If you're like me, one of things you're doing is giving everything in your budget a good once-over, or at least a twice-over and looking to see where you can save some money. It helps a lot if you can find a good deal. One thing that might be of assistance to you in this matter is this site where you can get a car insurance quote. Most people don't try to look for a better price on insurance. They think it's trouble enough to get insurance in the first place, and to leave well enough alone. But you never know until you try, and you may find yourself pleasantly surprised. And if you can get a better deal, you'll be glad that you tried.

With things getting tougher out there, a lot of people are trying to make do with less. If we're lucky, we're able to get by. But sometimes unexpected expenses come up. If it turns out to be more money that you have saved, that might be a problem. Usually, there's other sources you can turn to, like borrowing from friends or relatives. But they may be tapped out, as well. One thing that may help is getting a Faxless Pay Day Loan. You can complete the entire process online in minutes and get the money wire transferred the next day. If you find yourself in need of money quickly, it might be worth checking out, reading the terms and conditions, and determine if it's right for you.

Kathy went back to work yesterday, and it pretty much wiped her out. And she found out she didn't have to make up the day she was sent home, but had to for the next 2 days she was home, even with a doctor's excuse. Does that make sense? I wonder if they'll consider the days she works as a debt if they have to cut peoples' hours. She was going to take today and tomorrow off as scheduled to get better and see about making up the days on Mondays over the next couple of weeks.
I also went ahead and got the new TV and Blu Ray player yesterday. I wanted to hold off for awhile because of everything that's happened, but she's looked forward to this more than me. I got everything hooked up and set up, only having a couple of missteps that I corrected. The first Blu Ray we watched was Sleeping Beauty because it was the first Blu Ray disc I got, and the first movie I saw in the theatre as a child. One of the extras was Grand Canyon, a 30 minute film shown during Sleeping Beauty's first theatrical run. Here's the Wikipedia page about it. Bascally, it's a live action film edited Fantasia style, with the footage edited to Ferde Grofé's Grand Canyon Suite". Once you hear it, you'll recognize parts of it were used in A Christmas Story. Oh yeah, both films look sooooo good in high definition and blu ray. We also watched the Heroes pilot on HD-DVD through the X Box 360. I didn't think it looked as good. I know HD-DVD isn't as good as Blu Ray, but maybe I should get an HDMI cable for it. There's some good deals from other sellers on Amazon where it's cheaper than the retail of about $50.
And the Blu Ray does a good job upscaling regular DVDS to look good in 1080. I just wished that regular TV looked better on it. Sometimes it looks like the videos you see online, like on YouTube. Kathy thinks it looks good, and that's good enough for me. I know there's HD receivers for DirecTV, but I like the TiVo and the way everything's set up now. And there's the screen size. For the most part, I'm sticking with normal mode, with black bars on both sides, unless there's a letterboxed movie or program on, then I'll set it on zoom to fill the screen.

It's actually a nice sunny day out here. But wait until you step outside and that wind hits you. And I just heard the forecast and the temperature's going to drop again. Yeah, I know, Spring arrived not too long ago, but it takes a little longer for it to reach up here to Indiana.
And while I usually associate March with Spring break, there's still some schools that are getting ready to have it this coming week since Easter's next weekend. Or maybe you're just sick and tired of all the cold and miserable weather like I am. If so, why not check out these great deals on Myrtle Beach Resorts? Yeah, you can also look for Myrtle Beach Hotels if you want, but you don't have to worry about price it it's a Myrtle Beach Resort you've got your heart set on. With some looking around here, you can get a great deal that would beat anything if you just went down there and tried to see what was available.
So even if you're in warmer weather, or just want a getaway, or you don't want to go where the crowds are going to Florida or whatever the hot destination is right now, you can find a great deal, save some money, and enjoy some peace of mind.

I was able to convince Kathy to stay home another day, because it wouldn't do anybody any good if she went back to work before she was all better. She said today she was glad that she did. The doctor's office finally returned our call yesterday about her still having some pains, and they said she could get an antibiotic prescription filled if she wanted. I went out and got that filled and picked up a few things at the store we were needing.
I also started further looking in preparation for getting our tax refund soon. Sam's Club has a Blu-ray player similar to one I had my eye on that comes with an HDMI cable for a little less than the player itself, but it isn't in stock at any Sam's Clubs around me. I did some detective work online looking for HDMI cables since I remember reading that the cheaper ones work as well as the more expensive ones. The only problem is the real cheap ones aren't sold in stores, you have to get them online. Too many questions to go that route, and I'm putting a lot of carts in front of the horse by buying discs that I find good deals on already. But I found some prices that were cheaper than the prices I encountered at the store. I just have to get things ready so we can get it and get it set up.
Earlier, my reader to keep up with blogs was saying that there was a problem with processing my request because they thought I was a spambot or had viruses, and to check back later. I just checked and it's back up. Huzzah!

With things getting tougher out there and unemployment going up, not to mention those who still have jobs having to deal with having less money, people are starting to look for opportunities to make more money. Unfortunately, the scam artists realize this and have come up with all sorts of schemes to try to take your money and leave you with nothing. So be careful and check everything out before you invest your money.
Many people might consider vending machines to be a way to make money. But there's the problem of putting them in places where you can make enough money to justify the investment. But one way that 1 800 Vending helps is with their vending machines is by being more versatile. You know how you go to vending machines and they have a snack and a drink machine? Sometimes you may want something else like an energy drink or water and they don't have it in stock, or they may not have anything that strikes your fancy. Spatial limitations may prevent them from putting in machines that can offer a wider variety, but their machines can offer it all in one machine. Offer more of a selection with it taking up less space. That's sure to be an attraction to get businesses to accept your machines. Want to learn more? You can follow the 1800Vending Twitter Profile as well as the 1800Vending LinkedIn Profile to keep you up to date on their company, service, and offerings.

You see all sorts of t shirts out there, and you've probably come up with an idea for one. Every so often my wife will say "you know what would make a great t-shirt?" and would tell me some funny slogan or fanboy thing that might actually do pretty good. I know when I had my business years ago I would've loved the idea of making up a bunch of t-shirts with my logo on it that I could either sell or give away. Either way, it would've made a great promotional idea. I don't have a logo for the blog per se, but every so often I get a bee in my bonnet to get the word out about the blog and get more people in to check it out. Maybe have the website address on it or on the back, something like that.
Years ago when we went to the state fair, one of the vendors had a t shirt booth that would print out a picture of you on a dot matrix printer and put it on a t shirt. I thought it would be a cool idea to have my own face on a t shirt. It didn't occur to me that it would be considered conceited. But I didn't really have anyone else that I could put on a t shirt at the time, not a girl friend or anything like that. Like I said, I thought it was a cool idea, and done with one of them fancy computer printers? The dot matrix should give you a tip-off as to how long ago this was.
But nowadays you can do a lot better getting printed t-shirts, and while computers are involved, the picture quality is way better than dot matrix. You can upload pictures, images, something you designed. And the more shirts you print out, the more you save. Want to make up a family shirt? They can do that. Any small group would benefit from this deal.

Because if it's one thing that comics can do, it's run a thing into the ground. The past success of President Obama appearance in comics is leading more Obama comics. I'm seeing them pop up in the new Previews. First, IDW's continuing their Presidential Material with more Obama, continuing the story, as it were. And there's the "zombie and Obama" variant cover to Cerebus Archives. And as Fark would put it, then it gets weird.

I've been reading a lot lately on how the current financial crisis is affecting the housing industry. Specifically, how a lot more people are staying in their current homes instead of buying a new one. I don't think that people are leapfrogging into new homes that much, or maybe it's just me growing roots so quickly and being resistant to change, but the fact remains that people are staying put. And if that's the case, then they're probably looking to fix up their current residence. And hopefully they're not falling for scams like the contractor showing up at the house and saying they're working on another house in the neighborhood and have some extra time and materials, could they come work for you, too? The price would be so low. But you'll end up overpaying because you won't see them again.
But even if you're not as impulsive on your home repairs there is still some legwork you'll need to put in on your end to save yourself some heartache and trouble. And you can get more tips from this San Jose roofer that can help you, all the better if you're in need of that type of service in that area. They all say get references, but check them out. There's more tips that help you as well.

Paul Harris reports that the TV Guide Channel is going to discontinue their program grid and going for original programming. It's a shame that it's happening, but like my reporting that Guiding Light is cancelled yesterday, it's more one of those shames that I don't actually use. I do have means to look up programming on our satellite, but as I remember not really knowing what was on when we're out of town and watching TV in the hotel. But Kathy and I both end up flipping through the channels, and I guess a lot of people do that, or at least don't want to wait until they get to the channels they're interested in. And I guess with the TV Guide publication not offering the detailed listings as they used to, word of mouth and advertising will be more important for the shows that are out there.

If you're online, you've probably found a few sites that interest you and where you can meet others who share your interests. But if you're like me, you're always on the lookout for other sites that would interest you. And if you're a goth looking for Goth Singles then here's a site where you can meet others like you, and strike up some friendships, and maybe more. It's real easy to sign up, and before you know it you can be talking to other goths. You don't have to be alone especially in this day and age of the internet. It's easy to find others like you, you just have to know where to look.

As we're all wading through these tough times we're all trying to figure out what to do about it. As for me, I'm always on the lookout for any information and tips on how to make it. Making your budget go farther on less, avoiding the frauds and schemes that are popping up in the wake of tough times, and ways to get through. If there's something I find out I like to pass it along, but I ultimately realize that it's up to each person as far as educating themselves and making it through. No one else can do it but yourself.
And it can be tougher if you run into financial difficulties and wonder if something like Debt Consolidation is the right thing to do. And it's something that can't be solved by reading online, either. They even point out the importance of talking with your family if you run into financial problems. As someone who's been through problems of that nature, I can tell you that it is important, and while you think you're helping your family by sparing them, they actually want to help you, and you'd be surprised how they'll step up. You can learn a lot more about financial dealing by clicking on the link.

If you own a boat, like other vehicles it's a major asset. Not only that, but you want to protect it so that you can have many more years of fun and enjoyment with it. So if it needs repair you don't have to spend a fortune to get it fixed, you can get fiberglass and gel coat repair supplies. It's important that you continue to get the most out of your boat to enjoy it. Not only did you spend a lot of money to get the boat, the memories of the fun times you had with it, and yet to have that's still out there that you can't put a price tag on.
And you want to make your boat the best there is for you, and there's where American Marine Supply can help you. They offer boating equipment, accessories, and other supplies to help you get the most out of your boating experience. Whether your boat needs repair, sprucing up, or want to add accessories to make it look better, they can help you out. One of the things I saw on the site was life jacket for dogs. You never think of that right away, but you can see the need for something like that. That's what good about American Marine Supply that it's more than just doo-dads and dust catchers for the boat, but there's also some things that will make it safer and bring you peace of mind. And if there's something you're looking for that they don't have, they'll be glad to help you get it.

I got Kathy into the doctor, who said she had a viral infection. He said to take Ibuprophen for it, and said he could prescribe an antibiotic if it got worse. He did give her a doctor's excuse from work the next couple of days, so she can rest without worry. I was hit with another bit of bad news on the personal front, and I'm sorry to say it's something else I can't go into detail on like The Matter. There is some optimism with The Other Matter, so hopefully things will work out with that. On a smaller note, I was able to renew my library books online, saving me a 5 mile trip.
With everything going on with Kathy, I had only got sleep in 1 or 2 hour shifts, so it was welcome to lay down and get some rest as she did. I don't know if I'm catching what she had, but my recent activities haven't helped. Then we got up and caught up on some of our TV watching. We watched Heroes, but she didn't feel up to stay up and watch Lost. I got her set up and comfortable in the bed, and hopefully she'll feel better tomorrow.
Okay, like Laura I wasn't in a mood for April Fool's Day, but I did like this offering from ThinkGeek.

I just read on Johnny LaRue's Crane Shot that longtime soap Guiding Light has been cancelled after 72 years. I didn't watch the show, but it is noteworthy to me about how soaps are going through similar difficulties as comics as far as retaining their audience and getting new fans. I did see the Marvel crossover episode, but wasn't impressed with it. I tried to find the posting I wrote about the show in the Mah Two Cents archives, but couldn't pull it up. Please take my word for it. But it was interesting to read Guiding Light's Wikipedia page detailing the history of the program and storylines. I wonder given the spiritual origins of the program if one of the religious channels will get the rights and launch a new soap? That would attract some attention.

If you love the outdoors and looking forward to the warmer weather, or if you live in the warmer climates and exercising now, you're probably anxious to get the right equipent and get out there and start enjoying the weather and exercising. We need to start walking again when it gets warm enough to be outdoors. Whether you're walking across town like we do, or hiking in the great outdoors, the importance of proper footwear that can be fulfilled with these Hiking Shoes will be a great aid.
If you're like us, you want Hiking Shoes that are comfortable and allow you to hike and not hinder your exercise in any way. And if they look great, all the better. I know, it's exercise, not a fashion show. But looking good while you exercise makes you feel good in a way the endorphins can't. And if you can save money that can make you feel good as well. Not to mention be a relief to your wallet.
And this is the site to go to for Hiking Shoes. You can get live assistance to help you find the right footwear, you can search by size, and there's free standard shipping available. You can get them in time to go outside and get some exercise.

Kathy was still feeling bad when she got up, and her temperature was 101.2. She still had to go into work, since their policy was that she had to make up any days she calls in unless the nurse on duty sends her home, which she did. The doctor's office opens at 8, and I'll get up then to schedule her to see the doctor today. Kathy was feeling bad about missing work, but she doesn't grasp the idea of being too sick to work, even when they officially send her home. A quick check online shows the local library's website is still down.
I also found this list of Terminator timelines that ties in the movies and the series together. And from Ken Levine is this letter from Juliet of Lost. Something to amuse you while you filter through all the news and pranks online today.

For a variety of reasons, I'm taking at least the next 24 hours off from the internet tubes. I'm already seeing signs of the craziness starting for today on Tony Isabella Bob Ingersoll's message boards and the posts therein. There's other websites joining in the fun, and of course, you have to watch out for any news item you read online today. Sorry, guys, but I'm just not in the mood this year. Between dealing with The Matter and other things I touched upon here earlier, and the fact I popped online to try to renew some library books via the library's website that's down right now, I've decided that I desperately need some me time that I can try to carve out after dealing with other matters in addition to The Matter. So I'll probably try again in the morning, call the library if I still can't get on their site, and let everyone else have fun and survey the damage after it's over. I've got some serious repair work to do on this end, so play nice, and remember: it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye.

Here I am, up again late at night trying to get things taken care of. I've been having problems lately worrying about taking care of something, or thinking of something else that needs to be taken care of that ends up with me online surfing the net and trying to take care of this or that. There's this website for sleep tips that offers some good advice, some that I've followed to try to help me sleep better, and some I should follow better, like avoiding caffeine before bed. There are nights once in a while where I cut off drinking the diet cola and drink water after a certain point. I seem to be more relaxed and do better on those nights. Maybe I should do it every night. And you can follow these different tips and tricks, but if you don't have the bed that's right for you it isn't going to do a bit of good. Don't believe me? Have you ever slept somewhere like a different bed, or not even a bed at all, and tried everything to get comfortable? The best you can hope for is a short, restless sleep. It isn't going to be to your benefit until you have the right environment to sleep in. It starts with the tip to make your bedroom comfortable and conductive to sleep and goes from there. So you can have the right bed, but without the sleep tips it isn't going to help you. And you can follow each and every sleep tip at the link, but it doesn't work unless you have the right bed that'll make you comfortable, or at least you're not worried about it.

Here in my neck of the woods we're getting to the time of year where the weather can fluctuate. It's cold again, and going to get cold again for another month or so (I may be slow but I've eventually learned not to count on warm weather until May after years of disappointments when you'd get a couple of warm days and the cold snap returns) But in those days when Mother Nature tried to fool me, I tried to run the AC in the car, but it didn't seem to get warmer. Don't know if it was the weather or something wrong with the car. If it's the latter, it's good to know that there's an air conditioning compressor place I can go to to get parts if needed.

Everybody's looking for a way to save money without having to scrimp or do without. That's especially important when it comes to matters of your health or welfare. My wife has worn glasses all of her life, and we're having to keep up with making sure she's up to date on her prescription and her glasses. I don't like the idea of her having to use a magnifying glass to read. She likes to read as do I, and I'd hate the idea of having to hold up a magnifying glass to read all the times that I'm reading.
And I'm also on the lookout for ways to make sure she's well provided for. I was reading a New York Times article about saving money on eyewear, and it mentioned some good tips to save money on eyeglasses. I saw that they mentioned Zenni Optical as a good source to get a good deal on eyeglasses where you could pay as low as $8 for a pair of glasses, which is impressive when you realize the average price for a pair is $118.
And it isn't just a couple of glasses that are "out of stock" or so bad looking you wouldn't wish them on your worst enemy. They have some great looking glasses like these:

I like glasses like these because I don't want anything too elaborate or complicated. Yeah, I don't want the ugly pair that everybody stares at, or wonders if I got them at Elton John's garage sale. But with a simple, elegant pair like these, they can be had at great prices that will have everyone amazed at how good you look in them with no idea as to how little you paid for them.
So you don't have to cut corners when you cut costs. With some smart shopping you can make sure you and your loved ones are well cared for and you don't have to worry about the cost.

Okay, technically it's Wednesday morning, but unless it's New Year's Eve I think most of us here would still call this late Tuesday night. And it's my blog, so I'm going to exercise some rare control and say that.
Anyway, it's been a real rough day. I'm still dealing with "The Matter" which, while I'm open with you about most everything else in my life, there's just some things I'm not going to spill the beans on, especially as someone else is involved with it and I'm not the sort to talk about other people here. Long time readers will remember that in the early years of the blog Kathy was referred to as "the wife" in a similar matter of respect for others' privacy. Yes, a lot of lives touch each person's life, but I don't feel comfortable giving you all the gory details. So this one aspect of my life I will refer to henceforth as "The Matter" to at least give you an idea of what's going on, if not the details. I'm going to have to deal some more with The Matter tomorrow and it's going to make a bigger impact in my life over the next 2-3 months. And no, this isn't an April Fool's joke. There's going to be a lot of them flying around the internet tubes for the next 24 hours, so everything you read, take with a grain of salt and don't "fall for the okey-doke" without doing some more checking, or waiting a day or two for them to say "April Fool". And know you won't have to put up with that here.
Kathy's been sick since Monday night. I'd say she was so sick that she didn't watch Heroes which is part of her Monday night routine, but some might say it's because the show's going downhill. Or that she's more hooked on Lost now, I don't know. She didn't eat much today, and she had a temperature earlier this evening. I gave her some DayQuil before she went to bed. She won't go near the NyQuil after she tried it one time and was groggy all the next day. After being in bed a little while, I found the ear temperature device we had and took it again. It went down some. I've got to take her in to work tomorrow, and I'll see how she is. They still run a tight ship on call-ins, so we'll see how it goes. If she feels as bad tomorrow as she did tonight, I'm going to have them verify that she's sick, bring her back home and get her to the doctor.
And household chores fell behind because of The Matter, and my laziness. I did the dishes today, and got the bed sheets washed up and Kathy's nightgown so it wouldn't have anything from last night on it (she felt really hot last night and was cooler today) As Harvey Pekar might say, sometimes it's a matter of putting out fires one at a time until you feel that you've got something under control.