Things Are A' Changin!

Funny thing about being a blogger...after you do it for awhile, it becomes second-nature to share things that many would find too personal, particularly for (possibly) hundreds or thousands of strangers. 

With that being said, I'd like to apologize for my long absences from this blog lately.  I found it easier to say nothing than to try and find things to write about OTHER THAN the one thing I've been keeping to myself.

But, in the meantime, I wrote a poem. :) 

Laser vision's failing me
3 AM?  Time to pee!
Spend my days on the couch
Politely put...being a grouch

Takes four days for a decent poop
Too late now to fly the coop!
Everyone has their own "advice"
But I'm keeping my mouth shut...being nice.

Many more months to go
Now everyone will know
No more secrets, not even maybe...




Adam and I are HAVING A BABY!


And to think there are people who believe I wasted 4 years of Journalism school... :)

Attention All Scrapbookers!

Thanks to my friend Rebecca at Better Life Bags, I learned about one of the coolest things I've ever seen online. 
All you scrapbookers out there know how time consuming and frustrating it can be to spend hours and hours writing captions by hand (or trying to remember what was going on in a photo you took 2 months ago and now have to write a caption for!) for all your scrapbook pages; not to mention how annoying it is as a digital scrapbooker to be stuck with your good friends Arial and Times New Roman on every project, rather than your own handwriting.

Enter Darcy Baldwin, "fontographer" at Sweet Shoppe Designs.  This woman is amazing!  She can take your handwriting and turn it into your very own font.  You can use it in Word, Blogger, Photoshop, Creative Memories and more!  There are several options to choose from, including print and cursive! 

I have always had TERRIBLE handwriting, both print and cursive, and therefore have developed my own brand of handwriting that I call "printive."  I wasn't sure whether "printive" would translate into a print or cursive style font from Darcy, so I emailed her to ask.  Darcy is so easy to work with!  She was so sweet and even offered to look at a few sentences ahead of time that I wrote out and scanned in.  Talk about personal attention!  So many times online businesses don't want to work with customizing and individualizing, but that is definitely not the case here! 

You can go here to see a sample of what Rebecca sent in and got back for her handwriting-into-font.

This is what I sent in:

And this is what I got back:

Pretty cool huh?


Here's a close up, side-by-side view of my handwriting compared to my new font:



It's not too late to give this as a Christmas present to all your scrapbook-loving friends and family! 



Things That Make You Go Hmm...

If you've ever read my blog, you know that I am an animal lover, dog owner and absolute advocate for animals and their care and well-being.  If you read my previous blog regarding The Humane Society of The United States (HSUS), available here, then you also know that HSUS is not what they appear and that my animal advocacy does have its limits.  I will fight vigorously against any organization that promotes the spreading of lies and half-truths regarding animal agriculture. 

Something has been bothering me for a few years now, and with all the nasty weather we've had in the past few weeks (and no doubt more to come), I think now is the perfect time to bring it up.

There is a home on the main drag in Havana which houses a family who owns a yellow lab.  This lab, for reasons I will never understand, is locked in an outdoor chain link fenced kennel with a dog house TWENTY FOUR SEVEN.  I have driven past this home countless times; the dog is almost always in the kennel, alone.  This includes times when the family living there was outside, playing in the very yard where the kennel sits, with the dog sitting inside his cage home, behind the fence, watching them.  It makes me want to cry just remembering how sad that poor dog looked watching his family play and being unable to join in. 

This dog is out there in the spring, in the fall, in the blazing heat of summer (though I will say, he was not in his kennel one day when it was 93 degrees...but he was the day before and the day after when it was less than 5 degrees cooler), and in the dead of winter.  Granted, they did put straw bales around his dog house to help serve as a wind break and insulation, but still.  Doesn't anyone watch the news?  You can't leave pets outside in extreme weather!  If for some reason this dog cannot be trusted in the house, #1 why did you get it?  and #2. Put the dog in the garage! 

Before all my country friends blow up my comment section reminding me how their outside dogs have all been well-treated and loved, save your breath.  I know!  Believe it or not, I don't have a problem with outside dogs.  Not at all.  Some dogs are simply too big, too rowdy or too testy to be left indoors all the time.  Personally, I don't see the point in having a pet if you're going to lock it outdoors for the majority of its life, but that's just me.  It doesn't mean I think you are a bad person if you have outdoor pets. 

What I DO have a problem with are people who chain their dogs to trees, lock them up in kennels and never let them out, don't provide proper veterinary (or any other) care, don't let them in during periods of extreme heat or cold, etc.  These things are considered neglect in its most basic form, and also illegal, so it looks like I'm not the only one who has a problem with them. 

While I'm on the subject, here is another thing that boggles my mind:  people dumping their pets off at already overwhelmed and overflowing shelters, simply because they "cannot afford" their pets anymore.  WHAT?!  I understand that many people feel animals are not humans and therefore should not be afforded the same rights, but by the same token...would you drop off your baby at an orphanage because you lost your job?  No.  Pets are a responsibility, a big one, for years to come, and if you have even a shadow of a doubt that you might EVER have a problem affording or caring for a pet, DON'T GET A PET!  Duh.  I have a shadow of a doubt that even if I won the lottery, I wouldn't be able to afford or properly care for a Ferrari for the "life" of the car, so guess what?  I won't be buying one.  Dr. Phil is right:  Common sense just isn't common enough these days. 

If you lose your job, believe me, I know, it's a horrible feeling.  But don't dump your dog at PAWS or TAPS because you moved into an apartment that doesn't accept pets!  Find an apartment that accepts pets!  Find a friend or family member who will care for your pet at their home until you can get back on your feet.  At the very least, put an ad in the paper, online, at the vet's office, and find a good forever home for your pet.  That animal is your responsibility, not TAPS' and not PAWS'. 

I know I'm not the only one who's seen this lab in Havana.  I don't know what to do about it.  We don't have animal control, and as much as the dog's owners piss me off something fierce, I suspect that the dog is still better off there than in a shelter somewhere.  I suppose all that I can do is hope that I am serving as a reminder to my wonderful readers to take the time to really make sure your outside pets are cared for and safe during the winter. 

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

I began the countdown on facebook a few weeks ago, but it bears mentioning again:  Christmas is only 46 days away.  Let the holiday meltdowns begin.

Those of you who have read this blog...ever...know that I frequently get questions about what I "do all day," and how much I really enjoy not only the fact that people feel like it's OK to ask, but the hidden condescension behind the question. (AKA "Why don't you contribute to the household instead of sitting on your ass all day?"  I'm not stupid.  That's what people really want to know.) 

The truth is, I participate in several things which earn money on the side. (No, not THOSE things, pervs!)  I'm not saying this extra cash will have me rollin' on 24s any time soon, but it might buy a new set of tires! 

With that in mind, here are my holiday money saving/general extra money earning tips which I know come in handy this time of year.

#1.  Shop@Home 
One thing that surprised the hell out of me after I moved to the Ridge is how much online shopping became a necessity.  Let's face it, there's not much out here in the way of clothing, shoes...basically anything without camo or polyester somehow involved.  Before I moved, I honestly thought my desire to visit a "real city" would be so overwhelming that I would find myself driving to Peoria/Bloomington at least once a week.  Wrong.  Instead, I've found myself talking to my UPS driver at least once a week.

This is where Shop@Home comes in.  Here's a good example.  Next week, Gap is having another Give and Get 30% off sale.  Need Christmas presents and want to save even more money?  Sign up for a free shop@home account.  When you are ready to shop, go to their website, type in Gap, and you'll see that Gap purchases are now earning 4% cash back.  (The percentages change from day to day.)  That means whatever you spend, even if you end up returning it, you get 4% of the total purchase put back into your shop@home account.  Then, click on "Shop Now" and it will take you directly to gap.com, but it tracks the amt. you spend in order to give you the right amt. of cash back.  So now you've saved 30% PLUS the extra 4% rebate in cash. 
It may sound confusing, but it's not.  Every time you want to shop online, go to shop@home first, check to see if there are coupons or cash rebates.  They send you a check every month that you have more than $20 in rebates in your account.  For me, this has been every month for the last year.  I've earned almost $200 in rebate cash.  There are no tricks, no points, nothing.  If you think about it, living out here, you're going to shop online anyway, so you might as well save some extra money doing what you're already doing, right?  4% (or more) of your total Christmas spending=a lot of extra cash!  If 4% doesn't sound like a lot, remember that is actually a low percentage.  Last year, around this time, Apple had 10-12% cash back (that's over $20 if you're buying an iPod!) and several other stores like Nordstrom, Sephora, JC Penney, hell...even Staples, have had rebates in the double digits.  There are some companies that don't participate in Shop@Home (Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn for example), but not many.

Want to sign up? Go here:  http://www.shopathome.com/?IAFCG=cu2PJsCLnqEMVMmvT8sF1Q

#2 Swagbucks
Another site that is basically the same principle as Shop@Home, but honestly, not as good.  They don't have as many stores available for rebates.  The only reason I use Swagbucks is on the off chance that Shop@Home doesn't have the store I'm looking for...but that hasn't happened yet.  Also, this site requires you to redeem "points" not cash back, which I think is a little more confusing.  To each their own.  My friend recently redeemed her points for a new bread maker, so it does work! 

Want to sign up?  Go here: http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/mangobtl487


 
Now we get to the money EARNING part.  Before I run through the gamut of money earning, I should disclose that these do take some time, depending on how many you involve yourself in.  Again, you're not going to get rich with these things.  In my book, extra money=extra shoes and makeup, so there's my motivation. 

Are you the kind of person who can't sit still?  The kind of person who feels like they need to be "doing something" when they're supposed to be relaxing and watching TV?  I am, and that is where this next list of things comes in.  Surveys.  These companies will pay you to take their surveys.  They tell you up front how much you'll earn and how long they will take, (some are 5 minutes, some are up to 30-45 minutes), which is great because you know right off the bat if you have time to take the survey right then, or not.  Each company has their own quirks, so here's a quick description of each of them.

#1 Mindfield Surveys

These are probably my favorite surveys.  They want to know about anything and everything, which means there are a lot of opportunities for surveys and they don't get boring.  They've asked me about health insurance, dishwasher detergent, granola bars, you name it.  They also had me do a 3 week study on new types of dog treats, where they sent me THREE full size boxes of treats, one per week, to test out on Bella and see if she liked the flavor (She did.  I asked).  Another time, I was asked to test out a new type of shaving cream, rate the scent, consistency, etc.  Then you get to keep the products afterwards.  This site pays in cash, in $5 increments.  So far, I've earned $31. 

Want to sign up?  Go here: http://mindfieldonline.com/referral/1285ce94

#2. Ipsos i-Say

These are really fun surveys.  Sometimes they show you movie trailers, sometimes youtube video clips.  Sometimes it's just regular surveys.  The best part is, when you finish the survey, they ask if you want to play a quick trivia game for entries into various $1000 sweepstakes.  They'll ask you a trivia question like "What percentage of American men have been kicked out of a bar?"  You guess, and depending on how close you are to the correct answer, you get that many sweepstakes entries.  Your surveys earn points, which you redeem for cash.  1000 points=$10 cash.  Currently I've earned $35.90.

Want to sign up? Go here: http://www.i-say.com/ReferFriends/tabid/73/Default.aspx

#3. My Points

This one I'm so-so on.  It takes longer to earn points and it takes more points to qualify for cash rewards or gift cards. 4500 points= $25 visa gift card.  So far I've earned 1285 points.

Want to sign up?  Go here: https://www.mypoints.com/emp/u/editProfile.do?view=faf

#4. HCD Surveys

If you like politics (or even if you hate them) this one is for you!  It doesn't matter where you are in the political spectrum, they want to know.  Usually what happens is something will go down politically and be all over the news (the potential mosque near Ground Zero, Sarah Palin running ads for president, etc etc.) and they'll have a survey where you answer some questions about how you think things are going in the country, then you watch these ads/news clips/presidential speech clips for about a minute or two.   Then they ask the same 5 questions again to see if your viewing of the video clips changed your mind.  The cool thing about this site is, they will actually email you the results of the overall survey when they're done.  For example, after I participated in the Sarah Palin ads survey, their study showed that Republicans are more supportive of Palin after watching the ads.  Just an example.  These surveys earn points for cash, and fairly quickly.  1000 points=$10.  So far I've earned 400 points, but I started pretty recently.

Want to sign up?  Go here: http://www.HCDSurveys.com/panel/join.cfm?REFER=241019

#5. Inbox Dollars
This one is really different.  There are the usual surveys, but you can also opt to be sent "paid emails."  A paid email is an email sponsored by a company, with a link at the bottom that says "click here."  You don't have to read the email, just scroll to the bottom and click the link.  Done.  You get paid.  The actual amount per email varies, and isn't much, but on this site you also get to control how often they send you emails.  You could get up to 20+ "paid emails" a day, which is what I do, and it adds up.  This site pays cash as well.  So far I've earned $18.

Want to sign up?  Go here: http://www.inboxdollars.com/members/refer

#6. My Survey

This one also has a lot of product testing.  They've had me test one of those automatic dishwasher detergent deals where you install it inside your dishwasher and it does the detergent for you instead of you doing it each time.  I didn't know what an automatic detergent dispenser was when I signed up, so I sent it back without ever installing it, filled out the surveys they sent saying why I didn't use it, and I still got paid.  These surveys are either really few points, or really large amounts of points, not much in between.  But they're usually pretty straightforward.  They pay cash or gift cards (depending on what you want), 1100 points for $10.  So far, I have 1745 points.

Want to sign up?  Go here: www.mysurvey.com

#7. Opinion Outpost

This one has the most available surveys by a landslide.  The topics are all over the place, so you don't get bored.  They also have the option to limit how many emails you receive per day/week.  These surveys are rewarded with points, each point=$0.10, so 50 points = $5.  They send checks in $5 increments.  So far I've earned 369 points which equals $36.90.  You have a lot of opportunities to make a good amount on these surveys. 

Want to sign up?  Go here: http://OpinionOutpost.com/join/8216141


One tip I've learned while participating in these surveys is, if you're going to really throw yourself into taking these surveys, you may want to get a separate email address so it doesn't flood your "real" inbox.  Have an email address that you started in junior high?  One so embarrassing you can't put it on resumes?  Well, "hottie69@ AOL,"  here's the perfect opportunity to banish that turd of an email address for good.  Just sayin'. 

Again, these surveys do take time.  They're probably not for people who have super super busy 9-5s and don't even want to SEE a computer on the weekend.  But for those of us who ARE at home more regularly, check it out!  They really like moms.  Think of all the diaper, formula, baby food, baby ANYTHING product testing.  If your kid hates the new flavor of Cheerios, leaks through a new diaper, is still illiterate after a month of using LeapFrog...they want to know.   

A Word to the Wise

This week I learned a life lesson that I think is going to help a lot of people.  I'm confident in that thought because I know I cannot possibly be the only person who does something as stupid as the following story.

Last week, I noticed there was a rip in the sidewall of my front tire and, consequently, the tire was beginning to pull apart.  Not good.  I had to miss a baby shower because it was recommended that I not drive too far on the bad tire.  Plus, it was a weekend and all the tire shops were closed.

Monday, the fun began. I called a local tire shop, found out they aren't a Goodyear dealer, and they recommended that I contact an official GY dealer because I might be able to get a prorated tire.  Perfect! 

First, I called Honda because we have an extended service plan, and they informed me that although they would be happy to "go to bat" for me, I need to have the tire examined by an actual official GY dealer to determine the cause of the rip.  OK fine.  Then, I drove to Pekin to the GY dealer, and they informed me that the rip in the sidewall is considered a "road hazard" and since this actual GY dealer did not sell me the tire (these tires obviously came on the car when I bought it at Honda) that they themselves couldn't prorate it, so I should call Honda and see if they have any kind of agreement for road hazard warranties.  They don't.  Apparently, some time ago the federal govt. told car manufacturers that if they purchased road hazard warranties on the tires put on new vehicles, this meant if I bought a new car and got a flat, the manufacturer would have to come out and fix it, or replace the tires.  Well, shock of all shocks, they didn't want to do that so there is not one single manufacturer who purchases road hazard warranties on the tires new vehicles come with.  So basically, the next time you go buy a car, you might as well ask how much the car costs without tires, then buy your own tires at the dealership, because THOSE have road hazard warranties.  But in this particular case...I'm screwed.

And if that wasn't enough, the GY dealer also informed me that the back tires show uneven wear and over half the tread on the front tires is gone.  I was shocked!  The car only has 18k miles on it and the tire man had just finished telling me they are 60k mile tires...so what gives?  I certainly don't want to replace the ripped tire with another tire exactly like it if the tread is going to wear off that fast! 

After much discussion, it was determined that the reason for the uneven wear on the back (which is normally indicative of a problem with the car, not the tires) AND the tread being so far gone on the front is that I hadn't taken the car in to have the tires rotated yet.  Shit.  I knew it needed to be done, but I procrastinated big time.  As it turns out, you should rotate your tires every 5-6k miles, which means I should've been on my third rotation already.  Damn, damn, double damn! 

So I am telling everyone I know, especially women (because, let's face it, there is a large majority of us who don't know, or give a shit, about tires!) PLEASE ROTATE YOUR TIRES REGULARLY.  Learn from my $170 moron mistake. 

Another helpful tip for the ladies: No one feels sorry for you and wants to prorate your tires when you're wearing Prada sunglasses.  Even tire guys know that.  Not that I know this from recent personal experience or anything...

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Let me paint a picture for you. 

It's a beautiful fall (when did THAT happen?) day, the sun is shining, there's a nice breeze.  I've just been to the library and picked up 4 new books.  I'm driving home, Bella's riding shotgun, and I'm thinking how happy I am and how great my life is.

The seat belt alarm goes off because Bella is clearly not wearing her seat belt.  She hates this sound, so she moves to the back seat.  No big deal.

I continue driving, checking out how far all the farmers have gotten in their fields.  As I turn back to the road, I happen to look at the seat Bella just vacated.

Apparently Bella has yet to learn Skid's Greatest Life Lesson: Never Trust a Fart.  There on the seat are the remnants of a shart.

Reason #213 why I am glad to have leather seats.

Is it a Full Moon? Nope, Just Harvest!

Yesterday was just one of those days.  I should have known it was going to be one of those days as soon as I woke up, for one reason.

It's the first day of (custom) harvest.  That always brings challenges no matter how prepared you THINK you are.

First, Adam calls before I'm even out of bed.  Not a good sign.  He informs me that in all the excitement of getting started with harvest, he forgot to take the car to Havana to get fixed.  So I need to drive out to the field, pick up our farm hand and the car, and make sure everything gets taken care of.  No big deal, right?  That's my "job" since I work for him. 

In case the mere fact that it's the first day of harvest was not indicative enough that something would go wrong, I make it 10 feet out of the driveway and immediately have to pull over because there is a HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE taking up the entire road. 

WHERE THE HELL AM I?!?! 

This isn't even one of those nice, pretty, white horse drawn carriages like you see in downtown St. Louis.  No.  This is a one bench-er, driven by two women who, at first glance, I thought were Amish.  That would explain their desperate need for "Pimp My Ride" and their long hair.  But they weren't wearing skirts.  And upon further inspection, I realized they were most likely just "ridge rich." 

I'm also beginning to wonder if they are the owners of this "vehicle" I spotted last week at Larry's. 

For my city friends, imagine if the "carriage" in the first picture was tipped forwards.  Now can you see where the horse would be tied, and the bench where the owners would sit?  Notice the cooler.  CLASSY!  The second photo is the horse that pulls said "carriage." 

The "day o' fun" was not over, though.  When I went to pick up the car, I found out our other farm hand was stuck at the popcorn plant because the plant broke down, and the trucker who was supposed to be helping us out since our Penske semi wasn't available yet, brought one truck instead of two.  Awesome.

By the time I got back home, Adam's calling again saying now our semi is available, so come back to the field, pick up our driver, go to the insurance agent's office to pick up the paperwork and head to East Peoria to pick up the truck.  Again, this shouldn't be a big deal.  We've done it before and will do it again every year.  It's part of harvest.

Wrong.  We get to the agent's office and not only is she not there, but she has a new secretary who has never been through harvest before.  So the agent left her secretary to do the dirty work which, in this case, meant dealing with the paperwork and informing us that for the first time ever, they are requiring us to drive the semi back from East Peoria to their office so they can take a picture of it.  Um...what?  I asked if I could just take a picture on my Blackberry and send it to the agent directly, either by text or email.  I even asked if I could just take a photo on my digital camera and send it to the agent directly.  No.  Why?  Because she has to download it directly from HER camera.  Ooook.  Remind me again HOW they think a semi is going to park in a parking lot that has exactly 4 spaces and nowhere to turn around? 

We arrive at the Penske office and walk in, joking about how smoothly things had gone so far, and wondering what we were walking into this year.  God bless the man working the main desk at Penske.  That phone did not stop ringing long enough for him to hang up with one person and walk 3 steps to the fax machine.  When it finally did stop ringing, what do you know?  Our agent sent the wrong paperwork.  AGAIN.  Last year, Adam and I both had to argue with her before finally Penske got on the phone and convinced her that she was wrong.  This year, I just let the Penske man handle it himself. 

*NOTE TO ALL FARMERS: If you are renting a truck, please make sure your insurance agent knows the difference between "proof of insurance" and "certificate of insurance."  They are NOT the same thing. *

Our driver and I waited for 2 hours.  Nothing.  No fax, no phone call, nothing.  Finally, I called the agent's office only to find that she was in a meeting and her poor secretary had no idea what to do without talking to the agent.  So we continued to wait.  At 3:56, the fax finally comes in with our correct paperwork.  The office closes at 4:00.  I didn't know whether to call and scream at the agent for being such a moron, or get down on my knees and praise Jesus that we got the paperwork at all.

As far as I know, they still haven't gotten their precious picture of the semi.  Hope that's not too important.  I wonder if people realize that every time they jerk us around, every unnecessary phone call we have to make, every time we have to wait around for someone else to DO THEIR JOB, it's costing us money.  R-E-S-P-E-C-T, yo.