“:)” Archive

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Happy Independence Day!!

Wishing you a happy, healthy, SAFE 4th of July!

forth of july

I can’t wait to celebrate my ‘other’ independence day next year!!

Posted by Beks on July 4, 2010 at 5:00 AM in :) | Comment First »
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T.G.I….Payday!

Not only is today Friday, it’s PAYDAY!

Why am I so excited? We hit some hurdles this pay period and completely used our grocery funds and had to dip into our emergency fund.

First we had the unexpected car repairs and, just a few days ago, my husband needed to purchase books for summer school. We didn’t expect his book fees to exceed $250… but they did!

I’m excited to have grocery money again! Woo Hoo!

Posted by Beks on June 4, 2010 at 5:00 AM in :) | 8 Comments »
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Free…but seriously gross…

For those with weak stomachs, stop reading. For those with a disturbing sense of curiosity, read on.

Last summer, my husband and I planted a beautiful garden in our backyard. The vegetables flourished. We had such a large bumper crop that we had to give huge amounts away to friends, neighbors, co-workers, friends of friends, perfect strangers… you get it.

Despite our daily picking, there was the occasional ripe tomato that escaped our notice and wasn’t picked. They may have escaped our notice but they did not escape the notice of my tomato loving Boston Terrier.

For most of the summer, his face was covered in red tomato juice.

This year, we decided to intensify our debt diet in an effort to shave off a few months of debt payments. Sadly, that meant cutting out our yearly garden budget.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered a tomato plant sprouting from the middle of my yard a month ago. A few days later, while weeding a side planter, I discovered another. Over the next three weeks, more and more tomatoes sprouted with a high concentration of plants where… um… my dog does his business.

Oh. Dear. Lord.

We pick up our yard but sometimes, the dog buries his… uh… business, effectively planting his own… um… garden.

I went to rip out the offending plants, when my husband yelled, ‘LEAVE THEM!!’ Apparently, he wanted to keep the plants and hoped I wouldn’t consider the origin.

So yes, we have an odd definition of a free ‘garden’. No, I won’t be eating those tomatoes. And yes, I understand gardeners use steer manure, but those gardeners don’t have to look at the butt the manure came from.

If you are planning on visiting me this summer for a BBQ, avoid the salsa.

Posted by Beks on May 21, 2010 at 5:00 AM in :) | 34 Comments »
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For My Mother…

It seems like the hip thing to do is blame all your personal shortcomings on your mother. She’s the one who raised you, spent the most time with you, and set the foundation for who you would one day become. Since I’m such a trendy gal, here’s to you mom…

I blame you for my confidence. When I wasn’t sure if I could do something difficult, you were there to remind me I could.

I blame you for my happy childhood. My favorite memories are of sitting on the couch listening to you read to me.

I blame you for creating some of my best unforgettable experiences. You made sure I went to Ireland to visit my sister when we both know you wanted to go just as badly. It was my most memorable trip and I can never thank you enough for giving me that chance.

I blame you for a great education. You spent 11 years teaching me at home even though some of the family told you it was a bad idea. Thanks to your dedication, university was a cake walk – and I’m only partially socially awkward *wink*.

I blame you for my health. You never let soda or sugar in the house and abhorred white bread. Sure I sneak in a pint of Ben and Jerry’s now and then, but for the most part, I stick to what you showed me.

I blame you for my irresistibly good looks. OK, OK, I had to throw that in. You and grandma are gorgeous ladies with fabulous skin – and I like to think that I look a little like you both.

I am a very lucky girl.

I love you mom.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there!

Posted by Beks on May 9, 2010 at 11:44 PM in :) | 10 Comments »
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It’s been one of those weeks…

Sorry for the evening and spaced postings this week. It’s been one of those unexpectedly busy weeks. My second job has picked up and I’ve been working nights. When it comes to making extra money – I never say no when my second job calls.

Tonight was supposed to be my first night off but a close friend called in a panic and needed a volunteer at her fundraiser.

I just got home, I still need to grab a shower, and I have to iron my clothes for work tomorrow. I’m working on a time sensitive project at work which means I have to be there at or before 6am so for right now…

This is the best post I’ve got in me.

I hope you have a wonderful Friday!

Posted by Beks on April 29, 2010 at 12:30 AM in :) | 3 Comments »
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Enjoying a Rare Treat…

My husband called me at work on Thursday to ask if I could sneak out a little early. His boss had given him two tickets to see the Padres baseball team play at Petco Park.

We spent Thursday afternoon sitting here…

Padres

I’ve never been this close to a major league baseball game in my life.

Confession… I did pull $5 from our grocery fund to buy a beer.

They lost but we had a great time.

Posted by Beks on April 17, 2010 at 5:00 AM in :) | 6 Comments »
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Saving Money on Shampoo?

I know I shouldn’t admit this – heck, its bad enough you know how in debt I am! – but…

I don’t wash my hair very often. I wash my hair no more than twice per week… and sometimes, not even that much.

My naturally curly hair can’t handle it – that and I’d rather spend the extra hour it takes to dry my locks doing ‘productive’ things like sleeping.

But I’ve always felt lonely in my non-washing world. It’s a secretive place. No one particularly likes to hear on a Friday morning that I haven’t washed my hair since Thursday… of last week. I’d start immersing my hair in fragrant shampoo if people seemed at all put off but I have just the opposite reaction – people compliment my hair on a regular basis.

Apparently, there is a growing trend called the ‘No-poo movement’. Nope, didn’t make that up. Someone really thought ‘poo’ and ‘movement’ was a good combo. The movement is fueled by eco-conscious folks as a way to help the environment by reducing chemical usage and plastic waste but…

All I can think is, ‘woo hoo! Another way to save a buck.’ And I’m sure all you are thinking is, ‘Wow, her penny pinching ways have taken her off the deep end.’

But, give it some thought or give it a try. Let me know how it turns out!

Learn more about the ‘No Poo Movement’ at:
NPR
MSNBC
Glamour

Posted by Beks on March 26, 2010 at 5:00 AM in :), About Me, Confessions | 40 Comments »
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