new sunglasses. A few other clothng items purchased to spruce up the wardrobe. Many of these items were paid for with gift cards we have been saving, plus coupon use and some smart shopping, so not alot of outlay of cash.

A few toiletry itmes also...sunscreen, wrinkle release (for clothes), and a prescription for an ear patch for me....I had a little bit of sea sickness on our last trip so I am hoping I will have none this time....we will see how it works.

Lastly....tanning....we both purchased a small tanning package....I am NOT an advocate of using tanning beds and always wear sunscreen outside...however, I am rather fair, and I wanted to get a bit of color on me since we are going very far down south in the Carribean.

And lastly...a surprise for DH.....I ordered a wine basket to be delivered to our room on Saturday....I am hoping it will be there when we check in! For $39 we are getting a bottle of white wine, 4 or 5 different kinds of fruit, cheese and crackers, and nuts....I am hoping he will be super surprised. I ordered it right through Carnival. He is always doing nice things for me and I wanted to do something that will totally surprise him.

We will be eating breakfast, lunch and dinner out on Friday....our flight leaves at 6am so I am not going to get up and make breakfast and dirty up the kitchen....we will probably have lunch during our layover, and then dinner after we get to Florida and check in our hotel....by then we will probably we falling asleep on our feet and ready for bed!

Ugh! Co-worker came back to work yesterday after having Spring Break off....was telling us that over the weekend they received a call from their MasterCard questioning a charge...yep...you guessed it....fraudulent charge.

I guess she pays $8 a month for fraud protection so she was happy (kinda)?? that it acutally paid off to have that protection....on the other hand....I am sure she wasn't thrilled her credit card was hacked either!

I think this kind of thing is only going to get worse....2 people I know in the past week? Yikes!

Ugh! I feel so bad for her....she logged on to her account this morning before work and discovered she was .19 in the hole...she immediately knew something was wrong...she has some auto withdrawls on Friday and knew she had the money set aside in the account for it.

Sometime after she arrived at work, she got a call from her credit union stating it appeared there was fraud activity on her account.

They closed that account and on Friday she has to head over there to get some things straightened out.

She is not sure what is going to happen with the auto withdrawls....if the credit union will pay them or they will reject.

She feels so violated....

Of course, no idea how it happened...probably skimmed or something....will probably never know.

Hoping it all works out for her

I will be on a cruise ship headed for paradise! The best part? Our cruise, flight, and excursions (4) are all paid for....IN FULL!

That's right SA friends.....paid in full. What a great feeling.

The only things not paid for are souviners and "adult" beverages.

Now, we don't drink much at all...but....we do plan on enjoying some tropical cocktails while on this vacation....after all....it is a celebration for our 25th anniversary.

We are so ready to get out of town....it's been a typical NW Spring....gray and rainy with a little snow mixed in too.

I am so excited!

That grocery prices have REALLY gone up? I don't mean just a bit, but like alot! I was shocked when I went to the grocery store on Sunday....this is my usual store for most of our groceries (pantry items) and I just couldn't believe the prices on some of the itmes I regularly buy....they have really jumped!

Add in gas prices these days and it's just crazy!

Boo!

Portland Metro area: $3.50's to $3.75

How about you?

No big plans as it is a weeknight with work and school for dd2. Will probably go out to dinner this weekend for a combo b-day/valentine's celebration.

We will have a family gathering in a few weeks as that was put on hold due to my grandma's passing.

DH got me an i-pod nano for my b-day....I really wanted an I touch, but since I have a Nook Color, it really didn't make sense. This will be great for walking.

All in all, it's been a great day so far!

Just wanted to pop in and say a great big thanks for all of your heartfelt condolences! It really meant alot!

We had the service and celebration of life on Sunday and it was so wonderful to see so many people come out to honor her.

We said our final good-bye's but know she will live in our hearts forever!

Feeling pretty blue this morning

My 93 1/2 year old grandma passed away last night. We knew it was coming and the end was near.

I was fortunate to have been able to spend the entire day with her yesterday, along with my sister, brother, 1 cousin, my mom, and my aunt and various vistitors who came to say their final good-bye's.

DH brought the girls up last evening and all 3 of them were able to say their good-bye's too. About 30 min after we left, she passed. I had a feeling it would happen then. My sister called me right before I got home.

I was going to blog about how she was able to spend her time in her home, even though she had some health issues, but that will have to wait for another post.

I am just too sad.

DD2 had a soccer tournament last weekend....such as it is....we were out on the "other side" of town last weekend. That necessitated eating lunch and dinner out on Saturday and lunch on Sunday. Lucky for me, I had some gift cards to use!

I buy gift cards through our scip program at her high school...actually it is district wide, but at the high school level, we get a percentage back that goes into an account that can be used for school fee's.

I used to buy religiously when DD1 was in school and I have kind of slacked off the past couple of years.

I am happy to report I am back on it! I want to build enough so when DD2 is a senior next year, I will have hardly have any out of pocket costs. Freshman and Senior year in our school seem to be the spendy ones. The only thing it can't be used for is driver's ed....bummer for me....I just paid $185 for DD2 to do driver's ed in April.

These gift cards are going to come in handy next weekend....DD2 has a 4 day socer tournament this coming weekend.....1 game a day on Friday, Sat, Sun, and Mon (no school Mon)

I am hoping to find some coupons also to pair with my cards...nothing like saving money when you have to spend money....ha ha....does that make any sense?

The good news....we finally allowed DD2 to get her permit.....DH didn't think she was mature enough and she probably wasn't but she has made great strides so we said yes. She is good kid though, don't get me wrong. Some kids just aren't ready when the time comes. In our house, driving is a privilege not a right! I don't think just because someone is the legal age, means they are always ready to drive. Like we all know, it is a huge responsibility to be out there on the road.....some people in my opinion still shouldn't be out there driving around! Anyway, $5 for the test and since she passed (yay the first time)! it was an additional $23.50 for the permit. I took her over to a sports park where the lot was completely deserted for a quick lesson....she was really anxious to get started! Lol

In other news....the food processor I ordered from Amazaon, which was a portion of the gift card received from one of the doc's at Christmas, arrived the other day....I had no idea it had come! Apparently it arrived Tuesday. Our office manager says to me this morning..."you know that box over there is yours"....uh...no.... nobody told me....I thought it was just supplies or something which I don't deal with. Anyway, it was a another crazy day (I had to work at someone else's desk to cover) and I had to get out of there at a certain time to take DD to the dmv....of course I ran off and forgot it! Ugh....I was hoping to play around with it this weekend

Just thinking about a few things I would like to see happen in 2012!

Financial:

1) $25,000 to savings account

2) Continue to pay off SUV loan...currently at $7500....still paying $500/mo.

Personal:

1) Lose 10-12 lbs by April 20th (the big cruise)!

2) Continue to eat healthy and excercise at least 5
times a week.

3) Learn to knit

There's more on my mind but frankly I had another busy day of cleaning and organizing and I am wiped out.....going to go relax in a hot bath with a good book!

Glad to have a 3 day weekend

Spent the day cleaning and organizing. Started off in the master closet....needed it bad! Got through about 1/2 of it and then had to take dd2 somewhere. Had to hurry as the Frontier guy was coming anytime between 8 and 5 to hook up the FIOS for internet and I figured if I left, he would call to say he was coming! He showed up about 1:00 and was here for about 1 1/2 hrs.....spent the time downstairs organizing and putting away all of the Christmas decorations that had taken up residence on the dining room table for the past week. Then dd1 and I attacked the tree....got all of the oranments off and packed away...put it all in the garage for dh to put on the shelves out there.Also got the tree taken down and packed away. Dusted and vacuumed and now the downstairs is back to normal.

DH is stuck working ALL weekend....9 days in a row....his company was having what they call a shut down and his supervisor decided his department/shop could come in and work on projects ect...needless to say....he is NOT happy...he is trying to get Monday off though so we will see. The money will be nice but he would rather have the time off.

We took off for an early dinner (with a coupon of course) and came home....I sat down for a while to watch tv and could barely get up when I was done. I have a feeling I am going to be very sore tomorrow morning.

No plans tonight since DH has to work tomorrow. DD1 is home...she was invited to a party but decided not to go....bunch of old high school friends and she figured there would just be a bunch of drunk people there. The friend that invited her just got his own place so she was pretty sure it was going to be wild. She is bummed she can't spend the evening with her boyfriend....he just lives too far from here. He lives much closer to the college they go to so from here it is about a 2 hour drive to his place. (He only lives about 1/2 hr from their college). DD2 is spending the night at her bff's. They are ringing in the New Year at another friends house and her boyfriend is there too. Won't see her until sometime tomorrow.

Going to spend Sunday finishing up the rest of the house....want to start the New Year off with a clean and organized house!

Hoping to post goals tomorrow....Happy New Year!

to get rid of those spammy comments on one's blog? Any help would be appreciated!

was wonderful and blessed. Hubby spoiled me as usual even though I asked him not to. He got me a small diamond necklace, $25 to B&N, perfume, new lunch tote, and a pedometer to replace the one I leftin a bathroom stall at Universal Studios in July of 2009

Received a fun foodie gift basket from brother and SIL, a new SnowBaby and some knitting things from my mom and dad....I don't know how to knit but I will be learning (I expressed an interest), and cute reusable tote that my mom made (cc free....you would be impressed) with coffee cups on the front and coffee beans lining the inside. MIL gave gift cards to Kohl's, and SIL (on dh's side(who had my name) gave me a card with a promise for lunch and a mani/pedi....that should be fun! My sister decided last year not to exchange with my brother and me....she doesn't like SIL and doesn't want to buy for her and therefore thought their feelings would be hurt if she exchanged with me. My girls gave me some Tree Hut body scrub and lotion....coconut lime....to get me in the mood for the Carribean! My grandma gives everyone a $100 every year for Christmas and their birthdays.

We headed out to Fred Meyers, Kohl's and Target yesterday...found a few tops at Kohl's and bought a couple of organizing things from Freds...other that than, not much spending.

Had last Thurs and Friday off from work (pto time) and also Monday (holiday) and today (pto time)....spent some time taking down the decorations, organzing, cleaning house, and doing some cooking for freezer meals (another post).

Not really ready to head back to work but it is a short week and next week will be too.

Looking forward to posting some goals for 2012!

The doc who gave us $300 visa gift cards last year gave us a gift card today for $325 to Amazon! Pretty cool! I don't shop much online so I am going to have to hop on there and take a look around.

DH has bought some stuff from there and just loves it.

I have absolutely no idea what I want, or really need for that matter, so for now, I am just going to browse and think on it until I find something I really want.

What a blessing!

And....it was $200 more than expected. Amount? $1400. Yipee!

Plans for it? Put it into savings for now. It will be used to pay off the rest of our anniversary cruise coming up in April.

We actually ended up receiving it early. The doc's usually give it to us at the Christmas party but it arrived in the mail yesterday. We have direct deposit but they prefer to give an actual check for the bonus. Payroll company messed up and sent them to everyone's house instead of delivering them to the office. Our office manager was freaking out and calling everyone to check their mail boxes...she didn't want them to sit in case people don't check their mail every day.

Glad it arrived safe and sound.....it is already in the bank!

I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed day!

Grrr! $60 down the drain. Boo!

Tonight we had to attend dd2's varsity soccer banquet. We have attended many of these over the years with dd1 playing 2 varsity sports all four years of high school and dd2 playing varsity soccer the past 2 years.

Sometimes we have done it in the cafeteria and done potluck or pizza, or like tonight had it at a local country club.

Now I am not completely against the country club. It is a nice atmosphere, but we were completely bummed that it was so expensive this year! $20 per person AND we had to pay for dd. We all kind of thought that the soccer prgram was going to cover the girls but I guess the coach decided not to. And to top it all off it was one of the crappiest dinners ever! 2 kinds of pasta with sauce (the tomato kind)was very soupy and unappetizing, salad, very small slices of bread, lemonade and coffee/tea and very small pieces of tirimisu for dessert. DD took small portions so everyone would get some (it was buffet style) and they never even came back and replaced the food that had been taken.

DD1 came home from college today and I was feeling bad she was going to be on her own for dinner her first night back but I am glad she was not subjected to that yucky food.

Ugh! Next year dd will be a senior so some of the planning will be on us.....I am definately hoping to talk the coach out of doing it there again.

DH received a $25 gift card to Fred Meyer from his work. We had forgotten that his work ususally gives a gift card around Thanksging time. The past few years have been to Safeway, but we don't shop there because they are so expensive. It was nice to receive one to Fred's since they are one stop shopping. I told DH he could buy whatever he wanted but he is thinking we need some new bathroom towels. The nice thing is they are on sale too and we can combine it with a coupon.

I also received a small gift card to Craft Warehouse from our office manager just to say thanks. She gave a gift card to all of the employees (there are 8 of us in a 5 doctor office) because we have been crazy busy. She does this occasionally and it is so nice to be recognized for all of our hard work. I am lucky to say that I work for and with GREAT people. I am not sure what I am going to buy yet, but I am sure I can find something.....I LOVE the craft store

Today is DD1's 20th birthday! Hard to beleive she is leaving her "teens" behind.

We went down to her college on Saturday and took her out to lunch and ice cream. Also brought her presents down. It was weird because this was the first year (ever) we didn't have a family party. It just didn't work out this year. She didn't take her car this semester to college and her boyfriend had something else so they couldn't drive up here. No matter, we had a nice time anyway. Family just sent her gifts to her. It is always fun to get that kind of stuff in the mail isn't it?

DD2 had plans both Friday and Saturday night so it was a bit late as I had to drive her and pick her up.

DH was not feeling well most of the weekend and ended up going to bed at 7:30 on Saturday night

Sunday was spent catching up on housework, laundry and grocercy shopping. Made a lovely roast chicken for dinner.

Tonight DD2 has an away soccer game so after we drop her off, dh and I are meeting mil for a quick bite to eat and then she is coming to the game with us..

I took today off from work as I still have a ton of vacation time to burn. I have several more days in the near future planned off too. Spent some time with my mom....we had coffee, did some "craft" shopping and she treated me to lunch.

It is a beautful day here today and should be a great night for soccer though a bit nippy.

All in all, a very nice 3 day weekend.

Back to "reality" tomorrow