mom-from-missouri's Journal

I am a stay at home, homeschooling mom, by choice. I do like to help contribute to our income. I have a rental property, but that mostly stays in the rental account.

So, I do some as needed childcare for a couple of nurses, and also teach American Heart CPR, First Aid and a few more classes.

Some months its nothing, but THIS month, which is not yet over, has been good. So far, $210 in childcare and $530 for CPR and first aid classes......

i'm not complaining!

If we can make it a few more days, we will have gone 8+ weeks without having to use the AC or heat!!! Yeah! I think this will be the first year since we have been married we made it through April and May without either. That should make for a nice electric bill.

I miss her posts. Am I just overlooking them??

Last week we had a night where it dropped below freezing. I had my plants in the cold frame and thought they would be ok (cold frame is made of bales of hay, with an insulated window top). But, they still froze (was supposed to get to 40, not 31)....so, I have to start my seeds all over again...Bummer.

Got in line behind a lady complaining she couldn't get her grocery bill down, and she was going to try and "extreme coupon" the next time she shopped.....

Since I coupon, that perked my interested, as I watched her be rung up I understood her problem.

Her "food items" consisted of booze, cigarettes, chips, candy, gum, paper plates, paper towels, Styrofoam cups, 409, laundry soap, dog food, cat food, a music CD, wrapping paper, card, and soda.

Meanwhile, my cart was $69 before coupons, $30 something after, and had milk, 5 lbs of rice, 10 lbs of potatoes, salt, meat, fruit, veggies, oatmeal, cereal, tea bags, and frozen bread dough.

I'd rather eat whats in my cart than hers....

Why do people call their pet food, papergoods, and cleaning supplies part of their food budget?? You don't eat them, AND the grocery store is the most expensive place to buy those items.

At the $1 store, I can get a 14 ounce bottle of arm and hammer laundry soap for $1. Minus the $1 coupon, its free. The grocery store doesn't have 14 ounce bottles, but they have the 32 ounce one for $8.99. Do the math....

Dollar General has colgate toothpaste for 75 cents, less the 75 cent coupon from the paper, is FREE. grocery store price for the same tube, is $3.09...Do the math.

Shop, compare, and complain about your food budget when you are buying nonfood items!!

2 months and my new car is paid off. Its the only new vehicle I have ever had (all others have been used). That will leave us with a land payment, and dh now has a credit card (work required) but it gets paid off monthly--in fact it only has a $400 a month credit limit, as that is more than enough to cover any business expenses until he gets reimbursed. Yee ha.

Yeah!! Got a nice unexpected refund coming from the fed. I try to adjust dh with holdings, so it zeros out so we can use the money during the year. But we had some unexpected medical, tution for a class I didn't plan on taking, and had to replace the roof and furnace and went with energy eff, so we got that credit. Then, my rental house sat vacant several months, and I didn't do childcare while I was in class full time. So, it all added up to a nice federal refund.

But as usual, we owe the state. No matter how we do it, we always always owe the state, even if we have extra taken out.

Actually our state tax would have been less, had one of my dh family members cooperated. While I was in class, I had to do some overnight clinicals on the same nights DH had to work nights. So we paid her to come spend the night here. I added it up, and it added up to around $250 we paid her for childcare over the 5 month period. So, I called her to get her ssn so I could claim it. (you can't claim child care anymore with out the providers ein or ssn). She said she would rather not give it to us even when I told her we could not claim the child care without it. Then she told me she wasn't even sure we paid her or if that was last year or the year before...(I had it all documented for taxes). So, we won't be using her again!

April 12, and I just bought the turbo tax today...Normally I have it all done by February, but not this year. I loaded it on the computer tonight, and did the basic information inputs. Tomorrow I will input the rental info, hubbys W2, my freelance writing stuff, and the investment info and be done with it. With 2 days to spare!

Last year I had him adjust his with holdings because we were getting too big of a refund. I am anxious to see how we ended up as a result. But, we may still be getting a refund, as we replaced an exterior window, furnace and put on a new roof--all of which will give us some energy credits. Also, since I went to school last year, I had some tuition that my volunteer job never has reimbursed me for (and most likely won't). I also had to pay for a couple new uniforms.

On the plus, I received my state license yesterday, and found out today 2 places are interested in hiring me PRN. I don't want to work more than 1 day every 1 or 2 weeks, and that was ok with them (for an EMT a day is 24 hours, which, being a homeschooling mom is about all I want at this time) I would earn around $300 for each shift so even 2 shifts a month are fine with me. Funny about getting my license, I have been watching my mail for it and was starting to worry as to where it was. Then today, I found it in my email. The state emails them out now. I had no idea that was how it would arrive.

I also joined our states emergency medical disaster team. That means I can be called in to work floods, large fires, hazmat issues, bus, train or plane accidents, storm or tornados....I also put down I would go out of state for up to 14 days at a time. Will be interesting to see what I may get called up for.

We have dropped the house phone and dialup internet that was through the land line. Savings is $79 a month.

Now, we have wireless at $49 a month, that is high speed.


Savings is now $30 a month. We can now have 2 computers on line (should be able to have 3, but one is being stubborn). Makes it sooooooo nice since we homeschool, we can have more learning resources. And, we can watch videos!!

Its a little ma and pa company, with great customer service. And, if someone else in NW Missouri signs up and gives my name, I get a month free!

I won 3 contest in the last 3 weeks at Thriftyfun.com, netting me a total of $75. Earned another $10 off of Helium, received back an overpayment of $45 for an event I paid for that was postponed (I will have to pay that again later when it is rescheduled, should I go), a friend had successful surgery to remove a brain tumor, and I have earned another $100 from adsense for clicks from my blog. Also, I was contacted by a company to receive some free kitchen items. I have to use them then give an honest review on my blog. Then, they may or may not elect to have me be a "regular" product reviewer. I have received the first of three items to review. The first was a stainless steel cakepan. We made a cake in it today, and after it is emptied and cleaned, I will post that review. (I want to see how well it cleans up first). Then I have coming a stainless dipper, and a stainless bread pan.

I hope this string of good happenings keeps happening!

I have been wanting to add some college credits in emergency management, safety, fire, and EMT to my college transcripts. Even though I hold certificates in these areas, college credits/hours usually carry more weight. However, they are often 300+ per credit hour, and since I am already certified I hate spending that much money to repeat my learning.

Last night, I was taking a CE class, offered free, online through the university of MO in collaboration with FEMA. Bingo. I can pay only $76 per credit hour to have my certificates and CE classes I have already taken converted to college credits and be added to my college transcript. (I get to take my CE's for free, so I would not be double paying).

I went through the list, and I have almost 200 CE's. I compared that to those that were marked they would convert into 1, 2 or 3 credit hours. It looks like 40 of them would convert. After they are converted, it seems I would have to take 2 classes, and would then have an associates in emergency management. And, the 2 classes I need to take are only available on campus, but as weekend workshop classes--and they are FREE. I don't think $3040 is too bad for another degree???

Right now, I am a volunteer fire fighter and EMT. With the Assoc., I could go up to officer with a paid district and get paid, or, even teach some of these classes.

Right now, I teach fire safety classes, CPR and first aid. Some classes I teach are free, as PR for our dept, and for other groups who contact me directly and are out of our fire district, I charge, but only to cover any materials I have to purchase.

Sooooo.........I guess I have some thinking to do now!

I'm tired of it, and more is coming down now, mixed in with rain. We have 20 inches in the yard now, and are getting more now and again on Wednesday.

I have 2 kids I watch on Mondays, and I hope this doesn't prevent me from watching them this coming week. The roads and our driveway aren't in the best shape. I kind of like that extra $70 a week I make watching them!

Yesterday I went to Walgreens. It was $47 before coupons and store coupons. It was $22 after. I stocked up on toothpaste (like 12 tubes worth), lunch meat (good deal-2 packs on sale for $5 but I had coupons to get them down to 50 cents a package), deodorant, shampoo, razors, drink mix, and some other items. And, I have reward coupons for $8 off my next trip.

Today, I stopped by CVS. My coupons and store bonus bucks totalled $73.41. Yep, my bill started off close to $100 and then with the coupons and CVS bucks it came down to $27.10 with tax. Also, I earned more bonus bucks for my next trip. I got several items for free today, including cereal (8 boxes), 3 boxes of granola bars, and free irish spring bath wash. They were free because they were on sale, and I had coupons for the sale amount.

For 50 cents I got more cereal, crest pro health 1 liter bottle, stayfree and 2 tubs of huggies babywipes. Then I had several items that after the sale price and coupon I only had to pay a dollar or less for, including deodorant, dish soap, pop tarts and paper towels (which I rarely buy as rags are reusable).

I have also noticed that the CVS store (which isn't in our town, but in the next town over where we go several times a week) the milk is about 75 cents a gallon cheaper for the same brand we normally buy. So, I have started buying some of my milk at CVS. On todays receipt I noticed if I buy 1 more gallon I will earn another $3 of bonus bucks, and if I use my green bag tag 1 more time I get another $1.

They guy in line behind me was impressed. He wanted to either marry me, to which I told him no, so then he wanted me to come home with him and teach his wife how to shop. I gave him my blog address and thriftyfun.com as well as savingadvice.com. Wonder if they will use it??

I called Dish Network to cancel. We received an ad in the mail from Direct TV that was much lower.

Talk about an ordeal. The guy at DN called me and my husband liars, said no ad ever came from DTV at that low rate...blah blah blah. It made my husband mad, so he has for a supervisor then went up one more level. Finally we got a lady supervisor who put us on hold and actually called DTV, who tole her yes, this mailing at this special rate went out to our zipcode, because they are new to our area. (why the first guy didn't call htem I don't know...)

Anyway, she apoligized half heartedly, and then lowered our rate by $15 a month for the next 12 months in order to keep our business.

DH says since the DTV ad offer is good for 12 months, we will call back in 11 months and possibly see if DN will extend their offer. If not, we will switch at that time.

I wish we could pick and only pay for the channels we acutally use. Most of the package we don't use, but the only way to get the channels to buy the entire package.

That has been my motto for a very long time. Why buy it if you can make it?

A few weeks ago I was in a teachers supply store (one of many I visit) and as usual, about fell over from the prices they want for some items.

I wanted to create a science box. Basically a tool box with science type items. To buy one?? The one I really really wanted ? Sit down, it is around $340.

So, I now have for $11 a rubber made type tool box. Same size, although I still need to mount the periodic table in the lid as theirs was....

Magnet set? The one I really wanted that came with objects to pick up and objects that cant be picked up (for comparison) was $19. (was also the same as the one in the kit that I wasn't about to buy)

I bought 2 large paddle magnets for $2 each.

I then went to the hardware store and bought a handfull of large 3 inch washers for 75 cents.

That puts me up to $15.75

Magnifing glasses at the teacher store are $5.99 each.

$1 store they are $1 (duh, that was a gimmie wasn't it??)

Now I have spent $16.75

Hubby raided the trash at work, and brought home lead wire of copper and fiber optic, connectors, conduction plates of copper, zinc, titanim, stainless steel .... his work won't use scraps if they are below a certain size, and they trash them, so that was all free.

Speciman bottles--FREE--from Grandpa's old medicine bottles. Most are amber colored, but a few are clear.

Petri dishes--in the kit they were prefilled, which ment they were dated. I found some sterle empty ones on ebay and we will either make our own augar or buy the powered to mix it as we need it--don't have to worry about it going out of date.

We already have microscopes, (but do need new bulbs, which I forgot to get). A retired science teacher gave me 1600 slides--about half are prepared and the other half are not--so that should set us for.....life?

I need to hit the dollar store again, as I forgot about tweezers and I'd like to add another couple flashlights.

We already have tons of other science stuff that won't go into the kit, such as posters, body models, books, bug kits, weather instruments (in fact we have an indoor and outdoor weather station), rock and mineral samples (lesson learned here, store on bottom shelf, they bowed my top one!!)We also have test tubes and a burner already.

Anymore ideas what to put in it?? I forgot what was in the one I really really wanted, may have to make a trip back to look at it again.

Oh--it had litmis paper, which I got at Hobby Lobby a week before for much much less--in fact we have already used a good part of it.

Now, if I was one of those impulse buyers...well, glad I'm not!!!

I used to get the KC paper for 99 cents. Now I pay $2.15. I had someone ask me if it was worth it. YES. I use the coupons in it, and often you find coupons in the paper itself, in areas other than the inserts (which are coupons you can also print off line for free). Plus, some of our stores don't take self printed coupons.

Last week, with using coupons from the paper, I received free, 2 tubes of toothpaste, 1 shampoo, 1 conditioner, 2 chapsticks, 1 package of cheese and 3 candybars. Then I spent $7 at CVS and Walgreen, but earned $12 bonus bucks for my next visit. With that $7 I bought 2 packages of rechargeable batteries and some soap. The batteries started out at $9.99 a package, but I used my bonus bucks from previous visits to bring the price down to only $7 out of pocket. I also paid $2 after rebate for a diabetic meter which I will donate.

I also find in the paper useful articles, such as the free days at various attractions such as the art gallery, and free programs put on at various community centers and libraries, and lots of neat articles--all which we can use for homeschooling.

So, for me, yes I save buyin that Sunday paper, and even turn it into a profit!

And tomorrow, it is supposed to be -30. Yes, that is 30 below 0. That is cold.

We are stocked up (as usual). People laughed when I moved here and created a huge pantry in the basement. I did it because we are so far from a grocery store. In the past it has come in handy several times and I think it will again this week.

A fire is going, the heat is set at 63. The living room (where the fireplace is at, is 71 with the fire going).

Todays tip is barter when you can. We get all our firewood for free. It comes off our farm, but we have someone else cut it on shares. The other guy cuts and splits it. He keeps 2/3 and we get 1/3. Between our 2 farms, we have enough wood on the ground from recent storms and a tornado to last both houses probably 3 or 4 winters.

We do the same thing with our hay. We grow and fertilize it. 2 other farmers cut, rake and bale it. From the first cutting they get 2/3 and we get 1/3. For each additional cutting we split it 50/50. (A good year yeilds 3 cuttings of hay).

In years past I have bartered/traded several things, such as child care for piano or swiming lessons, had my house cleaned for mending.....just exchange your talent for someone elses.

Today I received by fed ex, my scanner for the Neilson Homescan. I got it all set up this evening, and entered a couple of items DH bought today at the grocery store.

It came with a gift catalogue. Providing I enter shopping and send in weekly, I earn points. Then I can redeem the points for gift items.

My mom did this several years ago and said it was kind of fun. At the time she did it, she earned cash.

I had been on a waiting list, and was rather surprised that it arrived so quickly. I was only on the waiting list for about 5 weeks or so.

Actually, this is yesterdays lesson from my 13 year old. She and my DH had gone to town on a fire call, and afterwards called and asked if I needed anything. I asked her to get some trash bags.

When she got home she was all excited over what she bought. There were 38 in the box, and there was another brand that only had 16 in the box for the same price. She said these may not be made as well, but afterall, we are going to just use them to burn the trash, so that is what she got.

I am so proud of my kids for paying attention to the prices and sizes.

In the afternoon, she and DH "worked" outside in the snow and 12 degree weather. He got vehicles stuck, then had her unstick them. Being on the fire dept they have pulled numerous people out of the snow lately--most of which ended up in the snow stuck because they didn't know how to drive in it. She is learning how to rock a vehicle out, turn into a slide and such. She is just 13, so if they "practice" this every winter, she will have a lot of experience under her belt when she gets her license, and it will save her money from not having to pay for a tow. He also is teaching the girls how to change the oil, change tires, serpentine belts and other basic auto mechanics. According to DH, no daughter of his will be stuck by the road waiting for a man! For our homeschooling, we are counting this as "votech" hours.

I'm getting tired of it. It is pretty, but it's getting old. And, we are supposed to get more this week and colder temps.

I stopped at the grocery store on the way home to get milk. $148 later.....we walked out. But, they had some really good sales that I could not pass up. Things that I normally buy and that stockpile good.

Then, they had the after Christmas specials--things I normally don't buy, but did at these prices--such as Duncan Hines cake mixes and frostings for 75 cents each--nice buy since I also had some 75 cent off coupons--so some I bought for free. They also had stuffing mix (normally I make from scratch) for 49 cents a box, so I got several of those. 7 up for 79 cents a 2 liter, so I bought several, and OJ for half off. Also rice that was going out of date for 19 cents a bag (really, how can dried rice go out of date...)

My goal is to teach my kids a tip a day, so what I pointed out to them today was the sales carts next to the bread aisle. This is where they put the short expiration dates, dented cans, sliced cereal boxes (even though the waxed lining is intact). Best part here is, the still accept coupons on these items--so I often get from here for free. DD#5 thought that is was pretty neat that we ended up with some free deoderant from the carts (packing change-so on sale for $1 with a $1 off coupon).

Between todays trip and what we have, I have ingredents for meals for almost a full month. Two weeks ago I spent around $140 at Aldi and that should last us till Feb. So for 6 weeks worth of groceries, my total is $240--plus anymore milk we buy. That is for 5 people full time, and 7 people part of the time plus 2 babies that I sometimes sit here at my home.

Our high today was 7 above. This morning it was -7.

My money saving tip for today is on weddings--mainly from one we attended today::::

We went to a wedding today--it was a different and very fun one. Two of our firefighters got married, so the wedding was at the fire station. She wore the traditional gown, but the groom and attendants wore bunker gear.

Both had been married before (mid 30's couple) and didn't really need anything, so for their wedding, instead of a gift, they asked their guests to bring a covered dish. After the wedding, we had a sit down potluck dinner.

An uncle performed the cermoney, the location was free, food was free, centerpeices were borrowed. Dress was under $50. Music was provided by a CD player.

Total wedding cost, $50 for over 100 people.

It was too cold to do the traditional hosing down of the bride and groom and the fire truck ride. But it was fun. We finally left around 6 (it started at noon). We did help clean up--all the department pitched it and we had it cleaned up fairly quickly.

On the way home the kids and I discussed that yes, you can have a nice fun wedding without spending enough to buy a house.

I am going to try and do at least one money saving thing a day, that I can share with my kids--sort of a daily lesson for them.

So, the lesson for today was making potato soup using a bunch of leftovers. Basically I made potato soup and added the cleaning out of the refrigerator to it--so it contained potatoes, 1/2 can of evaporated milk left from a Christmas salad, 1/2 can of cream of celery soup, some left over corn, 1/2 bag of shredded cheese left from tacos, 2 left over carrots diced up, 3 peices left over bacon, 1/2 of a left over onion and a handful of left over baby shrimp.

It was a hit, and the only "new food" in it was the potatoes. It made a crockpot full and we ate about 1/2 of it tonight with enough left for one more meal. If we don't eat it by Sunday I will freeze it.

Last night the girls and I went to a lock in at church. It cost us $10 each, but was a night full of all we could eat food, and games. They had drawings, and I won a shirt and one of the girls won a free pass to camp--which we were already signed up to go to, so that really excited her. She got to pick her own prize and picked it to "save momma the money". As a reward for her thinking like that, when camp time comes, I plan on putting half of her camp fee into her savings account.

Happy New Year everyone!!

Yea!! My auction ended at around $20 including the shipping. I'm happy.

Ever wonder what it costs each time it snows?? We have several inches at my house and it is still coming down. The public school is in session and as far as I know the businesses are open (most in this small town are owned by the same family anyway)....

OK, I nanny for a family 2-3 days a week. Some days at my house, some at theirs--really depends on what is going on. Today I am at theirs-they are 15 miles south of me, and have 1/2 the amount of snow we do. In fact, you can still see the ground and it has stopped. They called off school. Some stores are closed. WHY???

Maybe it is because I live in a farming town and most of us have 4x4. The other is more of a suburb and has a lot of city people in it. They are freaking out. Like seeing Texans in a Michigan snow storm....the stuff really won't melt you-honest.

My poor kids--we homeschool, so school goes on-snow or no snow, although they will have an extended "PE" time for sledding.

My (kids) carhartts for sale on ebay are going to sell for at least double what I bought the new bigger pair for at the thrift store!! the auction isn't over yet, so they could go for more.

Scored 5 free light bulbs at the free lunch at the light co, cuz next to me were some ladies bussed in from a nursing/assist home. They didn't want theres--they home has all floursent lights in it. so, they passed their on to me! (probably felt sorry for me with 5 kids..acutally they babies were very well behaved)

The shop called. My car is done, and GM is asorbing the costs. I think the entire motor was replaced. It has been at the dealership for over 3 weeks, and they gave us another vehicle to use.

And, tonight is DH free work dinner, so supper is free for us too!

Today I, and my family (along with the babies I am watching today) get to go to a free lunch at the electric company. They do this 2-3 times a year. Todays lunch is chili and soup, and we get free light bulbs (cfl's) and get to register for various prizes.

All this year I was on their focus group, and in addition to being paid for that, I was given a CASE of free light bulbs (CFL's) at the last meeting.

Our baby calf born yesterday seems to be doing well, despite it being in the teens last night. It has a very soft warm coat, and slept in the middle of the cow "huddle" during the night. The momma is not a barn cow, so they are outside. It would make the momma nervous to try and stahl it, then she would not feed it. So, they will stay out.

I picked up an extra day of childcare this week--normally I try to do something to make money or save money with my earnings, but I think with this check it will either go into Christmas or kids activities. The 13 year old is thinking about going to 4H leadership camp in Feb, so I may use this check for her reg. Normally, we "live" off my DH check, and my childcare money is my "extra".

No, not me, but I got your attention, didn't I??? One of our Angus cows gave birth, and we didn't even know she was expecting. I did know we have 2 others that are, but not her. Around here that baby is worth $400 or more, so hopefully she will make it.

Why does everything on this farm pick the coldest day to give birth or hatch its young???

We went and picked up the last of the gifts for our little Christmas angel today. We kind of spoiled her, but thats ok. She lives in a Christian children's home and we will get to be with her when she opens them. She is the same age as my girls so she fits right in. It is the same children's home that we go to church camp with and some of the house parents have been members of our church in the past. One of those places that you know when you give the gift it is really going to the kids.

DH called around for a new exhaust system to be put on my suburban. It has had glass packs (I'm getting old-I want something quieter with chrome tips). We found a shop fairly close for around $200 and went with it. We took it in today and it ended up only being $126.

We have killed our last 2 vacume cleaners within the past 3 weeks. (we had 4 between the 2 of us when we got married 3 years ago...). I found one today at the thrift store for $17. It is bagless (as the old ones were), so no bags to buy (plus you can recoup the dimes and earrings that get sucked up). It works wonderful, and has more attachments then my last one did. It is built different though-the handle pulls up and turns into the hose and wand--oh--it also has a reverse on it and will air up items such as blow up pools and such.

DD3 and I spent $28 in the thrift store and come out with a vacumme cleaner, 2 kids learning computer CDs for her younger sisters, a black velvet skirt, a navy velvet dress with a matching jacket for her younger sisters, another Christmasy dress for her sisters, 2 shirts and a necklace for her, and a pair of used kids insulated carhartt coveralls (new, those sell for $60-I got a used pair for $5). Oh--and 3 hard back books. The blue velvet dress still had the JCPenney tag on it for $48. I paid $2. It is brand new.

Earlier in the week I found at another thrift store some items made from horseshoes for $3 each. I got 1 napkin holder and 2 mail/paper holders--one for DH desk and one for my desk in the office. I guess I should have gotten one more for my desk in the classroom, but I wasn't thinking. I have seen these before for around $15 each.

The girls have all outgrown their carhartt coveralls from the last 2 winters (I buy big so they last 2-3 winters), so I sold one pair on craigslist for $30 and the other is on ebay. But, I bought one set already today for $5 so only have to find 2 more. On a good year, I can sell them for the same price I am buying a bigger set for. On a great year I come out ahead on the deal. We will see.

Yesterday we hit up CVS--rechargeable batteries were buy 1 pack get 1 pack free and Dawn dish soap was 97 cents a bottle, and I had some 75 cent off coupons. So, we spent around $20, less $10 cvs bucks, so $10 cash out of hand, but I earned $1.50 CVS and then found andother $5 CVS bonus buck coupon in the car, so will go back and get more batteries with that.

Then we went to Aldi, and I spent my usual $180 that will last us for around 8 weeks. By the case I bought: corn, green beans, mushrooms, 6 cases of soup, pie fillings, peaches, pears, mixed fruits, peas, limi beans, mandarian oranages,carrots, chili beans, speg sauce, frozen chicken parmasauin, sweet potatoe pies, butter, koolaide mix, hot cocoa mix, frozen chickens and oatmeal. Case sizes run from 18-36 items per case.

The girls carried it all downstairs to the pantry, but it has not been rotated in yet and put on the shelves.

Then we went to walmart and I got 20 lb bags of flour, cornmeal, sugar and 10 lbs of salt. These items I store in my garage in a deepfreeze I was given for free because it doesn't work. It stays airtight, moisture free and pest free. Those large bags are just too heavy to haul to the basement pantry anyway.

We worked up a bunch of free pears, and apples, and now I have a few pumpkins to do. Then I am ready for the snow to fly.

I did hear that some Walmart stores are selling turkey this week for 40 cents a pound. If the one nearest us is, I will get a few later this week.

Last month, I was asked to sit in on a city meeting (in this small town of 2400) to take notes for the substitute for someone who was sitting in for someone else..... All I had to do was write notes of what was said.

Then the people at the meeting ask me who I was and why I was there, so I told them. It was a planning meeting for the fall fest. I took notes as directed, then at the end of the meeting they asked me what I thought. I told them I had not been to one of their fall fests. (I got some really blank stares as if I had just announced I had arrived from Mars). I told them what I knew about it had turned me off since I moved here. They asked me to explain and I told them why. They advertise it as a "family" event, then they have right beside the carnival rides and in between the kids booths 3 beer gardens and numerous beer vendor tents. I don't see that as "family". I also pointed out that very often the front page of the weekly paper contains articles about the constant underage alcohol problem (and drugs) that this town and the school district has. Yet, they promote the booze by mixing it in with kids events. Last year there was a page and a half of arrests made as a result of drinking that was out of control, driving offenses and even some indecent exposure. I said a few other things as well, but we left on pleasant terms. I also ponted out that in this area we have Mennonites and Amish that have craft booths at other fests, but not here, due to the alcohol. Usually Amish and Menonite crafts attract a gathering.


Then I came home to a ringing phone.....3 people at that meeting wanted to discuss with me further.....Fast forward, I am now on the committee for this year and next. They decided to do an experiment and there will be no alcohol at this years event. I sent some letters to the nearby Mennonite and Amish churches (saying would you like a booth and there is no alcohol this year), and we now have 7 more booths as a result.

Then yesterday I was told that one of the beer vendors had told them they were getting called into court as one of the people who was arrested last year named the beer tent as a co-conspirator and is suing them for providing the alcohol and continuing to provide to him after it was noticable he was already drunk. So, at least one beer vendor wasn't going to be there anyway.

My other idea was the chili supper for the fire dept should be at the fire dept. Let the people see the dept--good PR for it (it really needs it now) and maybe we can get some new volunteers requited as a result.

So, for an experiment, this years is at the FD-which is great because it is pouring rain. In past years if it rained, the supper was canceled, and it is the biggest single fund raiser the FD has--last year they sold over 5000 bowls to a town of 2400.

We will serve it in the kitchen, and people will eat in the bays and the trucks will be moved outside.

The fest is this weekend, so you all pray for me, as they took 2 of my many suggestions--last years fest was not the best they said, so they are open to new ideas and I hope they pan out.

Last week I found along the road a trailer ramp--no one has claimed it. Yesterday I found some rose pruners in the middle of a gravel intersection. 2 "finds" in 2 weeks. My husband says he is going to get me a bumper sticker "I brake for junk". Guess I am turning into my dad...

We still have not turned on either furnace, but have lit a fire twice now.