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Post by beaglemom on Sept 25, 2018 1:37:21 GMT
If my DIL was refusing to trust me with SSN of my son and grandchild I don't think I'd bother contributing to a 529. It strikes me as odd that you don't trust her. I don't know the OP's family relationship, but for me it's a matter of what MIL will do with the paper its written on. My MIL writes things on envelopes, newspapers, book margins/covers, magazines, etc. Then these items get sent to trash, recycling or in the case of books/magazines donated. In the day an age of scammers, I don't want my name and SS# floating around for anyone to get. I have my credit and SSA locked down, but I still don't want it floating around out there. This is the issue. She is constantly writing things down and misplacing them. They leave things laying around with account numbers and all sorts of stuff. In the past we have had to give information multiple times because she misplaced it. During this last trip they had someone my fil worked with 30+ years who they were out of touch with for 25+ years house sitting for them - will more like he didn't have somewhere to stay so they let him stay in their house. We had to go check on something while they were gone and there was private financial stuff laying around. I'm not worried that she will do something weird with it, I'm worried she'll lose it or it will somehow make it into someone else's hands. |
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Post by beaglemom on Sept 24, 2018 3:20:28 GMT
Dh has been supportive of me not giving them to her and DD is 6 months old. She tried pressing it way dinner tonight and I reiterated that I've already given them to the FA and that I'll call in the morning to verify. She claimed he had sent her some form that she had to fill out with spaces for them. We aren't counting on this money in the end to pay for school for the kids. If it happens great, if not we've got it covered.
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Post by beaglemom on Sept 24, 2018 0:17:14 GMT
Mil keeps asking for dh and youngest dd's social security numbers. It's to set up a 529 plan for her. We have the same financial advisor. He called a month ago to get them from me to set them up. Which was the day after they left to travel for a month. My guess is mil hasn't talked to the financial advisor yet and still thinks they need the numbers. Even though I've told her that I have him the numbers.
First she asked for them over text and I said no. Now she wants them written down. I offered to call the financial advisor in the morning to give it to him again if needed.
I don't think she would do anything weird with them. But she's in her 70s and misplaces things and I don't want their (dh/dd) socials floating around their house.
I can't think of any legitimate reason that I have to give them to her, if much rather give them directly to the advisor.
Thoughts?
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Post by beaglemom on Sept 18, 2018 3:59:51 GMT
Well we discovered that the systems are from 1993. We have two propane furnaces and they were nasty. Dh looked at both with them and the amount of caked on grime was digusting , the filters were black with dust and a couple were the wrong size. We also learned that the shady contractor that we used on our old house, who installed a new dryer vent on this house did it wrong. So vent fixed. And we'd been looking at new systems and they are giving us a great deal on two new furnaces and an air conditioner unit on the upstairs one. We've never had a/c and I am so excited!!
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Post by beaglemom on Sept 18, 2018 0:35:20 GMT
That's part of what I'm trying to figure out. We have propane for hot water. I think the heat is also powered by propane.
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Post by beaglemom on Sept 18, 2018 0:22:44 GMT
We have lived in our house since December. It's the first time we've had forced air. We have someone coming over to look over the system, but I would like some feedback from the Peas before!
How often do you change the filters on your system?
How often does the duct work need to be cleaned?
What does yearly maintenance generally run (when I was looking it seemed all over the place locally)?
Anything else I should ask about with forced air heating?
Thanks!
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Post by beaglemom on Sept 16, 2018 23:44:16 GMT
Our housekeeper liked getting paid in cash but then offered to take Paypal instead. I jumped on it! I'm sure our babysitter would prefer cash, but it is so much easier if I just write her a check. In my daily life the only time I feel like I "need" cash is when I get eggs from our neighbor, I pay him in cash. Other than that the farmers market - most take credit cards and the flea market are the only other places I can think of that i might need it. Of course, I always forget to get some before we go on vacation and then I don't have any to tip the bell hops. So I have started putting a reminder in my calendar to pick up cash before we go for that. You write your BABYSITTER a check? That is kind of awful. How old is she? Does she even have a bank account? When I was old enough to babysit, no way did I have a bank account to deposit a check or any idea how to cash a check at a bank. 63. She's fine with checks. |
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Post by beaglemom on Sept 15, 2018 7:48:57 GMT
Congratulations!!!
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Post by beaglemom on Sept 13, 2018 17:25:02 GMT
fabric...it replaced my scrapbook supplies habit. But at least I am sewing up things, I never got around to much scrapbooking.
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Post by beaglemom on Sept 13, 2018 8:03:56 GMT
I use my CC for 99% of stuff. I have a Disney reward one and the rewards paid for our stay at the Grand Californian last year. I use my debit if I need to get cash, it reverses all fees so I can use it anywhere to get cash. I used to have to get cash for the housekeepers, but now they take PayPal. So I get a couple hundred once a month or so. Mainly so I have the cash to pay our neighbor for eggs! Otherwise, it is to have some for tipping when traveling - which I feel like I often forget to have on hand. So I am trying to be better about having the right cash for that!
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Post by beaglemom on Sept 13, 2018 6:59:42 GMT
I make these, Super Decadent Chocolate Cupcakes. And I either use this chocolate frosting recipe or this peanut butter frosting recipe. . I also use the smitten kitchen chocolate cake recipe (the peanut butter frosting one) and use the peanut butter between the layers and then the chocolate frosting recipe linked on the outside. It is requested by everyone in my family for their birthdays. I should say that for the cupcakes I always use hot water, we aren't coffee drinkers and don't have any in the house. And I usually throw in a cup or so of chocolate chips into the batter. I also usually double it. SInce I am usually bringing them to an event and need a lot! |
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Post by beaglemom on Sept 12, 2018 20:20:52 GMT
Our housekeeper liked getting paid in cash but then offered to take Paypal instead. I jumped on it! I'm sure our babysitter would prefer cash, but it is so much easier if I just write her a check. In my daily life the only time I feel like I "need" cash is when I get eggs from our neighbor, I pay him in cash. Other than that the farmers market - most take credit cards and the flea market are the only other places I can think of that i might need it.
Of course, I always forget to get some before we go on vacation and then I don't have any to tip the bell hops. So I have started putting a reminder in my calendar to pick up cash before we go for that.
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Post by beaglemom on Sept 4, 2018 19:55:08 GMT
yes, but only because my other car automatically turns off. You put it in park and since it is electric it turns off.
About a year or so after we switched to electric cars we were on vacation and had a regular car. We were in Hawaii. Parked the car in the hotel lot and didn't go anywhere for 2 days. Come out to discover we are out of gas because dh forgot to turn off the car. It had run till it ran out of gas. oops! Now we both triple check when we get out of a car that isn't our normal ones!
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Post by beaglemom on Sept 4, 2018 16:39:26 GMT
From birth to 9 or so my dad's parents lived 5 minutes away and we saw them often, then they moved to the the middle of nowhere Vermont and we saw them infrequently after that. My mom's parents lived 1-2 hours away all of my growing up and I think we saw them at least once a month.
Growing up I always thought that everyone grew up with their grandparents local. I lucked out and dh grew up near where I did. His parents are 12 minutes from us and my parents are 25 minutes (which is nothing in the Bay Area).
I would like to always be close to where my parents are. My in-laws, I don't have as strong feelings about it. Both my sil's live in Colorado - their parents (my in-laws) live in California and their in-laws both live on the East Coast. My sil's get out here maybe once every other year, but my inlaws go out there 5-7 times a year. I know both sil's go back east to see their in-laws once during the summer.
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Post by beaglemom on Aug 30, 2018 17:58:38 GMT
When we moved back "home" 10 years ago we met the sweetest couple that lived right down the road from us. They were in their early 70's, but very active and so much fun. When I was pregnant with our first in 2011 she came to my baby shower and decorated a couple onesies that are adorable. I pulled two of them out 2 weeks ago for our newest baby and was excited about her wearing them and seeing GG Penny this weekend at a local event.
We moved a couple miles away in December and a week or so after we moved she left a message on our machine saying she was so sad that we moved and that she missed us desperately. We were super busy and I was pregnant and we just didn't connect. I finally talked with her husband shortly after our latest was born in March and he shared that she was dealing with lung cancer. They had done surgery and were doing chemo. We checked in on and off over the next couple months, but because her compromised immunity she couldn't have visitors. I did get to see her briefly in June and held the baby up for her to see (she stood in their front doorway while I picked up something from her dh).
Last weekend I sat down and cleaned out the messages on our home phone. I listened to the message she left in December and made a mental note to give her a call. I also thought I deleted it.
The next day a mutual friend called to let us know that she had passed away. My heart is broken. She was the sweetest, most loving woman. I emailed her husband and daughter (also a friend and my mom's age) and let them know I was thinking of them and missed them. Her daughter shared some memories with me and let me know how much we meant to her mom. Thankfully I get to see her (the daughter) this weekend and I will get to give her lots of hugs. I also have a flower pitcher that Penny had given us with flowers in it when she came over for dinner that I had been meaning to refill and return. So this weekend it will go to her daughter.
And this morning I listened to the messages and to my delight I didn't delete it and I got to listen to it again. I need to figure out how to save it forever.
And I plan to make plans to see her husband more often. They had been together since high school and celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in the hospital. He is understandably feeling lost without her.
Sorry for the rambling...I am just missing her and so, so glad that I have that message still!
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Post by beaglemom on Aug 30, 2018 17:45:32 GMT
All the Tupperware! I don’t even use them. If we are talking about non-kitchen stuff, all the stuff I am storing in the guest room - fabric and scrapbook stuff that I haven’t touched in years. The fabric is so pretty, same with the scrapbook paper, and I should donate them so someone else can enjoy it, but I can’t, yet. I'll take the fabric! I have quite the collection...but I do use it! newest dd is 5 months and for her monthly growth photos, I am sewing a new dress. And thankfully my 7-year-old dd loves matching with her. So I am going through fabric more quickly these days! I need to purge a lot of scrapbook stuff. It has been in boxes in the garage since we moved in December. I have picked sewing as the thing that i am going to spend my time doing. But I know there is a ton in there that my kids would love to craft with. I have a hard time letting go of clothes, ones that no longer fit and now my kid's stuff as they outgrow. I have a ton boxed up for my sister to go through and whatever she doesn't want to keep for her future kids I am going to donate. I also need to do a big purge of kids toys...we have way too many! |
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Post by beaglemom on Aug 28, 2018 7:05:22 GMT
I should add that I never have issues with steps showing up when I am pushing a shopping cart or the stroller.
My best day was Nov 12, 2016. I ran a 10k in the morning and then spent the day running around Disneyland with 3 kids. 40,000 steps!
I am normally 80,000-120,000 for the week.
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Post by beaglemom on Aug 28, 2018 6:55:39 GMT
This always confuses me. I have mine set for 12,000 and I hit that 95% of the time without doing anything special....well other than running after a 7-year-old, 5-year-old, 2-year-old, and carrying the baby. I am now of my 3rd fitbit, because of upgrading, and my steps have stayed fairly consistent over the 3+ years I've been wearing one. Now I did go for a walk pushing the younger 2 kids today, so I'm at 16,000 for the day.
I got mine to make sure that I am getting in the bare minimum of activity a day (I got it when I found out I was pregnant with baby #3, I didn't want the pregnancy to be an excuse for not being active). I don't add in extra calories/food based on how many steps I do in a day. If it is the end of the day and I am under I might do a couple rounds up and down the stairs to get my count up, but that rarely happens.
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Post by beaglemom on Aug 28, 2018 2:10:31 GMT
Our current house is 4,200 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 4 full/2 half bath, office, family room, kitchen, formal dining, formal living, and laundry room. Our old house was 5,000. We are a family of 6. Under the house we can add another floor and when we sell the other house we are going to look into doing that and we would gain another 1,500 - 2,200 sq ft.
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Post by beaglemom on Aug 25, 2018 21:07:41 GMT
eastcoastpea I posted after reading your initial post. I had no idea they were such a hot commodity! My mom made stocking by hand that look very similar to the Bucilla kits. I have been collecting kits as I find them and use them as something to keep me busy on road trips! I've been working on this Ugly Sweater Set. So much fun!
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Post by beaglemom on Aug 25, 2018 18:29:41 GMT
I brought one of the kids to a Pokemon battle and while they were fighting I went to a nearby tag sale. They had 5 different Bucilla felt Christmas stocking kits and a tree skirt kit. When I asked how much they were the girl said $4 each. So while I was really looking them over (because while $4 each is a decent price what if I ended up bailing on them after the first kit) she said she'd make a deal if I got all of them. I said how much and she said $6 for all. Sold! There were also some Mod Podge papers, liquid gloss and jewelry findings. For $1 for the bag full, I have another new craft to try. Good luck to everyone out looking for bargains this weekend. If you are interested in selling the Bucilla felt Christmas stocking kits and a tree skirt kit I would love to buy them!!! |
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Post by beaglemom on Aug 2, 2018 4:11:08 GMT
We don't like beans. So we only make Texas chili. Nice big cuts of good beef, usually tri tip, spices , tomatoes, stock and carrots. Super delicious. Dh had won a handful of chili cook offs with it too!
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Post by beaglemom on Jul 28, 2018 19:20:38 GMT
Happy birthday!! I tilt hear you and validate you! I feel like my birthday often gets forgotten as well and it sucks!
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Post by beaglemom on Jul 27, 2018 19:50:12 GMT
You need to substitute agave for honey and Cointreau for triple sec if you want to win an award. My favorite tequila in a margarita us Forteleza blanco. Agreed! Dh's are the best! 1/3 fresh squeezed lime juice 1/3 good tequila (we like Sauza Tres Generaciones Añejo and Jose ceurvo reserve de la familia) 1/3 cointreau Agave to taste, pour over ice ** Use agave on the rim to make the salt stick They knock you on your but, but they are so dang good! |
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UNCLE
Jul 26, 2018 19:14:21 GMT
Post by beaglemom on Jul 26, 2018 19:14:21 GMT
Temp in my place at 10:30 last night was 84 degrees. (Seattle, no a/c) Needless to say it was a bit of a tough night. It’s cooled to 78 this morning. Weather isn’t supposed to break for another week. Somebody said last week that their cats could be chalk outlines on the floor. That exactly describes my two. Once or twice a day I’m picking them up and wrapping them in a towel drenched in cold water for a few minutes. They’re actually relaxing into it (which I never would have expected). Uncle. Uncle. Uncle. Keep cool girls! We are down in the Bay Area and are having the same problem. It is way too hot. We are headed up to Seattle Sunday and I was hoping for cooler weather! |
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Post by beaglemom on Jun 28, 2018 1:17:51 GMT
Ugh! Please tell me it came today and you didn't have to wait too long. They finally called back and were able to hold it for me. I dragged all 4 kids an hour or so away to pick it up. Thankfully the contractor said he could do it tonight - I think he is desperate for us to finish paying him and he knows it won't happen till it is done. Granted there are about 10 other things on the list as well. |
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Post by beaglemom on Jun 28, 2018 0:29:56 GMT
beaglemom Hoping at least my bday card got to you...Sorry you had such a bad day Yes!!! Thank you so much!! I just grabbed the mail on my way back and was so excited! It's the only card I've gotten,other than the cards from dh and the kids. Thank you so much for thinking of me, it's beautiful! |
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Post by beaglemom on Jun 27, 2018 16:17:19 GMT
Other lovely parts of yesterday.
My two year old falling while playing with the older kids and hitting his head, causing it to bleed copious amounts.
Dh had a treadmill delivered, he told them we have a steep driveway and to bring a small truck, he also didn't want to pay the extra $200 to have them deliver it into the house. So first they brought a huge truck that took them 15 minutes to back down our driveway. Then due to the angle and lift on the back of the truck they couldn't actually come on to the flat part. So the driver was super pissed when he got out. They manhandled the treadmill to get it off the truck. The three guys could barely move the thing. They asked me to sign and left. As they were starting to leave I noticed the firm said they were also supposed to deliver a mat to put it on, they did not. So I ran yelling after the truck add it went up the driveway. Their windows were open, there is no way they didn't hear me, but they didn't stop. So I have a massive, very, very heavy, very expensive treadmill in my driveway. Dh thought we could move it in ourselves, there is no way in a million years wee van, especially not without one or both of us getting hurt.
I'm in the middle of a Whole30 round (no dairy, no gluten, no legumes, no grains, no sugar, no alcohol). I cook all the meals, the kids (7,5,2,3 months) aren't thrilled. So I'm cranky because of that as well.
The 2 year old was having issues last night and managed to accidentally nail me in the eye with the end of his electric toothbrush that he was trying to throw it (i was maybe 18 inches from him when he threw it). He felt horrible after and was very apologetic, but it still hurts this morning.
Dh is wonderful about a lot of things. Gift giving is not one of them. I know this and I always tell myself that and try really hard not to get my hopes up. He did get're a lovely card. But the gift was a vegetable sheet cutter attachment for my kitchen aid. Nice,i guess, but not really what I wanted for my birthday.
And I got an email from one of the mom's of two kids that were at camp with my kids last week saying her girls have lice. And my head is itching life crazy, hopefully just the power of suggestion.
And in the chaos of last night dh didn't get down the boxes of stuff I needed to go thru to pack stuff for our trip.
And the Murphy bed that I got a call on Monday saying it would be delivered yesterday wasn't because the truck broke down.
Added to the truck that broke down that the guy that was supposed to fix my stove on Monday was driving - that I have been waiting on him to come back and fix since March.
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Post by beaglemom on Jun 27, 2018 15:53:12 GMT
It takes a lot to get me pissed off, I'm normally fairly mellow. However, due to years of issues, I have a strong dislike for my birthday. Yesterday was the day. Lots was less than ideal. Baby was up earlier and more often than normal last night. My 5 year old was being the most stubborn that I have ever seen and a real pill to his siblings ---- now I know that he wasn't feeling well, since he puked all over our carpeted hallway, in multiple paces at 4 am this morning. DH came home "early" in his words to help with dinner, he was 5 minutes before he is supposed to be home. He had a work dinner monday night, another one tonight, and he is flying to Seattle at 6 tomorrow morning and getting home after 10pm. Friday we are supposed to leave on vacation for the 4th. Guess who is packing everything for 6 people other than his clothes.
We have a house we are trying to sell. The contracotor is an ass, has done less than professional work, and I am so over him. But one of the things he screwed up was the stair nose pieces on one of the flights of stairs. I ordered new ones, he claimed they weren't the right ones - even though Lumber Liquidators ordered the ones off his order. So I reordered them. They were supposed to arrive yesterday. They didn't. I checked tracking it was updated for today. I called. Was told that even though it was scanned it was never put on the truck.
I rarely post on facebook. But I just posted the following:
I spent yesterday, my birthday, waiting at home with all 4 kids for a Fed-Ex delivery. Apparently, the box, even though it was scanned, was never put on the truck for delivery. No call, no notice, I logged in at 6 pm to check status and saw that it was updated to delivery for today, June 27th. I have someone hired that was supposed to be installing it today. I called Fed-Ex last night and was given the run around that the office was already closed. I was promised a call this morning. No call, so I called. I was told it wasn't on the truck yet and it would arrive end of day today and I needed to wait for it. So I insisted it stay at the facility so I could drive all 4 kids to San Francisco pick it up. I was told that wasn't possible because it was being loaded on a truck and it would take 24 hours for that to happen. FedEx you have a very pissed off customer that will not be using your services again. This needs to be fixed and it needs to be fixed NOW. FedEx Ship Center
I tagged FedEx and made the post public. The lady on the phone told me I just need to wait. We live on a private road with gate on each end. I need to be here to open the gates - plus need to get the wood over to the other house asap. So I am stuck at home again until I get an update.
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Post by beaglemom on Jun 27, 2018 5:06:21 GMT
Thank you so much. Today was a really crummy day. Seeing this made me cry (in a good way). Thank you, thank you. Now I really want cake!! |
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