Misc.

I thought that maybe I should post something since I get annoyed when I check other blogs and there is nothing new.

Butch & I took off on Thursday to go to lunch and get massages. It was quite nice. There is a "couple's room" at this place, so we were in the same room. We also looked for furniture at a couple of places, with no luck.

Yesterday, we went to Northern VA - near Dulles - to look at furniture again. Found a couple of sets (bedroom) that we really like, but so expensive! Ugh. I was hoping to find some moderately priced stuff that we liked, but nothing. So, our entire tax check might be paying for furniture. There is 1 set that I'm sure is cheaper (Broyhill), but the website doesn't show that it comes in a King size bed. And, I'm so annoyed with Broyhill that I'm not sure I want to order it again anyway.

Lacey went with us yesterday and she did really well. I know she was sick of being in the car. It's about a 90 minute drive. On the way back, we stopped at Sweet Water Tavern - one of our fav restaurants - to have lunch. L did pretty good, but had no interest in the food. She stuck with her normal yogurt, cheerios and cheese. I swear that girl eats a ton of dairy!

I took her to the doc on Fri. for a recheck from the ear infection she last had. They like to take a look about 3 weeks later. It looked pretty good, except a little fluid in 1 ear. No need for drugs, yet, though. Hopefully the fluid will drain & we'll be okay. Ha. Her nose is running now, so I imagine it will get worse. The doc did tell me that she's doing okay. She said that the rule for tubes is 6 infections in 6 months and/or ear infections that just don't clear up. Lacey's clear up - she just gets one again if the nose is still running.

I can't believe she will be a year on Thursday! I think I'm going to try to take a 1/2 day at work so I can pick her up early. Her party is on Saturday.

Work is going to be really busy this week. We're closed tomorrow, but I wish we were open. It's too hard to try to work @ home when Lacey is around! I leave on Tuesday afternoon for NJ. Yea. (Read with sarcasm.) It's only an overnight, but still annoying. Especially when I have so much other stuff to do. I will never understand how so many client reports (for different clients) can end up due at the same time.

Lacey is napping, but since she's been down for over an hour, I know it won't last much longer! I'd better go before I have to rush off!

Chai Lattes

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about money and budgeting. We are planning to finish our basement this spring. And, we are waiting on our living room furniture to be delivered soon (which we'll have to pay the balance on). And, we want to get bedroom furniture so I don’t feel like we're living in a dorm room with everything mismatched. So, that’s obviously a lot of spending. Which is why money is on my mind. Oh, and our cable internet bill went up, too. And, our electric bill has been insane this winter. You get the picture.

I was standing in line for my Chai Latte yesterday morning and started to calculate the money that I spend on those each month. I only work in the office 3x a week, so that’s about how often I get my “treat”. It’s at least $3.69 per drink. If I get it with soy milk – which I’ve been doing to be healthy – it’s 50 cents more. So, I just assumed $4….3x a week. I’m spending $40-50 a month on a morning drink. And, it’s mostly a habit. I think I have to walk downstairs to buy that wonderful tasting thing every day I come to the office. Even if it’s raining, I’ll cross the street to Bread & Chocolate to get it.

And, no….the store bought brands are not the same. There are some that are good. But, they are not nearly as good as getting one done “right”.

So, I resisted the urge this morning. I did NOT go get one. Yet, I am thinking about how tasty it would be. And if I don't stop typing about it and get to work, I'll probably take the elevator...cross the street....and spend over $4 on a tasty drink.

To do lists

Why is it that my "to-do" list continues to grow? Nothing is getting marked off these days! I need to change something about my time management. Hmmmm. Some people would tell me to stop watching so much TV. But, I am an addict. To Days of Our Lives, Lost, Desp Housewives, 24....and a few others. It's actually very sad.

So, I was going to return some safety gates to One Step Ahead today. They didn't work on our stairs. They have sat in our basement since early December. I think I ordered them in October. Thankfully the company doesn't have an expiration on returns. Shipping was going to cost $40. That's insane. The company has a policy that if you exchange for something else, they will pay for shipping, so I've been looking online at what I can buy at OSA for about $100. With L's birthday around the corner, it's pretty easy.

Speaking of her birthday, I need to order the Baby Einstein party supplies. You'd think I could find them locally - but no. Only through a catalog. I'm actually going to MAKE her cake! Ha! Considering I'm attempting for it to look like the Baby Einstein caterpillar, I think it's pretty brave of me. ;-) Truthfully, I am looking forward to it.

I don't think I've balanced the checkbook in at least a month. By "balanced", I mean written anything in it. I rely heavily on what their website tells me.

I have to call to schedule....taxes, L's 1 year doc appt., having our heating/air serviced (I've had that number since the fall), I could go on and on, but it really might bore you. Or make you wonder why these things haven't been done.

Oh - I'm listening to Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince for the 2nd time. The main reason I am doing this is so that I can talk to my favorite sister about it when she reads it. She told me a few weeks ago that she had the book and was going to start. I would be willing to bet that she hasn't read one page. (She's as addicted to TV as I am. And, American Idol just started, plus 24, and Lost....and DH....etc. I don't watch AI, but she has asked me to this year. Exactly what I need. 2 more hours of TV per week.) Anyway, I'm about 3/4 through the Half Blood Prince and by the time Dee picks it up to read, I will have forgotten details again and may have to listen for a 3rd time!!!

Butch & I are feeling MUCH better. It took about 48 hours to feel like eating again - and I lost 2 pounds - which will come back very quickly, I'm sure. Lacey is doing better, but it's obvious her body hasn't completely recovered. She's been a cranky bear the past couple of nights and it seems like she's gassy. I guess the virus is still working it's way out of her system. I hope she gets to 100% soon!