My Take On Life

Come Visit Me

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:24:32 GMT

Since I won't be posting any more entries on this journal, please save this address and come visit me. It's cozy and friends are always welcome.

http://makingofahome.blogspot.com/

Good to hear that The Farm and Kitchen Chatter and The Cube will be moved. So I don't have to worry about that. I don't have time to recreate all them. :-)

Most important are friends so please don't lose touch and here is my gmail address as that's the one I use on Blogger. I always check account for mail so you can always reach me there or on AOL mail.

deb.baumgartnerATgmailDOTcom Just change AT to @ and DOT to .

Hope that makes sense. See you on Blogger!

Deb

Just In Case

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:21:37 GMT

Seems there's confusion in J-Land about Journals. My understanding is that Hometown is going away not the Journals. However, just in case I am wrong I already have a backup journal on Blogger. PLEASE save this so we can stay in touch.

http://makingofahome.blogspot.com/

I don't think Journals are going away but I could be wrong.

Make sure you get my email address and you send me yours if you want to stay in touch.

If you post to Kitchen Chatter or the Hippie Farm don't worry. Send me your info and after the dust settles we can start new ones on Blogger.

Keep my info handy and bookmark or subscribe to my Blogger blog.

Hopefully I am right and Journals are going to stay

UPDATE: Well, it's true. Journals are going away. Please let me know where you will be and grab my link. I want to stay in touch with everyone!

Life Goes On

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:27:20 GMT

Here's why I'm proud to be living in Georgia. I'm not from Georgia, just living here LOL

Rep. Paul Broun (R-Georgia) referring to the bailout bill.
"Madam Speaker this is a huge cow paddy with a piece of marshmallow stuck in the middle of it, and I am not going to eat that cow paddy"

I love it. Do you have a wonderful mental image of this? Seriously, I am happy that he did not vote for the CEO welfare bill. Yes, I am against this huge of a bail out.

On to other things. Mom's second birthday present arrived. Aren't they cool. I love them.

New Balance Women's WA800 Sneaker

They are wonderful and very comfy. But, they run small. I have to send them back and then I'll get a half size larger. I can't wait to get the right size. They really are comfy.

Let's see, what else is going.

We still don't have much gas around here. But, it is what it is.

The big news is I checked work email and next month we will be able to choose a Roth 401K option. Whoo Hoo, doing the Happy Dance! This is wonderful!

I mailed my absentee ballot yesterday. All done. No lines, no stress just waiting to see what happens

Staycation

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:22:16 GMT

Yep, I'm on a Staycation as opposed to a Vacation. I'm not going anywhere just getting the clutter out of my life so I can stay on track.

I am going to do one room at a time. Since I only use 3 it won't take long. Trust me it will not take years. :-) Anyway, I am getting rid of a bunch of stuff. I don't need it therefore I don't want it.

When the new computer gets here I'll be recycling it to Dell. That's after I destroy the hard drive. I really hope the computer gets here before my vacation is over.

My absentee ballot is ready to mail. I've voted and that's that. Nothing these clowns can do will change my mind. Since there is no choice of "None of the Above" I just had to choose who to vote against. I won't say who I voted for and why. Political discussions never end on a good note. I enjoy our friendship more than a political debate.

I used the Skype phone to call Mom. It was a test and the call lasted 41 minutes and then I could not hear her any more. But hey 41 minutes uninterrupted is very good. I am pleased and it will work fine until I move. Once I move I will get an UNLISTED land line. Right now, I won't have one at this address.

I wish I had more to share but that's really about it for now.

Have a great day, my friends.

Spending Money!

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 10:51:42 GMT

Yes I spent money. It's budgeted, sort of. I will stay on track but I feel this purchase was justified.

You know my desktop has been overheating. Well, it is the heatsink and I don't want to replace the assembly. But, the heat has caused the hard drive to half way crash. Sometimes the computer will read the drive sometimes not.

The computer is old and half the USB ports don't work and the DVD drive doesn't work. So, I decided I have to replace this before all the XP desktops are gone.

I have to use XP for work. Our remote connection does not support Vista. Yes, I could just work at the office and not replace the computer. But, if I did that they would quickly forget their agreement with me that will allow me to work remotely when I move. That is very important to me.

So, I ordered a system from Dell. They are the only ones that come with XP. The system is not full of bells and whistles but will be just fine. It did come with a 22" monitor so that will be nice. I also ordered a UPS for this box. With tax and all it came in around $700. So not too bad.

Our gas situation is getting worse. We've been in a severe gas shortage for the past 16 days. Folks are driving around following the tanker trucks to see if and where they are delivering. I am glad my feet don't take gas. I walked about a total of 6 miles yesterday. Went to the bank. It was OK but I was amazed at the number of people driving around with just one person in the car. Oh well, just thankful I can walk to most all the places I need to get to.

I set up my Skype Phone and signed up for Skype Out. It's only $2.95 a month and $29.50 per year. Ihave tested it out and it seems to work pretty good. I'll be talking to Mom today so we'll see what she thinks. It's nice because I can use the phone on any computer. Now I have to set up my contact list in Skype.

I got my absentee ballot in the mail, yesterday. I will mail my vote off on Monday. My decision will not change. I love this because I won't have to wait in the lines and listen to bitchy people.

Well, that's about it for now. I did not do any cooking but will do some at some point. I have to get up to the grocery store and get a few things.

I rescheduled my termite bone inspection. It's gonna happen, no matter what.

That's about it for today. After I finish my computer time I'll be bagging up junk and getting rid of it. How fun is that?

Have a great day, my friends

What's Up At My House? Crap!

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:20:47 GMT

So, it's vacation time next week. It's won't really be the vacation I was hoping for.

Yesterday was supposed to be my termite inspection. 2 hours before the guy shows up I was asked to cancel it or have them come and do part of the house and come back the next day to look at the rest of it. Most of you guys know what I'm talking about.

I was in shock. But not surprised. Does that make sense? Anyway, the termite inspection happens at the same time every year. Apparently it takes more than a year to clean two rooms. Not in my world!

Anyway, I have let it be known that while I'm on vacation I'm going in there and cleaning it up long enough to get the termite inspection over with. I've already paid for this year. I will NOT renew the bond. What's the point? Besides I have some hard decisions to make.

I have a time line in place and I am going to stick to it. I can't sell the house so I'll just give it to one of those investors that buy crappy houses. I can't stand seeing the biggest investment I've made in my life be disrespected and totally unappreciated, not to mention destroyed.

I have a goal date in mind but I'll keep that to myself right now. I want MY plan to work and not be undermined. So, time sensitive details will be kept secret for now.

So I will have a vacation of cleaning a year's worth of I don't know what.

On a lighter note, I got a birthday present from Mom. She sent me a Skype phone. I've been wanting to try Skype Out for $2.95 a month. I can call anyone on any phone anywhere in the US and Canada. It's worth a shot. I won't have a land line until I move.

Skype should be fun and maybe I can call and chat with some of you guys. Could be fun. Anyway, I'll work on that if my computer cooperates. My old desktop started running hot and I cracked the case and put a fan on it. The internal fans are working fine but it's running way too hot. For now, it's off and I'll try firing it up tomorrow afternoon sometime.

That's about it for now. Today I feel like this "If life didn't suck I wouldn't have a life." LOL, it will get better but for now I'm just disgusted.

Oh, one more thing. tomorrow I will have been quit smoking for 1000 days! I love being quit!

Have a fab day my friends!

Deb

So Ready For Vacation

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:38:18 GMT

I am so ready for my vacation. Next week can't get here fast enough.

Even though I have no plans to go anywhere I do have a list of things to do. Nothing interesting but it won't be work and that's good.

I have phone calls to make, a hair cut to get, cleaning to do, outside work to do and some cooking.

I'll be cooking up some Lentil Cakes with Horseradish Sauce. Vegan version of course. It sounds wonderful and since I have extra time I can make something other than beans and pasta. LOL

I'll also be shopping around for rates on a good HSA (Health Savings Account). I'm sick of our insurance at work and I really believe I can do better outside the company. We'll see how that goes.

Steve hasn't called or done anything about his chairs. I've called enough times and I'm done. I'm planning on keeping the chairs and before I get rid of his china hutch and a couple of wooden display cases I'll call him one more time and let him know when the Salvation Army will be by to pick them up. If he's not there by then they will be gone.

The chairs will be fine since I don't have any dining room chairs. Well, I really don't have a dining room. I have one but it's not set up as a dining room. Maybe, with these chairs, I'll set up the table and make it look nice. I don't use it but it will be nice to look at :-)

Today is my annual termite inspection. Inside and out the guy will look around with his flash light. But, it's worth it since I have a guaranteed replacement bond.

That's about it for today.

Have a great day, my friends.

Moles Will Stay

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:03:21 GMT

Since I posted about my mole problem here and over on Keep It Cheap, I got some good ideas. Here's the tips I got and I want to thank you guys for the good info.

From Sandra:

Well I looked it up on Jerry Bakers site and it said to treat the grubs in the lawn with Milky Spore powder...
then You should plant daffodils or spurge or caster bean plant because moles hate these....
or you can: place used kitty litter in their runs but (not in a veggie garden)It says they think a predator is around and they leave....
or: insert unwrapped juicy fruit gum cut length wise in their runs
I still remember the hair in the holes too but you have more damage then we had
I would try the kitty litter, lol
Sandra

Another one from Sandra:

"I heard you get a bag of hair from the beauty shop and put that in the holes..... Jerry Baker recommends it..... and I think mineral oil too
Sandra"

From Kathy:

I looked and found this:
http://www.homeabc.net/Garden-Landscape/3072-3-Garden-Landscape.html
one suggestion listed is:
This sounds weird but I heard it works.
Get a cheap battery operated radio - small size,
tune it in to a rock and roll station (acid rock - oldies with lots of drums, etc),
put the radio in a baggie to protect it from moisture,
then drop it in a hole near the moles hole.
The moles hate the noise/vibration and will leave. Effective and humane at the same time - win/win!

From Carol:

Moles are harmless and in the end, will do your yard more good than harm. Yes, they do leave what some people consider "unsightly" hills of dirt. If you had someone come in to do what they do for free, it would cost a bundle to aerate your lawn.
If you are concerned about the tunnel mounds, put on some heavy boots and mash down the mounds.
Good exercise and they will move on to the neighbors yard sooner or later. Carol

From Dawn:

"We found a few mole holes last week and the grounds man told us to just break down the mounds and fill in the hole. He said we might have to do it a couple of times, but they would get tired of it and move somewhere else. It has been 5 days, no sign of them. Someone else said they had cats, and we should just put used kitty litter down the hole and that would make them move on. Hope this helps.
Dawn

I like the idea about free lawn aeration. :-) So, unless they get really out of hand I'll leave them alone. If I have grubs I hope they eat them all. It's nature and that's how it's supposed to be.

Work is good and I just found out that a co-worker just moved into my subdivision. He's recently divorced and just a nice guy. Well, he's nice at work. I don't have to live with him. LOL He's been here about 4 months and we've never seen each other. I asked him what he thought about the HOA. He said he's already gotten 2 letters but he's OK with it. He says it's a lot better than where he used to live. YIKES!

I did 1 hr of Yoga on Sunday. It was good. It was tough and I had to modify some of the stuff. But, it is a very good stretch workout. My muscles are still sore. Not in a bad way, but I know I did something. Hopefully they will be recovered by this coming Sunday.

Next week is vacation!!!! I have nothing planned because I really can't plan much of anything. I will probably do more cleaning than just the quick stuff I do each week. You know,the stuff we all keep putting off. Then I'll try and work in the backyard a bit.

We'll see. I do plan on pics and maybe a video. We'll see how it goes.

Progress Has Been Made

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 11:41:04 GMT

Yes, progress has been made. I was worried about my A1c level since I do not follow a "diabetic" diet. But then again, I never have. LOL. Seriously, going on a Vegan diet was a major shift and one that I am loving. I was praying my lab values would be OK.

Yes, my A1c is fine. It's only 5.3. It's actually come down and is well within the normal non-diabetic range. I am so happy because I was really not willing to change my diet. The vegan diet is better for me and my lab values show it.

However, the one thing that hasn't improved; or should I say barely improved is my Vitamin D level. I am still very below normal. After 6 months of prescription Vitamin D my lab value barely moved. So, I am back on the Vitamin D prescription and now it's weekly for 6 months.

The only thing I have to watch is my blood calcium level. It's already a bit too high. This can cause muscle cramps and kidney stone formation. So, what I need to do is keep my ph level down. This means drinking a lot of pure cranberry juice. Good thing I like it.

Speaking of diet, I posted a new recipe, with pics, over at Kitchen Chatter. Macaroni and UnCheese with Tomatoes. YUMMY

I started using my Stepper and it's really good. I can almost do it without holding on. It's so convenient. I can just pick it up and move it to where I want without any big hassle.

I have decided to make Sunday my Yoga day. I am going to start doing some Kundalini Yoga on Sunday afternoon. The reason I chose this one is because it focuses on stretching and keeping yourself limber. This will help with some of the back pain. So, today will be my first attempt. I may not finish the routine but I have to start somewhere.

One thing I have to really educate myself on is Health Savings Accounts. I hate my insurance and I'm really considering going outsidethe company and getting an HSA. I checked out Dave Ramsey's Endorsed Local Provider and came up with the name of Red Taylor. Here's his website It's worth talking to him.

I have to decide what to do about insurance before Open Enrollment at work. So, I'll be doing my homework pretty quick.

Here's a question for everyone. What's the easiest, safest and most inexpensive way to get rid of moles in my yard. Yep, I got moles. I have never had this before. Personally, I don't mind the critters but you know about the HOA biddies that could give a crap about our planet and the critters we share it with. Let me know if you have any ideas on what I can do.

That's about it. Have a great day my friends. Tomorrow, remember to celebrate the arrival of Fall!

Jim Croce

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:31:40 GMT

No time to post much today. Under the deadline gun but that's OK. I'm behind but it's not my problem. I keep finding bugs in stuff our developers are working on. It's my job to find the bugs and make sure they get fixed before the release ships out. Can I help it if our developers haven't done such a good job this time. :-)

Anyway, this will be quick. I would embed it but AOL won't allow it. So, here it is.

Are you a Jim Croce Fan? Found this great mashup.

http://www.searchles.com/channels/show/5345

I am a Jim Croce fan. :-) We lost him way too young.