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Archive for October, 2005

busy busy

October 26th, 2005 at 06:38 pm

Thanks so much for your comment, Russell!! Embarrassment

I haven't been around as much as I used to be...I actually have a JOB to do during the day, real WORK, go figure! It's nice because the day goes by faster, but my days are longer than they used to be, what with riding the bus and all. I stare at the computer all day (which I did at my last job too, but not as intently), so by the time I get home, the last thing I want to do is open up my laptop.

On top of that, I've not been visiting this site because I've been spending way more than I've been saving. Guilty conscience, anyone?

Sadly, my other adult fish died yesterday. That is the second fish to die in the span of a few days, so I'm starting to get worried. All the water tests say things are fine, though...I'm not sure what is going on.

We've been trying to find our cat a furry little friend, but we don't want to settle on just any cat. Ours is still an only child because of that. Hopefully we'll get a chance to look at the humane society again this weekend (though I'd prefer a FREE cat, craigslist.org people either never return my phone calls or give all the cats away before I can get there).

Still wallowing in apples...I made a five pound apple crisp over the weekend, but that barely made a dent in it. I hope to make applesauce this weekend, which I hear is not that difficult.

I'd better start thinking more seriously about Christmas gifts. I have some things tucked away, but before we know it, it will be upon us! Speaking of which, I finally bought my ticket home.

I am still pretty frugal about buying things...I'll mostly buy things that are on sale or generic...but the problem lies in my stepping foot in the store in the first place! I need to spend more time at home and less time shopping for frivolous things for myself!

money, yay

October 18th, 2005 at 02:42 pm

My first paycheck was twice what I thought it was going to be (I thought I'd only get paid for one week, but they paid me for two). Awesome! My aunt also sent a "congrats on your new job" gift. This extra cash means my Christmas gift fund is still full, and I'll be able to buy a plane ticket home for the holidays. The latter would be easier if I could get an answer out of my employer about time off, but at least I'll be able to pay for a ticket if I ever get an answer. I'm starting to feel like a pest, but ticket prices are rising as we speak, people! Chop chop!

I've been bad about sleeping too late the past few days and missing the bus, which means I have to drive to work. I don't mind driving, but it sucks up cash to pay for parking, and it's dumb when I have a bus pass. I need to figure out a way to make myself get up earlier. This morning I even had everything ready (lunch, clothes, etc) and still missed the bus!

Over the weekend we visited an apple orchard and picked thirty pounds of apples for $19! It was fun, and the weather was beautiful. We gave away five pounds of apples, but we are still swimming in them! I'll have to look up apple recipes. I made dinner from scratch on Sunday night, too. I also went to the gym last night and worked out! How do you like that? Hopefully I'm getting back into the swing of things.

holiday visits

October 12th, 2005 at 09:28 pm

I'm trying to figure out how I can go home for the holidays. Since I started a new job, I have very little vacation time, and can't really use it around the holidays anyway because everyone else has more senority than me. However, I can't bear the thought of missing Christmas with my family. I have plenty of frequent flier miles that I've racked up over the past eight years, and I wanted to use them before NWA goes completely belly-up. Unfortunately, they rachet up the number of miles you need to get a free ticket during the holidays, and I don't have enough. I am left with three choices now: buy a ticket at an inflated price, go the weekend before Christmas and pay slightly less, or not go at all. I'm not too thrilled about any of those choices.

Tonight we're going grocery shopping. If I have any energy later, I should look at cookbooks for meal ideas, but I'm guessing I'll end up on the couch watching tv.

Spent $33 today on a bus pass. Next month I should probably get back into the habit of writing about every penny I spend, because not doing so means I go on a shopping binge!

done with clothes shopping

October 11th, 2005 at 07:18 pm

I visited a couple of Columbus Day sales yesterday and completed my wardrobe makeover (I know I said I'd wait - I didn't). I spent a lot of money - I freely admit it - but I don't regret it. I will be able to pay it off this month. The items I bought should last a while, and look good!

We haven't gone grocery shopping at all yet this month. We have a full pantry and need to use up what we have. Eggs, milk, and produce will have to be picked up this week, but otherwise, we're fine. I need to get back into the habit of cooking rather than eating processed food...it's just so much easier to pull something out of the freezer, but so much unhealthier. I have been really lazy about cooking for the last six months.

I can see how people get so wrapped up in their significant others and kids. Not knowing anyone at work and rarely seeing my friends makes SO my only real-life human contact. I know some people really crave that "us against them" mentality of marriage or a relationship, but I never really have. It's a little lonely, but it makes me appreciate SO! Without him, I would be completely alone right now.

new job

October 6th, 2005 at 10:05 pm

I've left my old job in the past and started fresh. My coworkers threw me a nice going-away party. I am enjoying my new position, but there are a lot of things I miss. I miss knowing people at work and having comradarie most.

I bought a bunch of new clothes and don't regret it one bit. I feel more confident and I know that comes across in working with all of these new people. I have more clothes I'd like to buy, but it won't be right away, only because I am between sizes right now.

I haven't been particularly frugal this month. Not really surprising!

I've been taking the bus, and it's not so bad. I get a nice discount of 50 cents per trip. It's cheaper than driving, and I don't have to worry about traffic! It may not be quite so fun once the snow flies (which should be any day now), only because I have to walk about a mile in total.