A few months ago I upgraded my iPhone 4 to the iPhone 5.  The iPhone 4 had worked well for me for about 2 years or so.  I was at my wit’s end with my home button not working properly.  Hitting the home button 8-10 times for it to work got old fast.  I felt the pain of spending the money for the new phone after though.  I decided I’d look around and see if I could get some money for my old phone.  I searched online for a place that would give me some money back for my phone.   I found buymytronics.com pretty easily. 

The way the site works is very easy.  Step 1. Find you item, and get a quote.  It asks you what condition your phone is in; new, working, or broken. Step 2. Create an account by entering your email.  Step 3. Choose payment method; check or PayPal. Step 4.Choose shipping options; print address label or send me a box. Step 5. Confirm order information.  Step 6. Sit back and wait for your money. 

Buymytronics.com lets you know up front that the amount you are given is strictly a quote. Once they receive your item and the quote may change based on condition your phone is in when it is received.  I chose working for my phone and received a fairly high quote.  I wasn’t sure what was considered in the difference between working and broken.  They deemed my phone as broken because the home button didn’t work properly.  They gave me a new quote.  I was then given the choices of accepting the new quote or having my phone returned to me.  I wasn’t surprised by getting a lower quote I knew the home button was broken.  I decided to accept the quote and get what money out of it I could.

 Now you might be thinking what if this is a scam.  Trust me I thought about that too.  The way I looked at it was I can let the phone sit around my house or sending it off hoping to get money back.  The company didn’t ask for anymore information than my name and address.  I didn’t pay for shipping.  I figured that if they got my phone and didn’t send my money I wouldn’t really be out anything.  In the end I received a check for $61.  It might not seem like much but it was definitely worth it to me.  I feel like I ended up with a pretty good deal.  I used a phone for over 2 years and then got a little money back for it.  That’s good enough for me.

Lu Lu,

I am putting the product into our system that we receive yesterday. I do not have the UPC’s for the Hubert’s Cherry Lime, Lemonade, Raspberry, and Strawberry 4pks. On the invoice it listed as the same number as the individual bottles. They aren’t sold individually so I need those UPC’s.
Thanks, Sarah

Response:

Sarah,
I am baffled! I am going to look into this tomorrow, but…..my brain is fried
at the moment, and I am unable to give you an answer! I will get back to you first thing!
Thanks, Lu Lu

 Response the next morning:

Wow, I really had a “blonde” moment, cuz I sure did NOT see a upc on the 4packs last night…but, they are there!

 I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the best at spelling.  I hate to proofread, I’m sure you’ve realized this by reading my blog. My boyfriend gives me a hard time about it after each post.  I keep trying to explain to him that it just means I’m a “real” writer because I don’t like to proofread my own work.  I’ve tried to get him to be my editor but no luck so far.  Now that being said when I’m at work I do my best to send out correct emails. “Lu Lu” is really testing me though.  I can forgive the blonde moment comment but the use of “cuz” sent me over the edge.  Really?!?!  I guess I’m your BFF now and we use text/slang in our business emails.  I’m sorry “friend” but this girl won’t be doing that.

Spoiler Alert!  I’m going to give away the end to this movie.

  I’m a frequent user of Redbox.  $1.27 for a one night rental is right up my alley.  I signed up the mailing list and I receive emails and text with rental discounts weekly.  Over the weekend I had a $.50 off and so I went to the closest Redbox.  The selection at this location I was at wasn’t great but I figured I could find a movie worth $.75.  I selected Safety Not Guaranteed.  The movie summary reads; Darius, a young magazine intern, is recruited to help a staff writer, Jeff, with a story about a bizarre young man who has advertised for a time-traveling partner. She, Jeff, and fellow intern, Arnau, travel to a small town to get information on the paranoid but strangely compelling young man. But Darius feels torn, underhanded and disloyal when she begins to have genuine feelings for her subject, who is clearly smitten by her as well.

 The movie stars Aubrey Plaza (Parks & Recreation) as Darius, Jake Johnson (New Girl) as Jeff, and Mark Duplass (The League) as Kenneth.  I’m a big fan of Parks and Recreation and AubreyPlaza’s weird style of acting.  I thought it should be ok.  I wasn’t expecting anything great.  The movie kept me semi interested through out.  It’s your basic girl falls for guy movie with a science fiction mixed in.  I’m not a fan of science fiction myself but I thought I’d give it a try.  I wish I hadn’t.  The general over view is Kenneth is looking for a partner to time travel with.  Darius is acting as though she believes Kenneth can actually time travel to get information for a magazine article.  After spending time with Kenneth Darius falls for him, even though she thinks he’s a little crazy.  In the end of the movie Darius gets in the boat/time machine with Kenneth.  The time machine is turned on and they are covered by a static bubble. Poof they’re gone!  The time machine works.  I was not excepting in the end of the movie for it to actually work. The way I read the movie was Darius would love Kenneth even though he’s nuts. Throughout the whole movie everyone thought he was crazy and didn’t believe in his time machine.  Nope, they time travel together. When it was over I was pretty disappointed.  That’s $.75 I’ll never get back.   

Fans- Colts, UK, & Purdue

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Sports

Blessed Families

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Broken Homes

 I dusted myself off and kept looking around at shelters and online.   Most online ads or shelter sites have pictures of the animals.  The picture is what got me the first time so I decided to keep an open mind and consider some without a picture.  I was looking through the Vanderburgh Humane Society page and I saw a promising puppy.  He was listed as a 2 months old shepherd mix.  I emailed the point of contact my adopt application and told her I was interested in Dutch.   I asked if they anymore information and when visiting hours were.  I received a quick response and said they aren’t sure of his breed and would put a hold on him for the day.  I went over to the shelter after work to check him out.  I saw this sweet little boy in the cage and just knew he should be mine.  I played with him for awhile and then decided he was the one.  He was so sweet giving kisses and cuddling up with me.  I told the staff I wanted to adopt him.  They told he had to be neutered before he could go home.  I was kind of weary of him getting fixed so young.  They explained that their vet said he is old enough and it’s their policy for all animals to be spayed or neutered before leaving.  With all the animals in shelters I can understand that policy. 

 I got to take my little guy home yesterday.  I had already decided on his name, Indy. It’s Indy as in the Indianapolis Colts.  My boyfriend joked I should get him a whip and cool hat.  It took me a minute to realize he was talking about Indiana Jones.  Indy was very excited to be home.  We played for 2 hours before he finally tired out.  He cuddled up with me and took a nap. 

I’m crate training Indy and he did very well his first night.  He didn’t cry for very long when I put him in for the night.  He woke me up once in the middle of the night because he needing to go out.  I found out that Indy did pick a skill while he was in jail (shelter). He can steal your diamond ear ring.  You think he is just being cute and nibbling your ears and bam your ear ring is in his mouth.  Luckily was able to get it out before he could swallow it.  Indy is going to be a great dog, we’ll just have to put his life of crime in the past.

Clash of Clans is my latest obsession. I blame my boyfriend who introduced me to it and Supercell for creating a highly additive game.   Clash of Clans is rated second in the Top Grossing apps.  It’s a free app so it’s easy to download and burn time.  The game is a combat and strategy game.  You begin the game with a level 1 town hall, gold storage, and elixir storage.  You also have 1 barracks, 1 Army camp, 2 builders, 2 elixir mines, 2 gold mines, 2 cannons, and a few other things.  You begin the game with a 3 day defensive shield.  As long as you don’t attack anyone in the multiplayer game it will stay with you.  The shield gives you time to upgrade your buildings and storage.  The currency is gold, elixir, and gems.  The gold is used to buy defenses and resources.  The elixir is used you buy army resources and create troops.  The gems can buy shields.

 The troops are barbarian, archer, goblin, giant, wall breaker, balloon, wizard, healer, dragon, and P.E.K.K.A.  Each troop has different strengths and specialties. You acquire each as you upgrade your barracks.  As you continue to upgrade you town hall you gain more buildings, defenses, and accessories. 

Once you’ve got your village started you will repair your ClanCastle.  Once repaired you are able to join a clan.  Joining a clan allows you to send and receive troops from other clan members.  You are also about to chat with the players.  You can track your stats as well as your clan members. 

I’m currently on level 15 and I’m working on upgrading my village.  With each upgrade the longer it will take upgrade to the next level.  Some upgrades can take days.  If you’re impatient like me you can use gems to speed up the process.  I would suggest keeping your gems and being patient.  I wish I had done that in the beginning.  If you’re a high roller you are able to purchase gems through the app store.   I hope you’re not though so I can find you and pillage your village.  Good Luck!

2. What do you call a sheep that has been hit by lightning?

3. Why did the reporter walk into the ice cream shop?

4. What do you get if a chicken walks across the road, rolls in mud, and crosses back again?

5. Why does a chicken coop always have 2 doors?

6. What is the tallest building in any city?

7.Why did the student eat his homework?

8.What do you call a really big Ant?

9. What lion never roars?

10. How did the hipster burn his mouth?

 I thought I’d mix things up in 2013 and go with Wacky Wednesday.  I usually need a little boost to get through the day.  Enjoy!

Answers: 1.Sir Cumfrence. 2. An electric blanket. 3. Because he wanted a scoop. 4. A dirty double crosser. 5. Because if it had 4 doors it would be a chicken sedan. 6. A library, because it has so many stories. 7. The teacher told him it was a piece of cake. 8. A giANT. 9. A dandelion. 10. He ate his dinner before it was cool.  

 This year I decided to file my taxes early.  I’m a big fan of doing anything I can online so I searched online for free tax filing.  I got tons of results.  Results varying from H & R Block to no name tax site 1040now.net.  There are lots of sites file your federal taxes for free but charge to efile your state taxes.  I’m a big fan of free so I searched a little more.  As it turns out if you’re poor you can efile your state taxes online.  The Indiana Department of Revenue site has links to filing.  I went to the in.gov for the INfreefile.  It then gave me options based on AGI, (adjusted gross income) and age. I looked for one that seemed creditable.  Within about 30 minutes I was finished, sort of.  I’m a little paranoid that I might miss out on getting money back.  So I went to three different sites and put all my information in and checked to make sure I would be getting the correct amount back.  I’m not saying you should do this.  I’m a little nuts.  I did find that one site did not give me the Indiana rebate I am supposed to get.  Yes, that’s right Hoosiers a $111 for each tax payer.  I’m had forgotten about how the state found millions of dollars.  If you’re from Indiana make sure you’re getting this money.  I decided to use Tax Hawk to file. Tax Hawk is for those who: Adjusted gross incomes of $57,000 or less, and aged between 23 and 65 on December 31, 2012.  It is very user friendly and step by step has you put in information off your W-2.  I choose the direct deposit option and should get my return with a few weeks if all goes well.  So go be proactive and file today!

Up until a year ago I didn’t recycle anything.  It wasn’t that I didn’t care about the environment but I didn’t think my little part could make a difference.  After some persuading by my boyfriend I decided to should give it a try.  I started with plastic water bottles.  I drink an ungodly amount of bottled water.   My boyfriend was a little shocked at first seeing the volume of bottles I went through.  He suggested that I get a reusable bottle and a filter.  I scoffed at him.  I don’t react to change very well.  I already had the bulky recycling bin in my kitchen, I wasn’t about to give up my bottles too. I like the convenience of a bottle of water.  I don’t have to worry about if it’s cold or going to leak. Baby steps.  Long story short I now recycle most everything.  I really don’t like recycling can foods though.  I had a bad experience with a fork and a mandarin orange can.

I’m lucky enough to live in the great city of Evansville, Indiana. The city of Evansville Water and Sewer Utility has implemented a new program for trash and recycling pick up.  They have started the distribution of new trash cans and recycling bins.  From what I can tell they are nice 96 gallon carts.  The recycling carts have green lids.  I mean who doesn’t like a trash can with rollers?  The trash pick up days have changed schedules but the city website has an answer for that.

 The following is an easy guide of how to look up your trash and recycling pick up schedule.  Start by going to www.evansville.in.gov, click on the Government scroll down.  Scroll to Departments T-Z, Evansville Water and Sewer Utilities.  On the left side of screen, click Trash and Recycling.  This will bring up all the options you will need: new container carts system, residential trash, recycling, leaves collection, heavy trash, and pick up dates.  You can go where ever from here. I wanted to see the pick schedules and recycling schedules.  If you click trash and recycling it will give you give link to everything you will need. You can even put in your address and get specific information on your house.  As well as a printable recycling calendar.   

I think Evansville made a great choice in going to this system.  You can put all of your recycling in one bind and they will sort it.  People of Evansville you have no excuse not to recycle.   Let’s all do our little part. 

 Side Note: I know there are lots of links.  Hopefully it makes it easier and not worse.