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Home > Archive: October, 2004

Archive for October, 2004

Quitting

October 29th, 2004 at 07:15 pm

My husband quit his job yesterday. It was for the best - he was miserable there and it was just a dead end. He's in the process of starting his own business, so it's not a backwards step.

Just interviewed and was given a once a week job, to fill in between the cracks. It will be a challenge, but we can do it! We've certainly done it before.

Dr.'s

October 28th, 2004 at 02:09 pm

What's happened in the time the site was down? Mmm..we went hiking, and my husband visited a chiropractor several times. He needs to go 6 times: his back is killing him. It's nice to use up the money in our tax-free healthcare reimbursement account, because if we don't use it we lose it. We contributed way too much.

I also received a bill from an opthalmalogist for my co-pay, when I already paid it. Those offices are out of control - I always have a problem. DivaJen- I sympathize!

P.S. I promise, I won't brag about the Red Sox. Really.

Dinner, again

October 21st, 2004 at 01:55 pm

I've been concentrating on food/groceries as a way to reduce our spending in the last few months. This week I made Chinese beef and broccoli with white rice on monday, tues. we had leftovers with fresh rice. Last night I made fried rice with the leftover rice and added some frozen veggies and fried eggs and bits of sausage. It was great! We stretched three dinners out of one seemingly inexpensive meal. Wahoooo!

Cantaloupe

October 20th, 2004 at 01:52 pm

I'm proud of myself - I ate three whole cantaloupes all by myself.
Two weeks ago they were on sale for buy one get two free: so I brought 3 home. My husband won't eat them, so I've been eating some with lunch as they ripen.

I'll be all done with them today, after lunch!

misc.

October 19th, 2004 at 07:55 pm

Life is a bit up in the air right now. My husband may quit his job today - his job is a complete nightmare. So...I'm wracking my brain trying to think of even better ways to save money so we can survive the interim. I don't know if I can come up with much more...

On the other hand, my company gave us a free lunch today in a ballroom...quite grand it was. And then they gave us the rest of the day off but I'm still at work because I don't have my own car to drive myself home (I take 2 trains and then a 40 min. drive).

Oh well....back to work and brainstorming.

Hiking

October 18th, 2004 at 02:04 pm

The husband and I decided to go hiking this weekend, to take advantage of the fall foliage, get some exercise and have a fun free treat. Well, it did cost some money for gas, but other than that it was a free outing.

I made a cake last night, with homemade chocolate frosting. I didn't need a double boiler like everyone says: I broke the baker's chocolate into pieces and melted it in a saucepan. It turned out perfect.

Company

October 14th, 2004 at 02:00 pm

I have an old friend from high school coming down to visit tomorrow, unexpectedly. I'm hoping I'll have time tonight to put together a pasta bake, which I can just pop in the oven. We can't afford to bring her out for dinner.

On another note, last night was the only night this week that I wasn't busy or it wasn't raining, so I filled a "planter" that I bought used for $2 with rocks, dirt and some mums. It looks great - even though I did it in the dark. My neighbors must think I'm nuts, but I'm too busy during the day for these things!

Electricity bill

October 13th, 2004 at 01:56 pm

Got the electricity bill yesterday, it was only $19. Our elec. company provides a history of our usage. It was interesting to see that last October we used the same amount of electricity too. I wonder why October is the cheapest electricity month for us....

Baking again

October 11th, 2004 at 06:04 pm

I've started baking again now that it's not steaming hot outside.

I have a weakness for sweets. I'm always tempted when I go down the cookie aisle, but I'm always good and never get any. I know they're overpriced and full of preservatives and things I can't pronounce.

So I decided not to deprive myself (and oh yeah, my family too) of sweets any longer. I want to bake at least one treat a week: that's my new goal. I made lemon squares, and German apple cake this weekend.
I'll post the recipe for lemon squares - I couldn't believe how easy it was to make. I was always intimidated before, but it was actually easier than chocolate chip cookies to make.

Happy munching!

Fixer upper

October 7th, 2004 at 02:21 pm

Yep - we bought a fixer upper all right. We spent the first year working on the house every weekend, and most weeknights. It's our second year in the house, and we haven't been doing as much lately.

We do need to put siding up on an addition, which we've been putting off. Now that we've had frost, I'm thinking this weekend is the time to do it. That means we'll have to rent a truck to bring home the siding and spend all weekend putting it up. Then, I'll prime and paint it. The fun never ends.

Wardrobe

October 4th, 2004 at 05:45 pm

I decided that I shouldn't feel as though I have no decent clothes to wear when I have a box in my closet of clothes to be handwashed or repaired. I also had a huge stack of clothes to be ironed.
Soo....I spent about 3 hours on the pile this weekend. I also rearranged our closet so that all of the pants, shirts, blazers are together so it's easy to sort through what we have. While I have a lot more to do, I'm so glad that I made such a difference with only elbow grease, some water and detergent.

I feel like I have a new wardrobe!


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