Christmas Journal

Thanks to dear Miss Vivian I have found another
journaler that is doing the "secret santa" game
         along with other Christmas feastives.  So please
         go to Holiday Happenings in J-land and find out
         what is going on and sign up to be a virtual secret
         santa -- and that means you too Albert!


Christmas is going to be here before you know
it.  Can hardly wait.  Did that sound more like a
           "ba hum bug"?  That's because it was.  I am so
            trying not to be that way this year but with all
            that is going on.......

  Found out today that there is a problem with the
  power of attorney that I have.  Great.  Good thing
             I am going to see a lawyer tomorrow.

  To try to cheer me up dad took me today to pick
   out my Christmas present.  Gotta love him for
             trying.  I helped to pick out that digital camera
            that I have been wanting.  Got a kodak one that
            comes with its own little dock and printer.  I could
             have it now or wait till Christmas.  It's hard but
             I told him to keep it until Christmas.

  I was planning on taking what I had won from the
   radio to buy a cheap digital camera and now I am
             getting a $400 one for Christmas!  And no, my
             parents don't usually spend that kind of money
             on me.  I think dad is feeling bad about all I 
             am having to do with/about my aunt.  I told him
              not to, but I think he is.

  Wasn't sure when to break out the Christmas
   graphics but I guess today is as good as any
             time.

  Don't forget to go to  Holiday Happenings in J-land
  to see what is up and how to participate.   This is
             gonna be fun.  Can't wait.

                                   
           
 

Another type of update

Before everything with my aunt started happening I was updating and moving some of my other places.  I wanted them totally finished before I "rolled" them out but since it is going to take a little longer I am just going ahead and put them out there.

Both were easy designer pages but was taking too much time and effort to keep them up that way.  So they are now in journal form.  If you see something that needs to be added or changed PLEASE LET ME KNOW.  If you run across a link that isn't working right let me know.

Editor's Archives   (some of the older links may not work because a journal shut down or went private.)

Where to find help  (this one is almost done. I have most of the "old" site on here and am trying to add more help.)

The "old" places are still up.  I will take them down and re-direct you to the new places once I have them all copied.

These journals are for everyone so let me know what needs to be added or updated somehow.

Update and Christmas

I'm back!  Updates:

My aunt is never going to be the way she was.  She didn't reconize mom (her sister) when she was in the hospital and still doesn't.  My parents went to visit today and Aunt E was just as confused, if not more so, as when she was in the hospital.  It is sad.  But oddly enough my aunt seems ok with the way things are.  At least in front of us.  The nurses must have had a time with her because they had her tied into a wheelchair.  My aunt even said "I must be giving them a hard time because I'm tied in."

I do know that they won't let her stay in bed and I am guessing that she won't stay in the wheelchair as she probably can walk some but could fall.  I like the fact that they make her get out of her room.  They have several "living rooms" with those big screen tvs.

I went by Aunt E's house again today.  So much to do there.  It is clear that she will never be going back there so what to do with a house full of stuff?  And it is rather sad.  It (when I am at her house) almost feels like she has died and I am getting rid of her life.  I haven't actually gotten rid of anything yet.  I am still cleaning and looking for papers (can't find where she had home owners insurance, surely she has it.  Even though the house is paid for.)

On to other things........

Christmas is coming up.  So hard to believe that the year is almost over.

What I had wanted to do with all my e-friends and what will come to pass is 2 totally different things.

I have been (and continue) to be distracted so I can't do my part in what I wanted.  My idea was to find a couple on-line catalogs  and we all go virtual shopping.  Yep.  I wanted to see what we would get each other.  How well we know each other.  And the "kicker" was you had to come up with 2 presents per person.  One "regular priced" and one from some really high end catalog. 

I just don't have the time to find just the right catalogs or to match people up (kind of like a secret santa).  So if any of you have the time and want to run with my idea (or even re-work it somehow) that is fine with me.  Just let me know ok?

Thanksgiving

I have lots of graphics that I was going to use these past few days leading up to thanksgiving but as you know I was thinking of other things.  Here is a sampling and a wish for you to have a wonderful thanksgiving.

                           

 

                 

 

                                

 

                                  

 

 

 

Finally made it to the Medicaid office

WOO HOO!  I finally got down to the Medicaid office this morning.  Got some good news -- well maybe, and the new bad news that I was expecting.

The "bad" news.  If you want to be on Medicaid you can't have more than $2000 (two thousand for those like me that are 0 impared) in the bank.  My aunt doesn't have a lot but she does have more than that (and she should at her age).   So we have to go into what is called a "spend down".  I have 45 days to get her money spent down to $2000.  Has to be spent and it has to be spent on her.  Medicaid suggest going to the funeral home and going ahead to take care of things like that.

Luckily my aunt has alread bought her burial plot, vault, and grave marker.  If you have ever arranged a funeral you know that I can probably spend all her money on the items that are left for a funeral for her.

It seems odd to plan a funeral for someone that is still alive but my parents have gone and bought everything they need 'cept for 1 casket.

So that is the really bad thing so far -- the spend down.

The MAYBE "good" news is there is a chance to keep Aunt E's house.  I don't totally understand it, but I have the name of a lawyer that can help work out if I can keep it and what I have to do to keep it.  Don't know how much he costs but he is suppossed to be great in this area.  (funny, I find out after I get the lawyers' names that my dad's best friend's daughter works for the lawyers)

While I was running around trying to get things done my dad went to visit Aunt E.  Said she is doing really good and seems happy.  She was up and sitting in the hall in a wheelchair.  Now if you knew my aunt you would know how shocking that is.  She wouldn't use a walker until she fell and then only around her house.  She has been walking with a cane to doctors appointments.  If we had offered her a wheel chair she would have gotten mad and let us know in no uncertain terms that she could walk.  So seeing her in a wheel chair in the hallway was a really good sign to us.

Ok, I still have a few things to get for Medicaid, I have the 45 days of "spend down" and I need to talk to an attorney (so that I might can keep my aunt's house).  I also need to goto her house more and go through all the paperwork I can find to make sure I haven't missed something.  House needs a really good cleaning and I need to start to go through her things (clothes for her to wear, stuff to get rid of).  Still a lot of work but I am starting to feel better.  I see the "light at the end of the tunnel" sort of speak. 

Thanks for all your well wishes and prayers.  Keep those prayers going up!

Kathy

Aunt E finds a new temp home

Yesterday my aunt finally signed the last of the papers I needed her to sign.  I had to take the power of attonery downtown to get it registered.  While I was doing that I got a call from the hospital saying they were moving my aunt to the rehab center.

I really didn't want this particular place but they were the only ones with a bed open.  So I rush to get her signed in before the ambulance brought her there.  Too a while to get everything done.  Just as I was leaving they were bringing my aunt in.

Before I went home I stopped by my parents place.  Mom was all upset.  While I was at the rehab center some nurse called mom and wanted to know if they ever walked into the room to find that my aunt had passed should they do CPR or not.

WHAT KIND OF PHONE CALL IS THAT TO MAKE?  What if my mom had misunderstood and thought that my aunt had died?  Why couldn't that have been asked when I was signing all those papers?  And why did they not ask ME?  HELLO, I AM THE POWER OF ATTONERY.  I am the one to make those types of choices.

This morning when I went to the bank to try to get copies of all my aunts accounts I get a call from the hospital.  The rehab place that I had wanted to be my first choice had a bed open.  Did I want to move my aunt?  HECK YEAH.

Made several calls and finally got it all set up to have Aunt E moved.  The new place is 110% better.  It looks better, the engery there feels better, the patients seem better.  I am feeling so much better about the whole thing.

My aunt seems to like the new place.  Her bed is beside the window and she can see the woods.  It is a great view.

Tomorrow unless something else happens I will finally get to go to Medicad and see what we can work out.  I have tried to get there yesterday and today but kept having to take care of the hospital, forms, or the rehab places.

I did find out today my aunts diagonis.  It is MI Demintia.  Which is demintia that is brought on my a (or several) strokes.  It will not get better.  Will probably get worse.

Thanks for all the prayers and the emails some of you have sent.  Keep up with the prayers.  Hopefully I get to Medicad tomorrow and that will end up causing me more pain in the hiney I am sure.

I am so sorry that I have not been getting around to reading journals.  I just haven't had the time.  Seems like I am home less and less each day now.  I can't wait to get back to everyone and see what has been going on in your lives.

Aunt E or the red tape beginns.

Yesterday we went to the hosptial to get Aunt E to sign a living will, heath care power of attorney, and a regular power of attorney. 

She signed the first two but not the last one.  She said she wanted to talk to my mom (her sister) first.  So we took mom with us today (because of her back she rarely leaves the house).  I was starting to think that Aunt E wasn't going to sign and what was I going to do if she didn't.

Aunt E didn't reconnize mom for a long while today.  She finally did.

Aunt E kept going on about not being able to trust anyone.  She even said she didn't know if she could trust herself.  Then she kept asking me if I was making decisions on my own or was someone helping me.  We went round in circles like that for over an hour.

After a couple hours her case worker and doctor showed up.  They are moving her today to a rehab place that is close by.  She can't stay there for long (though I don't know how long) before we will have to move her into something long care.

The notary finally shows up and my Aunt E signs the papers like everything is just fine.  No worries whatsoever.

The doctor did say that along with the stroke she had she has some kind (like there is more than 1 kind?) of dementia.  Don't know much about that.  Going have to do some research.  If you guys know anything from experience or whatever please feel free to share.

Anyway.  Since I didn't have the power of  attorney until today I didn't get to go fill out for medicad.  So I will have to do that tomorrow morning bright and early.  I do need to go today to the court house to have them register or copy or whatever they do to the forms I have so that everything is legal.

I just got home from the hospital and will be going to the court house shortly but I needed a rest and I thought I could come dump on you guys.

This stuff is really hard.   It is taking it out of me physcially but emontionally as well.  In fact when you add in my bipolar, anxiety, panic disorder, and SAD you have quite a mix going on.  LOL  If you don't laugh you will cry.

Keep saying those prayers.  I need 'em.

Help others -- free

We can help make our world a little better with some free daily clicks for a cause.  I made a special place just for it.  Go there and do something that takes just a few minutes of your time but can mean the world to someone else:

Daily Clicks

Bookmark it.  Go back everyday and click.

explaning the update

I want to clairfy something.  I said we would have to sell my aunt's house because of Medicad.  The deal with selling the house I belive is that to get Medicad to pay (or help pay) for an assisted living place.  I know there is a general "spend down" rule depending on how much money my aunt might have in the bank. 

Hopefully I will get the power of attonery papers signed tomorrow.  Then I go to see about Medicad Monday.  I will keep you up to date on the pain in the hiney that I just know will be coming from them.  LOL

Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes.  I promise to keep everyone as up to date as I can.

Update

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers.  Here is an update on what is going on now.

It appears that my Aunt E had a stroke.  Also appears that at some point in time she had had 2 more before this one.

She seems to be doing better.  The hospital won't discharge her until she has a "safe" place to go.  In other words she can't go back to living by herself.

Nothing can be done until Monday so we have this weekend to do a lot of thinking and planning.  Hopefully this is what will happen:  monday we get Aunt E into a skilled nursing facility.  She will stay there until we get through some (yeah, some) red tape with Medicad.

Medicad.  If any of you have had to deal with that my heart goes out to you.  Monday morning I will have to get up really early to go wait in line to apply for Medicad for my aunt.  They will -- of course -- turn me down until I can sell Aunt E's house.  I don't know how much Aunt E makes or has in her savings account.  I pray that she makes under the limit and has no savings to speak of.

Then after we get that done we have to find an assisted living place or something along those lines.

The biggest problem is her house.  If you could see me rolling my eyes right now you would know how I feel.

Oh, gotta go tomorrow to the hosptial to see about getting her power of attonery.  IF the notary at the hosptial thinks my aunt is capable of understanding what she is signing.  If not, well then the fun begins.  I will have to get a lawyer and go to court to prove she can't be responsible for herself and I should be appointed her guardian.

Me.  Me.  Why me?  My mom (Aunt E's younger sister and only family living) isn't well enough to do the task.  My dad.  Well that is almost laughable.  I think he would if he thought he could handle all the paper work, etc.....But everyone concerned (including aunt) thinks I am the best person for it.  Me.  I always knew that there would come a time when I would be making decisions for my parents when they reached a certain point.  I didn't think I would be doing it for someone else.

And for me it gets scarier.  What if she has another really bad stroke.  What if I have to make medical decisions that impact her life?  I don't want to have to do that.  I know that I won't have to do that with my parents or them for me as we have all made a living will.  If my aunt has one I don't know anything about it.  I will go to her house and see if I can find any legal looking papers.

Oh, one more thing.  I am not sure how many days her insurance will pay for the skilled nursing so we will have to act fast on the Medicad.  No time to stop, step back, take a deep breath.  Just go until it is done and then stop and pray that you did all the right things.

I'm scared.  I want to do everything right.  I want to pick the best place for my aunt to be living.  I want to be able to get through all the Medicad crap and selling off her things.

My pastor leaves for vacation tomorrow.  I could kill him for leaving.  LOL  He was a lot of help last night calling and keeping my mom calmed down while things were happening.

Keep praying.

Can you see the graphic now?

Thank you Krissy

Ok, this is the killer graphic I wanted to show everyone. 

It was made my Krissy of the Kimmy n Krissy fame.

Look closely and you will see that it shows my journal. Along with a thank you for stoping by.

 

 

This isn't the entry it was supposed to be

Hours ago I had came up with some thoughts that I wanted to put in an entry.  I had a killer graphic I wanted to share.  So what happened?  What hasn't is more like it.

I try to upload the graphic and I get a message that I have finally used up my FTP space.

So I decide to turn the entry into the woes of depleting your FTP space. 

 But you aren't getting that entry either.

While I was keying it in I got a call from my mom.  Something was going on with her sister.  Mom was upset so I logged off to figure out what was going on.

What was going on:  Mom called her sister at 4:00 Aunt E didn't answer the phone.  So mom waited to see if Aunt E would return the call.  By 5 :00 mom still couldn't get hold of her so my dad drove over to check up on her.

Aunt E had all the lights on and answered the door wearing nothing but panties and a blouse.  (oh, Aunt E is 75 years old)  She said she heard the phone ring but didn't know what to do about it. 

She started talking to herself then.  Somewhere in here dad convences her to go the hospital.  But she can't find her pants.  Dad has to help her find her clothes and get dressed.

Dad had driven his truck to her house so I got the call to bring my parents car to my aunt's because it is 4 door and just a better way of getting to the hospital.

Dad had just bought the car today.  I had never driven it and it was already dark outside.  I did a crash course in finding the headlights and where the heck was the emergency brake?

I get to my aunt's house and she doesn't know what is going on.  I decide to call 911 for an ambulance.  The ambulance came but said that since she wasn't hurt or anything like that chances are good the insurance wouldn't pay for the ride to the hospital.

Lots of talk and dicussion.  My aunt still doesn't have a clue as to what is going on.  She didn't even know who I was at first.

Finally, the EMT's help to get her out of the house and into the car (Aunt E is a BIG woman if you know what I mean) which was a HUGE help to my dad and me.

On the way to the hospital my aunt askes where we are going.  Dad says to the hospital's emergency room.

We get there.  The triage nurse starts talking to my aunt.  My aunt acts like the nurse isn't even there.

My anxiety level has risen and I am sweating enough that my hair is soaking wet.  Luckily I have some pills for that.  I go to take a pill and they call for my aunt.  Dad goes with her into the back.

The whole time they are in the back Aunt E keeps asking dad what is going on and what are they going to do.  The doctor starts asking her questions and shows her pictures of things to see if she knows what they are.  She doesn't know what a chair was.

They are going to run a cat-scan and other tests but are 90% sure they are going to admit her.  Will take a while for the tests so my dad brought me home and he is going back to the hosptial to see what is going on.

Doctors are trying to rule out strokes, the emt's mentioned alzehimers or even dementia (sorry can't spell).

Facing facts is that Aunt E just can't live by herself anymore.  But what to do?  None of us can afford a nurse.  No one can afford a nursing home.  Mom isn't healthy enough to take care of her sister.  I am not healthy enough mentally to do it.

So there you have it.  Or you don't have it.  You don't have the entry I wanted to do.  You don't have the 2nd entry I was trying to do.  Nope you get a totally unrelated 3rd entry.

Pray for my Aunt E and for my mom.  And for me to be able to help do what needs to get done that my mom can't do.

Life stinks at times ya know?

Feeling better

Today is the first day I have left the house since Sunday.  I woke up Sunday with a horrible sore throat.  That is always the first sign that I am coming down with a cold.  I was supposed to have had lunch with my parents but I called mom and told her I wasn't coming.  "I love you mom but I can't be around you."  Huh?  Mom is in her seventies and while she isn't in poor health I didn't want her to catch this.

Monday I could hardly swallow.  Tuesday I started coughing.  Today has been pretty good though.  I even left the house to go through Taco Bell's drive thru.  Now however I seem to be losing my voice.  You should see little Sadie look at me when I try to talk.  LOL

For those of you that like it you are free to snag this God Bless tag.  No I did not
make it.  I got it in one of those MSN groups that I am always talking about.  I think it is very well done and I love the verse that is on it.  Of course that could be because I don't feel the greatest right now.  LOL

 

Can you believe that next week is Thanksgiving?  What is happening to this year?  What are you having for your Thanksgiving meal?  Me?  Whatever mom is serving!  Chances are this year it will be ham.  We have in the past had BBQ, and even did pizza once.  Traditional is not our middle name.

Want some fun?  Find out your  secret Christmas name.   Be sure to come back and tell me your name.  Mine? Are you sitting down?  If I use my real name it is: Tumbleflump Floppy-Tinsel.  If I use my screen name it is:  Cutie Floppy-Punch.  I kinda like the Cutie Floppy-Punch better than Tumbleflump Floppy-Tinsel.  What do you think?

Christmas Shopping part 2

So last time we when shopping at the dollar store.  Now we can move up a notch or we can at least think about making presents.  Which should we start with? 

We are still talking cheap presents here folks.  If everyone had plenty of money there would be no reason to do entries on shopping.  Remember that ok?  Also remember that my suggestions/ideas also depends on who you are buying for.  Buying for family who know and understand that you have no money is one thing, buying for someone that doesn't know it or that you don't want to know your money situation is another.

Thrift stores.  AKA: second hand stores, Goodwill, Salvation Army, consignment stores.  In other words used stuff.  Don't freak out on me here.  I am not talking about giving someone used panties folks.  There is more to be found in these places.  Know someone that still has a record player?  You can't buy new records anymore so you have to go the used route.  Be sure to actually look at the record before you pay for it.  It could have another artist inside the cover, and you need to look for scratches, etc....

Books.  Used books for Christmas?  You can find some that aren't worn out and that could pass for new.  But even if they don't pass for new and they are for your sister or brother so what?  I love to read.  Give me a book from anywhere and I am happy.  If I have the book or have already read it I will just hop on down to the used book store and trade it in for another book.  No biggie.

Furniture?  If you watch the show Trading Spaces you know that you can recover/rework some pieces of furniture.  I would not recommend trying this for the very first time a week before Christmas.  And if you are not careful you could end up spending more to fix it up that it would be cheaper to go buy something new.  Find a good deal on something that just needs fresh paint?  Go for it.  If it is cheap enough you can try it.  If you mess it up you can keep it or donate it back to where ever you bought it.

Used clothes?  I would stick with just for your children.  They wouldn't know or even care.  At Christmas their eyes are on the toys.  And speaking of toys you can (if you are willing to look, really look) find some next to new toys and books for children.  You can even find some usable computers.  Unless you know what you are doing I would not recommend buying a computer at Goodwill, unless you are going to use it just for the kids to play games on.

It continues to amaze me the people that look down on going into a Goodwill store but think nothing of going into a "vintage" or consignment shop.  It's the same stuff folks.  Also the same as yard sales (which is another place to "shop" for great one of a kind type things).

Comb your local newspaper ads for people selling items you might could use.  But make sure you go over the item really good before you pay for it.  And never, NEVER go to a strangers house alone.

Also at used stores you can walk out with some really great buys on clocks, kitchen/house wares.  But to find the good stuff you have to be willing to look, dig, and keep coming back (as they restock all the time.  as them when they put out new stuff and go in then  the good stuff gets gone fast)

Should I mention re-gifting yet?  No, we still have crafts and other things to cover before we get there.  Maybe.  Who knows when I may get around to that.

Is everyone counting the catalogs they are getting in the mail?  I have had over 50 and some from the same companies twice or more.

I have another idea to get everyone into the season.  And it won't cost anyone anything.  Nope, not one cent.  Be looking for details coming soon..........

And don't forget we still have to get through Thanksgiving!

                     

christmas shopping part one here
extra cash for christmas here

 

Pretty Sadie

I have got to get a digital camera.  Heck, I gotta get a camera (I have been using those throw away kind).

Sadie is one strange cat.  She doesn't mind the halter I use on her so I was wondering how she would feel about getting dressed up.  Oh, yea.  I ordered the cutest little doggie sweater (they just don't make clothes for cats you know).  And guess what.  She will wear it!!!! Yep.  The only thing is that this particular sweater (click on the link) has these little strappy things that go around the hind legs.  Sadie will have none of that.  I guess it hurts her knees (as she has bad knees -- or so I have been told). 

So now that I know she will wear clothes, and I know she doesn't want anything around her hind legs.......you guessed it.  I will be on the look out of something else for her.  Ok, so the only time she will get to wear the clothes is to the vets but it gets cold in the winter for me to drag her out.  And she looks so adorable!!!!!!!!!!

                              

Because

I have asked that you keep track of how many catalogs you get between now and Christmas.  What a chore that has turned into for me.  So I decided to try to make it fun.  I have created another journal listing the catalogs I have received so far this Christmas season.  I will try to update weekly if not more often from now on. 

 The first entry is LONG.  I don't have the time or engery to fix links to open in windows so you will have to right click the links if you want to keep the journal open.

If you see a catalog listed more than once it is because I received it more than once.

So far I have had only one catalog that I have yet to find a web site for.  Gotta be listed in their catalog I am sure but I can't find it.

OH! The link to the journal!  *StrangeCat's Catalog Place
                                          

*this link will open a window

 

Odds and ends

I interupt our Christmas shopping for a entry on other stuff.  I will return to our Christmas shopping later.  You will not miss anything in the meantime.

I am just sitting back playing on the computer and I start to smell something.  Something not pleasant.  I look over to the cats litter box -- all clear.  Ignore the smell it goes away....only to come back several more times.  Ok,  someone has gas.  Some really powerful gas and it ain't me!!!!!!

Remember I told you that I won money off the radio?  Finally got the check in todays mail.  Oh yeah.....I'm rich.......well, $214 richer than I was.

Think I have a mouse.  Yep.  Two cats and I still might have a little critter.  I keep an extra roll of toilet paper in the cabinet under the sink in the bathroom.  I try to forget about using that roll.  It is the emergency roll.  The "I forgot I was on the last roll and haven't gotten to the store yet" roll.  Opened the cabinet to get something and found the roll in shreds.  Oh yeah.  I so want to blame it on Sadie but if she had done it I am sure she wouldn't have shut the door behind her.  LOL

Have you ever looked at that word?  Toilet?  How it is spelled?  Ok, I need to get a life.......

                     

 

Dollar Store Christmas

Ok back to Christmas and Christmas presents.  Today we look for the least inexpensive (read: cheapest) things when can get away with giving as gifts.

First look at your list of people to whom you HAVE to give presents to.  Divide those up into male or female, adult or child.  Following me so far?  Once you have them divided I think it is easier to try to decide on what to buy.

First trip is to the Dollar store.  Don't laugh.  I know that there is a lot of junk in there, but there are also some treasures if you look.  For children look at puzzles, coloring books, books to read, puzzle books.  You may even luck up on some pretty decent dress up stuff for little girls.  If you want to give crayons with those coloring books that's great.  But if you can afford to skip the dollar store ones.  I hate those.  Get the good stuff -- Crayola's.

Dollar store for adults?  You bet ya.  Again you have to look, really look.  Candles.  Dollar store candles are the same as Walmart or candle stores.  They come in colors, sizes, and scents.  You can also usually luck up and find candle holders.  If you can't find a candle holder look for something that might could double as one.  (Teen girls will love candles.)  Puzzle books.  Know anyone that loves crossword puzzles?  Those find-a-word puzzles?  Grab some pens or pencils to work the puzzles with.  These can be for adult men/women and even teens. 

For women and teen girls check out the isle with lotions.  Find some of the ones that not only smell good but also have those little "scrubby" things in them.  If you can find a bath puff.  Grab a few more bath time things and a basket.  Now you have a basket of bath goodies to give.

Almost forgot.  Get a basket or bag and fill with candy.  You must know someone that would love a supply of sweets.

Now face it some Dollar store items scream Dollar store.  Stay away from those items if at all possible.  But if you are giving to someone that knows you are having it really hard and they really could care less where the present is from or how much it costs then go ahead and branch out a little.  I have been finding old movies on DVD's, kitchen towels, silk flowers (get them and find a vase can't find a vase? be inventive.  how about a coffee mug? a small decorative bag), ets....

Wrap your Dollar store presents with stuff from the dollar store.  Love the decorative bags.  And you can't tell me that you can tell they are "dollar" bags.  Some of the wrapping paper may leave a little to be desired but the bags are great.  Get some tissue paper to stuff in the bags to "hide" the gift until time to open.

More Christmas shopping ideas to come.  And we will move up on the expense scale.  If you have any ideas or thoughts be sure to let me know.

                           

WARNING

I got a bogus email from someone claiming to be AOL Billing.  I knew it looked funny.  Before I even tried clicking on the link.  I tried to go to billing Live Help but my "live help" hasn't worked in about 6 months.

So then I called AOL.  Got India.  I have no idea what the guy said.  Something that if the email said something was wrong with my card I need to do ......something.  Couldn't understand him.  He said something else and I finally told him that I couldn't understand him and hung up.

I then called VISA.  They assured me nothing is wrong with my card and in fact they had already paid AOL for that November bill that the email said wasn't being paid.

Here is a copy of the email I received. I have highlighted it in orange:

Dear Member:
Thank you for choosing America Online. Unfortunately there has been a problem processing your billing information for the month of November, 2004. Please review our billing requirements at Keyword: Billing. You will be able to update your billing information quickly and easily using our secure server webform. Please understand that without promptly updating your billing information, your America Online Internet service will be discontinued. To update your billing at this time, please visit our secure server webform by clicking the link below: (link here was deleted by me)America Online Billing Services. We appreciate your business and hope to keep you as a valued customer. America Online is so easy, no wonder it's number 1! Reguards, Thomas McKenely AOL Processesing Center AOL Billing Services

P.s. that link again is (link deleted by me). © 2004 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

I have disabled the links it gave.  If you want to see where I was sent I will be glad to give it to you.  I did not want to put the information here in case someone misunderstood and went to fill out the form.

Also, you couldn't tell it when you first saw the email in your box but after opening it you could see the return address:  AOLAccountHelp@lost-hope.info  Read that very carefully.

please forward these emails to AOL at:  tosreports@aol.com
you can also read about this in other journal.  click here to go there

I haven't forgotten that I promised to help you find inexpensive (cheap) Christmas presents.  I have been busy working on a few things for you and just haven't had the time to do the entry I want to do.  Also I haven't heard from anyone sharing ideas on inexpensive presents or ways to get a little extra cash for Christmas.  Shame on you.  Do I have to hit you with something other than that cream pie?  LOL

I do need one thing from everyone.  What advice, wisdom, or technical help would you give to someone that is just starting to journal here in J-land?  Just one thing (ok, more if you want).  Think about it and get back to me.

 

                              

Hee Hee

Extra Cash for Christmas?

  Christmas.  Christmas bills.  Help!  I can't afford Christmas.
  Sure you can.  Don't use plastic.  It will get you into trouble.
  So what do I do?  Here are some ideas on getting some
  extra cash for Christmas:

     Yard/tag sales.  Think it is the wrong time of year?
            Heck no.  As long as you can stay relatively warm or 
            can use a garage, patio, porch you can have a sale.
            If you are into crafts this time of year is a great
            time to sell.  People are looking for Christmas
            presents.

      Newspaper.  Got something big or a lot of one thing
             you can sell?  Take an add out in your local paper.
             My newspaper has specials on ads for things like
             this.  Check your paper, you may be able to place an
             add for free up to just a few dollars.
              If you do this always be careful about having
             people over to look at your stuff.  Never let anyone
             over if you are alone.  Have someone with you.  If
             it is possible show your items outside or at the very
             least in the room your door opens into.  Be cautious
             letting strangers into your home.

       E-bay may be an answer to your needs.  I have never
              used it but you might want to look into it.  Some
              people seem to make lots of money selling there.

        Consignment shops.  No matter where you live I am
              almost sure that you will have at least one in your
              area.  How do they work?  You (call first) take what
             you want to sell to them.  They put it out for sale.
             When it sells the store keeps part of the money and
              you get the rest.
             Some places even has furniture consignment stores.
             Check your yellow pages under "consignment".

        Pawn shops.  Try not to go this route.  I haven't 
               used them but I hear that you don't really get
              what your things are worth.  But if you are in a
              pinch I would rather do this than use that Visa
              card.

        Don't have anything you want to get rid of?  Then
              comes work.  Don't go get a traditonal second job.
              Who has time and energy?  It is time to get
              creative.  Ask around see if you can clean someones
             house for some extra money. 
             Are you a great cook?  Know someone that barely
             has time to think about food much less cook?  Try
            "selling" your services for one or two meals a week.
            You can just fix what your family will be having those
             days or crank up the price for something else.
             Do you bake?  Surely you know someone that would
             buy a cake, cookies, fudge, whatever it is that you
             are great at making.
             Other ideas:  dog walking, run errands, address
             Christmas cards (don't you hate to do that?  wouldn't
             you pay for someone to do it?)  Pet sitting, baby 
             sitting.  Let your mind wander.  Think of things you
             would pay others to do for you.  Think of things you
             are good at or don't mind doing.

      Be sure to make a list of who you are
              buying presents for.  Cut the list back to the bare
              bones.  If you are in a group try to swap names
              instead of buying for lots of people (this can work
              for big families.)  If you won't see the person you
              are giving a gift to until after the holiday wait to 
              buy it then.  Chances are good it will be on sell.

          Got the money thing covered and ready to start
          shopping?  Shopping the LEAST expensive way
          possible?  Got some ideas to share with me and others?
          Gonna make me do all the work?  Stay tuned..........

                           
           

Merry Christmas

Christmas is coming.  And it will be here before you know it.  Really it will.  Let's see we have around 7 weeks to get our ducks in a row.  And I want you to help me to help others have the best Christmas possible.

How?  Christmas involves lots of things.  It should be the celebration of Jesus' Birth.  But when people think about Christmas it is mostly centered around presents.  The giving of presents really.

I want everyone to help me with lists.  Lists on how to make gift giving easier for people.  Sure there are some that can afford to go buy whatever they want to give and not even think about it.  There are those that aren't that lucky but are able to buy without too much stress.

Then there are those that really can't afford to spend any money but will try their best to come up with gifts for their kids and family.  This is the group my lists is aimed at. 

I want us all to think of ways of earning extra money (don't say get a 2nd job, some already work 2 jobs) and the least expensive way of buying presents.  The most bang for your buck, where to find those bargins, etc...

I already have a short list in my mind but before I share it I want to see what you come up with.  Think you can come up with some really great ideas?  Let's hear them!