tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292277061143861482024-03-13T23:31:55.880-07:00Heather's Blog-o-ramaHeather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.comBlogger278125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-43064963689872860592016-01-09T18:12:00.000-08:002016-01-09T18:12:12.168-08:00HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hi everyone :) :) :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How are you all doing? I really haven't left blogging, at least not on a permanent basis. I've just been taking a longer than normal break. I think I've lost my way a bit but I'm starting to find my groove again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I did start a side job of a wonderful ministry at my church helping them out with taking photographs. I'll tell more about that in another blog post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I also am helping with two of their websites, including starting to run their blogs. So I will need to be more active here again, too...and I really need help cleaning up my blog and making it look prettier again :) :) :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So for now I will leave you with this photo I took at the Monterey Bay Aquarium last November. A friend of mine invited me to go and it was such fun. This was from the bottom floor of the kelp forest and I think these fish were sardines or tuna? I can't remember, but it was interesting to watch how they all swim together in the water the same way starlings with often fly together in a cloud formation at certain times of dusk and dawn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Alrighty, friends...stay tuned....I'll have another blog post up tomorrow afternoon....after church, of course ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">That's the news from the ocean shores of California today. Extra special New Year 2016 love and hugs, Heather </span>Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-28739700294874743122015-04-14T19:18:00.006-07:002015-04-14T19:18:52.538-07:00HOW ARE YOU ALL DOING?<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">H<span style="font-family: inherit;">i everyone ;) :) :)</span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How are you all doing? Yikes, I have not been blogging at all since January and that's embarassing ;) :) I've been caught up in life and I keep saying that I'm going to get back into regular blogging again and I will :) :)</span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Drop me a line to say hello and <span style="font-family: inherit;">let me know what's happening on your blogs <span style="font-family: inherit;">:) It would be great to hear from all of you.</span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have actually been encouraged by a few friends to start blogging again and I feel badly that I let that go, because it really is such a creative outlet for me.</span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That and I work in retail and I do<span style="font-family: inherit;">n't want to continue to work in retail anymore, so I'm going to try really hard to make this work again :) :)</span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That<span style="font-family: inherit;"> is the news from the ocean shores of California this evening. Love and hugs, Heather :)</span> </span> </span></span> </span></span></span></b>Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-28847325686568365512015-01-05T17:51:00.000-08:002015-01-05T17:51:15.524-08:00IT "CENTS" TO ME FOR MONDAY - JANUARY 5th<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Hello everyone and Happy Monday,</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">How are you all today? I am doing well. The crazy busy holiday season at work has slowed down some. Although, there's still some mess that we're trying to clean up from that. I also have inventory coming up at the end of this week. That means I will literally be working from 9 p.m. on Friday until 6 a.m. on Saturday counting things. I'll be super tired....but then I won't have to work again till the following Monday.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Okay, so one of my BIG goals for this year is create a home management binder that I can record all my finances, goals etc. I really need to get my budget under control this year. I don't overspend. I always live within my means, but I'm not a good saver. So I'm getting better at that this year. Plus, my BIG BIG goal is to really make a dent in paying off my student loans.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">It may take me awhile, but once I pay off student loans and my car, I'll be completely and totally 100% debt free :) I'll be blogging about that more specifically soon, because it's on my heart to do that as a way to motivate myself, keep myself accountable and hopefully encourage others that no matter where you're at financially, there is always something you can do, even if it's just a small step (like using a cash envelope system) to improve your financial situation.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Why am I doing this? I want to be able to give big and to give without hesitation and participate in ministry opportunities as they come up. I can't do much of that, because of this financial burden that hangs over me...but also, I just don't like having that weight on my shoulders.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I am a fan of Dave Ramsey. <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/">Click here</a> to go to his website or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/daveramsey">click here</a> to go to his page on Facebook. I don't even remember how I first heard about him. It's been quite a few years now, but I do remember somehow getting a copy of the book "The Total Money Makeover" and it changed my life and set me on a path of working towards being completely and totally debt free. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I suppose everyone has to make their own choices and for me, this is the right path to follow and it hasn't been easy. I stopped using credit cards in 2003 and finally paid off all of my credit card debt in 2007. That's another story for another time, too...but wow, it was HARD WORK...but oh so worth it, because when I sent in that final check and paid it all off, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders and I felt so free. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'll show you all a few pictures of my home management binder in just a moment, but two other websites that have been so helpful and encouraging to me are <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheBudgetMama">The Budget Mama</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MoneySavingMom">Money Saving Mom.</a> I'm not married, nor am I a mother, BUT I have found these sites along with quite a few others to be invaluable and so encouraging in my journey towards being a better steward of my money and towards getting out of debt once and for all. If you do visit either page, please tell the nice ladies there that I sent you :) :)</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I've always had some sort of planner in the past but I never really used them. However, I have found the desire to keep a written record of my finances and just being organized, in general, to be really helpful in keeping myself on track, creating more time in my day etc.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I needed a new planner, but I couldn't afford to pay the cost for a new one and certainly not even one of those really fancy ones that come in PDF format, where you can print out whatever pages you want. Although they are fantastic and worth every penny, in my opinion. My heart's desire this year is to live as frugally as possible and only spend money when I absolutely have to. Fortunately for me, I did find a couple of sites that offered some free, very basic but extremely useful printables which I promptly downloaded and printed out. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The only one I actually paid for was a really basic, but extremely useful home management binder from <a href="http://www.sherigraham.com/intentionalplanner/">Sheri Graham called The Intentional Planner</a>. A one year subscription only costs me $5 and I can download all the files for this year that I want. It's designed for someone who is a homeschooling parent, but many of the categories are useful for anyone, including finances, setting goals, blogging, daily and monthly calendars etc.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is what the front of my planner looks like. I was able to edit the PDF file and call it "Heather's Home Companion". I reused a pink three-ring binder that I received from a women's Bible study a few years ago and probably saved myself at least $5 by doing that instead of buying a new one.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I have the daily and monthly pages located in the front of the binder. I like having an entire day on a page AND having an entire month at a glance spread out over two pages. I like having an entire day on a page, so I have lots of space for writing out details of my day, what I spent, goals, memory verse or whatever else I need to keep track of. Having a month spread out over two pages is also helpful for me, because I like to write down when my bills are due and when I get paid. It helps to have a literal visual, so I know exactly what bills need to come out of which paycheck.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I haven't settled on which day on a page style I like yet. So I'm using the one from the Intentional Planner and also one that was a free download from Ann Voskamp's website "A Holy Experience" As soon as I find the link for the latter, I'll come back and post it here. I don't need anything overcomplicated. This is easy, practical and it's got a bit of beauty added which is always a plus :) I actually forgot I had these. It was fun to find these again.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Also, as part of my goal of keeping a record of my finances, goals etc. I am also keeping track of things I'm thankful for each year. I am participating in the Joy Dare / Count 1,000 Gifts over at Ann Voskamp's site "A Holy Experience" The easiest way to find out more about that is to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AnnVoskamp">click here</a> and visit her page on Facebook or here to visit the page that goes with the book<a href="https://www.facebook.com/onethousandgifts"> "One Thousand Gifts"</a></span></b>. </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">It's so important to me to remind myself to be grateful for all of the blessings that God has given me - big and small and to remember to find joy even in the most ordinary of things. So I've been participating in the Joy Dare as much as possible, and writing down things I'm thankful for - anything that makes me smile, laugh etc. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I also happened to find this printout that a lady in my church Bible study printed on her home computer a long time ago. It's a monthly challenge to write down at least one thing that we're thankful for everyday. It's also from Ann Voskamp's website <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AnnVoskamp">"A Holy Experience"</a> . I don't know if this particular download is available any longer, but I sure am glad that I didn't throw it out. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">This is what the inside looks like. As it happens, I have January in front, so I better get started. I've been faithful to keep up with each day's Joy Dare, but I don't think you can ever be too thankful for things or to seek joy in the everyday things of life. Take it all and look back at the end of the year and say "Wow, God really has done a lot. I have a blessed life" :) :) :)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">That's a good start for now. As I start using my "home companion" a little bit more, I'll let you know how it's working out. I'll give you a review at the beginning of February, plus maybe a few more sneak peaks into how I like to organize my single life on paper. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">That brings up a random thought. I am single and have never been married. One of my dreams is to be a wife and mother, but it all has to happen in God's timing, because He knows best and He clearly knows how to give the best gifts, Amen? :) :) :) So while I'm waiting for that, there's nothing that says I can't work on my homemaking skills right now. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm not just talking about cooking and sewing etc...but also really incorporating faith into every aspect of my life and how I decorate my home etc. One of my heart's desire's is to make whatever place I call home, a real place of hospitality - biblical hospitality. I'm not even sure how to define that other than I know it's more than just about the "stuff" It's about people. I want my home to be a place where people feel welcomes and encouraged and that they leave happier than when the arrived at my door. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Oh, the wheels of ideas are spinning. I need to get all of my ideas down on paper. God is so creative and He's created us with creative minds and talents to use to love on and serve others and for His glory :) :)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alrighty, friends, that is the news from the ocean shores of California today.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Extra love and hugs for the New Year,</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Heather</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">p.s. I also participate in a fun daily photo challenge with the nice ladies over at Middle Places. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MiddlePlaces">Click here to visit their blog</a>. I found this group purely by chance while looking for a fun daily photo challenge to participate in. It has turned out to be such a delightful group of women bloggers. I'd encourage you to check it out.</span></b></div>
Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-76318743182137137622014-12-21T12:15:00.000-08:002014-12-21T12:15:58.035-08:00IT MAKES "CENTS" TO ME for MONDAY - DECEMBER 22nd<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Hi everyone,</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">How are you? I've got a little bit of a cold, which has made working this crazy retail season a little challenging. I am resting a lot and drinking lots of fluids. Thankfully, I'm making it so far :)</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have you noticed that gas prices have been dropping in your area? I have. I haven't been keeping track of prices, but I think gas is less than $3 a gallon in my area. I was at exactly a half tank of gas. So I drove to Whole Foods, bought a Sunday paper and got $20 cash back to fill up the tank...and based on my previous experience at the gas station, I "knew" that $20 wouldn't fill it up. Well, I guess there's a first time for everything. Not only was the $20 more than enough. It only cost me $17 to fill up a half-tank and get it above the "full" line.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here's a pic of me looking across the street at another gas station and thinking, I really am glad to have money to put gas in the car. Now I have $3 dollars left over. What will I do with it? I will put it into my cash envelope and specifically the one marked for "gasoline"...so I'll have a fund ready to go for the next time I need to fill up.</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9ZnC3IO-GI/VJclLONddeI/AAAAAAAAEA4/DqihZv5Dsw8/s1600/20141221_084813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9ZnC3IO-GI/VJclLONddeI/AAAAAAAAEA4/DqihZv5Dsw8/s1600/20141221_084813.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">After work, I needed to do a little bit of shopping. One thing I always ask myself lately is 1)Do I really need it? 2) Is there something I have at home that can fulfill the "need" that I have until I can afford to pay for the item I want? Well, I had two things on my list - new heavy duty black socks to wear while I"m at work and a contour make-up brush. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I decided the contour make-up brush could wait, because I have another brush that can serve the same purpose. However, I really needed the socks. They seem to get lost all on their own. I ended up buying a set of 6 pairs of Gold Toe heavy duty cotton black socks. They are guys socks, but I love them because they're so comfortable. It's the perfect thing to put on my feet when I'm spending all day on the sales floor at work. It makes being on my feet so much easier. When my feet are comfortable, I can work better :)</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is what I ended up purchasing last night after work.</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TltyzkVH3qU/VJcm95X7OrI/AAAAAAAAEBE/mWQ0ZIAZJVU/s1600/20141220_205610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TltyzkVH3qU/VJcm95X7OrI/AAAAAAAAEBE/mWQ0ZIAZJVU/s1600/20141220_205610.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">I needed the socks and I knew that I'd get my 20% employee discount. What I forgot about is that they were also eligible with a 20% off coupon. The socks originally cost $20 for set of six. With taxes it would have cost $21.50. When I got to the register, the associate reminded me that I could use a coupon. That was a really nice surprise. That's $4 extra dollars that I saved....that translates to eggs, bread, or some coffee or a gallon of gas...or something like that...so with the coupon and my employee discount, it ended up only costing me $13.76 with tax. </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>That represents a sav</b><b>ings of 36% off of the original price. I'm happy with that. I'm very happy with that :) :) </b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What are some things that you've saved money on lately that brought a smile to your face? </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Oh, after work, I went for an ocean drive with my father. I was wiped out after a super busy sales day. It was a beautiful evening and it was still just light enough to see some things. I loved driving past Old Fisherman's Wharf because the lights from the buildings were dancing off the surface of the water...just beautiful :)</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>I've got three more work days before Christmas and then things will slow down just a bit before New Year's Day :) :) :) </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I plan on going out for coffee and a visit to Asilomar State Beach on Christmas day. What about you all? If you celebrate Christmas or some other holidays, what plans do you have?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I pray that you will all have a very Happy Holidays!!!! That is the news from the ocean shores of California today. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Love and hugs, Heather :) :) :)</b></span>Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-50493850048301342562014-12-14T20:15:00.000-08:002014-12-14T20:16:44.760-08:00FANCY BEAUTIFUL CASH-ENVELOPE SYSTEM WALLET<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hi everyone :) :) :)</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">How are you tonight? I was going to wait until Monday to share this. Then I decided to post this tonight. I work in retail and tomorrow is going to be a very L-O-N-G day. I'll be working for a full 9 hours. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">One of the things that I'll be ressurecting again are my "It makes "cents" to me Friday" posts. One of my BIG goals is to be completely and 100% debt free. So I'll probably be blogging about that at some point. However, I'll also be talking about how I live as a single person on a very tight budget, how I get by etc...and it's mostly to keep myself accoutable by making it public....but hopefully it'll encourage you all, too. No matter what your financial situation is, there is always something you can do, even if it's just one small step. The point is that you are trying :) :) :) At least, that's how I look at it right now.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'll be sharing links to various blogs that I follow that have encouraged me in my debt-free journey and learning how to manage my time and resources better.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">One thing that I am learning to do is use a cash envelope system for various spending categories. It's something I first heard about when I read Dave Ramsey's book "The Total Money Makeover" and "Financial Peace University" You can <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/home/">click on the link here</a> to visit his website. He's pretty hard core with his financial advice, BUT it's all with the goal to give you financial freedom....and so I find it very encouraging for me. Plus, I love listening to all the testimonials of people who've become debt free. It encourages me that it's possible for me to achieve the same goal.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here's a photo of the cash envelope wallet that I got when I took a Financial Peace University Class last April. The blue one came in my kit. The burgundy one was gifted to me by my aunt. </span></b><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j8C7--pdSGY/VI5XUaFONhI/AAAAAAAAD_w/G4ZFU2CJbxw/s1600/CashEnvelopeWalletSystem-Monterey-CA-December14th2014-Friday%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j8C7--pdSGY/VI5XUaFONhI/AAAAAAAAD_w/G4ZFU2CJbxw/s1600/CashEnvelopeWalletSystem-Monterey-CA-December14th2014-Friday%2B(2).jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The cash envelopes always include a little info on how to use them. What's great is that you can choose the categories you want to create and I find the idea of budget for various categories is so smart. It will hopefully keep you from overspending.</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vtVMWBSLrCg/VI5Xvs_s-iI/AAAAAAAAD_4/u3ScX2fPn70/s1600/CashEnvelopeWalletSystem-Monterey-CA-December14th2014-Friday%2B(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vtVMWBSLrCg/VI5Xvs_s-iI/AAAAAAAAD_4/u3ScX2fPn70/s1600/CashEnvelopeWalletSystem-Monterey-CA-December14th2014-Friday%2B(4).jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Plus, it includes a little spending log <span style="font-family: inherit;">where you can record every time you spend money from a certain categor<span style="font-family: inherit;">y. The idea being that you'll <span style="font-family: inherit;">always know what you have available and once the money is gone, you don't spend anymore in that area, until you have a chance to put more money back into that particular spending categ<span style="font-family: inherit;">ory.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IqbEsnY08io/VI5aUBEBTsI/AAAAAAAAEAU/49FVNPAJ4To/s1600/CashEnvelopeWalletSystem-Monterey-CA-December14th2014-Friday%2B(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IqbEsnY08io/VI5aUBEBTsI/AAAAAAAAEAU/49FVNPAJ4To/s1600/CashEnvelopeWalletSystem-Monterey-CA-December14th2014-Friday%2B(5).jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now there's a really cool blog/Facebook page that I follow called "A Time for Everything" <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ATimeforEverything">You can click here</a> to find Melissa's page on F<span style="font-family: inherit;">acebook<span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She makes some amazi<span style="font-family: inherit;">ng cash divider wallets that are compatible with the Dave Ramsey cash envelope system. They're super functional and super cute. I purchased her "carry it all<span style="font-family: inherit;">" divider wallet. I wait<span style="font-family: inherit;">ed an entire year before I purchased mine last January. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ATimeforEverything/photos/pb.206944719328252.-2207520000.1418615043./659309377425115/?type=3&theater">Click here</a> for a description <span style="font-family: inherit;">of what this wallet does.</span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is what my wallet looks like. Melissa offers different, really fun and beautiful fabric <span style="font-family: inherit;">pattern combinations.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XTX664SksE4/VI5ZYVBw_zI/AAAAAAAAEAE/-R_VSVEk7ec/s1600/CashEnvelopeWalletSystem-Monterey-CA-December14th2014-Friday%2B(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XTX664SksE4/VI5ZYVBw_zI/AAAAAAAAEAE/-R_VSVEk7ec/s1600/CashEnvelopeWalletSystem-Monterey-CA-December14th2014-Friday%2B(9).jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I also purc<span style="font-family: inherit;">hased the downloadable PDF file to print out my own spending logs to go inside my wallet. It was only a <span style="font-family: inherit;">few dollars and so worth it. I just printed out some color sheets and I've got a manilla envelope that I'll p<span style="font-family: inherit;">aste it on before I put them into my wallet.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I'll save that little project for another <span style="font-family: inherit;">blog post. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This wallet comes with two divider sections, a place to put coins and it also holds my checkbook, too :) :) I've had this wallet for quite some time and never used it much until recently. So it's a discipline, for sure, but it's one that I'm goi<span style="font-family: inherit;">ng to get into the regular habit of doing everyday.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The reason is because I've <span style="font-family: inherit;">got a super tight budget. </span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">so if I don't designate different spending categories, I won't be able to afford anything. I also just recently started a new job position at work that also included a raise. That's been a huge blessing, but I still want to make it a point to live within my means<span style="font-family: inherit;">. It's been dif<span style="font-family: inherit;">ficult, but oh so worth it. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm just <span style="font-family: inherit;">doing the best I can to manage my money in a biblical way, while recognizing that I need to give myself a lot of grace and forgiveness and extend that to others who are dealing with struggles in this area. I know that I have my own financial st<span style="font-family: inherit;">ruggles of <span style="font-family: inherit;">1) how will I pay off my student loans once and for all 2) and still manage to help my dad <span style="font-family: inherit;">and 3) find a place for us to live in September 2015. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So that's where I guess an <span style="font-family: inherit;">element of <span style="font-family: inherit;">faith and trust steps in.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I'm doing my best with what I have right now to manage my money God's way. At the same time, <span style="font-family: inherit;">I recognize that I'm <span style="font-family: inherit;">having to trust God to pr<span style="font-family: inherit;">ovide in those areas when the time comes, and not worry about it, because that's in the future and all I can do is concern <span style="font-family: inherit;">m<span style="font-family: inherit;">yself <span style="font-family: inherit;">with today. Believe me, God gives us enough grace for this day<span style="font-family: inherit;">. Then tomorrow, He'll give us the grace we need to get through tomorrow, including with budgeting struggles and challenges :) :) :) There's more I could say about <span style="font-family: inherit;">this, but it's late on a Sunday night and I<span style="font-family: inherit;">'m mega tired :) :)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well<span style="font-family: inherit;">, I guess that's good enough for now. I'll be talking <span style="font-family: inherit;">more about this in the future. I just wanted to introduce you to my cool fancy functio<span style="font-family: inherit;">nal cash divider wallet :) :) :)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I<span style="font-family: inherit;">'m still trying to figure out<span style="font-family: inherit;"> what spending categories I want to use my cash envelope wallet for specifi<span style="font-family: inherit;">cally. </span></span>One thing I have to budget for is haircuts and getting my hair colored. I don't do either very often because of the e<span style="font-family: inherit;">x<span style="font-family: inherit;">pense, but it's still something I need. So that's one category that I budget for. I also budget for gas for my car.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you use a cash e<span style="font-family: inherit;">nevelope system or some <span style="font-family: inherit;">other sort of budgeting system? If yes, what categories <span style="font-family: inherit;">do you budget for? I'd love to know what you do<span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That is the news from the ocean s<span style="font-family: inherit;">hores of California today. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love and hugs, Heather :) :) :) </span></span> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></b>Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-8438726063404209332014-12-12T19:05:00.000-08:002014-12-12T20:20:41.537-08:00FEELING CRAFTY AGAIN !!!!<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>Hi everyone,</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>It feels good to be back again. I've been meaning to get a blog post up for awhile now and then life happened and I'd keep pushing it to the back burner. Well, after this past week, I decided I need to get my creative juices flowing again and just go for it :) :) I'm so sorry that I haven't posted anything in a long, long time !!!!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>Here on the coast of California, we've been going through a super storm of sorts. It was much worse in the San Francisco Bay area then it was here in Monterey, but we were prepared and well-informed via weather services on Facebook, radio, tv etc.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>Today was my day off from work this week and I decided I wanted to have some crafty fun. Well, I didn't actually start a project, but I did find a few craft items that I was intentionally looking for and whole bunch of stuff that I hand't planned on. You know how it goes. There's hidden craft stashes everywhere in my house...LOL :) :) :)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>Below is a photo of just a small fraction of what I found. I just threw it on the futon couch and took a photo. Tonight, I'll sort through it all and see what I what I can make out of all this stuff.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What prompted me to search for some craft items was my "Lace in the Attic" book. It's a whole book full of knitted Victorian lace edgings. I don't think the book is available in print anymore. My copy was purchased at a used book store years ago. Then I found all of this other stuff, including a finished pink lace edging that I had knit....probably to be used in a project for a shelf liner? I don't even remember now. It would make a cute edging for a pillow case or something.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>As I was going through my closet looking for some things, I decided to also go through my grandmother's old wooden sewing box. It was something that I inherited after she passed away. One thing I remember using when I was a young girl, was this crimson red velvet pin cushion that her mother (my great-grandmother) had made using an old canning jar rim and ring. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I took all the straight pins, and other things off of it, cleaned it up and put everything back on it. </b></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> It was really dusty from not having been used in years. In fact, I think the last time it was actively used was before my grandmother passed away in the mid-1990s. Other than a little rust around the lower edge, it's still in great shape. I always loved this pincushion and I have it on display on top of the wooden sewing box. </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've always wanted to make my own and I will someday. However, I noticed that if it's made from an old canning jar rim, then maybe I have a glass Mason jar that would fit it? Keep in mind, I have no idea just how old this pincushion is. I think my great-grandmother made it before my father was born, but I'm not entirely sure about that one.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In any case, I raided one of the cabinets in the kitchen, grabbed an empty wide-mouth glass Ball jar and voila, instant Mason jar/pin cushion thing....so cute and it was free :) :) :) The lid doesn't screw down all the way, but enough that it'll work for this project of mine. I think it looks cute, don't you?</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Here's another view of my glass Ball jar with my great-grandmother's pincushion sitting nicely on top.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>That's my little craft project for the day. Oh wait, there is one other thing. You'll notice that my Ball jar pincushion is sitting on top of a white lacey curtain panel. I have two of those and they were purchased from Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic line at Target. They were originally curtain panels, but I haven't used them since I moved back to the Monterey Bay peninsula. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I couldn't bear to part with them because they're so lovely. They are a little faded and yellow with age, but I think with some loving care in the washing machine, they'll bounce back. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>That is the news from the ocean shores of a very rainy California coast today. Please feel free to "visit" and leave a comment here on my page. I really do enjoy hearing from all of you :) Love and hugs, Heather :) :) :)</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>P.S. Do any of you know how I can change my font, so it's cuter and looks more like someone handwrote instead of it being a plain generic font like the one I'm using now? It's been such a long time, since I put up a blog post, I don't remember how to change the font anymore.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Also, I'll be in the very slow process of overhauling my blog by myself, until I can afford a professional service. I already have a great business in mind for that. So there will be some changes coming to my blog, too, including changing the blog name and the photo header :) :) :)</b></span></span><br />
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Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-72001941751420839712014-02-23T11:12:00.000-08:002014-02-23T11:12:33.703-08:00HAPPY SON-DAY<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Hi everyone,</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I pray that you all are having a beautiful Sunday. This is one of my favorite Scripture verses. It's been a favorite for a very long time for so many reasons. Enjoy this Scripture photo. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">If you share it on your blogs and/or Facebook pages, please credit it back to me <a href="http://www.heathersblog-o-rama.blogspot.com/">here at Heather's Blog-o-rama</a> and/or to my public photography page on Facebook here at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/heatherdanielle.photos">Heather Danielle Photography</a>. Thanks, everyone. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I pray that this Scripture photo will be an encouragement to you today :)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That is the news from the ocean shores of California today.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Love and hugs,</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Heather :) :) :)</span></strong>Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-77503362888028409132014-02-22T20:40:00.000-08:002014-02-22T20:45:26.835-08:00IT MAKES "CENTS" TO ME FOR FRIDAY - FEBRUARY 21st<span style="font-size: large;">Hi everyone,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, so I know this is post is a day late, but I wanted to get this up tonight before I forget and then Sunday rolls around ;) :) :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In my continuing effort to work on paying off my student loans and getting out of debt, I'll be going through the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University Class with some mentors. <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/home/">Click here if you want to learn more about that</a>. You can also visit the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/daveramsey">Dave Ramsey page on Facebook here</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I was on Facebook one day when I noticed this awesome little "cheat sheet" for remembering the baby steps to financial freedom. I originally saw this on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/daveramsey">Dave Ramsey page on Facebook.</a> Here is the handy reminder for those baby steps:</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">So that is my plan. My goal is to reach Baby Step 7 within two years. It's going to mean a lot of hard work and sacrifice, but I'm willing to do this, because the result will be worth it.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">So I'll be talking about that once I get the class started. The first thing that I did was to make an accurate list of all the debts I owe, which isn't many. Student loans is the big fatty financial mountain that is standing in my way. It is big, but it is not impossible.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">It is really neat, because I can already start envisioning making the scream "I'm debt free" :) :) :)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, I think the "Baby Steps" might look a little different for some people maybe. I am not saving for college since I'm already out of college. I also do not own a home. I live in my aunt's home. So in that sense, I'm good, because I don't have a mortage to pay off. It'll be interesting to see how these baby steps will apply to me as a single person. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I know this journey will not be easy. However, I'm so willing and excited to reach my goal and that is more important to me than having it easy all the time :) :) :)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That is the news from the ocean shores of California today.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Love and hugs,</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Heather</span></strong>Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-48273083195927024962014-02-18T13:45:00.000-08:002014-02-18T13:45:04.613-08:00PRETTY PINK FLOWERS<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong>Hi everyone :) :) :)</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong>How are you all doing? It's been a long time since I last wrote a blog post, but I'm back and ready to go again :) :) :)</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong>In fact, I was sitting in church on Sunday and a sweet friend of mine sat down next to me. She also happens to be an extremely talented painter and artist. She earns a living selling her paintings on-line. We had a nice little chat about that and I felt really inspired. She was really encouraging to me. She and I are gonna get together soon and talk about details, because I"m interested in starting my own online store as well.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong>So we'll see. It's still just talking, researching and praying and talking, researching and praying some more. If you have an online store or home business, I'd love to hear about your experiences.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong>In the meantime, I made my ual coffee run at Whole Foods this morning. There's this beautiful plant that has the loveliest pale pink blooms. I think it's more of a bush, but they have it set up like a tree. It's hard to explain. In any case, here's a photo I took this morning:</strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zqrhca2ss6k/UwPSu8A5heI/AAAAAAAADd4/jf9Pbn3wlV0/s1600/20140218_101149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zqrhca2ss6k/UwPSu8A5heI/AAAAAAAADd4/jf9Pbn3wlV0/s1600/20140218_101149.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure what kind of flower it is. It reminds me of sweetpea or lilac, but I'm probably wrong on both counts. Do any of you know what this is?</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That's the news from the ocean shores of California today. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Love and hugs,</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Heather :) :) :)</span></strong>Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-77004815315172701762013-12-27T12:52:00.001-08:002013-12-27T12:53:55.998-08:00IT MAKES "CENTS" TO ME FOR FRIDAY - DECEMBER 27th<strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hi everyone,</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">How are you? I'm doing really well. I am happy to report that I am feeling better and no longer sick. That's been like that for awhile now and the antibiotics really helped.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I was in Whole Foods this morning and going to buy a gluten free shampoo, when I found another one that I use was on sale AND it had a coupon on the bottle. While I do eat gluten free for health reasons, I don't necessarily have to use gluten free body and haircare products. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a photo of the shampoo that I use. It's a really good brand that leaves my hair soft and shiny. Plus, the area that I live in has hard water, which can sometimes make my hair feel like straw, but this shampoo seems to counteract that really nicely. In any case, here is a photo of the shampoo that I purchased today:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7T6A1fwHaGc/Ur3mAER2GZI/AAAAAAAADc0/82XIjreDFx4/s1600/Shampoo-BargainPrice-Monterey-CA-December27th2013-Friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7T6A1fwHaGc/Ur3mAER2GZI/AAAAAAAADc0/82XIjreDFx4/s640/Shampoo-BargainPrice-Monterey-CA-December27th2013-Friday.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">This was really cool. I normally like to buy my products via Vitacost to save money. However, my budget is tight and I don't have enough money to place an order and get free shipping. So I have no problem just buying individual items at Whole Foods or another store when I absolutely NEED them. In this case, I needed a new bottle of shampoo, but it's one that is good for my hair and my skin.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I've used the 2Chic ultra sleek shampoo from Giovanni. Just so you all know, I am talking about this product because I LOVE IT and IT WORKS FANTASTIC. I was not paid in any way. I'm simply blogging about this because I love the product and at a fantastic price.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: #a2c4c9; font-size: large;">This bottle of shampoo normally costs $8.99 and with general sales tax of 7.5% comes to $9.66.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Now here's the cool thing. It was on sale for $7.19 AND it had a coupon pasted on the bottle for $2 off the purchase of any Giovanni product of $5 or more.....so I saved some major chaching...because <span style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">I was able to combine both of those discounts along with my 10% mall employee discount and I only paid $5.18. </span> </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That is a savings of about 46% off of the original cost. That's a great savings. Now I can get shampoos for much cheaper than this, true....but this is one thing that I don't compromise on in terms of the quality of the ingredients. I'm a really careful shopper and save in other areas, so I can afford this because it's important to me.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I also got paid today and gave every dollar a name. I budgeted 10% of my gross paycheck for tithe and have that all in cash and ready to go for Sunday. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">God has been really faithful to me as I've been faithful to manage what is His to begin with. It's been really interesting, because my budget is working out. I still have to be careful with how I spend my money and there are still things that I need and want. However, all of my current bills are getting paid easily and that is a huge praise ;) :) :)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">It's going to take me awhile to reach my goal, but I will get there :) :)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy the weekend. The weather here in Monterey is absolutely beautiful today. It's so warm. It feels more like summer than winter. That is the news from the ocean shores of California today.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Love and hugs, Heather :) :) :)</span></strong><br />
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Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-78348624910764285542013-12-20T09:24:00.000-08:002013-12-20T09:25:04.400-08:00IT MAKES "CENTS" TO ME FOR FRIDAY - DECEMBER 20th<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hi everyone,</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">How have you been? I've recovered from being sick. The antibiotics that I have been taking have really worked their magic and the sinus infection is G-O-N-E.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The photo I posted above was one that I took a few days ago when I was out at Asilomar State Beach and it reminded me of how God can still the storm-tossed waves of our lives. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong> </div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">So I've been working on a financial plan of getting out of student loan debt and then I got thrown a curve ball the other day. I'm still working on saving up a $1000 emergency fund when an unexpected expense for the dentist came up. I have to save up money for an xray before I can continue in my orthodontic/braces treatment. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">So sometimes when things like this happen, other wants get put on hold....again...and that might be the situation here. I'm not sure yet.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">One thing I have decided to do is tithe 10% of my gross paycheck. I started doing that last week and I'm going to continue to do that with each paycheck. It's just something that I felt like God had been laying on my heart for awhile. It's all His money anyway and I just manage it...and I'm simply giving back what belongs to Him first.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I think it will look different for everyone and I firmly believe that we can also tithe with our time and talents when money is really tight. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I've noticed a couple of things: 1) somehow my budget is working out and everything is getting covered, even inspite of me tithing 10% off the top of each paycheck 2) You can never outgive God.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I know that the money I give will be put to good use for people in need. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That's just where I am at right now. I got paid today and haven't given every dollar a name yet, other than to budget for my tithe.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Christmas holiday season at work is still crazy, but once I can get past Monday, it will be smooth sailing ;) :) I'm so looking forward to Monday.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That's the news from the ocean shores of California today.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Love and hugs, Heather :)</span></strong></div>
Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-88598266775509934492013-12-11T18:09:00.002-08:002013-12-11T18:09:35.607-08:00UPDATE - BEING SICK IS ZERO FUN<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong>Hi everyone,</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I just wanted to update you all on how I am doing. I'm still sick. I've been sick since I worked Black Friday on November 29th.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Well, last Monday night I developed pain/soreness in behind my right eye, right cheek and lower part of the right side of my jaw. It being so unbearable that I finally had to make a trip to the ER on Tuesday morning. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I called out sick from work on Monday and it was a good thing because the congestion was just getting so bad.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">In any case, I am now taking antibiotics and an indoor/outdoor allergy decongestant. So far the pain in my face has gone away and that is a total answer to prayer.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">However, I'm still noticing that I'm having a bad reaction to mold/dust at work. I know that it's at work specifically because when I leave the building I automatically feel better.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Anyways, this whole thing is really tiring me out quite a bit. I've been sick for 2 weeks now. So I'm needing to rest quite a bit. That is why I haven't had any blog posts up in awhile. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Pray that my body will heal from this sinus infection quickly and that the antibiotics will do their job!!! Thanks all. Otherwise, I'll be praying for all of you. I sure do miss hearing from you.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That is the news from the ocean shores of California today.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Love and hugs, Heather :)</span></strong>Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-73074778870601959652013-12-03T11:03:00.000-08:002013-12-03T11:04:05.601-08:00BEING SICK IS NO FUN<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Hello to all of my sweet blog readers :) :)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Sorry I haven't been around much the last few weeks. Christmas/holiday season at my job is in full swing and it means crazier than crazy hours.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I've also been fighting some sort of cold/flu virus for a week. So it's really put me out of commission. I will have more blog posts coming up this week, including and especially on Friday :) :) :)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a Scripture photo that I created this morning. Last night I was feeling really miserable and I was extremely congested. I just couldn't stop coughing, which made sleep impossible. While laying in bed, I was starting to let the worries about my financies and others things start to overwhelm me a little bit. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">However, almost as soon as those thoughts entered my head, another thought, or rather a Scripture, entered my mind. It was Psalm 50:10 where it talks about how God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. It just encourages me to know that God is in control and that He does care about the things that concern me. He WILL take care of me.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I also thought about this photo that I took a little over two years ago. This was shortly after I moved back to California. I thought it was very appropriate. So I decided to put Scripture and photo together.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Here it is. May you all be encouraged today and everyday. I'll be praying for the things that concern you today, too !!!</span></strong><br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9GntgzR7RF8/Up4pPVvNujI/AAAAAAAADb8/RgFwOjTdRjg/s640/OceanCattle-Psalm50-10.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Feel free to share this on your blogs and Facebook pages. If you do, PLEASE credit it back to me here at <a href="http://www.heathersblog-o-rama.blogspot.com/">Heather's Blog-o-rama</a> and also at my public photography page, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/heatherdanielle.photos">Heather Danielle Photography</a>. While you're at it, leave me a note that says you stopped by. I'd love to "meet" you all :) :) :)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">My best friend from church brought over some cold and flu stuff for me. I'm feeling much better right at the moment. Plus my father is being really sweet and doing all my chores which amounts to a single load of laundry right now AND cooking all my meals today :) :)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That is the news from the ocean shores of California today. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Love and hugs, Heather</span></strong><br />
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Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-48504736302795033632013-11-15T20:58:00.001-08:002013-11-15T20:59:42.161-08:00IT MAKES "CENTS" TO ME FOR FRIDAY - NOVEMBER 15th<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Hi everyone,</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">How are you today? How has your week been? My week has been crazy and good and everything in between. We're starting to get into the "BUSY" season at work. It'll stay busy until the end of the year.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I very rarely spend money on new clothes because I am on a really limited budget, so it's not worked into my budget, even when I really could use some new clothes. However, today was payday, and I decied that some new shirts for work were really needed. My goal is to have enough work clothes in my closet, that I could have one new outfit to wear every day of the week for 7 days, so that I don't have to wash the same thing over and over again.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I happened to be working in a department today that sells Ralph Lauren clothes for women. So I took a look at some basic long-sleeve tops. I ended up purchasing two black and one dark gray top.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Now listen to how I saved some serious "cha-ching" aka money, on the tops that I purchased today. Most employees at work have a store credit card that they use. We are required to have one in order to get the employee discount. However, there is also the option of having a prepaid store card. That's the one that I took, since I MUST put money on it FIRST before I can use it. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">So I happened to be looking at these tops, because I've purchased Ralph Lauren tops in the past on clearance and I've always had good luck with them. They also wear really well in the wash and still look good. so I know it would be a good deal, even if they were full price.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I saw these tops. They are normally $32.98 each. However, they had a clearance tag price of $29.99 each. When I checked the final price at the register, they were ringing up at $24.99 each. That's great !!! There was also a "use your card" discount of 20% on sale and clearance.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">So I used my prepaid card and got 20% of the current clearance price. That dropped the cost of my tops to $19.99 each at the register. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">So with all three tops together plus 7.5% sales tax, my total came to $64.47..</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">But wait, it gets so much BETTER. Since I am an employee, I also get an additional employee discount of 20%. So that will bring my overall total down to $51.58.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Before I go into how much of a percentage I actually saved, let me throw in a picture of the cute little pocket on the left arm of each of the tops. I don't normally like pockets on the front of any top. This is small, subtle and on the side. So strictly from a style viewpoint, this is fantastic.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsEiXtC_zHA/Uob6MmlxF2I/AAAAAAAADbY/6X0nErD_1FI/s1600/RalphLaurenTops-OnSale-Monterey-CA-November15th2013-Friday+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsEiXtC_zHA/Uob6MmlxF2I/AAAAAAAADbY/6X0nErD_1FI/s640/RalphLaurenTops-OnSale-Monterey-CA-November15th2013-Friday+(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Okay, if I had paid regular full retail price for all three tops and 7.5% sales tax, this would have cost me exactly $106.36.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">However, since they were on clearance, there was a 20% "use your card" discount and my 20% employee discount AND the fact that I paid cash on my card FIRST....well, now my 3 designer tops only cost me $51.58 with tax.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That means I saved a GRAND TOTAL of 52% off the original retail price with tax. I'm really proud of that. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Now my next goal is to start building my collection of work pants. I literally have one pair that I wash every day. In fact, I will wear one of my new tops to work tomorrow. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Next week, I'll share more about how I give every dollar a name. I get paid every week, which is really nice. It's making "giving every dollar a name" much easier.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That is the news from the ocean shores of California today. Love and hugs to you all, Heather</span></strong>Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-70378674113959717122013-11-11T21:51:00.002-08:002013-11-11T21:52:02.690-08:00IT MAKES "CENTS" TO ME FOR FRIDAY - NOVEMBER 8th<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Hi everyone,</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Okay, so this post is four days late. I'm really sorry. Talk about a crazy last few days. We're gearing up for the holiday season at work and it's already starting to tire me out. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I hope all of you are doing well this week so far. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">One of the things I LOVE to do is color my hair. I keep it pretty much my natural color with a hint of red in it for warmth. That and I am starting to see just a few white hairs. I've decided I don't want to go all white until I'm at least 50 years old.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Coloring my hair at home is NOT an option, since I make such a big mess in the bathroom every single time. I also have some limited mobility in my right shoulder, so that is sometimes painful and not the easiest thing to work around when trying to apply color to my head.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I'd heard about henna hair color and thought I would give it a try. There is a LUSH cosmetics store in Carmel that sells this wonderful, chemical-free henna. I went for a color called "Caca Rouge"..yes, they used that word on purpose because when it's all mixed it up it looks like muddy runny stuff. It looks gross, but it works fabulous.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The salon I go to normally charges $65 for color application. Here at my local LUSH cosmetics store they only charged about $28 for the henna.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iTxh-lv_w48/UoG-NRK3Y6I/AAAAAAAADaM/oPAjpzlEtig/s1600/20131108_100653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iTxh-lv_w48/UoG-NRK3Y6I/AAAAAAAADaM/oPAjpzlEtig/s640/20131108_100653.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I called the store ahead of time to make an appointment, just in case they were busy. This particular henna is set with cocoa butter into hard blocks like this, but it melts down easily with warm/hot water. When it's melted down, it sort of looks like this:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WVMibFucifc/UoG-o4d5NII/AAAAAAAADaU/Rfp3xk6PFas/s1600/20131108_102133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WVMibFucifc/UoG-o4d5NII/AAAAAAAADaU/Rfp3xk6PFas/s640/20131108_102133.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">It does feel a little heavy on the head, especially after it starts to dry. However, once it is applied to the head, I looked a bit like a cave woman:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2zLfrC7hs1M/UoG_AgJCaPI/AAAAAAAADac/T7DJxYHgnPk/s1600/20131108_105454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2zLfrC7hs1M/UoG_AgJCaPI/AAAAAAAADac/T7DJxYHgnPk/s640/20131108_105454.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I also didn't have a blessed stitch of makeup on my face, not even moisturizer. Henna takes a really long time to set. Here I waited about 3 hours total before I washed it out. Now I left for home as soon as the henna was applied to my head. I did wait a little bit while the lady who a pplied henna to my hair helped other customers. While waiting a took a couple photos of the store. It's a beautiful store that is light, airy and just really lovely:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbc2wT_mzRg/UoG_m7IxMiI/AAAAAAAADak/5m0DV9bEKoo/s1600/20131108_102152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbc2wT_mzRg/UoG_m7IxMiI/AAAAAAAADak/5m0DV9bEKoo/s640/20131108_102152.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The store was small but so well decorated. I didn't feel closed in.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-teDIA8i3VLo/UoHAUnaMZ6I/AAAAAAAADas/HyXtENiwnM8/s1600/HennaHeather-November8th2013+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-teDIA8i3VLo/UoHAUnaMZ6I/AAAAAAAADas/HyXtENiwnM8/s640/HennaHeather-November8th2013+(6).jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">After the henna had been drying in my hair for about three hours, it was time to wash it out. That took about 15 minutes, because it was caked on my hair and it's really, really grainy and gritty. It took me awhile to wash all the henna out of my hair. I LOVE the color result. I wanted to add back some of the red undertones in my natural hair color and this did that. However, my white hairs are now carrot orange...but when blended in with the rest of my hair it looks great. Next time, I'll probably try the LUSH "caca marron" henna. That's more of a reddish brown color.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The only real negative is the smell. It doesn't smell bad. It reminded me a bit of muddy wet grass while it was wet. Later, after I washed it out, the smell of my hair reminded me of patchouli spices. Here is how my hair color turned out. It wasn't a dramatic color difference, but it did add a lot of vibrancy to my hair.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJk1Rezx8Fs/UoHBTHcb1jI/AAAAAAAADa4/5RHugx3zeyk/s1600/HennaHeather-November8th2013+(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJk1Rezx8Fs/UoHBTHcb1jI/AAAAAAAADa4/5RHugx3zeyk/s640/HennaHeather-November8th2013+(10).jpg" width="554" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">This is what my hair looks like from the back. I deliberately stood in direct sunlight so that you'd be able to see the red tones a little bit better. All in all, I'm very pleased about how my hair color turned out. I'll let you know if I try it again.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The associate at my local LUSH cosmetics store said that it fades out in about 4 weeks. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever tried henna hair color? Or do you use something else to color your hair? What do you do to keep up with hair color and save a little money at the same time? I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That's the news from the ocean shores of California today. Love and hugs, Heather :)</span></strong><br />
Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-35359428184503994722013-11-08T18:18:00.002-08:002013-11-09T19:09:07.219-08:00IT MAKES "CENTS" TO ME FOR FRIDAY - NOVEMBER 8th<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">UPDATE: Saturday - November 9th at 7:07 p.m.</span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">HI everyone,</span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">I'll do my Friday "cents" post tomorrow on Sunday. I worked today. It was 4 hours that turned into 5 because it was unusually crazy busy at work...but it was so stressful that it felt like 10 hours today and I'm just physically wiped out.</span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">So I'll blog about the henna tomorrow. I got fabulous results with it and I can't wait to tell you about my experiences with that product :) :)</span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">That's the news from the ocean shores of California today. Love and hugs, Heather :) :)</span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Hi everyone,</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I'm actually going to do my usual Friday post tomorrow on Saturday. I went and had henna hair color put on my hair this morning. It was quite the process but I saved a lot versus regular color in the salon. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I went to the LUSH cosmetics store in Carmel.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I'll tell you all about it tomorrow and have photos and everything :)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Have a great weekend everyone. That's the news from the ocean shores of California today. Love and hugs, Heather</span></strong>Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-439320879594174532013-11-07T21:12:00.000-08:002013-11-07T21:12:21.595-08:00MERCY TREE, GARLIC FRIES AND OTHER STUFF<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Hi everyone,</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, it has been quite the week. It's been rough, beautiful and just full of all sorts of interesting things. NONE of them were things I expected, but somehow I'm seeing beauty, joy and laughter through all of this :) :)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I was going to blog about a hat that I'm knitting for a friend's daughter, but I'll save that for another night. Today was a rough day out on the sales floor and I just wanted to cry. So when work was over and done with, I met my father at Whole Foods and consoled myself with some fresh, made to order garlic fries...oh, boy was it ever tasty good... :) :)</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>My job is also full of many blessings and really interesting stories as I get to interact with people from the community. I got to help a couple of my favorite customers. It was an old retired Philippino couple who've been married since God was a boy. The wife is retired military. The husband uses a walker and EVERY TIME I see them in the store they're always holding hands. <span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"> So while the husband was sitting, I helped the wife. When they were finished, I walked over to the husband and helped stabilize his walker, so that he could stand up. The first thing he did was reach out for the walker with one hand and his wife's hand with the other <i class="_4-k1 img sp_8bclrq sx_7bc03f"></i> <i class="_4-k1 img sp_8bclrq sx_a69e40"></i> How romantic is that <i class="_4-k1 img sp_8bclrq sx_a69e40"></i> <i class="_4-k1 img sp_8bclrq sx_a69e40"></i> In any case, I'm so glad God brought that couple my way tonight. They always bring a smile and laughter to my day <i class="_4-k1 img sp_8bclrq sx_a69e40"></i> <i class="_4-k1 img sp_8bclrq sx_a69e40"></i> This is just one of the many, many reasons I love my job and being able to interact with all sorts of people on a daily basis.</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span class="text_exposed_show">When I got home, my sweet dog was at the door to greet me. However, lately she's developed a habit for eating the leaves of this one little tree in our living room and now the tree has almost no leaves on it. I'm not sure how to get her to not eat the leaves...but every time I catch her eating them, she puts on the extra sorry puppy dog face as if she's saying "Who me? Lil' ole me?" Any ideas on that? I'm totally clueless why my dog is eating the leaves</span></strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I did get a copy of the latest Mary Jane's Farm magazine in the mail. So this was just another blessing to the end of an otherwise rough day at work. This magazine is so much fun...and it's got everything that I love in it - farmgirl stuff, farmgirl of the heart, feminine, frilly, DIY etc ;) :) <a href="http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/">Click here to visit their website.</a> It's all about organic, American living and so much other fun stuff. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Oh and then to top it all off, there was a Billy Graham program on tv tonight. We don't have a t.v. anymore. So my father was watching it on-line and he asked me if I knew who Lacey Strum was. I had never heard of her before. So I looked her up and came across this beautiful music video called "Mercy Tree" that was featured on the program.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I don't normally cry with songs, but after this one I was just a mess of tears. It's a beautiful song and beautiful video. So maybe I needed to hear this tonight and be reminded that I (and ALL of us) are loved by the Author of Ultimate Love. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow I have the day off from work. So I'm going to the LUSH cosmetics store in Carmel to have henna applied to my hair. It's a natural hair dye alternative that will hopefully cover up a few of the gray hairs. In any case, I'll make sure to take some pics and let you know how it all turns out :)</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That's the news from the ocean shores of California today. Love and hugs, Heather :)</span></strong></div>
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Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-66301979083906125922013-11-03T17:28:00.000-08:002013-11-03T17:28:29.683-08:00HAPPY SONDAY AND HAVE A GREAT WEEK<strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hi everyone :) :) :)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you all had a great weekend. Have a beautiful week. I took this photo after church this afternoon. It's out in Pacific Grove. It was really windy today, but the water was so very beautiful.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That's the news from the ocean shores of California today. Love and hugs, Heather :)</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Keyd1_ybxvU/Unb3q5z3wPI/AAAAAAAADZU/dYXBs886zcc/s1600/WindySundayAfternoon-PacificGrove-CA-November3rd2013-Sunday+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Keyd1_ybxvU/Unb3q5z3wPI/AAAAAAAADZU/dYXBs886zcc/s640/WindySundayAfternoon-PacificGrove-CA-November3rd2013-Sunday+(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hee_Haw">If you'd like to visit me at my photography page on Facebook, just click here :)</a> </span></strong><br />
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Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-56210571770417422212013-11-02T20:39:00.000-07:002013-11-02T20:39:44.345-07:00DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME - DON'T FORGET ABOUT IT<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Hi everyone :) :)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I hope that you are all having a really great weekend so far. I worked this afternoon/evening. It was an AMAZING day out on the sales floor.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">This is just a friendly PSA about Daylight Savings Time. Early tomorrow morning, on Sunday - November 3rd at 3 a.m. local time, make sure to set your clocks back one hour. OR if you are anything like me and prefer NOT waking up at the crack o'midnight or shortly thereafter, set your clocks back one hour TONIGHT (Saturday - November 2nd) before you go to bed :)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That's the news from the ocean shores of California. Love and hugs, Heather :)</span></strong>Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-5762363712673925602013-11-01T14:42:00.002-07:002013-11-01T20:43:27.883-07:00IT MAKES "CENTS" TO ME FOR FRIDAY - NOVEMBER 1st<strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hi Everyone :) :)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you all had a really good week. My week was really busy. I had all these ideas for other blog posts that I wanted to write about this week and I just didn't get around to it. It's probably a good idea to start putting these things down on a calendar and writing a little bit here and a little bit there - as time allows.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I don't really have a blog post about saving money today BUT I am going to share a couple of things that I thought you'd find interesting.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The first is a link to a video from the <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/home/">Dave Ramsey website</a>. Actually, I saw it posted on the Dave Ramsey page on Facebook. Every so often they'll post really neat and inspirational stories of people who have gotten out of debt. This is one that was some serious inspiration for me for a few reasons. Here's the link below. Watch the whole thing in its entirety:</span></strong><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hh6_Idcjq-I" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The decision to be completely and totally 100% debt free is a choice that I have made for myself. It's a decision that will look different for everyone based on different circumstances etc. However, this video was really inspiring to me for so many reasons.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">This is a young woman, who with her husband, perservered through some very difficult circumstances to reach a personal goal that they had set for themselves. People made fun of them. That didn't stop them.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">What caused me to literally break down in tears was when I learned....well, I'm not going to spoil it. That's why I HIGHLY recommend you watch this whole video and then you'll know why it caused me to break down and cry.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">What I carried away from this is that if you want something bad enough, you will find a way. God will make a way. It may take me awhile to reach that goal, but with God ALL THINGS are possible. Plus, I'm not going to let the objections of a few dictate my life or throw me off my goal.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I spent most of the morning and part of the afternoon with my very good friend A. from church. She's a mentor and good friend. We went went shopping at Costco and also ate lunch there. While there and on the drive home, we talked about all sorts of things including money etc and setting priorities while working my way out of debt etc.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">My mind was so focused on paying bills that I was not eating while at work. Yes, I admit it and it was a very bad thing. So we talked about how paying bills are important but I must take care of my body first. So we brainstormed some really inexpensive things I could bring to work and eat on my lunch break. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">A. gave me a huge box of these fast noodle packages that her daughter brought back from Vietnam. They work just like the Top Ramen noodles that you buy in the store. So what a blessing and that's a HUGE savings right there.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Some super duper cheap things you could bring just to give you a protein boost while at work:</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">hard-boiled eggs</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I'm living on a soda-pop can budget right now and these are two very easy and inexpensive things that I can do right now.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">In any case, I'm really having to sit down and rethink my priorities. I'm not giving up on my goal of getting out of debt. What I am doing is just rethinking how I do things. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">So I'll have more to add to this as time goes on. So keep checking back here and read my updates. As I think of things, I'll add it here and save some for next Friday, too. It's been a huge day of revelations for me about finances, how to treat my body well etc.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Keep it kind, of course :) :) I love hearing from all of you :) Have a great weekend.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That's the news from the ocean shores of California today. Love and hugs to you all, Heather :)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-size: large;">UPDATE: November 1st at 8:40 p.m. PST</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">The same friend that I was talking about earlier, came back again later today and brought her daughter with her. She had all this extra food that she just blessed my father and I with. I was so humbled and thankful. I don't often talk about the difficulties in my life, because I would rather foster an attitude of gratitude and be thankful for the many, many blessings that God has given to me.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">However, this practical act of love was amazing. So now our cupboard and freezer is comletely stocked. There are lots of things that I can bring with me to work, to give me that needed protein boost during the day.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I find that for my body, protein is a necessity throughout the day to keep me going. So it'll be interesting to see how things change at work, because I'm making sure that my body and health are a top priority first while still keeping my goal of paying down debt and saving money at the forefront.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-28744127838535765652013-10-25T09:21:00.000-07:002013-10-28T10:47:37.242-07:00IT MAKES "CENTS" TO ME FRIDAY FOR OCTOBER 25th<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Hi everone,</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">How has your week been? Mine has been full of all sorts of things...BUT I've been really knocking it out of the ballpark on sales at work this week. My main goal is to really develop personal relationships with all of my customers, because I want them to feel like welcome guests when they walk into the store. I also strive to have them leave happier then when they walked in. In any case, I've been really thankful that for the most part I am totally exceeding my sales goals every day I'm scheduled to work and that is a praise :) :) :)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">My VitaCost order arrived really fast. I ordered it last Friday morning and it arrived by the following Monday afternoon (October 21st). Here is a look at what I ordered:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E7IfFvosYB0/Umnf4GDgxOI/AAAAAAAADXI/vDRfywxORM8/s1600/VitaCostOrder-Monterey-CA-October22nd2013-Tuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E7IfFvosYB0/Umnf4GDgxOI/AAAAAAAADXI/vDRfywxORM8/s640/VitaCostOrder-Monterey-CA-October22nd2013-Tuesday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.heathersblog-o-rama.blogspot.com/2013/10/it-makes-cents-to-me-friday-for-october_18.html">Click here</a> to read my post from last week. I detailed exactly what I purchased and what it cost from the VitaCost.com website versus buying it at my local grocery store.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I was really surprised to see that they sold the Eez-Gum threaders. Those are like giant flexible plastic "needles" that help you to thread the dental floss underneath the metal wires of braces. So I'm going to keep a detailed diary of when I use each product and when it runs out. It'll give me an idea of how fast I go through a product. That in turn will give me a better idea of how much to order next time.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I don't really "need" to buy a natural soap, except I do believe that what you put on your skin gets partially absorbed into the skin. It's true. The skin is the largest organ of your body, so treat it right. I can only speak for myself, but I notice that when I use gluten free or natural products on my skin, I don't have a skin reaction like I do with regular "soaps" etc. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and I'm still trying to figure out how to budget on a variable income. So I'll fill you in on that some more later this afternoon. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I get paid on a weekly basis, but my hours can vary quite a bit. If you have ever worked retail, you know exactly what this is like. Add to that, that my job is only part-time, but I have the opportuntiy for full-time hours, when there are available shifts to pick up. Case in point, this week, I only have 17.75 hours, but NEXT week, I'll have 30 hours. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I found this really simple, but very good article on the Dave Ramsey website. <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/blog/how-to-make-a-zero-based-budget">It's about how to make a zero-based budget.</a> <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/home/">Dave Ramsey</a> has been a huge inspiration for me in wanting to be comletely out of debt in the first place. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I also found this article to be really helpful. It's really simple and straight-forward and it's great if you need an idea for how to budget when your income and your hours vary quite a bit from week to week. Dave Ramsey's daughter, Rachel Cruze, also has a really neat nifty website. She wrote a really easy to understand blog post about budgeting with a variable income. <a href="https://www.rachelcruze.com/topics/real-life-on-a-budget/budgeting-a-variable-income?preview=true#.UmWj8GS8D8U?ectid=Facebook">Click here to read that article.</a></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Now my budgeting got a serious monkey wrench thrown into it, because I had to make an appointment to get my teeth cleaned at the dentist in between visits with the orthodontist (when I get new wires put on my braces). That's going to cost a little bit, so the solution to that is pick up extra hours at work.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">So next week, I'll try and fill you in a little bit more on how I do a zero-based budget from week to week...and how I still manage to live and have some sort of fun on my very tiny income.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I have to say that VitaCost really does a good job, even with their cardboard boxes. They use some space on the boxes to provide good, healthy recipes for sweet treats :) :) As if it couldn't get any cooler or more practical, I also saw this on the inside flap of the box:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1pXlPWWdlJc/UmnjmTKt8II/AAAAAAAADXc/nw_vlhDOwrI/s1600/VitaCostOrder-Monterey-CA-October22nd2013-Tuesday+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1pXlPWWdlJc/UmnjmTKt8II/AAAAAAAADXc/nw_vlhDOwrI/s640/VitaCostOrder-Monterey-CA-October22nd2013-Tuesday+(6).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">There are even some frugal ways to repurpose this box. It is quite the sturdy box, too. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That's the news from the ocean shores of California today. Love and hugs to you all, Heather :) :) :)</span></strong>Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-23856679549798349842013-10-18T09:41:00.001-07:002013-10-18T18:39:09.706-07:00IT MAKES "CENTS" TO ME FRIDAY FOR OCTOBER 18th, 2013<strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hi everyone,</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Wow, is my head ever swimming. It seems like I was in a rut in terms of how I was going to come up with a game plan for knocking out my student loan debt etc. Now that I'm starting to turn my dream into a concrete vision, all these ideas are swimming around in my head.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I am starting with small baby steps. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">One thing that I like to do is to make a list of things that I'll be "needing" in the future. Here is a list of things that I will definitely be needing at some point, but I don't have to buy them right away:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-egQKj9jSSJs/UltCF9rH_RI/AAAAAAAADVU/tE3ffZVJGNw/s1600/20131013_174902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-egQKj9jSSJs/UltCF9rH_RI/AAAAAAAADVU/tE3ffZVJGNw/s640/20131013_174902.jpg" width="572" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">First thing, the word "Einkaufszettel" is German for "shopping list". I still write it out that way, ever since I lived in Germany as a study abroad student. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">In any case, these are things that I'll be needing to buy in the near future. The MAC lipstick and lip gloss are really nice, neutral colors that I can wear anytime. It's funny, because I'm almost out of both colors.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I almost stopped by work to buy some today after church. However, I didn't really have a piece about it and I kept asking myself the question: Do I really NEED this right now or can I wait just a little bit longer before I plunk down money for this?</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">My answer was: I CAN wait and I will wait a little bit longer.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">One thing I have learned is that just because you have the money to buy something RIGHT NOW doesn't mean you have to. So I will wait until I'm completely out before I replenish my make-up inventory :) </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I do wear braces, so dental floss is a MUST right now. I go through that stuff really fast. The same for the toothpaste. Since I'm paying out-of-pocket for my orthodontic care, I want to make sure that I get my money's worth and that means taking very good care of my teeth.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The toothpaste is gluten free and so is the shampoo and conditoner on my list. I do use the Raspberry Shine. Here's a photo again of the conditioner:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHd9hFk_twQ/UltDefd6LTI/AAAAAAAADVg/ZjP06IjrjEc/s1600/DesertEssenceConditioner-Monterey-CA-October10th2013-Thursday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHd9hFk_twQ/UltDefd6LTI/AAAAAAAADVg/ZjP06IjrjEc/s640/DesertEssenceConditioner-Monterey-CA-October10th2013-Thursday.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I was paying $8.99 a bottle for the shampoo and conditioner and probably about $6 for the toothpaste. They are gluten free products and those things are important to me. So I am willing to make the sacrifice for those things.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">HOWEVER, a very sweet reader sent me a private email the other day and told me of a really great site, where I could get my conditioner for much less. The site is called Swanson Vitamins. <a href="http://www.swansonvitamins.com/">Click here</a> to visit their site. I found my conditioner listed here for about $4.98...yeah, my jaw dropped to the floor, too. With as often as I use this product and even factoring in shipping, I won't be buying it at my local store anymore.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">There's also another site called VitaCost that has awesome natural and organic products at really great prices. <a href="http://www.vitacost.com/">Click here to visit them</a>. The last time I checked I found my shampoo and conditioner selling here for about $4.98 a bottle and my special toothpaste for $3.98 a tube. the BEST part is that shipping is free on orders over $49 and they often have free shipping specials on smaller orders. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I don't normally spend that much at one time on my hair and body care products. However, with such great deals, I can afford to make a BIG purchase now, knowing that I'm saving a LOT of money in the long run. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Today is payday. I'll let you know what I end up ordering, what the total is and what I ordered.</span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">UPDATE at 6:23 p.m Pacific Standard Time: </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Hi everyone ;) :) Okay, so I ended up having to place my order as a "guest", but I was able to reset my password this afternoon after work. WOW, did I save a boatload of money...at least a lot for me.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">After work, I went to my local store where I usually most of these products I'm about to tell you about. If I payed full price (including tax) for everything I ordered today, it would have been $91.99.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">As it happens, with my VitaCost order I only paid $50.31. There was no tax and it was FREE shipping because I ordered over $49 worth of product :)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That's a savings of 45%. That is HUGE in my checkbook and that frees up that much more money to put towards paying off bills etc. I just placed the order this morning and it should arrive in 1-4 business days. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Here's the breakdown of what I purchased. I will highlight in<span style="background-color: #76a5af;"> BLUE</span><span style="background-color: white;"> what the regular retail was and factor in the taxes at the end. Unless otherwise specified, I only ordered a quantity of ONE of certain items. In other cases, I ordered multiples because it's something I know that I will use consistently.</span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">South of France Bar Soap Acai Pomegranate - 8.8 ox</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">$3.94 / <span style="background-color: #76a5af;">$6.39</span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Desert Essence Dental Floss - Tea Tree Oil - 50 yds</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">$2.29 x 4 qty / <span style="background-color: #76a5af;">$3.99</span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">GUM Eez-Thru Floss Threaders - 25 pieces</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">$2.96 / <span style="background-color: #a2c4c9;">$3.29</span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">I will say that this one came as a surprise, because I didn't even know that VitaCost carried this, but they DO :) :) :) I use these ALL THE TIME to help me with flossing. They're necessary in order to floss the teeth while going through the process of braces on the teeth. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Auromere Herbal Toothpaste Fresh Mint - 4 oz</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">$3.44 / <span style="background-color: #a2c4c9;">$5.99</span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Desert Essence Organics Shampoo Raspberry Shine for All Hair Types - 8 oz</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">$5.29 x 3 qty / <span style="background-color: #a2c4c9;">$8.99</span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Desert Essence Organics Raspberry Conditioner Red Raspberry - 8 fl oz.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">$4.98 x 3 qty / <span style="background-color: #a2c4c9;">$8.99</span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">So here is the breakdown again. Hopefully it's a little easier to see this way:</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Vitacost Order total (no tax/free shipping) - $50.13</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Regular Retail (including sales tax 7.5%) - $91.99</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That means I saved a total of 45%. What does that mean?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">Serious CHACHING back into my wallet :) :) :)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I can hardly wait for my VitaCost order to arrive. When it does, I'll show you all a photo. In the meantime, enjoy this vintage beauty :) :) It's a vintage Ford Mustang that I saw in the mall parking lot a few days ago:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8KPydbSMmg/UmHgFednHSI/AAAAAAAADW0/u-hbmSY4MOA/s1600/IMG_20131010_195804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8KPydbSMmg/UmHgFednHSI/AAAAAAAADW0/u-hbmSY4MOA/s640/IMG_20131010_195804.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That's the news from the ocean shores of California today. Love and hugs, Heather :)</span></strong><br />
Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-17671610343268343892013-10-16T16:07:00.000-07:002013-10-16T16:07:59.769-07:00MY BEAUTIFUL PACIFIC GROVE, CALIFORNIA<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong>Hi everyone,</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">How was your weekend? My weekend was really good. I worked for a few hours on Saturday. Plus, I spent a little time working on my blog, working on my budget and other household chores etc. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to share a few photos of Pacific Grove with you today. If you'd like to see my other photos, please <a href="https://www.facebook.com/heatherdanielle.photos">come visit me here</a> at my photography page on Facebook. It's calle<a href="https://www.facebook.com/heatherdanielle.photos">d Heather Danielle Photography</a>. I love friendly visitors, and while you're there, if you want to "like" my page, please do :) :) </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">These are mainly of the ocean. I love the ocean. My grandmother lived here for many, many years before she bought her home in Monterey. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure what draws me to the water. It's been a life-long love ever since I can remember. When I am having a bad day, I like to spend time near the water. When I am having a good day, I like to spend time near the water. I'm always reminded that no matter what is going on, God has still given me things of beauty to enjoy.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I'll post the photos and then talk about them below each picture. </span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K-ndxIudHiY/UlstL-bqzLI/AAAAAAAADUM/bhWr9yzfwZM/s1600/PacificGrove-CA-October9th2013-Wednesday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K-ndxIudHiY/UlstL-bqzLI/AAAAAAAADUM/bhWr9yzfwZM/s640/PacificGrove-CA-October9th2013-Wednesday.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">This is a photo of my dad taking a photo of me with my smartie pants mobile phone camera. He is really camera shy. So I was very lucky to get this photo. We were out near Asilomar State Beach.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2wywSDlxXQ/Ulstq_Dy_0I/AAAAAAAADUU/Sdy-G1M9sjs/s1600/PacificGrove-CA-October9th2013-Wednesday+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2wywSDlxXQ/Ulstq_Dy_0I/AAAAAAAADUU/Sdy-G1M9sjs/s640/PacificGrove-CA-October9th2013-Wednesday+(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I am constantly trying to get photographs of birds in flight. This particular day, I had my "big girl" camera with me. Translation: I had my Nikon D3200 with me :) I can't even remember what type of bird this was now. It was either pelicans or geese. </span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-abNWXBB99co/UlsuLs-IBXI/AAAAAAAADUg/NseezC88anE/s1600/PacificGrove-CA-October9th2013-Wednesday+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-abNWXBB99co/UlsuLs-IBXI/AAAAAAAADUg/NseezC88anE/s640/PacificGrove-CA-October9th2013-Wednesday+(3).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Deer are very common here on the peninsula. As my father and I were driving along the ocean shore, we saw this handsome creature. Look at the antlers on that thing. It is not uncommon to see them in peoples yards, crossing the street, walking down the side walk etc. In fact, I see them in my neighborhood quite often. </span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fiz3NIKdxng/Ulsuq8JwVpI/AAAAAAAADUo/-CD8AAXZ7jI/s1600/PacificGrove-CA-October9th2013-Wednesday+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fiz3NIKdxng/Ulsuq8JwVpI/AAAAAAAADUo/-CD8AAXZ7jI/s640/PacificGrove-CA-October9th2013-Wednesday+(4).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">It was a beautiful, sunny day with blue skies. However, it was also really, really windy. So while the wave were not very high. They sure were rolling in really fast. Usually when the ocean looks like this, it makes me think there's a possible storm ready to head inland. Not this time. I'm hoping we'll see some rain soon. In the meantime, it was really a beautiful ting to see this many waves.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NVSGa2LQqYI/UlsvHXUazuI/AAAAAAAADU0/ZGEH4N9AtNU/s1600/PacificGrove-CA-October9th2013-Wednesday+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NVSGa2LQqYI/UlsvHXUazuI/AAAAAAAADU0/ZGEH4N9AtNU/s640/PacificGrove-CA-October9th2013-Wednesday+(6).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Another thing that I'm obsessed with capturing on film are the waves right as they're about ready to crash into white sea foam :)</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jIp5xNvj-Yk/UlsvZ6WNmQI/AAAAAAAADU8/sV0UZG0kJaU/s1600/PacificGrove-CA-October9th2013-Wednesday+(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jIp5xNvj-Yk/UlsvZ6WNmQI/AAAAAAAADU8/sV0UZG0kJaU/s640/PacificGrove-CA-October9th2013-Wednesday+(11).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">This plant is called "Pride of Madeira". It is not quite in full bloom. When it is in full bloom, it's amazingly beautiful. I'll see if I can find a photo of it in all its glory. This is one of my favorite plants. One of my other favorites is Mexican sage.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lSOqxpCglho/UlsvzgSAQpI/AAAAAAAADVE/5y1LflbCuEg/s1600/VintageCoffeeTin-October1st2013-Carmel-CA+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lSOqxpCglho/UlsvzgSAQpI/AAAAAAAADVE/5y1LflbCuEg/s640/VintageCoffeeTin-October1st2013-Carmel-CA+(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">This will be my last photo for today. This is literally my favorite place to sit and look out over the water. Whenever I drive along the shore to take photographs, this place is ALWAYS one of my stopping points. It's a favorite of many people and I always see tourists stopping here to get photographs :)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Well, that completes my little ocean tour of Pacific Grove for today. I pray that you all will have a really good Monday and a good rest of the week, too. That's the news from the ocean shores of California today. Love and hugs, Heather :)</span></strong>Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-63712691017977485692013-10-15T13:33:00.001-07:002013-10-15T13:34:22.304-07:00MONTEREY <strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hello everyone,</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">How are you all today? I'm doing fine.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Monterey is a beautiful city. There's this one building that I drive by quite often when I'm downtown. It is heavily decorated. I'm not sure how old the building is. My first thought is that it was built in the 1920s or 1930s based on some of the design features.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">There is a flower shop on the ground floor that has been there since the building opened. Hmm...that's a thought. I should walk into the flower shop and ask the owner. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a photo of the building from the outside. It has some amazing detail and I LOVE the fact that the main entrance to the building is on the corner. You don't see that kind of detail much anymore:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8fjPiv_mloY/Uldh6pvP0JI/AAAAAAAADT8/gipf2fXnSU0/s1600/20130915_131537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8fjPiv_mloY/Uldh6pvP0JI/AAAAAAAADT8/gipf2fXnSU0/s640/20130915_131537.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The flower shop is called "Flor Monterey". In any case, I'll make sure and get some more photos of this building sometime this week or next week. It has so many interesting details.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">There was a controlled burn out at Fort Ord yesterday and then again this morning. Here are a couple of pictures that I took with my mobile phone camera. It looked a lot scarier than it really was, but I figure that as long as that smoke is not shaped like a mushroom, we're doing fairly well :)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The first pic was taken around 9:47 a.m. this morning from the Whole Foods parking lot. The controlled burn had just started at 9:30 a.m.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ESrnmt65qY/Ul2jOvENERI/AAAAAAAADV0/lQvTRC8XBl0/s1600/ControlledBurn-FortOrd-Monterey-CA-October15th2013-Tuesday+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ESrnmt65qY/Ul2jOvENERI/AAAAAAAADV0/lQvTRC8XBl0/s640/ControlledBurn-FortOrd-Monterey-CA-October15th2013-Tuesday+(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">This next photo was just over an hour later. It was taken from my front yard. By this time the smoke was quite thick and it even covered up the sun. However, it didn't last long. It's 1:20 p.m. now and most of it is clearing away thanks to the wind.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q3Co_N7xAvk/Ul2joPhzYdI/AAAAAAAADV8/h4e7sXTIRFo/s1600/ControlledBurn-FortOrd-Monterey-CA-October15th2013-Tuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q3Co_N7xAvk/Ul2joPhzYdI/AAAAAAAADV8/h4e7sXTIRFo/s640/ControlledBurn-FortOrd-Monterey-CA-October15th2013-Tuesday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I actually have today off from work. So I stopped by my hairstylist's salon to get my bangs trimmed. They were getting kind of long and I just can't make up my mind about whether to keep them short or grow them out long. In any case, I had my mobile phone with me and snapped a couple photos. There is beauty all around if we can only learn to keep our eyes open for it.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I really like bougainvillea. It's a beautiful plant that grows very well here in the Monterey Bay peninsula area. I just loved how this particular bougainvillea was growing up around the slats on this balcony railing.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MvKuW64HHJ4/Ul2kfJlM5rI/AAAAAAAADWI/n9gO0nSQiE0/s1600/BalconyBougainvillea-Monterey-CA-October15th2013-Tuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MvKuW64HHJ4/Ul2kfJlM5rI/AAAAAAAADWI/n9gO0nSQiE0/s640/BalconyBougainvillea-Monterey-CA-October15th2013-Tuesday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I also love vintage antiques, including trucks. I usually see this beautiful Ford truck at a local carwash. Today it was parked downtown. This is my dream car, for real :) :) I so would love to drive something like this.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8obDdHo0p4o/Ul2k8HQ9hvI/AAAAAAAADWQ/5UEd84WfBog/s1600/VintageFordTruck-Monterey-CA-October15th2013-Tuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8obDdHo0p4o/Ul2k8HQ9hvI/AAAAAAAADWQ/5UEd84WfBog/s640/VintageFordTruck-Monterey-CA-October15th2013-Tuesday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I also went to Trader Joe's to buy some cheddar cheese. I have a leftover bag of gluten-free tortilla chips that I purchased at TJ's yesterday. Then the idea came to me to make easy peasy nachos. So on the way to the store, I stopped to get a photo of this beautiful iris. This is another flower that I see a lot around this area.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6u-YSXcxJM/Ul2laUgOQQI/AAAAAAAADWY/uhlA9-fSAKg/s1600/TraderJoesIris-Monterey-CA-October15th2013-Tuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6u-YSXcxJM/Ul2laUgOQQI/AAAAAAAADWY/uhlA9-fSAKg/s640/TraderJoesIris-Monterey-CA-October15th2013-Tuesday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and in my backyard, we have quite a few different varieties of trees from Spanish oak to a very tall Redwood tree. Well, a few weeks ago, one of the trunks on the Spanish oak just fell over. It just missed the house by a few inches. Thankfully there was no damage. One of our neighbor's was really kind and helped us chop up the trunk. Most of the wood has gone to the yard waste recycle bin. This is what it looks like now. Thankfully the rest of the tree is solid :)</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rSVY4ZkNOxw/Ul2mEXLuAiI/AAAAAAAADWg/KhlCAX7cif0/s1600/FallenTreeHaze-Monterey-CA-October15th2013-Tuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rSVY4ZkNOxw/Ul2mEXLuAiI/AAAAAAAADWg/KhlCAX7cif0/s640/FallenTreeHaze-Monterey-CA-October15th2013-Tuesday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That's about it for now. I hope you all are enjoying your Tuesday. That's the news from the ocean shores of California today. Love and hugs, Heather :)</span></strong><br />
Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229227706114386148.post-82409149812666648782013-10-12T19:16:00.000-07:002013-10-13T16:18:08.688-07:00THE OCEAN AND BEAUTIFUL SEA GLASS<strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hi everyone,</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">How are you all today? I'm doing well. I'll often answer "Better than I deserve".</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">One of the things that I like to do in my free time is search for sea glass. Sea glass is simply broken shards of glass that have been worn smooth of the course of many, many years by the ocean waves. It's like finding little gemstones in the sand. It really is fun to search for these tiny treasures.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Here is what I found one day back in September. I went to one of the local beaches here in Monterey. This is what I came back home with:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zXPDEv3LkPo/UldeHhkhANI/AAAAAAAADTM/uLHjmMEVo1k/s1600/20130927_093449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zXPDEv3LkPo/UldeHhkhANI/AAAAAAAADTM/uLHjmMEVo1k/s640/20130927_093449.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">These little bits of sea glass are often times smaller than my pinky nail. The biggest and rarest piece that I found was the size of my thumb nail. It's the very light aqua piece of glass that is to the left of that tiny piece of brown sea glass. Aqua glass is rare to find. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I love aqua as a color. When I went searching for sea glass this particular day, it was already afternoon and most of the good sea glass has already been picked over. However, I think God meant for me to find this piece to let me know that He cares about every detail of my life, even the small things :) </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a close-up of what I collected:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cb7IMlqTpzw/Uldew18C9II/AAAAAAAADTU/FrqY12l7aec/s1600/20130927_093344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cb7IMlqTpzw/Uldew18C9II/AAAAAAAADTU/FrqY12l7aec/s640/20130927_093344.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The white, green and brown sea glass is quite common to find. Every once in awhile I do find aqua sea glass. I'm still on the hunt for the extremely rare pink sea glass. Some day. A girl can always hope and dream.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sA41YSii-C8/UldfMclDYII/AAAAAAAADTc/LjDZGjCpv2M/s1600/20130927_093455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sA41YSii-C8/UldfMclDYII/AAAAAAAADTc/LjDZGjCpv2M/s640/20130927_093455.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Much of the aqua sea glass comes from broken pieces of old blue Mason jars like the one pictured above. I wonder what kind of stories those pieces of glass could tell me. It's a bit of a romantic notion, I suppose, but it's fun to imagine and to dream. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I'm storing all of my aqua sea glass in a small glass storage jar with a glass lid and metal latch hook system. My collection is small, but it's worth waiting for. Maybe I'll actually manage to fill this small jar one day.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and just as an added bonus, I took a photo of the bottom of this small glass storage jar. It's so CUTE. It says "WHEATON" in big bold letters up top...and below it in smaller much fainter letters it says "U.S.A".</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I love the ocean. Truly, I can be happy anywhere, but I'm so thankful that I've got this time to live near the ocean shores. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">That's the news from the ocean shores of California today. Love and hugs to you all, Heather</span></strong><br />
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Heather's Blog-o-ramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.com3