Showing posts with label Money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Money. Show all posts
Friday, September 30, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Egg toast
I finally bought eggs today. And bread. I find it so hard to spend money on food. I'm fine spending money on clothes or candles or movies or what have you, but I feel like my money is wasted when I buy food. It's so discouraging to work so hard at a negative job, receive a small paycheck which goes directly towards bills, then spend the small remainder of money on something that disappears in a day anyway! It's an ongoing battle for me. Yes, I enjoy cooking for my husband and taking care of him. It doesn't happen very often though, because I genuinely struggle with "wasting" money on food. Plus I hate cooking for two. I grew up in a big family and it's so much easier for me to make big portion sizes. It feels like I should have 10 other people in the house to cook for. I know I sound crazy but I am confident that will be a more simple task for me! At least then there will be so many people that food won't go bad. I get so discouraged when bread gets moldy, or bananas brown, or the spaghetti sauce is growing bacteria.
That's all beside the point though. I made myself egg toast tonight while I watched CSI. It was a good evening. I'm so glad I learned how to make this wonderful egg toast. It's delicious and I'm grateful for it today.
That's all beside the point though. I made myself egg toast tonight while I watched CSI. It was a good evening. I'm so glad I learned how to make this wonderful egg toast. It's delicious and I'm grateful for it today.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Phone Apps
This is the dumbest game/app I've ever seen in my life.
That's right. I hate Angry Birds. Judge me. When I first heard about it and saw Clifton playing it I laughed my butt off. I admit, the storyline and creativity is hilarious. The first time I played it I sucked way bad. I kept trying and I still sucked. Obviously I hate the game now. I don't understand how it became the most popular game on the planet either. It always annoys me when small things suddenly become famous seemingly overnight. Same thing happened with the Twilight books. I read that book when it first came out and I could not wait for the second book. I recommended it to all of my friends in high school and they scoffed. Years later what happens? Those same friends are raving about the book to me! How dare they! The amount of fame given to those books nearly ruined it for me and I am kind of ashamed to say I love Twilight, even though I did love it first. I know, I'm pathetic. Aside from that.
Here's a game I LOVE:
Kind of the same concept of Angry Birds, but much better.
Next:
Yep, I'm a total sucker for horoscopes. I think horoscopes fit people in a general way just like fortune cookies or something like that, but I believe there can be really great advice and wisdom in what is said. There have been a few times when I'll read my horoscope and it explains a situation I'm going through. I take the advice to heart and learn what I can from it in my own personal life and in my own unique way. I believe the same thing for dream meanings. Oh man the depth that can be recieved from dream symbols! It's all up to us individually to apply in our own lives and if it doesn't make sense then disregard it or look closer. Most of the time I find these things very intrigeing so I find this app wonderful.
To all you runners:
Not only does this app track your distance, but it tracks your maximum elevation as well as minimum elevation, elevation gain/loss, average speed, max speed, total time, AND moving time. No big deal. Yeah it's amazing, I use it every time I run.
Another favorite of mine:
Mr. Financisto here keeps me tracking my purchases so I don't go into the negative. It also budgets and shows you your monthly spending habits. As of now here's mine since I got the app in March:
House: 1680.96
Debt: 929.80
Monthly Bills: 836.12
Pleasure: 410.15
Food: 365.35
Races: 182.00
Since I don't think you know enough personal info about me now, here's another:
My first year in college I felt moody so I kept track of my moods and significant events on my calender. It was simple enough. Smiley face on happy days, frowny face on sad days, and lips for when I was kissed. I figured if there were more than two frowns a week for no real reason I needed to make a more conscious effort to be happy. I'm just weird and love keeping track of things like that, so obviously I love keeping track of my period and when I make love with my husband. This one even gives a forecast on fertility and ovulating cycles. I'm so glad I have this app so I can get a better idea of...well just everything I need to have a good feel for.
Next:
Tv Shows Stream. The inspiration for this post. We don't have internet, and I don't have a car so it's hard to keep up on favorite shows such as Greys and Glee and Smallville. My phone has internet but it's extremely difficult watching shows. Although I have never been much of a TV watcher, I am grateful for this outstanding app.
Pumpkins vs Monsters:
Here's the rules:
1. Clifton cannot talk to me when I play this
2. I have to tell Clifton when I play this game so he doesn't try to talk to me and doesn't get hurt when I don't reply
3. I can't play this before anything like family events, walking around walmart, going to the dog park, etc.
4. Having a fan around while playing this game is recommended
I get so into this game. It always makes me flustered hence rule number three. It makes me mad a lot too. Try it sometime.
And lastly:
Wikidroid. If I don't know the answer I look it up. I love learning about things and making my brain nice and wrinkly. Especially since I'm not going to college I need all the help I can get.
Today I'm grateful for apps. Maybe you'll be grateful for my favorites too!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Walmart
Walmart is something I constantly battle. I do not like how Walmart will move into a city/town/village with the lowest prices, put everyone out of business, then raise the prices to ridiculous amounts. I understand and it's a great business strategy. It makes me sad for the independent business owners because that's what makes a town unique besides the people. I believe in supporting the independently owned businesses. I choose Wendys over McDonalds, and Smiths over Walmart. Perhaps that is not the wisest financially but the prices are not that different. It's hard shopping at Smiths for the sole reason that they are not open all night. I don't have a car and do not want to carry groceries 3 miles. I work during the day, and when I get home Clifton is already gone and he gets off at 11. So on nights like tonight I am grateful for Walmart so I can get some food. I do like how they are lowering their prices and adding more variety though. That's how it was initially, but they've gotten too...lazy? over the years and they're paying for it now.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The phrase "No big deal"
I have been frustrated for a good part of today. Today was family pictures. Now, I've never had a bad family picture experience. My family is great when we get together...until today. Holy horror.
PLANNING
First of all you need to know it has been sooo stressful for me to coordinate everything. A few weeks ago I decided the perfect mothers day gift would be to have pictures of all her kids together. No spouses and no parents to make it a surprise for her. Aarons divorce gave me the idea actually. I hate when my phone contacts are pictureless so I tried finding a good picture of just Aaron, and the most recent one of him without Meg is from quite a few years ago. Even then it's not the greatest picture. At first I was going to get together with each sibling individually and do portrait and model shots for my mom. Then I realized it'd be easier and more meaningful if there was a picture of everyone together. So since it was my idea, I was in charge of everything. It is HARD finding a time for 8 people with very different work schedules to get together. Not to mention it was such short notice. I know. Boo on me. But I have been very determined the past few weeks because I knew these pictures would mean so much to my mom.
After finally getting a time everyone could meet, I decided on the place with Ammon. It's an old building on 24th and Wall and it was PERFECT! There was a grassy area with trees, red brick, wooden fences, and green garages. The only problem was it was in a fenced in area; there were no "no trespassing" signs and there's a good size gap in the fence. But just in case someone didn't want to trespass, I chose the front side of the building and the building next door as backup. I did not want to photograph at the Union Station because everyone, their dog, and their shoes have taken pictures there. Way too overdone and unoriginal for me. After deciding the location last week I picked out the colors and sent out mass texts to everyone as a reminder. In my text I said no one needed to be super fancy and that jeans with a nice top would work fine.
Another thing was the photographer. I don't have the kind of money it takes to pay for a photographer and the photographer friends I asked to do it for free weren't able to on such short notice. I was planning on taking the pictures myself, with lots of help from Clifton. I love taking pictures. I looked at several family photo ideas and tips for hours the past week so that I would be ready. At last minute I was able to get ahold of a really nice professional camera. Don't ask me how. It's a secret. I was so grateful though.
THE PHOTO SHOOT
We all met at the location with the exception of Shane, who was getting off work a little late. From the start Kristin objected to trespassing. That was fine, but the spot was so perfect so I wanted to get some individual shots of everyone else first while we waited for Shane. Everyone waited outside the fence while I did Kari and Madie, then Shane arrived. We all caught up and Kristin was still saying she didn't want to trespass. I told her that was fine and we'd go around the front of the building. She misunderstood and thought I was still "trying to get her to trespass" so she started freaking out and telling me how it was against the law. I told her what I meant and she told me she was glad I was OK with it. I said I wasn't but it was fine. Obviously she didn't like that. But I just wanted to get it done so we went to the front of the building and took lots of pictures. In the ones facing the sun, we are much more squinty than I thought at the time which kind of bums me out but it's NO BiG DEAL.
I wanted a change of location so we headed over to the next building with the red brick. These ones thankfully turned out great! While we were in the middle of a picture, a security truck suddenly sped into the parking lot. The officer got out of the truck and started yelling at us and telling us we were on private property and needed to leave immediately. Everyone was out of the parking lot when the officer stopped Clifton so he could get some information for his report. Clifton is a security guard and knows the drill so he was more that willing to help the guy out. As I was about to cross the street Kristin was storming back to the parking lot so I asked her what she was doing. She interrupted me and told me to just go. I was curious so I gave the camera to Kari--I was afraid I would be forced to delete the pictures since it was apparently the IRS building--and she drove away as I went back to where Clifton, Kristin, and the security guard were. Kristin was yelling at him. Very loudly. "WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO, CALL THE POLICE?!" She grabbed Cliftons license from the officer and I started to apologize. I honestly did not know that we were trespassing, and that we were at the IRS building. The parking lot is fairly open with the exception of the gate to the lot. Other than that it is a public sidewalk, and there are absolutely NO "signs of operation" or "no trespassing" or "government property" signs. NONE! How am I supposed to know we were trespassing when I'd been through there before? Before I could get my apology all the way out Kristin stopped me and said "No Jesse let's just go you don't apologize." On the way out of the parking lot she yelled vulgarities to no one in particular. Truthfully I was embarrassed. The security guard had to be over 70 and he was shaking. He probably thought we were a gang or doing drugs or something. He was scared and just doing his job. Why get mad about that?
We ended up meeting at the Union Station to finish on pictures but somehow Kari and Kristin, who were carpooling, got lost in the commotion. I tried calling Kristin to apologize and calm her down but she didn't answer any of my calls. Kari called to see where we were meeting so I asked to talk to Kristin. I heard her in the background saying she didn't want to talk to me but eventually she gave in. This is about how the conversation went:
Me: Kristin will you please calm down, I am so sorry. I honestly didn't know we were trespassing otherwise I wouldn't have done pictures there at the brick wall.
K: Well Kari said it was the IRS building at least 9 times!
Me: She did? OK I really didn't hear her, and even if I had I didn't know we were trespassing. I'm sorry. Why didn't you tell me if you knew we were?
K: I told you I didn't want to trespass and you all made me feel SO bad so I didn't want to say anything because you guys don't respect me or the fact that I didn't want to trespass.
Me: Kristin if I didn't respect your wish I wouldn't have gone to a different place at the start. What makes you think I would've tried to trick you if I already was going along with your request? I think if you truly believed me you wouldn't be so mad.
K: This is why I don't go out, because of situations like this. You have enough pictures of me, I'm just going to go home.
Me: Kris please don't. I need more and I still need your individuals. And this isn't for me this is for mom. We're at the Union Station:
K: I do not want to be around here anymore! I don't want to be anywhere we can get kicked out!
Me: The union station isn't trespassing...is it? People are here all the time.
K: I don't know, I just don't want to be in this area anymore.
Me: OK pick a place and we'll go there.
K: I don't know....
Me: Kristin pick a place right now and we'll go.
K: I'm going home you have enough pictures of me. Bye.
She hung up. The whole time I spoke with her I had a pretty soft tone so she wouldn't get even more mad. Plus I was genuinely sorry. By the end though I was so mad. When I told her to pick a place the second time-it was not in a nice voice. I was so flustered when I got off the phone with her that I dropped my phone getting out of the car. I didn't pick it up on purpose because I was mad. I told everyone what Kristin decided then I got back in the car. Becky came over and told me to get it started because she wanted to go to moms. I started crying and told her Kari had the camera and she wasn't there yet, otherwise I would've been taking the pictures. Kari arrived shortly after and it took about 7 minutes to do individual shots of my 4 remaining siblings.
AFTERWARDS
I was not happy. I was stressed getting everything together, I was pressured posing everybody for the shots, and I was upset with Kristin. It felt like only a few sibs understood the position I was in. It didn't even take 45 minutes for the whole shoot. I didn't want to take too long, but that was not enough time for me to get enough great shots with how inexperienced I am. I dealt with what I had though.
On the way home, me and Clifton stopped by the building to try and apologize to the security guard that my sister so rudely yelled at. He was inside writing a report though so we were unable to apologize. I got home and realized I didn't have my phone. That's right. I left it in the parking lot purposely on accident. I drove to the Union Station and found my phone--with a perfect tread over it. Clifton had ran over my phone. Great. After checking everything out, I was overcome with gratitude as I realized my phone was still in perfect condition. It's a mytouch 4g in case you want one ;).
Getting home, I only had the last half of the day to edit the photos and make a photo book through shutterfly so I could get the mothers day sale and so it would arrive in time. 7 1/2 hours later, here I am blogging about the most horrendous picture day ever. It's made me realize how much I love the phrase "no big deal". I've been saying it for months and today I fell in love with it. I said it multiple times today and I think it's a verbal reminder to myself and to others that things really aren't as dramatic as they appear. I never say it in a way to depreciate the way somebody feels. I only say it in a way that at the end of the day it really isn't a big deal.
NO BIG DEAL
We decide how serious something is. I know there are a lot of different situations like death or divorce that make it sound insensitive to say. And I totally get the mourning process; been there done that. I had a close close friend pass away in December and you know what? No big deal. I'll see him again, and in all reality no one makes it out alive. I miss him a lot, but this phrase has really helped me keep perspective on the bigger, more eternal picture. It's helped me whenever I want to overreact to something with my crazy girly emotions. Today was madness and I probably won't be doing another photo shoot anytime soon but you know what? No big deal :)
PLANNING
First of all you need to know it has been sooo stressful for me to coordinate everything. A few weeks ago I decided the perfect mothers day gift would be to have pictures of all her kids together. No spouses and no parents to make it a surprise for her. Aarons divorce gave me the idea actually. I hate when my phone contacts are pictureless so I tried finding a good picture of just Aaron, and the most recent one of him without Meg is from quite a few years ago. Even then it's not the greatest picture. At first I was going to get together with each sibling individually and do portrait and model shots for my mom. Then I realized it'd be easier and more meaningful if there was a picture of everyone together. So since it was my idea, I was in charge of everything. It is HARD finding a time for 8 people with very different work schedules to get together. Not to mention it was such short notice. I know. Boo on me. But I have been very determined the past few weeks because I knew these pictures would mean so much to my mom.
After finally getting a time everyone could meet, I decided on the place with Ammon. It's an old building on 24th and Wall and it was PERFECT! There was a grassy area with trees, red brick, wooden fences, and green garages. The only problem was it was in a fenced in area; there were no "no trespassing" signs and there's a good size gap in the fence. But just in case someone didn't want to trespass, I chose the front side of the building and the building next door as backup. I did not want to photograph at the Union Station because everyone, their dog, and their shoes have taken pictures there. Way too overdone and unoriginal for me. After deciding the location last week I picked out the colors and sent out mass texts to everyone as a reminder. In my text I said no one needed to be super fancy and that jeans with a nice top would work fine.
Another thing was the photographer. I don't have the kind of money it takes to pay for a photographer and the photographer friends I asked to do it for free weren't able to on such short notice. I was planning on taking the pictures myself, with lots of help from Clifton. I love taking pictures. I looked at several family photo ideas and tips for hours the past week so that I would be ready. At last minute I was able to get ahold of a really nice professional camera. Don't ask me how. It's a secret. I was so grateful though.
THE PHOTO SHOOT
We all met at the location with the exception of Shane, who was getting off work a little late. From the start Kristin objected to trespassing. That was fine, but the spot was so perfect so I wanted to get some individual shots of everyone else first while we waited for Shane. Everyone waited outside the fence while I did Kari and Madie, then Shane arrived. We all caught up and Kristin was still saying she didn't want to trespass. I told her that was fine and we'd go around the front of the building. She misunderstood and thought I was still "trying to get her to trespass" so she started freaking out and telling me how it was against the law. I told her what I meant and she told me she was glad I was OK with it. I said I wasn't but it was fine. Obviously she didn't like that. But I just wanted to get it done so we went to the front of the building and took lots of pictures. In the ones facing the sun, we are much more squinty than I thought at the time which kind of bums me out but it's NO BiG DEAL.
I wanted a change of location so we headed over to the next building with the red brick. These ones thankfully turned out great! While we were in the middle of a picture, a security truck suddenly sped into the parking lot. The officer got out of the truck and started yelling at us and telling us we were on private property and needed to leave immediately. Everyone was out of the parking lot when the officer stopped Clifton so he could get some information for his report. Clifton is a security guard and knows the drill so he was more that willing to help the guy out. As I was about to cross the street Kristin was storming back to the parking lot so I asked her what she was doing. She interrupted me and told me to just go. I was curious so I gave the camera to Kari--I was afraid I would be forced to delete the pictures since it was apparently the IRS building--and she drove away as I went back to where Clifton, Kristin, and the security guard were. Kristin was yelling at him. Very loudly. "WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO, CALL THE POLICE?!" She grabbed Cliftons license from the officer and I started to apologize. I honestly did not know that we were trespassing, and that we were at the IRS building. The parking lot is fairly open with the exception of the gate to the lot. Other than that it is a public sidewalk, and there are absolutely NO "signs of operation" or "no trespassing" or "government property" signs. NONE! How am I supposed to know we were trespassing when I'd been through there before? Before I could get my apology all the way out Kristin stopped me and said "No Jesse let's just go you don't apologize." On the way out of the parking lot she yelled vulgarities to no one in particular. Truthfully I was embarrassed. The security guard had to be over 70 and he was shaking. He probably thought we were a gang or doing drugs or something. He was scared and just doing his job. Why get mad about that?
We ended up meeting at the Union Station to finish on pictures but somehow Kari and Kristin, who were carpooling, got lost in the commotion. I tried calling Kristin to apologize and calm her down but she didn't answer any of my calls. Kari called to see where we were meeting so I asked to talk to Kristin. I heard her in the background saying she didn't want to talk to me but eventually she gave in. This is about how the conversation went:
Me: Kristin will you please calm down, I am so sorry. I honestly didn't know we were trespassing otherwise I wouldn't have done pictures there at the brick wall.
K: Well Kari said it was the IRS building at least 9 times!
Me: She did? OK I really didn't hear her, and even if I had I didn't know we were trespassing. I'm sorry. Why didn't you tell me if you knew we were?
K: I told you I didn't want to trespass and you all made me feel SO bad so I didn't want to say anything because you guys don't respect me or the fact that I didn't want to trespass.
Me: Kristin if I didn't respect your wish I wouldn't have gone to a different place at the start. What makes you think I would've tried to trick you if I already was going along with your request? I think if you truly believed me you wouldn't be so mad.
K: This is why I don't go out, because of situations like this. You have enough pictures of me, I'm just going to go home.
Me: Kris please don't. I need more and I still need your individuals. And this isn't for me this is for mom. We're at the Union Station:
K: I do not want to be around here anymore! I don't want to be anywhere we can get kicked out!
Me: The union station isn't trespassing...is it? People are here all the time.
K: I don't know, I just don't want to be in this area anymore.
Me: OK pick a place and we'll go there.
K: I don't know....
Me: Kristin pick a place right now and we'll go.
K: I'm going home you have enough pictures of me. Bye.
She hung up. The whole time I spoke with her I had a pretty soft tone so she wouldn't get even more mad. Plus I was genuinely sorry. By the end though I was so mad. When I told her to pick a place the second time-it was not in a nice voice. I was so flustered when I got off the phone with her that I dropped my phone getting out of the car. I didn't pick it up on purpose because I was mad. I told everyone what Kristin decided then I got back in the car. Becky came over and told me to get it started because she wanted to go to moms. I started crying and told her Kari had the camera and she wasn't there yet, otherwise I would've been taking the pictures. Kari arrived shortly after and it took about 7 minutes to do individual shots of my 4 remaining siblings.
AFTERWARDS
I was not happy. I was stressed getting everything together, I was pressured posing everybody for the shots, and I was upset with Kristin. It felt like only a few sibs understood the position I was in. It didn't even take 45 minutes for the whole shoot. I didn't want to take too long, but that was not enough time for me to get enough great shots with how inexperienced I am. I dealt with what I had though.
On the way home, me and Clifton stopped by the building to try and apologize to the security guard that my sister so rudely yelled at. He was inside writing a report though so we were unable to apologize. I got home and realized I didn't have my phone. That's right. I left it in the parking lot purposely on accident. I drove to the Union Station and found my phone--with a perfect tread over it. Clifton had ran over my phone. Great. After checking everything out, I was overcome with gratitude as I realized my phone was still in perfect condition. It's a mytouch 4g in case you want one ;).
Getting home, I only had the last half of the day to edit the photos and make a photo book through shutterfly so I could get the mothers day sale and so it would arrive in time. 7 1/2 hours later, here I am blogging about the most horrendous picture day ever. It's made me realize how much I love the phrase "no big deal". I've been saying it for months and today I fell in love with it. I said it multiple times today and I think it's a verbal reminder to myself and to others that things really aren't as dramatic as they appear. I never say it in a way to depreciate the way somebody feels. I only say it in a way that at the end of the day it really isn't a big deal.
NO BIG DEAL
We decide how serious something is. I know there are a lot of different situations like death or divorce that make it sound insensitive to say. And I totally get the mourning process; been there done that. I had a close close friend pass away in December and you know what? No big deal. I'll see him again, and in all reality no one makes it out alive. I miss him a lot, but this phrase has really helped me keep perspective on the bigger, more eternal picture. It's helped me whenever I want to overreact to something with my crazy girly emotions. Today was madness and I probably won't be doing another photo shoot anytime soon but you know what? No big deal :)
Rebecca Mae
Shane Martin
Aaron Spencer
Sisters
Dorky brothers
After editing this one, it was brought to my attention how silly it is. Oh well :P
Jesse Lynn
Kari Ann
Charles Ammon
Madison Margaret
This is the picture I blew up to hang in my moms house.
This one is my favorite :)
NOTES: Kristin left before she could get her individuals done. For the book I cropped and worked with what I had for her page, but her pictures embarrass me so I am not posting them. And a huge huge HUGE thank you to my husband who snapped the button after I positioned the camera and people. He wasn't planning on it and was probably a little annoyed but I owe him big. Especially for dealing with my crazyness the whole day. I love you baby :)
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