Chair is Ready!

I got a call this morning. My chair has been repaired! Yeah.  The total cost was $205.32.  Worth it I think.  I am looking forward to sitting back in my chair.

Finally A Mystery Shop I Can Do!

I've been a mystery shopper for a couple years.  The problem is when you live in the sticks, there are not too many decent shops.  There is one, however, for a  vet clinic.  I shopped it last year and I will shop it agin.  The pet in question needs an exam and I need to save some $$$. The shop will pay for the cost of the visit. I've booked the shop and am pleased it is a "useful" shop. 

Putting the Squeeze on The Weekend Boss

I got my current part-time weekend job just after I lost my full time hours at work.  When the Gods close a window, they open a door.  I knew that my job was to "temporary" until the person I replaced could come back to work.  I never expected almost 18 months later, to still have this insane schedule, but I do.  My weekend boss and I get along and like I keep telling him, if it works for you, it works for me.

My co-worker is out again this winter for extensive surgery and unable to do her work. Good for me, not good for her.  She is supposed to be out of commission until at least May, if not later.  Not wanting a repeat of last year where I was given like no notice that my co-worker was coming back, I've started to ask my weekend boss if he has spoken to said co-worker.  He probably was in contact with her last year and did not want me to know when she was coming back. Even though I knew my job was "at will", I was still caught a bit flat footed, especially when I asked for some notice, which I thought was only fair.

I will keep asking him until I get an answer.  He has asked if I still want to work at the facility, which I do want to do.  As I've told him before, I really just need to know what the schedule is so I can make plans to cover my needs.  So lets see what he comes up with.

It's The Same Song Again

People who have been reading my blog know that my lovely neighbors are going through a very hard time with their kids and their money.  It's not getting any better.

Eldest Daughter works a seasonal job and took her winter vacation to out to California to see her boyfriend.  Eldest Daughter also spent all her "fun money" and most of the money she had put aside for her new apartment.  Eldest Daughter is now living back at home since the Youngest Daughter has moved to the other side of the state, still not employed, still not in school. Eldest daughter will be starting her seasonal job later this month and is looking at yet another college to go to, which would make #3 in 4 years.  Her parents keep taking out loans for Eldest Daughter who has still not decided what she wants to major in or do with her life. That's a lot of money spent on classes/credits that are not transferrable-this is when a student loan is a waste of money.

Youngest Daughter has moved to be with her boyfriend, and eventually will enroll is some sort of school.  The last conversation I had with my neighbor about Youngest Daughter was that she was trying to find some sort of a job, but could not meet certain job requirements (like a drug test). Youngest daughter barely fulfilled her court ordered community service before she moved to the other side of the state, does come home once or twice a week and yup, is living off her parents.

My neighbors are very nice people.  They are struggling, but seem to be unable to put spending boundaries on their kids. They are supporting both these girls who don't seem to really give a darn about the fact that their parents are paying mortgages late, have maxed out credit cards and payment plans with the electric company. 

I can understand that my neighbor wants to help her kids, but when is enough enough?  My neighbor is really struggling, complaining about life in general, yet is unable to stick to her resolution to make her kids learn how to support themselves or take some responsibility for their actions. 

I can be sympathetic to a point.  I am less sympathetic when I hear the same story over and over.  No is such a simple easy word NO.  No, I won't pay the deposit on your apartment, No I won't pay for your gas to come and see me and then have you spend all day at your friends house, no I won't buy all that organic food that you always say you want, then never eat.  No I won't take out another tuition loan until you are settled in school....

I just see a crash coming really soon

Good Weekend Off!

I took a long weekend off from both my weekday and weekend job. I was feeling a little cranky, had some work to do around the house and honestly, just wanted some ME time.  I spend two and a half days lounging around the house, watching TV, playing on facebook, organizing files on my computer, cooking, cleaning, and doing my taxes.  I had four days of blissful free time.

I was very surprised to see that I am getting back more money from the State than I thought and a small Federal refund.  I was only hoping to NOT have to pay any taxes this year.  My second job and it's expenses get sorted under a schedule C and when it was all done and dusted, my expenses just barely exceeded my income.  A few other non reimbursed work  expenses added to my deductions and I get back some moola.  Good!  Yeah! and the money is going towards my severely depleted e fund. 

I will say it was nice to hang out at home with no obligations to my time.  I know with my weekend job and my hobbies, I have very few days that are not "spoken for".  Depending on what happens with my co-worker at my weekend job, I'll have to plan another weekend off. This was good for my soul. 

How was your weekend!

Credit Card Limit Increased!

My credit card payment is due this week, I faithfully log on to the site on the last day of each month, review my transactions (gas, the odd purchase), make sure nothing looks unusual and set up an on line payment. Imagine my surprise when I logged on last night and saw that Orchard Bank had increased my credit line. I now have a credit limit of $700 instead of $500. I guess faithfully paying off my balance each month and early had it's rewards. I was tickled to death when I got a the card in late 2008!



Good news for me! This old dog did learn a new trick-or in my case, relearned the old good habits.

Worth Getting Fixed? Yup Not All Furniture is Disposable

I have a  chair that was a "freebie" to me. It has to be about 25 or 30 yrs old, maybe more and covered in a green velvet fabric.  Friends of mine gave it to me when they were cleaning out the house of an aged relative. I think the official name of the chair style is a "ladies chair". I actually keep it in the kitchen area, tucked next to a small bookshelf that holds a reading lamp.  I love sitting in it first thing in the AM with a cup of tea or coffee, the sunlight streams in my east facing kitchen window, or after a full day at work, it's a good place to sit with a glass of something to unwind. The pets, who have taken over my bed and my couch, don't "take over" my chair. Oddly, the people who gave me the chair told me their aged relative used to do the same thing, except that the chair was located in a small side parlour at the aged relatives house. I think it was fate that brought the chair to me.

 It is was very comfy, until the bottom fell out.  Actually, it was partially my fault, well- ALL my fault.  I used it as a step stool one too many times and the bottom fell out. The webbing holding the springs gave way. Chunky chicks should not use furniture as step stools, especially since I own a step stool that is all of 4 feet away.

I called around, got some names and found a local place that fixes chairs and does upholstery.  I am not good at that kind of DIY.  I took the chair in and I was quoted a price of $175 to fix the webbing, re-tie the springs together and replace the old cushioning that has spilled out.  At first I was a bit taken a back and gave half a thought to chucking the chair. UNTIL the next sentence out of the owners mouth was-"If you want to throw out the chair, I'll take it".  Which to me means it's worth fixing.   The chair as they say, Has Good Bones." 

The owner told me exactly what he would need to do to repair the chair, told me it would take about 10 days and asked for a deposit. I gave him the deposit and I'm looking forward in getting back my chair with a much improved seat. I wish I had the money to get the chair recovered, it would have been another $175 to $200 depending on the fabric. But the fabric on the chair is in good condition and I don't mind the green color.   I'd like to think I'm keeping the chair out of  the local landfill, I'm helping a local merchant (who by the looks of the workshop is really good at what he does) and I'll get back my comfy chair and keep the memory alive of a departed aged relative.