Mariannes Motifs

Squeee!

So last night Jin decided to take me and the kids to the bookstore and then out to Steak and Shake to get dinner.  (Fancy livin' at Steak and Shake, my friends with table service and all)

So on the way back to the house Jin stopped at the gas station and bought me a few dollars worth of scratch off tickets while he was there.  One of them - a $3 ticket won $48!  So I decided this morning that I would cash it in and in exchange get 2 of those $20 millionare Mega Bucks scratch off tickets.  (Let it Ride, baby!)

I stopped at the BP on the way back from dropping Adam off at daycare and got a cup of coffee and cashed in my ticket.  I asked if they had any of the Millionaire cards but they didn't.  So I just got cash and was on my way.  I was debating on going home or stopping at the other BP down the other side of the block to see if they had any of those tickets.  I just about decided that it would be a better idea to keep the cash, but I went to the other BP thinking hey, maybe I will win and be so glad I decided to go.

I got the two tickets and went home.  Oh, I picked up a penny on the ground in the parking lot.

When I got home I got breakfast, and a book, and scratched.  Holy SH*T, I won $2,500!!!  (Not to  mention another ticket)

So I just got back from the state lottery office where they cheerfully wrote me out a check which I then deposited in the bank.  I am going to pay off my car!

Woo hoo!  I think my luck has changed for sure.  I got a call on a really nice sounding job yesterday as well, and the recruiter has submitted my resume this morning.

Garage Sale

Melissa and I have planned to have a garage sale this weekend.  She is moving in February and wants to clear out unneeded stuff before she moves.  Plus make some extra money of course.

I really look forward to getting rid of a bunch of the kids toys.  They have so many!  (Many of which I bought at garage sales and consignment sales.) Really it makes it easier for the kids to play if they have LESS toys.  Easier to keep track of the pieces, more room to spread out, and less junky clutter.

The problem is that I totally do not want to do all the work it takes to have a sale.  Putting together all those darn aforementioned pieces for example.

Oh well, at least I am not the one having to hire moving trucks and move house.  That is the worst pain of all!

Obama Stimulas Plan Details

I am trying to learn more about the details of Obama's Stimulus plan, now passed by the  House, and now under review by the Senate.

The 800 million dollar plan calls for many different spending elements. 

• energy research and improving the energy grids
• upgrading healthcare information technology such as electronic medial records
• construction projects
• broadband communications deployment
• safety net and welfare programs, some tax breaks for families, lower income workers
• tax breaks for businesses creating jobs in the U.S.
• money for cash-strapped state governments, school systems and Indian tribes

Here is a quote from VP Joe Biden regarding the plan which I have taken from the New York Times.

“If you notice, roughly 40 percent of this entire package is tax cuts,” the vice president said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” “That’s not what the Democrats wanted. And 60 percent of it is spending, economic stimulus. That’s not what the Republicans wanted. But we’ve come a pretty long way already. So there will be, I’m sure, more compromise.”

My personal judgment is mixed on the plan so far.  I am not sure that giving senior citizens a temporary Social Security raise of $250  and a minimal tax withholding rate change on families is really going to stimulate the economy.  Lets face it, given an extra $600 most people are probably going to use it on their car payment or something like that not consumer goods that they can't afford.

I think the folks up in Washington don't really know what to do about the economy so they just want to print some money and throw it out there.  :::shakes head:::  I want to give Obama and his plan a chance and I think that most of the spending in the plan is a good idea.  I just want to be assured that they have the top economists lookig at the banking and credit situation.  And I hope to God they better manage how those TARP funds are spent. 

Now I've Seen Everything Edition

What do you do if you are horse mad, and looking for that special man or woman to share your equestrian hobby?  How about equestrian cupid the singles web site for horse lovers.  I personally have known quite a few people who really love horses and riding, and taking care of their animals and equipment takes up so much of their time and interest there might not be a lot of time left over for relationships.  This site might be perfect for someone like that as they could do the things they love together with their date and see how it goes.

The site features forums, web blogs, personal profiles, and even equestrian electronic greeting cards.  Run by Successfulmatch this site is one of a number of niche dating sites they operate. At this time they are offering a FREE sign-up to try the service.   If you sign up and provide credit card or paypal information be aware to read the fine print regarding any auto-renewals. 

Sharing a hobby is a great way to have togetherness with your significant other.  What a clever idea to have a dating site that already guarantees that all the participants share their hobby from the get go.

Happy Birthday To Jin

Today is the hubby's birthday!  Happy Birthday to you my dear.  For sweetie today I went to the Fresh Market and bought a nice thick filet mignon and had them slice it in two thin pieces for me.  Fresh green beans, fresh mozzarella, tomatoe, and sweet onions in balsamic vinaigrette for a salad, and mashed potatoes will round out the meal. 

Then I went to a favorite local pastry shop, the Tasty Pastry in Alpharetta, and bought 4 equisite pieces of layered vanilla cake with strawberries. 

I garnished the salad with basil from Jin's own aerogarder herb garden.  Lovely!

Save Money with the International Student Identity Card

Did you know that for only $22 you can get an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) that allows you to receive discounts at retailers and travel partners all over the world?   Today I learned that at www.myisic.com they offer a discount program for students (and teachers) that provides discounts to more that 33,000 locations in 103 countries, and also includes some insurance and an emergency help line for travelers.

The International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC) is a non-profit organization founded way back in 1949 to "promote international understanding through international travel and educational exchange opportunities." 

Here are some highlights of the discounts currently available with the cards:

* 11 % off at Macy's aand 10% off at Target.com
* Discount airfare such as 11% off Jetblue
*50%t discount for Park 'n Fly
* 15%  off Amtrak train tickets

These cards are actually not just for students, they have three versions of the card.  There is one for currently enrolled students, one for any youth 26 and younger, and one for teachers and professors.

This card is a must for any student traveler and a good buy for others as well.  With the 10% Target.com discount alone you could make up the price of the card pretty quickly.   It's one of those things where you have to remember to show the card and ask if they offer a student discount.

Happy Korean New Year - saehae bok manhi badeuseyo

In China they say Gung Hay Fat Choy for happy new year.  What many peo0ple don't realize, is that the Korean people also celebrate new year at this same time.  I didn't know this until one day when my mother in law called the family back home in Seoul to wish them happy new year. 

In Korean, the way to say happy new year is:

saehae bok manhi badeuseyo

"say hay boke-mahn he pah du say oh"
 (새해 복 많이 받으세요) which translates to may you receive many blessings in the new year

 

In honor of my wonderful mother in law here are two of her recipes:

• Daikon Kimchi Recipe

• Cucumber Kimchi Salad - (Oi Muchim)

Fabric and Pattern Giveaway on FabricFamilyFun Blog

FabricFamilyFun is celebrating its one year anniversary with a contest.  She is giving away 4 prizes including a pack of gorgeous sewing fabric, fat quarters for quilting, and a cute ruffled pants pattern.

See HERE for the information on the contest.  Basically all you have to do is leave a comment on the blog post.

Friday Chit Chat

I did a little running around today and solved a problem I've had at the house.  Since I bought a new front loading washing machine, the doors no longer fit on the washing machine closet upstairs.  We took the bifold doors off and the spot was a bit of an eyesore.

Today after a lunch with some friends from the ex-company, I stopped in at Tuesday Morning.  I found exactly what I was looking for - an extra long very pretty curtain designed to be a shower curtain, a tension rod in a pewter color, and matching curtain rings.  I hung it up and if I do say so myself it looks great.  You would not guess that it is  shower curtain - it is a silk look with embroidered flowers in a Chinese style.

After eating mini chicken nibblers at Zaxby's for lunch I feel like I could use some Decaslim or something. It could be time to break out the Wii Fit.

149 Sci Fi Novels Everyone must Read... or so they say

 See the list HERE on Sci Fi Jungle if you are interested.