Good Samaritans Still Exist
Yesterday when we were leaving for church I heard a cat meowing. It was a continuous meow so I went to the woods to investigate and found a kitten about 25 feet in the air. I figured she would be down when we got home from church. A few hours later, she was still in the tree. Throughout the day, I went outside to check on the cat and she had not budged. My husband and I tried to coax her down. The problem was that she would move to come down and then she would get spooked and go up into the tree even further. I called the fire department and they said there was nothing they could do.
Fast forward to today. The kitten was still in the tree. I called the fire department again and explained that it had been over 24 hours. I also called the animal hospital, animal control, police department, tree cutter, and other places trying to get recommendations of people to call. I posted pictures of the kitten on facebook to see if anyone knew what we should do. I even posted and tweeted to local news channels. My friends encouraged me to do more tweeting on the matter and so I did. What did I have to lose?
While all this was going on my husband got out the ladder and although he couldn’t reach the cat, he was trying to talk her down from the tree. He even cut down a tree and tried to lean it up against the other one so that she could walk down it at an angle. This cat wasn’t coming down and at this point she had been in the tree for over 30 hours.
Some of my friends also did some tweeting and posting on facebook for me. My friend and former editor Gayla was a big cheerleader and she also tweeted it for me. My friends were also upset about the cat being in the tree for so long. It has been said that you don’t see dead cats in trees so they eventually come down. Well, that’s not necessarily the case. Google it and you’ll be alarmed.
The tweeting was very successful. I began tweeting with Kim Hughes of 704 Events.com and she put me in contact with Rob of Jackalope Jacks Restaurant in Charlotte. Rob began working on getting a crew together to come rescue the kitty. Before long a group of people was working to save the cat. Dave Smith jumped out of his truck and was up the tree in minutes.
The problem is that the kitten was petrified and honestly, I don’t think she’s been around people very much. She climbed further up into the tree when Dave tried to help her.
The rest of the guys were standing at the bottom in case the cat fell.
As you can imagine, this was making me very nervous and I was doing lots of praying for Dave’s safety. Thankfully Dave and the cat made it down safely. Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture of the cat on the ground. She took off running after she got down.
In this world you will meet lots of people that will be ugly to you and that will let you down. It’s nice to know that there are others in the world that help complete strangers.
A special thanks to:
Kim Hughes of 704 Events.com
Rob of Jackalope Jacks Restaurant in Charlotte
Tony Furr of Classic Auctions
Dave of Dave Smith Tree Experts
Have you witnessed any kind acts of service lately?
January 11, 2011
No Deals for Me
On both Wednesday and Thursday of last week I made it to Harris Teeter for their super double coupon sale. There are still so many more coupons I wanted to use plus HT had a few sales I wanted to get. I had planned on doing my purchases after work Monday and Tuesday.
There just one little problem . . .
snow and ICE! This is a picture yesterday before it snowed some more and some more and before the ice last night. I heard the roads were slick yesterday. I cannot imagine what they are now. My neighbor got stuck on our street. They had the tractor with a scraper out there trying to get her out of the neighborhood.
We are stuck at home from school. I can’t imagine that we’ll be having school tomorrow.
We’re safe at home but I’m sad that I don’t get to shop the sales. The super double coupon sale is when I stock up on lots of things and we get to have items that I normally don’t buy.
Are you missing out on the sales too?
December 31, 2010
This Month’s Favorite Articles ~December 2010
Sometimes is it funny to see which articles are popular each month. Here’s a few from this month.
1. Paper Jamz Review
I did this one a few month’s ago and it’s still the top article each month.
2. Tassimo T20 Brewbot Review – So Simple a Five Year Old Can Do It
I enjoyed reviewing the Brewbot and continue to appreciate the coffee from it. My kids like to make me coffee because it’s so easy.
3. 30 Ways to Clean with Vinegar
I wrote this post this summer. If you haven’t read it, you might want to take a look. I clean most of my house with vinegar. It is a safe and inexpensive way to clean.
4. CVS Deals 7/13/10
I have no idea why this is a top read. Just what of those unexplained things I guess.
5. Bumble Bee Foods BlogHer Party
I was a representative for Bumble Bee Foods. They sponsored my trip to BlogHer and I attended a party where I met Chef Scott Leibfried of Hell’s Kitchen.
6. 12 Tips for Regifting
It is said that 2 out of 3 people have regifted or thought of regifting. Consider doing something useful with those unwanted gifts.
7. Menu Plan Monday ~ December 20
8. Oreo Truffles Recipe
This is the first time I have made these. They were very rich. You don’t need to eat many of them.
9. This Week’s CVS Deals ~ December 26
10. Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
I have been making this recipe for at least eight years. It is a Thanksgiving and Christmas favorite.
Which article was your favorite?
December 23, 2010
Tune into The Sound of Music This Sunday
I normally don’t write about movies and tv shows, but this one is special so I thought I’d announce it.
Sunday December 26th, 7:00 p.m et. (check local listings) – THE SOUND OF MUSIC airs in HDTV as the “ABC Sunday Movie of the week”
Monday December 27th, check local listings – THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW re-broadcasts THE SOUND OF MUSIC reunion episode.
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is also celebrating the 45th anniversary of the five-time Academy Award-winning The Sound Of Music by releasing a restored and remastered version in Blu-Ray and High Defnition. You can purchase the movie on Blu-Ray or dvd.
I plan to use my DVR to record the movie for our Friday night family movie night. 
December 23, 2010
My Personal Christmas Wish List
It is a rare thing that I make a Christmas wish list. I am not a materialist person. I strive to live beneath my means, save money, and cut out expenses wherever I can. The past few years have been very tough on us financially. We have moved, had a house unsold for nearly a year, two house payments, a big financial loss on our home, loss of a job, etc. I know not to ask for anything this year because realistically it’s just not going to happen. Sometimes it’s nice to dream a little though.
So if money were not an option, I would want:
1. A vacation - Due to the above mentioned reasons, we have not been on vacation in yearssssss. I desperately want to go somewhere and have a good time with my husband.
2. Stand mixer - In the past few years I have been doing more and more cooking from scratch. A stand mixer would be nice for making breads and such.
3. Food processor - This year I canned tomatoes and salsa and I cooked and froze pumpkin. Once again, I am doing more cooking from scratch and a food processor would really help relieve some of the frustration involved.
4. Panini maker - This one is for my husband. He has been wanting one.
5. A new wardrobe - I started staying home with the kids over seven years ago. I have been adding clearanced pieces here and there but it is very rare that I get new clothes and my wardrobe is looking pitiful.
These are my personal wishes. Of course, if I were asking for something not for myself I would ask for all of the children in the world to be clothed, fed, and loved. I would ask that all of the orphans have a home. No matter how badly our circumstances are we have so much to be thankful for as we are so blessed and rich in the United States.
What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?
December 15, 2010
Wordless Wednesday: This Week’s Baking
This week I made 52 pumpkin muffins and 5 mini loaves. I used these as gifts for the teachers at school.
December 1, 2010
Wordy Wednesday: School Lunch
Eighty cents for a very small scoop of instant mashed potatoes. This is why I bring my lunch everyday.
November 14, 2010
A Thrifty Way to Stuff Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child
For the past 13 years, I have stuffed shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. How many shoeboxes we fill depends upon our budget and how many bargains I find during the year. One year I put together 11 shoeboxes and this year I only did three.
I do want you to know that you can fill a shoebox for very little money. It just takes some creative thinking and shopping throughout the year. Each year I take advantage of after season sales, back-to-school sales, CVS free items (from coupons and extra care bucks) and clearanced items. I keep a tote in my garage with the items I collect and then in November I use these items to stuff shoeboxes.
Tonight we put together our shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Here is a list of the things that were in one of the boxes and the cost involved.
- composition notebook – $.10 back-to-school sale
- doodle pad – $.50 clearance
- pencil pouch – $.25 September school clearance
- pencils – $.10
- mechanical pencils $.10
- toothbrush – free
- toothpaste – free
- Don’t Break the Ice travel game – $.30 after Christmas clearance last year
- Polly Pocket car with doll – free with coupon
- gloves – $.25 after winter clearance
- soap – $.25
- socks – $.25 clearance
- teddy bear – $.25 yard sale (new, still in plastic)
- Crayola crayons – $.25 back-to-school clearance
- tote bag – $1.00, Target 90% off clearance
- pencil sharpener – $.25
- small toys – free
- washcloth $.25 (from a multi-pack on clearance)
- candy – free (We had a bunch of candy from a church fall festival two weeks ago.)
- chapstick – $.10 (clearanced multi-pack)
As you can see, we were able to fill a shoebox with nice gifts for less than $5. This shoebox may be the first gift this child has ever received. Sarah Pinnix from RealLifeBlog.net has posted an informative video explaining more about OCC. 
My kids were so proud of the shoeboxes. Filling these shoeboxes provides an opportunity to teach children to be thankful for what they have, to tell them about others that are less fortunate, and to pray for others. It’s a hands-on lesson in compassion for others.
National Collection week is November 15-22. Check out the OCC website to download shoebox labels, find out acceptable items for the shoeboxes, local drop off locations, or to donate online. Samaritan’s Purse is a reputable non-profit organization that also provides emergency relief.
October 23, 2010
BeeWell for Life: Free Resources for a Healthy Life
Bumble Bee Foods has introduced BeeWell for Life, a site that provides resources and tools to help consumers achieve a healthy lifestyle and make a difference in the lives of those touched by breast cancer.
BeeWell for Life features blogs written by Coach Jenny Hadfield as well as nutritionists Willow Jarosh and Stephanie Clark. Online tools are available to measure energy balance. Members can access and manage the impact of their daily activities to make the most of their healthy lifestyle.
My favorite part of the BeeWell for Life website is that we can make a difference in others’ lives. For every mile members walk, run, or bike, Bumble Bee donates $.15/mile to Breast Cancer Network of Strength. Up to $200,000 will be donated. Every mile makes a difference. This is going until October 31, 2010 so hurry and become a free member so that you can make an impact!
Bumble Bee has also made healthy living a bit easier for those of us on the go. You cand download the mobile app and track your miles from your mobile device.
I am member of the Bumble Bee Foods Bee Squad. I also attended the Bumble Bee Foods BlogHer Party, but I am not obligated to write about their products.
October 9, 2010
Happy Blogoversary to Me!
Back in 2004, I was a young part-time working mommy at a local preschool. Each day on my way home from work, I would listen to a bit of The Clark Howard Show. Clark would talk about saving money and he would take calls from listeners who needed financial advice. Saving money was something my mom taught me and so it was of interest to me.
Flash forward to 2006. I was still listening to Clark Howard and enjoying his money saving advice. I remember one time I sent out a ranting email about how Americans spent $1.50 for each dollar they earn and that it was going to catch up with us soon. Unfortunately, it did catch up with us. On a positive note, my soapbox episode landed me a job working as a blogger writing about saving money.
Since then, the big company and I have parted ways but I still love to save money. Blogging has challenged me to find more ways to save money, helped me with financial accountability, allowed me to earn money, and provided many other opportunities for networking and meeting others.
It’s hard to believe it’s been four years. I hope you’ll stay with me on the financial journey as I discover more ways to save money.
