Archive for the 'Family' Category

30
Jun
17

33

On this day, in 1984, FMP laid his entire world at my feet and basically said, “It’s yours if you want it”. I did and I do. Happy anniversary, dear! I love the Minions you gave me.~~TSG

24
Jun
17

do we have a sign…

…in front of our house saying, “opossums welcome”? We must, because we have just trapped for release the fifth or sixth one we have had in the past year or so. It was in the garage. They have all been juveniles. On two separate occasions, one made it all the way into the back part of the house far from any of the entrances. The first was in our closet about a year ago. We figure he came in a bathroom window we opened to air out the house after a week of rain. About two months ago, CPI found one in his bedroom while he was home from A&M. No clue how it got in that far. The bedroom opossum was a bit skinny and dehydrated, so we kept him for about two weeks to be sure he was stable. Then, CPI took him up to the country and released him. That is where the one we trapped last night is going today. I hope this is the end. I have nothing against opossums, but they do not belong in my house.~~TSG

29
May
17

soda for days

About once a month, one of the dumpsters on my route turns out some sort of new-in-package food that has “expired”. The dumpster is behind a strip mall with both a dollar store and a grocery store. Since the grocery store has its own dumpster on another side of the center, I assume the food is from the dollar store.

This month’s bonanza is, mostly, Coke products; cherry coke, diet coke, coke zero, minute maid lemonade, minute maid fruit punch, fanta orange and fanta strawberry. There is also a single tampico citrus punch. All were at the top of the dumpster; one of those that are only open at the top and are chest-high. All are full and still sealed. The only thing they need is a bit of a wash to get off the dust that seems to be from sitting in storage.

At work every morning, I go to the machine and buy a coke. I don’t drink coffee, so this is how I get my caffeine. The machine charges me $1.50 per soda. The coke haul is a mix of 20-ounce and 2-liter bottles. Given this and the number of bottles recovered, I estimate that I have just saved about $50-75. CPI is in from A&M and will take some back with him.

Given the way I found the sodas, I believe they were left for me. I go by this particular center every Friday. I make no secret of what I am doing if asked. I met the security guard the first time I was there and explained what I was doing. I have read in blogs or seen in YouTube videos, other divers who have people leave them things. If that is the case, thank you to the kind person who did this! Every penny I save this way makes it easier to put the boy through university. Also, thank you to God, Who made sure I found them.~~TSG

06
May
17

today’s good feeling

I am an advisor for a college. Many of our students have small children who come along when mom or dad needs to talk about classes. I keep two lower shelves full of toys that I get cheaply ($2 or less) for the children to play with so their parents don’t feel like they have to hurry. Today a boy 3-4 and a girl 1-2 came in with their mother. The reason I don’t pay much for the toys is that I like to give them to the children as a gift when they leave. Right now, I have some Fisher Price Rescue Heroes. When I told the boy he could have one for helping me by playing nicely while Mom and I talked about school, he chose the Spider Man. I turned around just in time to see him give Spidey a very sweet little kiss. When I have bad days at work as everyone does, I will think of that moment and that beautiful child. Have a great weekend!~~TSG

13
Apr
17

yes! we did it!

CPI’s first semester at Texas A&M University is totally paid for! We owe nothing and CPI did not have to take out a loan. God grant that we can continue as we have begun.

Every weird look from strangers, bruised knuckle and cut on my hands; every banged-up shoulder, sore foot and twisted ankle in pursuit of this goal is unimportant compared to the unbelievable feeling of exhilaration and relief that my child does not face the burden of paying off loans for the classes he took this semester. With the help of God, I will continue and ensure that he takes a bachelor’s degree in his chosen field unencumbered by debt.~~TSG

23
Mar
17

marching on

The last of this month’s payment to CPI’s college was made today. Of the total amount we paid this month, $74.00 came from metals I found and scrapped and $80.00 was from eBay sales of things I found. This is hard work, but the payoff is worth it. Hope y’all’s day has gone as well.~~TSG

16
Feb
17

the week to date

So far this week, I’ve found $1.04 in various places.~~TSG

12
Feb
17

well, that was fast

IRP has gone home. We are all very grateful for the successful surgery and quick recovery (at least enough to go home). Her pain is under control. She will probably miss three weeks of work. Thanks for your continuing prayers!~~TSG

11
Feb
17

a really good day

IRP’s surgery went very well. She is in a room, her pain is a 2-3 and she is getting to eat solid food. A big thank you to all who prayed and sent well-wishes!

This week, I picked up $2.45  walking around the campus. Into the Found Money Fund with it. The Found Money Fund is a box made by FMP in which I keep the change I find. Usually, I save it all year and then spend it on Black Friday. We are up to  $6.62  so far this year.

Finally, when I went out to get the mail, there was a HUGE package on the front step. Inside was a prize from Woman’s World; an Italian cooking set with an All Clad spaghetti pot/strainer insert, an All Clad sauce pan, three Prego sauces, a spiral slicer, a collapsible strainer and a walnut spaghetti server. FMP really loves All Clad and we’ve been buying it piece by piece. This really ups our game. Thank you Woman’s World!!!

10
Feb
17

IRP

Tomorrow, IRP goes in to have the hernia caused by the earlier operations corrected. Please pray that all goes well and that this is the last surgery. Thank you!~~TSG