Nothing infuriates me more than the telemarketer who won't speak to me because my name isn't on the bill! Obviously they are not aware that I am the ONE WHO MAKES SURE THE BILLS ARE PAID!!!!! Which also means, I have final say as to whether or not we will change our credit cards over to you or accept MORE credit. However I understand the legal issues that come with giving personal information to the wrong person. So Fine! HMPH!
A couple of weeks ago we received a phone call from a local financial institution. After a few minutes of me asking what it was regarding and her apologizing that she couldn't speak to me about it, I gave her Russ' number. We don't even have credit with them anymore so I'm a little confused by the phone call period. Later I learned that she was offering us a line of credit for $100,000!!!! and they would like to fight for our mortgage in 6 months when we renew.
This amuses me to no end. See when I met my darling husband he had already had financial issues (R9 at 18 - in fact they screwed up.....he was too young to even get a credit card!) and although I didn't have much income I had good enough credit to apply and be approved based on our total income. I'm assuming this since I had only made $1200 that YEAR and yet was approved by one credit card for $2500 and another $3000. Explain them apples! After a few months, I added HIS name to the credit card and started to build his credit rating back up.
Over the years my credit rating sky rocketed (unbeknownst to me) as did his and when we moved to another town, we used a broker and with many bids coming in, we ended up with a phenomenal interest rate. However with the move, I also made the decision to get rid of the credit cards originally in my name and just go with our joint line of credit. BIG MISTAKE!! I no longer had anything really in my name!!
A few years later I decided to apply for a credit card in my name only to learn that the only way I could get one is by getting a prepaid credit card and rebuild from there. I had NO credit rating. I was furious to say the least!!! It was MY credit that got us where we were in life! Now because I stayed home with my child, even though our income had more than doubled, now it was entirely Russ'. I was terrified! What if something happened to him. In the end, it was part of my decision to go back to work. I would then be approved for a credit card in my own name again. Now technically as soon as they know you aren't the bread winner in the family apparently it will change how credit is allocated and although I wouldn't be approved for loans based on income, I should still show that my credit was good.
So here is the thing, they might be offering the line of credit to my husband but WE are still married, we aren't separated, we share a mortgage, we share credit cards and investments. We have been doing this for 16 years! Why is HE the only one with the credit rating?
Saturday, January 25, 2014
25 Things About Me
Months ago a friend challenged me with the question.....tell me 25 things about yourself that I don't know. 25!!! (was my reaction) I honestly don't know if I can come up with 25 things but I am going to try. These are in no particular order by any means.
1. When I was 15, my 14 year old brother shot himself in the abdomen with a 6 gauge shot gun. I treated him for shock, put pressure on the wound and kept him calm until the ambulance came. Then after he was stable in the hospital I cleaned up his room so that my mother didn't have to deal with the trauma. He is completely fine!...it was accidental for the most part and he is now grown with a family of his own. =)
2. As a child I was overweight and picked on horribly by most of the kids at school. The most traumatic nickname I had was "Chub, Chub, Chubby". Still bothers me. Funny how that is. To type it even is hard. While I am now a confident adult, I still cringe when I think of it.
3. In 2006 my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer the same day my father was hospitalized because of complications with his diabetes. For a while my parents were both in the hospital on different floors. Once my father realized mom needed to take care of herself and not him, he made the decision to stop his dialysis and let himself go. It took him 15 days to pass. I never could say goodbye even though I knew it was inevitable he would leave. I admire the strength it must have taken to make that decision. His birthday is soon... He would have been 78.
4. All my life I have never been anyone's first pick...for anything; for jobs, for guys, for sports, for practically anything. Hell, even I didn't pick me. That was until my husband came along. He chose me. He continues to choose me. I am his FIRST PICK and that's all I need. =)
5. I regret rushing into my wedding. Ok let me rephrase that. I wish I would have been more patient when it come to my wedding date. I didn't have time to go wedding dress shopping with my mom. So I ended up buying a second hand dress off someone I knew. I was unable to have my best friend from school be my maid of honor like we had always talked about. I couldn't have all my aunts, uncles, cousins attend because there wasn't room for everyone. I never had a full fledged dance and everything was done by 8:30 at night. However, that being said it was perfect! I had it at the farm that I grew up at, my family did a great job with decorations and food and the total cost was $1000! On top of that, my hubby and I are happily married after 16 years! Not many people can say that!
6. While on vacation in Mexico in one day, I canoed on a river, trekked through the forest, visited ruins at Coba, crawled down in to a cave and swam in a cenote, zip-lined, and took part in a feast and mayan ceremony. Then I slept and did absolutely nothing for the rest of the trip! Ha!
7. In 2006, I was in a motorcycle accident and while sliding across the highway, our bike tires bounced off the tires of a holiday trailer traveling in the lane next to us. Had I been a couple feet in front of that, I would have been ran over. (long story)
8. In 1996, I spoke at my college grad (valedictorian so to speak) on behalf of all of the business student courses. I have also spoke at numerous funerals, weddings and local events. I am not scared of public speaking in the slightest but in my older age I am more scared to start crying!
9. Most will know this but not all. I have MS but am diagnosed Mild/benign. It is not supposed to be genetic but my grandmother had it and so did cousins on both sides of my mom's family. Huh....not genetic eh?
10. I love running. Now that I don't smoke, I can run without losing breath and that is the best feeling in the world to me.
11. My favorite color is cranberry red.
12. I have always wanted a yorkie ......so last week I got one!
13. I wish I would have not been so scared and had another child despite my MS. My cousin had more after her diagnosis and she is fine.
14. Did I mention I worry all the time. It's genetic. Apparently that CAN be genetic!
15. I am scared to fail so I don't bother to try. Pathetic I know but I am sure that I am not alone on this one. Admittance is the first step in making change.
16. While my husband has numerous hobbies and passions, I have absolutely nothing that I love doing. I have tried to find things that interest me but it always just because someone else loved doing it and I tried it. Why is it so hard to figure it out? Is it ok to just be content living life with no extracurricular activities that you continue to do over the course of your lifetime? Maybe my passion is to try everything.
17. As a teenager I was rebellious and I did ALOT of things I am not proud of. However, I did have fun but now I make sure to find different ways to apologize to my mom on a regular basis. I also make sure now that there is no reason for anyone to have any gossip about me. Then again most of the time people just made up stuff about me anyways. Small towns. ha!
18. I am actually pretty good at interior decorating. If I had all the money in the world, my house would be like a show home.
19. I hate being in debt but I am married to a man who figures debt is normal. So I am at the mercy of his spending habits. Meanwhile I can't decide what to even spend my money on so it sits there.
20. When I was younger I wanted to be a business woman. I had dreams of becoming a VP or someone high up in a company. Shortly after business college I met my husband, got married and had my daughter and I must say no job could make me as happy as I am right now.
21. My girl crush is Pink. She amazes me.
22. Spring is my favorite time of the year.
23. I'm a white wine girl.
24. Just introduced to Pandora and already an addict.
25. I am truly grateful everyday to live in Canada. Where the worst thing we are known for is apologizing too much. (Well that and...Rob Ford. Oh and now Justin Beiber! Hee hee!)
1. When I was 15, my 14 year old brother shot himself in the abdomen with a 6 gauge shot gun. I treated him for shock, put pressure on the wound and kept him calm until the ambulance came. Then after he was stable in the hospital I cleaned up his room so that my mother didn't have to deal with the trauma. He is completely fine!...it was accidental for the most part and he is now grown with a family of his own. =)
2. As a child I was overweight and picked on horribly by most of the kids at school. The most traumatic nickname I had was "Chub, Chub, Chubby". Still bothers me. Funny how that is. To type it even is hard. While I am now a confident adult, I still cringe when I think of it.
3. In 2006 my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer the same day my father was hospitalized because of complications with his diabetes. For a while my parents were both in the hospital on different floors. Once my father realized mom needed to take care of herself and not him, he made the decision to stop his dialysis and let himself go. It took him 15 days to pass. I never could say goodbye even though I knew it was inevitable he would leave. I admire the strength it must have taken to make that decision. His birthday is soon... He would have been 78.
4. All my life I have never been anyone's first pick...for anything; for jobs, for guys, for sports, for practically anything. Hell, even I didn't pick me. That was until my husband came along. He chose me. He continues to choose me. I am his FIRST PICK and that's all I need. =)
5. I regret rushing into my wedding. Ok let me rephrase that. I wish I would have been more patient when it come to my wedding date. I didn't have time to go wedding dress shopping with my mom. So I ended up buying a second hand dress off someone I knew. I was unable to have my best friend from school be my maid of honor like we had always talked about. I couldn't have all my aunts, uncles, cousins attend because there wasn't room for everyone. I never had a full fledged dance and everything was done by 8:30 at night. However, that being said it was perfect! I had it at the farm that I grew up at, my family did a great job with decorations and food and the total cost was $1000! On top of that, my hubby and I are happily married after 16 years! Not many people can say that!
6. While on vacation in Mexico in one day, I canoed on a river, trekked through the forest, visited ruins at Coba, crawled down in to a cave and swam in a cenote, zip-lined, and took part in a feast and mayan ceremony. Then I slept and did absolutely nothing for the rest of the trip! Ha!7. In 2006, I was in a motorcycle accident and while sliding across the highway, our bike tires bounced off the tires of a holiday trailer traveling in the lane next to us. Had I been a couple feet in front of that, I would have been ran over. (long story)
8. In 1996, I spoke at my college grad (valedictorian so to speak) on behalf of all of the business student courses. I have also spoke at numerous funerals, weddings and local events. I am not scared of public speaking in the slightest but in my older age I am more scared to start crying!
9. Most will know this but not all. I have MS but am diagnosed Mild/benign. It is not supposed to be genetic but my grandmother had it and so did cousins on both sides of my mom's family. Huh....not genetic eh?
10. I love running. Now that I don't smoke, I can run without losing breath and that is the best feeling in the world to me.
11. My favorite color is cranberry red.
 |
| Sadie - 11wks .79kg |
12. I have always wanted a yorkie ......so last week I got one!
13. I wish I would have not been so scared and had another child despite my MS. My cousin had more after her diagnosis and she is fine.
14. Did I mention I worry all the time. It's genetic. Apparently that CAN be genetic!
15. I am scared to fail so I don't bother to try. Pathetic I know but I am sure that I am not alone on this one. Admittance is the first step in making change.
16. While my husband has numerous hobbies and passions, I have absolutely nothing that I love doing. I have tried to find things that interest me but it always just because someone else loved doing it and I tried it. Why is it so hard to figure it out? Is it ok to just be content living life with no extracurricular activities that you continue to do over the course of your lifetime? Maybe my passion is to try everything.
17. As a teenager I was rebellious and I did ALOT of things I am not proud of. However, I did have fun but now I make sure to find different ways to apologize to my mom on a regular basis. I also make sure now that there is no reason for anyone to have any gossip about me. Then again most of the time people just made up stuff about me anyways. Small towns. ha!
18. I am actually pretty good at interior decorating. If I had all the money in the world, my house would be like a show home.
19. I hate being in debt but I am married to a man who figures debt is normal. So I am at the mercy of his spending habits. Meanwhile I can't decide what to even spend my money on so it sits there.
20. When I was younger I wanted to be a business woman. I had dreams of becoming a VP or someone high up in a company. Shortly after business college I met my husband, got married and had my daughter and I must say no job could make me as happy as I am right now.
21. My girl crush is Pink. She amazes me.
22. Spring is my favorite time of the year.
23. I'm a white wine girl.
24. Just introduced to Pandora and already an addict.
25. I am truly grateful everyday to live in Canada. Where the worst thing we are known for is apologizing too much. (Well that and...Rob Ford. Oh and now Justin Beiber! Hee hee!)
Friday, January 24, 2014
Christmas chocolate challenge
A couple of months ago my friend/fellow Allison (http://allycupe.wordpress.com/) and I decided it would be fun to purchase the supplies to make our own chocolates for Christmas. Of course, Allison decided it would be more fun to make a competition out of it and drag our families into the challenge. She's not happy unless she is kicking someone's butt. FYI: Stay away from her during football season and don't say anything about the Saskatchewan Roughriders unless it's praise.
Although my husband and daughter were willing to help with the chocolates, it became quite apparent rather quickly that from this year on, we will be purchasing our chocolates. What started out as a nice, relaxing, sit around the table and bond moment, eventually turned into losing patience and interest, followed shortly thereafter with me cleaning up by myself.
This being said, if you decide to make your own chocolates at any point; here are a few pointers.
Pick one or two kinds of molds and buy more than one set. It is easier to do detail work in bulk instead of changing from one kind to another. Plus instead of a few of each kind, you can have more of one and less likely there will be fighting over them. Ie little kids
Make sure you have small enough brushes to do fine detail work. We used new fine tipped paint brushes.
You will need more than one coat of chocolate if you are painting on large areas of detail work.
If you screw up any detail work, it wil scrape off relatively easily.
However, the easiest way to cover up mistakes is to make the entire chocolate that color. Example: Frosty.
See! You can't even tell now that frosty once looked like he has suffered from a stroke!
I must say, the Christmas trees turned out really cool!
But in the end what mattered was the time spent together. Will we do it again? Not a chance in hell! But we will always have great memories of Christmas 2013. :).
Now you have to be careful to make sure nothing is in the way when you put it in the fridge to set the chocolate. Ha! Frosty has a stick up his butt!
In our house Santa doesn't follow tradition. He can be whatever color he wants!
On the flip side, anyone interested in chocolate making supplies? Real cheap! Maybe even free! Family not included.
Oh and for the record Allison, I think I won because my blog is posted first! Ha! If it was based on the chocolate, there really were no winners. :P What's the Valentine's day challenge?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)