I'm not sure what it is with staircases and me, but we sure don't get along...
I was at my friend Diana's yesterday and fell down the stairs trying to go walk her dogs. I attempted a neat swan dive but did not execute properly and ended up with one leg bent behind meas I fell down two or three stairs. Ouch hardly begins to cover it. I hit my knee cap, my shin bone and my big toe on the way down. Now I know why thugs hit a person in the knee cap- it was excruciating pain- I was sure my bones were broken. 4 hours and one prayer over my leg later, I find out nothing is broken - Thank God. I am so much better this morning. I can actually walk on my let, my back is still sore- but I am on the mend already.
Phil and Gret came to get me thank goodness and they waited with me at the Urgent Care. There was no way I was going to the emergency room- I would still be there I'm sure and my bill-even with insurance would have been outrageous. Once I had food poisoning and went to the ED, cost me 5,000.00 Never again unless I'm half dead and don't get a say in the matter.
My friend Diana prayed over my leg before I left and I am sure that is why I am better today. The doc didn't really do anything for me- he didn't even wash off my scraped up knee and shinbone- the dogs tried to do that for me when I got home! Thanks anyway for the thought but ewwww, dog tongue, no.
I am fostering Jenny's dog Oscar- Lelu's brother and they are so sweet. I think Lelu is happier now that she had her brother here. She cracks me up, when he is being bad she grabs him by the collar and drags him into house and won't let him go till she gets him to me. she is such a bossy little thing!
Anyway, I survived another tumble, I really have to stop doing this and pay more attention when I am on stairs. Also, I'm never wearing slick bottomed flip flops again- they are terrible for causing slips. Live and learn.
Till next time,
Willow
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
ARIZONA
Hey There!
I wanted to share some of the photos from my trip with Carol to Sedona.
I was so proud of myself- I don't really enjoy flying and this trip was my first on a plane by myself. Last time I had my big brother Mike with me
and this time I had to get on 4 different planes (2 going and 2 coming back) and did not freak out - not even once!Carol and I had a great time- we went to see the Grand Canyon- my first time there- how awesome is that place?? It boggles the mind to see such a huge canyon. I even got brave and waked out on one of the ledges. We were mugged by a crazy squirrel who was determined to take our lunch from us!
Enjoy the photos!
Willow
P.S. Sorry, I'm having a hard time getting the photos to post. I will try again later!
I forgot to tell you about the new projects!
Hello again,
The blogging bug has bitten me today. I just finished a blog and here I am again.
I had to get a new door yesterday- well, new to me anyway. My back door started coming apart at the bottom and it is hard to close. I found a used door at the local Habitat for Humanity store for $40.00 - Lowe's wanted $250.00 for a door installed. Dang, it must be made of gold or something.
Any who, I found this great door (see photo) at Habitat and am giving it a face lift. I like it because my living room is sort of dark and this door has a full length glass panel so I will get lots of sunlight through it. I will have to get a new lock and deadbolt but it will still by waaaayyyyy less than the Lowe's door. I already have the glossy white paint from my last project( the other doors in the house) so, no expense there.
I'll post a photo when we get it hung and the hardware on it. Phillip is going to help me next weekend. I have to have time to paint the door and let it dry. M next project will be to find another door like this one at Habitat, I will use it for a front door so I can get light in from the other direction too!
I love fixing things up and making them useful again. I'm sure all of my family got this from our parents. They were frugal out of necessity. I have gotten to the point that I will not even buy something new until I have searched for it first at the thrift and second hand stores. It seems almost criminal not to, we waste so much stuff in our country already. I think it is a great thing to give an object a new life; most everything in my new house was purchased from a thrift store, consignment shop or the Goodwill. I find great books there all the time too! I can't imagine paying full price for something that I can find used and just spruce it up. What a waste of money not to, don't you think?
Well, hope you like my door!
Till next time,
Willow
Lots of News & Projects!
Hello all you faithful readers (all 8 of you)!
I've been away a long time (no, I wasn't in the big house), I have had a busy few months since buying my house and the ever present job that I attend every day. Since I last updated I have taken my
LCAS exam and passed it (Thankya Jesus!)! That was a killer test and I am so thankful to be finished studying for it and have it out of the way. I had to go to South Carolina to take the test and went 3 days early with the plan of holing up in a motel room and sitting around the pool studying until test day. Well... I booked the room on line in advance and when I arrived, no pool. The situation went from bad to worse after I got in the room and the toilet flooded on the first flush, but the real craziness was the guy that came to my door in nothing but cutoff shorts and a towel around his neck asking if I had any toothpaste that he could borrow... Say What? You want to borrow tooth paste? Now I've heard it all. Well, that and some other creepy stuff convinced me that it was time to go and I found another hotel to stay at- with a pool so I was able to settle down and study. I took the test, found out I passed and headed home.
I have just been hanging out and watching Netflix, boy, does it feel good to not have a test hanging over me. I have been reading the Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover- I got the hardcover at the Goodwill for 1.75 and have begun putting a plan in place to get out of debt. I am so excited! I am so tired of working to pay of my frivolous spending. I have discovered that I spend money when I am bored, upset, in short, I spend money emotionally- never a good plan according to Dave Ramsey.
His plan is simple- using compound payments to pay off debt- one by one- quickly and starting with the smallest debt first so you can see some success and stay motivated. Once you pay off one debt you add the payment from that debt to the next bill and on down the line. Again, the plan is simple, the discipline to follow it is the test! He has you start by building a 1000.00 "Emergency fund." Not to be used for anything but a true emergency. Then once you have that, you start paying down debt. You cut up credit cards and make a budget for every month- before the month begins and have every bit of your pay allocated to something and then use it for that. Make sure to give your self a bit of spending money. Everything extra you have should go on the current bill. You pay the minimum payment on all other bills and hammer the one you are currently working to pay off.
He encourages people to sell items that are sitting around collecting dust, have a yard sale, sell items on your local Craig's list, etc and use the money to put on the current bill. He also says to go and get a part time job if you need to and use that money to continue to pay down debt. Since I got my second license I can now go and do other jobs outside of the VA- I am going to look into doing DUI assessments for some of the local agencies (Heck, I can't sit around watching Netflix all night every night, I could be making extra money instead!).
Now that I've about told you all the whole book go get it at the library- don't spend money to get it! Or, find a copy at the Good will or other thrift stores.
I plan to live below my means and enjoy life instead of things. I am tired of being brainwashed into believing that my worth is measured by how much stuff I have.
So, anyone want to join me on this journey to financial freedom?
Till next time,
Willow
I've been away a long time (no, I wasn't in the big house), I have had a busy few months since buying my house and the ever present job that I attend every day. Since I last updated I have taken my
LCAS exam and passed it (Thankya Jesus!)! That was a killer test and I am so thankful to be finished studying for it and have it out of the way. I had to go to South Carolina to take the test and went 3 days early with the plan of holing up in a motel room and sitting around the pool studying until test day. Well... I booked the room on line in advance and when I arrived, no pool. The situation went from bad to worse after I got in the room and the toilet flooded on the first flush, but the real craziness was the guy that came to my door in nothing but cutoff shorts and a towel around his neck asking if I had any toothpaste that he could borrow... Say What? You want to borrow tooth paste? Now I've heard it all. Well, that and some other creepy stuff convinced me that it was time to go and I found another hotel to stay at- with a pool so I was able to settle down and study. I took the test, found out I passed and headed home.
I have just been hanging out and watching Netflix, boy, does it feel good to not have a test hanging over me. I have been reading the Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover- I got the hardcover at the Goodwill for 1.75 and have begun putting a plan in place to get out of debt. I am so excited! I am so tired of working to pay of my frivolous spending. I have discovered that I spend money when I am bored, upset, in short, I spend money emotionally- never a good plan according to Dave Ramsey.
His plan is simple- using compound payments to pay off debt- one by one- quickly and starting with the smallest debt first so you can see some success and stay motivated. Once you pay off one debt you add the payment from that debt to the next bill and on down the line. Again, the plan is simple, the discipline to follow it is the test! He has you start by building a 1000.00 "Emergency fund." Not to be used for anything but a true emergency. Then once you have that, you start paying down debt. You cut up credit cards and make a budget for every month- before the month begins and have every bit of your pay allocated to something and then use it for that. Make sure to give your self a bit of spending money. Everything extra you have should go on the current bill. You pay the minimum payment on all other bills and hammer the one you are currently working to pay off.
He encourages people to sell items that are sitting around collecting dust, have a yard sale, sell items on your local Craig's list, etc and use the money to put on the current bill. He also says to go and get a part time job if you need to and use that money to continue to pay down debt. Since I got my second license I can now go and do other jobs outside of the VA- I am going to look into doing DUI assessments for some of the local agencies (Heck, I can't sit around watching Netflix all night every night, I could be making extra money instead!).
Now that I've about told you all the whole book go get it at the library- don't spend money to get it! Or, find a copy at the Good will or other thrift stores.
I plan to live below my means and enjoy life instead of things. I am tired of being brainwashed into believing that my worth is measured by how much stuff I have.
So, anyone want to join me on this journey to financial freedom?
Till next time,
Willow
Saturday, March 19, 2011
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Hey everyone,
I just wanted to tell you all about an awesome training that I attended this week- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People! I think that this is the best training that I have ever been to, it is so motivational and the content is so true and so relevant to living a life of choice instead of living by default or, worse yet, letting other people decide your life for you. I have a study buddy and have committed to 7 weeks of study and practice to get started using the Habits and incorporating them into my life at home and at work. The VA paid for this training and is trying to send many of the staff to these trainings- they chose a good one this time. I have scanned the book in the past in the book store but I'm telling you- it really becomes very clear after the hands on training. So, go if you get the chance to- it is worth the money!
On another note, I'm plugging along on my house (still fighting the evil flowered wall paper in my master bathroom) and my friend Sally gave me the most wonderful housewarming gift (see photo). I plan to hang it on the outside of my house on the peak over the garage. It is so cute don't you think? I love it !
I heard from Kathy day before yesterday and she got her new job!!!!! Yeah Kath! She tells me that David was also hired in the position that he interviewed for! That is also awesome news and I know that he and Tricha must be so happy and relieved to be on to new adventures.
Carol and I are headed to Arizona in June, I will be flying on my own for the first time....ever.... and I must say I am a tad nervous. I may need a pill to get me through this one (Ha- wouldn't my clients love to hear me say that!) I have never been to Arizona before and can't wait to see Carol again. We are going to the Grand Canyon! I hope I don't fall in...
Well, spring is sneaking in here in Asheville, I was hoping to have a fence up by summer but not sure I'm going to be able. I am thinking about buying a piece of fencing every pay day until I have enough and then put it up. I have a garage so I could store it til I'm ready! I just do not want to go into debt to put up a fence.
I am taking the LCAS test in June as well, a couple of my colleagues just took it and said it was hell... greaaaaat. I am being" proactive" (one of the 7 habits) and am creating a daily study time so I can be ready on test day. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.
Well, now I'm just rambling so, until next time...
Willow
I just wanted to tell you all about an awesome training that I attended this week- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People! I think that this is the best training that I have ever been to, it is so motivational and the content is so true and so relevant to living a life of choice instead of living by default or, worse yet, letting other people decide your life for you. I have a study buddy and have committed to 7 weeks of study and practice to get started using the Habits and incorporating them into my life at home and at work. The VA paid for this training and is trying to send many of the staff to these trainings- they chose a good one this time. I have scanned the book in the past in the book store but I'm telling you- it really becomes very clear after the hands on training. So, go if you get the chance to- it is worth the money!
On another note, I'm plugging along on my house (still fighting the evil flowered wall paper in my master bathroom) and my friend Sally gave me the most wonderful housewarming gift (see photo). I plan to hang it on the outside of my house on the peak over the garage. It is so cute don't you think? I love it !
I heard from Kathy day before yesterday and she got her new job!!!!! Yeah Kath! She tells me that David was also hired in the position that he interviewed for! That is also awesome news and I know that he and Tricha must be so happy and relieved to be on to new adventures.
Carol and I are headed to Arizona in June, I will be flying on my own for the first time....ever.... and I must say I am a tad nervous. I may need a pill to get me through this one (Ha- wouldn't my clients love to hear me say that!) I have never been to Arizona before and can't wait to see Carol again. We are going to the Grand Canyon! I hope I don't fall in...
Well, spring is sneaking in here in Asheville, I was hoping to have a fence up by summer but not sure I'm going to be able. I am thinking about buying a piece of fencing every pay day until I have enough and then put it up. I have a garage so I could store it til I'm ready! I just do not want to go into debt to put up a fence.
I am taking the LCAS test in June as well, a couple of my colleagues just took it and said it was hell... greaaaaat. I am being" proactive" (one of the 7 habits) and am creating a daily study time so I can be ready on test day. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.
Well, now I'm just rambling so, until next time...
Willow
Friday, March 11, 2011
Pictures of the house!
Hey all,
I am finally able to take a moment to post! I am just about all moved in and wanted to share some photos of the house and what I have done to it since January. I had a lot of painting help from the kids as well as a lot of other help too and it feels good to finally be settling in. I am still working on my bathroom- the previous owners hung wall paper in there and it really wants to stay hung- I have been steaming and peeling for days without much progress but I am undaunted. I will prevail against the evil flowered wall paper!!
Hope you all enjoy the pictures!
Till next time,
Willow
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Throwing Gravity
Hey everyone,
I know, it has been eons since my last post! life has been crazy busy for me and I don't even know where the time has gone. I was just sitting here watching you tube videos and checked out Throwing Gravity and was so impressed with how talented these guys are. I cannot get over how much Chris looks like Mark! I hope they all make it big and have lots of fame and success!
On the home front, I just bought a new house!!! I am so excited! This is my first home of my own since I divorced and cannot wait to get it and make it mine. I have a million plans and will drag the kids along to help me do some upgrades after I sign the papers and it is mine. The kids and I spent Thanksgiving at Myrtle Beach and I found two great mirrors at the Salvation Army and since it was "Black Friday" I got them both for half price!I
Did I mention that I sprained my ankle on Thanksgiving Day? Yep, I sure did... tripped over a curb and twisted the heck out of it. I spent the day with my foot propped up on an ice bag. The good part was that I didn't have to cook...
Well,
Until my next adventure,
Willow
I know, it has been eons since my last post! life has been crazy busy for me and I don't even know where the time has gone. I was just sitting here watching you tube videos and checked out Throwing Gravity and was so impressed with how talented these guys are. I cannot get over how much Chris looks like Mark! I hope they all make it big and have lots of fame and success!
On the home front, I just bought a new house!!! I am so excited! This is my first home of my own since I divorced and cannot wait to get it and make it mine. I have a million plans and will drag the kids along to help me do some upgrades after I sign the papers and it is mine. The kids and I spent Thanksgiving at Myrtle Beach and I found two great mirrors at the Salvation Army and since it was "Black Friday" I got them both for half price!I
Did I mention that I sprained my ankle on Thanksgiving Day? Yep, I sure did... tripped over a curb and twisted the heck out of it. I spent the day with my foot propped up on an ice bag. The good part was that I didn't have to cook...
Well,
Until my next adventure,
Willow
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