Flu Season is Upon Us

I'm fighting the flu with everything I've got.
I think it's still just a cold, maybe even trying to be a cold.
I don't think I've ever gotten sick during summertime.

Stay safe on the roads this Holiday Season.
Remember to think of others and that everyone more likely
than not has a lot on their minds this time of year.
There are distractions, pedestrians, inebriations,
misunderstandings, and missed lights.
Work hard, stay safe, and give back.

Christmas almost here

Christmas is awesome for kids.
Every child everywhere should know of Christmas.
But as an adult, I need to be working and I can't because;
1) Holiday drivers are on the road.
2) I have holiday obligations.
3) Snow is fun to play in but not drive in.
Never mind New Years, oh my..!
There's no place like summer...
Merry Christmas, I do love it!

On-the-Road

Yes, of course, most work both in and out of the home, including on-the-road, like me..!
This last Friday, only Dec. 14th, I went to a location, and except for one financial center,
every single office had closed and gone home early for Christmas weekend, and it's only
the 14th..!
And the traffic..! Why aren't all these drivers at work on a mid-day?

On-the-Road

Did u remember to send Christmas Cards..?

For those of us on a budget, we sometimes must send our usual Christmas Cards in lieu of our usual presents.
This year, I'm reigning it in, and proud of it.
In fact, I am so excited about my future, I would like to share w/u what made it possible:

FPU
Credit card debt?
Student loan debt?
'House-poor'?
'Car-poor'?

Yes, I used to do affiliate marketing, but wasn't able to stay with it,
and my debt remained.
This is not, and was not, any part of my affiliate marketing.
This is not another financial guru.

This is a Christian guy.
Christians aren't necessarily always the best financiers.
And bankers aren't always theologians.

I found this guy on Siriusxm radio, and figured he was going to blather on
about saving money and getting more credit cards.
He sounded good. Really solid. But I wasn't hooked.
Then he took calls, and he'd pray for the callers in financial troubles.
That caught my attention.

He said he was sending some of them to his classes.
I waited.
At the end of the call, he informed audience that he hoped that caller would attend the Financial Peace University classes.

I tried it for myself.
It works, and it saved my future.
Saving money can save marriages, and it sounds like his specialty is saving marriages.
And a bit shocking because he shows just how much money is mentioned in the Bible, and not negatively either!

I'd like to share this here for the holidays;
Financial Peace University 

If the at-home classes were free, I'd send them for free, but they cost a couple of hundred dollars
and classes are held around the country in churches and community centers.
In the spirit of Gideon bibles, this is the best I can do.
   -ay-

It's December 2018..!

December 1

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2018

December 1 in recent years

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December 1 is the 335th day of the year (336th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. 

There are 30 days remaining until the end of the year.

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2018

December 1 in recent years

  2018 (Saturday)

  2017 (Friday)

  2016 (Thursday)

  2015 (Tuesday)

  2014 (Monday)

  2013 (Sunday)

  2012 (Saturday)

  2011 (Thursday)

  2010 (Wednesday)

  2009 (Tuesday)

Happy Black Friday

Not exactly sure why it is called Black Friday, but I didn't get 'Happy Thanksgiving' in on time, so this is the next best thing.
Besides, it should be called Happy Post-Thanksgiving Day or something, because 'Black Friday' has awesome pre-Christmas sales, no?
Wikipedia says the following;
'Many stores offer highly promoted sales on Black Friday and open very early, such as at midnight, or may even start their sales at some time on Thanksgiving. Black Friday is not an official holiday, but California and some other states observe "The Day After Thanksgiving" as a holiday for state government employees, sometimes in lieu of another federal holiday, such as Columbus Day. Many non-retail employees and schools have both Thanksgiving and the following Friday off, which, along with the following regular weekend, makes it a four-day weekend, thereby increasing the number of potential shoppers.'  
Still doesn't explain it very well, does it?

4-day Friday? 
4-day Weekend?
Pre-Christmas Friday? 
Mighty Friday? 
Untidy Friday? 

Anyway, the Holidays are upon us!
Whether it is a newly created family by choice,
or the family Gd gave us, it is a brief time for gratitude.
It could be better, it could be worse, but it is temporary.

I really, really want to sell this vending route...

I really want to sell this circuit.
But I can't!
It's too good of a route.
The machines are pristine and kept clean.
Finally settled in to a regular routine.

The income is slow, but that's only because I wait.
Every time I go to sell the route, I'd best refill and empty
the machines at the same time.
Then I remember that the track is paid for.
Except for monthly donations, it costs me nothing.
The responsibility is definitely distracting from my driving gigs, tho.

The regular donations to HSUS have converted over to the
Wildlife Waystation in California, only because I couldn't control the
monthly fees in HSUS online.

It is the wildlife that suffers most from the encroachment of
civilizations. 
Researching wildlife rescues in Texas is difficult since the focus is
on the animals, and finances get neglected, and so it continues...

Relocating...

Not me, my machines are relocating!
Some of them, not all of them.
Actually, am constantly in the process of placing machines
hither and thither.
On the road either way...

Just an Occasional FYI...

Okay, so I purchased one of those 'ionic foot spas' at the fair.
Yes, I paid over $1000 for it.
I hurt my back, got scared, and bought it.
Found out u can get one at Walmart for $50.
Then I found out it was a scam.
Then I found out that not only does it produce the same
results in water whether feet are in it or not, but the metallic
reaction to salt produces some sort of hexane,
that same toxic stuff in the Erin Brokovitch movie...
I swear I thought I had felt better there for a minute.
Bummer.
Young & dumb is cute.
Old and dumb is annoying.
Back to work regardless.
Thank Gd for prayer...

I'm Exhausted, but in a good way...

There's something to be said for couples in business.
I have heard a few bad stories between partners,
but not as many between couples, altho I'm sure it's not rare.
Anyway, as a single person, there's no time to do anything!
I sure enjoy working, tho. It's a saving grace.
Spending is fun, but income coming in is rewarding.
I tended machines Monday, and look forward to checking in
with the next 4 locations after the weekend this Monday.

I'd like to sell my route

This is such a good route that I cannot sell it, but sure wish I could.
If u were a salesman, you could sell gum/candy/charities, but I don't
sell well, so it's slow-going.
Good machines, good people, no sales skills...

Thanku!

For those of u who help animals, thanku..!

Still tending route...

Hello bloggers!
  I used to finish my route in about 1-3 days.
Because I have added several additional driving jobs, I am tending the route within around 1-3 weeks; rather than all of them in a day, it is a few machines a day.
From what I have seen so far, no one is getting neglected at all.
As always, feedback appreciated!
  Regards,
     -ay-

New Jobs, New Machines, New, New, New..!

Greetings,
   As mentioned previously, I have accepted several new jobs.
Being a courier, delivery, and driver, the new jobs are all on the road.
This means that while on the road for other companies, I am still available to attend to my bulk vending route.
This also means that Mondays are very much work-days, and even tho I can call my own hours, I fill up every waking moment with work.
Since the last post, I have removed machines and added locations.
I have tried blogging on the phone from my car, but does not work, must be on a laptop.
Thanku for your patience.
See u soon!

Lotsa jobs

I visit the route next week and will update.
Right now, I am servicing 3 other jobs in addition
to vending route. Thanks!

How Long Do Bubblegumballs Last?

How long are my gumballs good for?

Ever wonder how long your gumballs will last? 

When will my gumballs expire? 

What is the shelf life of gumballs? 

We get these questions often and it just so happens that our bulk gumballs have a shelf life of 24+ months if stored in a cool dry place.

 In some circumstances they last even longer. 

We opened and chewed on a 850 count case that was still good three years after production. 

However, extreme climates and conditions can reduce the optimal lifespan of some boxes of gum. 

-Gumball.com

Happy Independence Week..!

July 4th falls on a Wednesday this year.
May Gd continue to bless and protect our streets and highways.
Have a safe July 4th..!

Signed MSPA for Next Year..!

Okay, so MSPA isn't being held in L.A., or anywhere in Hawaii, or Florida coast, or even anywhere warm, Pittsburgh? Fine.
Anyway, I already signed up for next year.
Anyone and everyone should check out the MSPA.

Why? Because the meetings/seminars/speakers have incredible ideas they share that applies to ANY work-related field!
I'm not even sure they realize it, but the round-tables, vendors, and speakers were quite inspiring.
I only signed up for 1 talk, and it was only 1 hour long, went by too fast!
I couldn't believe the incredible information about mystery shopping that can apply to absolutely any field.
One part that was so amazing was a company I used to shop with all the time hires private investigators, real ones! How fun!

They don't train them, tho, just hire them.
Anyway, I was so inspired, that I went out and applied to at least about a dozen jobs, and most all of them responded back.
I accepted 3 of them!
Now I have the work I want, when I want.
It's just a matter of time to see if I make enuf to travel to the MSPA convention next year.
What the heck is in Pittsburgh?
The Pittsburgh Steelers are there, must be something to it...
YoungImages.com

MSPA ShopperFest

Attended the MSPA ShopperFest this weekend.
Didn't think to take pics! Attached a standard photo of the
very lovely Embassy Suites where it was held.

Very inspirational, got some great ideas!
Buffet breakfast and lunches, lots of goodies for the road.
Not just mystery shoppers. Merchandising, Interviews, Surveys...
If u like travel, variety, change of scenery, and willing to
work hard, check it out.

New Courier Route

As if a bulk vending route wasn’t enuf, I went and added a courier route.
New and exciting, too!
I like the road, what can I say, and I already have a St. Christopher medal for my transportation.
May Gd bless and protect us on our roads.

Tough Times Gd Bless

When times are tough, it could be better,
it could be worse,
but it's only temporary...

There Are Rescues Everywhere!

It looks like there are rescues for every main breed, and plenty of mixed-breed rescues.
Too many to list here.
Please check your local ASPCA only because those animals go first.
If u want specific breeds, the American Kennel Club has a long list
of Purebred Rescue groups, many listed by state.
The Bichon Frise group is only in New York.
The popular breeds, such as Labradors, can be found in most states.
Please check Breed Temperament for your perfect match.
They don't advertise, but u can often find all sorts of critters that the ASPCA takes in,
so don't forget the kitties/bunnies/chickens/iguanas/birds, etc...

Any Bichon-Frise needs to be rescued? 

https://www.akc.org/akc-rescue-network/
Check it out!

Honor Boxes

Honor/Donation Boxes are Exactly how I want to live my life.
I am considering putting up my bulk vending route and move over
to Honor Boxes.
I like everything about it.
It's totally warm/fuzzies when the dollars/coins add up, with honor..!
They are clear boxes, the coins are in plain site, and doing the math backs it up.
Honestly? I love it!
Thanku..!

Dog N Kitty City

One of my locations today happened to ask in passing if I know of any adoption groups they could sponsor for an adoption event. I said ‘YES’ before he finished the question. Do I know of adoption groups? Are u kidding?! No one asked before! Do I know of any ‘No-Kill’ Adoption groups? Yes, but they are all too few.
Anyway, I am so thankful that/if his store holds an adoption event.
Dog N Kitty City is No-Kill mostly because they barely have enuf room to house their puppies and kitties.

The building is in an industrial area, all concrete, 1-story little bungalow, yet they still manage to have shaded outdoor runs for both dogs and cats.
The dogs and cats have so much kibble.
Tons of food donations all the time.
Plenty of water 24/7.
They have to change the cat litter almost every day because of possible bacteria.
I imagine that is mostly what drives costs up.
A nearby vet does the best they can, but they aren’t wealthy either.
One large donation/expenditure that came in went to cooling units for the dog runs. Nice!
Anyway, thanku sir just for asking.
That simple question made my day.
P.S., Adoption events help your business and theirs.

Welcome New Locations!

Greetings!
I hope u are happy with your new bubblegum machine.
If not, please feel free to say so any time here.
I am notified immediately and respond,
and check in every Monday either way.
All the best! See u soon...

Post Earth Day

Yesterday was Earth Day.
I guess that means to care for the earth.
I care.
Now I have to pay the rent.

God's earth

So I compromise, and instead of all vending machines,
I am adding Donation boxes.
People can add donations to my preferred charities,
and get gum or mints.
Granted, it's an honor system. There's a caring in that, no?
I don't have any earth charities.
All my charities are for the care and comfort of critters.
Btw and fyi, my intent and will is for my teeny-tiny estate to
do just that. I'll leave it there for  now.
So have a good Monday, love God, and pay the rent.

Happy Monday!

Well, it's another Monday, and for a change, there's no holiday; tax season is done, (except for those extensions!), no real gossip, at least on this end, and I don't service my route until next month, so no new news there, so I thought I'd add a survey I received today from BestFriends.
I don't know if it is a permanent or temporary survey, so am adding the URL as a temporary Post here.

Click Here: Best Friends Survey

Check it out and take the survey for Critters'.
Btw, I don't know the agenda of many of these places, and altho I can guess, I hope for the best. Most of them do good things from a good place. I'm sure they have their share of mistakes, but if they truly care about critters, that's what I pray for.
Now back to business... :-)

Tax Season Is Upon Us..!

Greetings, 
 The info below is copy/pasted from IRS.gov. 
Should I ever make enuf to pay taxes, I promise to include fun and profitable tax shelters here. Thanks!

Businesses and Self Employed

Credits & Deductions for Businesses

Businesses and Self Employed


Manufacturers' Energy Efficient Appliance Credit

Act Section 305 - Modifications of Energy Efficient Appliance Credit for Appliances Produced After 2007


Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle Credit (IRC 30D)
Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle Credit (IRC 30D) - Internal Revenue Code Section 30D provides a credit for Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicles including passenger vehicles and light trucks.


Research Credit
Guidelines and audit technique guide are provided for field examiners on the examination of Research Credit cases.


Deducting Business Expenses
Find out what qualifies as a deductible business expense, including depreciation.


***Abusive Tax Shelters and Transactions***
The Internal Revenue Service has a comprehensive strategy in place to combat abusive tax shelters and transactions. This strategy includes guidance on abusive transactions, regulations governing tax shelters, a hotline for taxpayers to use to report abusive technical transactions, and enforcement activity against abusive tax shelter promoters and investors. 

PART II: 

For Individuals:
What Is a Tax Credit?



Subtract tax credits from the amount of tax you owe. There are two types of tax credits:
• A nonrefundable tax credit means you get a refund only up to the amount you owe.
• A refundable tax credit means you get a refund, even if it's more than what you owe.
What Is a Tax Deduction?
Subtract tax deductions from your income before you figure the amount of tax you owe.
Credits for Individuals
• Family and Dependent Credits
• Income and Savings Credits
• Homeowner Credits
• Health Care Credits
• Education Credits


Deductions for Individuals
• Work Related Deductions
• Itemized Deductions
• Education Deductions
• Health Care Deductions
• Investment Related Deductions

Post Easter Services

3 Easter Eggs

Hope everyone had a safe and joyous Easter weekend,
which happened to fall on April Fool's Day this year.
Not sure what to make of that?
Lots of candy and bubblegum, pastels and secular things.
Check out my Halloween blog page for a few creative
bubblegum ideas;
https://www.funhalloweenpartyideas.com/blog/
And remember a few thoughts and prayers all year long;
'God does not have favorites, but the Cowboys fan does',
'Turn thoughts to prayers',
'Pray for others what u want for yourself'.

Prayer, the best wireless connection

March 4 Eternal Life

Spring has Sprung!
Have an awesome holidays

Small Palm Frond

March 4 Eternal Life 

Bubblegum Trivia Challenge Answers

Answer Key
1. How many sticks of gum does the average American chew in a year? 
Answer: B. 300

2. How many tons of gum are chewed every year? 
Answer: C. 100,000

3. If all the five-chunk packs of Bubble Yum ever chewed in the U.S. since it's introduction in 1975 were laid end-to-end, how many times would it circle the earth at the equator? 
Answer: C. 7 (and a little more!)

4. San Luis Obispo, California, USA is the home of 'Bubble Gum Alley'. What is it? 
Answer: A. An alley with brick walls covered with ABC (already-been-chewed) gum wads.

5. Richard Walker holds the record for the Chomp Title by chewing 135 sticks of gum for the longest time. How long did he chomp? 
Answer: C. 8 hours
The first person to win the 'Chomp Title' was Sue Jordan, who chewed eighty pieces of Doublemint gum for five hours and twelve minutes! Clyde Steward McGehee, of North Carolina, broke that record by chewing 105 sticks of Juicy Fruit for six hours and Richard Walker broke that record by chewing 135 sticks of gum for eight hours.

6. The Topps company holds the record for having made the largest single piece of bubble gum. How many pieces of normal-sized Bazooka did it equal? 
Answer: C. 10,000 Topps presented the gum to baseball player Willie Mays in 1974. Mays then cut it into small chunks and gave it to children in nearby hospitals.

7. The 1952 Mickey Mantle rookie card is the most valuable Topps Company card. How much did it sell for at auction? 
Answer: B. $120,000

8. What is the Official Gum of Major League Baseball? 
Answer: A. Bubble Yum

9. When was the first successful bubble gum invented? 
Answer: C. 1928
The first known bubble gum, "Blibber Blubber," appeared in 1906. It failed to catch on because it was too sticky and too brittle so it didn't hold together when it was chewed. The first successful bubble gum was invented by Walter E. Diemer in the summer
of 1928. A 23-year-old accountant who knew nothing about chemistry, Diemer created his invention in a tiny laboratory in Philadelphia. The only food coloring he had on hand was pink. "It was an accident," Mr. Diemer said in an interview with The Lancaster Intelligencer Journal in 1996. "I was doing something else and ended up with something with bubbles."

10. Susan Mont"Gum"ery Williams is the Guinness Record Holder Of the Worlds Largest Gum Bubble. How big was it? 
Answer: B. 23 Inches

Many of the facts for the questions were found at Bubble Gum Fact page at http:/ / mmwww.northville.k12.mi.us/ STUDENTS/ 2005/ dugganla/ Hpage4.htm.
T. Trimpe 2001 

Workmen Today

I need to be working and I can't get anything done today...

So I'll include Today's TEST..!

Test your knowledge of bubble gum!

____ 1. How many sticks of gum does the average American chew in a year? 

A. 200 B. 300 C. 400

____ 2. How many tons of gum are chewed every year? 

A. 50,000 B. 75,000 C. 100,000

____ 3. If all the five-chunk packs of Bubble Yum ever chewed in the U.S. since it's introduction in 1975 were laid end-to-end, how many times would it circle the earth at the equator? 

A. 2 B. 5 C. 7

____ 4. San Luis Obispo, California, is the home of 'Bubble Gum Alley'. What is it? 

A. An alley with brick walls covered with ABC (already-been-chewed) gum wads. B. The place where bubble gum was invented.

C. The home of the largest collection of bubble gum machines.

____ 5. Richard Walker holds the record for the Chomp Title by chewing 135 sticks of gum for the longest time. How long did he chomp?

A. 5 hours B. 6 hours C. 8 hours

____ 6. The Topps company holds the record for having made the largest single piece of bubble gum. How many pieces of normal-sized Bazooka did it equal?

A. 5000 B. 8000 C. 10, 000

____ 7. The 1952 Mickey Mantle rookie card is the most valuable Topps Company card. How much did it sell for at auction?

A. $75,000 B. $120,000 C. $1,000,000

____ 8. What is the Official Gum of Major League Baseball? 

A. Bubble Yum B. Bazooka C. Topps

____ 9. When was the first successful bubble gum invented? 

A. 1891 B. 1906 C. 1928

____ 10. Susan Mont"Gum"ery Williams is the Guinness Record Holder Of the Worlds Largest Gum Bubble. How big was it?

A. 19 inches B. 23 Inches C. 27 inches

Answers Next Week... 

~

Monday, Monday

God Bless!

My English Blog!

It looks like I have a Blog in England.
https://youngimages2000.blogspot.co.uk/
It’s still the World Wide Web, but with some
sort of English rules...
And the English blog/site has over 700 Likes, but
my Blog doesn’t..?!?
Odd indeed, ole chap.

Happy Presidents Day today!

It looks like 2018 will have many Monday holidays similar to 2017.
Keeping the route small and sweet.
Fun fact: Did u know that many quality jelly beans are made with Real Fruit juices?
I might go back to jelly beans, but that's it because bubblegum is so easy!
Please be kind to the working man. He works hard for the money.
May Gd bless all Presidents; past, present, and future.

Happy Honest Abe Day!

OOOooo, honor boxes are not for me.
It was funny because in 99% of all locations,
everyone was very honest about dishonesty.
How can u get mad at that..?!?

If I didn't believe in a higher power, money worries
would do me in. Honestly!

Happy B-Day to our 16th President,
Abraham Lincoln today!

Top 10 Abraham Lincoln facts

1. He was the only president to have a patent: Lincoln invented a device to free steamboats that ran aground.

2. He practiced law without a degree. Lincoln had about 18 months of formal schooling.

3. He wanted women to have the vote in 1836. The future president was a suffragette before it became fashionable.

4. He was a big animal lover, but he wouldn’t hunt or fish. If he were alive today, Lincoln would be running an animal shelter.

5. He really was a wrestler. Lincoln was documented as taking part in wrestling bouts. We don’t think he wore a mask or had a manager.

6. He lost in his first bid for a presidential ticket. The unknown Lincoln was an unsuccessful vice presidential candidate in 1856 at the Republican convention.

7. He never belonged to an organized church. Lincoln read the Bible daily, but he never joined an organized church in his lifetime.

8. He didn’t drink, smoke, or chew. Lincoln was a simple man of tastes, and he never drank in the White House.

9. He didn’t have a middle name. Lincoln went through his life with two names.

10. He hated being called Abe. Apparently, he preferred being called by his last name.

From: ConstitutionCenter.org

Happy Monday!

God bless!

Cashless Kids?

Latch-Key Kids. Remember that term?
It came into being when families needed to begin adding 2nd incomes.
(Not THAT long ago, by the way).
And Cash-less Kids?
What, kids will have to carry plastic on them?
Remember payphones?
They began to be used less with the advent of the Pager,
(remember pagers?)
And disappeared completely with the introduction of the
mobile phone.
Soda machines successfully made the transition from quarters
to credit cards.
Cash-less Kids? Hmmm...
Mobile mint machines?
We'll see what's next..!

Therapeutic Bubblegum

When can u pop that bubble whenever u want?
You're own personal bubble wrap.
When u are mad, but not at dinner.
When u are happy, but not in someone's ear.
When u want to floss but can't?
  Dubble Bubble is almost always 30 calories
per 1" piece.

Ingredients: Sugar, Dextrose, CornSyrup, Gum Base,
Gum Arabic, Tapioca Dextrin, Confectioners Glaze,
Carnauba Wax, Artificial Flavors, Artificial Colors
(FD&C Red40, Blue1, Yellow5, Yellow6), Corn Starch,
BHT (To Maintain Freshness).
Soy May Be Present.

Get your raffle tickets

Check out Dog N Kitty City on Manor Way.
It is one of very few no-kill shelters, and they
hold a raffle every year.
For $5, you donate to the shelter that house
and feed pups and kitties.
Tickets can win real goodies.
Only good until Feb.2018 so hurry!
Check it out:
DogNKittyCity.org

Congratulations Dillas!

Congratulations on your new Honor Box..!
She was so cute, she wanted to know how to contact in case the box fills up with donations.
I had to tell her that within one month, it wouldn't happen.
I promise that we'll be lucky if donations match the mints.
Yes, that would be totally awesome indeed if donations outnumbered the mints.
It is our 1st Honor Box, so who knows, but it is a yummy location, thanku Dillas!
And please feel free to contact me here thru the Contact tab.
There are 2 options for contact, 24/7.
I'll bring my business cards for u next round...
Thanks..!

Happy 2018..!