CHEAPER CHECKS PLEASE

Wow, I had to reorder checks recently.
I remember when I used to pay $17.00 for a box of checks.
I would order two boxes at a time. I would receive 50 checks per bound, a total of 400 checks. I know the checks had been going up in price however, over the years they have been decreasing the amount of checks per box. I did not realize it until the price was $45.00 for two boxes and I am only receiving a total of 240 checks. I was not happy and told the woman on the phone, “I know this is not your fault, do you realize that this is what they did with the 16oz can of food in the grocery store? They increased the price and reduced the amount in the can.”
Guess they are going to get me one way or another.

Oh, by the way, those who think the price I am paying is totally outrageous, I pay extra to have top stub checks.

Free Flowers

I had gone grocery shopping. Out side of the store they had a huge display of flowering plants. On the inside, they had potted flowers. I wasn't sure of the difference. The ones on the inside were however more expensive.

I took a basket and proceeded back outside to pick up a few inexpensive plants. I was pleased with my choice of three which would have amounted to around ten dollars.

As I was walking through the store, I was stopped by a woman who looked very surprised at my choices and said OH! You're a gardener?!! Do you know if "Blankity blank blank" (I don't even know what kind of plant she asked about now). if it comes back each year or not? I said I had just (no lie) asked a neighbor the same question not more than an hour ago. She planted hers last year and it came back this year, bigger and stronger, however I did not see any of those out front of the store. The woman told me " that's because I took the rest of them, Here." (she handed me one) It had a sticker on it that said $.50. I was shocked. She said they always put out the plants that are no longer blooming out side and they are all marked down. Her basket was full of plants. I told her I would just go out front and check that out. She said, "no, I took them all. You can have this one".

So I took the plant, did my shopping and then proceeded to the area where they would have these discount items. I had also picked up some wilted tulips for $1.00. That's all that she left. She aparently is not a bulb person. What a find. I'm going to keep my eye open for more buys like this.

By the way this was not in the same area as the new beautiful flowering plants. They, the new ones distracted the unknowing consumer from the wilting out of season ones. But , I now know to watch for these.

WHAT'S IN A NAME

I just realized that everyone had updated their blog after the Easter holiday. So I now feel compelled to update mine.

When reading some of the response to blogs, I read one from Adrian with reference to what I believed was a grocery store.

OMG... How could anyone, name their food business ...."Ralph's"... Who would ... (if given a choice of other places).... actually shop at a place for food called "Ralph's" Or am I the only one who knows about vomiting to be called ralphing?

The blue birds are back

Well, they're baaaaaack....

When we moved into our house approx three and a half years ago, we also had five existing bird houses on the property. They were spread amongst the hard wood trees in the back of the property.

One little red house has lost its bottom. No doubt, probably to termites. You'll also notice the little red house is in close proximity of the church.

There is one that looks like a miniature mail box. Never been occupied. Just like the housing market, This one has been foreclosed on and no one will ever occupy it due to it's construction. It is a metal house. Sort of like the old style trailer homes like Mom and Dad and numerous Aunts and Uncles had when they were younger. Probably the low rent area of the trees.

I had put up two of my own houses last year. One received as a Christmas present and the other purchased at an antique store. The purchased one was a wooden purse with a latch for a closure. (not foreclosure) I had modified it with a hole in the siding and waa...la.. instant bird house. I put them both on the market right near our drive way in the back. I never used any signage or advertising: the purse is now occupied by the finch family. The gifted house, is still up for sale. I will do a lease purchase if anyone knows someone who would like the house. The brown one on the right. Please note it is in a subdivision and in a non gated community. The pool is in close proximity.

We believe the blue bird family is back from winter vacation and reoccupying their original house. This is not the variety of "blue bird" that everyone knows of. The type of bird... "I'm not sure of". I'm a non discriminating landlord. They just happen to have blue feathers. They have brought another family with them and they have all been moving in for the last few days.

I'm sure within a few weeks, our yard will have much to sing about.

Amanda

Just a note for all of you out there Amanda is back on line again. If you care to go to her blog. If you no longer have her on your favorites, you can click on her name to the side of my blog.

PACZKI DAY

OK so who remembers this and who still celebrates it? I know my mother's sister does.


Detroit
Michigan's first Catholic settlers were French, but the Fat Tuesday celebrations of modern times in Detroit stem from more the recent influence of the Polish Paczki Day. Locals flock to the local bakeries of Hamtramck to enjoy the large round Paczki doughnuts filled with raspberry, prune or vanilla cream. The colder climate of Michigan does not lend itself to a Carnival type celebration but the local media outlets do make a spectacle of Paczki day every year.

Anyone still celebrate pancake day? I know Ihop does down here however I think they are missled as to the meaning. They call it customer appreciation day.

For Sale

I had not posted a blog since the Open House/Oscar Nite at Mom & ?Dad's? place.

I have been quite busy with putting 18 townhomes on the market.
It seems the housing market is starting to pick up once again. Not that prices are going up, they are staying the same so far.
Interest rate has dropped again, this should get those sellers and buyers out there.

Since our visit to Tim's house, Mom and I have somewhat completed my kitchen, we painted over the wall paper, put up a new border and valances and I bought a new throw rug. Everything else in the kitchen stayed the same. The only part we forgot was behind the refrigerator.

We then painted the 1/2 bath on the first floor.

With the exception of my laundry room, the first floor is complete.

I'm trying to keep up with Tim however, my projects involve paint, paper and fabric, not wood.