You know, it would be really helpful if the “fine print” wasn’t really so fine. I wear glasses for reading, but I’ve found that often, even while wearing them, I still can’t read the very fine print on documents, on magazine pages, or even on some DVDs where they have the credits rolling. Maybe, some businesses and movie makers should think about using a subtitle service so that the “fine print” can be seen scrolling at the bottom of the screen in a larger font! It wouldn’t hurt for documents to have a larger print version, too.

Posted: December 29th, 2007 under Flights of fancy.
Comments: none

Around here, there are a lot of real estate companies that sell land. Not only that, but they make it pretty easy to buy, offering owner financing, low down payments, and low monthly payments. But buying land can be pretty complicated if you intend to put a house or business on it.

First of all, you need to have a perc test to make sure the land will support a septic system. If you’re planning on having a well dug, then you also want to make sure the placement of the septic system is far away from your well so that the underground stream doesn’t become contaminated.

Because I want to have a cabin and I want to live off-grid as much as possible, this means Phase 1 of land ownership will entail all these steps I mentioned. I will also want to be sure the roof of my cabin is facing south, so I get the most exposure possible to sunlight for solar panels.

After these preliminary steps are completed, I’ll then be ready to hire a well digger and someone to install a septic tank.

Technorati Tags: real estate, financing, off-grid

Posted: December 29th, 2007 under Shopping.
Comments: none

Well, not really. I just got back from Big Town, where I went to Kohl’s and picked up several pairs of tights. I use them instead of regular pantyhose for work and for other occasions. They happened to be on sale for half price, which is a good deal since they are normally $9 a pair.

Later on, I’ll shop for them again and hope they’ll be reduced to an even lower price. Last spring, I was able to pick them up for around $2.50 a pair! That’s as low as the price of regular pantyhose, and I can get several colors and textures, too. I really like the argyle ones, although “some people” around here make fun of them.

One of our customers, however, complimented me on the argyle ones and asked where I’d gotten them. I told her, so I hope she found some on sale like I did.

Technorati Tags: Kohl’s, tights, pantyhose, argyle

Posted: December 29th, 2007 under Shopping.
Comments: none

As you well know, there are gift giving opportunities well beyond Christmas. My own sister has a birthday in January, as do I, which means more gifts to be purchased. Not out of obligation, but out of love, of course.

A PaintYourLife.com painting could make a great birthday gift, anniversary gift, or even Valentine’s Day gift for someone you love. Honor the heroes in your life or remember a beloved pet, celebrate a wedding or a birth in the family - for whatever reason you choose, your painted portrait is treated as a treasure. The rendering is done down to the finest detail of the photograph you send to them.

Visit the site and take a look for yourself. The artists can combine several photographs into one painting. You can get oil portraits starting at only $99 or charcoal portraits starting at only $59. I know I would love to have an oil portrait of my parents done by them, and also one of my late husband. Remember, I have a birthday coming up, too. Hint, hint.

Technorati Tags: birthday, PaintYourLife.com, gift

Posted: December 28th, 2007 under Shopping, Review.
Comments: none

Last night was particularly stressful at work. Not because it was terribly busy, though. I think it’s just me. I am no longer able to withstand the continual push and stress of working in fast food. I’m burned out.

I thought about quitting on the spot. Instead, I’ll give my two weeks notice and be looking for something else. I’m beyond tired and I’m physically and emotionally drained. It’s no wonder my blood pressure is so high and difficult to control.

If I don’t find some other kind of employment, I really believe I’m a prime candidate for stroke or heart attack simply due to this stress.

Posted: December 28th, 2007 under Uncategorized, Flights of fancy.
Comments: none

If and when I do decide to look at one of the local colleges (I already have my eye on one), I’ll have to learn more about financial aid. There just isn’t any way I can pay for continuing education on what I make, and also pay regular bills. I’m going to have to check into FAFSA, and see if I can qualify for funding through them.

The FAFSAOnline.com site offers lots of tips and tricks to filling out the forms and getting qualified for a student loan. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is the first step to getting qualified for a student loan. After that, I would either fill out forms for Stafford, which is the lowest cost loans, or Act Educational Loans, which are priv