Last week I only completed 4/10 goals. I set myself up for failure by putting too much pressure on a 3 day week for me. This week I'm going to go for 6 goals :)
1) Mail off MSP reimbursement paper work. I believe I overpaid for MSP premiums. At least one full year I think I should not have paid at all but paid $112 monthly. If I am correct then I should be getting back a healthy refund. I want to get this resolved asap so I am going to send this all off this week and hope they review it quickly. (MSP = BC Medical)
2) Complete first sewing project.
3) Complete one set of earrings.
4) Work on Fan Page for my small business.
5) Complete paper work to apply for Quebec medical.
6) Finish unpacking all boxes and separate what needs to be stored for right now.
Its still quite a lot of projects considering each one will take me quite some time to figure out but I'm happy with these goals and will feel so much better once they are off my to do list.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Pity Post - Our New Flawed Couch
BF and I are very simple frugal people. In the 7 years we have been together we have only bought one new piece of furniture and that was our bed frame. Now that we are done long term travelling and starting to settle down we are slowly acquiring furnishings that aren't second hand and beaten up. We are excited to purchase things we like and that suite our tastes.
When we moved here a month ago we only brought a few furnishings. The bed frame, a pantry cupboard and some shelving. So we've been living without a couch and things like that. We go out shopping quite a lot and try to find good deals on things we like so its a slow process.
A week ago we were shopping and looking at couches. I had demanded when we rented this place that when we bought a couch it had to be a pull out sofa bed because I expect to have guests come to visit and stay with us. We had been looking for a few weeks and researching to find something suitable. After some research we read a lot of reviews that said that pull outs are not as comfy and wear differently. With some prodding from BF I decided we could get a wide cushioned sectional that a person could sleep on. Then I compromised again when we saw this couch and said "ok we will buy a good quality air mattress". lol
We bought the couch last week but didn't pick it up until this weekend. Yesterday we opened it and found out there is two holes in the couch and its missing the legs for one half of the sectional. I was immediately upset. Oh, and two tiny marks as well. It was too late to call the company.
We talked to BF's brother and his GF to ask for advice. They told us to stay positive and if the company is any good they will come and pick up the damaged section and deliver a new one. Well today BF called the store and the man who sold us the couch (a manager) said there is nothing he can do and gave BF a number for their customer service. BF called the number and its a recorded message where you leave your complaint. Then he went online and found all these scathing messages from people calling the company scammers. :( Everyone said the customer service was a dead end.
They have 4 stores in Quebec and so we didn't think about that possibility. Usually we research the heck out of everything but this time we just went for the purchase and trusted it would be ok. I am so disappointed that I keep tearing up. We've waited so long to buy this and did so painstakingly and now this.
I had calmed down from yesterday until I heard this new news. Now I'm just plain sad. I reasoned with myself thinking to make the best of the situation and try to repair the damage myself. BF said ok but we are still missing the legs. Ugh!
So now we have to decide what to do. In the meantime we are taking photos and moving the couch into storage so nothing else happens to it in our care (we have two cats).So now we have no couch and no idea when or if we will hear back from the company. Not sure how much worse this can get. We have to record all dealings with the company now in case we have to report them to Consumer Protection and BF's credit card company.
Feeling very heart broken right now.
Here is a stock photo of the couch from the company website.
When we moved here a month ago we only brought a few furnishings. The bed frame, a pantry cupboard and some shelving. So we've been living without a couch and things like that. We go out shopping quite a lot and try to find good deals on things we like so its a slow process.
A week ago we were shopping and looking at couches. I had demanded when we rented this place that when we bought a couch it had to be a pull out sofa bed because I expect to have guests come to visit and stay with us. We had been looking for a few weeks and researching to find something suitable. After some research we read a lot of reviews that said that pull outs are not as comfy and wear differently. With some prodding from BF I decided we could get a wide cushioned sectional that a person could sleep on. Then I compromised again when we saw this couch and said "ok we will buy a good quality air mattress". lol
We bought the couch last week but didn't pick it up until this weekend. Yesterday we opened it and found out there is two holes in the couch and its missing the legs for one half of the sectional. I was immediately upset. Oh, and two tiny marks as well. It was too late to call the company.
We talked to BF's brother and his GF to ask for advice. They told us to stay positive and if the company is any good they will come and pick up the damaged section and deliver a new one. Well today BF called the store and the man who sold us the couch (a manager) said there is nothing he can do and gave BF a number for their customer service. BF called the number and its a recorded message where you leave your complaint. Then he went online and found all these scathing messages from people calling the company scammers. :( Everyone said the customer service was a dead end.
They have 4 stores in Quebec and so we didn't think about that possibility. Usually we research the heck out of everything but this time we just went for the purchase and trusted it would be ok. I am so disappointed that I keep tearing up. We've waited so long to buy this and did so painstakingly and now this.
I had calmed down from yesterday until I heard this new news. Now I'm just plain sad. I reasoned with myself thinking to make the best of the situation and try to repair the damage myself. BF said ok but we are still missing the legs. Ugh!
So now we have to decide what to do. In the meantime we are taking photos and moving the couch into storage so nothing else happens to it in our care (we have two cats).So now we have no couch and no idea when or if we will hear back from the company. Not sure how much worse this can get. We have to record all dealings with the company now in case we have to report them to Consumer Protection and BF's credit card company.
Feeling very heart broken right now.
Here is a stock photo of the couch from the company website.
Weekly Goals Update
Oops, thought I auto dated this for Sunday. Monday morning is good too I guess :) So here's how my week went. It was a short one because we left Thursday for 3 days of camping and that whole day was spent preparing food :)
- Make sure all bills from previous life (BC) are paid in full. I have one for hydro, shaw and msp. Ugh Done!!
- Send my mom a cheque for some patterns she is picking up for me. Super excited for that! Also I have to send her back some movie tickets she gave me that are no good for Quebec residents. Dang it! Done!!
- Complete at least one sewing project. Fail!!
- Send off all health receipts for reimbursement from old jobs insurance plan. Done!!
- Make a minimum of one set of earrings Fail!!
- Work on FB page for small business Fail!!
- Mail off copies of previous years tax info to MSP to try to get reimbursed for over payments Fail!!
- Finally complete and post my 40b440 goals Fail!!
- Post first "What's Cooking Wednesday" post. Yay! I miss doing this. Done!!
- Complete two postdated entries for while I'm away Fail!! - Only one actually worked :)
Working on the small business stuff is very important to me though. I really want to get some stock up and for sale. There are many online vendors doing auctions in September that I would like to be a part of to promote myself a little bit.
Later on today I will post a new set of goals for this week.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
The Too Tired To Think Meme
I stole this from Laura because its cute and short. If you would like to read hers click HERE. You should totally do it cuz her answers are total awesomesauce.
1. You have 10 dollars and need to buy snacks at a gas station. What do you get? Well I believe that you need something from each food group so I'd go with a slurpee (coke/cream soda combo), chips, 5 cent candy mix bag and a chocolate bar.
2. If you were reincarnated as a sea creature, what would you want to be? I would be an elephant seal because when I was younger I thought they were the coolest ever and did like 3 reports on them.
3. Who’s your favorite redhead? Well I have two. My wittle brother and my bestie E
4. What do you order when you’re at IHOP? I have only been once and it was 5 years ago so I have no recollection of what I ordered. My favorite breakfast foods are crepes, omelettes and your typical breakfast combo.
5. Last book you read? I am trying to finish Stones Into Schools by Greg Mortenson... slow going
6. Describe your mood. I feel lazy today. So in one word I would say "meh"
7. Describe the last time you were injured. I had my wisdom teeth pulled in May. Does that count? Ok ok I was eating a candy and my root canal snapped and broke loose. Post and everything. Eek
8. Of all your friends, who would you want to be stuck in a well with? BF. I bet he'd figure out something to get us out. I would just try to be the entertainment.
9. Rock concert or symphony? Neither. Not really my scene.
10. What is the wallpaper of your cell phone? The number? (We'll just say "hi" - promise.) I dont have a cell phone. I can't stand the things. When I turned on my old phone it would say "show me the money". ahaha
11. Favorite soda? Ooh. I love soda. I like coke, rootbeer, pepsi, raspberry gingerale and cranberry gingerale.
12. What type of shirt are you wearing? A tank top
13. If you could only use one form of transportation? Tuk tuk
14. Most recent movie you have watched in theater? The new Batman movie. I don't remember the title. BF made me go lol
15. Name an actor/actress/singer you have had the hots for. Chef Curtis Stone. Schwing!
16. What’s your favorite kind of cake? Angel food or Chocolate with Strawberries and Whipping Cream
17. What did you have for dinner last night? I had pork tenderlion with rice and brussel sprouts
18. Look to your left, what do you see? My bill binder, my purse and a sleepy grey kitty
19. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? No
20. Favorite toy as a child? Barbies for the win!
21. Do you buy your own groceries? Yes, and BF buys them too.
22. Do you think people talk about you behind your back? Absolutely, and its ok.
23. When was the last time you had gummy worms? Mmm gummy worms. I'm not allowed candy right now due to the whole snapping my tooth in half thing I mentioned.
24. What’s your favorite fruit? Raspberries for the win!
25. Do you have a picture of yourself doing a cartwheel? My secret shame... I have never completed a cartwheel ever.
1. You have 10 dollars and need to buy snacks at a gas station. What do you get? Well I believe that you need something from each food group so I'd go with a slurpee (coke/cream soda combo), chips, 5 cent candy mix bag and a chocolate bar.
2. If you were reincarnated as a sea creature, what would you want to be? I would be an elephant seal because when I was younger I thought they were the coolest ever and did like 3 reports on them.
3. Who’s your favorite redhead? Well I have two. My wittle brother and my bestie E
4. What do you order when you’re at IHOP? I have only been once and it was 5 years ago so I have no recollection of what I ordered. My favorite breakfast foods are crepes, omelettes and your typical breakfast combo.
5. Last book you read? I am trying to finish Stones Into Schools by Greg Mortenson... slow going
6. Describe your mood. I feel lazy today. So in one word I would say "meh"
7. Describe the last time you were injured. I had my wisdom teeth pulled in May. Does that count? Ok ok I was eating a candy and my root canal snapped and broke loose. Post and everything. Eek
8. Of all your friends, who would you want to be stuck in a well with? BF. I bet he'd figure out something to get us out. I would just try to be the entertainment.
9. Rock concert or symphony? Neither. Not really my scene.
10. What is the wallpaper of your cell phone? The number? (We'll just say "hi" - promise.) I dont have a cell phone. I can't stand the things. When I turned on my old phone it would say "show me the money". ahaha
11. Favorite soda? Ooh. I love soda. I like coke, rootbeer, pepsi, raspberry gingerale and cranberry gingerale.
12. What type of shirt are you wearing? A tank top
13. If you could only use one form of transportation? Tuk tuk
14. Most recent movie you have watched in theater? The new Batman movie. I don't remember the title. BF made me go lol
15. Name an actor/actress/singer you have had the hots for. Chef Curtis Stone. Schwing!
16. What’s your favorite kind of cake? Angel food or Chocolate with Strawberries and Whipping Cream
17. What did you have for dinner last night? I had pork tenderlion with rice and brussel sprouts
18. Look to your left, what do you see? My bill binder, my purse and a sleepy grey kitty
19. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? No
20. Favorite toy as a child? Barbies for the win!
21. Do you buy your own groceries? Yes, and BF buys them too.
22. Do you think people talk about you behind your back? Absolutely, and its ok.
23. When was the last time you had gummy worms? Mmm gummy worms. I'm not allowed candy right now due to the whole snapping my tooth in half thing I mentioned.
24. What’s your favorite fruit? Raspberries for the win!
25. Do you have a picture of yourself doing a cartwheel? My secret shame... I have never completed a cartwheel ever.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
What's Cooking Wednesday - Edition 1 - Homemade Microwave Potato Chips
I love potato chips. When I say I love potato chips I really mean I have a hugely unnatural addiction to potato chips. I've been really good at staying away from them for the past few months and only indulging every once and awhile. Then I discovered that I could control what was on my chips if I made them myself. For this recipe you will need the following:
Sharp Knife
Potato
Cutting board
Microwave
Spices of your choice
Parchment Paper
1) Peel your potato. Or don't. Its really up to you. If you choose not to just make sure you clean the skin really well.
2) Slice your potato. I usually cut in half so its not wobbly all over the place. Then I slice as thinly as I can. A mandolin would probably make this easier but its not necessary. Think of it as practice with your knife skills. The thinner the better! When I say thin I mean see through people. Try to make them all evenly cut and about the same
3) Arrange the sliced pieces on a piece of parchment paper. If there are any thicker bits put them in the middle and work your way out with the thinnest bits on the edges of the paper. Very important!! Do not overlap!
4) Season them however you like. The possibilities are endless. So far I have done regular salted, salt & pepper, salt & vinegar, curry, chicken and... well that's about it because I need to restock our spices since moving. I would like to try lemon & dill, Parmesan and sun dried tomato, lime... I could go on and on.
5) Place in the microwave to cook. Now this part will depend on two things .. how slim you cut those bad boys and your microwave. On average I cook them about 5 minutes, check for brownness and then add about another 45 seconds to get em just right. As I've become better at slicing I cook them about 4 minutes. Then add about 40 more seconds.
What you are watching for is the potatoes starting to brown. If you overcook them they are not extremely delicious. When you see that they are all starting to brown you can stop the microwave (it wont hurt the process at all) and check for crispness. If you have to remove a few that are done and cook the rest longer than do so.
That's about it. I can get a personal snack size out of one small-medium sized potato. They are delicious. No oil, no chemicals, and you can have whatever flavor you please. I just purchased a baking sheet so I'll be trying the oven method next time we have a chilly day. I have read online its about the same process for about 12 minutes at 350. I'll let you guys know how it goes.
Of course...a few pics for your viewing pleasure.....
If you try this please let me know what flavor combo you used.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Tuned In Tuesday
On my old blog (Dolly Iris) I would sometimes do a little thing called Musical Mondays. I'm now going to start doing Tuned In Tuesday. Everyone needs music in their life. There is no better feeling than blasting one of your favorite tunes and doing a little boogy in your underpants with a hairbrush to belt out the lyrics. Come on.. you know you do it too ;)
So this week is going to be an oldy but it came on the radio while we were in the car and I just couldnt resist showing BF how I could remember all the words. Lucky him!
So this week is going to be an oldy but it came on the radio while we were in the car and I just couldnt resist showing BF how I could remember all the words. Lucky him!
Anyone remember this gem?
Monday, July 30, 2012
Monday Madness - Goals for the Week
Its time to get my butt in gear and get organized. So I'm going to start posting goals again. This week will be a short one for me because Thursday night we are going to leave to go camping with BF family for the weekend. Better get on it if I want to get stuff done :)
It feels good to get things done.
What is one major thing you would like to get done this week?
- Make sure all bills from previous life (BC) are paid in full. I have one for hydro, shaw and msp. Ugh
- Send my mom a cheque for some patterns she is picking up for me. Super excited for that! Also I have to send her back some movie tickets she gave me that are no good for Quebec residents. Dang it!
- Complete at least one sewing project.
- Send off all health receipts for reimbursement from old jobs insurance plan.
- Make a minimum of one set of earrings
- Work on FB page for small business
- Mail off copies of previous years tax info to MSP to try to get reimbursed for over payments
- Finally complete and post my 40b440 goals
- Post first "What's Cooking Wednesday" post. Yay! I miss doing this.
- Complete two postdated entries for while I'm away
It feels good to get things done.
What is one major thing you would like to get done this week?
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Learning A New Skill Aint Easy
I'm feeling very frustrated right now. When I was a little girl I loved sewing. I would hand stitch barbie clothes and bedding accessorries for all my friends and girl cousins. I absolutely loved it. In highschool I did some more hand stitching for the drama club making little juggling cubes from denim. I also made a few things in sewing class like aprons and such.
Fast forward to now and I've decided that I want to get back into sewing. Well darn it aint easy. I made sure my machine was up and running before I left the Island but now I can't seem to get it to work and my Uncle back home was my handy dandy repair man. I spent over an hour trying to get it going. I hope its just something silly that I'm missing and that it didnt get damaged in the move. Since I'm not really educated about sewing machines and this machine is very old its double frustrating.
The worst part is that I was so darn excited to get working on this. I had my pieces cut out and was all ready to go. I can't wait for BF to get home. He's Mr.Fixit!
Fast forward to now and I've decided that I want to get back into sewing. Well darn it aint easy. I made sure my machine was up and running before I left the Island but now I can't seem to get it to work and my Uncle back home was my handy dandy repair man. I spent over an hour trying to get it going. I hope its just something silly that I'm missing and that it didnt get damaged in the move. Since I'm not really educated about sewing machines and this machine is very old its double frustrating.
The worst part is that I was so darn excited to get working on this. I had my pieces cut out and was all ready to go. I can't wait for BF to get home. He's Mr.Fixit!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Paperwork Mayhem
Ahhh! The payroll lady at my old job is causing me quite the headaches lately and has sent me into paperwork mayhem. I'm trying to be chill about it but I'm starting to become super annoyed at her. Here is a little list of what I'm dealing with:
1)Last Thursday - Get final pay stubs in the mail and find many errors. I am missing a days pay. I am being charged for things like staff fund (party, cards for people who are ill, etc) on my final cheque and from my vacation pay, I was charged for benefits on both of those as well when I'm not even working there anymore... it goes on.
2) Call Pacific Blue Cross because I can't access claim forms online. They tell me that my benefits were cancelled on June 16th (I finished work on the 20th and was guaranteed to have benefits until the end of the month) and since its been more than 30 days since cancellation there is nothing I can claim anymore. WTF!! They tell me if there has been an error to have payroll call asap and the will resolve it.
3) Send emails both to my former boss (owner of store) and the PL (payroll lady) with all errors listed and letting them know it is urgent to fix as I have over $1000 in claims to process.
4) Store opens so I call and talk to Bossman who says he will get her to take care of it asap and says since I paid an extra months benefits I can keep them until the end of the month. Bonus, except I can't use them until she fixes her mistake.
5) Get an email from PL saying "oops, sorry, I emailed them to fix this". I email her within 2 minutes saying "hey can you CALL them please as I requested". No answer
6) PL is only in on Tuesday and Thursdays so this morning I call PBX they say they haven't received anything from my old employer and to have them call not email as its more efficient and they will resolve it on the spot.
7) Send another email to Bossman and PL stating "help, please Call them". Then call Bossman when store opens and tell him whats happening. PL is in his office and he is asking her questions but I can't hear her end. He sounds exhausted and says they are going to take care of it. I remind him its time sensitive and can be resolved with 1 simple phone call.
Now I'm sitting here waiting.. receipts in hand... annoyed.
:( FML
So I decide to call the company I had an RRSP match plan through the company with to find out where is my separation package? They say that my employer never informed them I had left the company. AHHHHHHH. So they will initiate things on my end and contact the store to confirm I have left, secure any monies owed to me and then once that is done send me the options package.
Really? I'm starting to get super pissed off. I knew this woman was flaky but this is unbelievable. I'm sure there is more that I forgot to post here.
What would you do if you were me?
End Rant
1)Last Thursday - Get final pay stubs in the mail and find many errors. I am missing a days pay. I am being charged for things like staff fund (party, cards for people who are ill, etc) on my final cheque and from my vacation pay, I was charged for benefits on both of those as well when I'm not even working there anymore... it goes on.
2) Call Pacific Blue Cross because I can't access claim forms online. They tell me that my benefits were cancelled on June 16th (I finished work on the 20th and was guaranteed to have benefits until the end of the month) and since its been more than 30 days since cancellation there is nothing I can claim anymore. WTF!! They tell me if there has been an error to have payroll call asap and the will resolve it.
3) Send emails both to my former boss (owner of store) and the PL (payroll lady) with all errors listed and letting them know it is urgent to fix as I have over $1000 in claims to process.
4) Store opens so I call and talk to Bossman who says he will get her to take care of it asap and says since I paid an extra months benefits I can keep them until the end of the month. Bonus, except I can't use them until she fixes her mistake.
5) Get an email from PL saying "oops, sorry, I emailed them to fix this". I email her within 2 minutes saying "hey can you CALL them please as I requested". No answer
6) PL is only in on Tuesday and Thursdays so this morning I call PBX they say they haven't received anything from my old employer and to have them call not email as its more efficient and they will resolve it on the spot.
7) Send another email to Bossman and PL stating "help, please Call them". Then call Bossman when store opens and tell him whats happening. PL is in his office and he is asking her questions but I can't hear her end. He sounds exhausted and says they are going to take care of it. I remind him its time sensitive and can be resolved with 1 simple phone call.
Now I'm sitting here waiting.. receipts in hand... annoyed.
:( FML
So I decide to call the company I had an RRSP match plan through the company with to find out where is my separation package? They say that my employer never informed them I had left the company. AHHHHHHH. So they will initiate things on my end and contact the store to confirm I have left, secure any monies owed to me and then once that is done send me the options package.
Really? I'm starting to get super pissed off. I knew this woman was flaky but this is unbelievable. I'm sure there is more that I forgot to post here.
What would you do if you were me?
End Rant
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Asian Pear Makes Me Squeal With Delight
So here I am reading one of my favorite blogs when I see a comment from AP!!! I'm like no way. Maybe she is just still reading around and commenting (didn't want to get my hopes up) but then I click on her name and YES!!!! she is back.
This is how Asian Pear made me squeal! Onto the blog roll she goes and I could not be any happier. Total awesomesauce. If you haven't read any of her posts before I encourage you to go there now!
This is how Asian Pear made me squeal! Onto the blog roll she goes and I could not be any happier. Total awesomesauce. If you haven't read any of her posts before I encourage you to go there now!
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