Bargains, Busy-ness & More Cowbell!

I get a great email newsletter with bargains from all over the Internet. I've bought coffee from Bon-Ton, linens from Macy's, found great deals on clothes at Kohl's and even our rain barrel. It's called Brad's Deals. I don't visit the website much, too many temptations, but I am downloading the free app.

Our latest bargain was a 5 qt KitchenAid Tilt-head Stand Mixer. Stu had been salivating over them since we got the house - this was a price we couldn't resist. $175 with free shipping. I ordered around noon, it was shipped the same day and arrived two days later! Now that is service....

Our course we then had to order a couple more things - like a stainless steel bowl, fitted cover and grinder attachment. We discovered a good sale at Everything Kitchens and got free shipping there, too.

A couple weeks ago, a neighbor from down the street came by. They are the folks building on the lot across from us and needed our written permission for the power company to come on our property to install a new transformer and put in their service. Today was the first time we saw them...the 2Doods were very interested in watching. No barks, not even the two times one of the workers came to the door about unlocking the gate into the pasture. So good!

The 2Doods are doing great, loving the warmer weather (that is disappearing tomorrow) and just generally being goofs. Cooper still likes to bark at our neighbors (still not sure why he didn't bark at the power company workers) and often refuses to come when called (when busy barking). Stu can often get him with a whistle. Me? I can't whistle. LOL!

So I had a thought the other day. When we unpacked the things we had in storage, I found a big cowbell like this one on Amazon.

I have no idea why I bought it or why I saved it back in 2007 when I sold everything (and I saved it again when I downsized the half dozen totes at my daughter's house by half). But save it I did. It's been sitting on our lazy-susan on the kitchen island, more for looks.

Anyway, I had the bright idea to try using it to call the dogs because it's LOUD. Well, it worked. We are still rewarding them with a treat and lots of praise but so far so good. Who knew our dogs would come to the sound of a cowbell? LOL!

Stu is headed over Knoxville way in the morning. There is a car and motorcycle show he wants to attend. Originally he was driving over on Saturday and meeting our friend Earl for breakfast, then going to the show and coming back late Saturday. With some nasty winter weather moving in tomorrow with ice and snow accumulation, he's going earlier and spending the night at our friends.

I'll stay home and WRITE - I started off great guns on Wednesday but slowed down on Thursday. Keeping my fingers crossed I can meet my deadline.

One final note, if you've never read Lost and Found (the prequel) or Home Again, now is a good time to try them. Lost and Found is FREE and Home Again is reduced to only $1.99 from Jan 12th-15th. Oh, and tell your friends!!

Ciao for now!