Christmas Eve

Woke this morning feeling like a very rich person. I'm so fortunate this year. I was making plans on buying a used side-by-side frig so the doors could open all the way. My kitchen is small and I have this huge frig for the space and the door only opens half way, oh well! I have the sun coming in my windows, not looking at the sky through fire escape window from the basement apt I was living in last year. I have 6 ft windows, despite their age, I'm happy to have them. I have a box to open tomorrow from my mommy, who always sends me something despite her financial situation. She makes sure I have something to open! If it wasn't for her, I can't say for sure I would have anything to open on Christmas morning! I get cards and surprise cash from lots of people, but having her box to open sure fills the gap. Don't get me wrong; I love buying gifts for others, but I also love to have something to open as well. I live a simple life and I like it that way. I have my bed, a chair, a small folding table, boxes and plastic tubs to use as end tables and a Tv stand. Furniture is for other people to sit on and places to put your stuff when you walk in the door. Don't get me wrong, having a comfy chair is very nice, but I would have to pay someone to bring me those big items and it would force me to rent a '2 guys with a truck' to help me move and that just seems a waste of money to me. I have access to pre-civil war furniture that I would much rather spend my hard earned money on moving then crapy stuff made of particle board that you can get at any big box store. A frig where the doors open all the way would be very nice! :D Every house should have a paper shredder! Who needs a dresser when you have big closets and soft shoe racks to store all your personals! I told you I live simple! :D The only shelving units I want are the ones that fold up and they cost big money. I don't have 40" Tv, I have a 19" Tv and I'm happy with that! I'm a coffee perfectionist and I paid $10 for my maker and it makes Perfect coffee every time! Now a washer & dryer would be very sweet to have in my place so I can do a load when I need something done; but for now, I'll be running to the laundry matt! That silly frig door won't open all the way! Oh well! I have a full heart from my friends and family this Christmas and hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Merry Christmas

Finally, 19 months later!

Well, I got to sleep in MY place last night and it was so nice. Woke up a lot due to new noises and different lights outside. It has been such a long time in coming, it wasn't until this morning when I realized that I'm finally in my place. Something I've been working really hard on since I started this venture in June of last year. All I have, are my bed, some entertainment items (tv, dvd player, & radio) and my camp kitchen, but I'm just happy to be in MY Place! I left a 'Thank you' note for the lady that allowed me to live in her house for the past 6 months. Left that house in a good place! Look forward to shopping in my storage unit in the near future for some things that will make my life a little easier! Woke up to a new blanket of snow and it's still falling and wishing I bought a shovel last night, oh well. Maybe I can borrow one from my neighbor until I pick one up after I get paid! I hung my shower curtain this morning and made 2 cups of coffee in my 8 cup maker (not new), (microwave is in storage :D) and just as happy as can be! It will be a White Christmas this year :D! I would have to rent a cargo van to empty my storage unit and/or just to pick up some furniture for my place. Those funds won't be in the picture for a while. My priorities are allowing for a doggy though! :D Everything in due time!!!!

Be careful traveling this week everyone; no need to rush, patience will ensure everyone lives and no damage to property! Most of all have a Fabulous Christmas!!!

College Tuition

Okay, bitch session. The colleges are BROKE, so they're raising tuition fees on all of the students forcing them to choose between a degree & huge debt or no degree and struggling to continue and not going after their dreams. Then, I hear on the local news that a college nearby is hiring a new football coach and going to pay them a million bucks. Something is very wrong with this picture! Why should starving students work 2-3 jobs and carry a full load to pay a coach? Coaches should be doing it because they love the game, not for $200k a year. There is nothing wrong in making them live off of about $70k a year. I bet the students would be more willing to pay the higher fees if they know the staff aren't getting rich off of them. The cost of living isn't that high!!! Most of the colleges have raised their fees as much as 40% per credit hour crying "we're broke" and turning around and paying their staff insane wages. Enroll at your own risk!

Lots to Cover Today

I have keys to my own place and I can move in whenever. It's a cute, well organized whittle apartment. I can paint walls, get a dog and pull my stuff out of storage, finally. It has big windows facing east and west to allow tons of natural light into my place. My power bill should be pretty low because of my schedule. It has white burbur (sp) rug, which I'm considering covering with something that has colors. On the west side, it has sliding glass doors to allow the sunsets into my place. This place truly is a non-smoking place and I don't have to worry about it.

The doggy part is the best part, however, there is a size limit, up to 25 lbs. Now all of you who know me, that is a really small dog. I'm working on my very cool landlord to allow me to get one that is at least 40 lbs. I've been hunting pretty hard for my next kid and with time I'll find one soon. The cute puppies are hard to turn down, but my budget doesn't cover both the shelter fees and get a few new items I have to get. I'll get one, that is a promise to myself.

Now, to a more serious note. If the jerks in DC can't get off their asses and pass the payroll tax cut, I will be forced to cancel my health insurance. I can't live off of $1300.00 a month and that is what it will be if the tax cut doesn't continue and I keep my insurance. After my rent and 2 utilities, I would be left with choosing which bills to turn off and am afraid the my cell and internet bill would be one of those items. I don't even want to look at how my budget would change if the payroll tax wasn't extended.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Secret Santa

I like shopping for people I care about on Christmas. I get all wiggly-giggly-goofy about it. It's okay, you can call me a weepy sap, I really don't care. I've always enjoyed buying gifts for Christmas. I Also love to buy gifts for people I don't know and play Santa for them. My gift this year is to pass this joy onto you. If you know of someone and you know they're busting their butt and Santa still isn't going to stop by this year. You can fill the gap for Santa. How do you find out what they need; well, observe the conversations, look around the house, what could make their lives a bit easier, and talk to their friends if thats your way in. Does mom need new private items, does the kids need educational tools or boots or even a bike. It's not about the money or feeling pity, it's about showing them that others do care and want them to remember that Santa Claus does really live and breath. If you're close to tears while picking out the items and wrapping them in paper, then you're going to fill their hearts with a day full of smiles and joy for in their eyes. No amount of money can buy those looks! But the money spent is worth it a million times over! Now, to keep the secret of Santa in place, ALL cards are signed "From Santa" and even if they see you dropping them off and they ask you who they're from, with tears, just say "Santa, Merry Christmas!"

Why do I do this, well, a bunch of people did it for me one year and I was thrilled. Even my dog got a few things too! There was food, six-pack of beer, and all kinds of presents. I've never forgotten it and have tried my best to repeat it each year. The first year I did it, I spent over $300 on a family of 4 and loved every second of it! I haven't been able to do it for a few years, but hoping I can get it done next year.

The best part is you don't have to be a recipient to start this! Don't do it to be charitable, do it because it's Christmas and you love doing it. If you ask someone else to get it done, then you're nothing more then a Scrooge building your tax deduction for the year! Don't be a scrooge, be Santa! It's way more fun!

Merry Christmas!!!!!