I remember a few years ago Elton John, before he had his gig at Caesar's in Vegas, had some money problems. I think he was on the brink of bankruptcy and I remember it being printed in the papers that even through his money issues he was still spending up to $250,000 on fresh flowers a year for his home.
Everone at the time was astounded and wondered how anyone with bills stacking up could afford such a luxury. He was the butt of everyone's jokes on all the late shows. I remember thinking the same thing.....who spends money when they have none on flowers? They die after a week. Why waste money on them?
I recently, like in the past year or two, have come around on the flower issue. I buy fresh flowers for my house every week. Sometimes every other if I buy those cool wild flowers that dry out instead of stink and droop. I can't imagine my house without them. They are such a simple luxury. I'm not buying roses and orchids, but sunflowers and irises this week, or carnations and tulips, what ever is in season.
I can't justify the expense other than to say that when I come into the kitchen every morning and see them sitting in the window it makes the day feel a little bit more promising. When money is tight, like it is for me now, the flowers make me a little bit more optimistic about what the day might bring and if I can still afford the flowers then things can't be that bad.
I understand Elton completely now.
Oh and I'm ordering the dress tomorrow.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Desperate for Luxury
I love, love, love, Betty Page Clothing . I have a few of their dresses already, but none as fierce as this one. It's the coolest little shop in the Miracle Mile shops at what used to be the Aladdin and is now Planet Hollywood in Vegas.
I stumbled upon their dresses this last weekend at one of my favorite little shops in Jerome AZ, the mining ghost town turned artist and biker community. I had no idea they were available other that in Vegas and online.
This dress is calling my name. It's an extravagant purchase to say the least. I mean how many places can this dress be appropriately worn? Not many and definitely not here in the arctic tundra. It would be pushing it to wear it to the 4th of July parade. It's not too much money....$116, but how many times will I be able to wear it and really I'm going to be 34 in a couple of months. Can I really pull it off for much longer?
If we were still taking bimonthly trips to Vegas, LA, San Diego, and Phoenix maybe I could get away with wearing it more often..... but a budget is a budget and this would be half my clothing allowance for the month. Is it worth it?
Almost.
Monday, April 27, 2009
The Insanity
I read Saturday morning in the paper that my new hang out---the library, was the scene of a drug bust Thursday afternoon. !!!! WTF !!!! Is that a normal thing?
I was just getting used to going there and getting past all the gross people who are hanging out out front, the weirdos who are taking classes on how to use Windows, and the dirty snot nosed children who are there for story hour and then this happens.
I guess that explains the gross people hanging out out front. They were just there to buy drugs, but will they really be gone now that they busted the kids that were dealing the stuff?
I'm not sure I am going to be able to get over this. I'm going to just have to buckle down and make more money so that I can start buying my books again. Or why don't they have a Netflix for books? Is there such a thing and I just don't know about it?
I was started to get a little miffed at the library anyway. It's all fine and dandy to go there with nothing in mind and just browse the aisles and see what you can find that is interesting, but if I was ever looking for something in particular it was either already checked out with a 2 month long waiting list, or not in the library, or was something vaguely similar that was printed pre-1970. I went thru my ever growing Amazon list and found only 2 books that were at the library and, you guessed it, they were already checked out.
I can say I gave it a good try, but I don't think I am a convert to the "awesomeness" of the library.
I was just getting used to going there and getting past all the gross people who are hanging out out front, the weirdos who are taking classes on how to use Windows, and the dirty snot nosed children who are there for story hour and then this happens.
I guess that explains the gross people hanging out out front. They were just there to buy drugs, but will they really be gone now that they busted the kids that were dealing the stuff?
I'm not sure I am going to be able to get over this. I'm going to just have to buckle down and make more money so that I can start buying my books again. Or why don't they have a Netflix for books? Is there such a thing and I just don't know about it?
I was started to get a little miffed at the library anyway. It's all fine and dandy to go there with nothing in mind and just browse the aisles and see what you can find that is interesting, but if I was ever looking for something in particular it was either already checked out with a 2 month long waiting list, or not in the library, or was something vaguely similar that was printed pre-1970. I went thru my ever growing Amazon list and found only 2 books that were at the library and, you guessed it, they were already checked out.
I can say I gave it a good try, but I don't think I am a convert to the "awesomeness" of the library.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Upturn to the Downturn?
I've gotten 2 phone calls this week for new projects. I will of course turn them down, but I thought that it was interesting that there are people out there who are finally getting loans to build. These were not commercial projects either. They were spec residential, small scale, but still residential.
Things might be looking up. I'm going to take it as a definite sign that things are done going down and going to finally turn up.
For me it's kind of bittersweet. I hate turning the stuff down because I want the money so badly. But I can't wait for that day in the not too distant future when I will be free and clear of everything architecture related. I've got 2 projects still out there in limbo that need to be finished and then I will be done.
What would just be icing on the cake would be if I could rent out my office and get out from underneath that payment. That will be the true sign of the upturn....when I can find someone who can afford the $800/month rent. That's right I had to talk to landlord down from the insane $1200 that I've been paying for the last 2 years. I finally made him realize that in this economy there is no one who is going to pay $1200 for 400 sq ft. I'm keeping my fingers crossed one renting it.
Oh and thanks for the responses on who you are that are reading this........as if. I'm being sarcastic. No one identified themselves. What am I? your guilty pleasure?
That's cool. I guess it's just good to know you're out there.
Things might be looking up. I'm going to take it as a definite sign that things are done going down and going to finally turn up.
For me it's kind of bittersweet. I hate turning the stuff down because I want the money so badly. But I can't wait for that day in the not too distant future when I will be free and clear of everything architecture related. I've got 2 projects still out there in limbo that need to be finished and then I will be done.
What would just be icing on the cake would be if I could rent out my office and get out from underneath that payment. That will be the true sign of the upturn....when I can find someone who can afford the $800/month rent. That's right I had to talk to landlord down from the insane $1200 that I've been paying for the last 2 years. I finally made him realize that in this economy there is no one who is going to pay $1200 for 400 sq ft. I'm keeping my fingers crossed one renting it.
Oh and thanks for the responses on who you are that are reading this........as if. I'm being sarcastic. No one identified themselves. What am I? your guilty pleasure?
That's cool. I guess it's just good to know you're out there.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Random Shit
That's right I said shit. I've been keeping contained for a while, trying to keep it clean and appeal to everyone, but I've decided that I need to let it out.
Today I wanted to write a few more things you may or not know about me. There are 10 of you out there. Ten regular people who I may or may not know who read this thing whenever I post something new. It would be nice if you would identify yourselves. I know who a couple of you are, but the rest are a mystery. So here it goes. This will be much like the 25 things from facebook, only I don't know how far I will go in numbers and these are more like dirty little secrets and not general knowledge.
1. My husband has a concealed carry gun permit. It's the hottest thing in the world when he carries his gun. He looks a little like James Bond and a little like a gangster. It's kind of cool that what we do is just a little bit dangerous and he needs the gun to protect us. Kind of like a cowboy.
2. I have really big boobs. Seriously I wear a 34DDD (or 34E)bra. I love them to death, but bras are terribly expensive when they are that big. I have to special order them online and they are usually around $100 a pop. The only thing I don't like about them is that whenever I get my picture taken and it's from the waist up, I look like I weigh about 160 lbs. I am very heavy on top and in photos if you don't get my tiny little legs in the picture it looks like I'm heavy all the way down. I only weigh 135lbs. The boobs just make me look heavier.
3. I am somewhat of a hermit. I am a very private person, but will tell anything and everything to you on this blog, on Facebook, Twitter, etc. I hate talking on the phone. I don't have any close friends who I speak to regularly face to face, but have several people who are friends that I only speak to online. I don't like dinner parties, playdates, or birthday parties. I like to hang out with people only on a 1-1basis and can't stand group situations. I love my children, but can't really stand anyone else's. Most people interpret all this as me being a bitch, but I'm the kind of person who likes to just hang out with my immediate family, read books, and watch movies. I just like to keep to myself.
4. I have a potty mouth. I have since I met my husband and I picked it up from him and I've never let it go. I swear a lot. My kids swear (even the 3 year old says WTF). I can't hide it any longer. Sometime when I'm writing it feels like it's not me since I'm not adding all the fucks, shits, and hells. There is also a fair amount of butt, fart and boobie running commentary and jokes in our house.
5. Between my husband and I, we have about $47,000 in credit card debt. I've been wanting to get that out there, but been reluctant. It's a great secret of mine. But in order to overcome it I have to admit to it. I pay over the minimums every month, but it still hangs over my head like black cloud. I would guess about 25% of that is us living beyond our means.....clothing and vacation stuff. But the rest is just normal stuff that with our erratic incomes sometimes we just don't have the cash to fix the septic system, pay for dental work, buy glasses, pay the property taxes, starting up the architectural firm, etc. There is some of that that we are still paying for from when the little one spent her first week of life in the NICU. That shit ain't cheap. I've recently come to the conclusion that we can't keep living like this .....hence my budget. We haven't really charged anythign new in like a year, so that balance is down from what it used to be. According to my calcualtions if we can just not use the cards anymore, at the rate we're going I should have them all paid off by Sept 2012!!
I think that's it for today. The little one is bugging me to come play with her, the laundry is calling my name, and the entire upstairs needs a good dusting.
Now that you all know a little bit more about me. Tell me who you are.
Today I wanted to write a few more things you may or not know about me. There are 10 of you out there. Ten regular people who I may or may not know who read this thing whenever I post something new. It would be nice if you would identify yourselves. I know who a couple of you are, but the rest are a mystery. So here it goes. This will be much like the 25 things from facebook, only I don't know how far I will go in numbers and these are more like dirty little secrets and not general knowledge.
1. My husband has a concealed carry gun permit. It's the hottest thing in the world when he carries his gun. He looks a little like James Bond and a little like a gangster. It's kind of cool that what we do is just a little bit dangerous and he needs the gun to protect us. Kind of like a cowboy.
2. I have really big boobs. Seriously I wear a 34DDD (or 34E)bra. I love them to death, but bras are terribly expensive when they are that big. I have to special order them online and they are usually around $100 a pop. The only thing I don't like about them is that whenever I get my picture taken and it's from the waist up, I look like I weigh about 160 lbs. I am very heavy on top and in photos if you don't get my tiny little legs in the picture it looks like I'm heavy all the way down. I only weigh 135lbs. The boobs just make me look heavier.
3. I am somewhat of a hermit. I am a very private person, but will tell anything and everything to you on this blog, on Facebook, Twitter, etc. I hate talking on the phone. I don't have any close friends who I speak to regularly face to face, but have several people who are friends that I only speak to online. I don't like dinner parties, playdates, or birthday parties. I like to hang out with people only on a 1-1basis and can't stand group situations. I love my children, but can't really stand anyone else's. Most people interpret all this as me being a bitch, but I'm the kind of person who likes to just hang out with my immediate family, read books, and watch movies. I just like to keep to myself.
4. I have a potty mouth. I have since I met my husband and I picked it up from him and I've never let it go. I swear a lot. My kids swear (even the 3 year old says WTF). I can't hide it any longer. Sometime when I'm writing it feels like it's not me since I'm not adding all the fucks, shits, and hells. There is also a fair amount of butt, fart and boobie running commentary and jokes in our house.
5. Between my husband and I, we have about $47,000 in credit card debt. I've been wanting to get that out there, but been reluctant. It's a great secret of mine. But in order to overcome it I have to admit to it. I pay over the minimums every month, but it still hangs over my head like black cloud. I would guess about 25% of that is us living beyond our means.....clothing and vacation stuff. But the rest is just normal stuff that with our erratic incomes sometimes we just don't have the cash to fix the septic system, pay for dental work, buy glasses, pay the property taxes, starting up the architectural firm, etc. There is some of that that we are still paying for from when the little one spent her first week of life in the NICU. That shit ain't cheap. I've recently come to the conclusion that we can't keep living like this .....hence my budget. We haven't really charged anythign new in like a year, so that balance is down from what it used to be. According to my calcualtions if we can just not use the cards anymore, at the rate we're going I should have them all paid off by Sept 2012!!
I think that's it for today. The little one is bugging me to come play with her, the laundry is calling my name, and the entire upstairs needs a good dusting.
Now that you all know a little bit more about me. Tell me who you are.
Lash Stilletto Review
I don't wear a lot of makeup. I'm a mascara and powder compact kind of gal. I usually wear the stuff in the pink and green tube. I can't remember the name of it. It's the best stuff on earth and I've never found anything that works better, lasts longer, washes off easier.
Then I saw the commercial for the Lash Stilletto. It is a cool commercial and a super cool name so I thought I'd give it a try knowing full well that it is impossible to beat the pink and green. So here is what I've found.......
It works just like they say it will. You just keep brushing it on your lashes over and over and over again and they will extend and look long and beautiful. There is no clumping and the brush does a good job of catching every single lash. My lashes looked fabulous.
The down side is that it is not an all day mascara. If I put it on in the am, by 4:00 all of the long extended lash tips have broken off and are scattered around my eyes like black glitter. I don't think I am rubbing my eyes, the tips just fall off during normal wear and tear.
My recommendation for the Lash Stilletto is that you only put it on at night for going out. Maybe that's what it's for to begin with, but it is not an everyday allday kind of mascara. Great stuff, does what it says it will, but it rubs off like a temporary tattoo.
Then I saw the commercial for the Lash Stilletto. It is a cool commercial and a super cool name so I thought I'd give it a try knowing full well that it is impossible to beat the pink and green. So here is what I've found.......
It works just like they say it will. You just keep brushing it on your lashes over and over and over again and they will extend and look long and beautiful. There is no clumping and the brush does a good job of catching every single lash. My lashes looked fabulous.
The down side is that it is not an all day mascara. If I put it on in the am, by 4:00 all of the long extended lash tips have broken off and are scattered around my eyes like black glitter. I don't think I am rubbing my eyes, the tips just fall off during normal wear and tear.
My recommendation for the Lash Stilletto is that you only put it on at night for going out. Maybe that's what it's for to begin with, but it is not an everyday allday kind of mascara. Great stuff, does what it says it will, but it rubs off like a temporary tattoo.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Mix and Match
So it's the 16th and I'm already out of money for the month except for the gas category. I can drive anywhere. I just can't spend anything once I get there.
All the kids are growing out of the clothes I bought them just a couple of months ago, and the little one who just turned three has the luck to be the only girl with 2 older brothers which means she never gets any hand-me-downs, which means every season she has to have a boatload of new clothes. Fun? Yes. Expensive? Usually.
My favorite places to shop for her include: Target, Khols and Old Navy. All 3 of which usually have displays where anything on the tables are $4-6 each and you can mix and match a wide assortment of shirts, skirts, pants and shorts. They all go together, they are all cheap, somewhat cute, and so affordable. Even if you were color blind you couldn't go wrong picking an outfit from the display.
She always looks amazing and if you throw in a little flair to shake up the outfit a little she looks super cool. I am always amazed at this strange way to assemble an outfit and have often wondered why it can't be the same for women's clothes? I would love to be able to just walk up to a tiered display and pick out 4 shirts, 2 pairs of pants and a couple of skirts and some leggings and be good to go for a season.
I'm not sure if Old Navy and Target are supposed to work like this for the women's department. Their clothes are not cut well and have a poor fit, and the qualiity leaves much to be desired. But what if you could make a clothing line for women that really worked like the kids clothes? I wouldn't shop anywhere else.
All the kids are growing out of the clothes I bought them just a couple of months ago, and the little one who just turned three has the luck to be the only girl with 2 older brothers which means she never gets any hand-me-downs, which means every season she has to have a boatload of new clothes. Fun? Yes. Expensive? Usually.
My favorite places to shop for her include: Target, Khols and Old Navy. All 3 of which usually have displays where anything on the tables are $4-6 each and you can mix and match a wide assortment of shirts, skirts, pants and shorts. They all go together, they are all cheap, somewhat cute, and so affordable. Even if you were color blind you couldn't go wrong picking an outfit from the display.
She always looks amazing and if you throw in a little flair to shake up the outfit a little she looks super cool. I am always amazed at this strange way to assemble an outfit and have often wondered why it can't be the same for women's clothes? I would love to be able to just walk up to a tiered display and pick out 4 shirts, 2 pairs of pants and a couple of skirts and some leggings and be good to go for a season.
I'm not sure if Old Navy and Target are supposed to work like this for the women's department. Their clothes are not cut well and have a poor fit, and the qualiity leaves much to be desired. But what if you could make a clothing line for women that really worked like the kids clothes? I wouldn't shop anywhere else.
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