I picked about 7 today as well as a few peppers. Weird... it was close to freezing last night.

Google redbox codes (it might be that dot com) and use those codes. They work, just take a few with you in case one doesn't work where you are. One DVD per code. We've rented 3 so far for free.

This is what I netted for $16.62:

(1) Pull-ups
(1) Clorox 24 oz
(1) Pledge
(1) Sparkle window cleaner (on clearance for $1 and it has a $2 MIR!)
(2) Healthy Choice bowls
(4) Cream of Chicken soups (campbells)
(2) Colgate Kid's toothpaste
(1) Children's Tylenol
(1) Sure deodorant
(1) Colgate Kid's Toothbrush

I probably could have done better, but this was my first time and I had a 3 yo, 2 yo, and 1 yo with me. Not too shabby!

I am so proud. My beautiful quarts of boneless, skinless chicken breast (all 14 of them, approx. 28 pounds) make me smile. Rest went in the freezer.

PS - I bought a 40 pound box for $50 ($1.25/pound). Check your area for restaurant suppliers. That's where I got mine.

DDs school has a carpool line policy that makes you loop 2 blocks to come into the carpool line, designed to keep cars from blocking the buses coming in and out of the school.

Well, I get to school 1/2 hr early. Carpool line is vacant, no buses. So I don't make the 2 block loop (for which, you have to drive right in front of the school, initially passing the pull-in for cars). Some guy behind me, who is going to make the loop is honking (profanely, I might add) at me as I go into the line.

As I'm coming out of the line, he's pulling in, yelling at me that I "have to go around the block like everyone else." Okay, fine, but here's my issue: this guy is technically not doing what he's supposed to, either, because he's only making half of the aforementioned 2 block loop, cutting right in front of a highly foot-trafficed crosswalk.

So the moral of this story? Um... make sure you're soap box is higher than mine before you let me know the rules, k?

I walked into Walgreens today only to hear right off the bat how it's all Bush's fault for the economic troubles we face (3 Wags employees standing around talking). Now, I'm not taking a stance on this one - that's not my point.

Here's my point: how many people would rather find someone else to blame for their woes, when they could have really impacted/made better their own lives with a better attitude? Too much time is wasted looking to shed our accountability and blame someone else.

And how my priorities have changed in just 2 weeks. I have a whole new respect for saving as much as possible. In that way, I'm glad we went through this. No sense in being sad about the experience, but to glean what's positive, learn, and move on.

He got the job that he interviewed for (his only interview). He will be doing estimating so that's a fabulous new skill to add to his resume. I'm glad for him and relieved... big time!

Thanks again for your kind words of encouragement. You guys are fabulous!

No new interviews yet. DH is still sending out resumes. It's only been a week but it seems like an eternity.

The one interview he did have last week resulted with a call back to the interview guy, who tells DH his computer crashed, but is now fixed, and "please resend your resume". The guy had a copy that DH took to him for the interview. This prospect is not looking so hot, which is depressing. Statistically, I know it takes more than one job interview to land a job. I'm just blah about it today.

He is journaling his contacts and resumes sent for follow-up purposes. The best remedy for the blahs is to be proactive. Again, "keep on truckin'".

Hooray! It's for the same title (Project Manager), but in a different environment. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I forgot all about what I dislike in this process. Résumé writing, cover letters, references, in this case a detailed project list... lovely.

But this time of reflection gives you the opportunity to look at what you've accomplished. That's nice.

We sent out about 10 résumés today so far. Who knows how many will go out before DH finds a job? Happily, he's willing to change gears for a different career. We hope it will open up more doors.

Contacted the lawyer and he suggested sending a letter to the ex-company for a detailed schedule of when they plan to pay him. Then, within a week if nothing comes back, we contact lawyer back for next step. I'm also ultra-excited about that, in case you couldn't tell ;[

And just like the 70's t-shirt suggests, we'll keep on truckin'.

His company went belly-up. He went in today, they gave him the "we didn't see this coming" excuse, and paid him $100 cash in lieu of his last check with a signed promise that they were liquidating equipment and they would pay him when they could. Did I mention that they already owe him $2,000?

Yes, we have a Labor & Employment lawyer. Lucky for me, I tutored his daughter in math and he's aware of our situation. But my question is how do you get blood from a turnip?

DH has contacts and is working on new employment.

We have $, and though it was what we could save it will only sustain us a few months (3). If I have to work nights I will.

Amazingly, I feel little stress. I attribute that to faith motivating me to action against times like these.

Thank you, my SA friends and mentors for setting a good example. I'll keep you updated.

Wow... I haven't blogged in a long time.

We purchased a new-to-us van. We didn't want to but the old van had an electronic issue that we just could not find (things shorting out, repeatedly killing the battery). Then the transmission went out. We crossed the line of dealing with it and bought a used Toyota. I'm excited and nervous... we haven't had a car payment in almost all of the 8 years we've been married. Not liking that part, but enjoying the non-worry of whether or not I'll get stranded with 4 little kids on the road.

Have been doing minor, minor remodeling. The kitchen has been painted (cabinets included). Parents visit next week so Dad and I will demo a wall and put new countertops on. Possibly new flooring if the discount home improvement store has what I'm looking for (Contractor's Best is usually 1/2 price of the other guys, but it is like Big Lot's in that their inventory is never the same week to week).

Loving the cooler weather! I'm so ready for the fall to get here (not just on the calendar, but tangible fall). Florida usually doesn't see that for a little while longer, but we've been having bouts of cooler weather. Very enjoyable.

Good to blog again