Dreamstime


Earn up to $7500 for one sale!

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Make It Yourself



Star Parts
1119 E. Milam St
Wharton, TX 77488
(979) 532-1500
This post starts out with a shout out to our friends at Star Parts.  Star Parts is a CarQuest store in Wharton, Texas.  They sell parts and so much more.

The reason we want to shout out to Star Parts on this post is because they have been so very helpful when it comes to us making it ourselves.  

They often have very helpful suggestions on how we can repair things ourselves and save money in the long run.

Charles at Star Parts helped us design the screens we use in the Manian Debil Productions studio.  The suggestions offered by Charles at Star Parts helped us to save some money and a lot of time.  Thanks, Star Parts.

Papa Bruce, my father, was a pretty darn good carpenter and a pretty sharp fellow.  He used to say, “Why buy it when we can build it ourselves?  We can make it cheaper and a whole lot better that way.”

When we were making our Western Auto Store a clone of the Western Auto Flag Stores, we found that this was very true.  One thing was the parts counter for the parts department at the store.  Western Auto had one we could buy and assemble for thousands of dollars.  It would do the job, but cost way too much.



Papa Bruce decided we could build it.  So, for the price of a few pieces of metal, and a case of beer, he had the local technical college weld some support braces for the counter.  Add a sheet of plywood and some Formica and we had ourselves a parts counter for only $200.

This DIY parts counter was so strong we could have parked a fleet of busses on it, if we needed to.  The bottom line here is that “so-called” professionally made items are not necessarily better than what you can do yourself.  Also, there is a sense of pride it building something with your bare hands.

This reminds me, along that same time, Papa Bruce decided we needed an intracom. He asked me to buy and install one.  So, I did.  During this installation, I was up on an 8-foot step ladder and lost my hammer.  I looked everywhere for it.  I climbed down the ladder and looked some more.  I could not remember what I did with it.  I went to my tool case and got my other hammer then, I went back to move the ladder.  

I folded the steps to the ladder so I could move it. If you are familiar with most step ladders, you know there is a tool shelf that folds up when the ladder is folded.

As that shelf folded, I was reminded that I had left the lost hammer on the fold-away shelf.  I was reminded of that when the hammer fell off that shelf and onto my head.  I had to go to the doctor's’ office in town and get a stitch in my noggin.

If you have any other ideas of how to save money, drop me an email at gindysvideos@gmail.com .
If you would like for me to pray for you, please drop me an e-mail by clicking prayer.



Please Visit My Child Bride Suzanne's Blog

+++

I respond to all approved comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!


Please be advised that all the information in this course is provided to educate, enlighten, and broaden your views in life.  The information provided is not a substitute for medical, legal, dietary, financial/accounting, or religious professionals.   Always consult a professional before you act on any of the information you find in this course. 


Do you have a frugal recipe?  Please e-mail it to me.

Help us reach 1,000 YouTube subscribers. Please watch some of our videos. If you like them, please subscribe. Also, please share our YouTube information with your friends.  We thank you so much for all your help. 


Disclaimer: The opinions or advice listed in this blog or website should be used as a place to start only. It is not a substitute for the use of a professional.

 Please be sure to consult your attorney, accountant, and/or other professionals with any specific questions. There is no one right answer to any business question that will cover all circumstances.


Notice: This post may  contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction. Thank you for your support!

Monday, November 27, 2017

The Richest Man in Babylon Chapter Two The Man Who Desired Gold -

Chapter 2 - The Man Who Desired Gold -

Bansir, the chariot builder of Babylon, was thoroughly discouraged. From his seat upon the low wall surrounding his property, he gazed sadly at his simple home and the open workshop in which stood a partially completed chariot.

His wife frequently appeared at the open door. Her furtive glances in his direction reminded him that the meal bag was almost empty and he should be at work finishing the chariot, hammering and hewing, polishing and painting, stretching taut the leather over the wheel rims, preparing it for delivery so he could collect from his wealthy customer.

Nevertheless, his fat, muscular body sat stolidly upon the wall. His slow mind was struggling patiently with a problem for which he could find no answer.

The hot, tropical sun, so typical of this valley of the Euphrates, beat down upon him mercilessly. Beads of perspiration formed upon his brow and trickled down unnoticed to lose themselves in tie hairy jungle on his chest. Beyond his home towered the high terraced wall surrounding the king's palace. Nearby, cleaving the blue heavens, was the painted tower of the Temple of Bel. In the shadow of such grandeur was his simple home and many others far less neat and well cared for. Babylon was like this --- a mixture of grandeur and squalor, of dazzling wealth and direst poverty, crowded together without plan or system within the protecting walls of the city.

Behind him, had he cared to turn and look, the noisy chariots of the rich jostled and crowded aside the sandaled tradesmen as well as the barefooted beggars.

Even the rich were forced to turn into the gutters to clear the way for the long lines of slave water carriers, on the "King's Business," each bearing a heavy goatskin of water to be poured upon the hanging gardens. Bansir was too engrossed in his own problem to hear or heed the confused hubbub of the busy city.

It was the unexpected twanging of the strings from a familiar lyre that aroused him from his reverie. He turned and looked into the sensitive, smiling face of his best friend --- Kobbi, the musician.

"May the Gods bless thee with great liberality, my good friend," began Kobbi with an elaborate salute. "Yet, it does appear they have already been so generous thou needest not to labor. I rejoice with thee in thy good fortune.

More, I would even share it with thee. Pray, from thy purse which must be bulging else thou wouldst be busy in your shop, extract but two humble shekels and lend them to me until after the noblemen's feast this night. Thou wilt not miss them ere they are returned."


"If I did have two shekels," Bansir responded gloomily, "to no one could I lend them --- not even to you, my best of friends; for they would be my fortune --- my entire fortune. No one lends his entire fortune, not even to his best friend."

"What," exclaimed Kobbi with genuine surprise, "Thou hast not one shekel in thy purse, yet sit like a statue upon a wall! Why not complete that chariot? How else canst thou provide for thy noble appetite? Tis not like thee, my friend. Where is thy endless energy? Doth something distress thee? Have the Gods brought to thee troubles?"


"A torment from the Gods it must be," Bansir agreed. "It began with a dream, a senseless dream, in which I thought I was a man of means.

From my belt hung a handsome purse, heavy with coins. There were shekels which I cast with careless freedom to the beggars; there were pieces of silver with which I did buy finery for my wife and whatever I did desire for myself; there were pieces of gold which made me feel assured of the future and unafraid to spend the silver. A glorious feeling of contentment was within me!

You would not have known me for thy hardworking friend. Nor wouldst have known my wife, so free from wrinkles was her face and shining with happiness. She was again the smiling maiden of our early married days."

"A pleasant dream, indeed," commented Kobbi, "but why should such pleasant feelings as it aroused turn thee into a glum statue upon the wall?"

"Why, indeed! Because when I awoke and remembered how empty was my purse, a feeling of rebellion swept over me.

Let us talk it over together, for, as the sailors do say, we ride in the same boat, we two. As youngsters, we went together to the priests to learn wisdom.


As young men, we shared each other's pleasures. As grown men, we have always been close friends.

We have been contented subjects of our kind. We have been satisfied to work long hours and spend our earnings freely. We have earned much coin in the years that have passed, yet to know the joys that come from wealth, we must dream about them.

Bah! Are we more than dumb sheep? We live in the richest city in all the world. The travelers do say none equals it in wealth.


About us is much display of wealth, but of it we ourselves have naught. After half a lifetime of hard labor, thou, my best of friends, hast an empty purse and sayest to me, "May I borrow such a trifle as two shekels until after the noblemen's feast this night?"


Then, what do I reply? Do I say, "Here is my purse; its contents will I gladly share?' No, I admit that my purse is as empty as thine. What is the matter? Why cannot we acquire silver and gold --- more than enough for food and robes?

"Consider, also, our sons," Bansir continued, "are they not following in the footsteps of their fathers? Need they and their families and their sons and their sons' families live all their lives in the midst of such treasurers of gold, and yet, like us, be content to banquet upon sour goat's milk and porridge?"

"Never, in all the years of our friendship, didst thou talk like this before, Bansir." Kobbi was puzzled.

"Never in all those years did I think like this before. From early dawn until darkness stopped me, I have labored to build the finest chariots any man could make, soft- heartedly hoping some day the Gods would recognize my worthy deeds and bestow upon me great prosperity. This they have never done. At last, I realize this they will never do.

Therefore, my heart is sad. I wish to be a man of means. I wish to own lands and cattle, to have fine robes and coins in my purse. I am willing to work for these things with all the strength in my back, with all the skill in my hands, with all the cunning in my mind, but I wish my labors to be fairly rewarded.

What is the matter with us? Again I ask you! Why cannot we have our just share of the good things so plentiful for those who have the gold with which to buy them?"

"Would I knew an answer!" Kobbi replied. "No better than thou am I satisfied. My earnings from my lyre are quickly gone. Often must I plan and scheme that my family be not hungry.

Also, within my breast is a deep longing for a lyre large enough that it may truly sing the strains of music that do surge through my mind. With such an instrument could I make music finer than even the king has heard before."

"Such a lyre thou shouldst have. No man in all Babylon could make it sing more sweetly; could make it sing so sweetly, not only the king but the Gods themselves would be delighted. But how mayest thou secure it while we both of us are as poor as the king's slaves? Listen to the bell! Here they come." He pointed to the long column of half naked, sweating water bearers plodding laboriously up the narrow street from the river. Five abreast they marched, each bent under a heavy goatskin of water.

"A fine figure of a man, he who doth lead them." Kobbi indicated the wearer of the bell who marched in front without a load. "A prominent man in his own country, 'tis easy to see."

"There are many good figures in the line," Bansir agreed, "as good men as we. Tall, blond men from the north, laughing black men from the south, little brown men from the nearer countries. All marching together from the river to the gardens, back and forth, day after day, year after year. Naught of happiness to look forward to. Beds of straw upon which to sleep --- hard grain porridge to eat. Pity the poor brutes, Kobbi!"

"Pity them I do. Yet, thou dost make me see how little better off are we, free men though we call ourselves."

That is truth, Kobbi, unpleasant thought though it be. We do not wish to go on year after year living slavish lives. Working, working, working! Getting nowhere."

"Might we not find out how others acquire gold and do as they do?" Kobbi inquired.

"Perhaps there is some secret we might learn if we but sought from those who knew," replied Bansir thoughtfully.

"This very day," suggested Kobbi, "I did pass our old friend, Arkad, riding in his golden chariot. This I will say, he did not look over my humble head as many in his station might consider his right. Instead, he did wave his hand that all onlookers might see him pay greetings and bestow his smile of friendship upon Kobbi, the musician."

"He is claimed to be the richest man in all Babylon," Bansir mused.



"So rich the king is said to seek his golden aid in affairs of the treasury," Kobbi replied. "So rich," Bansir interrupted, "I fear if I should meet him in the darkness of the night, I should lay my hands upon his fat wallet."

"Nonsense," reproved Kobbi, "a man's wealth is not in the purse he carries. A fat purse quickly empties if there be no golden stream to refill it. Arkad has an income that constantly keeps his purse full, no matter how liberally he spends."

"Income, that is the thing," ejaculated Bansir. "I wish an income that will keep flowing into my purse whether I sit upon the wall or travel to far lands. Arkad must know how a man can make an income for himself. Dost suppose it is something he could make clear to a mind as slow as mine?"

"Methinks he did teach his knowledge to his son, Nomasir," Kobbi responded. "Did he not go to Nineveh and, so it is told at the inn, become, without aid from his father, one of the richest men in that city?"

"Kobbi, thou bringest to me a rare thought." A new light gleamed in Bansir's eyes. "It costs nothing to ask wise advice from a good friend and Arkad was always that. Never mind though our purses be as empty as the falcon's nest of a year ago. Let that not detain us. We are weary of being without gold in the midst of plenty. We wish to become men of means. Come, let us go to Arkad and ask how we, also, may acquire incomes for ourselves."

Thou speakest with true inspiration, Bansir. Thou bringeth to my mind a new understanding.

Thou makest me to realize the reason why we have never found any measure of wealth. We never sought it. Thou hast labored patiently to build the staunchest chariots in Babylon. To that purpose was devoted your best endeavors. Therefore, at it thou didst succeed. I strove to become a skillful lyre player. And, at it I did succeed.

"In those things toward which we exerted our best endeavors we succeeded. The Gods were content to let us continue thus. Now, at last, we see a light, bright like that from the rising sun. It biddeth us to learn more that we may prosper more. With a new understanding we shall find honourable ways to accomplish our desires."

"Let us go to Arkad this very day," Bansir urged, "Also, let us ask other friends of our boyhood days, who have fared no better than ourselves, to join us that they, too, may share in his wisdom."

"Thou wert ever thus thoughtful of thy friends, Bansir. Therefore hast thou many friends. It shall be as thou sayest. We go this day and take them with us."

If you would like for me to pray for you, please drop me an e-mail by clicking prayer.



Please Visit My Child Bride Suzanne's Blog

Introduction
Chapter One

I respond to all approved comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!


Please be advised that all the information in this course is provided to educate, enlighten, and broaden your views in life.  The information provided is not a substitute for medical, legal, dietary, financial/accounting, or religious professionals.   Always consult a professional before you act on any of the information you find in this course. 


Do you have a frugal recipe?  Please e-mail it to me.

Help us reach 1,000 YouTube subscribers. Please watch some of our videos. If you like them, please subscribe. Also, please share our YouTube information with your friends.  We thank you so much for all your help. 


Disclaimer: The opinions or advice listed in this blog or website should be used as a place to start only. It is not a substitute for the use of a professional.

 Please be sure to consult your attorney, accountant, and/or other professionals with any specific questions. There is no one right answer to any business question that will cover all circumstances.



Notice: This post may  contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction. Thank you for your support!

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner with 4GB SD card and USB Adapter with EasyStitch and StoryScans Talking Images Software



Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner with 4GB SD card and USB adapter. EasyStitch and StoryScans talking images software



Learn More About Flip-PalHave you ever gone to visit your grandmother and noticed that one-of-a-kind picture of Aunt Eula Mae hanging on her wall?  You would love to have a copy of that picture.

The problem is that picture is one-of-a-kind.  It has been in that frame, pressed up to the glass, for over half a century.  

You could beg Grandma to let you take that picture with you to get a copy made.  If she did relent, she would worry the whole time the picture is off the wall. And, what if something were to happen to it while it was out of Grandma’s sight?  

If you try to take the picture out of the frame so that you could get a clear shot of it, chances are very good that you will ruin the picture. Grandma would be devastated.

You could whip out the cellphone and make a bad, grainy snapshot of it. We’ve all seen those. They usually come out with all sorts of glare and you really can’t tell what the image is when you copy a picture that way.

Or, you could break out your handy Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner and scan it while it is still hanging on the wall. How great is that?

All you have to do is take a series of overlapping scans and the software does the rest. It stitches the pictures using a program called EasyStitch.

It stores it on an SD card.  You can then take the SD card to a local photo outlet,  pop it in their automated photo kiosk and out comes a near perfect copy of Aunt Eula Mae.

You could even load it into your computer via an SD card port or the USB adapter that is included.  That way you can share it online with your family and friends.  

You could also send it off to one of those discount printing services that makes your digital image into great enlargements, mouse pads, or whatever.

One really great feature is the StoryScans software.  Using this, you can record Grandma’s story of Aunt Eula Mae, in Grandma’s own voice.  This is a treasure that cannot have a price put on it.

The Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner is so easy to use even this old redneck can do it.  If I can do it, you can do it.  You don’t have to be the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs to use this thing. Just click, scan, and enjoy. It is that simple.

You can save photos, your grandkids’ artwork off their mama and daddy’s refrigerator, or even off the wall at their school when you go for open house. All the other grandparents will want to know where you got your Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner and how easy it is to use.

The Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner is a must have for any genealogist.  With it you can scan documents you find at the library or at a relative’s house (with permission, of course).

You may even find yourself scanning pictures you have laying around your own house so you can archive them and back them up on your computer.

You will find the Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner to be the go to tool at the library when doing genealogy research. You find an interesting picture, use the Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner.  You locate an old military record, the Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner can scan it.  You don’t have to worry about damaging the original document.  It can stay in its frame or in the scrapbook, etc.

Do you remember those magnetic photo albums from back in the 70s?  You can scan pictures from one of those without having to take the picture out of the album.  This works great when dealing with newspaper articles (like obituaries) that have been saved in an old photo album.

We did a test to check for color fidelity, comparing the iPhone 5s and the Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner. Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner won. The color was truer to the color in the photograph on the scan than on the picture taken with the iPhone. The iPhone made the photo more warm-toned than it actually is. The baby is yellower and the carrier cover has pinkish tones in the iPhone photo. Here are the test images.

Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner Scan of picture in album (600 dpi):









iPhone 5s picture of picture in album (72 dpi):



We love our Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner.  It is worth many times the suggested retail price.  You will love yours and you will find it so easy to use that you will tell all your friends.

It is lightweight too, so easy to carry.  You can get optional tote bags or just pop it in a large purse.

You will want to always have your Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner with you wherever you go because you will find all sorts of opportunities to use yours once you have it.

To learn more about the Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner and other fine products, click here.
If you would like for me to pray for you, please drop me an e-mail by clicking prayer.



Please Visit My Child Bride Suzanne's Blog


I respond to all approved comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!

Please be advised that all the information in this course is provided to educate, enlighten, and broaden your views in life.  The information provided is not a substitute for medical, legal, dietary, financial/accounting, or religious professionals.  Always consult a professional before you act on any of the information you find in this course. 


Do you have a frugal recipe?  Please e-mail it to me.

Help us reach 1,000 YouTube subscribers. Please watch some of our videos. If you like them, please subscribe. Also, please share our YouTube information with your friends.  We thank you so much for all your help. 

Disclaimer: The opinions or advice listed in this blog or website should be used as a place to start only. It is not a substitute for the use of a professional.

 Please be sure to consult your attorney, accountant, and/or other professionals with any specific questions. There is no one right answer to any business question that will cover all circumstances.

Notice: This post may  contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction. Thank you for your support!

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Happy Thanksgiving from the McClendon Family

-

If you would like for me to pray for you, please drop me an e-mail by clicking prayer.



Please Visit My Child Bride Suzanne's Blog


I respond to all approved comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!


Please be advised that all the information in this course is provided to educate, enlighten, and broaden your views in life.  The information provided is not a substitute for medical, legal, dietary, financial/accounting, or religious professionals.   Always consult a professional before you act on any of the information you find in this course. 


Do you have a frugal recipe?  Please e-mail it to me.

Help us reach 1,000 YouTube subscribers. Please watch some of our videos. If you like them, please subscribe. Also, please share our YouTube information with your friends.  We thank you so much for all your help. 


Disclaimer: The opinions or advice listed in this blog or website should be used as a place to start only. It is not a substitute for the use of a professional.

 Please be sure to consult your attorney, accountant, and/or other professionals with any specific questions. There is no one right answer to any business question that will cover all circumstances.


Notice: This post may  contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction. Thank you for your support!

Once A Month Cooking




It may not make sense, but how you cook can be as important as what you cook.


We are talking about once-a-month cooking.  Basically, you plan out all your meals for the following month.  Get your calendar and make a meal plan for ALL your monthly meals.  


Once you have all your meals planned, you can plan your shopping.   You need to make sure you remember all the ingredients you will need for the month’s worth of cooking, including pans to store the product in your freezer after it is prepared.


Now, you can compare prices at all your local stores; remember the warehouse clubs.  But, don’t be fooled by the warehouse clubs.  Very often, it is actually more expensive to buy in bulk so compare ounce to ounce prices.


Plan out a cooking schedule.  You can boil several chickens at a time.  Put a turkey in the roaster while one is in the oven, that sort of thing.


You can also pre-chop veggies and put them in storage bags in your freezer to add to a crockpot meal later in the month.  


Once-a-month cooking works well with casseroles.  But, it also works with having things like lasagna or spaghetti ready to just heat and eat.


There are numerous book available at Amazon that will help you with planning and execution of the event.


Not only can this help with your food budget, but once-a-month cooking can also be a great way to get your family together for a day of work and fun.  It can also help you manage your time better throughout the month.


Another idea is to cook one type of meal each weekend, for example, one week beef, the next week chicken, the next week pork, and so forth.  

If you would like for me to pray for you, please drop me an e-mail by clicking prayer.



Please Visit My Child Bride Suzanne's Blog





I respond to all approved comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!


Please be advised that all the information in this course is provided to educate, enlighten, and broaden your views in life.  The information provided is not a substitute for medical, legal, dietary, financial/accounting, or religious professionals.   Always consult a professional before you act on any of the information you find in this course. 


Do you have a frugal recipe?  Please e-mail it to me.

Help us reach 1,000 YouTube subscribers. Please watch some of our videos. If you like them, please subscribe. Also, please share our YouTube information with your friends.  We thank you so much for all your help. 


Disclaimer: The opinions or advice listed in this blog or website should be used as a place to start only. It is not a substitute for the use of a professional.

 Please be sure to consult your attorney, accountant, and/or other professionals with any specific questions. There is no one right answer to any business question that will cover all circumstances.


Notice: This post may  contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction. Thank you for your support!