I have a love/hate relationship with Minneapolis/St. Paul. While driving along the freeway this weekend I remembered all the reasons I love it here...lush trees, beautiful spring weather, flowers everywhere, lovely vistas of the Mississippi River. We went for a walk last night and the weather was just gorgeous. Walking to the bus stop this morning was wonderful...lots of rabbits scurrying about, fresh air, warm temperatures. Why can't it be like this year-round? Why can't I pick up the Twin Cities and move them to a more hospitable climate? There's so much to do, so many places to shop, lots of great restaurants, wonderful libraries... I just wish I could stand the winters!

Hoping, hoping, hoping that I get an interview call today or tomorrow.

I had a busy weekend...lots of shopping, a basketball game to attend, and a haircut/color. My hair color looks awesome. I don't know how my stylist does it, but she is amazing! and she charged me $10 less than I thought she would, so that was a great deal, too.

I had to take some money out of savings for my chiropractic appointments. It's worth it, though - pain-free moments are slowly becoming more frequent.

I got my second free credit report for this year, and everything looks normal, except for a few weird address things. I can call and get those fixed, though. They removed the duplicate student loan, so that's great.

The only thing I'm a little bummed about is my credit score. According to Equifax, it's 765. Experian said it was 779 in January. I know they are different companies, so they're bound to be different...I was hoping it would be higher rather than lower, though.

I'll get the next one in September and see what it says! Equifax was a whole dollar cheaper for the score.

Tonight I made a ton of apple zucchini muffins, and let me tell you, they are delicious. They'll be great this summer when everyone is swimming in zucchini (and apples, if you're near an orchard!).

Here's the recipe, from Moosewood Restaurant New Classics cookbook:

Apple Zucchini Muffins

makes 12 muffins (although I doubled the recipe and it made 38!)

1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1/2 cup oat bran
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup plain nonfat yogurt
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup grated zucchini
1 cup peeled, cored, and chopped apples

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil the muffin tin. Place a paper liner in each cup.

In a bowl, sift together the flour, oat bran, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to mix evenly.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until pale yellow. Add the yogurt, brown sugar, and the vanilla, and beat until thoroughly mixed. With a rubber spatula, fold in the zucchini and apples. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just blended.

Spoon about 1/3 cup of batter into each muffin cup. Bake for 15 minutes, rotate the muffin tin in the oven to ensure even baking, and continue to bake for another 10 to 14 minutes. When a paring knife inserted into a muffin comes out clean, the muffins are done.

Remove the muffins from the tin and place on a wire rack. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature. Allow to cool completely before storing in a sealed container.

Per 2.75 oz serving: 144 calories, 4.1 g protein, 1.5 g fat, 29.8 carbohydrates, 0.4 g saturated fat, 44.3 mg cholesterol, 16.4.4 mg sodium, 1.3 g total dietary fiber

This morning I went to the dentist. I hadn't been in about a year and half since my insurance changed and I had to switch dentists. I had a very nice Russian hygenist who was more gentle with my gums than anyone, ever. I liked her a lot, and now I have sparkling teeth!

Groceries last night = $49 for my half
Target last night = $8 for my half

I browsed through some cookbooks over the weekend and found recipes for low-fat apple zucchini muffins and tofu sloppy joes. Planning to try those out this week, now that I have the ingredients.

May is an expensive gift month.
- Dad's birthday: $57
- Mother's Day: $41
- Friend's birthday: $10 gift, dinner??
- Aunt's birthday: $25 donation to charity (I wasn't planning to spend anything, but she's my favorite aunt, and it corresponded with one of my goals)
- Mom & Dad's anniversary: $31

I spent $30 last night on 4 new t-shirts, since I regularly manage to slop something on myself, no matter how hard I try not to.

The sun is shining today!! A high of 70 degrees is predicted...perfect.

Frugal things I did last weekend:
~ Didn't buy a birthday card to go with a gift (don't most people toss them anyway?): saved about $3
~ Brought beer from home to the birthday party instead of stopping at the liquor store: saved about $12
~ Bought a birthday gift that had a coupon attached to it: saved $2
~ Read a library book instead of buying one: saved about $7
~ Made caramel rolls instead of going to Perkins for Sunday breakfast: saved about $10
~ Made calzones for Sunday dinner instead of ordering pizza: saved about $15
~ Fast-forwarded through recorded TV shows instead of watching the commercials: prevented many "I want that" moments

I shot an entire roll of film with my new camera (or so I thought) and was all set to rewind it and get it developed, when I discovered that the film had never loaded properly. Lots of potentially good shots, gone with the wind. Saved $4 on processing costs, I guess. I was sorely disappointed, though. That will teach me to be a wee bit more observant.

The last several days have been rainy, dreary, and depressing. I wish I loved rain. I enjoy it now and then but endless days of it really get to me. Last year we had something like 23 days of rain in May - I hope this year is not a recap.

I just read a blog elsewhere in which a woman complained bitterly about not getting the amount she thought she was getting from her parents for her wedding. Now, I'm not one for weddings, but saying that the average wedding costs $25,000 and planning to spend that much just seems crazy to me (unless you are sitting on $25,000, are independently wealthy, and a wedding means the world to you). Just because other people spend that much doesn't mean you have to.

If SO and I ever get married (don't hold your breath), the wedding will be small. Really small. As in, I'd like to elope, but I think we'd disappoint a lot of people if we did. I certainly don't expect a penny from my parents or his - I'd rather have them be happy in retirement, should they ever retire!

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!

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.

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 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. My head and neck just need to cooperate!

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.

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!

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).

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!

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.

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!

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.

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):

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!

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! 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

My friend's baby is here! 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. 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.

So, the eBay guy selling the keyboard decided after I had sent payment that he needed an extra $50 for shipping. Uh, no. If you have a UPS calculator on your eBay page, and that calculator determines that shipping is $25, don't come back to me after the auction (and after I paid) and say shipping is suddenly $75. Luckily, he is fully refunding my money, and so graciously said he will not leave me negative feedback. Totally sketchy. I think I will lay off the eBay scene for a while. The only plus is that I have an extra $200 now. A bummer, though.

This really is the crappiest week. sigh* I guess when it rains, it pours, huh? I'd like to put my head under the covers and not come out for a few weeks.

Thanks for all your thoughts. I got the dreaded phone call this morning. I am going to either visit my sister this weekend or have her come visit again. That's all I can really do, I guess. I told my parents to consider coming to visit next month, too. It would be good for them to get away. I wish this was the end of it...but they have a 28 year old horse. *sigh* It is particularly difficult when all of the animals are up there in years.

I'm glad there are people here who understand what it's like to lose a pet. My parents are getting no sympathy whatsoever from co-workers, and my sister's "friend" rolled her eyes at her! No compassion. Maybe we get too attached...but I'd venture to guess that those people are too afraid to let themselves GET attached in the first place.

I went home early yesterday. A migraine started building around 9:30am and I knew I wouldn't make it through the day. I slept - a LOT - and I'm feeling a bit better today. This is the weirdest cold I've ever had. It hit me like a freight train but I'm recovering fairly quickly.

Let's see...in other news...I won a keyboard on eBay this morning! I have been planning to return my hypnosis CDs (the woman's voice is way too annoying to even concentrate), and my massage has been canceled again this month, so it all evens out in the end. I got a great deal on a 76-key professional keyboard, stand, and gig bag. Looking forward to playing again.

SO still hasn't done his taxes. I want to get some sand between my toes, but that Mexican island trip might have to wait until next year. Maybe we can land a cheap flight to San Diego for a long weekend instead.

What a crappy weekend.

I got really sick on Friday night and it stuck all weekend. I am still feeling ill today and am contemplating going home early. We'll see if the meds kick in or not.

My sister's childhood pet is dying. My parents are going through the awful pain of watching it happen and my sister is devastated. Needless to say, we spent a lot of time crying and not much else. I feel helpless. I know exactly how she feels, since my cat passed away two years ago. I wish there was something I could do. My parents are in very rough shape.

We did go to the zoo yesterday as a distraction procedure for my sister. Here's a little lion yawn to represent Mondays across the globe:

My friend still hasn't had her baby yet. He's due tomorrow. I can't wait! I took some photos of her giant preggo self for posterity. I'm hopefully meeting her for lunch today - I bet it's the last time I'll see her before the baby comes!

Reading about Cercis' gossip session with her coworker makes me long for that kind of connection at work again. I miss having someone (or several someones) to talk to! It seems like the only person I talk to on any given day is SO. I'm certainly not complaining, because I'm lucky to have him in my life, but I miss having interactions with other humans. My cats do plenty of talking too, but it's more along the lines of "FEED ME FEED ME FEED ME FEED ME!" It's just bizarre, being surrounded by hundreds of people and not conversing with any of them. Lonely in a crowd, anyone?

I've been ogling 76-key keyboards on eBay lately. Anyone own one? I'd love to have a piano but don't want to lug it up or down the stairs, and we don't have room for one anyway. I'd like to have a large keyboard instead but don't want to pay full price. There are a few nice ones online...I'm just waiting to see how much they go for. If I could land one for $150, I'd be thrilled.

SO still hasn't done his taxes, so the Mexico trip is still up in the air. I refuse to talk to him about it until he does his taxes and finds out how much he has to pay in. Perhaps that will motivate him to do them this weekend!

The playing gig will bring in $125! I'm super excited. Now I'm contemplating how to find more gigs like this. I know there are churches out there that love woodwind groups. I just need to find other (sane) players who want to form one. I put an ad up on craigslist...we'll see what comes of it.

Vivo para el fin de semana! Have a good one!

I can't believe there are 8 more days in March. On one hand, the year is going by at lightening speed, but on the other hand, I need more money! I haven't budgeted well at all this month.

My sister is coming to visit for the weekend. I have nothing planned and I'm not sure I want to plan anything. I'm already overbudget and she doesn't need constant diversions. Maybe I will leaf through the Entertainment Book and see if there is anything worthwhile. Otherwise, we will just chill. She likes to cook, so she can have free reign in the kitchen as far as I am concerned!

I may have a paid playing gig coming up in a few weeks. I don't know how much it is going to pay, but it's a church service, and I haven't done one of those in years. I am trying to be a little more assertive about getting paid for my talents and not just handing them out for free. The book I'm reading is definitely helping. You can't get ahead if you do everything for free.

I put a post-it note up on my computer that says "Pursue Prosperity!" There is nothing wrong with making more money!

I've decided that Neutrogena is a great company. I bought their new mineral powder foundation but wasn't happy with it at all. I wrote them a nice complaint email and told them I was disappointed in the product. They sent me a refund check immediately! I am impressed. I've loved their other products that I've tried, so I figured it was worth an email to them, and it was!

As predicted, the Target/groceries/eating out budget for this month was a bust. We went grocery shopping last night and bought a lot of things to build up the pantry and freezer again. I am happy though, because it will keep us stocked for a while, which means I am more apt to cook.

Of course, that was negated by the Indian takeout we picked up for dinner, but that was wonderful as always, and I don't regret it. How could I anyway, when SO so sweetly insisted on paying?

I'm reading Secrets of Six-Figure Women (thanks to the person who recommended it!). It's fascinating. I need to develop more self-confidence in my abilities, that's for sure. I also have to stop thinking that making that much money is an impossible goal! It's possible! I am an intelligent, educated, strong woman! (rinse, lather, and repeat)

Friday's evening spending consisted of all of $12 for dinner. Not bad. We ended up staying at my house all night. No spend days on Saturday and Sunday, yay! I have to go to Target though (we're out of kitty litter and several other things, like milk and eggs), so I am totally not going to meet my goal this month. If I spend as much or less than I did in February, I'll be ok with that.

On Saturday I made homemade donuts and french bread. I made dinner both Saturday and Sunday, too. I love cooking on the weekends! I need to build up my pantry a little more, to make it easier.

We did get another five inches of snow, but it is melting already. Hopefully it will be gone soon! I can't wait for summer (funny thing to say on the first day of spring, I suppose).

I think I could do the 8 day/7 night Mexico trip for $1075. I'd need to dip into some savings to pay for it. Still debating whether or not I should go for it! I'd really like to! If I really scrimp in April, I think I could.