Thursday, May 31, 2007
Dark Secrets
The name of the paint color I'm painting the bathroom floor is Dark Secret, by Glidden. It's black, mostly. Sort of chalkboard black. Slightly gray.
mach.com? no! match.com
I've been criticized by a number of people for my "issue" with men who can't spell. As I've shared in the past, I have a profile on Match.com and often spend time browsing the personals. I see a lot of crazy profiles (like the guy who said he was single but was clearly wearing a wedding band), and a LOT of crappy grammar and spelling. I understand there is a common belief that men can't spell, and maybe it's true. Men are better at math, women are better at English, and men can't spell. Ok, fine. If the first way I was meeting a guy was in person, it wouldn't matter. But if the first impression a guy makes is online, via text, it's imperative that there are no totally outrageous errors. Like this one:
Was born in Minnisota
Ok, really now, is it too much to ask that the guy be able to spell the state he was born in?! I think not. Plus, I don't think it's really too much to ask to meet a guy who can form a complete sentence, with periods, capital letters, and no LOLs. LOL sucks. Most of the time. Unless I'm using it. That's just how I am.
Was born in Minnisota
Ok, really now, is it too much to ask that the guy be able to spell the state he was born in?! I think not. Plus, I don't think it's really too much to ask to meet a guy who can form a complete sentence, with periods, capital letters, and no LOLs. LOL sucks. Most of the time. Unless I'm using it. That's just how I am.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Vanity Plates and No Shame
I spent a few days in Vermont with the family over Memorial Day weekend. Amanda noticed that there was an unusually high number of vanity plates on the road. We saw at least 10, I'd say. Here are some pix of the ones I could photograph. Most of the others were seen while driving.
We also had a very strange encounter with a couple at the Vermont Pub and Brewery. They were probably in their early 50s, and were sitting outside on the patio with their dog. I think they were having beers, and for like 15 minutes, the lady was on the phone. Amanda had her back to them but could overhear and man, was this conversation annoying. The lady sounded really snooty.
After we'd finished eating, the lady came over to ask us how the food was. She said she'd wondered - I think she might have mentioned that she hadn't eaten there before. They might have been having drinks. So far, totally normal. Then, we left. Mom looked back, and noticed that the lady had taken our leftover nachos off the table, and they were about to dig in!! To our leftovers! So inappropriate. I know, I know, you shouldn't waste food. Well, these are nachos. Not good for you. And really, not really good.
We also had a very strange encounter with a couple at the Vermont Pub and Brewery. They were probably in their early 50s, and were sitting outside on the patio with their dog. I think they were having beers, and for like 15 minutes, the lady was on the phone. Amanda had her back to them but could overhear and man, was this conversation annoying. The lady sounded really snooty.
After we'd finished eating, the lady came over to ask us how the food was. She said she'd wondered - I think she might have mentioned that she hadn't eaten there before. They might have been having drinks. So far, totally normal. Then, we left. Mom looked back, and noticed that the lady had taken our leftover nachos off the table, and they were about to dig in!! To our leftovers! So inappropriate. I know, I know, you shouldn't waste food. Well, these are nachos. Not good for you. And really, not really good.
Packing and Procrastinating
Thank god it's rerun season on the boob tube. If it wasn't, I'd never get this house cleaned. Here's an update on the moving plans.
One realtor came and did a market analysis on the house. It was the realtor who I used when looking for my house over 6 years ago. She was nice - talked for toooooo long, and gave me a lower estimate of what I could sell the place for than I had hoped. Then, she said she would put me in touch with a realtor in Boston and also set me up on her company site to get listings in Boston emailed to me. She didn't do either of those things, and it's been almost a month. I haven't heard from her. Now, I'm taking a break from tidying up the joint for the second realtor to come over and do an analysis. I'm more optimistic about this one. She was really nice on the phone and came recommended. Plus, she's about my age, which is kind of nice.
I am going into JP on Friday to meet with a real estate agent recommended by my brother. So far, I like him. He's responsive, informative, and set me up on the MLS site to get listings mailed to me.
The house will hopefully be on the market soon. A crochety old man at work gave me a hard time the other day. He totally burst my bubble by saying "OH, it's going to take a really long time to sell that house. The market is really bad." What a jerk. This afternoon, he asked me if the house was sold yet and then acted surprised when I said no. Sigh. Why do I share personal things at work? It often comes to no good.
One of the things I am most looking forward to about moving is that I won't have so much space to think about. I won't feel lonely in a huge place, but I also will have a smaller space to keep clean. As it is now, I always feel like there is something to do, either inside or out in the yard. I am SO sick of thinking about the yard. Shoveling, paying my brother to mow the lawn, all that crap. TOO MUCH. And the junk mail. It's out of control. I'm wondering if I will stop getting all the junk mail for a while.
I just saw a segment of Chronicle talking up East Boston. Am I picking the wrong place to live? I keep second-guessing myself. But, I think it will all work out in the end.
One realtor came and did a market analysis on the house. It was the realtor who I used when looking for my house over 6 years ago. She was nice - talked for toooooo long, and gave me a lower estimate of what I could sell the place for than I had hoped. Then, she said she would put me in touch with a realtor in Boston and also set me up on her company site to get listings in Boston emailed to me. She didn't do either of those things, and it's been almost a month. I haven't heard from her. Now, I'm taking a break from tidying up the joint for the second realtor to come over and do an analysis. I'm more optimistic about this one. She was really nice on the phone and came recommended. Plus, she's about my age, which is kind of nice.
I am going into JP on Friday to meet with a real estate agent recommended by my brother. So far, I like him. He's responsive, informative, and set me up on the MLS site to get listings mailed to me.
The house will hopefully be on the market soon. A crochety old man at work gave me a hard time the other day. He totally burst my bubble by saying "OH, it's going to take a really long time to sell that house. The market is really bad." What a jerk. This afternoon, he asked me if the house was sold yet and then acted surprised when I said no. Sigh. Why do I share personal things at work? It often comes to no good.
One of the things I am most looking forward to about moving is that I won't have so much space to think about. I won't feel lonely in a huge place, but I also will have a smaller space to keep clean. As it is now, I always feel like there is something to do, either inside or out in the yard. I am SO sick of thinking about the yard. Shoveling, paying my brother to mow the lawn, all that crap. TOO MUCH. And the junk mail. It's out of control. I'm wondering if I will stop getting all the junk mail for a while.
I just saw a segment of Chronicle talking up East Boston. Am I picking the wrong place to live? I keep second-guessing myself. But, I think it will all work out in the end.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Craigslist is So Funny
I flagged a post for "best of" because I thought it was clever. What do you think?
After I posted, I got a page that said the usual "thanks for flagging this message" yadda yadda yadda. At the bottom was this:
I'm not sure why, but it's kind of funny. And wacked.
After I posted, I got a page that said the usual "thanks for flagging this message" yadda yadda yadda. At the bottom was this:
____________________
( look, a dragonfly! )
--------------------
o
o
o @..@
(----)
( )--( )
o0..0o
I'm not sure why, but it's kind of funny. And wacked.
A Regretful Purchase
Warning - sort of detailed shoe and foot issue below. Skip if you hate that sort of thing.
So, the fantastic brown sandals I searched high and low for, and paid entirely too much for - they are ripping my feet to shreds. Both of my big toes are getting rubbed raw, and when I walk, my foot makes a yucky sound when separating from the sole. I keep hoping that they just need to get broken in. Part of the problem is that my feet, all day, sit under my desk. And it's pretty hot under there, so my feet get sweaty and then when I walk, the shoe doesn't slide nicely like it would if I had cool-as-a-cucumber feet. Hence, the pain. Oh well. I'll still wear them, considering they are the only pair of shoes I wear regularly that don't feel so hot.
On a side note, I almost broke my ankle last weekend, wearing black heeled sandals in the rain. I got wet, my shoe got slippery, and it was almost all over for me.
So, the fantastic brown sandals I searched high and low for, and paid entirely too much for - they are ripping my feet to shreds. Both of my big toes are getting rubbed raw, and when I walk, my foot makes a yucky sound when separating from the sole. I keep hoping that they just need to get broken in. Part of the problem is that my feet, all day, sit under my desk. And it's pretty hot under there, so my feet get sweaty and then when I walk, the shoe doesn't slide nicely like it would if I had cool-as-a-cucumber feet. Hence, the pain. Oh well. I'll still wear them, considering they are the only pair of shoes I wear regularly that don't feel so hot.
On a side note, I almost broke my ankle last weekend, wearing black heeled sandals in the rain. I got wet, my shoe got slippery, and it was almost all over for me.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Head out of the clouds, please
Not only did I leave my debit card in the ATM this morning, I left the computer I was planning to drop off at the city waste site on the sidewalk. I found this out when I got home. I went all the way there (Got lost on the way, of course), paid my $20 to drop off the monitor, keyboard, cpu, printer and an air conditioner, the guys unloaded the stuff, and I went on my merry way. As I drove up to my house after work, there, on the sidewalk, was the computer. Now, I have to make another appointment, and admit I'm an airhead to the public works department to avoid having to pay for the drop-off a second time.
Good Deed for the Day
I left the ATM drive-up this morning with my cash but not the card. Fortunately, there was a lot of traffic and I wasn't able to speed right off and the lady behind me found it. She beeped and waved it out the window. Today was my lucky day!! I need to get my head out of the clouds, though. This is not the first time I've left without my card.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Reading and Walking
Tonight, I saw a woman walking very slowly down Pleasant Street, reading a book. It made me nostalgic for the times I used to do the very same thing.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
Eek, a Slug!
As I may have grouchily mentioned, it's been raining for-EVER. Rain brings out all sorts of loveliness like worms and other creatures. Yesterday, my outdoorsy cat Sam greeted me at the bottom of the stairs with a slug on his head! I picked it off, tossed it (it got stuck to my fingers - gross!) and noticed aloud that he had slug slime on his head. It's now the next day and he STILL has slug slime on his head. Gross.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Rain Rain Go Away
It's been raining forever. I can't stand it. I like spring, but god, it seems like it rains a lot during spring. It was like 80 degrees on Saturday and today it's freezing, damp, cold, yucky. Good weather to pull weeks in the backyard. Great weather to say, out loud, "I hate you, you stupid plant" over and over, as I pulled out the terribly invasive Japanese Knotweed that's basically taken over my back yard. Um. Back banking, not yard, really. I've put down weed block, and the weeds just poke freaking holes through the weed block stuff. I doubled it up on one small area today, and started mulching. I need about 6 more bags. My car is making a rattling noise and I"m hoping it's not bad. I'm also wondering if it's from carrying 2 bags of mulch in the trunk, from the Depot to home. Or if it's just something loose.
Ok. Enough. I'm off to read a book (true story) about a woman who went off to search for her relatives, all of whom have extra fingers. Book report will be written when finish. It's called Kinfolks, by Lisa Alther.)
Ok. Enough. I'm off to read a book (true story) about a woman who went off to search for her relatives, all of whom have extra fingers. Book report will be written when finish. It's called Kinfolks, by Lisa Alther.)
Forty Bucks Richer
I posted a For Sale item on Craigslist today, at around 1 pm. Like, 2 hours later, someone called and wanted to buy it. It's 630 pm and it's GONE and I am $40 richer. Yes, I could have asked for mo money, but really, I've had it for 10 years, I think I've gotten enough use out of it.
Yahoo!!! That covers groceries for the week! So proud of myself.
Anticipation of more money - someone might buy some floor lamps this weekend.
Yahoo!!! That covers groceries for the week! So proud of myself.
Anticipation of more money - someone might buy some floor lamps this weekend.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Score!
I returned the Vera Bradley bag and the DSW shoes: $84 back
I deposited a refund check from Verizon that I wasn't even expecting: $24.03
I deposited tons of coins that I've been saving: $49.27.
Total savings today: $157.30
And I didn't spend any money today. It's like being an alcoholic: One Day at a Time
I deposited a refund check from Verizon that I wasn't even expecting: $24.03
I deposited tons of coins that I've been saving: $49.27.
Total savings today: $157.30
And I didn't spend any money today. It's like being an alcoholic: One Day at a Time
Monday, May 14, 2007
Buyer's Remorse
I spend too much money. I just calculated my monthly expenses, so that I could tell the mortgage guy how much I wanted to spend every month, and it was pretty sad. Too much money. On food, dining out, clothes, and shoes. And heat, and electricity. Actually, according to a debt reduction company's budget calculator, I spend less than I "should" on clothes, and too much on housing. And I want to move to a place that will cost me more. So something has to change. I need to bring my lunch daily, cut back on going out, and actually eat the several-months worth of food that is stored in my pantry.
First, though, after work tomorrow, I'm returning the shoes I bought at DSW (already a plan, anyway) and the Vera Bradley bag I bought for myself. Instead, I'll use one of the bags I was planning to donate to the Salvation Army. Perfectly good bags. And I will try not to feel guilty about my overspending.
You know what though? I have out-to-lunch plans tomorrow with coworkers. I really don't want to spend $10 at Panera at lunch, especially when I'll probably be interrogated about my dating experiences, job life, etc. I wish I could skip it, to save money. But I can't. So, I'll bring my own water and get something small. Especially since I have deli ham in the fridge, and homemade spanakopita that I'd rather eat.
I wonder how long this overspending guilt will last? Until next payday? Ha!
First, though, after work tomorrow, I'm returning the shoes I bought at DSW (already a plan, anyway) and the Vera Bradley bag I bought for myself. Instead, I'll use one of the bags I was planning to donate to the Salvation Army. Perfectly good bags. And I will try not to feel guilty about my overspending.
You know what though? I have out-to-lunch plans tomorrow with coworkers. I really don't want to spend $10 at Panera at lunch, especially when I'll probably be interrogated about my dating experiences, job life, etc. I wish I could skip it, to save money. But I can't. So, I'll bring my own water and get something small. Especially since I have deli ham in the fridge, and homemade spanakopita that I'd rather eat.
I wonder how long this overspending guilt will last? Until next payday? Ha!
Friday, May 11, 2007
Shoe Update
I'm keeping the Naturalizer's, and returning the ones from DSW. Amanda suggested. I agreed.
Check out the pedicure. Money well spent.
Check out the pedicure. Money well spent.
Happiness Is...
Being less in debt. I just paid off one of my 2 credit card balances today. I'm now less than $3K in credit card debt! I haven't been in this position since I refinanced 5 years ago, and then, I didn't pay off the debt, I just moved it to the mortgage. Stupid stupid move. This time, I've been paying off the debt with actual cash.
So, how does a shopping addict celebrate? Well, I needed, yes needed, a new pair of flip flops, so I headed to DSW to get some sweet comfy Tevas. I figured, while I was there, I may as well look at the brown sandals, even though I just bought a pair last night. But they were $60 and that's kinda pricey. So I bought a pair of Nine West ones, and I'm going to do a comparison and probably return the expensive ones. Probably. Though the gas to get down there and back is probably like $5 anyway. This is insane.
Now, I'm off to get a pedicure so I can actually feel comfortable in these new sandals.
House Sale/Moving Update
I have done one thing to prepare the house: I cleaned one of my 2 closets. This weekend, I'm going to paint it and also clean a bunch more. I'm not moving as quickly as I should especially since having the house on the market is NOT going to help it sell. It gets BOILING up on the second floor without AC. And I only have one window AC, and 3 rooms.
So, how does a shopping addict celebrate? Well, I needed, yes needed, a new pair of flip flops, so I headed to DSW to get some sweet comfy Tevas. I figured, while I was there, I may as well look at the brown sandals, even though I just bought a pair last night. But they were $60 and that's kinda pricey. So I bought a pair of Nine West ones, and I'm going to do a comparison and probably return the expensive ones. Probably. Though the gas to get down there and back is probably like $5 anyway. This is insane.
Now, I'm off to get a pedicure so I can actually feel comfortable in these new sandals.
House Sale/Moving Update
I have done one thing to prepare the house: I cleaned one of my 2 closets. This weekend, I'm going to paint it and also clean a bunch more. I'm not moving as quickly as I should especially since having the house on the market is NOT going to help it sell. It gets BOILING up on the second floor without AC. And I only have one window AC, and 3 rooms.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
At least I don't do drugs
I have a serious spending problem. I'm trying to curb it. I'm trying to wear the clothes I own and not buy more. But a lot of the clothes I own don't fit, either because they're too big (from the fat years) or because they're too small (because of the post-surgery swelling). So I've bought some dresses. They're easy to wear and are pretty comfortable. Of course, I bought a brown dress, and don't have brown shoes. I've been searching high and low for good brown summer sandals. I finally found these tonight.
Now, all I need to be ready for the summer is a new pair of flip flops.
Yeah, right. That's all I need. Until I see something else I want.
Tomorrow, I'm making some returns of things I bought but don't need.
Now, all I need to be ready for the summer is a new pair of flip flops.
Yeah, right. That's all I need. Until I see something else I want.
Tomorrow, I'm making some returns of things I bought but don't need.
Monday, May 7, 2007
No time to blog
I don't have time to blog. I'm losing valuable market time by not having my house on the market right now!!
So, last week, the realtor who sold me the house came over to do a market analysis. She basically said I could get about 2x what I paid for the place. That's pretty good, considering I only owe about 25% more than I paid. Something like that. Basically, I could net enough to make a decent down payment on a condo in Boston. Boston, which is, according to Chronicle, almost the most expensive place to live. They suggested tonight that Brockton and Lowell are the next two up and coming places for first-time home buyers. Since I'm not a first-time home buyer, and I already live in an old mill city, I'm heading straight for poverty and moving to Boston.
Before, however, I need to clean out 7 years worth of stuff, and paint. Tonight, 8 grocery bags of clothes got dropped in the donation box. There's plenty more where that came from, so it's going to be a busy week. If I'm lucky, the house will be on the market in a month and I'll be out of town by fall. Raise your glass to optimism! I did, twice, earlier tonight, when I cracked open a free bottle of wine. Peace brand wine.
Next up on the list: selling crap on Craigslist. Though, I sort of thing I'm going to be listing things as "$20 or best offer, you take away". I'll be negotiated down to free, after they see the stairs.
So, last week, the realtor who sold me the house came over to do a market analysis. She basically said I could get about 2x what I paid for the place. That's pretty good, considering I only owe about 25% more than I paid. Something like that. Basically, I could net enough to make a decent down payment on a condo in Boston. Boston, which is, according to Chronicle, almost the most expensive place to live. They suggested tonight that Brockton and Lowell are the next two up and coming places for first-time home buyers. Since I'm not a first-time home buyer, and I already live in an old mill city, I'm heading straight for poverty and moving to Boston.
Before, however, I need to clean out 7 years worth of stuff, and paint. Tonight, 8 grocery bags of clothes got dropped in the donation box. There's plenty more where that came from, so it's going to be a busy week. If I'm lucky, the house will be on the market in a month and I'll be out of town by fall. Raise your glass to optimism! I did, twice, earlier tonight, when I cracked open a free bottle of wine. Peace brand wine.
Next up on the list: selling crap on Craigslist. Though, I sort of thing I'm going to be listing things as "$20 or best offer, you take away". I'll be negotiated down to free, after they see the stairs.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Not So Out Of Place
Knitting class tonight was hilarious. The ladies in this class are really funny. I know that last week I felt out of place, but this week, the conversation was much more diverse and I wasn't constantly reminded of my single-non-mommyhood. And when the kid stuff did come up, it was fine; good even. I must have been in a shitty woe-is-me frame of mind last week. Well, I definitely was. I know it. That doesn't mean I won't feel out of place again, but I think I need to go back to thinking what I thought before I turned 35, which was "everything happens in its own time, and I'll meet someone eventually." Lately, I've been thinking "I'll never meet anyone." I think 35 is a turning point for a lot of people. The thing is, I know a lot of people who met the loves of their lives at ages older than I am now. So it can happen. Sometimes it gets me down but I'm on the positive upswing.
Random Notes
I should have worn a slip today. Then, when the wind blew up my wrap dress, I wouldn't have flashed the world. Ok, ok, I was in the parking garage and nobody saw, but it's only 10:52 am and there's a whole day left for that to happen.
This is just weird.
This is just weird.
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