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Archive for July, 2007

Nice Day Sunday

July 30th, 2007 at 03:54 pm

I had a really nice day Sunday. A friend came over and we did some sewing.

I worked on my quilt - got the borders on and the quilt basted. I used spray glue rather than basting it which sent my friend into a tizzy - what with her being a traditionalist and all that. I started the quilting but didn't get very far with that even though I was doing it on the machine.. too much fun chatting!

I made a dip yesterday using "fresh cheese" aka quark and a dip mix. The quark was very low fat (.25%) and tasted delciously rich - a splurge compared to sour cream on price but wwayyyyyyyy better than fat free sour cream in taste (then again isn't everythin better than that stuff). Delicious with fresh crudites.

Proof people have too much time on their hands these days

July 28th, 2007 at 04:06 pm

Look at your own risk.

Text is http://www.tamponcrafts.com/ and Link is
http://www.tamponcrafts.com/

Though I guess this is frugal if you have reached "that time of life" and have extra supplies on hand.

The danger of impulse buys described in detail

July 28th, 2007 at 03:54 am

I friend sent me this link a while back. It illustrates wonderfully the danger of buying a toy you don't really need because it is a good price.

Text is http://tinyurl.com/6tbs and Link is
http://tinyurl.com/6tbs



So don't buy toys you don't need. Or you too could be facing what this poor man faced in the wee hours of the night.

A nice evening .. almost priceless.. well not quite...

July 28th, 2007 at 03:29 am

Dinner with friends tonight was nice. I didn't drink much as I had the car - kept to a half of Strongbow (I just realised lately that Strongbow is cider .. no one said I'm quick), diet coke to chase it with and a lovely beef pie with a side of garlicy veggies.

.. All while enjoying a non humid not too hot evening on a patio in the Bloor West Village area of the city with a group of friends, mostly ones I've known a while but a couple new faces too me. Bloor West Village is a very nice upper class, historically European area with a small town feel. The bar we were at used to be a post office and has that boxy feel to it!

A fun night with friends enjoying a summer night - priceless. Well okay not priceless but a great use of $20

Friday Meanderings

July 27th, 2007 at 08:57 pm

Went at lunch time to the bank to get out cash and then to the grocery store to pick up a sandwich.

Hint: The grocery store is a great place to get lunch usually for a better price than the local restaurant!

Then went to the drugstore to get some coffee. Was the last day for the sale on the 1KG of Folgers for $4.99 - So I picked up two containers - that's a pretty good price! And making coffee every morning I seem to fly through coffee - but one will last me three weeks or so - and three or four coffee's from take out will run the $5 easy...

Heading out to dinner with a bunch of girlfriends and then maybe to visit a friend after.

Thinking of Finances

July 27th, 2007 at 03:00 am

I so need to sit down this weekend and do some thinking and planning with my finances. Nothing that will take a long time. Just maintenance to get me to my goals.

Wondering if after a couple days of market crashes I should be reviewing my investments (all mutual funds). I think it has been a while.

Nice spending day today. A coworker brought in Bagels and cheese and I had that for lunch! And I got a huge work project out the door.

Hump Day and Bad Joke

July 26th, 2007 at 04:01 am

Not a lot to say today. The cough syrup I'm taking works very well but it is pretty potent stuff so I'm quite mellow.

For the third year in a row A and I have booked out tickets for dinner theatre. We go go midweek so its an excellent deal for some good shows!

I have some coupon trains to move along.

This bad and slightly off colour joke has been amusing me today (sort of financially related as it talks about a special price)


The Newfie saw the sign at the restaurant.

It read.... Happy hour special:
Lobster Tail & Beer.
$6.50

"Lard 'Tunderin' Jaises !" he says to himself,

"Me tree favourite tings".


Health Update

July 25th, 2007 at 04:10 am

Finally went to the doc's about my never ending (okay three week long)cough and got some killer prescription cough syrup and some antibiotics. He said that three weeks was away long enough and he was willing to help!

We talked about weight issues and potential ways of treating it. I want to start looking into that in Sept and will go back at end of August to meet with him about that.

Filled the prescription at the pharmacy. My copay - 10% of the cost came out to about $5. Thank goodness for a good drug plan that pays 80%. No charge for the doctor's visit of course!

Tuesday

July 24th, 2007 at 01:25 pm

Other than a conference call that lasted 66 minutes yesterday it was a good day. I didn't plan well for the conference call. Normally I have a paper or newspaper flyers to pass the time (all other people in the call were in different cities) but this time I had nothing to distract me while a couple of call participants aired their umm "slight" difference of opinion.

The date was nice. We went to a local pub. Tried strongbow cider for the first time. Quite a nice light drink.

I realised that I'm now no longer paying a couple of payroll taxes. So on the agenda this week is deciding what do with that money. I think it is going to go into the emergency fund but I'm not 100% decided - it might go towards retirement instead.

quilting sunday

July 23rd, 2007 at 04:40 am

Felt better today than yesterday so actually got some stuff done - and didn't go out so other than money for laundry (I don't have my own machine) I didn't spend.

I did work on a quilt top. I still have to add borders but this is what I got done today.



I think I'll add a small blue border in the same shade as the butterfly material and then a larger purple (the darker colour in the quilt is purple and not blue) border. and then bind in a pink and light blue material for some "zip".

But that's tomorrow's decision

Friday update

July 20th, 2007 at 01:01 pm

Yesterday was a good day. Brought coffee to work and lunch was on the company that manages our building - they did a tenant appreciation bbq so FREE LUNCH, LOL.

Stopped at the grocery store on the way home and splurged on some $1.99 raspberries (I don't have a garden) and a couple necessities. Bill was less than $5 - yeah me for not buying extra stuff cause it was on "special".

Spent last night chatting with some friends then actually spent some time around the house so that it looked like a home rather than a hovel. After putting stuff away, some bathroom cleaning, dishes and vacuuming I'm proud to say it looks much better. Likely not up to good housekeeping standards but they ain't likely to visit my humble abode anyways.

I have a date tonight after work with S. Looking forward to it. Our schedules didn't work last weekend so I haven't seen him for a couple of weeks! Rest of the weekend will be quiet. I have had a cold and been pretty busy so this is good! Quiet rocks!

Heading to work today

July 18th, 2007 at 01:06 pm

After being home for a day and a half I think the worst of my cold is done and I'm heading back to work today.

It will be a spend day. I haven't had the energy to cook and I need to head to the drug store for more sinutab to keep the ole nasal passages clear

Hopefully I can get what I need done and get home at a decent time. I'm salaried so I can sneak out early if my desk is under control. I don't think it will happen but I have my fantasies.

Got a cold

July 17th, 2007 at 04:54 am

Went into work today. Really had trouble getting going so ended up splurging for a coffee and bagel at Timmies.

Realised by lunch that I wasn't up to work. So on the way home stopped at the liquor store and the grocery store and got the makings for a hot brandy (I'm weird) toddy.

Spent more than i wanted to but the hot toddies do seem to help.

I'm hoping I can go to work tomorrow. I am not sure i can based on how i feel today. Thank goodness I'm salaried and get sick days.

Y

Camping this weekend.

July 16th, 2007 at 06:45 am

Went camping with friends this weekend.

I detest that the fact that camping includes substandard toilets. Frankly I'll go squat in the woods before I want to use an outhouse or one of those "quasi" real stinky excuses for a toilet that they supply in those types of places.

Other than that the camping was a blast. Friends took care of food for me (had the most amazing BBQ jerk pork on saturday night and the best breakfast of eggs with salsa, sausage and bacon for breakfast! The food was better than most fancy restaurants!

The company was good too! Caught up with old friends. Made new friends. Life was very good!

The weather was typical camping weather. Poured Saturday afternoon but was nice for partying on Saturday night. Sunday was gorgeous!

The drive there and back was nice. Though others had issues with directions they worked perfectly for me for once.

2 days in a row

July 12th, 2007 at 03:44 am

Woo Hoo

Last two days I've managed to take lunch and bring a coffee from home on the way to work.

I'm eating better and spending less which is a win win.

I'm proud of me!

Tonight's bonus was dinner at a friends house! Simple sandwiches and salad are delicious when made by someone else!

And we shared a godiva chocolate bar for dessert. Sheer luxury!

Doctor Rant, Shopping, Supper and Leftovers

July 10th, 2007 at 12:59 pm

Went to the urologist. The man was fixated on my weight. Yeah I know I need to lose weight. But please, before you lecture me on needing to lose weight please tell me more about your concern and how it relates to the scope that you are going to do on me. Just telling me I have to lose weight with *that* look on your face makes me want to seek comfort in a pint of Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream.


The good news is that I'm now booked for the scope at the local hospital in early September. A long time by US standards but not too bad - and really there is no rush for this anyways - just something I want taken care of.

After the doctor I went to the grocery store and focussed on doing a a shopping including lots of fruits and veggies. I bought a number of convenience foods and the bill shot up to $50. Yikes.

However I made a great meal of tortellini in vodka sauce, salad and fruit salad for dessert. A friend came over for dinner and we enjoyed a leisurely meal and chat on my balcony. It was a really nice night. Bonus news - 5 meals of leftovers from the bag of tortellini - Woo hoo!

Comet Sighting

July 9th, 2007 at 04:06 pm

Unfortunately it was the vomit comet from a balcony one over and a couple of floors up.

Was on the balcony enjoying the morning yesterday. Heard someone cough and then that unmistakable noise. Looked over and saw the comet aiming to the ground. Thank god none splattered into my balcony.

Then the words "oh $#%@ I drank too much"

NO? Really?

Saturday Musings

July 8th, 2007 at 12:36 am

Friday night was nice. Went out on a date with S. We had a great night. Went to a pub local to him and ended up sitting and having dinner with his neighbours. They are really nice people and the conversation was fun! And its always nice when you get treated to dinner. Makes me feel special. Sometimes you want quiet romantic but a patio on a hot friday night is perfect for socializing and enjoying so I was happy.

Today I went and got most of my hair cut off. I think I love it one minute and hate it the next minute. It was quite inexpensive at $13 and from what I can tell she did a pretty good job. This girl has trimmed my hair before so I decided I'd take the risk there rather than go to the fancy dance-y salon place that would charge like $50 for a cut.

Finally got my banking done too after that. Now I'm enjoying my new balcony furniture and a quiet Saturday night. I had asked S if he wanted to come over but he didn't respond which I took to be a no - he did though earlier ask me when I was next free for date - though with our schedules it will be a while. Oh well - I'm going camping with other friends next weekend anyways...

Cleaning Sandals.

July 6th, 2007 at 01:28 pm

I bought a very expensive pair of Merrill Sandals about a month ago. I love them. They have all the support of very good runners and look a bit dressier (they are still pretty casual but can be worn with capris or a skirt if I'm going for a casual relaxed look.

I have been wearing and wearing them and noticed that where my foot sits is getting dirty and feeling a bit ucky. So, I emailed the company and asked how to clean them. Their answer:

"On a regular basis, brush away surface dirt with a soft brush. After extended, rugged use, wash with mild soap and warm water. Be sure to rinse all the soap off as it is hydrophilic. Let it dry."

The brushing doesn't do much but washing them with soap and water cleaned them up and they feel like new. So easy but I hadn't thought of it.

Fabulous Friday

July 6th, 2007 at 01:24 pm

I'm so happy it is friday even though when I go into work I have an entire day of not so fun spreadsheet work. It has been a while since I've had the dubious pleasure of looking forward to that. Hopefully it will make the day go fast because of how detailed it is to do.

Last night and this morning I got a bunch of small things done.

* Visa bill paid off (I pay it off monthly)
* Paid Rent
* Cheques to deposit in wallet (today's chore is to deposit them)
* Swept floors
* Dished done and shinks shine (yeah flylady)

Also last night I got to sit on the balcony when I got home enjoying my new carpet and furniture out there - definitely a purchase that if I amortize by hour used is likely to turn out pretty inexpensive.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Yikes

July 5th, 2007 at 01:07 pm

Just realised I haven't paid my rent for July and that I still need to deposit cheques today. I am really not paying attention to things right now.

That has got to stop and I have to get on top of things ASAP so stuff like this doesn't keep happening.

Luckily if I pay the rent today I shouldn't get into too much trouble.. but still...

Lot of stuff for free in my mail

July 4th, 2007 at 11:18 pm

Today's mail was a veritable treasure trove of excellent mail.

I got free product coupons for the following stuff:

* Garnier Fructus Style Product
* Free Pledge Duster Plus
* Save $10 Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Cleaner
* Scrubbing Bubbles Soap Scum Remover
* So Good Soy Milk So Trim or Chocolate

And .. a $5 cheque from Pinecone.

Can I have lots more mail days like this one please?


Happy Fourth

July 4th, 2007 at 06:20 pm

To all you Americans here (likely the majority) I hope you have a happy fourth of July).

And yes we have one here in Canada too - it's the date between the third and fifth but we just don't celebrate it.

Home Early

July 4th, 2007 at 06:19 pm

I think I have some sort of virus - one that makes being at work a tad on the uncomfie side.

Stopped on the way home at the grocery store for some diet ginger ale and some apple juice - both clear liquids that are easy on the system. The bonus is that both were on sale.

Also treated myself to a 10 day bouquet of flowers (despite dating my brains out these days I'm not getting flowers other than this way - and hey, at least this way I get to pick what's prettiest to me) and a small "mum". I was going to get some roses but after asking the girl in the floral area some questions I realised she was clueless - I was asking about how to pick roses that last a long time and she admitted she had no idea. Oh well. I figured the 10 day bouquet would likely last longer after realising some of the roses in the bunches on sale were already sort of drooping just below the flowers.

I'm going to take it easy for the rest of the day.

Happy Hump Day

July 4th, 2007 at 12:56 pm

I ended up coming home early from work yesterday due to not feeling too well. I didn't get anything done on a financial note, which is unfortunate.

My goal for today is to get to the bank and deposit some money as well as to get out some cash.

I'm still struggling on the not taking lunches to work thing. I know what is doing it - my social life on the weekend is too active to do anything on that front. I never complain about a good social life but ... dang.. it does have some consequences.

Lunch out with a friend

July 1st, 2007 at 08:57 pm

Had a nice lunch out with a friend today at Swiss Chalet. Last time we went I picked up the majority of the bill and this time she balanced it by picking up the majority of it.

So a nice relaxing lunch out for $7 today and the opportunity to catch up with a good friend! Life is good!

Yeah I wasn't going to buy anything...

July 1st, 2007 at 08:55 pm

Uh huh.. yeah I know

Bought a patio set marked down to half price and a piece of indoor outdoor carpet for my balcony. My dad visited and he has a mini van and that way I was able to get the set assembled.

Looks great out on my balcony - of course today is pretty cool and its not the greatest to sit out there but it will be nice to when the weather again gets to up to those ridiculous normal summer temperatures again.

Bonus was Dad did all the cutting for the rug and helped me assemble the furniture. For an older dude he's pretty able still. He just turned 75 but he has more energy than most 55 year olds out there