New Computer

I bought a new computer the other day. My last one, which I have had for about 4 years, completely died. No kidding...Windows said I had to reactivate it in X days or it would stop working.
Trouble is...you have to be able to get on line to reactivate it, and I couldn't get on line.
But there were numerous other things wrong with it, so it was time to let it go to that great computer home in the sky.
I had saved a lot from my groceries and putting away a percentage of each of my meager paychecks so I had almost the right amount to buy this. But the best thing is that I got a check for back payment from a previous job at Petco, and it arrived the day before I went computer shopping! It was almost $700! Somehow, they owed me two paychecks from 3 years ago. Sometimes, cool things happen in life.

My computer is an HP Pavilion. It's totally cool. I don't have AOL yet, but I'll pick up one of those free discs and have my son reinstall it for me. I miss having a place to put "favorites."
I've also been systematically reinstalling my music and scrapbook programs, etc. So far, it's taken most everything. Except this is a Vista and it refused to work with my old printer! Glad it came with one, LOL!

I've been tagged!

Oh, boy! http://live-frugal.blogspot.com/2007/04/frugal-living-meme.html tagged me for a frugal meme. What do I do well and what do I do poorly for being frugal?
One thing I do well is saving a LOT of money on my food shopping. I joined grocerygame.com, which helps a lot. On average, I save at least 30% a visit, and often much more. This allows for a well-stocked pantry, as well as a good supply of things like toothpaste. I've started transferring my savings from the grocery into my savings account, and it's almost at $600!

My biggest problem is remembering to pay bills on time. I'm much better at it than a few years ago, but there is still room for improvement. It's a matter of having a bad concept of what the date is. I'm thinking of sending myself e-mail alerts to get the bills out on time. I've recently discovered phone payments. Sometimes they cost you, but it's a lot cheaper than a late fee and a jacked-up finance charge! So that's my worst area, and the one I'm trying hardest to improve. Really, I am!

Easter Greetings

Happy Easter to All!!!

Here is an egg-peeling tip for you:

Crack the shell all over, then begin peeling from the big end. This is usually where there is an 'air pocket' and the inner membrane is easier to break here. It's when that membrane sticks that you get those annoying broken-up eggs!

Sew Craft Friday

http://www.w8ng4him.blogspot.com/ Please visit here and join in the fun!

This is an Easter apron I'm making. It's a work in progress, which means it might not get done this year because I only started it yesterday. Last week, I used the bunny cookie cutter and made a pattern. I cut out a buncha bunnies, with no idea what I'd do with them. (BTW, those big copper cookie cutters are ridiculously expensive. This one was a gift!)

The 'skirt' of the apron actually started as part of a top. Actually, it's a muslin copy of a top I want to make, but wanted to do in cheap fabric first to make sure it fits. (It does!) I don't throw my trial outfits away, but cut into the muslin for smaller things. But I was looking at the wide cut of this bodice and thought...apron! So I cut off the top half, cut the back open and added some hems. Really, all I have to do now is a waistband and some ties. I have enough fabric that matches the pockets for the waistband. I might have ribbon for the ties.

Maybe this will get done this year, after all! That is...once I've boiled the eggs to color, double-checked the Easter basket supplies, made cookies...

Oh, and I'm babysitting my neighbor's 4-month-old grandbaby, Julianna Sophia. I haven't heard a peep out of her. Every time I check her, she smiles at me! What a happy kid!