Bonus - Retail Therapy for Free!

So the shopping is done and the presents are unwrapped - well, most, we still have one family 'event' to go here! - and I have to say that I got several 'bonuses'. Why and how? Because among the actual gifts I snagged several gift cards, which means I can keep shopping for things from my christmas gift ideas list that weren't picked up by my family. Love it! I 'went' shopping today - picked up a great tea pot with steeper and a gift pack of several teas I wanted to try. Best part? I just entered the gift card and whammo! the items are on the way and I didn't have to pay for 'em. Love it - that's a definite bonus to me!

So Many Calls, So Little Time

My biggest joy in being a freelancer is working from home. My biggest complaint? Also working from home. Although I'm basically a one-woman-business, there are times I need more than 1 phone, phone line, Internet connection. You get the picture. I actually hired a college student, planning to be a journalist, last summer to help with some filing, phone answers and light 'reporting' - meaning they do a little research before I interview the subject. She's a huge help, but with 2 of us in the office several days each week, I need more phone time. Which means I'm looking into a couple of different small business phone system options. Right now I'm basing my opinions on cost rather than flexibility or growth potential because I am still a 1-person-business. It doesn't make sense to pay a thousand bucks for fifteen phones. I just need 1 or possibly 2 additional lines. Still researching, but I'll let you know how it turns out.

Hard To Buy For Man

My husband is the king of hard-to-buy-for people in my life. If he wants something - like an iPad or the new motion system for his PlayStation he gets it. Even if it's already half-way through November. Yeah, he did it to me this year, too. I was all set to give him an electronics Christmas and he went out and bought for himself.

So, I had to re-think. I went through his closets, looked through his games and I was stumped. My friend, Lisa, pointed me to an online hub that has some unique gifts and I am so glad she did. I found transit token cuff links, which are just funky enough for him to like!, at a great price. Being self-employed, we don't have to dress up often, but he still likes his guy-cessories, and these are perfect for him. They arrived yesterday and I have to say, they're even cooler in person. I found a few other gift ideas there, too, so he's now set for the holidays. Best part? He has no clue about anything...I love that!

End Of Year Check

Being self-employed isn't all sweetness and roses. Sure there are benefits - I don't have to live by the alarm clock, I can wear my jammies all day if I want and nobody cares if I sit down to work right while I'm still sweaty from a workout. But there are drawbacks, too. I don't get to talk to real people or hang out over the watercooler gossiping about a favorite show. And I don't have a great, cheap benefits package.

So I decided to check out different companies to see what kind of packages were out there. In my search I found this site which offers free insurance quotes. It's really quick and simple to use. You just have to enter in some basic information - gender, age, height and weight. The quote also asks for some basic history - like are you a smoker, have you been diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes - that is simple to fill in. I was looking for coverage for my husband and myself since his policy through work is not great. Once I entered in our information, I had 20 or so cheap life insurance
quotes in all different ranges - and all with good deductibles, co-pays and low monthly costs. Perfect! If you're looking for cheap insurance, this is the place to go!

Help for Mom and Pop

My mom is a realtor, has her own brokerage. You might think she just sits behind a desk all day waiting for the phone to ring. Actually, she's quite busy. She attends home & garden expos, gives talks to local clubs and schools and does her thing in parades. This year has been especially busy for her and I've gone along to a few shows to help her out. You know what she's doing - that is getting a lot of attention? She's been using those point of purchase displays you see in small mom and pop stores to make displays of her homes. She has a few model houses she takes along to show things like roof damage or kitchen repairs. Things that new home owners need to look for when they're browsing for a new home. She even has a little bin that the kids can reach in to to grab little prizes - crayons with her logo, things like that. She gave me some ideas I'm going to start implementing at trade shows this year.

Frozen Doors

So up here in the Great North, it's been frigid, snowing and icy for the best part of December. I went out to start the SUV Monday and it was so cold the door handle snapped right off! I was stunned. Called our dealer who sent a guy out to pick me up. We've never had door problems in any of our cars. They looked at it and had to replace the entire door. Why? Because there were bearings inside that had gone bad, in addition to the issue with the actual handle. I'm getting it back this afternoon and I can't wait. I'm missed my little SUV!!

Just Along For The Ride

Pictures are coming, but I had to share. On our early holiday vacation, the hubster and I managed an afternoon of baby-free fun. We headed out through the Mexican outback on ATVs to see the sights and hang around. It was so pretty! We were pointed to a trail that goes into the jungle a little way and then on to some old Aztec ruins. I got so many good pictures that day! Of course, we wouldn't be the poster children for traveler's aid that we are if there wasn't an incident - the hubster's ATV blew a tire. Our rental agreement covered it, thankfully, but we did have to walk the unit back about 2 miles to the dealer. He laughed and was very gracious about it..we still have no idea what the hubster hit that caused the tire to blow, but blow it did. I wonder if that rental place has a deal with ATV Tires dealers that keeps him in wheels cheaply?

He's Going To Be Surprised!

My brother has been training for a long-distance bike race. He's actually a very good rider, but his car isn't outfitted the way it should be. Which is where we siblings come in. This year we're all getting him a little something to help with his bike travels. My older brother is getting him some camping equipment, that sort of thing. My husband and I are getting him a new thule bike racks for his car. The rack is so simple to use, not that my brother needs simple, but the quicker he can get on the trail the better, you know? He has no idea what any of us are doing and he's going to be so surprised!

Um, she's a kid!

So we're back from vacation and already had a hospital visit with the kiddo. She's still having breathing problems from time to time. Last visit, the nurse - who probably needs to return to nursing school - couldn't figure out how to use the finger monitor on the kiddo. Um, she's a child. A small child. Try getting a *child's* finger monitor and it might work! URGH!! Frustrated doesn't cover it. At one point I told her to head over to the patient monitor store...she didn't think I was funny.