Hello All You Darling Divas!!
I know Darlings; I’ve been away for just too long. And don’t I realize that!
But so much has been happening in my life. Where do I start?
First, I am now an adopted Grandmamma, Juanita’s daughter Constance gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl on October 30. The baby was a surprise to everyone, and a welcomed one.
And why am I an adopted Grandma? Constance and her husband have medical insurance but it doesn’t quite stretch to meet all the bills and although she was and is working full time, he had been out of work for a while but getting by with temporary and odd jobs and now finally has a full time job, so with 4 other children to feed and clothe it does get hard, yes 2 boys and 2 girls. As Manuel says quite a full house, so I’m helping to pay the medical bills for the baby.
When Constance came home with the baby I gave Juanita time off to help get Constance settled in with the new baby, and what I’m doing is having Juanita have more days off to be with Constance so she can rest and get into a routine with the baby.
One thing has Constance and Manuel worried is baby care because Constance can only take 4 months off from her work. She took the final month of her pregnancy off and will only have 3 months to be with the baby before she goes back to working as a secretary/ receptionist at her job and with the economy being the way it is she doesn’t want to lose it.
So Moi made a suggestion, my house is right on the way to where Constance’s job is, she can leave the baby with Juanita, we can have a complete set of baby things at my home, including disposable diapers, and Juanita can watch the baby during the day and then Constance can pick the baby up on the way home.
Juanita was worried that she might not be able to do things for me at the house, but I said that with the two of us and with “Molly Maids” from time to time, we should be able to give Constance peace of mind. It’s not like I’m a handful to take care of and I’m quiet capable of grocery shopping, taking things to the cleaners and such, although with having Juanita around it does make it easier in case a repair person is needed and I have to leave to take care of business.
And Constance’s older daughters and the boys can watch the baby while Constance is preparing dinner and they can help around the house as well. Which as I understand it, is not a problem since that is part of their responsibilities anyway.
So it’s a matter of adjusting our routines. And I have another little one to spoil as well.
Now about the economy-----Well Darlings, I don’t have to tell you that it is in “the toilet”. And such changes that are happening, even I have a hard time to keep up with it.
Fortunately my “Ladies Who Lunch” still get together and so far they have been riding out the ups and downs fairly well, with adjustments.
Can I tell you what to do in general about things? Sad to say No I can’t, because each individuals situation is unique, but there are some general things that you can do.
An important thing is to pay attention to the business reports especially about banking policies; recently it came out that two banking institutions were in the process of charging fees on good customers. How ridiculous is that!
One of my “Ladies” told me that the minute she heard about that she started looking into another institution that doesn’t do that.
Another told me that she left her credit union because they wanted her to keep more in her savings than before and if it went below a certain amount she would be charged a “maintenance fee”, what also aggravated her is that the closest branch closed and moved away from the business hub to a less accessible location for her, and the ATM is never properly maintained, I would say that is reasons to quit that institution and go with another.
So all you Diva Darlings, always keep a close eye on those extra fees that they are charging, and always read those little extra mailers that they send you that “tell” you of those changes, they are required by law to do that. And if they don’t, COMPLAIN AND COMPLAIN LOUDLY---if need be take it up a notch---speak with a supervisor---demand quality service---they are making money on your money anyway---the money that you put into their banks they use to make investments and purchases, so keep an eye if they are investing wisely.
One of my “Ladies” whom happens to know my dear friend “Mean Kitty” took a very hard hit, the bottom line is husband divorced her and left her in serious debt, she is of course trying to get some recourse, but it has been two years in the process, so she was forced to declare bankruptcy.
In a way she was lucky, she was awarded it, but she sold almost everything, there were no children involved, but she did find out that he had fathered a child by another woman who is going to be “new wifey” having seen an engagement ring with a rock big enough to choke a Shetland pony.
She met the woman in a friendly meeting, saw the baby, knew at once it was going to be an ‘ugly child’ and would need a lot of help, my “lady” told me that she hoped the child was ‘brilliant’ to help make it’s way in the world. Her words not mine.
Of course she didn’t say that to the Mother, no need to be cruel, but said that she hope the Mother and her Ex had an interesting life together. But also told her what her Ex-had done to her and warned the Mother to be on her guard with him and that she was compelled by law to seek some restitution from her Ex because it was not properly divided since this is a community law state.
She apologized to the new wife of her Ex and mother of his child, but said that it was the law, and she was only seeking that which is fair, and said she had no animosity towards the new wife and especially not to the idea of her Ex having a child.
She said that if the Ex would simply let their respective lawyers handle all the arrangements it would be nice to avoid court costs with the exception of the final judgment by the Judge and allow each of them to get on with their lives, and that either way her Ex would still come out of it in good shape. She even said that she would not seek any portion of her Ex’s retirement fund, if he allowed the lawyers to do “their thing”.
My lady told me that she at first thought that “new wifey” to be would become very upset, but instead was very reasonable, especially when she told “new wifey” about some of the hidden assets the Ex had that “new wifey” to be didn’t know about.
The final results were that she got what she wanted to make things better for herself, and she and “new wifey” are secret friends behind Ex’s back.
But because of the bankruptcy taking a hit on her credit score she cannot hold a credit card.
But she found out that check debt cards work like a credit card, so what she did is open a second checking account with the same bank and has been depositing extra cash into that debt card and maintaining running book keeping on it. She also has it linked to a savings account so that every month at the end of the month $25.00 is shifted into her savings.
She has found that with her no longer having to worry about those debts that she had, she has more freedom to exercise her choices on what she needs, or wants. And that is the difference.
One always has to discerned between the difference of a need and a want----
A NEED is something that you need to have if you want to have some function in life,--- for example if in your job it’s important to have a laptop, a DSL line or Wifi and a cell
Phone That is a NEED. Having an Iron and Ironing Board to press out your clothes is a Need. Being able to buy food is a need, having medical and dental insurance is a Need.
A WANT is something you desire, but is NOT necessary for you to function in life----
Example: a cell phone with all sorts of Apps so you can get onto Twitter and Face book, since that is not really necessary in your life it is only a Want. Expensive crystal wine glasses are a Want not a need. Buying a Gucci Handbag is a Want not a need. A plasma screen T.V. that is 72 inches is a Want not a need. Having a Mani-Pedi every two weeks is a Want not a need, when you can get by having it only once a month or not at all.
Another thing as all agreed upon by my “Ladies Who Lunch” being Frugal and hunting for Bargains is the new “In-Thing” even among those who can afford things.
One of my Ladies told me she got a CVS card with the CVS stores that use to be Longs in our Area; she gets coupons with purchases that she makes, especially if she purchases CVS products. She also buys her milk at CVS anyway because where she’s at it’s $2.49 a gallon compared to $2.99 at most grocery stores, and when she uses her CVS card it drops to $2.29 a gallon, and if she has an extra discount coupon that says “Real California Cows” she can get 50 cents to a $1.00 off a gallon of milk.
She has also discovered the 99 cents Hallmark cards, and uses them for birthdays, and special occasions, yes she does have to pay 44 cents for postage but she says that she enjoys the personal touch with a card.
She has also used the $20 dollar coupon from Wal-Mart that says you can buy a Thanksgiving dinner for 8 for $20 this includes a 12 pound turkey; she has used it and says that turkey is going to be used for dinner, soup, casseroles, and sandwiches.
So the word is to all you Darling Divas the New In Thing is being FRUGAL AND HUNTING BARGAINS.
But frankly my Dear Divas, as being a Diva that should also be your Mantra.
Must go my Dears Irma has come by to take me out to Brunch and since Juanita is at Constance’s home spoiling the baby, my time is my own.
Until Anon, Kisses.
