Well, today's the last day of the no shopping challenge! Surprisingly, it wasn't too bad. Honestly, I cheated a couple times, but the lesson learned here was that 99% of the time, I could do without and I did without! I'm going to try to carry on my challenge for another month.
I'm in a generally pissy mood today - it's been a really long 2 weeks, I need a break from work, but I can't get in a mini-vaca right now. I have been helping a friend do some data entry work on Monday's which is going well - we work from 7am-3pm. If I were at home, I wouldn't do anything here at home except surf the net and read my fave blogs, the news, my mail, etc.
My pissiness stems from the fact that I didn't get shit for sleep last night. I do NOT like my sleep interrupted and just as I was about to fall asleep (approximately 10:45pm) our doorbell rings. There is 1 thing in the world that will KILL my sleep buzz and that is the telephone. The 2nd thing is muthah F'n DOORBELLS! Especially when I have to trek down 3 flights of stairs to see who the hell it is!
Let me back up to Thursday - we finally rented our 2nd floor apartment to a couple. I don't know anything about them other than their names - Paul took care of everything with them.
Forward to last night - DING DING goes my doorbell, I start to panic, wondering who is at the door. I go down there and who is it? OUR NEW TENANTS! 10:45pm - with a van, needing the keys and they are moving some stuff in! Let's just say that they probably did NOT want to meet me like that - I didn't mean to be a complete witch, but the situation warranted it.
I didn't sleep well, I got like 5 hours sleep, if that and to top it off, I was panicky all day and by 230 this afternoon, I raced home because I felt like puking my guts out. I have no idea why...I slept it off for a little bit, I still don't feel good.
What I do know is that my stress level is about to spill over.
Showing posts with label No shopping challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label No shopping challenge. Show all posts
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Day 15-23 - No shopping challenge...
Another week has passed and I'm still doing good about not shopping...GO ME! 1 more week to go!
Nothing exciting to share, really. I've had a very long week at work with one of my girls in the hospital for the past 6 days. I've tried to scrap to take me to a happier place, but...my creative side is bummed out.
However, weatherwise... this is what's rolling in right now! This is out my back porch.
OH and the wedding pics came out great...unbelievably, I'm just not in the mood to photoshop and share some of them yet. SOON!
Nothing exciting to share, really. I've had a very long week at work with one of my girls in the hospital for the past 6 days. I've tried to scrap to take me to a happier place, but...my creative side is bummed out.
However, weatherwise... this is what's rolling in right now! This is out my back porch.
OH and the wedding pics came out great...unbelievably, I'm just not in the mood to photoshop and share some of them yet. SOON!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Day 11-14 - No shopping challenge...
The shopping challenge has been going "ok" - I needed to get a new outfit as I am photographing a wedding today and it's pretty dress up, so I needed to pick up something nice to wear. Of course, I have dress clothes, but I'm fat and they are tight and I'm not going to do this uncomfortably. I already have to be outside in the heat, that in itself in enough excuse to buy anything!
So, I cheated a little. I'm still saving plenty by not buying "everything I want" - that in itself is challenging.
So, I got my hot little hands back on this BADASS camera (dust and all)! Of course I can't use it today because I didn't get the charger for the batteries in the bag, so I'll have to wait to play.
This is the first time I have done a wedding, but I do shots for an actor friend, so I'll be fine. The weather is good, the sun is shining, it's a 4pm wedding, the shots are all outside. One of my staff, her daughter is getting married today and my present to them was to do their portraits. They didn't intend to have a photographer at all, so I went all in, but made sure they understood that when I say have low expectations, to have low expectations, not that I expect anything to go wrong however, I am NOT a professional but am trying to learn and work on my skills as a photographer. Wish me luck!
Oh and Penny?
So, I cheated a little. I'm still saving plenty by not buying "everything I want" - that in itself is challenging.
So, I got my hot little hands back on this BADASS camera (dust and all)! Of course I can't use it today because I didn't get the charger for the batteries in the bag, so I'll have to wait to play.
This is the first time I have done a wedding, but I do shots for an actor friend, so I'll be fine. The weather is good, the sun is shining, it's a 4pm wedding, the shots are all outside. One of my staff, her daughter is getting married today and my present to them was to do their portraits. They didn't intend to have a photographer at all, so I went all in, but made sure they understood that when I say have low expectations, to have low expectations, not that I expect anything to go wrong however, I am NOT a professional but am trying to learn and work on my skills as a photographer. Wish me luck!
Oh and Penny?
 | -9 As a 1930s wife, I am |
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Heat Wave Day 4 and NSC Days 9 & 10...
HOT!! HOT!! HOT!!
Oh man, today is going to be a doozy out there! This is day 4 of our heat wave this summer. 96* they project for today, but I live right near the coast so it's likely that it might be a tad cooler, but I work up north and nowhere near the coast so it's deemed to be even hotter! YUCK!
2 of my most favorite people ever, Merle and Jeri had been vacationing New England and visited their family in Western Massachusetts this week and I got a chance to see them yesterday for a few hours before they headed up to ME, NH and VT. We met in Clovis, NM when I worked at Red Lobster and we've been friends ever since! They reside in TX now, it's been 4 years since I've seen them last. We had a great time catching up yesterday!
Made some fun Father's Day books for my dad and step dad this year. In early may, I had gone on a PhotoWalk tour of Boston's Back Bay and I printed out the pictures and made a handmade book for my Dads! I also made their Father's Day cards digitally this year, too! Here are the pics:
Oh man, today is going to be a doozy out there! This is day 4 of our heat wave this summer. 96* they project for today, but I live right near the coast so it's likely that it might be a tad cooler, but I work up north and nowhere near the coast so it's deemed to be even hotter! YUCK!
2 of my most favorite people ever, Merle and Jeri had been vacationing New England and visited their family in Western Massachusetts this week and I got a chance to see them yesterday for a few hours before they headed up to ME, NH and VT. We met in Clovis, NM when I worked at Red Lobster and we've been friends ever since! They reside in TX now, it's been 4 years since I've seen them last. We had a great time catching up yesterday!
Made some fun Father's Day books for my dad and step dad this year. In early may, I had gone on a PhotoWalk tour of Boston's Back Bay and I printed out the pictures and made a handmade book for my Dads! I also made their Father's Day cards digitally this year, too! Here are the pics:
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Day 6, 7 & 8 - No shopping challenge...
The no shopping challenge is still going good - avoiding stores makes it a lot easier, really. I have a small confession though...I took one of my individuals to a garage sale yesterday morning after I took her to the bank and I found a Bodum French Press. I bought it because it was $1.00!!! Obviously people don't know the value of these things. This one is a 32 oz. and retails for like $40. I couldn't help myself, I've been wanting one for a long time. It was used, it was $1, I bought it...send me to shoppers anonymous. LOL!
Made some changes around here to give my blog a facelift. I like the white color, layout and the new header! I remember a day when I couldn't figure out how to change my header on my blog - after all I had been doing html work for YEARS, but I could not figure it out! Now with all of my new knowledge with digi scrapping and more knowledge of PSE6, and of course blogger finally made it easier to add headers, I'm all set!!
It's been SO HOT the last couple days, I woke up this morning, made myself a cup of coffee and was sweatin' by 930am. GROSS! It's definitely going to be an inside day. I won't go out in this heat or the sun, my fair skin doesn't tolerate it at all. Looks to be that scrapping is in my future today!
Made some changes around here to give my blog a facelift. I like the white color, layout and the new header! I remember a day when I couldn't figure out how to change my header on my blog - after all I had been doing html work for YEARS, but I could not figure it out! Now with all of my new knowledge with digi scrapping and more knowledge of PSE6, and of course blogger finally made it easier to add headers, I'm all set!!
It's been SO HOT the last couple days, I woke up this morning, made myself a cup of coffee and was sweatin' by 930am. GROSS! It's definitely going to be an inside day. I won't go out in this heat or the sun, my fair skin doesn't tolerate it at all. Looks to be that scrapping is in my future today!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Day 4 & 5 - No shopping challenge...
Been busy over here - The no shopping challenge is going well. I've had to fight a couple urges to go buy some "wants" and not "needs". But I did good.
Saw that in some places gas has hit $4.10 and I saw one for $4.19 today, too! I buy mid-grade gas, although for my car it's only recommended that I use regular gasoline. I hate hearing the pings and knocks, so I pay a little extra.
I haven't had much time to keep working on my "Green" scrapbook, since work has my full attention lately.
Went to my very first Red Sox game last night! WOW! What a ton of fun! I'll post pics this weekend.
Saw that in some places gas has hit $4.10 and I saw one for $4.19 today, too! I buy mid-grade gas, although for my car it's only recommended that I use regular gasoline. I hate hearing the pings and knocks, so I pay a little extra.
I haven't had much time to keep working on my "Green" scrapbook, since work has my full attention lately.
Went to my very first Red Sox game last night! WOW! What a ton of fun! I'll post pics this weekend.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Day 3 - No shopping challenge...
HELLO Day 3!!
OK, so yesterday I had to go to the dentist for some dental work. I just want to point out that I am a total loser at the dentist if I have to have anything done that involves Novocaine. Yesterday was one of those days. But I won't bore you with the details of the dental work yet, rather I want to point out how I saved over $1000. OK, so like I said, I'm a complete loser at the dentist...I sometimes have to have Ativan prior to dental visits, I NEED the gas (Nitrous) or you are NOT coming within 10 feet of me with that needle and I need my ego soothed over, I wear sunglasses, I bring a blanket and I listen to my iPod during the course of all of this.
I used to go to a dentist, that I found through the Dental Relaxation Network - because they (the DRN) seemed to be the ONLY people who could put me in touch with any dentist that use gas. Prior to finding the DRN, I swear I had called a hundred dentists, asked if they cater to cowards (they all do, don't they??) and then if I asked about the Nitrous, they shot me down ("Oh NO, we don't use that stuff" - I guess they really don't cater to cowards, now do they??)
OK, so the old dentist I was using up until a month ago...they were about to charge me over $1,100 to fill 3 cavities - and that was my co-pay. What a crock of shit! At the time, I still believed these dentists were the ONLY ones that used gas...I even applied for ANOTHER dental loan through Capital One to help pay for this, to be added to the ALREADY $3800 loan I was paying off from a year ago when I needed some dental work done (4-quadrant scaling + root canal and crown)
Then my co-worker and friend, Gail introduces me to a new dentist, that was as gentle as could be, uses Nitrous and you don't even know you're getting a needle in your mouth...and she had a TON of work done prior to moving back to Florida last week and it cost her next to nothing. I had made an appt a couple weeks ago with the new dentist, met her and talked with her about my dental woes and I decided she was pretty cool and her office was great, so I scheduled my dental visits with her.
Guess how much 3 filled cavities cost me yesterday?? $75 was my co-pay! I actually thought it was going to cost more than that, but hey, I'll take $75!
If there is a dental heaven...I'm in it!
OK, so yesterday I had to go to the dentist for some dental work. I just want to point out that I am a total loser at the dentist if I have to have anything done that involves Novocaine. Yesterday was one of those days. But I won't bore you with the details of the dental work yet, rather I want to point out how I saved over $1000. OK, so like I said, I'm a complete loser at the dentist...I sometimes have to have Ativan prior to dental visits, I NEED the gas (Nitrous) or you are NOT coming within 10 feet of me with that needle and I need my ego soothed over, I wear sunglasses, I bring a blanket and I listen to my iPod during the course of all of this.
I used to go to a dentist, that I found through the Dental Relaxation Network - because they (the DRN) seemed to be the ONLY people who could put me in touch with any dentist that use gas. Prior to finding the DRN, I swear I had called a hundred dentists, asked if they cater to cowards (they all do, don't they??) and then if I asked about the Nitrous, they shot me down ("Oh NO, we don't use that stuff" - I guess they really don't cater to cowards, now do they??)
OK, so the old dentist I was using up until a month ago...they were about to charge me over $1,100 to fill 3 cavities - and that was my co-pay. What a crock of shit! At the time, I still believed these dentists were the ONLY ones that used gas...I even applied for ANOTHER dental loan through Capital One to help pay for this, to be added to the ALREADY $3800 loan I was paying off from a year ago when I needed some dental work done (4-quadrant scaling + root canal and crown)
Then my co-worker and friend, Gail introduces me to a new dentist, that was as gentle as could be, uses Nitrous and you don't even know you're getting a needle in your mouth...and she had a TON of work done prior to moving back to Florida last week and it cost her next to nothing. I had made an appt a couple weeks ago with the new dentist, met her and talked with her about my dental woes and I decided she was pretty cool and her office was great, so I scheduled my dental visits with her.
Guess how much 3 filled cavities cost me yesterday?? $75 was my co-pay! I actually thought it was going to cost more than that, but hey, I'll take $75!
If there is a dental heaven...I'm in it!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Day 2 - No shopping challenge...
Chugging along, doing good so far...but I haven't left the house yet, either. LOL! I added my cover and first page for my album, on the last post. I just edited to add. Check it out!
This "Living Green" book sort of coincides with my no shopping challenge, only because it relates to living more simple. The no shopping challenge is a learning process for me, I'm trying to learn that I don't need the latest and greatest and I simply need to save money (don't we all?). I have had "green living" on my mind for a long time and I just want to get better at it. I want to reduce the footprints I leave on the earth. Not because of global warming (I am not convinced this exists, really, nonetheless...), not because everyone else is doing it, but because it's the right thing to do as far as I am concerned. We have to take care of our earth, so that it will be strong and healthy, just like we take care of ourselves.
It's just like in the scrapbooking world...do you use acid free and lignin free or do you just use whatever? If you use whatever, the scrapbooks won't last as long...if you put a little extra special care into them, they will last for lifetimes to come.
Post a comment if you are following along with the no shopping challenge or if you are jumping in on the "...On Being Green" book!
......................................................................................................................
Green Living Journaling Prompt 2
As of right now, how green are you, really?
This "Living Green" book sort of coincides with my no shopping challenge, only because it relates to living more simple. The no shopping challenge is a learning process for me, I'm trying to learn that I don't need the latest and greatest and I simply need to save money (don't we all?). I have had "green living" on my mind for a long time and I just want to get better at it. I want to reduce the footprints I leave on the earth. Not because of global warming (I am not convinced this exists, really, nonetheless...), not because everyone else is doing it, but because it's the right thing to do as far as I am concerned. We have to take care of our earth, so that it will be strong and healthy, just like we take care of ourselves.
It's just like in the scrapbooking world...do you use acid free and lignin free or do you just use whatever? If you use whatever, the scrapbooks won't last as long...if you put a little extra special care into them, they will last for lifetimes to come.
Post a comment if you are following along with the no shopping challenge or if you are jumping in on the "...On Being Green" book!
......................................................................................................................
Green Living Journaling Prompt 2
As of right now, how green are you, really?
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Day 1 - No shopping challenge...
Welcome to Day 1 of the June 2008 No Shopping Challenge!
You know how some of those people committed to a year of not buying anything new? They could ONLY get the things they needed (clothes, shoes, tv's, furniture, cell phone replacements, ipods, etc.) via Freecycle? I just could not do that. I seriously considered it at one time, made lists and lists of the pros and cons, and fought hard with my ability to have "will-power" for that long. Trying to commit to that for a year, I'd just set myself up for failure... I like to be realistic with myself.
I'm making a new scrapbook about "...On Being Green" and I am going to document how I do things now and try to change the way I do things... and then in a year, I hope to revisit the book to see how those changes have impacted me and my life and what my contribution is to living a greener lifestyle. it'll definitely be a work in progress book. It'll be an 8 x 8 book when done, although I am making the digi pages 12 x 12 right now (I can resize later) because I think this will end up a hybrid album.
If you care to join me on this quest...I will list my journaling prompts here as I go along...
..................................................................................................................................
Green Living Journaling Prompt 1
What is important to me in living more "green"?
Here is the cover and first page to my book:
You know how some of those people committed to a year of not buying anything new? They could ONLY get the things they needed (clothes, shoes, tv's, furniture, cell phone replacements, ipods, etc.) via Freecycle? I just could not do that. I seriously considered it at one time, made lists and lists of the pros and cons, and fought hard with my ability to have "will-power" for that long. Trying to commit to that for a year, I'd just set myself up for failure... I like to be realistic with myself.
I'm making a new scrapbook about "...On Being Green" and I am going to document how I do things now and try to change the way I do things... and then in a year, I hope to revisit the book to see how those changes have impacted me and my life and what my contribution is to living a greener lifestyle. it'll definitely be a work in progress book. It'll be an 8 x 8 book when done, although I am making the digi pages 12 x 12 right now (I can resize later) because I think this will end up a hybrid album.
If you care to join me on this quest...I will list my journaling prompts here as I go along...
..................................................................................................................................
Green Living Journaling Prompt 1
What is important to me in living more "green"?
Here is the cover and first page to my book:
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Happy Birthday to me! Yesterday that is...
Hit the big three-six yesterday - woopee doo. Didn't do much all day except lounge around and play on the computer, then Paul came home with a dozen red roses and he also got me a kickass new point & shoot Nikon camera! What a great guy he is!
I played with the camera most of the day to have it ready to go out with last night. We ran out for a bit in the afternoon to do some stuff, came home and got ready to go out. We had sushi for dinner and met up with some friends to see a band that I just love! Here are some pics - they sorta suck because of the shitty lighting conditions and the drunk woman who we begged to take our pics! Literally felt crappy all day today, not because I drank too much (although the 5 Guinness's might have caused this), but just felt lousy. I got up with a terrible headache, stayed up for a bit and was back in bed quickly and slept til almost 5:45pm. Felt like I was in my 20's again!!
Tanya, Andrea, Kathy and Coleen
Tanya, Andrea, Coleen
Paul, Kathy and Steve
So, I am just about done with my 4 week class with Jessica Sprague - Here are week 3 and week 4 layouts. Both of these are from scratch rather than a quick page. I really loved this class and I highly recommend it to ANYONE who wants to learn digital scrapbooking! Honestly, it's the BEST $45 I ever spent! I can't wait to continue practicing my new skills and once I feel I've really got the hang of them, I'll take the next class she has to offer.
I have more layouts that I'm going to share, I've considered revamping my blog and adding some more elements and such. I want to get a photo album going for all of my scrapbook layouts, too.
So tomorrow kicks off the "NO SHOPPING CHALLENGE" for the month of June. I'm going to keep track of all of my "spending" and "savings" for the month. Basically, I hope to learn 2 things from this. 1. Saving money and living a bit more organically 2. Learning that I don't need all the latest and greatest right now and to learn to live with the things I already have. (Number 2 being the most important, so that I can be successful with number 1!)
By organic living, I mean that as in "being more simple, healthful, natural and closer to nature."
I've allowed myself to buy gas (I obviously need to get to and from work!) and groceries and I had to add in any other basic necessities...because if I need shampoo or tampons or deodorant and can't buy them, we have a problem. Basically, I am not allowing myself to buy things like shoes, clothes, scrapbook supplies...the kind of things I certainly do not need more of and can live without "the new" for a month.
I have to throw in one special clause though - because on June 4, I already had tickets to go to a Red Sox game. I've limited my spending to a certain amount for food and drinks and that's that.
So...without further do...let the no shopping challenge begin tomorrow June 1!
I played with the camera most of the day to have it ready to go out with last night. We ran out for a bit in the afternoon to do some stuff, came home and got ready to go out. We had sushi for dinner and met up with some friends to see a band that I just love! Here are some pics - they sorta suck because of the shitty lighting conditions and the drunk woman who we begged to take our pics! Literally felt crappy all day today, not because I drank too much (although the 5 Guinness's might have caused this), but just felt lousy. I got up with a terrible headache, stayed up for a bit and was back in bed quickly and slept til almost 5:45pm. Felt like I was in my 20's again!!
Tanya, Andrea, Kathy and Coleen
Tanya, Andrea, Coleen
Paul, Kathy and Steve
So, I am just about done with my 4 week class with Jessica Sprague - Here are week 3 and week 4 layouts. Both of these are from scratch rather than a quick page. I really loved this class and I highly recommend it to ANYONE who wants to learn digital scrapbooking! Honestly, it's the BEST $45 I ever spent! I can't wait to continue practicing my new skills and once I feel I've really got the hang of them, I'll take the next class she has to offer.
I have more layouts that I'm going to share, I've considered revamping my blog and adding some more elements and such. I want to get a photo album going for all of my scrapbook layouts, too.
So tomorrow kicks off the "NO SHOPPING CHALLENGE" for the month of June. I'm going to keep track of all of my "spending" and "savings" for the month. Basically, I hope to learn 2 things from this. 1. Saving money and living a bit more organically 2. Learning that I don't need all the latest and greatest right now and to learn to live with the things I already have. (Number 2 being the most important, so that I can be successful with number 1!)
By organic living, I mean that as in "being more simple, healthful, natural and closer to nature."
I've allowed myself to buy gas (I obviously need to get to and from work!) and groceries and I had to add in any other basic necessities...because if I need shampoo or tampons or deodorant and can't buy them, we have a problem. Basically, I am not allowing myself to buy things like shoes, clothes, scrapbook supplies...the kind of things I certainly do not need more of and can live without "the new" for a month.
I have to throw in one special clause though - because on June 4, I already had tickets to go to a Red Sox game. I've limited my spending to a certain amount for food and drinks and that's that.
So...without further do...let the no shopping challenge begin tomorrow June 1!
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