glad i held out

A few weeks ago, I was holding Laura on my lap while working at my laptop and she knocked over a glass of wine that was next to it. Yes. And of course, it spilled on my keyboard. When Noah was her age, he knocked over a mug of tea onto the keyboard of my old laptop. That laptop never really survived.

I was concerned about this one, too. Immediately everything stopped working. Just great, I thought. I didn’t relish the idea of spending money on a new laptop when I hadn’t been accounting for it. Drew started to look online for the best buy on a new one. We gave my machine a couple days and thankfully it is no worse for the wear! This laptop is just a year and a half old. I’m not ready to recycle it just yet!

Tax Season

Are you guys all set for your taxes? We’re just waiting for two more forms (that should arrive this week) and then we can file them. Maybe even this weekend! We want to be as early as possible to avoid delays in getting our refund. Last year I started to do a lot more writing so this year I’m keeping track of everything that could be used as a tax deduction. As a writer, there are so many things I can deduct: laptop computers, printers, seminars, books, notebook, paper, etc. Since I was pregnant and preoccupied last year I did not keep receipts like I should have. This year, however, I’m on top of my game and hoping for a successful year!

Workin’ It

So yesterday while doing a newspaper interview I tried to do a little wheelin’ and dealin’ myself. The business owner I was speaking with has a domain purchased for her business, but nothing up there yet. Apparently everyone she’s spoken with wants to charge her through the nose for a simple Web site. That didn’t surprise me since a lot of designers think they’re God’s gift. I thought I’d throw out the fact that my husband does Web design on the side and maybe she’d be interested in just talking with him. He certainly wouldn’t be asking what some of these other guys are. He just does basic design and maintenance. If someone wants to submit their site to various Web directories like http://onewaytextlink.com, they can, but he just focusses on basics — getting the site up there. I think it’s becoming more important for small, local businesses to have a Web presence. I know that every time I get a story assignment, the first thing I do is look them up online. So we’ll see. It would be good for everyone if she followed up with him!

Online Master’s Program

I have known a few people who have decided to study for their Masters degrees online, and I think it’s an interesting way to do it. I was reading about various schools and heard about Gonzaga University. Several of their programs are available online and US News & World Report ranked them number three in the West. Forbes ranked it highly as well. Not many school that rank near the top offer online programs and I have to wonder why. In this day and age when everyone is hooked up to the Internet, you’d think that it would be an easy way to expand some of their programs. At any rate, Gonzaga offers the opportunity for people who have to work actual jobs to further their education. You don’t have to be a “professional student,” LOL! While that would be nice, it’s not something most people can afford to do.

A Glimmer of Hope, Maybe?

I’m so thrilled for my friend — she actually just sold her house in Maryland after only a couple months on the market! She’s attempted to sell it a year and a half ago, but no one was buying. Only now she and her family have to find a house. They’re staying in the same general area, but moving to a better school district. Hopefully this is a good sign. I have to imagine that the housing slump has also hurt business like cross country movers — though I don’t think I’ve ever heard them mentioned in a news story. I’ve noticed quite a few new “for sale” signs pop up around town here and I’m tracking them to see what, if anything, gets bought. At any rate, I am thrilled for my friend. I know she really wanted to move on and I’m glad she is now able to!

Construction Update

As I type, the electrician is upstairs working on putting in outlets and lightswitches and running cable. Things have been moving along really fast and by the time I come home with the baby, I think we’ll be at least 95% done. I’m not sure about the painting, and I doubt the siding will be stained and put up, but for the most part the shed dormer will be close to complete. We have to get our carpet order in, too. I think that’s what we might be doing today. Sometimes I feel a little weird talking to people about this project because it’s pretty extensive and, honestly, expensive (even though we got an excellent quote). Then again, we don’t carry credit card debt, we own our cars, and are responsible spenders. In this day and age, as we’ve learned, that’s pretty rare. I always wonder why people don’t look into debt consolidation to help them manage their finances better. Back when we owned our first home, we rolled the rest of my student loans and what we owed on one car at the time into a home equity line of credit. It made life much easier for us (not to mention that then the interest was tax-deductible!). I guess not everyone wants to deal with banks and whatnot, I don’t know. Anyway, sorry for the tangent. I’m just so happy with the way work is progressing and can’t wait until it’s all finished and I can start decorating!

Almost a Year

A year ago we were slightly disappointed that our goal of closing the store we owned by Memorial Day was not going to be met. It was frustrating because we were so ready to just get out of the retail business. Luckily, it would happen soon enough and we closed the deal on June 13th. We haven’t been back since, though I’m really curious to check it out. I know that the new owner had a lot of changes in mind. For example, whereas we used a very basic cash register and inputted prices the old-fashioned way, he had researched POS systems and wanted to have a computer-based inventory. I also have heard that he got rid of a lot of the popular items we carried, which is surprising. I guess his goal was to make the shop more boutique-y, which is all well and good, but it was a neighborhood shop, so it’s not necessarily something I think would work. But I am probably wrong, LOL! At any rate, the last year has been so much less stressful not having the business. I’m glad we did it; we learned a lot. But I’m not in a rush to be a retail business owner again.

It’ll Never Be Me, But..

I fully expect that by the time my husband and I are of retirement age, we’ll be getting next to nothing. But I read today that there is good news for people currently getting social security disability benefits. Apparently, as part of the economic recovery bill, people who already get these benefits will receive an extra one-time $250 payment. I guess some people might thing “So what?” but in my mind, it’s better than nothing! That’s an extra month’s worth of groceries, or perhaps even some money for prescriptions. A little bit can go a long way if you’re careful about it.

Extra money for moms

I am lucky to be a SAHM. Luckily, it is something Drew and I agreed on before we even got married. But still, it is nice to be able to make a little extra money here and there with a home based business. I’ve been getting some freelance work here and there and it is making a difference. Little bits add up, you know? It’s nice to be able to buy extras for the kids and not worry about them. Of course, I usually use the money for boring things like groceries, but still. Hopefully I can build up enough clients and I can start socking the money away. Of course, by the time that happens, I’ll probably be able to go back to work full-time, LOL!

Free Southern-Style Chicken at McDonald’s

Have you ever considering looking into a fast food franchise opportunity? Drew did, briefly, once. I think that it could be lucrative if you’re in the right location, but there is so much work that has to go into it. I think I would rather just enjoy it as a treat once in a while.

Speaking of treats, on Thursday May 15th, did you know that you can get yourself a FREE treat at McDonald’s. In the morning, from 7 AM to 10:30 AM you can get a free southern-style chicken biscuit (with the purchase of a medium or large drink). In the afternoon, from 10:30 AM to 7 PM, you can get a free southern-style chicken sandwich (with the purchase of a medium or large drink). I heard about these new sandwiches, and I’m going to see about trying one of them.