I was laughing with an old friend today about one year we bought virtually everyone's gifts at ---unbelievably--the liquor store. It was easy! Baileys for aunts and uncles, craft beer for lots of folks, nice wine for siblings, champagne for party types, interesting liquers for friends.

That kind of simple shopping is hard to find. Where else could a tired gal get so much done? A bookstore? Maybe a gourmet grocer?

Four small but nice things happened that reminded me again of all the abundance around.

My dear husband found the long-missing Mattel gift certificates. They have a $65 value and some of that will go for donated toys while some stays in DD's Santa stash.

A former student who is graduating and moving to Florida came by my office with books yesterday. She gave me three of our textbooks, even after I advised her to sell them. She wants to clear out her apartment and be out by December 1. I have a copy for my office, one for reserve, and my bag copy, so I will sell these.

My officemate reads the Sunday paper in our office and left it for me--coupons and all. That means a double set in time for double days.

DH and I pulled the crabtree branches from the lawn waste pile and are cutting them up to dry for BBQ smoking. Thanks to Patient Saver for this advice.

It's another warm November day; long may they last!

Like Paulette, yesterday was a maze of challenges, but this morning I took a break from my online class to go through the bathroom cabinet. There I found more hotel soaps for Op Christmas Child, several very old lotions and massage oils that have been properly disposed of, and a can of Garnier Volumizing mousse (volume is rarely a problem with my hair). All have been dispatched to the best possible homes.

Since the class is was still whining on their discussion forum, I leapt into the kitchen to toss some stale cookie to the squirrels, combine some near-empty boxes, put some extra bags of lentils and rice in the food shelf bag, and located the brown sugar I knew I had purchased.

One more sweep revealed three empty jewelry-size containers that can go to the church holiday bazaar folks. I'm only at 14, but that's more than half! More later!

Sorry for the gory title; ever since I saw "The Simpsons" episode retitling Bed,Bath, and Beyond; I can't help thinking of it that way.

I dropped a quick $40 at the Bloodbath today. My increasingly dramatic DD has tremendous hair snarls despite the marvels of modern conditioner, so I bought her a satin pillowcase just like my mom had in the 1970s. Let's hope it helps with the back-of-the-head snarl which is more like a tumbleweed than hair.

Also purchased were more VacuVin corks,Britta water filters, and some of those socks with aloe and lotion for part of a birthday gift.

Our local BB and B is a strange place. They seem to be always hiring, even in this market, and their employees are incredibly chirpy.

First let me say, I'm not a big crafter. I can do simple things, but am useless as anything complicated. But I really hate the craft store because my DD LOVES it. She wants everything there. We never get out of there cheaply, although we always have the best intentions. Plus they have all those odds and ends of things imported from China that add up to $$$$ more.

Yet DD is happily decorating her new backpack with pins, stickers,and other blingy stuff purchased there.

DD also has had her back-to-school haircut, exchanged some shoes, and is now ready for the "Meet and Greet" this afternoon. I'm ready for a nap!

I've been listening to David Allen's Getting Things Done as an audio book from the library. I'd be curious to know if anyone has tried his system. It's not that complicated and seems intuitive. I'm going to give it a shot over the weekend to try to eliminate my paper clutter and better organize my school and home files.

I had a faculty breakfast this morning with lovely free food, stopped at an overwhelming estate sale but only bought a few things, and came home to work. It's warm again here, so I'm going to just do some minimal organizational planning the rest of the day.

I spent nothing except $4 at the estate sale for some silver picture frames and a girl's top for my friend's daughter. Leftovers tonight!

I spent the day puttering around--wrapping presents for upcoming birthdays, sifting through my recipe box, packing for a trip to the lake next week, planting some late-season perennials, and just tidying the house. It's been very relaxing and pleasant.

I've been watching my ebay auctions far too closely. Lots of watchers, few bidders. I need to discipline myself to check less often. There's not much real financial news to report, and I feel too laid-back to think about goals just now. Maybe I'll just enjoy August for a bit, or perhaps think about some spinach and lettuce planting soon.

I'm updating my mortgage numbers. I would indeed like to pay that off. Anyone have any real speculation about Congress ending the mortgage interest deduction?

For weeks my desk has been bothering me. I've got too many misc greeting cards, note cards, and just plain junk in that desk. Tonight I sat down, sorted greeting cards into types and purged a bag of stuff. Happily I came across a very pretty card and searched for its matching envelope, only to find that it was a (oh dear) two-year-old birthday card from our friends and frequent house guests from the UK. Here's the best part--it had $60 in it! I remember when they gave it to me, but I must have stashed it for the great photo of DH's home village on the front. Yeah $60!

I think I'm still a little jet-lagged. And it may be the heat, but I seem to be moving very slowly. DD and I have had a quiet day. I'm reading a lot; we went to the grocery store and took the dog to the groomers. We also stopped at Walgreens to buy (DD would be horrified if she read this) some deodorant. Despite regular baths and showers, at the lofty old age of 9, she appears to need deodorant. What a milestone, eh?

Like lots of folks, we've had the A/C on for days, but it's an a nice even 100degrees out, and none of us do very well in the heat.

I tried to upload some of my England photos to my blog, but it keeps eating them. I did get my Facebook album up for some friends. My $100 new digital camera did a beautiful job. And only $95 with the Target Red Card!

I may give myself a couple of days to unwind and then attack the to-ebay pile.

I'm still kind of off from the events of the week, but I've decided to do as many normal things as possible, to help me feel a bit more centered. So today DD and I worked in the garden, I hung some laundry, and we went to a movie at the library. We cut rhubarb from the garden and found some wild strawberries on the side of the house. I also talked to the funeral director about an obit for my mom. My brother and I wrote one--about 20 lines long and the Minneapolis paper wanted (eek!) $600 for it. So I'll shorten it tomorrow.

I decided to cash in some money from MyPoints toward a $50 Paypal deposit. I'm still hoping to get my balance equivalent to a couple of mortgage payments. I did some capstone project evaluations and have decided to take some money from the paltry little Upromise account and put it into DD's 529 plan. Nothing big, but it's made me feel a little more normal.

Going through Mom's papers, I found the payment card for my parents' wedding rings. They were married in October 1942 and paid $82.50 for their rings. Isn't that sweet? My dad paid them off at about $5/week in February 1943. I'm not sure why I find that so poignant, but I'm happy my Mom kept the card.

I suspect we've had this discussion before, but I'm wondering how much, if anything, folks spend on gifts for their kid's teachers and other school staff. A mom at school shocked me this morning when she said she bought a (eek!) $100 gift card for her son's teacher.

I had DD write a thank-you note and gave the teacher a $20 gift card. The bus drivers each got a small Target gift card too. Am I too cheap?

More progress on the deluttering! I spent half an hour in the basement laundry room clearing things up and throwing misc junk away--and lo and behold--I found DD's long-lost Hello Kitty camera! She'll be thrilled.

I've also listed a couple of books on ebay. Slow but steady, I hope.

In response to last night's anxiety, I got a little busy today. I did three loads of laundry and hung them outside, made chicken broth with the remnants of a leftover rotisserie chicken, listed five things on ebay and one on Craigslist. Three of my ebay items have bids. I'm always surprised at what I can find to sell--from old Turbotax programs to vintage eyeglasses. I'm also happy to report the garden yielded its first fruits (uhmm veggies) in the form of a dozen or so radishes tonight.

I'm headed to Minneapolis this weekend to celebrate a friend's birthday and to visit my mom, and so made a load of food for DD and DH. Bean salad, berry muffins, and a chocolate cherry cake will make them happy I'm going.

I bought an Old Navy half price groupon because I KNOW it'll get used, but to try to stem some of my nerves, I'm going to try to raise enough extra cash for two mortgage payments in case the job situation does hit DH. Now if I could just find a groupon for a half price family room at a decent London hotel...

I finally got a few ebay items listed: mostly some kid's clothes and a few vintage magazines and odds and ends. I listed low starting prices as my goal is mostly to get rid of these things. I have another load of books to take to Half Price too as the office cleaning continues unceasingly. I'm hoping t oget the Craigslist photos done tonight to sell more of DD's clothes. Look for a photo of my clean office sometime next week.

Last night was one of those bad nights--not horrible, just irritating. Yesterday afternoon we decided we really needed to attend the funeral for a friend's mom. We don't know them all that well, but they always seem like they really need/appreciate our relationship.
The funeral was way on the other side of town, through a huge road-work zone. It took us longer than we thought, but we managed to get there on time. DH changed into a clean shirt at the gas station, but managed to get oil on the shirt in the station restroom. Then DD dropped a piece of cake on her new dress at the coffee after the service. We got lost coming home, then arrived home only to remember that DH's car was still at the park and ride from his morning commute. What should have been a 25-minute trip took us over an hour all together.

Then DH misplaced the manual for his new circular saw and tore the house apart looking for it. He's having some issues at work, and his anxiety level is really high. After 90 minutes of looking for the manual, he was driving me so nuts, I decided to evacuate the scene and do some laundry. There was no talking to him, but sure enough, the manual surfaced this morning under the Sunday paper.

So--I'm hoping for a calmer day today. When DH is that wound up, he needs the calmest home I can muster. I think dinner on the patio and a cleaner house might help him.

I'm hoping to get a walk in after grocery shopping and cleaning. CB has inspired me!

It's been a wacky weather day, but we had a gorgeous sunset. Lots of rain in beautiful sunshine and very steamy humidity.
Today was the official last day of classes, and I said goodbye to the last of them today. I proctor a competition for students tomorrow, so I'll see some again, but most are just gone.

I had a celebratory lunch with an old friend, and am finishing up grades now. We bought our UK tickets last night too. From Chicago, Virgin saved us over $1000 vs BA on three tickets, and over $500 on American. The prices were still ugly, but I needed to get it done.

Stay tuned for summer plans and decluttering.

No big deal today, but DD's school bus was late, which meant I had to park nearby the U and pay for parking or be late to class. And I ate a little too much, schlepped around a little too much, and didn't feel very productive today. Guess I need a long bath and a good night's sleep.

We started our taxes on Saturday but I'm short a 1099 from the publisher I did some editing for this summer. I've e-mailed them, but have heard nothing.

I did manage to fill a big bag of stuff for the women's shelter, give one of DD's outgrown jackets to the dept secretary, and haul the plates to my office for another colleague.

Bigger better things tomorrow. One of my co-workers said she was having the "hamster caught in the wheel" sort of month, and I know the feeling. But I'm caught up on my evening class grading, have tomorrow planned, so here's to a more satisfying tomorrow.

No, this isn't a political opinion, I just can't seem to find a home for my great aunt's china. I took it to two consignment stores today, and while they'd take it, they weren't hopeful it would sell. Indeed there were HUGE sets of china for sale very cheaply at each place. It didn't sell on ebay, it doesn't look promising at the consignment store, I guess I'm just giving it away. I don't really care, but I'd like it out of my house!

After multiple meetings at school and the consignment visits, I picked up at few things at Al Green's including free toothpaste and shaving cream. Homemade pizza for dinner, and now though I'd like to stay up and watch some Netflix, I'm going to bed.

Not a successful day on the diet; I suspect tiredness from the vestiges of this cold have taken away all my zippity-doo-da.

Not one, not two, but three! Purple Heart came to pick up a big box this morning, followed by a freecycler needing kid's clothes. I took a pair of DD's outgrown rainboots to school for colleague's daughter.

More to come, I hope!

Only 10,762,511 items to go! (Rough approximation only)

I've gone red, and not just for valentine's Day. I got the Target Red card today, and I'm feeling really glad about it. We spend at least $100/month at Target. We own Target stock. I love Target, despite its sometimes flaws.

As I blogged yesterday, I volunteered to do the Target shop for a colleague with a seriously ill child. They're overloaded and overwhelmed, and another colleague has set up a site through "Lotsa Helping Hands" to organize volunteering. I cleaned a few weeks ago and will make dinner soon, but I needed to go to Target and this seemed like a double-duty opportunity.

Unlike yesterday's bad grocery shopping trip, today's Target shop was one of those rare experiences where everything seemed to go right. I had manufacturers' coupons, Target coupons, rebates, etc. I remembered to get TurboTax, everything was in stock, most of my list was on sale; it was fabulous. We spent about $100/each so saved $10 total with the red card, plus got exceptionally good buys on most everything.

I'm a walking advert for Target today.

It's a cold one here in the Midwest, and even colder temps forecast for tomorrow. Days like this make me realize how much we need new windows, but they'll have to wait a bit. To make do until then there's 3M plastic on some, draft stoppers on others, honeycomb blinds on the bedroom windows--and the guest room has rolled towels over the sills.

I've spent the day prepping for next semester and copying eight years of teaching evaluations for my promotion file. Most of the evals were very nice, but some are just strange--one said I change the pitch of my voice too much. Students are just strange sometimes.

I dejunked a bit more, dropping off an old unused camera to a freecycler at the university and mailing an ebay sale. I do feel like I'm making progress--there's just a lot more to go.

Stay warm everyone!

Call it January restlessness, but I couldn't sleep last night. At 2am, I gave up and decided to empty my brain by making a big list of long- and short-term goals.

Some of them were financial, some of them will be achieved only because of financial planning, but there were others too.

I think the massive decluttering and selling, especially of some of my mom's things, has me thinking about the accumulation of stuff and how we could better live our lives. Nothing profound out of this, just thinking.

On a much more mundane note, it's double coupon day, we're out of dog food, I sold another book, and we've been selected to be product testers of a "food product," more about which I'm not supposed to divulge. So that will be dinner tonight; I've got laundry to do and classes to plan. I'll think in my spare time!

I've sold lots of books and a couple of other things on ebay for (I can't quite believe this myself) $478 in the last two weeks. Some of it was stuff from the closets, unused textbooks, some of my mom's things--and I'm going to have to start tipping the guys at the PO soon, I'm there so much.

I advertised on freecycle for someone to get our moving boxes from seven years ago, and they actually came on time today! In between, I met with a student, dropped my book donations at the library, and another huge box at the Salvation Army.

I'm very pleased with how well it's all been flying out of here. Long may it continue! Great buys on red peppers and Yukon golds--so that looks like dinner tonight.

DH and I tackled the basement organizing for 90 minutes or so this afternoon. We had a mini-debate on whether to throw away our wedding cards, but feeling cluttered and unsentimental, we decided to read through them and then throw away most of them--except for those from our parents. I am SLIGHTLY embarrassed to report that while reading through them, we found a Crate and Barrel gift certificate for $50 tucked inside a card. It was dated May 2001. There was no expiration printed on it, so we're assuming it's still good. So the basement cleaning has paid off!

Beside that, we hauled an old TV upstairs to take to the recyclers, a box of books to donate to the library, and a big box for the charity shop. And we actually got some straightening done!

One of the books I listed this afternoon has already sold! It's been a good day.

Actually, only one of the dread closets will be tackled today. Today--the guest room closet. I committed to hosting some college kids singing in our church choir at the end of the month. This has indeed spurred me into taking a look at the guest room closet--and all the guest room.

Like many people, I suspect, the guest room in our house quickly becomes the junk room. I have so much stuff stuffed into that closet, and it has to be dealt with. For reasons beyond my imagining, we have six bed pillows in there, four heavy blankets, tons of "gifty" things that never got given to anyone, various other bizarre items.

I always try to pick up small items to send our World Vision sponsored child and other small things for Operation Christmas Child, but I had maybe eight small bags that didn't get sent this year. I put them all in a shoebox to remember for next year. Thankfully they were things like colored pencils etc, that will keep nicely. I'm freecycling,ebaying, and starting a donation box. Somehow I thought I'd be done in 30 minutes, and 90 minutes into it, I'm taking a break. Wish me luck!

Yesterday was a great bargain day. We breakfasted at Einstein's while DD was doing French and used our 25 percent off coupon. Then to a local church rummage sale where DD got lots of cute clothes and books, followed by a thrifty trip to the library and then a double-coupon extravaganza at the grocery store.

Don't you love when that happens?

Both DD and I could use some better looking fall clothes, so Friday I loaded up my Lands End virtual shopping cart with snow boots, slippers, sweaters, and some of their closeout overstocks. But faced with either an additional 20% off overstocks OR free delivery, I balked. I want both!

So today we made it to the nearest Lands End outlet and ordered there, saving delivery costs and receiving my 20% off. However, as such plans go, we went awry again and bought more than a few more things. Their close-out cords which fit me well were marked down under $10 with additional discounts,as were mittens for DD and pants for my mom. They even had shoes in Size 5 for my mom, and a very nice gray cardigan for me. So much for my discounts!

Tomorrow night is the last night of my eight-week class, and I'm very happy. I like them all, but am too pressed for time to enjoy the class as much as I'd like.

Other Miscellany
We've got a busy week ahead, but need to find time to sort out health insurance and get the flex spending current.
And we're still in the no-heat competition, but cold winds headed this way!
I listed half a dozen items on ebay yesterday. DD's closet must be tackled soon!

Today was our employee benefits fair. I'm not sure why they call it a "fair." There are no rides, cotton candy, or thrills at all. The only games of chance are the guessing game of picking the right providers. I know we're lucky to have decent enough affordable coverage offered to us, but no one understands all the options, supplementals, and co-pays. The line to talk to various supplemental dental providers was 10 people long.

I was eager to vent a bit at our current dental supplemental provider, and lo and behold, they didn't show up. The university is dropping them as an option for folks in my employment classification, so I need a new provider anyway.

I went away with a foot of brochures to read, a mitt full of free pens, and a bunch of chip clips.

Such decisions to make!

I can feel my budget screaming already, but we're heading to IKEA to get bookcases for husband's home office today. IKEA always sends me into a swoon so I'm mentally preparing myself for not spending too much.

What wonders will it bring?

My 45 minutes of financial diligence earlier in the week has reaped some dividends. Two of my ebay listings are selling, I've got someone for my Craigslist item, and my flex spending check is en route.
I'm glad I got so much done!

I'm going to take photos for ebay, list items there and on Craigslist, and fill in my flex spending forms for reimbursement. I need some sort of kick for this--so I'm giving my fun fund 30%.
I'll check in later and let you know what I've accomplished. Wish me luck!

Today DD and I went to the mall. That, in and of itself, is noteworthy. Except for the outlet mall, I haven't been to the large mall here for more than six months, I'm sure. There's a smaller one nearer our house, but this is the "big" mall.

To put it concisely, it was jammed. Macy's had a huge sale, but I waited several people deep at each register. Everyone did seem to be shopping the sale and using their newspaper coupons, but man, it was crowded. I'm pleased with my home purchases--a really nice mattress pad, nicer than the advertised ones, found in the clearance bin for under $13, and an adorable set of Tommy Hilfiger pink sheets for DD's room--printed with white scotties for under $18 with the coupon. We needed both items, and they were both good quality--all cotton and very pretty. DD also got some school clothes, but I find myself thinking that clothes for 8-year-olds look a bit too much like clothes for 17-year-olds. I bought conservative looking tops, but still, some of them look pretty trashy to me. I must be getting old.

We got more things done--yard work and my most wonderful husband volunteered to do the shower clean-up. It looks fabulous.

Now on to ribs, corn, and coleslaw! It's been a good good weekend.