Layout:
Home > Archive: April, 2006

Archive for April, 2006

walking, walking, walking

April 28th, 2006 at 06:35 pm

On Tuesday, SO and I went for an hour-long leisurely walk around the neighborhood, so I could take some photos. Yesterday, I walked 3 miles with a friend and pushed her double stroller for about 2.5 miles of it (whew!). This morning I walked about a mile. My neck seems a bit looser today after the 3 mile walk last night, but my headache is back. We'll see what Ms. Chiropractor says tonight. I'm pleased with the walking, and hoping the double stroller walk will become a recurring event. I just want my pants to fit again!

By the way, did I mention that walking is free? FREE.

I drove to work this morning. That makes it 8 times this month - well over my goal of 5 times. However, a lot of that has to do with chiropractic appts right after work, which I can't take the bus to and can't always rely on SO to take me to. Such is life.

Another month, another budget, coming right up!

in keeping with the weird dreams theme...

April 27th, 2006 at 03:37 pm

Last night I dreamt that I attended Princess Perky's oldest son's birthday party. It was held at an enormous church. Her family had just joined the church and the entire congregation was there. I remember that her son's name did start with a G (like it does in real life!) but I can't remember what it was in the dream. It was a surname of some sort. I sidled up to PP and said "hi! I'm kashi!" but she was too busy to talk. Clearly, I spend too much time on this site.

Payday tomorrow - too bad my check is already spent. It's a bad habit.

I'm soooo looking forward to my chiropractic appt tomorrow night, but I'm going to have to cut back. At $25 a pop, it is getting expensive. I'm sure the doctor will want me to come back frequently, but I just can't afford it. SO is gently but persistently trying to persuade me to go to a medical doctor. It's week three, and although my headache has greatly diminished, my neck and shoulders still feel like they are in a vice grip. Maybe he's right...but I have a tendency to have more faith in alternative medicine.

May is almost here! The year is flying by.

feeling so much better!

April 25th, 2006 at 07:01 pm

I had an upper rib out of place on my right side! I suspected as much, since my shoulder was aching in the exact same way. My chiropractor popped it back in, and my neck is starting to feel better. As long as I don't touch that bassoon or do any heavy lifting for a while, I think I'll be ok. Whoo hoo! The pillow is definitely helping, too.

My dad called last night because he was so concerned about the state of my head...it was nice. My parents rarely call.

I am ecstatic to have Tuesday nights free again. I'm planning to take my camera out tonight and get some springtime shots!

May is another ridiculous birthday month - six people, plus Mother's Day. I'm only buying gifts for two people (plus Mom's gift!) and sending cards to the rest. My parents are also celebrating a big anniversary, so I sent them a box of chocolates.

I am so proud of April's grocery total - only $182 (split between SO and me)! That must be a record!

thanks for the support!

April 24th, 2006 at 04:03 pm

Thanks for all of your migraine support! I am going back to the chiropractor tonight. I am considering making an appt with a medical doctor. The weirdest thing about this is that it was affecting the left side of my head, neck and shoulder, and now that's fine and it's affecting my right side. It makes no sense to me, but maybe my chiropractor can get it all sorted out.

Last night I tried tennis balls under my neck, heat, cold, massage, pressure points, stretching, everything. It didn't do much. I had a massage and acupuncture on Friday night and that helped a lot. I can't wait for my appt tonight.

Band is over! Thank God! I am so glad. I can hardly believe that I made it through.

Yesterday we went to Target and spent $117 on groceries, $10 on cat litter, and $67 on miscellaneous other stuff (including a new ergonomic memory foam pillow for me). I also had two rolls of film developed, $15 (expensive!!). We spent way more than was planned, but I still think I can make my goal this month. My Groceries/Target/Eating Out goal was $300, and I'm currently at $294.

My first roll of 35mm photos turned out fairly well. There are a few that I am rather proud of! I need to work on lighting, because several of them are dark. I think I can scan them in and fix them up a bit with Photoshop. All in all, I'm pleased with my camera purchase, and I can't wait to take more photos. Smile My head and neck just need to cooperate!

migraine, day 5

April 21st, 2006 at 04:24 pm

Enough already!

I have been to the chiropractor three times in the last week and am going back tonight. My massage friend is coming over after the chiropractor visit. I hope someone can help me with this headache!! I have to play for 4+ hours tomorrow. Luckily, after this weekend, I am done with playing.

I stayed home from work yesterday. I haven't slept well in two weeks. Wednesday was a nightmare in terms of editing tiny print while simultaneously wanting to rip out part of my neck. I am feeling a little better today...but is that the ibroprofen talking?

My sister just emailed me and said she wants to visit this weekend. It was hard, but I told her no. She doesn't have a car so I would have to shuttle her back to school. I just can't right now. I can hardly function like a normal member of society as it is.

I wish headaches were more important to the medical community. They can be just as debilitating as other conditions, but for some reason, they don't get a whole lot of respect. I shouldn't complain - it's a lot better than it used to be - but I still get people acting like it's no big deal. "Calling in sick for a headache? Please!" It's just a little headache, right? I'd like to transfer my pain to those people for just one minute and see if they can function.

my neck is worth at least $150

April 18th, 2006 at 03:42 pm

I went back to the chiropractor last night after a day of trying not to throw up and/or cry from the pain. She snapped my neck back into place, mostly, and it is a lot better today. I am going back tomorrow, again either Friday or Saturday, and twice next week. I'm not too keen on spending $25 a pop for this, but if it makes me feel better, it's worth it. A minimum of six visits this month will be $150.

No April haircut and color for me! Another month of ponytails, I guess.

I have to play for 2.5 hours tonight...we'll see how that goes. If the pain comes back, I'll just have to get up and leave.

My federal tax return and a survey savvy check came yesterday! Yippee!

chiropractor

April 17th, 2006 at 03:09 pm

On Friday night I went to the chiropractor. My shoulder was still killing me and seemed to be getting worse, so I broke down and went in. I had an upper rib out of whack (right below my shoulder). I had no idea that ribs went that high! She popped it back in for me, but couldn't get my neck back in place. I am going back tonight. I hardly slept at all last night because my neck hurt so much...I was up icing it at 2:30am. Needless to say, I'm gazing at the computer through half-open eyes today.

I picked out new glasses frames and only ended up paying $170 (I was expecting $220). Excellent! They might be done this week. I'm so excited. No grocery or summer clothes shopping this weekend - I've just been in too much pain. I don't know how on earth I am going to play for seven hours this week. After this, though, I won't have to again.

My camera looks great! Only one small problem with one of the lenses (a dent that was not mentioned in the listing), but I'm working with the seller. I took a lot of shots this weekend, and I can't wait to see if they turn out.

Indian Easter dinner was fabulous. I don't think my FIL realized how much work it would be! He made five different dishes. It was wonderful. I brought leftovers for lunch today.

My little nieces are only five and already very concerned with weight and looks. That disturbs me so much. A five year old should not be worried about whether or not she looks fat. No wonder there are so many anorexic young girls out there. I didn't start worrying about weight until I was about 12 (still too young, IMO).

my change jar

April 15th, 2006 at 04:47 pm

Here's my change jar:



My mom gave it to me several years ago. I keep pennies, dimes, and nickels in it - quarters go elsewhere and get used up a lot faster. A nice twist on the piggy bank!

camera almost in my hot little hands

April 14th, 2006 at 05:06 pm

My camera arrived yesterday, but the post office is holding it hostage! I don't know why they didn't just leave it on the porch, since it doesn't need signature confirmation. SO is going to pick it up for me today. I am sooooo excited!!!! I bet you can guess what I will be doing all weekend. Wink

I took a plethora of digital photos of my friend's baby last night. Hopefully she will like one enough to use it in her baby announcement. I got to hold the little one all night, too, which was so wonderful. Nothing like a warm, snuggly baby in your arms. I love that age. Her 2.5 year old, on the other hand...cute, but WILD.

I may go to the mall this weekend and check out the summer clothes. It has been so warm here! We skipped right from winter to summer. We'll see if I have time for that, though, since my new camera will likely be strapped to my fingers all weekend.

It should be a cheap weekend. We need some groceries (we're all out of fruit), I need to pick out glasses frames, I'd like some summer clothes....but we'll see how much actually gets accomplished! My body need rest and relaxation more than anything.

We're going to SO's parents' house for Easter dinner. Maybe I will bring tulips for the centerpiece. They are experimenting and making Indian food this year instead of a ham. I'm sure it will be wonderful!

authentic Mexican dinner

April 13th, 2006 at 03:37 pm

Last night I met up with a couple of girlfriends and we went to a really authentic Mexican restaurant for dinner. The food was excellent! The neighborhood, not so much. I was a little concerned about my car getting jacked even though it was still light outside. It's unfortunate that the really good Mexican restaurants are in a horrible part of town. I would not go down there by myself. Really awesome, fresh tortillas, though, and a delicious, authentic Mexican drink! Only $10.

I've been messing around with my digital camera more lately, trying to master all of its features. I finished reading one library book about 35mm photography and have several more waiting for me at home. Today I brought "Photographing People" to read during lunch, as I am heading over to take more photos of the new baby tonight.

Anyone notice the gorgeous full moon? I was playing around with my digital camera's night mode last night. Wink

my (furry) babies

April 12th, 2006 at 05:14 pm

No real financial news today...just wanted to share some photos of my babies.

This one thinks he's a puppy:


and this one is as sweet as can be (when she's not leaping at the drapes):

April's saving goal down the tubes

April 11th, 2006 at 05:58 pm

Reasons why April's budget is just not working out:

1. My glasses disintigrated. I don't wear them all the time, just around bedtime and on weekends, but they need to be replaced. My current pair is 8-10 years old - no wonder they fell apart! I've been wearing them like opera glasses (one arm missing, one nosepad missing), so they're a bit crooked. I'm not sure how much the replacement pair will cost, but I'm guessing in the $200 range.

2. $83 eye appointment cost. Way more than the $20 copay I expected.

3. Camera purchase. This is offset by my church service gig, but I could have saved that money instead. $125 with shipping and film.

4. Aquarium needs. Fish need clean water to swim in and to get fed regularly when we're out of town. $88. Cheaper in the long run, because I bought a huge vat of water purifier. Plus, I won't have to ask SO every day if he fed the fish (priceless).

5. Allergy prescriptions, $21. It's spring. (YAY!)

6. Potential frivolity. I'd like to get my hair cut and colored (it's been six months since the last color). I'd like the masseuse to come over (she hasn't been since January, and my shoulder is killing me). A friend's birthday is this month, although I don't know if we are celebrating or not.

7. I've driven to work four times already! It's April 11!

Good things: Only $28 spent on groceries so far. Only $42 on eating out (most of which was used to take my sister out).

I'm still going to save $175 this month...but that's nowhere near $600!

camera!

April 10th, 2006 at 03:21 pm

I won a camera on eBay! It's an older Nikon (and by older, I mean the same age as me, but that's what I wanted), and it comes with three lenses, a flash, a motor drive, and three filters. The price? $100! I am sooooo excited!!! I hope it is in good condition. So far, the seller has not tried to charge me extra for shipping - a plus! Wink I bought some film last night and I am reading all about my new camera. I can't wait.

Thanks for the tips on photography classes!

I played the church gig last night and made enough money to even out my camera purchase. Very exciting. The ensemble was very nice...baroque Mozart music...I enjoyed it. I ended up rehearsing/playing for five hours this weekend though (between this gig and my other band practice), so my shoulder is killing me today!

SO and I went on a date on Saturday night. We went to a fancy restaurant and then to a play (Hamlet). It was fabulous. We had such a great time. He even bought me roses and wore a suit. Smile

Spring is here! I can't tell you how excited I am about that! I can't wait to get my new camera and start snapping spring blooms.

35mm camera search

April 6th, 2006 at 05:38 pm

I have a penchant for new hobbies. The latest? Photography. Ever since SO gave me an awesome Olympus digital camera last year, I have been practicing and playing around with it. I'd like to move on (or is that back?) to 35mm. I'd like to learn how to use a camera with a big lens and all sorts of manual settings. I want to learn about light meters and composition and all that cool stuff.

SO has a camera, which he showed to me last night, but the light meter is broken. I've been perusing eBay (I know, I said I would take a break) and craiglist, among other places. I just want something cheap but reliable, with a lens. I don't want to spend more than $100 at this point. This can be an expensive hobby! Right now, I just want to learn.

I'm reserving books on photography at the library and I'm going to stop by there tonight to see what else I can find! I tried to get into a beginning photography class in college, but it was always full, and reserved for art majors. I'd still like to take a class sometime. I'll need a camera first.

epiphany

April 5th, 2006 at 02:45 pm

I'm feeling pretty good today. It was a struggle getting out of bed, but once I got up, I felt great.

SO mentioned Mexico again this morning. Has he done his taxes? No. I have already allocated the money for other things - like new glasses, since mine have disintigrated. How many times did I tell him to do his taxes? Arg!!

I need to stop using my cards and get back into only using the cash that I have in the bank. I pay off the cards every month, but I'm starting to get too dependent on them again. I tend to live a month BEHIND instead of a month AHEAD.

Last night I had a brief epiphany. I should be making a lot more money. Now, I know I've been saying this a lot lately...but I finally believed it. My talents and my education are not being utilized. I need to do something about that.

mild food poisoning & eye appt

April 4th, 2006 at 05:06 pm

I can't quite figure it out.

Last night for dinner I made fettucini alfredo (dried pasta, brand new jar of sauce) with frozen asparagus (the kind in a microwave steamable bag). I put spray butter and italian seasoning on the asparagus. I made Koolaid with tap water and Splenda. Within an hour, I was very ill, and SO fought it all night until this morning. I can't figure out what did it. I just bought the asparagus not too long ago, and it went right from the freezer into the microwave, like it is supposed to. Could it be the tap water? We've made Koolaid with it before. Last time I drank tap water at work, I got super sick. Is the city pumping something bizarre into the water? My stomach is still wobbly today and SO is at home hugging the toilet. I have no idea what caused it.

I had an eye appointment this morning and insurance only covered half of it. I was very disappointed by that. I don't know if it was their state-of-the-art machinery or what. What I thought would be a $20 copay turned out to be $83. Perhaps that is the trade-off for my insurance paying a big chunk for my new glasses.

I have a very weird right eye. Every doctor I've seen has said something similar to what the new doc today said - "In all my 29 years of practice I've never seen an eye like yours." I have what looks like a tear in the macula, which should render me half-blind, but I can see just fine (with correction, of course). I also have a weird, permanent infection that's been there since I was 13, and no one can identify it. (No - I really don't look like a red-eyed, bug-eyed freak! I promise!) The infection thing only flares up when I'm super tired or stressed out.

The doc wants me to have a surgery for dry eyes that involves inserting a

Text is lacrimal plug and Link is http://www.knowyoureyes.com/eye-care-glossary/l.php
lacrimal plug. I'm not so sure about this. More research is definitely needed on my part.

I had to take vacation time for my medical appointment. Bummer. I was allowed to use sick time at my last job.

Another interesting thing today - the doc studied in Portland, Oregon. I mentioned that I've been thinking about moving there and he became a vertiable Oregon tourism board commercial. He really loved it.

Just wanted to add - the doc said I definitely should NOT get Lasik and he was shocked that no one had taken everything into account, like my large pupils, dry eyes, macular tear thingy...I'm SO glad I did not go through with it. He said having large pupils alone would most likely have resulted in my having halos and glares for the rest of my days.

finally, my refunds!

April 3rd, 2006 at 06:17 pm

My state tax refund check came yesterday, perfect timing. Now I just need the federal return.

and, even better, the eBay keyboard guy finally refunded my money. It took over a week to clear. I was starting to get really worried about that $200! I'm so glad it wasn't a huge hassle. It sounds like several people are having eBay troubles lately. Their buyer protection program leaves a lot to be desired, in my opinion.

friend's baby has arrived

April 3rd, 2006 at 04:41 pm

My friend's baby is here! Smile He is adorable. He's very light-skinned, but maybe he will darken up. He looks like a little eskimo baby right now! Labor sounded like fun...the placenta broke off. Ewww!!! I am so not having kids. I love holding other people's kids, though. Wink We ended up spending about $20 on flowers and a gift bag.

I successfully distracted my sister for a day. We had a good time shopping. I spent more than I had planned, but I tried to keep it in check.

Last night SO and I stopped at the Indian grocery store for a few staples. We were completely out of basmati and jasmine rice. It is so nice to have that resource! I picked up some naan bread, too...oh I how I love it.

I am dragging today from just one lost hour. How is that possible? Why is one measly hour so important? I got out of bed 20 minutes before I had to leave this morning...not good.

April is a busy month! The next three weekends are already planned. I have this feeling that I won't be able to keep my spending in line with my budget...but I'm really, really going to try.