Sunday, July 31, 2011

Did You Know About Donating Plasma?

Did you know about donating plasma?

In looking for ways for my son to make some money as he heads off for college, I found this suggestion. I had forgotten all about it! My sister did this in college and I wish I'd have thought of it sooner, my son could have been donating all summer!

Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood and donors are compensated for their donation. The payout amount differs for each location. My son is going to get started this week and called our local donation center. They pay a range between $25-$35 for each donation. Each visit takes about an hour and a half, with the initial visit taking about 2 !/2 hours. Still not a bad payout for folks needing some quick money. And your donation is helping others in return.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Did You Know My Daughter Wants A New Car For Christmas?

Did you know my daughter wants a new car for Christmas?

My daughter has been looking at cars online the last couple of days and has decided that she wants us to buy her one for Christmas. Unfortunately for her, we don't have the money to do that. My son had to buy his own car and so we told our daughter that she would have to pay for her own car too. Wouldn't it be so much easier if teenagers could just be satisfied with Christmas Cards and candy?

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Did You Know It's Still Free to Park on Galveston Seawall?

Did you know it's still free to park on Galveston seawall?

I went to the island yesterday for a change of scenery for my long run. I was trying to decide where to park since I knew that the vote had passed to start charging for parking along the seawall. I was surprised to see that parking on the seawall is still free-for now. Probably staring Jan. 1, the paid parking will go into effect along Galveston's seawall. It will cost $1/hour, $8/day or there is set to be a $25 annual parking pass. Seventy-five percent of the funds raised from the parking will go into improvements for the seawall. Slated among the enhancements are to be showers, restrooms and lighting. I think those will be good additions along the seawall.

Did You Know The Costs of Getting Ready for College?

Did you know the costs of getting ready for college?

Of course everyone knows about the high cost of college tuition, but there is so much more. Even in just getting ready for college there are costs like application fees, housing deposits, required meal plans, books, immunizations, health check ups and required insurance, school supplies, dorm room necessities-sheets, towels, shower items, and a host of many other forgotten costs. I have been so glad that all the school supplies are on sale cheap right now. I got folders and spirals for .15 cents each! Getting items on sale has sure helped to keep me away from payday advance loans.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Did You Know Some of My Guilty Pleasures?

Did you know some of my guilty pleasures?

Well, I guess we all have them. I noticed one blogger suggesting this as a blog topic and thought I would play along. So in no meaningful order, here are some of my top guilty pleasures:

1. (dark) chocolate covered almonds

2. chocolate chip cookies

3. brownies

4. staying in bed all day with a good book (see, they are not all food and/or chocoate!)

5. watching Seinfeld reruns

6. watching M*A*S*H reruns

7. shopping for something for me

8. a nice quiet house

9. not talking to anybody

10. a weekend away with just my husband

Did You Know Where to Buy Equestrian Apparel?

Did you know where to buy equestrian apparel?

Several years ago my daughter took horse back riding lessons. She really loved it at the time. We never really got into going to shows or anything like that, so I was fortunate that she was happy with boots and jeans from local stores. If she had really gotten in to it though, I don't know where we would have purchased items for her to wear to shows. I came across the The Equestrian Corner apparel store today and it made me think about those days spent at the riding school. So if anyone is like me and would not know where to look to find equestrian apparel, well, maybe that site can be of help.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Did You Know You Can Use a Baggie to Send Mail?

Did you know you can use a baggie to send mail?

We received an item in the mail today enclosed in a zipper baggie. The baggie was labeled and stamped just like an envelope. I had no idea you could do that! I don't know why you would do that-seems more expensive-but it seems that baggies can be used to send mail!

Did You Know How to Improve Your Garden?

Did you know how to improve your garden?

One way to improve your garden is to add composted material. And you can easily make your own compost with an at home compost bin. They range in size from a small kitchen sized bucket to large outdoor bins. Or you can make your own. There are plans for bins or for enclosures. Be sure to compost only fruits and veggies, grass clippings and even coffee grounds and egg shells. But stay away from any meat products. Stir the compost occasionally and in a few months you will have some good dirt to help improve your garden.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Did You Know About Wimberley Glass Works?

Did you know Wimberley Glass Works?

Ever since hearing about it, I have been wanting to go see the demonstration of glass blowing at the Glassworks in Wimberley TX. Today I was able to do so! There were two young college aged guys today working on some "spikey things" for a chandelier similar to the one in the Glassworks entryway.(Seriously, that is the official term, that's what the glass blowers called them!) They had to make 32 of the spikey things. It was very interesting to watch the free demonstration and they were good about talking about what they were doing and showing us the glass and asking if we had any questions. If you are ever in the San Marcos/Wimberley area, be sure to take in a free glass blowing demonstration at Wimberley Glassworks.

making the spikey thingy

the finished spikey thingy being put into oven to cool down slowly over night

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Did You Know Change Can Be Good?

Did you know change can be good?

Last week I spent the week cooking at a children's church camp. I have done this every summer for the last 8 years. This year was my first year to be "in charge", having to do all the planning and shopping. My team was all new members who had not been to the camp before. I was very nervous and intimidated by it all, but was blessed with a really great team. In fact, they were great about pitching in with no hesitation and offered some really great ideas. I was glad to find out that even though we changed some things, it still turned out good. And that some of the things we did differently turned out to be much easier on us, making it all the better. I sure appreciate all of their help and learning that change can be good.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Did You Know a Good Baking Powder Substitute?

Did you know a good baking powder substitute?

While baking this weekend, I ran out of baking powder. Needing a substitute I thought of one, and after looking it up, I was happy to find I was right (though I did not know the measurements when I guessed.) Using 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tarter will make a nice substitution for 1 teaspoon of baking powder.

Did You Know a Special Gift for any Mother?

Did you know a special gift for any mother?

Even though Mother's Day has officially passed for this year, there is always another upcoming occasion to honor the special women in your life. When I was pregnant, I wanted a ring. My husband got me a small emerald ring which was very pretty. But after having kids, I know a special gift for many mothers would be one of the mothers rings which include a birthstone for each of her children. Some even have the children's names engraved on them. There are a lot of nice styles, one for nearly any mother.