Free Business Cards!

June 18, 2012 by Jules Leave a Comment

I've got a great Freeby for ya today from Vista Print!

I have used Vista print for several things. I'm made graduation announcements and I even took them up on the 250 FREE business cards and made Matt some new cards for The Valley.

They always have quality products and great deals running all the time. I had to stay super focused because they had so many other deals going the same time I was trying to make Matt's business cards. I also couldn't completely surprise him like I was hoping to because there were several cool designs I thought he would like.

Matt and I plan to use our business cards to give out our contact information easily to new people we meet. Ideally, we'd be giving these to those we're meeting in Vilonia but we haven't moved there yet. Although, I did get to give one of my business cards to some new friends we made a few weeks ago. I was the 1st time I'd ever given out a business card...felt a lil weird. But, we got in contact super easily! I wish one side of my cards was blank like Matt's so I could write their info on one to keep...hmmm, something to think about in the future!

I did want to warn you that they weren't completely free. You have to pay for shipping. I did the cheapest "standard: 14 days" for only $7.09. That's a pretty good price for 250 business cards. You can get them faster if you need them, like Priority: 7 Days - $13.68, or Rush+: 3 Business Days - $22.27.

This can be a great way to get your name out there for your small {yet ever-growing} business! Check it out!

Hope you have fun! Send me pics of your creations!!!

Disclosure for Readers

Filed Under: The Ones about Jules Life {Randomness}

The night I Almost got Scammed by the “US Military”

June 15, 2012 by Jules 123 Comments

{Warning! This is long.
You can skip to the bottom of the post for the juicy stuff,
I won't be offended.}

So, long story short {yeah right}. Matt left for Super Summer yesterday in the Jeep {Cherokee} pulling a trailer with a Rhino on it. He called me a little while later to tell me he was on the side of the road with, yet again, radiator trouble. After pulling over several times, filling it with water, etc he ended up having to call a buddy to come pick him up and take him {and the rhino} to camp.

Yep, still taking pics of everything with my new camera!

We've been talking about the need to 'trade in' the Jeep for a more gas efficent car some time soon {basically before the Jeep kicks the bucket}. Ooops. We waited too long I guess. So, I jump on the net being half way silly and search Craig's List for cars. I narrow it down to the nearest big town and searched "Honda Accord". Second listing!

2004 HONDA ACCORD EX SEDAN, BLACK, AUTOMATIC - $1700

What the crap!?! Click. Click. Click. WOW! This is for real a 2004 Honda for 1,700! I text Matt. He writes back, "for real". I email the link. CRAZY. I email the seller {no phone # or I so would have rang'm up}. Waiting. Waiting. Bed time routine. Waiting. RESPONSE!

Hello,

I'm SSgt Monica Dixon. This Accord EXL is in perfect working condition. This vehicle engine runs very, very smooth. No electrical problems on this beauty. This detailed vehicle makes the exterior looks like it just came off the assembly line. The car has 81,200 miles. VIN Number: 1HGCM56744A118864
CD player Anti-lock brakes Driver Airbag Leather Sunroof
Passenger airbag Side airbags Air conditioning Cruise control
Power locks Power windows

Here are the pics of the car:
http://s847.photobucket.com/home/myacc4

As I know that my current situation is pretty special I want the deal closed only through eBay's Buyer Protection Program in order for you to be 100% protected. You will make the payment to eBay and they will hold the money until you receive the car. ONLY AFTER you receive the car and you inspect it(for 10 days) eBay will release the payment to me; in this way we are both protected. Anyway i am sure that if you won`t be satisfied about the car i will surely find another buyer in your area and there will be no need for you to ship the car back.
I am located in London, UK, and I was sent here with my department of peace maintenance. One month ago my husband moved here with me and brought the car with him but now we have to sell it back in the United States because we can't register it here; it has US specs and everything and registering it here in Europe will take for ever.
My final price on it is $ 1700.00. If you will take it for this price I am willing to handle the shipping. It will be shipped from here by plane with US Air Military Cargo so it will not cost me anything. You will get it to the nearest airport in your area and then it will be trucked forward to your place. You will receive the car in about 3 days. Please get back to me ASAP if you decide to buy and include in your e-mail your full name and address where you want it shipped so I can start the deal with eBay. You will receive all the transaction payment and shipping details from them.

Best Regards,
Monica Dixon, SSgt, USAF1 SOMOS/MXOOA Maintenance Analysis 362-1594 Comm 884-1594

{PAUSE}

Okay, having heard that much, what camp are you in?

Holy molly! Did you buy it?
You're retarded. That's 'too good to be true'
I'm confused. Where is the Jeep now?

{BACK TO THE STORY}

I call Matt. No answer. "End Call" dial again! 3 times. I hit reply...then thought, "better not buy a car with the hubs 'go ahead'" Call my dad. No answer. Sit. Stair at the email... Emotions going back and forth: This is crap. Maybe God is doing some craziness here? I want this car! I want to believe it's a God thing. Sold. It's a God thing!!!

My dad calls back. I start telling him I might be buying a car. Matt 'beeps' in. "Dad, it's Matt. I'll call you right back."
Matt, "You rang?" Me, "I'm buying the car. Did you get the email I forwarded you?" Matt, "No." Me, "I'm buying the car. Here's the cool story {insert me reading him the email}"

I swear not all days in our life are 'drama' filled ;0)
It was a little less frantic than I'm telling it but it's more fun this way.

No cheering on the other end. ... {cherp cherp} ... "I think it might be a scam..." Me, "WHAT!?! She gave us her title. the car's ven # and...stuff" Matt, "____ just told me about trying to buy a car and mentioned eBay. It ended up being a scam. Twice." Me, "Poo-E! Go read the email. Let me know what you think." Matt, "K. I'll call ya back."

I reread the email. "I don't want it to be a scam...{pouty face}" I thought to myself in my miraculously quiet house with 3 sleeping babies by 8 o'clock.

I googled her. Yep. I copy and pasted "Monica Dixon, SSgt, USAF1 SOMOS/MXOOA Maintenance Analysis 362-1594 Comm 884-1594". This is the 1st article I found:

Used car buying scam from “military” personnel

This post is about a person who tried to also shopping Craig's List for a car. They too found an unbelievable deal. They too emailed the seller. They too relieved a response- almost Identical to the email response I received:

Hello and sorry for my delay,

I’m Sgt. Robert Parra. This Honda is in perfect working condition. This vehicle engine runs very, very smooth. No electrical problems on this beauty. This detailed vehicle makes the exterior looks like it just came off the assembly line. The car has 118k highway miles. VIN Number: 1hgcg1655ya068349

It was never involved in any accident, not even minor ones. The body and paint are great. The interior is super clean, mechanically, it runs like a cat on carpet.

Here are the pics of the car :

http://s229.photobucket.com/albums/ee106/accpix/

As I know that my current situation is pretty special I want the deal closed only through eBay’s Buyer Protection Program in order for you to be 100% protected. You will make the payment to eBay and they will hold the money until you receive the car. ONLY AFTER you receive the car and you inspect it(for 10 days) eBay will release the payment to me; in this way we are both protected. Anyway i am sure that if you will don`t be satisfied about the car i will surely find another buyer in your area and there will be no need for you to ship the car back.

I am located in London, United Kingdom and I was sent here to improve the military relationships between USA and UK. One month ago, my wife moved here with me and brought the car with her, but now we have to sell it back in US because we can’t register it here; it has US specs and everything, and registering it here in Europe will take for ever. My final price on it is US 2,960 $. If you will take it for this price, I am willing to handle the shipping. It will be shipped from here by plane with US Air Military Cargo so it will not cost me anything. You will get it to the nearest airport in your area and then it will be trucked forward to your place. You will receive the car in about 3 days. Please get back to me asap if you decide to buy, and include in your e-mail your full name and address where you want it shipped so I can start the deal with eBay. You will receive all the transaction payment and shipping details from them.

Best Regards,
Robert Parra

POOOOOOOO!"" --->SCAM!

This happened to her more than once.

One member of the forum responded with this advice:

1. eBay does not “hold the money” until you are satisfied with the car. Once you pay them, that is it. And I suspect they will ask you to pay by Western Union.

2. The military does ship cars overseas for servicemen (why does this guy talk in pidgon english if he’s American, anyway?). But thet SHIP them, by SHIP, not by air. Total LIE.

3. American servicemen can drive their cars overseas without registering them there. Again total LIE. Why would a serviceman have a car shipped overseas if he could not register it?

The pattern is the same: a coveted item (BMW, Kobota Tractor, Honda motorcycle, etc.) worth $10,000 to $20,000 is offered for a pitiful amount – $2500 to $5000 with a long-winded “backstory” behind it. You wire them the money, thinking you scored big and that’s the last you hear of them.

They hijack eBay identifications by using those phishing scams. Typically if you look at their feedback, you’ll see it is some little old lady in Arkansas selling dolls. Suddenly, the person is a Seargent in the Army in England selling a car. What gives?

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is….

I really wanted it to be a God thing. Some times He really does cool stuff like that but other times He gave us brains to not fall for scams.

I text Matt, "Scam". Forgot to call my dad back who {way} later returned my call out of curiosity. So, lesson learned- just let'n you know- don't fall for this scam. Oh yeah...and I emailed them back:

I really wish you weren't trying to scam me. This would have been a huge blessing for my family. I wish you all the luck in finding a legit job soon!
{http://www.katylee.com/blog/2008/01/13/used-car-buying-scam-from-military-personnel/ - you might try switching it up a little}

Okay, not my most mature moment. Made me feel like I'd served some kind of justice, DORK! Now, I have to go back to mourning my fake car loss.

How about you? Did you know my car was a scam? Have you ever fallen for one?

~~~

For the record. I KNOW this has nothing to really do with the US Military. I appreciate ALL they do for our country. I have friends and family who have are serving. And Do NOT really associate them with this scam. Sorry these turds are misusing your titles.

To show my appreciation for our military I'd like to share some info brought to you by your friends at http://www.militaryvaloan.com/: military streamline loan and VA loans explained.

Filed Under: The Ones about Jules Life {Randomness}

Surprise! {Thoughtful Thursday}

June 14, 2012 by Jules 3 Comments

Today is thoughtful Thursday so feel free to share ANY thoughtfulness!

Have a fun recipe? A tool you love? Please share by commenting with a link to your post about your thoughtfulness! Then post the “Thoughtful Thursday” button to your post so other ladies can get lots of thoughtful helps! I know I've been sharing a lot of recipes lately but ANYthing thoughtful is welcome! Consider visiting the link above yours and encouraging them through comments!

Today, I have some great news for you And me!

My birthday is coming up in August. No, that's not the good news...although I'm not dreading it, I'm only going to be 28 AND I'll always be younger than the Hubs ;o)

I thought it would be cool to do a giveaway on my blog to celebrate! This is a THANK YOU to all of my readers. You guys make my day when I get comments and messages from you. Even simple stats saying someone dropped by is encouraging. Then I thought, 1 giveaway doesn't say that enough...it would be cool to do 20 days of giveaways starting on Aug 1st until my birthday on the 20th. Then I thought that, that's a lot of work. So I talked to some smart bloggers and they suggested I only run it for a week and end them all on the same day. That sounded better/easier. Matt ask if I thought I could even get 20 things to giveaway. Wanting to be confident, I said, "DUH! Sure I can." hehehe Game ON!

Well, I typed up a simple letter to those I'm already an affiliate for as well as to the company I already did a giveaway with. Then I send the same kind of letter via Facebook message to all my friends on Facebook that sell really cool stuff. {sorry if I missed someone who has a business- I'm still accepting giveaways if you're interested}. Guess what?

Almost EVERYONE said YES!

Woop-E, How many did you ask? 23! 16 have already agreed to join the giveaways! A couple of them have offered more than one product and others added discounts to ALL my readers! 7 businesses I'm still waiting to hear back from. How Good is GOD!?! I nailed down 1 giveaway on Monday. So I decided to go for it! Yesterday afternoon I began messaging and email everyone. By last night, my calendar was FULL! I am so excited. a little overwhelmed...but EXCITED!

I'll keep ya posted on the exact dates the giveaways will be running. I'm gonna have to get busy on writing up all the post about the products, companies, businesses, and my friends' great stuff they are offering YOU! I'll also be tweeting out hints about some of the products in the giveaways between now and then.

There will also {potentially} be a Facebook party on August 20th ~6pm. If I can pull it off ;o)

Thanks again for taking the time to read here at asJulesisgoing!

Filed Under: GIVEAWAYS!, The Ones about Link-Ups, The Ones about Post Series, The ones about the Rothacher Home, Thoughtful Thursdays

The Quest for a New Camera {continued}

June 12, 2012 by Jules 4 Comments

Early today, I began telling you the story
"The Quest for a New Camera".
I'd like to continue telling you via my hubs:

"I had arranged to take Jamin to my parents house so he could hang out with my mom while my dad and I finished a project for super summer. I asked Jules if she got her camera when she ran her errands to Wal-Mart that morning. She said she had forgotten and would have to go back again. I volunteered to go get it on the way to my parents. So then J got up we took off to Wal-Mart.

Unfortunately, after I made a quick stop I got back on the interstate going the wrong direction. I didn't realize it because a friend of mine called to discuss camp stuff. It wasn't until 10 miles later that I realized I was heading in the wrong direction of Wal-Mart so by the time we finally got to Wal-Mart, I had created for myself a 20 minute detour. A little frustrated, we quickly went in, thinking we'll grab the camera and get out fast trying to make up part of our time; boy was I wrong.

Locating the clearance table I searched frantically for the camera in the picture I'd seen earlier. It wasn't there, it wasn't anywhere. I got my phone out to let Jules know the bad news. It was at this point when a man about to check out literally turned around and placed the camera back on the clearance table. We quickly snatched it up and got a place in line only two people behind the guy who just checked out. Obviously we were at the wrong checkout because it was nearly 20 minutes later when we finally got our chance to check out.

Of course because the camera was discounted so greatly they had to call a customer service manager to turn a key and make sure everything went okay; add five minutes. We swiped our debit card and anxiously text Jules the total to show her how much we were saving on the camera {even lower than marked}. This is when the fun started.

Card declined. I swiped it again and waited. Another CSM, another turn of the key; card declined. I changed cards, tried the Visa, swiped the card, turned the key; declined. Again, card declined. Needless to say I was confused as to why neither one of my cards were working. Then it hit me, Jules had lost her Visa card last week and we hadn't canceled it yet. Visions of thugs buying stainless steel rims with my Visa flashed through my mind and I immediately concluded along with the customer service manager that our card had been maxed out by some vicious criminal.

"Can we try the debit card once more please?" I politely asked the CSM.
"The debit again?" was her annoyed response.
"Yes please."

Did I mention this entire time that my son is taking my hat off and on and then off and then on again? All while I frantically attempted to text Jules and double-check that we did indeed have the money in our checking account.

Card declined. This happened almost simultaneously with the text message from Julie informing me that the $400 charge from Wal-Mart for the camera had actually already gone through.

I immediately pass this information on to the customer service rep who is handing me back my debit card with a disapproving look. She did however believe me, and told me that if I was to go to my bank and get a copy of the statement showing the charges already gone through they would give me the camera and I'd be on my way. Not seeing much of an alternative, as my card had already been charged $400 and I was yet to have the camera, J and I exited the store, back to the car and on our way to Simmons bank.

Our quick trip to Wal-Mart had already been an hour and looked as though we would be delayed to my parents even longer as we had to make another stop by Simmons and then back to Wal-Mart to hopefully resolve the situation. When I got to Simmons bank I informed the lady what had happened, she printed me off a statement and we both discovered something awesome {insert sarcastic look here}.

We certainly were charged $400 by Wal-Mart, six times! After further review it was actually only three $400 charges each one showing up double on our Simmons statement. Back to the car, back to Wal-Mart.

As I was entering the store for the second time it occurred to me that if the two ladies who are gave me their word that I could get the camera with proof from the bank were not present this could get a whole lot messier. Knowing that I was going to have to go to customer service at some point, but not actually having the camera I proceeded back to the electronics section first.

Another line. This time a woman with an entire cart of groceries; add 30 minutes. Fortunately it was one of the two women who vouched for the proving approach. However, she took one look at the six charges on the bank statement, handed me the camera, and sent me to the front.

Another line add 20 minutes. Keep in mind I'm holding the 16-month-old toddler throughout this entire ordeal. And we're sweating. Having endured until my turn I got to the customer service desk only to have them realize there's nothing they can do. I did however learn that all the debit card machines had gone down throughout the entire store that afternoon and they were surrounded by carts full of groceries from the patrons who were unable to pay for them having only their debit cards.

The customer service agent flagged down an accounting specialist {repeat the entire story again here}. She disappeared into another room leaving J and I to hang out at the counter; add 15 minutes. When she emerged from the office she handed me a cell phone telling me Simmons is on the line needed my permission to speak to her. After getting Simmons approval she went back into the office: add 10 more minutes. When she finally emerged she handed me the phone again and the lady at Simmons informed me that although it did appear as though there were six separate charges only three of them appeared to reduce the balance, and my account was out of balance. Meaning that the computer had yet to reconcile with itself and would not do so until midnight that night.

So until that point there was no way to determine whether or not Wal-Mart had actually charged me at all. With the Wal-Mart computer saying they charged us nothing, they were unable to give me the camera. Unless I would like to go ahead and pay for it at that time. I politely declined not wanting to have charged yet another $400 to my already depleting account.

And so we left. Three hours later we left Wal-Mart. We went to my parents with nothing. No camera, and out $1200.
Until midnight tonight when we see whose computer is telling the truth. Regardless I get to return tomorrow, to the last place I want to go, and do this all over."

dun dun dun!!!!!

To Be Continued...

UPDATE {10:45pm}

I just checked the bank account {1 hour 15 minutes early}.
There is no sign of any transaction....

Matt wanted to head to Wal-Mart now and buy the camera. He's a little afraid it won't still be put back in that accountants office tomorrow.
I convinced him that a 'safer' plan would be to go to Simmons 1st thing in the morning. Double check that their records show nothing. Get CASH out for the exact amount and head to Wally world where, hopefully, the camera is still there.

And I quote Matt,

This camera better be the most awesome camera EVER!

Let ya know more tomorrow ;o)

The Exciting conclusion of "The Quest for a New Camera"

Filed Under: Being a Help-Meet, The Ones about Jules Life {Randomness}, The ones about the Rothacher Home

Update {what we’ve been doing this month}

June 11, 2012 by Jules 2 Comments

We have we been doing 'on our own' for a month now?

Let's play catch up:

Week 1 {May 20st-May 26th}

Sunday- last Sunday at CBC, Awana awards ceremony
Monday- Grocery shopping, Matt- lunch meeting with ABCS Church Starting staff member, CBC Staff "Goodbye" Party
Tuesday- Matt started work at his new 'office' Guy movie night- Avenger's
Wednesday- Last Cubbie night- PJ party
Thursday- Journey class party at the park Friday- Dinner at the Rushing's
Saturday- Friends birthday party at the park, Mom R's birthday dinner in Little Rock

Week 2 {May 27th- June 2nd}

Sunday- Splash Pad in Little Rock as a family
Monday- Memorial Day cookout, Matt and I headed out on an anniversary trip, kids stayed with their Nanna and Papaw
Tuesday- Anniversary Trip
Wednesday- Anniversary Trip
Thursday- Swiming at the Rothacher parents house Friday- Matt- lunch meeting for Super Summer, SAMs Club shopping trip in LR, Dinner meeting with Vilonia friends, My parents, niece and nephew came to visited for the weekend Saturday- Matt- road trip to video for Super Summer, Family visiting

Week 3 {June 3rd- June 9th}

Sunday- Visited FBC Vilonia, My family headed home, Got new Vilonia phone numbers
Monday- Grocery shopping, moved girls into the same room
Tuesday- Story Time @ the library, Dinner @ the Gabriel's Wednesday- Matt had a meeting with the associational missionary of Faulkner county, Dinner meeting- Super Summer
Thursday- Our Realtor moved agencies leaving our listing up for grabs, Viewed homes in Vilonia, Picnic with new FBC friends in Vilonia
Friday- Swiming at the Rothacher parents house Saturday- El Dorado trip for a Wedding

Week 4 {June 10th- June 16th}

Sunday- Visit Friendship Baptist in Conway, Crazy cleaning to prep for new realtor to take virtual tour pics
Monday- More prep for realtor and a house showing- lunch picnic at the park so we were out of the house, Grocery shopping, Matt- in Stuttgart for Super Summer video editing
Tuesday- Pick up WIC checks, Birthday gift shopping, Story Time @ the library,
Wednesday- {hopefully} NOTHING
Thursday- Matt leaves for Super Summer, Journey pool party
Friday- {hopefully} NOTHING
Saturday- {hopefully} NOTHING

Week 5 {June 17th- June 23rd}

Sunday- Father's Day- visit Matt at Super Summer
Monday- Grocery shopping

So what now? Ugg, it's not slowing down:
Tuesday- Story Time @ the library, {possible} 'Date Night'- just me visiting Matt at Super Summer
Wednesday- Prep for birthday party
Thursday- {hopefully} NOTHING
Friday- Maggie's 4th Birthday- visit Matt at Super Summer for mini party
Saturday- Matt Comes Home!

We are doing so much but I don't feel like we're doing anything. I feel like we're spinning in a hamster wheel. I know we're in God's will. I know we're to wait on him for the next 'step' but I'd really like for it to be moving! Can you see the torn worlds just from our last few weeks happenings?
When I started this post I wanted to tell the story of how broken I felt when the house showing fell through after our stressful morning but it ended up being a vent of my stressful month. God is God, in every season!