A little old lady in a beat up red car pulled up last night and came up to our porch and knocked on the door. She told Brent she wanted to explain the box and what happened. Apparently she lives down the street and has a 6 year old, an 8 year old and a 9 year old (2 boys and a girl). The postman delivered the box to their house by mistake and the kids just went to tear it open, not interested in who it was addressed to (any kid that age would do the same, I'm sure). They got out the things and looked at them and weren't really interested and left them laying out in her living room. Well, she works night shift and when she got up around 5pm to get ready for work, she walks into her living room and sees all these random objects and an amazon box. She asked the kids where it came from and they told her the mailman brought it. So, she gathers up all the things that were in the box, re-packages them nicely, puts them back in the box and tapes it up. She asked her husband (man in the white van) to drop it off at our place on his way to work.
Ahh. There are good people still in the world. I was so glad to know that some teenagers didn't steal mail off my porch!! I've always been a bit nervous about our neighborhood after those people broke into our house 2 or 3 years ago... and I still wake up at night sometimes and have Brent go look around and make sure that it's just the washer machiene or the dog or something making that noise. I'm sure it drives him crazy but that's how I am!!
In other news; I am getting rather uncomfortable being pregnant. Today and for the last few days I've felt like my stomach was very tight... which is odd, almost like slight braxton hicks contractions. I'm only like 27 weeks but gosh I've been rather irritable. The baby is moving a ton which is great and means he's healthy but at the same time I just wish he'd settle down for a mintue and let me breathe! I've not been sleeping well and taking my vitamen and eating a good hearty breakfast hasn't seemed to make a huge difference.
Maybe its all the stress in my life right now. I don't really know. I've been pretty grumpy with Brent lately, I've been short-tempered especially with other adults... the kids aren't bothering me so much right now. Alina has been super adorable opening each little present and counting down till Christmas, and Raziel has been getting really big lately... Last night I watched Toy Story with them and let them stay up until 9:15 (bedtime is 8:30) and we all sat in the floor in Alina's room and watched it together. Alina was in one side of my lap and Raziel was on the other side... it was super sweet -- he would stand up, walk over and pick up his juice or his blanket or something and then come sit back down where he was. It just made me realize that he's a little person just like Alina is and he's not really a baby anymore. That makes me kinda sad, he's getting so big so fast... but on the other hand, Judah will be here in 12 weeks or less and I need Raziel to be walking and such... I can't carry around everyone.
Today I don't want to handle anything. I am tired, I am grumpy, I am frusterated with my co-worker. I am sick of being pregnant but not ready for this baby. I am ready to get paid, I am ready to have a few days off for Christmas. I am ready to go to Florida on New Years. I am ready to hang out with my husband and not have to worry about work or the kids or how freaking cold my house is all the time. I am tired of trying to call this stupid doctor's office labwork place and submit my additional insurance info so that they don't think they need to charge me. I am sick of the morgatge company calling me when I've already arranged when I am making the payment. I'm ready to have money again. I'm ready to be comfortable again. I'm ready to wear my blue jeans again. I'm not ready to have a baby though. I'm not ready to take my 60% pay cut. I'm not ready for anything. I am so freaking worn out.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Blame where it's due
So my manager did me a huge coutesy on Friday. And it ticked me off so badly today when I found out about it that I really just want to scream at him. You know that 60 year old incompetent guy that's technically the manager of my store but doesn't do anything but screw things up and he's really the guy in charge but he never acts that way?
Well. His wife was in here on Friday because he's in the middle of having cadaract surgery in both eyes, and so he can't see very well. And I don't know why she was here - she's old and he's old and I just don't get it but she comes and helps him work from time to time because he just can't see well. She's nice enough I guess but to me it's a huge problem that our company has just never addressed... before I started working here she actually came and "worked" with him every day, although she wasn't on payroll or anything. And, the owner (our mutual boss) just ignored it... so she pretty much is allowed in here and on our systems and stuff because they never said she shouldn't. But. Here's the problem; she messes stuff up.
Friday afternoon I went over to Target and dropped off some flyers for employees of Target (and a few surrounding businesses) letting them know about our location and that they were eligible for a discount on our monthly rates. I did this and took my lunch simultaneously because I wanted to finish up shopping on my 30 minute lunch - so I went out on business but took my lunch too. I was gone for about 1 hour. In this time, I guess it got busy or something and Linda (my manager's wife) decided to help out and take a payment. She took the payment on my computer, logged in under my name (because I didn't log out when I went to lunch). Well, she did it wrong. Basically, she applied the money to the guy's account one time but rang it out in our drawer twice. Causing our drawer to be $186.37 short when we balanced out at the end of the night.
I'm notorious for not ringing out things in our drawer when it comes to payments - it's very easy to fix. You get a printoff when you apply it to their account, and as long as you process it through our cash drawer before the end of the night, you'd never know, it really makes no difference. SO. Bob assumed it was me and started jumping all over my case about the imbalance. (usually he's just counted the money wrong and assumes I shorted the drawer somehow, it's very frusterating.) I'll be the first to admit that I make mistakes. But, I don't process them twice - I just forget to run them (which is no big deal and VERY easy to fix). Well. I counted the drawer and agreed that we were short - but it was a strange number (namely $186.37) so I knew it had to be a payment. It wasn't like we gave someone wrong change or something... so I start looking through the reciepts and find a ticket for $186.37 rung in my name, rung out twice. I didn't help the lady. I asked Bob (manager) if he'd done it in my name and he knew instantly that it had been Linda (his wife). I was furious -- billing mistakes will be taken out of your paycheck. I asked him 4 or 5 times at least to please note in the comments that it WAS NOT my mistake and that it had been Linda logged in on my name. He said he'd do it.
Well today, I get an email about it basically just noting that there was the variance and how it'd be resolved (no paycheck deductions involved) and it just seemed to me that Bob hadn't said anything... so I looked at the comments on the cashout and noticed that he said nothing about where the fault laid... so I sent a note to our home office just to verify that he'd told them. He hadn't. I was being blamed fully for the $186 mistake and he hadn't mentioned anything about it whatsoever to anyone.
THIS PISSES ME OFF. Not only would I potentially be looking at $186 out of my next paycheck if they'd decided that it actually cost the company, but also it made me look like an incompetant moron to my boss and the home office. It made me look like I didn't pay attention, that I didn't care, and that (even though they'd just sent out emails about being careful with payments) I obviously just didn't give a d***m. Potentially, if I hadn't brought it up, I could loose $186 or even my job if they decided they didn't want to waste their time on someone that wasn't paying attention.
I'll be the first to take blam where it's due. But don't let me get hit by the bus you just threw me under when I wasn't even there to make the mistake or tell Linda she could use my codes.
In other news: the Amazon box turned up today. My husband says that some guy in a white van pulled up in the driveway today and left it on the front porch. Brent went out to try and see who he was but he got in his car, hollered "merry christmas" slammed the door and sped off. The box has been opened and re-taped... Brent says it's all there, one of the things had been opened but everything was still in the package. We guess that maybe some kid stole it off our front porch one day and his dad was bringing it back? Brent tracked the package last night and it had come from Atlanta and gone to North Dakota on it's way here (north georgia) but apparently it came a day or two ago (we don't know when!) and some kid swipped it or something. Brent says the man seemed aggitated to have to be involved, but he was nice to Brent... he just seemed pissed off about the situation.
Apparently the christmas presents my hubby ordered and the Baby Alive Get Better Doll weren't of interest to the thief... or maybe they were and they got caught by their parents and made to return the stuff... I don't really know. I'm glad they came though because it's about $75 worth of stuff in that box and I'd hate to have to process a claim over that through the post office!!
The only thing I forgot to do this weekend was take a photo of the kids for family Christmas cards. I've GOT to do that tonight and get things on their way tomorrow... OK, so people won't be getting their cards before Christmas probably but oh well. The non-family ones have been sent pictureless and I think that's a good start.
Well. His wife was in here on Friday because he's in the middle of having cadaract surgery in both eyes, and so he can't see very well. And I don't know why she was here - she's old and he's old and I just don't get it but she comes and helps him work from time to time because he just can't see well. She's nice enough I guess but to me it's a huge problem that our company has just never addressed... before I started working here she actually came and "worked" with him every day, although she wasn't on payroll or anything. And, the owner (our mutual boss) just ignored it... so she pretty much is allowed in here and on our systems and stuff because they never said she shouldn't. But. Here's the problem; she messes stuff up.
Friday afternoon I went over to Target and dropped off some flyers for employees of Target (and a few surrounding businesses) letting them know about our location and that they were eligible for a discount on our monthly rates. I did this and took my lunch simultaneously because I wanted to finish up shopping on my 30 minute lunch - so I went out on business but took my lunch too. I was gone for about 1 hour. In this time, I guess it got busy or something and Linda (my manager's wife) decided to help out and take a payment. She took the payment on my computer, logged in under my name (because I didn't log out when I went to lunch). Well, she did it wrong. Basically, she applied the money to the guy's account one time but rang it out in our drawer twice. Causing our drawer to be $186.37 short when we balanced out at the end of the night.
I'm notorious for not ringing out things in our drawer when it comes to payments - it's very easy to fix. You get a printoff when you apply it to their account, and as long as you process it through our cash drawer before the end of the night, you'd never know, it really makes no difference. SO. Bob assumed it was me and started jumping all over my case about the imbalance. (usually he's just counted the money wrong and assumes I shorted the drawer somehow, it's very frusterating.) I'll be the first to admit that I make mistakes. But, I don't process them twice - I just forget to run them (which is no big deal and VERY easy to fix). Well. I counted the drawer and agreed that we were short - but it was a strange number (namely $186.37) so I knew it had to be a payment. It wasn't like we gave someone wrong change or something... so I start looking through the reciepts and find a ticket for $186.37 rung in my name, rung out twice. I didn't help the lady. I asked Bob (manager) if he'd done it in my name and he knew instantly that it had been Linda (his wife). I was furious -- billing mistakes will be taken out of your paycheck. I asked him 4 or 5 times at least to please note in the comments that it WAS NOT my mistake and that it had been Linda logged in on my name. He said he'd do it.
Well today, I get an email about it basically just noting that there was the variance and how it'd be resolved (no paycheck deductions involved) and it just seemed to me that Bob hadn't said anything... so I looked at the comments on the cashout and noticed that he said nothing about where the fault laid... so I sent a note to our home office just to verify that he'd told them. He hadn't. I was being blamed fully for the $186 mistake and he hadn't mentioned anything about it whatsoever to anyone.
THIS PISSES ME OFF. Not only would I potentially be looking at $186 out of my next paycheck if they'd decided that it actually cost the company, but also it made me look like an incompetant moron to my boss and the home office. It made me look like I didn't pay attention, that I didn't care, and that (even though they'd just sent out emails about being careful with payments) I obviously just didn't give a d***m. Potentially, if I hadn't brought it up, I could loose $186 or even my job if they decided they didn't want to waste their time on someone that wasn't paying attention.
I'll be the first to take blam where it's due. But don't let me get hit by the bus you just threw me under when I wasn't even there to make the mistake or tell Linda she could use my codes.
In other news: the Amazon box turned up today. My husband says that some guy in a white van pulled up in the driveway today and left it on the front porch. Brent went out to try and see who he was but he got in his car, hollered "merry christmas" slammed the door and sped off. The box has been opened and re-taped... Brent says it's all there, one of the things had been opened but everything was still in the package. We guess that maybe some kid stole it off our front porch one day and his dad was bringing it back? Brent tracked the package last night and it had come from Atlanta and gone to North Dakota on it's way here (north georgia) but apparently it came a day or two ago (we don't know when!) and some kid swipped it or something. Brent says the man seemed aggitated to have to be involved, but he was nice to Brent... he just seemed pissed off about the situation.
Apparently the christmas presents my hubby ordered and the Baby Alive Get Better Doll weren't of interest to the thief... or maybe they were and they got caught by their parents and made to return the stuff... I don't really know. I'm glad they came though because it's about $75 worth of stuff in that box and I'd hate to have to process a claim over that through the post office!!
The only thing I forgot to do this weekend was take a photo of the kids for family Christmas cards. I've GOT to do that tonight and get things on their way tomorrow... OK, so people won't be getting their cards before Christmas probably but oh well. The non-family ones have been sent pictureless and I think that's a good start.
Alina's 3rd Birthday
I woke her up in the morning singing Happy Birthday to her. She was thrilled beyond belief and kept asking "it's my birthday?" and when could she open her presents lol. She and I made her birthday cake first thing - she'd picked it out at the store a few days back. Strawberry cake with funfetti vanilla icing.
She mixed it and I cooked and iced it and she decorated it herself :-) Then we made sugar cookies and iced them, and decorated them with crushed peppermint. And, we made Christmas ornaments.
She had a great day, pretty much being allowed to have whatever she wanted in the way of sweets and TV and such. I felt the need to spoil her just a bit - I'm usually so strict about how much sugar and TV she gets in the day and I just wanted her to feel like her birthday was special. Daddy got home around 4 and she was so excited. She showed him her cake and talked about how she was going to close her eyes and wish and blow out the candles.
She didn't want her picture taken.
Around 7pm everyone came over for our little mini-party. Brent's parents and sisters and our friend Jennifer came over with LOTS of presents for Alina! She was so excited that I thought she would just explode with energy. Every time someone came in she'd say "you got me a present?!" and jumped up and down.
Maybe it was all the sugar!!
After everyone was there and we had our drinks and all the food set out and all, Alina got to open her birthday presents.
She got an Elefun from Nene and Jessie and Ca-Ba. She'd never played this game before, and she loves it.
It wears me out, though, putting all those butterflies back into the elephant and doing it again and again and again.
I love this picture with her little princess crown from Nene and matching computer from Mommy and Daddy - she LOVES this VTECH thing and plays on it CONSTANTLY! It was a great choice!
NOTE: See this adorable outfit? Its so sweet! Baba sent it!! Thanks Baba!!
She mixed it and I cooked and iced it and she decorated it herself :-) Then we made sugar cookies and iced them, and decorated them with crushed peppermint. And, we made Christmas ornaments.
She had a great day, pretty much being allowed to have whatever she wanted in the way of sweets and TV and such. I felt the need to spoil her just a bit - I'm usually so strict about how much sugar and TV she gets in the day and I just wanted her to feel like her birthday was special. Daddy got home around 4 and she was so excited. She showed him her cake and talked about how she was going to close her eyes and wish and blow out the candles.
She didn't want her picture taken. Around 7pm everyone came over for our little mini-party. Brent's parents and sisters and our friend Jennifer came over with LOTS of presents for Alina! She was so excited that I thought she would just explode with energy. Every time someone came in she'd say "you got me a present?!" and jumped up and down.
Maybe it was all the sugar!! After everyone was there and we had our drinks and all the food set out and all, Alina got to open her birthday presents.
She got an Elefun from Nene and Jessie and Ca-Ba. She'd never played this game before, and she loves it.
It wears me out, though, putting all those butterflies back into the elephant and doing it again and again and again. 
I love this picture with her little princess crown from Nene and matching computer from Mommy and Daddy - she LOVES this VTECH thing and plays on it CONSTANTLY! It was a great choice! NOTE: See this adorable outfit? Its so sweet! Baba sent it!! Thanks Baba!!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Finishing Up
Well, I'm very proud of myself. Today (on lunch) I am finishing Christmas shopping. I need to purchase 3 more gifts, and finish the creation of 2 (which will be done tomorrow) and then I'm done. I've gotten the addresses for the folks I'm sending cards to, I've got a box to ship my family their presents in (which I'm sending next day on Monday to ensure they get it by Christmas) and I've even got all the ingrediants I need to make cookies and Christmas ornaments! I washed a bunch of dishes last night, I'm going grocery shopping this evening, I've paid the bills and basically have my ducks in a row!
I love being so ready for Christmas. The only thing I have left after this is actually a massive project... that will probably take several hours... Brent's Christmas present... so I need child care but can't do it while he's home which leaves my hands tied. I'm gonna have to get it done during nap time over the next few days off, and pray to God the kids sleep for a while!
My husband is so funny. He called me yesterday and said "sweetie? We got a christmas card from a very nice looking family. Who are they?" I laughed long and hard. My dear sweet friend Helen Joy sent us their Christmas card and it hadn't occured to me that Brent has never seen HJ or her family and wouldn't know them by name or sight like I do. (I've never met her husband Noah or baby Barclay but I read about them almost daily on her blog) It was so strange to me that there are people that Brent doesn't know that I do -- for some reason, it was so odd! I mean, I know there was life before the last 7 years of my life but I never really think about the fact that I know alot of people that he hasn't ever met!
Alina's laptop arrived safely a few days ago, and we are anxiously awaiting her baby doll and Brent is holding his breath as the last of my Christmas presents come in as we count down - 7 days till Christmas!!
Anyways, I am currently starving and need to run to Target and grab some presents and my lunch so I'm going to go now, sorry the post is so short but look forward to Monday when I have Alina's birthday party pictures to share!!
I love being so ready for Christmas. The only thing I have left after this is actually a massive project... that will probably take several hours... Brent's Christmas present... so I need child care but can't do it while he's home which leaves my hands tied. I'm gonna have to get it done during nap time over the next few days off, and pray to God the kids sleep for a while!
My husband is so funny. He called me yesterday and said "sweetie? We got a christmas card from a very nice looking family. Who are they?" I laughed long and hard. My dear sweet friend Helen Joy sent us their Christmas card and it hadn't occured to me that Brent has never seen HJ or her family and wouldn't know them by name or sight like I do. (I've never met her husband Noah or baby Barclay but I read about them almost daily on her blog) It was so strange to me that there are people that Brent doesn't know that I do -- for some reason, it was so odd! I mean, I know there was life before the last 7 years of my life but I never really think about the fact that I know alot of people that he hasn't ever met!
Alina's laptop arrived safely a few days ago, and we are anxiously awaiting her baby doll and Brent is holding his breath as the last of my Christmas presents come in as we count down - 7 days till Christmas!!
Anyways, I am currently starving and need to run to Target and grab some presents and my lunch so I'm going to go now, sorry the post is so short but look forward to Monday when I have Alina's birthday party pictures to share!!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Boys will be Boys
Or Men will be men rather. I want to write this post because I am abundantly proud of my husband. I am proud of him today because he is a bigger man than anyone I know and he takes care of his own and protects the innocent and the helpless.
Today, my husband punched a fellow employee at work. (I'm not proud of him for punching him I'm proud of him for the rest of the story - before and after)
If you don't know this, Brent's sister Rebecca was born with spinebifida. She has always had health problems and probably always will. A year ago she had total kidney failure and spent a month in ICU and another month or two in the hospital and is always in and out. We are blessed to still have Rebecca.
Brent has spent his entire life protecting her. Even as an 8 year old, Brent would stick up for her, defend her, and tell other kids to leave her alone. I think I remember hearing stories of him beating up other kids (when he very young) because they said his sister looked funny or asked rude questions. This is his way of life. Their father hadn't been doing the job (Mr. Haley is much more participant in Becca and Jessie's (the youngest) lives now, just not before) and Brent was pretty much man of the house after his brother Clint moved out. In addition to this, Brent has always been caring and protective of all his family, but especially of Rebecca.
A few days ago Rebecca came by Brent's place of work to say hello. Apparently, today, Brent's co-worker was making jokes - alot of rude, inappropriate jokes. I don't know what they were pertaining to but I do know it had something to do with her disability. Brent repeatedly told this co-worker to stop, and that these jokes weren't funny or acceptable. If you know my hubby, you know he has an impossibly long fuse and isn't short tempered by any means. He's not a violent person or quick-to-anger. Apparently this guy just wouldn't leave it alone, after Brent repeatedly told him to stop. Eventually my loving protective husband snapped and pinned the guy against the wall telling him to quit and he was serious... and the co-worker didn't have enough sense to keep that one last comment to himself and Brent punched him right in the face.... bloodly lip and everything.
Well, I tell this story because my hubby needs the encouragement, but mostly I want to tell everyone because I am proud to have married a man that works so hard to protect his family and sisters and kids. I am proud that my husband sticks up for people that are sick or can't neccessarily defend themselves. I am proud that my husband put up with the bull-**** banter for an hour and a half before he hit the guy. I am proud that when the co-worker called him on his lunch to make ammends (not to apologize, just to tell Brent he wasn't going to press charges and that he was "egging him on so... you know") that Brent was a big enough man not to argue about who would have won the fist-fight or tell the co-worker that he won't hit him again if he doesn't give him a reason to. I am so proud of my husband for being humble and meek and considerate of the best for his family and not the best for his ego.
I am proud of my hubby today.
Today, my husband punched a fellow employee at work. (I'm not proud of him for punching him I'm proud of him for the rest of the story - before and after)
If you don't know this, Brent's sister Rebecca was born with spinebifida. She has always had health problems and probably always will. A year ago she had total kidney failure and spent a month in ICU and another month or two in the hospital and is always in and out. We are blessed to still have Rebecca.
Brent has spent his entire life protecting her. Even as an 8 year old, Brent would stick up for her, defend her, and tell other kids to leave her alone. I think I remember hearing stories of him beating up other kids (when he very young) because they said his sister looked funny or asked rude questions. This is his way of life. Their father hadn't been doing the job (Mr. Haley is much more participant in Becca and Jessie's (the youngest) lives now, just not before) and Brent was pretty much man of the house after his brother Clint moved out. In addition to this, Brent has always been caring and protective of all his family, but especially of Rebecca.
A few days ago Rebecca came by Brent's place of work to say hello. Apparently, today, Brent's co-worker was making jokes - alot of rude, inappropriate jokes. I don't know what they were pertaining to but I do know it had something to do with her disability. Brent repeatedly told this co-worker to stop, and that these jokes weren't funny or acceptable. If you know my hubby, you know he has an impossibly long fuse and isn't short tempered by any means. He's not a violent person or quick-to-anger. Apparently this guy just wouldn't leave it alone, after Brent repeatedly told him to stop. Eventually my loving protective husband snapped and pinned the guy against the wall telling him to quit and he was serious... and the co-worker didn't have enough sense to keep that one last comment to himself and Brent punched him right in the face.... bloodly lip and everything.
Well, I tell this story because my hubby needs the encouragement, but mostly I want to tell everyone because I am proud to have married a man that works so hard to protect his family and sisters and kids. I am proud that my husband sticks up for people that are sick or can't neccessarily defend themselves. I am proud that my husband put up with the bull-**** banter for an hour and a half before he hit the guy. I am proud that when the co-worker called him on his lunch to make ammends (not to apologize, just to tell Brent he wasn't going to press charges and that he was "egging him on so... you know") that Brent was a big enough man not to argue about who would have won the fist-fight or tell the co-worker that he won't hit him again if he doesn't give him a reason to. I am so proud of my husband for being humble and meek and considerate of the best for his family and not the best for his ego.
I am proud of my hubby today.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Sunday Shopping
I had a nice day off -- too short really. We got up in the morning and went to church. I have just recieved a box of clothes from Baba (my mother) for the kids and the clothes are GREAT. I am especially thrilled about the 3 pairs of pants she bought for Alina (2 jeans and 1 khakis) with the adjustable waists. I feel SOO much better about the kids and how they look now -- they have clothing that fits (Raziel is finally into the 18months pretty well... we have to cuff the pants some). I love dressing Alina and Raziel in little jeans and shirts because they look like real people that I took a minute on, and it looks less like we just rolled out of bed and came in our jammies.
After church, we headed over to Walmart and picked up what was supposed to be a few odds and ends and ended up being $55 worth. Really, it was things I'd needed to buy... a few presents for Raziel, a few items for Brent's homemade present (more expensive than I'd realized lol!), Alina's birthday cake stuff, and a few clearanced items that we decided would make good presents for relatives/friends. We then grabbed some checkers (chicken nuggets and water! woohoo!) and went to the dollar tree where I spent another $20 on Alina's last Christmas present (yes, I'm done for her!) and party items along with a few things for relatives/friends. I also got socks for Alina!!! 9 pairs for $3 and they're all REALLY cute and I was so glad to find an abundance of socks somewhere that was really cheap. Well, so I spent alot more than I'd intended to but the upside is that I'm almost done with Christmas purchasing and I LIKE being done with Christmas purchasing ahead of time.
And, the nice thing is, we are getting paid weekly right now... I'm paid on the 15th and last of every month and Brent's every other week so it changes -- sometimes we get paid together and sometimes its staggered and right now we're paid every week and that makes life and money so much easier. I've been really proud of our ability to provide a nice Christmas and still pay the bills.
Last night I went over to Tamra's after work and went on a scavenger hunt for old toys to give to Raziel for Christmas. She had set aside ALOT of toys that were age appropriate but the problem was her kids figured out that those toys were going away and they dissapeered into the woods or their rooms or wherever we couldn't find them. I did bring home one of these
and Tamra's bringing over one of these (in her truck) this week
While these may be more appropriate toys for Alina, they are Raziel's big presents for the year. We figured he will be delighted to climb up the side of them and fall off and scare the daylights out of mommy on a regular basis. And, Alina will be glad to share. Currently, Brent thinks he'll be able to find a box big enough to wrap the slide (not the playhouse) and put it under the tree. HAH! I know we'll just end up putting it out by the tree on Christmas morning. It'll be fun because Alina and Raziel will both see it first thing when they come out in the morning.
I'm very excited, but now I do need to find one more toy for Raziel before I'm done on his Christmas. I love trying to find everything - it's wonderful.
And! I recieved one of Brent's presents in the mail yesterday and it's PERFECT! I was worried it wouldn't work properly but it works exactly right. He guessed that its car seat covers because I had to go check his suzuki. I hate it when he guesses good -- but I'm not saying that's what it is because IT MAY NOT BE!!! MWAHAHAHAHA!
Anyway. I'm a dork. Thanks. ttyl. I have shopping to finish and lunch to eat.
After church, we headed over to Walmart and picked up what was supposed to be a few odds and ends and ended up being $55 worth. Really, it was things I'd needed to buy... a few presents for Raziel, a few items for Brent's homemade present (more expensive than I'd realized lol!), Alina's birthday cake stuff, and a few clearanced items that we decided would make good presents for relatives/friends. We then grabbed some checkers (chicken nuggets and water! woohoo!) and went to the dollar tree where I spent another $20 on Alina's last Christmas present (yes, I'm done for her!) and party items along with a few things for relatives/friends. I also got socks for Alina!!! 9 pairs for $3 and they're all REALLY cute and I was so glad to find an abundance of socks somewhere that was really cheap. Well, so I spent alot more than I'd intended to but the upside is that I'm almost done with Christmas purchasing and I LIKE being done with Christmas purchasing ahead of time.
And, the nice thing is, we are getting paid weekly right now... I'm paid on the 15th and last of every month and Brent's every other week so it changes -- sometimes we get paid together and sometimes its staggered and right now we're paid every week and that makes life and money so much easier. I've been really proud of our ability to provide a nice Christmas and still pay the bills.
Last night I went over to Tamra's after work and went on a scavenger hunt for old toys to give to Raziel for Christmas. She had set aside ALOT of toys that were age appropriate but the problem was her kids figured out that those toys were going away and they dissapeered into the woods or their rooms or wherever we couldn't find them. I did bring home one of these
and Tamra's bringing over one of these (in her truck) this week
While these may be more appropriate toys for Alina, they are Raziel's big presents for the year. We figured he will be delighted to climb up the side of them and fall off and scare the daylights out of mommy on a regular basis. And, Alina will be glad to share. Currently, Brent thinks he'll be able to find a box big enough to wrap the slide (not the playhouse) and put it under the tree. HAH! I know we'll just end up putting it out by the tree on Christmas morning. It'll be fun because Alina and Raziel will both see it first thing when they come out in the morning.
I'm very excited, but now I do need to find one more toy for Raziel before I'm done on his Christmas. I love trying to find everything - it's wonderful.
And! I recieved one of Brent's presents in the mail yesterday and it's PERFECT! I was worried it wouldn't work properly but it works exactly right. He guessed that its car seat covers because I had to go check his suzuki. I hate it when he guesses good -- but I'm not saying that's what it is because IT MAY NOT BE!!! MWAHAHAHAHA!
Anyway. I'm a dork. Thanks. ttyl. I have shopping to finish and lunch to eat.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
My Thrifty Finds!
So I got to go to the McKay's Bookstore last night after work and I was there for about an hour and a half but gosh I coulda stayed FOREVER and spent ALOT more money!!
Imagine your local superwalmart. Now, cut off the registers section and all that random stuff at the front (money center, vison center, customer service, whatever) and then also don't imagine anything in the stock room that you don't usually see. Got the idea? Now empty Walmart out and fill it with rows and rows and rows and stacks and stacks and stacks of BEAUTIFUL discounted books! Then, add a big section on the side for DVD's, video games, and gaming systems... and then add a 2nd story, but cut out the center of that floor (so its just a second story around the edges really) and fill that with used CD's. The biggest place ever!!
I was so enthralled.. they had the largest variety I'd ever seen! They had everything from automotive books to novels to collectors books to manga to kids books to anything else in the possible world you could imagine. I went with a specific list of things I wanted and only couldn't find 2 things - but it was okay because I found better things!! The best part is how good the condition of the books and dvd's and things is and how CHEAP everything is!! Here's an examples (something I didn't buy for Brent lol)
Barnes & Noble: $19.95
Amazon.com: $14.95 + shipping
McKays: $7.50
Here's one that REALLY impressed me
Barnes & Noble: $40.00
Amazon.com: $23.40 + Shipping
McKays: $15.00
WOW!! Right? and here's the thing -- these are highly sought after items!! They aren't even Bargain Books!!!
SO Here's what I got:
Brent's gifts will be non-detail obviously.... item number 1 priced normally $18.99, I paid $5. Item number 2 priced normally $19.95, I paid $10. Item number 3 priced normally at $24.95, I paid $7.50. Item number 4 normally priced at $14.95... yeah I paid $1.95!! Total savings of approximately $55. WOW. And here's the thing about this -- I didn't compromise on the things I wanted! Every single thing I bought I was looking for specifically and if I hadn't found it there I was ordering it online! I'd already priced them all online! WOOHOO!! And they don't look used either. If I took off the stickers and didn't tell him that's where I bought it, he'd NEVER know. AWESOME
For Alina we bought 5 of Dora's little life lesson books... I don't remember which titles, I just saw they were Dora and in the bargain section! They're smaller sized books, and paperback... imagine the classic board book size.... like 5 inches by 5 inces or so... and paperback. I can't really find these online but most kids books go for abour $4 a piece on the internet, so we'll say that they'd be that much. The set would then be $20 and I paid $3.50. WOOHOO
Also got her this... but the volume she hasn't seen yet -- I think it's season 2 maybe? I priced it online before for around $15, Brent saw it on sale at Walmart for $10, and I bought it for $7.50!
Man. So I was aware that I'd raked up about $40 worth of purchases and I needed to head home before I went totally broke buying good presents that I didn't need to buy any more of (LOL). I was standing in the checkout line when I saw this from where I was standing: PLAYSTATION 2's!! Ebay price: about $80 right now... EB Games still sells them for $120.... McKays?? $60. Yup. $60. Totally wish I'd known that before I bought almost all of Brent's Christmas presents. MAN! But it's okay, good to know in future!
I have a new favorite place. HAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Way so excited.
Imagine your local superwalmart. Now, cut off the registers section and all that random stuff at the front (money center, vison center, customer service, whatever) and then also don't imagine anything in the stock room that you don't usually see. Got the idea? Now empty Walmart out and fill it with rows and rows and rows and stacks and stacks and stacks of BEAUTIFUL discounted books! Then, add a big section on the side for DVD's, video games, and gaming systems... and then add a 2nd story, but cut out the center of that floor (so its just a second story around the edges really) and fill that with used CD's. The biggest place ever!!
I was so enthralled.. they had the largest variety I'd ever seen! They had everything from automotive books to novels to collectors books to manga to kids books to anything else in the possible world you could imagine. I went with a specific list of things I wanted and only couldn't find 2 things - but it was okay because I found better things!! The best part is how good the condition of the books and dvd's and things is and how CHEAP everything is!! Here's an examples (something I didn't buy for Brent lol)
Barnes & Noble: $19.95
Amazon.com: $14.95 + shipping
McKays: $7.50
Here's one that REALLY impressed me
Barnes & Noble: $40.00
Amazon.com: $23.40 + Shipping
McKays: $15.00
WOW!! Right? and here's the thing -- these are highly sought after items!! They aren't even Bargain Books!!!
SO Here's what I got:
Brent's gifts will be non-detail obviously.... item number 1 priced normally $18.99, I paid $5. Item number 2 priced normally $19.95, I paid $10. Item number 3 priced normally at $24.95, I paid $7.50. Item number 4 normally priced at $14.95... yeah I paid $1.95!! Total savings of approximately $55. WOW. And here's the thing about this -- I didn't compromise on the things I wanted! Every single thing I bought I was looking for specifically and if I hadn't found it there I was ordering it online! I'd already priced them all online! WOOHOO!! And they don't look used either. If I took off the stickers and didn't tell him that's where I bought it, he'd NEVER know. AWESOME
For Alina we bought 5 of Dora's little life lesson books... I don't remember which titles, I just saw they were Dora and in the bargain section! They're smaller sized books, and paperback... imagine the classic board book size.... like 5 inches by 5 inces or so... and paperback. I can't really find these online but most kids books go for abour $4 a piece on the internet, so we'll say that they'd be that much. The set would then be $20 and I paid $3.50. WOOHOO
Also got her this... but the volume she hasn't seen yet -- I think it's season 2 maybe? I priced it online before for around $15, Brent saw it on sale at Walmart for $10, and I bought it for $7.50! Man. So I was aware that I'd raked up about $40 worth of purchases and I needed to head home before I went totally broke buying good presents that I didn't need to buy any more of (LOL). I was standing in the checkout line when I saw this from where I was standing: PLAYSTATION 2's!! Ebay price: about $80 right now... EB Games still sells them for $120.... McKays?? $60. Yup. $60. Totally wish I'd known that before I bought almost all of Brent's Christmas presents. MAN! But it's okay, good to know in future!
I have a new favorite place. HAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Way so excited.
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