Friday, May 24, 2013

Week 51... Musings!!!

Greetings:  

So, this week, I thought I would touch on a few topics of note that have been bouncing around in my head.  Musings, if you will.  Musings is an odd word.  I looked it up:  yourdictionary.com defines musings as... a period of deep thought, meditation, or reflection.  I don't know that I can honestly say I have been in deep thought, nor can I say I have been in any type of meditation.  However, I will go out on a limb and say that I have been somewhat reflective.  So, here are a few of my reflective musings...


Over the past two weeks, Donna and I have been Blessed on several fronts, most of which, in some form or fashion, include a $$$ sign.  Now, if you are on the sending end of that particular sign, well, it's no fun.  But, if you happen to be on the receiving end of the $$$ sign, well, it's a beautiful thing.  It's a happy thing.  It's certainly a fun thing.  That said...  

May 13th:  $$$ Day #1...

Way back in January of 2008, Donna & I purchased some dirt.  I call it dirt, because technically, that's exactly what it is.  There were some trees that came with it.  1.38 acres up in the Texas Hill Country.  In 2008, the sellers of our soon to be dirt were very, very proud of their dirt.  There were a lot of 0's in the sales price of our Hill Country Dirt.  And after buying that dirt, the rising value from the County Appraisal Office made us think that we had certainly made the right decision.  It was good to be in the dirt "business."  But then, the following year, the value of our dirt went down.  And the following year, it went down some more.  And each year since, it has steadily gone down.  Suddenly, owning Hill Country Dirt had lost its luster and value!!!.  And suddenly, as well, Donna and I decided we did not want to make our home on top of our decreasing in value dirt.  

So, for the last two years, we have had an Agent trying to sell our dirt.  With no luck.  That said, we lowered our sales price a couple of times in the process.  Which brings me to the week of May 13th.  In the two weeks prior, our Agent brought us an Offer.  Our thinking was: "Wow, they are not very impressed with our dirt."  But the simple truth is...  their offer was much higher than a lot of previous sales in the area.  We said, "No Thank You."  And then, moving forward two weeks, our Agent brought us yet another Offer from the same buyer, this one, somewhat higher than the previous offer.  Well, we countered with a slightly higher offer and on the morning of May 13th, we met in the middle of the two offers and our dirt had suddenly been Sold!!!  Yes, we are Dirt Free and now, will have some extra cash to boot.


May 14th:  $$$ Day #2...

OK, the very next day, May 14th, we had a short meeting at work, my Part-Time Job.  I am just now completing my 4th year there.  In those 4 years, the very 1st year mind you, I received one raise.  A very small raise.  Well, on May 14th, in our meeting, we were told that a Pay Raise had been approved and would be implemented on September 1st, the start of the new School Year.  And a very nice raise it will be.  A little more cash in my pocket.

May 17th:  $$$ Day #3...

As I have stated on this Blog, I am a Houston Texans Season Ticket Holder.  Since Day 1 and moving forward 11 years.  Heading into this 12th year, the price had gone up yet again for my two seats and parking space, to the tune of $2,195.00...  The deadline for the final payment due was May 20th, this past Monday.  I had been mulling over just letting the tickets go, of losing them forever, of letting my PSL (Personal Seat License) expire.  At Donna's urging, she suggested posting the Tickets on my workplace e-mail sales page.  I have had a lot of success in the past selling items on there.  But time was short.  Seriously, at the "Last Minute," I posted a "2013 Season Tickets For Sale" ad on the site on May 16th at 3:18pm.  I shut my computer down at 5:30pm.  I could tell by viewing the History, that several people were seeing the post, some even forwarding it to others.  But no buyers.  The next morning, May 17th, I turned on my work computer and checked my e-mail...  I was very pleased to see multiple inquiries, but one response stated:  "If your tickets are still available, I am interested."  I responded to her e-mail and at 9:01am, I was able to announce that my entire Season Ticket Package had been Sold!!!  Sold at face-value, in excess of $2,000, in less than 16 hours...  and the really neat thing is:  This lady, the buyer, was making this purchase for her Son as a Father's Day Gift for him.  How cool is that???  So, the tickets were paid for on the 20th and I maintain my PSL rights.

May 18th:  $$$ Day #4...

NOT SO FAST!!!


You would think that, being on the roll that I apparently was, I most certainly would have played Powerball last Saturday night.  It's a given, right???  Nope...  I had said to Donna that I would run up to the store before the drawing.  We got busy watching a movie Donna's idea and:  Booooooooya!!!  The next thing I know, it's several minutes past 10:00pm and the drawing had already taken place.  $590 Ga-Zillion and I forgot about getting a ticket.  There was only one winner, from Florida, but I am convinced that if I had played, there would have been TWO winners.  Just sayin'...
  
Takin' it "To the House"

Recipe'sOn a roll here with Salad's...  Last week, I shared a Strawberry and Avocado Salad Recipe.  This week, another winner!!!  From tastebook.com, I hope you will try Grilled Corn, Avocado, & Tomato Salad with Honey Lime Dressing (yes, I love avocado's).  The Recipe can be found here...  You will absolutely find your smile.

Libation's Anyone???I will admit up-front that I have not tried this, although, I have had this combination before.  I am a Coffee freak-a-zoid.  Likewise, I am a Bailey's freak-a-zoid.  Combine the two and you have an absolute winning taste.  But, here is a bit of a twist:  Freeze your coffee in a small cubed ice-tray, then add the frozen "cubes" to your glass of Bailey's.  Sounds amazing.  Check out the pic here...  Enjoy!!!

MusicSome of my recent selections have been of the "sit back and relax" variety.  This week, my tune selection just screams for you to "get up and move."    From 1966, The Spencer Davis Group, Featuring Steve Winwood, with Gimme Some Lovin'...  Can you feel it???

Market WatchThis week, the Dow hung in there, rising through the week, and then dipping slightly, closing yesterday at 15,294.50.  Meanwhile, Facebook inched downward again, closing yesterday at 25.06.

The EndWow...  51 Weeks in the books!!!  A mini-celebration next week.  Thank You for stopping by.  It is always very much appreciated.  Hope to see you back.  Til then...

Be safe, be smart, and always Smile...  It's "Happy Friday"

adios...  vaya con dios  

20 comments:

  1. Glad everything is going good for you. There is an old saying, you gotta have a lot of the bad before you know what the good is. I figure one of these days it is gonna be so good, I am not gonna be able to stand it. Have a good week. Stay healthy. Cuz

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    1. Hey Cuz...

      You are right. One should know both sides to really appreciate it. For you, it will happen.

      Thanks for stopping by, cuz

      Delete
  2. I have a theory about me and money. I dont have much and often have none, but it seems like when I really NEED it ...it will be there in some form or another. Congrats on the dirt , the tickets...and well...just knowing you could have won is enough right? HA! BTW I took that avocado and strawberry salad to a pot luck...it was a huge hit! Thanks. Z~

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    1. Zoe... I like your theory. Most of the time: I'm right there!!! And Thanks...

      I am so glad about the Salad. That's awesome. Thanks for stopping by, Slu

      Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  3. Wow, you had quite the run of luck there! I could use some of that money oriented luck myself.

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    1. Kellie... I did indeed. Lucky, Blessed, Right Place, Right Time, or All the Above. Still Shaking my Head!!!

      Hope it comes your way. Thanks for stopping by, Slu

      Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  4. Wooot! Congrats on all the good $$ luck, and the sale of the tickets was awesome on its own, but even more awesome that its'a Father's Day gift for her son. I like it. :)

    Following you on Pinterest...nice 'Are Kidding Me?' board. :)

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    1. Hey There...

      Thanks!!! And yes, when I found out what that particular Mom was doing with my tickets, I thought that was so cool & sweet.

      You know... On that P Board, I see some things on Pinterest that, I swear, the first thing in my mind is: "Are you kidding me???" So, I made that board. Ha...

      Thanks so much for stopping by & have a great weekend, Slu

      Delete
  5. Slu, send some of that financial good luck my way, will ya??? Shelled out a fortune on my A/C and sink repairs....maybe I need to play Lotto....

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    1. Ha... I saw (read) that you got the AC working. Nice!!! One of the reasons I forgot to play last week was because I never play. Just not used to going to the store for that. Go figure.

      Have a great weekend & thanks for stopping by, Slu

      Delete
  6. Slu,
    All of that money and you received it deservingly. We live in a state that doesn't play the power ball, or there might have been three winners! Hey, I'm a good sharer. I can't believe you told the whole 1st story without actually using the phrase, "Pay Dirt!"
    Cheers on the raise and thanks for the coffee cube hint. The drink sounds awesome. Tonight for us, a dessert I invented while gabbing with Karen@ Bakinginatornado. Angelfood cake soaked in Whipped Cream Vodka. ...Calling in "Grown Up Twinkies." Thoughts?
    Happy Weekend, Man!
    -MM

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    1. Double M...

      Hey, there were enough zero's in that Ga-Zillion $$ Jack-Pot, all 3 of us coulda-woulda-shoulda!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

      And now, I am so UPSET that I did NOT use that catch phrase... Man-O-Man, I wish I had thought of that. Would have been perfect. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

      And I am trying to wrap my head around "Whipped Cream Vodka." Grown Up Twinkies??? I think I'm banned from them... I'm sure they are not Gluten Free. Ha!!! But, Enjoy.

      Thanks so much for stopping by & have a great Holiday, Slu

      Delete
  7. As I was reading all your good fortune I thought, I should really play the lottery! What a fun story and a great reminder that has we let go and enjoy our life sometimes things just fall into place! I hope you and your wife are enjoying your holiday. So glad to have found you through the I hate Mondays hop!!

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    1. And likewise your Blog through the Hop...

      Thanks so much for stopping by & have a Great Day, Slu

      Delete
  8. Aww Slu all that good fortune and here my MacBook just died. I notice my iPad knows how to autocorrect the capitalization of both those words nicely. I am glad for your good fortune, here's hoping there's more to come. And that salad sounds yumola I will definitely give it a try!

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    1. Wow... Sorry about the MB. Donna & I were actually discussing iPad's last night. They sound sweet.

      Please try the Salad. It is wonderful. I took it to a party Sunday night and it was very quickly gone.

      Have a great week & Thanks for stopping by, Slu

      Delete
  9. I'm with Zoe - it seems like just when things get dire, something turns up. And I agree with you that you gotta have some of the bad to appreciate the good. Here's to the Salad Days!

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    1. Ha... Agreed. And ya can't beat a good Salad.

      Thanks for stopping by, Slu

      Delete
  10. It seems that May Days turned into Pay Days. Good for you mate, money doesn't always come round to visit, so when it does, hold it tight and put it to good use.

    Now, if you feel too over-loaded with the $$$$$$ don't hesitate to send it over, I really don't mind :) we can wallow in the dirt together. Have a lovely week Slu.

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    1. RPD... Pay Days indeed. Very Blessed this month.

      Come on over and we'll "wallow" in the "pay-dirt." Ha!!!

      Thanks Buddy for stopping by. And you as well, Slu

      Delete

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