A Very Strange Blog

Well.

I've bumbled across one of the weirder blogs out there -- Robert Frank's "Wealth Report," a regular look at the wealthy and their favorite things. (courtesy of the Wall Street Journal.)

Here's my favorite: a very expensive watch that does not tell time. (It shows you whether it's day or night, instead. No, I am not making this up.) Supposedly the watch contains metal from the Titanic, as well as other interesting materials.
Oh, and it's already sold out. At $300,000 a pop.

http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2008/04/25/the-300000-watch-that-doesnt-tell-time/

Whew! I can offer a new watch made of old bits and pieces from quilts -- do you think that would sell?

Take a look at other goodies in the blog...including frequent posts that rich people are not unaffected by this current economic downturn. On the contrary...

http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/

Have a good weekend...talk to you tomorrow.

Pigs...and More Pigs

Hmmm...Exxon just shattered its quarterly profit record, with its two biggest quarters ever -- in spite of the recent drop in crude oil prices:

http://finance.comcast.net/www/news.html?x=http://76.96.38.13/data/news/2008/10/30/1101727.xml

I seem to remember warnings of how gas prices were going to shoot up again after the hurricanes of 2008 destroyed all the oil-drilling platforms. And the war in Iraq just shot everything to hell. And --- (insert your own dire prediction here).

Oops, the Exxon executives seem to be saying. Guess those didn't happen, after all.

Are we supposed to believe that the recent drop in gas prices are just their way of being more generous...sharing the wealth, so to speak...instead of a response to the supply and demand issue? (People not buying as much gas because they're not traveling as much.)

I do believe in free enterprise, but this seems a little greedier and grabbier than usual. Take a look at other companies' profit margins and reports for this quarter -- if they're posting a profit at all, it's lower than they predicted.

How many freebies are the gas companies getting from the U.S. government (and us) in the form of tax breaks, etc.? Maybe it's time for some of those to go away.

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Thinking about that (and the tussle to put in that last stubborn plant) got me to thinking about pigs...in blankets. Aunt Max ran the school cafeteria, and in return for lunch, Little Brother and I were student employees. I ran the cash register; I think he washed dishes. (Try doing that, and kids' habits of mixing all the leftovers together in one disgusting mess -- Barnyard Casserole, we called it -- doesn't seem so funny.)
Auntie must have thought we were malnourished, because she really slapped the food on our trays. Potatoes and hamburg gravy, gray-tinged green beans, weird mystery cutlets...none of that wussy green salad or dainty stuff. Just rib-sticking, gets-you-through-afternoon-band-practice food.
My favorite was her Pigs in Blankets. I still use her recipe -- and the huge canisters of baking powder she scooped from now hold my flour and sugar. Pigs are cheap, filling and perfect for a blustery fall day.

PIGS IN BLANKETS

1 package (8-10) hot dogs
1/4 cup (one half-stick) margarine or butter
1 cup water & 1/2 cup milk (or 1 1/2 cups water and 1/4 cup dry milk powder)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon yeast
3-4 cups flour

Nuke the margarine, water/milk for approx. 45 seconds, or until the butter is softened and melting into the water. (Check - water should be warm, but not hot.) Add salt, sugar and yeast, then gradually mix flour in until you have a soft dough. Knead for about 3 min., until the dough is solid and slightly 'boingy.'

Let rise, depending on your hungry family, for 10 min...or up to 10 hours. (Longer makes a better dough, but I've also made the dough and used it in five minutes, with good results.)

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Squeeze off a glob of dough and wrap it around a hot dog, leaving the ends exposed; place on a greased cookie sheet. Repeat until all the dogs are covered. Bake until light brown, approx. 15-20 min. Serve with barbecue sauce or lots of catsup. Serves 4 adults, with leftovers for breakfast.

Oink!

Roofing It...

One of the best ways to get over financial worries...

Carry shingles.

That is -- packages of shingles. Weight: 75 pounds each.

Drag the wheelbarrow over to the pallet. (Husband's decision to choose a no-deflate wheel on the wheelbarrow was a brilliant idea, considering the nails everywhere.)

Look at pallet, stacked high. (Remind self that there were originally three pallets -- and this is the only one left.) Straighten back. Sigh a little.

Hunker down again. Get a good purchase on the package...huhhnnnhh...and slide it into the wheelbarrow. Repeat with one more package. (Wipe away slobber as dog Goonie rewards Mom's New Game with a good-sized lick on the face.)

Wheel barrow over to ladder -- and stone wall. Get another grab on package #1, and...oof...lift it onto stone. Let go.

Whumph.

Repeat. Rub sore ankle after empty wheelbarrow tipped on it.

Back to the pallet.

I did this for 12 packages this afternoon. Hmmm. What's 12 x 75? I personally lifted 900 pounds?

And three of those are up on the roof, as well. Now to get the other nine there...

Daughter #1 and Husband are up on the roof, arguing with each other and (hopefully) nailing shingles down. I hear the rapid bang of the nail gun -- a promising sign.

Old shingles are picked up. (Although I'll be finding nails and bits of tarpaper in my flowerbeds for probably years to come.) The dumpster's gone.

And it's a lovely, warm fall day.

AIG News -- And More

AIG, bless their 'lil hearts, has decided to freeze millions of dollars in bonus payments to some of their former executives:

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-finance/20081022/AIG.Cuomo/

That means former chief executive Martin Sullivan doesn't get his $19 million golden parachute. And Joseph Casano, the former head of the Financial Products subsidiary (said to be the Achille's heel of AIG's current financial troubles), doesn't get his $69 million bonus, either. (Five other former executives are out approx. $93 million.)

Darn.

What do you want to bet that they sue?

I'd be more impressed if I didn't get the feeling that New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo was the real impetus behind this new interest in fiscal frugality -- instead of AIG or its current chairman, Edward Liddy.

Holding people responsible for their actions?

What a refreshing change.

* * * * * * * * *

Allen Greenspan's got something to say about the current economy...and it ain't pretty. According to the former Federal Reserve Chairman, we are enduring a "once in a century credit tsunami." From the article:

He said that he and others who believed lending institutions would do a good job of protecting their shareholders are in a "state of shocked disbelief." And Greenspan also blamed the problems on heavy demand for securities backed by subprime mortgages by investors who did not worry that the boom in home prices might come to a crashing halt.

"Given the financial damage to date, I cannot see how we can avoid a significant rise in layoffs and unemployment," Greenspan said. "Fearful American households are attempting to adjust, as best they can, to a rapid contraction in credit availability, threats to retirement funds and increased job insecurity."

He said that a necessary condition for the crisis to end will be a stabilization in home prices but he said that was not likely to occur for "many months in the future."

At least he's not sugar-coating the situation. Read it for yourself at:

http://finance.comcast.net/www/news.html?x=http://76.96.38.13/data/news/2008/10/23/1095828.xml

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
And from the Department of "Stuff's Getting Better. Better Every Day" comes this update:

The house roof is stripped, repaired and tarpapered!!

Thanks to our new friend Carlos (plus effort from Husband and yours truly), we're finally ready to start shingling again, without worrying about leaks or flapping tarps.

It was nearly done by Tuesday night, when a wind-roaring snowstorm came up from the mountains. Fortunately, we only got an inch of snow. (First of the season, not counting some spits Daughter #1 noticed in the rain last weekend.) It melted quickly, and Carlos finished tarpapering last night.

Whew.

Myself and still-aching wrists aren't thrilled about the idea of shingling, but it goes quickly, based on previous experience -- the garage roof. Guess what we'll be doing this weekend?

There's been a strange byproduct from the Roof Affair. I seem to notice people working on other roofs more quickly than I ever had before -- including details. A kinship, perhaps? Daughter #1's friend suggested she start a new company, Hot Roofing Girls, now she knows the process, too.

If this economy gets any worse -- it's a thought.

Update on the Steakburger Special

well, folks, all good things must eventually come to an end.

Here's the original post on getting steakburgers from Omaha Steaks for 36 cents a pound:

http://catherinewheels78.blogspot.com/2008/10/get-ground-steak-delivered-for-36-cents.html

And here's Catherine's update:

People are now reporting that Omaha Steaks is canceling their orders. According to their website, my order already shipped, and hopefully those of you whose orders are already in transit too will still get your order. This seems like fairly bad customer service to me, but if you're still interested in purchasing from the company and can handle them changing the rules every few hours, the information below should still be applicable to $100 orders.

It seems that this deal has been modified as of this morning. You can still get a $25 gift card from the Geico website (as described in step 1 below), but you will have to use it for a purchase of at least $50. You can also still get the free hamburgers from step 2, but if you combine that with the Geico card from step 1, you will still have to spend $25 out of pocket. If you were to order, for example, 32 steak burgers for $39, plus the free 12 burgers, and shipping, then applied your $25 gift card, you'd be spending approximately $2.25 per pound for the beef, delivered.

In my area, $2.25 a pound for lean ground steak is still a really good price, but it's up to you if you feel like that is worth your money or not.

Further Update: Now some people are reporting that the $25 gift card is only good for orders over $100. I'm sorry I can't actually come up with any way to make that frugal, unless you were already planning to spend that much, in which case maybe the gift card and free burgers will help you get a better deal than you would have gotten otherwise.

And EVEN FURTHER: Apparently if you actually call Omaha Steaks and place your order on the phone, they will give you the $25 off without the $50 or $100 restriction, but you won't get the free burgers that way. Still, you'd get the 8 burgers for $1.99, which is 2.5 pounds of meat for under $2, and still a good deal.

But I still haven't gotten my gift card number from GEICO!

Innuendo

Campaigns don't seem to deal too much in what we think of as true 'facts' -- usually, we seem to get a version or two to puzzle over.

Consider this article on smears made against Barack Obama -- according to this author, much of it is true:

http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/obama_smears_fact_check/2008/10/20/142379.html

And some of his research does seem to make sense. BUT -- this guy's got his own axe to grind. Take items #8 (whether Obama is a Muslim or not) and #10 (whether he's American-born or not).
*Does having a parent who has practiced the Muslim religion -- and going to services with him as a kid -- make you a Muslim, too? (My children would argue not.) Obama's current place to worship, part of the United Church of Christ denomination, is categorized as some sort of weird Black Power-type thing... hmmm. We've known a number of people who have been thoughtful and faithful Christians, with ties to that denomination. No way.

*Was Obama's birth certificate doctored to show him as born in Hawaii? (His paternal grandmother, according to the article, says he was born in Kenya--a US President has to be American-born.) Wouldn't a 'certificate of live birth' be good enough to disprove this? (I'm not sure why the certificate number would be obscured...why not show it?)

Ironically enough, McCain wasn't born in the United States -- making him technically ineligible -- but in Panama. However, his parents were stationed on the military base in Panama, thus making him eligible. Weird, huh...

I don't know what to think --completely. But I do know I am sick and tired of all the innuendo, nasty, hateful remarks and sly digs. Let's get this election over with.

Buffett's Take On Things

If you've been reading my posts lately, you know I have a great deal of respect for Warren Buffett. The guy is one of the original frugal investors -- careful not only how he spends other people's money, but how he uses his own.

Here's his latest statement:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/opinion/17buffett.html?_r=4&em&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

The man isn't known for saying much, if anything, publicly...so read and learn. I plan to.

Steakburgers Delivered...for 36 Cents A Pound?

What can I say...
my frugal buddy, Moneysavingmom, is talking about this...

http://catherinewheels78.blogspot.com/2008/10/get-ground-steak-delivered-for-36-cents.html

I've put in for it...and am waiting on the GEICO gift card number. Maybe you should too...fast!

Beautiful Embroidery Designs -- Free!

This site is teeming with them...

http://www.embroiderthis.com/downloads1.html

Enjoy.

Fall...and the Holidays

About the only things falling around here are leaves and shingles (!!!). But even though I have weeks of prep work, appraising and teaching on my plate before Thanksgiving even shows on the radar....

well, it's nice to think about Christmas, too.

My favorite financial blogger, J.D. Roth at "Get Rich Slowly," has plenty to say on the subject:

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/10/17/ask-the-readers-favorite-frugal-christmas-ideas/#comments

Here, too...

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/07/the-amazing-frugal-christmas-savings-spectacular/

As always, the reader comments are often the best of all.

I don't understand chucking Christmas altogether; the holiday of the Lord's birth has too many wonderful moments for that, in spite of all the commercialism. And there is nothing like reading in a chair, snuggled up next to the lit tree, holiday music all around you... going for a walk (or a carol) in the snow... seeing the faces of your family all around, shining in the candlelight... leaving out stockings... going to a concert.

But this year holds all sorts of uncertainties. Daughter #1 is looking for work; Daughter #2's job demands she stay as late as possible before Christmas. Husband has two weeks off, starting around Dec. 19 -- he works for the school district. (Sounds idyllic, right? Bear in mind that other than a few holidays, those days are unpaid.)

My own schedule is pretty open -- other than some last-minute orders, people don't need appraisals or quilt teachers during the holidays. The issue is:

my dad. And mom.

So we'll be heading to Michigan the day after Christmas to spend New Year's with them. It wouldn't matter if gas cost a million dollars a gallon; it looks strongly as if this will be Dad's last Christmas on earth. So we'll go, with Daughter #2. (And I keep hoping Daughter #1 will come, too.)

Hmmm...I just realized that when I think about Christmas for this year, I don't think about presents. It's the time spent together this season that counts. Cancer does that to you.

Faking It

Enough people, including my own dad, have struggled with cancer that I feel a bit like throwing up when hearing of someone who pretended the whole thing:

http://www.aolhealth.com/condition-center/breast-cancer/awareness-month/faking-breast-cancer

Suzy Bass was a popular teacher who, according to her, just somehow faked breast cancer -- at three different schools! (Once exposed, she'd just move on to the next one...) No matter that she went to great lengths to look like a cancer patient, not only shaving her head and forcing herself to throw up, but giving herself 'radiation burns' with a towel. Although she did not take money from the various fundraisers held in her honor, she did accept gifts -- everything from an Ipod to casseroles.

Now the people who were duped by her are angry and outraged. Suzy's response?

"I'm sorry I can't undo what I did, and I'm sorry that sorry is such an insignificant word," she says. "The remorse in my heart and soul is huge." Bass acknowledges that there were other lies she'd told friends and colleagues. She once pretended she had a fiancé who died on 9/11, that she'd played basketball at Florida State University and that she'd starred in the North American tour of Mamma Mia! "What I did was wrong, and I'm willing to stand up and admit that," Bass says, "but it doesn't change that my intent was never to hurt anyone. Never. I'm not that kind of person."

Hmmm..."never to hurt anyone." So it means that not 'meaning' to counts somehow, even if you do hurt someone? (Sounds like a case for Judge Judy -- she sees a bunch of defendants who argue that their actions don't count 'because it was an accident.')

How about betraying someone? Using their goodwill and energy? Permanently affecting their views on other cancer patients and causes?

Yep, she's sick, all right. In the very worst way.

Dollar Thoughts

My 401K is up...sort of. The stock market is bouncing around like a pogo stick right now. That elasticity keeps me from believing much of what I read, day to day.

Bripblap had some very interesting things to say about confidence...I think you'll find them helpful:

http://www.bripblap.com/2008/7-mistakes-not-to-make-in-a-crisis/

* * * * * *
LOOKING FOR HELP: Nancy Kirk and I are the process of writing an e-book on saving money. Have you got a great idea for this? Comment at the end of this post...and we'll be sure to credit you!

A New Review for CRAZY QUILTS!

Take a look at the Quilt Channel blog:

http://www.quiltchannel.com/2008/10/crazy-quilts-history-techniques.html

Quotes from this review include:

Crazy Quilts contains many beautiful color photos of significant examples of the style from its heyday in the 1890s, but equally significant is the coverage of the legacy of the crazy style into the present day. Stunning quilts by Judith Baker Montano and Terrie Mangat, among others, are generously represented in large photos. My favorite is the double-truck of Mangat's “Cleveland Fireworks,” a dramatic expressionist work commissioned by the Cleveland University Hospital for display in their entrance foyer. It absolutely takes your breath away.

Part 2 of the book is the inevitable and indispensable section on how to make your own crazy quilt. It addresses piecing, stitching and embellishing the quilt, including three different construction methods, traditional hand-piecing, paper foundation piecing, and a Cindy Brick technique called “shadow crazy piecing,” billed as the fastest of the methods, using either hand or machine piecing. An appendix includes a large collection of elaborate embroidery motifs with lots of birds, flowers, and an Art Deco alphabet, among other designs.

This handsome volume belongs on the shelf of any quilter touched by this rich tradition. Which in all likelihood includes all of us.

Thanks, Rob. I'm honored.

You can still get CRAZY QUILTS from the Brickworks website at less than what you'd pay for it on Amazon -- free shipping included! Visit us at http://www.cindybrick.com to find out more...

Life...Parts...and Sheep Squirts

See if you can read Dadcentric's post today without laughing:

http://www.dadcentric.com/2008/10/sacked.html

Maybe he's right...or maybe Thing 2 (you'll see!) is positioning himself just right on the Poop Scoop of Life!

Especially after this conversation:

http://blogonkevin.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-son-budding-racist_11.html

Drooling About Food...

...I must be hungry.

If you haven't visited Almost Frugal's blog (or its companion food blog), you're in for a treat. She's an American living and going to school in France with her French husband and family. I lived in Austria and Germany for a summer, and whenever I get homesick for a Continental take on things, I visit AF. She has some very la francais points of view, in spite of her USA origins.

Her latest includes a contest to win five French foods, including a bottle of chartreuse liqueur. (For medicinal purposes, she says.) All you have to do to enter is add a comment on her post...or register for her 'Friday is for Food' section.

Here's the giveaway post:

http://almostfrugal.com/food/2008/10/09/french-food-giveaway/

And AF's regular blog is at:

http://www.almostfrugal.com

Vive l'Almost Frugal!

* * * * * * * * * *
Stock Market Musings: I must be crazy ,too-- I actually looked today. Pretty much everything is down, some of it within gasping distance of the big $0. Sigh... but I am going bargain hunting, once a check gets deposited in the account. Mostly for blue chips: COKE and GE are still looking good. Maybe the eventual gains (I hope) will make up for this scariness.

Have a great weekend! We'll be spending ours (as usual) up on the roof...but at least tonight, we're going for an elegant dinner (pronounced "dinnah") at the Broker:

http://www.thebrokerrestaurant.com/

They're in a former bank building -- and we'll be dining in the Vault. Very cool, as you pass through a huge round lockbox-type opening. Very romantic, too. They have what's termed as a 'never-ending' shrimp bowl, and their entrees are very meat-and-potatoes style. Dave's favorite, by far...he'll put up with some fussy stuff, but give him a steak and a loaded baked potato, and he's in heaven. I'll snag the kale garnish off the plates -- chopped fine and simmered in chicken broth with onions, potatoes and bratwurst, it will make an outstanding soup for tomorrow night.

Now if you'll excuse me, a cup of hot coffee and Judge Judy are waiting...it's chilly out here.

And THIS Is What We're Paying For...

AIG got itself bailed out of trouble, thanks to Uncle Sam and his Very Large family of taxpayers. (In other words, US.)

So how does this large insurance company thank us?

Flowers, right?

Champagne?

Uh...a personalized pen?

Try a $440,000 vacation for AIG executives, complete with banquets, massages, room service and all the perks a lavish resort can provide:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/finance/aig-executives-blow--getting-bailout/

And what's AIG's explanation? According to Fox:

"AIG issued a statement saying that 'This type of gathering is standard practice in the industry and was planned a year advance of the Federal Reserve's loan to AIG. We recognize, however, that even activities that have long been considered standard practice may be perceived negatively. As a result, we are reevaluating various aspects of our operations in light of the new times in which we operate.'
"According to the statement, the event was held by one of AIG’s insurance subsidiaries, not AIG employees. The attendees were independent life insurance agents who were "top business producers" for AIG. Only about 10% of the attendees were AIG American General employees, and no corporate executives from AIG headquarters attended the meeting, according to the statement. "

Hmmm..."reevaluating." Only 10% of those attending were 'real' AIG employees; the others were just agents who make their living selling AIG's policies. Gee, that makes me feel so much better. What a sordid mess.

Congress, are you listening?

Interview with a Tightwadder

Amy Dacyczyn (pronounced "decision") opened a lot of eyes when she first published the Tightwad Gazette newsletter, a compendium of things cheap and frugal. Fortunately for those of us who didn't subscribe, Amy also combined her newsletters into several books, also called the Tightwad Gazette. (Look for the combined version on Ebay or Amazon; it's the best buy. Amazon's choices are here:

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Tightwad-Gazette-Amy-Dacyczyn/dp/0375752250/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223405536&sr=8-1 )

Some of her tips are overkill in frugality, but the vast majority are simply brilliant. And here's an interview with the author herself:

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/

Monday Busy-ness

There's a chill in the air...and a few pathetic rosebushes are gasping around the shingles and wood bits piled on them. (Poor guys) Some daisies and a zinnia or two are still hanging in there on the edges -- but thanks to the Great Shingle TearOff, my flower beds are toast.

Sigh.

We started putting up tarpaper on the house today...just in time. More tp tomorrow night, then it's on to new shingles.

* * * * * * * * * *
I had an interesting thing happen during the Phoenix trip -- a brand-new toothpaste tube blew up in the suitcase! Goo squirted all over my clothes (thankfully not the antique stuff) and a few books. What a mess. I spent the trip scrubbing the 'minty freshness' off my shirts, and hoping for the best.

Then on the final zip on suitcase #2 before the trip to the airport -- the zipper broke. Permanently. (Thanks Patty, for trying to fix it, anyways.) Ever heard of "the handyman's secret weapon?" Duct tape saved my life, and got the suitcase to Denver without spitting everything out.

At least part of it was minty fresh.

Home to Colorado

Just flew back from Phoenix...and boy, are my arms tired.

Ba Dum Bum

Seriously, I AM tired...I love teaching, I really do. But it takes a chunk out of your stamina, especially the dating/restoration classes. They require being able to spout off a bunch of terms and dates at the drop of a hat. Take it from me -- if you haven't spent the past six weeks crouched on a roof somewhere, it probably would be easier to do it.

I can say, though, that the PAQA (Phoenix Area Quilters Association) guild is wonderful. They were enormously kind and very enthusiastic. (Hi guys -- and thank you so much! I'm missing you already.)

Tomorrow morning puts me back into gear...and gets us back to shipping, as well. A bunch of orders await.

* * * * * *
Just found this wonderful blog -- great if you enjoy a blow-by-blow account on whatever he's cooking. (I found myself occasionally shouting at the screen, 'GET ON WITH IT...' but hey, that's me.) He has some terrific ideas.

http://www.thepauperedchef.com/

And -- two tickets to the theater, just for asking? For a good many parts of the country, that's true!

http://www.freenightoftheater.net/shows/index.cfm

Not Denver or Castle Rock, darn it...but hopefully you can take advantage of this.

Dave is snoring -- time for bed. Tomorrow, another day.

Sitting Tight

My 401K lost nearly $350 today...after losing about $350 the day before yesterday...and not doing too well before that. Ever since the panic began, I've lost about 30-40% of January's value in my 401K.

My personal prizewinner is Wendy's (WEN), a usually consistent earner that got snapped up by the Arby's corporation...and went from the $20s to $5 or less. (sigh) It's not worth selling now...hopefully it will start to work its way back up.

And actually, 2/3 of my stocks are holding their own...Pulte Homes (PHM), for example. Or General Electric (GE). But the weiners like Wendy's are making everything else look bad.

Should I panic, and sell everything now, reasoning it's Only Going to Get Worse?

I think not.

Here's a similar take on the subject:

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/10/02/the-only-thing-we-have-to-fear-is-fear-itself/

Simple Dollar lists several things that are different now, compared to the Depression...one of them being our much healthier unemployment rate. I also noticed that the US dollar has actually been strengthening against foreign currency. How could that be a bad thing?!?

The last time I panicked and sold really fast, I also really regretted it. This time, I'm actually going to buy more stock, while it's 'cheap.' Warren Buffett just got a boatload of GE stock...I want to buy more of that. Maybe another blue-chip type stock like Coke, too.

But I'm not going to buy something without researching it. And I am NOT going to panic. It never helps. Ever. I am grateful, though, that I'm not depending on these funds right now...

* * * * * * * * *

In Phoenix this afternoon, where the temps stand at a healthy 90-plus degrees! I got to my hostess' house and asked her if she went out of her way to make me feel welcome...

two guys were re-roofing the house across the street.

(She just laughed.)

A Refreshment

Enroute to checking one last time for e-mail, I came across this Chris Tomlin video:

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=9c95a062b84eb57b9605

This song is very, very basic...but it covers it all.

Praise Him.