Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Moving On!

So sorry for being away so long.  I was trying really hard to make sure I blogged regularly.  Last week was a really crap week for me.  Actually, I found out that it was a pretty crap week for a lot of people.  I had made some posts on Facebook and Twitter about not letting situations dictate my life and not dwelling on the past.  Those were not just me blowing smoke up people's ass. I really meant them.  


For so long, I dwelled on the past and when something goes wrong, I tend to hold on to it.  This weekend I realized that I am in charge of my life and my future.  Something goes wrong, Oh well, learn from it, forget about it and move on.  Sitting and being angry and dwelling on it is not going to change what happened and it definitely is not going to make things better.  I am the master of my fate.


This is hard for some of us.  I know it is for me.  It is so easy to just give up when things don't go your way.  I am tired of that.  I used to not be this way.  This past year has been a really trying year for me and I have thrown my arms up in the air more times than I can count.  No more.  I'm stepping into the ring swinging.  I'm taking control of things and feel sorry for anyone who gets in my way. 


New day, new attitude.  I have goals and aspirations that I am going to achieve no matter what.  I can't count on anyone to do these things for me.  I have to do them myself.  And I will.  I appreciate everyone who has supported (not monetarily) me and my family.  You guys are great. You keep my spirits lifted and make me smile and laugh.  That is the best feeling ever!  I also want to especially thank my sister, brother and sister in law.  You guys are amazing and you have helped us in more ways than you will ever realize.  I am so glad to have such amazing people in my family. I am truly a lucky girl.  


So, thanks for listening to my rambling and until next time my friends.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Review~~Jack In The Box Pastrami Grilled Sandwich

I went to Jack in the Box a few days ago and saw that they had a Pastrami Grilled Sandwich.  I love pastrami, but usually wouldn't get a pastrami sandwich from a fast food restaurant. Pastrami is one of those meats that if you don't have the right cut and if it isn't aged or prepared right it isn't very good.  A lot of times it tends to be very fatty and/or tough.  I have had pastrami at good restaurants and they have been a huge disappointment.  


I wasn't in the mood to get my usual 2 tacos or a burger so I reluctantly ordered the Pastrami Grilled Sandwich.  When I got it, I was pleasantly surprised.  As I unwrapped the wrapper, I was expecting it to be completely greasy, it wasn't.  I took my first bite and was welcomed with a flavorful, ungreasy, very lean taste of pastrami.  The sandwich is on grilled bread (I believe it's sourdough, but not sure), there are pickle slices, cheese, pastrami (of course) and dijon mustard.  All of the flavors meld together to make a remarkably tasting sandwich.  


The sandwich had a good amount of pastrami on it. I thought it was the perfect amount. Not too much and not too little.  The only problem that I had was with the dijon mustard and that is only because I prefer yellow mustard on my pastrami.  I like dijon mustard, that is just a preference that I have.  I'm sure next time, I could ask for yellow instead.  


I really liked this sandwich.  I think that Jack in the Box stepped up and really showed a lot of fast food restaurants that it is possible to make a good tasting sandwich.  I just hope that this was not a one time thing and that all the Jack in the Boxes have the same quality meat and make the same quality sandwich.  I would hate to write this glowing review and then hear that someone tried the sandwich, because I said it was good and it sucked.  lol


So there you go. My first review, hope you liked it.  Until next time my friends. Oh, I almost forgot. If you go to jackinthebox.com  you can get a coupon for $1 off a Pastrami Grilled Sandwich.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

My Favorites...For Now

I like to watch Make Up tutorials on YouTube and a lot of the Guru's like to do favorites or must haves for the month. So, this gave me an idea of a favorites blog.  I'm just going to list some things that I really like and think that maybe you would want to check them out. So in no particular order, here you go.


Restaurant.com~~You can get gift certificates for your area for cheap.  Sign up for the newsletter and you will be notified of deals and codes.  I have been able to buy $25 gift certificates for as low as $2.  Can anyone say Cheap Date?


Swagbucks.com~~Swagbucks is a search engine that allows you to win points that you can redeem for product, gift certificates and even money in your Paypal account.  You just search like you normally do. Collect your points and redeem. Easy as pie. And if you want to sign up, be a sweetie and tell them I referred you: Evilgenius746.  


Del Taco~~Del Taco has a deal going on right now. The regular tacos are just $0.39.  Yes you read that correctly, $0.39.  You really can't go wrong with that. Oh, and if you sign up for the newsletter, you get info on promotions and coupons.


P!nk~~OK, I have tweeted and Facebooked about my obsession with P!nk.  I absolutely LOVE her.  My favorite song of the moment is "It's All Your Fault".  You can listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c95mXryWnuc

Christian Kane~~Once again, I have tweeted and Facebooked about my "pretend boyfriend".  Don't worry, Josh knows.  lol  Christian Kane is an actor and singer, he is on the TNT show "Leverage" check it out. I have been lucky enough to see him perform live when I was living in Oregon.  They film the show in Portland and during filming he has monthly shows at Dante's.  Anyway, he has two songs that I love right now.  "Let Me Go" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk7i2vktOl4 and "Making Circles" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7-nWGSAsAM&feature=related.


Not Having TV~~OK, we have TV in the living room, but there is no TV in our bedroom. Now, this is different for me.  I don't watch much TV during the day, but I do enjoy laying in bed and watching TV at night.  I thought that this would drive me crazy and that I would need TV.  It surprised me that I didn't. As a matter of fact, I don't really miss it. I am able to still watch all the shows that I miss, the next day, usually online.  And I only really watch a few shows during the week, so I'm not really missing anything.  It is kind of nice not having the TV.


Signing up for newsletters~~This is something that I highly recommend everyone do.  Yeah, it clogs up your email box, but it is helpful.  You are notified of sales and deals and on many occasions you get specials and coupons sent because you get the newsletter.  This has been something I have enjoyed for years.


Angel Food Ministries and Treasure Box~~These two companies allow you to purchase boxes of food for a fraction of the cost in the store.  This is really helpful for those of us that are on a budget.  There is no income requirement and both offer different types of boxes.  You simply find your host site, order your box or boxes and pick them up on the date specified.


Blogging~~I have been enjoying this new hobby of mine.  It has allowed me to share my life and feeling on various subjects with whomever wants to read. It has given me an outlet other than Facebook or Twitter that has allowed my expression of thought to be longer than a few sentences.  It is a bit freeing also.


Well, those are all my favorites, for now.  My favorites tend to come and go with the wind, so be on the lookout for another one.  Until next time my friends.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Soap Box or Bitch Fit Edition #1

Alright, so this is Edition #1 of I what I can image will be many of what I like to call my soap box, or bitch fits. Whatever pisses me off or just annoys me will go here. So here it goes.


Today, Cameron, my 9 yr old, for those that do not know, brought home his picture day order form.  That is great, but picture day is tomorrow. Oh and they need the order form and payment turned in tomorrow.  Now before you say, Cameron just didn't give me the form, I check his backpack and folders everyday.  So, this form was not given to him until today.  


This pisses me off. His school is so extremely disorganized, I'm really not sure how they manage.  It is the 2nd day of the month and there still is no school lunch menu that was sent home and if I check the school website, they still have the lunch menu for May up.  Last month, I didn't get the lunch menu until the 2nd week of school.  Not that this is a huge issue.  I make Cameron's lunch most of the time, but there are some days that he likes to buy lunch.  It is just the fact that this is something that should be sent home at least the day before the new month starts.  


Now for his pictures.  This irritates me because they expect us as parents to have our children ready for picture day in 1 day.  There was no notice other than the form sent home today.  Luckily, for me Cam's hair is cut and we were able to find a nice shirt for him to wear.  But, what about other families?  What about the parents that work late? What about families that don't have a lot of money and need some time to get the money together for the pictures.  Are they just assed out? Here is a bigger question, what happens to the parents that won't even know that picture day is tomorrow because their kids were absent, or their kids just don't give the form to the  parents?  Not all parents are like me and have the time to go through their kids backpacks.  


The school will be getting a phone call from me tomorrow asking why paperwork is not sent home earlier.  Maybe they need someone to go down there and be in charge of that.  I would be happy to volunteer weekly to make sure kids and parents are getting the information that they need in a timely manner.  


So, that is it.  My gripe for the day.  Thanks for listening and until next time my friends. 

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Changing Perspective

After months of being lazy and flat out not caring, I decided to make a budget plan.  This is not my first time doing this.  I have had a budget for years and this past year it has just gone out the window.  Not a good year for me.  Mainly, because I got to a point where I just didn't care.  If I had the money, I had it, and if I didn't, well, I just didn't.  

Those days are over, Thank God.  I finally got to the point where I was tired of living paycheck to paycheck, not knowing where my money was going and not having any savings.   This happens to me, often.  I let things go until I get so fed up and tired that I give in and do it.  

Now, up until this budget, I was convinced that there was no way I was going to be able to save any money.  That is why I am so happy I am back on a budget.  It changes my perspective on what I have and what I can do.  Why did I wait so long?  I keep asking myself this question.  It seems silly that it has taken me this long.  

Now there are a lot more things that I need to do, to make this budget work better for me.  Now I need a meal plan and get a shopping list together, as well as get those coupons together.  

Not only has this budget changed my perspective on what I have, but it has changed my perspective on my future.  That is a huge change and has made me smile a little today.

If you don't have a budget plan, I suggest that you make one.  It will be an eye opener, I assure you.  And it just might change your perspective on how you view your spending and saving.  

Until next time.