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's:  On 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!!!

Music:  Some 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 Watch:  This 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 End:  Wow...  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