Make It: Floppy Disk Bag

Sunday, Make posted HOW TO - Make a Floppy Disk Bag (visit the link for a photo). I have seen notebook covers from floppies, but not a bag. Also, that post has links on how to make other bags from non-traditional bag-making materials.

It was a fitting post since I finally saw Rize and there is a boy who wears a double-bag cereal box as a back pack. A very simple design of two strings attached to the box for shoulder straps. I seem to remember someone making something similar a while back, but I could not a photo online.

Both Mad Hot Ballroom and Rize make me want to get up and dance and I highly recommened them to anyone who likes documentaries. Both are available at my library, although I wish they had Krump 1.0-Basic Techniques so I could learn the dance!

Make It: Chess Table

chess_table
Originally uploaded by udandi.

I mentioned in the comments about my new table and chairs that my uncle is a talented woodworker who made my sister's dining room table.

Since I have previously bragged on my talented family, I thought I would share some of their work, like this chess table from my uncle. I remember my aunt telling me one day she was standing in her kitcken looking out at their deck saying she wished she had some flowerboxes and a couple hours later, they appeared!

Check out my Flickr set for the rest of my uncle's work.

97X:The Future of Rock and Roll = NOT DUNZO?

At the beginning of the month I posted that WOXY.com was DUNZO, but now it looks like it is getting a third chance with online broadcasting resuming in a couple of weeks!

Visit WOXY: The Station That Would Not Die to read an entry on City Beat's blog about what has transpired since it went off September.

WFMW Redux: Duplicate Favorite Jeans

Each week Works-For-Me Wednesday is hosted by Rocks in my Dryer where over one hundred bloggers provide links to great tips and tricks. This week, we dip into the archive to re-post a favorite.

My favorite is buying dupicate jeans (pants) when you find a pair you really love and can afford. That way when one pair is dirty or at the dry cleaner, you have another! Click here for the original post about Duplicating Favorite Jeans.

My previous entries:
WFMW: Container Storage
WFMW: Cedar Cigar Boxes in Closet
WFMW: Magnetic Calculator
WFMW: Paint Edger
WFMW: Sample Shampoo Holder
WFMW: Neck Cooler

Make It: Aprons

tanya-Guys and Dolls Originally uploaded by angry chicken.

This post is dedicated to SMB and her craftastic endeavors!

She asked for free apron patterns and the first thing I thought of was Tie One On. Each month there is a different theme and participants email photos of their aprons to the web site, which posts them for everyone to enjoy! I loved this Guys and Dolls-inspired apron - so clever and cool! As for patterns, under categories a few are linked.

Dorothy's Aprons has reproduced patterns from a 1940-booklet by White Sewing Machine Company. Users can print and transfer the patterns, instructions are at the bottom of the linked page.

If that does not work, I would suggest using an existing apron for measurements to create your own!

ETA: I am not sure why the photo credit appears at times and then does not, but if you hover over it, the credit is there and if you click the photo it will take you to the Flickr group.

Hearst Magazines Discount

Hearst Magazine's semi-annual sale ends today. Save up to 86% on select titles.

I used my (and Larae's - thanks, again!) Coke Rewards to get Weekend and House Beautiful, which is why I recieved this sale notice.

I have not been getting magazines since last year when I dropped Budget Living in anticipation of it going under and I did not really miss them, but my mom and I did enjoy looking at the layouts in House Beautiful!

I know some people buy cheap magazines subscriptions from ebay, but I have not tried this route. I would probably buy from an unreliable seller and it would take 6 months to get the magazine. But if you have had better experience and would like to share, please do!

Target: Magazine Holders

Cruising through Target's clearance endcaps, I found these magazine holders (top) with 4 strong magnets, a magnetic memo board with 9 strong magnets, which I am going to hang on the other side of my craft storage center. The red desktop holder is for someone else, although I do like the color!

Stop Trigger Lists

Quarterlife Finance explains how you can opt-out of trigger lists, which are used by companies to offer you a firm-line of credit. I suggest reading the whole post, but below is the number to call to opt-out.

So to protect your privacy, reduce your risk of identity theft, and decrease the amount of junk mail you receive every day, go to http://www.optoutprescreen.com/ or call 1-888-567-8688 right now and opt out of trigger lists and pre-screened offers of credit. If you haven’t already, you may also want to add your phone number to the National Do-Not-Call Registry (https://www.donotcall.gov/) at this time.

It is an automated operator who asks you to say and spell your last name. After three times, it still did not have my name correct so I had to say and spell my full name after the tone.

September 24 Target ad

I already mentioned this week is Dollar Week at Target so if you have the coupons you might score some deals.

I like the Men's Athletic Tees, which I have bought before and they are still soft and have kept their shape (not all stretched out and goofy from washing). These are great for making logo tees!

Get it: Trifle Bowl

Summer Fruit Trifle
Originally uploaded by Gnomeg.

I was cruising through Gnomeg's Flickr when I saw her summer fruit trifle and it reminded me that Old Time Pottery is selling trifle bowls for $4.50 this week. Seems like a deal for those who like to make trifles!

As for recipes, search Google for trifle recipes, click images and then hope there's a recipe with the most appealing photo!

Score: Table & Chairs

I'm so excited! I've been on the lookout for a pedestal table and this set was being sold for 100 buck because the seller is moving to Switzerland.

My dad thought I should bargain with her, but I thought it was a great price for an antique piece in great condition and I had such good karma selling my parents' furniture that I do not want to spoil it by getting greedy!

It opens up for leaves but she did not have them when she bought it used. I hope to be able to take the measurements and find leaves at a flea market or antique shop. I wanted a pedestal table for the opportunity to cram as many family members or friends around the table without four people having to straddle the table leg!

Altered: Painted Baskets

In order to create a coordinating look among three baskets, I painted them with a chocolate brown spray paint. Now instead of noticing the colors of the baskets, you notice that there are baskets on the shelf, but not the colors!

See It: MidPoint Music Festival

MPMF started last night, but you can still go tonight and Saturday!

Find: Spare Change, part II

When my niece visits I like to make up these really fun games for her to play like fill the washing machine, sweep the floors and my fave fold the towels! I dread the day she meets a kid on the playground and realizes these aren't games, but until then...

I'll stick her in my car and tell her we are on a very important treasure hunt in which we need to find all the coins! She changed up the rules by offering to take all my "gray ones" in exchange for her pennies. Senorita Smarty-Pants is also stubborn so she refused to listen once I started explaining that each coin had a value, but at least I was able to get all my coins back to wrap and have enough for the car wash!

She reminded me of Tired but Happy's son and his fistfull of pennies.

WFMW: Container Storage

Actually this is what works for my mom. While I keep plastic containers in the fridge, she puts all her plastic container lids in magazine holders with the containers on the shelf above or in front.

Previously, the lids were in the little drawer above this cabinet, but when it became over-filled, the lids would get shoved to the back and eventually fall down into this cabinet. So while this photo might look like a jumble, it is more organized than before!

Visit Rocks in My Dryer for the rest of the Works-for-Me Wednesday entries.

Edited to reply to a comment: Is that a lot of lids for two people who make ahead meals, store and eat leftovers and pack their lunches in containers rather than plastic baggies, foil, or waxed paper? Maybe for the throw-away generation of today it is a lot of lids, but I think it is about right for my folks!

Make It: Chalkboard Sign

My dad had an extra real estate sign that he let me paint both sides with chalkboard paint. We are going to use it to announce an open house we will be holding for one of his properties.

This is the second odd thing I have painted with the chalkboard paint. The other was a tray table that I can doodle on or make notes!

Although not a pricey as magnetic paint, I bought the chalkboard paint at Michaels when I had a 50% off coupon.

Edited to Reply to Comments: Yes, it is easy to apply. I used a regular paint brush, followed the directions to wait between coats (2) and wait a little long before first use.

September 17 Target ad

I spied the Eureka Altima bagless vacuum discounted in this week's advertisment. My mom has that vaccum and enjoys how easy it is to dump the lint and rinse the holder and filter. Also, it isn't that heavy to use on stairs!

About two months ago when I was painting, I could have used the Rubbermaid project step ladder.
Although, my luck is such that I would put the paint on the holder and then somehow knock it off!

I was looking at other stools and saw the Kirk Step Stool, which I often see in libraries and schools. I did not realize they were so pricey, but it does hold up to 500 pounds, has casters for rolling and a wrap-around bumper.

See It: Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati

This weekend is Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati, which is recognized as the world’s second-largest authentic Oktoberfest and considered the largest outside Munich.

If that's not enough, this is like a pep rally for the Bengals-Browns game with Chad Johnson bringing his end-zone dancing to Fountain Square to lead the crowd in the Chicken Dance! At 1994's Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati, 48,000 participated in the chicken dance making it the world's largest as proclaimed by Guinness Book of Records.

Unfortch, the Chad Johnson Mohawk Head will not be available until Sunday otherwise, I would imagine many would be wearing that for the dance, under their chicken hats!

Visit the Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati web site to learn why Oktoberfest is held in September!

Mailbox Goodness: Target Flip Book of coupons!

Yesterday, I hit the mailbox jackpot!

I got another Target coupon flip book. This time it is a little lady made of pretzels and chips that holds up an umbrella after a windfall of savings! Looks like the week of September 24 will be the stock-up week. I have gotten these books in March and July and both times I used them in the store, Target Team Members asked me how I got them. I still do not know, but I like getting them and sharing with my mom and sister :) Do you get the booklet?

Also, Seasons 1 & 2 of Grey's Anatomy arrived! The price dropped and there was free shipping, plus, I had the $5 gift certificate I got a while back when Jane Dough tipped me off to a survey. Then, the price dropped again after I ordered so I got a refund!

Finally, either I am getting free issues to Fitness or someone is trying to tell me something! ;)

Make It: Itty Bitty Little Books, Food & Toys

Yesterday, I enjoyed learning about mininature books and the Urban Fairy Doors in Ann Arbor, MI.

Then, I was blown away by the cutest of the entries to Craftster's latest craft challenge: A Bite to Eat entry, which reminds me of my food magnets EXCEPT this is real food on a tray, made teeny tiny! Also, I liked Itty Bitty Bead Maze.

Free Stuff: Cincinnati Reds tickets

The Cincinnati Reds are offering fans an unusual way to get free game tickets -- by participating in a simulated terrorist attack at the ballpark.

The team is seeking volunteers for the exercise on Sept. 30, to be conducted by the Department of Homeland Security and the Southwestern Ohio, Southeastern Indiana and Northern Kentucky Regional Collaborative. The exercise will simulate a full-scale terrorist attack at the Great American Ball Park.

The volunteers are being asked to play fans who will be evacuated from the park after the simulated attack. For that, each will receive a voucher for two tickets to a game during the 2007 season, as well as promotional items, according to the Reds Rap e-mail news.

Participants are asked to arrive at the ballpark between 7-8 a.m. on the 30th, and the exercise should be finished by 10 a.m., the Reds said.

The Cincinnati Business Courier

Make It: Business and Logo T-shirts

I pay attention to logos on others' shirts.

I will never own a [insert apparel company name] shirt and advertise for them.

I own my own business and know I have to be my own biggest promoter.

Enter the DIY business and logo t-shirt.

I put my shop's web address on a brown shirt and layer it over a light blue shirt to create my shop's colors. I wear mine everywhere, but especially to craft shows whether I am selling or shopping. It is a conversation starter.

Silkscreen, print Gocco, print iron-on transfer paper to put your shop's name, logo or web address to blank apparel. Make extras to give away to customers or friends who will proudly promote your site!

Kiplinger's Must-Read Bloggers

I'm breezing through the October 2006 issue of Kiplinger's and liked the last page about the PR guy who used a blog to sell his house! I will have to wait until the October web links are updated to see the blog.

Then, I flipped back a little and saw the Must-read Bloggers, including Consumerism Commentary, which says Flexo "...claims to be a 30-year-old man" and I got a little chuckle the author would write that because maybe he doubts Flexo?! Regardless, Congratulations on the press!!

While I was reading this, Sell This House was playing in the background and I feel sorry for the people who say they watch this show but still need Roger and Tayna to tell them that the kooky kountry klutter might be one reason (dated wallpaper and bedrooms and a kitchen used as a storage room among others) the house has been on the market for 18 months. Soon after the makeover, the house had offers!

Meme: Famous In Our Own Lunchtimes

Tagged by Larae...

1. What do you like most about where you live?
It's where my family and friends are; any city will do as long as they're around!

2. Is there anything strange about where you live?
We say please? for pardon me and our chili is a topping.

3. What's one of your all-time favorite music albums, and why?
Night Ripper by Girl Talk (I am surprised he has not been sued or the album's been pulled) It is a great party album (if you can tolerate colorful language) or can be a game of name that tune while working out.

4. Did you have a passion for something as a kid that you still have now? (if not - what is one of your passions now?) being creative

5. What do you like most about having a blog?
It is a forum to share projects and thoughts with anyone in the world.

Open tag for anyone who reads this and wants to participate :)

How To: De-clutter through Craigslist, Part I

Holding a garage sale is no doubt a lot of work with collecting the items, setting up the night before and peddling the goods the day of the sale, but de-cluttering, not money is my major motivation.

To help my parents de-clutter for a down-sizing move, I offered to use Craigslist.org to create a FREE virtual garage sale with all wheeling and dealing done mostly through email. The following details how I used Craigslist to sell my parents furniture for top dollar (as Clive Pearse of Designed to Sell says) with a minimal investment of time.

Creating Product Descriptions

To start, I made a list of each item's feature, dimensions, condition, price and terms of sale. I want to provide the potential buyer with as much information as I want when I shopping a garage sale and have to ask the seller. Also, when I look at items on Craigslist, I am more inclined to take an interest if I know all the info upfront and do not have to wait on an email reply. I took multiple photos of each item since Craigslist allows four photos with each listing.

In terms of pricing, I never lose sight that a used item is worth only as much as another is willing to pay for it. For most items I set an asking price and withheld the lowest price my parents would take so that I could say OBO and hope that might interest more to know they can strike a deal with us. I was able price my items in relation to the prices others set and based on what I know from garage and thrift store shopping.

Creating a Virtual Garage Sale

I created a garage sale blog. Remember, I want to provide potential buyers with everything I would want to be persuaded to purchase, this includes larger photos than what Craigslist allows and to provide one spot for them to see all the items I am selling. Plus, I do not want to miss an opportunity to sell more than one item to a potential buyer! Using Blogger, I quickly created an entry for each item and included the information and larger photos.

Optimizing Craigslist Posts

After I completed the web site, I waited until about 11:30pm on Wednesday to begin listing my items on Craigslist, including the web site link suggesting potential buyers see larger photos and all items. Since Craigslist posts 100 listings to a page in reverse chronological order, by date I wanted my items to appear at the top of Wednesday's posts, not buried in the middle. I hoped to catch the Thursday and Friday sale hunters who would be agreeable to buying Saturday morning.

How to: De-clutter through Craigslist, Part I
How to: De-clutter through Craigslist, Part II
Tips: For Using Craigslist

How To: De-clutter through Craigslist, Part II

Getting Serious Buyers

All my listings noted that I was looking for serious buyers for cash and carry, this was important to me to note. With all the information and photos I provided, the buyers had a pretty good idea of what they would get at pick-up. Most of the emails I got were from people asking to come out and buy an item, which is what I wanted to hear, but I did not simply reply with directions, stating come whenever you willy-nilly feel like it. I wanted to confirm their seriousness and weed out looky-lous who like to window shop. My first reply to them consisted of:

1) Requesting they provide me with an approximate time within my designated timeframe (in this case, Saturday morning) that they were ready to come buy (yes BUY, not by) because I would have the item ready for them to put in their truck

2) If the case, I let each person know there were others interested and I would sell to the first buyer to show up ready to pay cash and haul it

Closing the Deal

They had all the information they needed to say the were committed to come out with cash and get the item, without having to worry about climbing up and down stairs to move it. Also, if they waited too long, they might miss out. If they replied back still interested (and a few did not), I sent directions along with my cell phone number and a request to call if they were going to cancel. Also, I stated that it was $X for Yproduct, cash only.

I wanted to know I had a sale. Also, it provided me with time to dust off the item and on the driveway, ready to be hauled away. This turned out to be a great decision since most people backed down the driveway, rang the doorbell and handed over the money saying they saw it was ready to be bought! While this process avoided having to let strangers into the house, I did offer to go out and help lift the item(s).

Dancing to the Bank

After I completed my celebratory song and dance, I hopped on the computer to delete the item's listing at Craigslist and my web site in order to prevent people from emailing on items not available.

Last week, I asked for good thoughts to be sent our way so that we could sell this furniture and either that worked or because I added a little effort to make my Craigslist endeavor worthwhile to both the buyers and myself. Almost all the big stuff sold on Saturday and a few others were picked up within 5 days. Only a couple items remain, which I will probably re-list, maybe with lower prices and hope that my timing is right, but overall I am thrilled my parents have less furniture to pay to move!

How to: De-clutter through Craigslist, Part I
How to: De-clutter through Craigslist, Part II
Tips: For Using Craigslist

Tips: For Using Craigslist

• Determine reasonable prices – I'll be honest, when looking at ads, I do not care if you paid $200 for a new recliner 7 years ago, it is now used. Depending on the condition, you might be able to get 1/4 to 1/3 of that price
  
• Consider listing your items after 11pm so that they appear at the top of that day’s postings
• Do not spam Craigslist – one listing per category, per city, no more often than about every 48 hours (Craigslist Policies)
  
• Craigslist offers plenty of room to provide complete product information

1. Measurements
2. Condition
3. Price
4. From a pet-free, smoke-free home (It may not be important to you, but it is to allergy sufferers)

• Include appealing photos – you can list up to four

1. Consider multiple angles of an item
2. Orient them appropriately – would you want to crank your neck to the side to look at someone's old recliner?
3. Avoid using blurry photos, which might lead one to believe you are hiding its true condition or loads of pet hair on the recliner

• If you only want serious buyers, say it!
  

1. Cash and carry
2. Pay and pick up

• If you will be using your email to communicate, plan to check your email somewhat frequently after listing an item – leaving a potential buyer hanging might result in a missed sale!
• Ignore the emails from distant buyers who will send a “cheque”
• Be upfront if you are entertaining multiple offers - the first to pay, take the items
  
• Do not waste all day waiting around on buyers, determine a timeframe for pick up and have them commit (the best you can)
• Safety first! Avoid stranger danger:

1. Carefully consider whether you want to give out your phone number (I was okay giving my cell because it is not searchable via Google)
   
2. Do not have potential buyers come when you are alone
3. Consider having the item near your door or outside (weather permitting) to avoid letting strangers in your place

• After an item sells, delete your listing from Craiglist – no need to clutter the list with items that are no longer available
• Celebrate your sale with more de-cluttering or at least not buying others' clutter!!!

Like ebay or half, certain items lend themselves to being well sold on certain marketplaces, this worked for furniture, but it may not work well for other items. The comments are open for readers to chime in with what you have sold through Craigslist!

How to: De-clutter through Craigslist, Part I
How to: De-clutter through Craigslist, Part II
Tips: For Using Craigslist

Cheap Eats: Happy Hour @ Bar Louie (Newport, KY)

I had screening passes for Hollywoodland so my friend and I headed down a little early and stopped at Bar Louie at Newport on the Levee for happy hour cheap eats. After asking about the happy hour specials and learning that only select items were half price and not the $.25 to $1.50 prices listed on their web site*. We decided on the Wednesday Special:

$1 Burgers every Wednesday night 5 p.m. - close
*with the purchase of a beverage

The catch is that it is a plain burger on bun with lettuce. Mustard and ketchup are on the table and mayo, cheese, onions, mushrooms, pickles, etc are $.25-$.50. Our soft drinks cost more than our $1.75 burgers and we split a basket of fries (enough for three, really), so it was a tasty meal for under $10 (before tax & tip).

As for the movie, turtles move faster than it, but at least I did not pay to see it!

*I emailed them to inquire about it and was told it needed to be updated.

Offended by Non-Disclosed Referral Links?

Freedumb asks

Are You Offended By Non-Disclosed Referral Links?

I left a comment that I was not offended. Most PF blogs are monetarizing their blogs in some way so I figure anything that looks remotely like a link of a company name is probably a referral. I already hover on company-like links to see if there is an ID code, then it is my choice to click on it or do as ETF Guy as does and strip out the affiliate code (see comments).

If I thought the entire purpose of their blog is to collect readers who will click through their affiliate codes, I just would not read that blog. By the way, PFblogs.org will not list splogs (spam blogs) or have them as a friend.

But as I said on Freedumb's post, I am far more inclined not to read a blog if it has a-hard-for-me-to-read font and/or color and a few other things like distracting layout or does not publish a full feed.

Yes, I know many bloggers will not publish a full feed because then readers will not click through to the blog and ultimately on an advert for which they benefit. I am not against that. My blog reading time is short and if I can easily skim and save posts in my RSS reader, the more likely I am to go back and comment when I have time. That is if the I can read the font without inching close to the screen, giving myself a headache from squinting, scrolling or arranging the browser window to exclude "noise" or if I have to highlight the text of a post because it overlaps with the side columns. I am getting into a whole other post here...

Back on topic, in the interest of full disclosure, readers of this blog may see referrals for:

• ING Direct
• Amazon
• Andi's aStore
• BzzAgent, Inc. (does not appear as a link since you would have to email me to sign you up)
• Ads by Google; Google products
• MyBlogLog (no clue what I get by referring you)
  
• Blingo
  

I welcome any reader who wants to take advantage of these referrals, but mostly it is my family and friends who know that if I am talking about free stuff, coupons or the pop culture I am consuming, they can visit my blog rather than ask me to email them the info (and then have to listen to me say, just visit my blog - it's FREE to READ!)

Free Stuff: samples & coupons

• Dove Moisture Hand Wash


• Wal-Mart (Olay anti-aging was the last new I got)


• Schick Intuition


• Armor All Cleaning Wipes


• Jergens lotions


• Calgon Mmmm Cotton Candy


• Arm & Hammer toothpaste


• FiberSure


• Herbal Essences (click on get a sample)


• Post-It (the offers vary so you need to poke around)


• Tylenol Ultra Relief or Tylenol Rapid Release Gelcaps(Canadian households only)


• Tylenol coupons


• Aquafresh White & Shine


• Aquafresh Extreme Clean


• Comfort 3 Advance!


• Schick Quattro Women


• Glad ForceFlex trash bags


• Wisk(the way it reads, I'm not sure if you get a sample now or later)


• Downy Plus Whitening [BGOW]


• Dove Energy Glow lotion(Spanish)


• Dove Shampoo, Deodorant or Lotions


• Dentyne [source: agent belle - thanks for the comment!]


• Reynolds Slow Cooker Liner [source: LOaB]


• Two White Castle Hamburgers [passcode: ALWAYS OPEN]


• Pure from Maybelline


• Lactaid


• From Olay


• From Playtex Beyond


• From Degree Women


• From Degree Men


• From Pepcid AC (special offers link)

Please do not abuse this opportunity by requesting multiples by using your home and work addresses or submitting your pets names and limiting the opportunity for others :)

Disclaimer: I bear no responsibility for any marketing emails you might receive as a result of signing up!

I'll bump this post up when I find new sample offers so if you click on a link and the supply is exhausted, please leave a comment so I can remove it. Thanks!

Related Links:
Free Stuff: Babies
Free Stuff: Pets

WFMW: Cedar Cigar Boxes in Closet

I've missed the last three Works-for-Me Wednesdays, but I am back with a cigar box in my closet.

ooooh exciting, I know!

I put a cedar cigar box that I picked up from a garage sale in my closet so every time I open the door, I am greeted with a light scent of cedar! I have two rows of shelving above my clothing rod so I have room to leave it upside-down and open, but even closed it still gives off its cedar scent and it is probably 4 years old.

The wine and cigar shops might give you some if you ask nicely, but I have found most want a couple of bucks for the boxes. I like the box better than cedar blocks or balls, because I cannot lose track of the box like I could the others.

Every Wednesday, Rocks in My Dryer creates a link-fest that is Works-for-Me Wednesday. Read the guidelines to participate!

Free Stuff: $10 Gift Certificate to Prime Outlets

Fill out a short survey and get a $10 gift certificate to be used at stores in select Prime Outlet locations. Legal info and details:

This promotion is subject to the following restrictions: This promotion is open to happy shoppers at least 18 years of age. Each voucher is redeemable for one gift certificate in the amount of $10.00 which may be used only at the Prime Outlets Shopping Centers at Birch Run (Michigan), Grove City (Pennsylvania), Jeffersonville (Ohio), Queenstown (Maryland) and Pleasant Prairie (Wisconsin) and nowhere else. Vouchers (a) are valid between July 1, 2006 and October 31, 2006 and at no other time whatsoever, (b) must be applied to the purchase of merchandise at one of the aforementioned Prime Outlets Shopping Centers and (c) may not be redeemed for cash. A person may redeem only one voucher and that voucher may be used at only one of the aforementioned Prime Outlets Shopping Centers. Employees of Prime Retail are not entitled to participate in this promotion or redeem a voucher. Prime Retail may refuse to redeem any voucher that it believes, in its sole judgment, to be an unauthorized reproduction. This promotion may be discontinued at any time and without any further notice.

News: Lexington and Cincinnati related

Last week my sparce blogging was due to my heart and attention being captivated by Comair Flight 5191 and the news that a missing 3-year-old was actually killed by his foster parents.

Visiting a few message boards this weekend I noticed posts about Flight 5191 with inaccurate information so I thought I would link to the Lexington Herald-Leader's coverage of the crash. I know some is because the media does not get it right, like when a national news channel shows the Twin Spires of Churchill Downs (Louisville) when talking about Keeneland (Lexington), which is across from the Blue Grass Airport.

One of the articles at the Herald-Leader is that of a mother who was not able to make the same flights as her teenage daughter and was waiting at the airport for the next flight. One of many heartbreaking stories along with profiles of all 49 victims.

I know this has nothing to do with crafts or personal finance, but both stories have been occupying my thoughts lately.

September 3 Target ad

My mom and I just took a spin through Target and I don't know if it is because I am tired, but nothing in the advertisement really jumped out at me.

The Roughneck Rubberneck tubs are on sale - lowest of the season - $3.77 for the 14 gallon or $4.47 for the 18 gallon. I post about them everytime they are on sale because I love mine. I love that if I fill them to the brim, they are not back-breaking heavy.

I did ended up buying a red sink mat (matches my red dish rack and liner) for $1.48.

Next, we went to Linens n Things because I had a coupon for 20% everything I bought. I picked up a table runner, a coordinating napkin and 5 dish towels for $5.40.

shimandsons posted her wallpockets, which I think are fabulous, and I wondered if rather than buying fabric if I could use my table runner and napkin to do something similar. I will be wondering for a while since the sewing machine is packed up and in storage!

Defined: Hobbies

When I hosted the Question of the Day, I asked what type of hobbies people engaged in and how much they spend. My ears perked up when one commenter said:

I have a lot of activities that I like to do but I wouldnt call them hobbies.

Very interesting, I guess because I think of hobbies as being an activity or interest pursued outside of your occupation and done so for pleasure. It covers a lot of ground from home improvement to volunteering to playing poker to playing with your dog at the park to meeting your friends for happy hour. To me, hobbies are not confined to those things others consider traditional, they are activities that you enjoy doing in your free time from work and home!

Another person said:

I don't really (and I don't think many other people) think too much about how much they're spending if it's on something they love to do.

I agree, except I think that could be used as an excuse for letting your spending on hobbies get out of control and/or not realistically plan for them. I mean I love, love, love rubber stamping cards, but I have to reign myself in from buying every stamp, ink and extra do-dad!

It is un-stated, but if you prefer an invite you are always welcome to leave a comment with your thoughts!

Speaking of activities I enjoy, I need to tend to my potential Craigslist buyers. If you have an extra minute, please send the udandi clan positive vibes that our furniture will sell so my parents can continue to embark on a down-sizing move!

97X:The Future of Rock and Roll = DUNZO

It has been slowly dying the last two years, but come September 15, WOXY.com will end.

WOXY.com was launched from Longworth Hall, downtown, in July 2004, two months after Doug and Linda Balough sold the nationally acclaimed WOXY-FM (97.7) in Oxford for $5.6 million to First Broadcasting Partners in Dallas.

The failed Internet station was known as 97X, and "The Future of Rock and Roll."

Even people who did not listen to the station know it's slogan thanks to Raymond Babbitt in Rainman.

"97X, bam! The future of rock 'n' roll. 97X, bam! The future of rock 'n' roll. 97X, bam! The future of rock 'n' roll."
"Ray, enough already! Change the channel."
"97X, bam! The future of rock 'n' roll. 97X, bam! The future of rock 'n' roll. Definatly 97x."