tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35098745439340710722024-02-07T18:29:14.458-07:00Digging Out and UpCassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.comBlogger170125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-89631448709752041642011-06-13T08:00:00.003-06:002011-06-13T08:00:05.905-06:00If You See This On Your Blogroll...You need to update it to my WordPress location :)<br />
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<a href="http://diggingoutandup.wordpress.com/">http://diggingoutandup.wordpress.com</a>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-13068116408474007302011-05-30T12:37:00.000-06:002011-05-30T12:37:23.555-06:00The Final PostI almost feel a little sad about leaving blogger, but I think in the long run it's a good way to go.<br />
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I've published my <a href="http://diggingoutandup.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/welcome/">first real post</a> over at WordPress, it would be great if you could all update your blogrolls/readers and come check it out :)<br />
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http://diggingoutandup.wordpress.com/<br />
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Thanks everyone for reading here, I look forward to talking with you all over at the new blog!Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-12159090367745961002011-05-27T20:15:00.000-06:002011-05-27T20:15:35.556-06:00Update<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Okay, so I am slowly figuring out how Wordpress works. I’m glad, because I was SOOOO confused when I opened the account! I actually opened it back in January, but after a frustrating evening trying to sort things out with it, I resigned myself to being technologically inept and went back to just writing blogger posts. As of today I have a test post up, and a header that I’ll be happy with after just a little tweaking :)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I’ll have to figure out if there is a way of moving my archive over to my new blog, I don’t want to be orphaning my posts over here.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Speaking of posts, I finally got off my butt last night and submitted a post for Moneyville’s Next Blogger contest! Fingers crossed I’ll make it into the top four, but I know I’m up against some pretty stiff competition. The whole pf community is full of very talented and entertaining writers. If my post doesn’t make it, I’ll throw it up on my blog for everyone to read anyway.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Boy gave me some gas money for my car yesterday. I’ll admit, it was kind of uncomfortable with accepting the money. I understand where he was coming from, we live on opposite ends of the city and I’ve been the one driving back and forth. I drive a Smart Car and he drives a big F-150; with the price of fuel being as high as it is it’s much MUCH cheaper for me to drive there than it is for him to come pick me up. It’s probably a pride thing for me, but I don’t want to take money from people when I’m not working. It feels too much like a hand out. It’s especially awkward, because his dad asks me whether or not I’ve found a job yet every time I see him. I REALLY don’t want to be taking money right now. *sigh* On the plus side, when I filled up my car I “won” $5 worth of fuel for my next fill up. Ka-ching.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I went in for round two of of the interview process yesterday. It was kind of like being on Canadian/American Idol, I sat on one side of the table, and the 3 judges sat on the other side. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Dun dun duuuuuuuhhhhh...</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As much as I expected it to be nerve wracking, it actually wasn’t that bad. It was the recruiter I had talked to on Tuesday, the hiring manager who looks after the reporting that goes out, and the manager that looks after the technical content of the reports. Towards the end of the interview the hiring manager explained that usually if they like a candidate, they’ll invite them back for a 3rd interview to tour the facilities, and leave the candidate alone with some Engineers so that they can ask questions without the pressure of the manager standing right there. They said they’d let me know by noon today.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Well, I wasn’t even out of the building yet yesterday before one of the managers waved me back to his office to pick a date and time for the 3rd interview! I go in Monday morning for round three!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I’m so happy :D</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Anyway, that’s what is new in my corner of the world. Hope everyone has a great weekend!</span></div>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-4418934563369724712011-05-26T18:41:00.000-06:002011-05-26T18:41:49.056-06:00Moving Day?<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I was supposed to be meeting a friend for coffee 45 minutes ago, but she hasn't shown up yet, and she's not answering her phone.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Oh well.</div><br />
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I am sitting in what is quite possible the most cliched blog writing location out there, Starbucks, fighting with Blogger again. I'm pretty much ready to give it the old heave ho. I'm not going to stop writing, I'm just going to give blogger the boot.<br />
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It's going to take me a bit to figure the site out, but I'll be moving over to Wordpress shortly. When the move is complete, you'll be able to find me <a href="http://diggingoutandup.wordpress.com/">here</a>.<br />
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Please bear with me, I'll try to get back to posting ASAP :)Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-38486533641343902922011-05-26T10:51:00.000-06:002011-05-26T10:51:13.472-06:00Google DiariesSo, when was the last time you googled yourself?<br />
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I'll raise my hand, I was doing it yesterday.<br />
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I find the stats tab on my blog (it's not public) to be absolutely fascinating. I love checking out where in the world the people who are reading this are. The last little while it's been interesting watching the key words people are finding my blog with as well. They range from the obvious:<br />
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<ul><li>digging out and up</li>
<li>digging up and out</li>
<li>up and out blog cassie</li>
</ul><br />
To the interesting:<br />
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<ul><li>clothing budget woman 60,000 a year</li>
<li>what to do if my wallet is stolen in canada</li>
<li>18007147257 busy</li>
</ul><br />
To the downright strange:<br />
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<ul><li>i don't wash my face anymore - seriously? That's how you found me?</li>
<li>the year before along - I don't know what this means?</li>
<li>the end of the - what? debt? world? ice cream cone?</li>
</ul><div>I was quite surprised when my name started showing up in people's searches, but I thought it was kind of cool. Then yesterday I noticed that someone had google searched my full name.</div><div><br />
</div><div>wtf?</div><div><br />
</div><div>I only write with my first name, and I've been working on going through and taking my last name down off my recreational internet stuff seeing as more people are reading it. So, seeing my full name typed into a search engine was a little unnerving. Anyone who knows my full name should know if they want to know something about me they can just ask. Who else would be doing it? Then it hit me. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Job recruiters.</div><div><br />
</div><div>You know that blood running cold feeling you get when you realize you may have forgotten something important? I definitely got that.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So I searched myself.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Up popped twitter, with a link to my blog, followed by LinkedIn, a newspaper article interview, a woman in the states, another blogging site, another woman in the states, a page with my parent's address on it from when I lived abroad, and so on and so forth. Surprisingly enough, no Facebook.</div><div><br />
</div><div>It was a quick, if incomplete, snapshot of me. There is nothing I'm ashamed about by any means. The only thing I can see being construed as negative is my financial position, but frankly I don't think money should be a taboo subject. If anything I think getting it out in the open helps take some of the stress out, and facilitates communication with others on how to fix the problem.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So, I feel okay for now. I should have gone through and given myself the search engine thumbs up before I started applying to places, but hind sight is 20/20.</div><div><br />
</div><div>To Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss Recruiter: HIRE ME!!! :D</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>To everyone else, have you googled yourself lately?</b></div>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-83099941189181673822011-05-25T09:05:00.000-06:002011-05-25T09:05:10.489-06:00Life Keeps Moving ForwardSo, the interview yesterday went better than anticipated. For once, it actually felt like more of a discussion than a barrage of unnecessary and somewhat confusing questions. I sat with the recruiter and chatted for close to an hour. At the end of it he said he would set up a time with the department head for a second interview. So, I have another interview scheduled for tomorrow afternoon :)<br />
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Yay!<br />
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*keep wallet in check*<br />
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I wouldn't say I'm doing better at keeping my anticipatory spending in check, I've just repurposed it. Instead of going out and buying Starbucks, a magazine, or something along those lines, I picked up my groceries instead.<br />
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Itch scratched, belly full. I still need to get rid of the itch though.<br />
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My money nerves are getting a little more raw the longer I go without a pay check. I haven't had to touch the money in my emergency savings account yet, but it's getting close. I'll have to move the money over soon.<br />
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I just want to get back to my regular debt repayment schedule. It was less stressful than this.Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-64910030804967453022011-05-24T11:15:00.000-06:002011-05-24T11:15:19.346-06:00I'm Confident?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you ever feel like your confidence isn't really there? Like that "I can do it!" spark is missing in action?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know I do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWH7NqM2bEWSmci5hS0ceFFC8iz__zBNyRvCxKOLLK_5fJcjXzHx5v-YkHvHHPeJzKPLz4Oe0skHDTQdoUQD2Af-MOiz6N4SLGHcmep_bxwS-iQYHrf8415TNx97QoBjizmq2GxQWuzF8/s1600/ar5m65t64y2sqt1md9jz.gif.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWH7NqM2bEWSmci5hS0ceFFC8iz__zBNyRvCxKOLLK_5fJcjXzHx5v-YkHvHHPeJzKPLz4Oe0skHDTQdoUQD2Af-MOiz6N4SLGHcmep_bxwS-iQYHrf8415TNx97QoBjizmq2GxQWuzF8/s1600/ar5m65t64y2sqt1md9jz.gif.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWH7NqM2bEWSmci5hS0ceFFC8iz__zBNyRvCxKOLLK_5fJcjXzHx5v-YkHvHHPeJzKPLz4Oe0skHDTQdoUQD2Af-MOiz6N4SLGHcmep_bxwS-iQYHrf8415TNx97QoBjizmq2GxQWuzF8/s1600/ar5m65t64y2sqt1md9jz.gif.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a>I had 2 job interviews last week, and I have another one at 2pm today. Any of the positions I'm interviewing for would be a great job. One is in construction, one is in oil and gas, and one is in manufacturing. They're all a little different from each other, but all connected to my educational background. They would all would be quite interesting as well. While I should be walking into these with the confident strut of someone who KNOWS they can do they job, which I can, I find that my personal air cushion is distinctly lacking. Like I have a pin hole in my ego. I feel like I come across fake, which is frustrating for me because I've never had this problem before. What's troubling, is that I'm not entirely sure why I'm wavering. Is it because I'm still hung up on my experiences at my previous employer? Or is it because moving forward I'm having a hard time picturing myself in my current career path? Is that because of my recent experiences? I don't know.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How am I supposed to walk into an interview and try to sell myself to a prospective employer, when I haven't even sold myself to me?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've got just under 3 hours to psych myself up and become the best sales person I can be. The company wants my product, they just don't know it yet. Its time they knew it.</div><br />
All else fails, does anyone want to "help" me in my interview like the one in this video? If so let me know, because I'm completely down for it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/HKV0QuQsonk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-47516884404831966442011-05-23T08:00:00.000-06:002011-05-23T08:00:00.177-06:00Holiday Weekend Link LoveThere were some great posts around the blogosphere lately, I wish I could post them all! These were my highlights this week:<br />
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Money Rabbit <a href="http://www.moneyrabbit.ca/2011/05/16/i-ate-my-5k-for-breakfast-because-i-am-awesome/">finishes her 5k in under 30 minutes</a>! Congratulations girl :)<br />
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Krystal shows us <a href="http://www.givemebackmyfivebucks.com/2011/05/17/how-i-plan-on-destroying-my-mortgage/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GiveMeBackMyFiveBucks+%28Give+Me+Back+My+Five+Bucks%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">how she plans on demolishing her mortgage</a>. I wish I was in a better place financially, our mortgages are almost identical and I think we could race ;)<br />
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Fabulously Frugirl shows how <a href="http://fabulouslyfrugirl.wordpress.com/2011/05/17/a-free-car-costs-me-2900/">a free car isn't exactly free</a>.<br />
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Cents of a Country Girl breaks down <a href="http://centsofacountrygirl.wordpress.com/2011/05/18/the-costs-of-farming/">the cost of farming</a> an acre of soy. It's not glamourous work, but someone has to do it. Thank you ACG for doing it!<br />
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Morgaine ends her <a href="http://morgaineandmoney.blogspot.com/2011/05/bi-weekly-spending-post-apr-28-may-12.html">biweekly budget in the black</a>! W00T little successes!<br />
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J$ write about <a href="http://www.budgetsaresexy.com/2011/05/13-clever-ways-to-save-more-money/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+budgetsaresexy+%28Budgets+are+Sexy.%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">more clever ways to save money</a>. Lots of good ideas in the comments section too!<br />
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Paying Myself posted a video of a <a href="http://payingmyself.wordpress.com/2011/05/20/feeling-pretty-good-right-now/#comment-1368">little girl with right idea</a>. Everyone should spend more time doing what this little girl is doing!<br />
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Sandy at Yes I Am Cheap finally <a href="http://yesiamcheap.com/2011/05/losing-my-tenant-from-hell/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+yesiamcheap+%28Yes%2C+I+Am+Cheap%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">got rid of her tenant from hell</a>!<br />
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SheBloggs had a bunch of great posts this week, but her one on <a href="http://www.shebloggs.com/things-i-wish-i-knew-before-starting-a-business/">starting a business</a> was my favourite. Point #1 is especially important!<br />
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Echo wrote a post on <a href="http://www.boomerandecho.com/criteria-for-selecting-a-dividend-growth-stock/">selecting a dividend growth stock</a> that I'll be revisiting again when I have some money to invest!Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-72335007397103598332011-05-22T08:00:00.059-06:002011-05-22T08:00:02.795-06:00Is Anybody Out There?If you are reading this, I'll take that as evidence enough that the world didn't end <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/end-of-world-may-21-2011-4">yesterday at 6pm</a>.<br />
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Awesome.<br />
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As evidenced by the fact that I'm writing this post, I obviously didn't fall into the believer camp. The bible says no one but the Father knows when the world will end, so why should I believe one guy who says based on an arbitrary numerical calculation that he knows when its going to happen? Sure, the numbers 5, 10 and 17 may have biblical significance, but so does 3. Why wasn't 3 included in the calculation?<br />
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I was quite amused by the rolling earthquake at 6pm local time. I'd like to point out, at least from a physics perspective, that shockwaves aren't unidirectional. And besides, if God doesn't want us to know when the end is coming, do you think he'd let it happen on a day that's been so heavily advertised? Personally, if I was to plan a surprise and someone went around announcing it, I'd pick it up and move it a couple days. Just saying.<br />
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Its interesting to note that the same fellow has made this prediction before, only last time it was <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=judgment-day-math-the-numbers-behin-2011-05-19">September 1994</a>. I kind of feel bad for<a href="http://www.prophecynewsheadlines.com/2011/05/14/new-york-man-spends-life-savings-ahead-of-may-21-doomsday/"> Robert Fitzpatrick</a>, the guy spent his life savings on placards for New York subway cars announcing that yesterday was the end of the world. He's 60 years old, and now he has nothing left. You would think there would be some way to protect people from themselves, but there isn't. Mr. Fitzpatrick has no money left, I (among others) have large debts, and someone else out there is laughing all the way to the bank.<br />
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Bugger.<br />
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But, I'm not going to dwell on this today. In fact, I'm going to forget about it entirely. It's a long weekend, it's beautiful outside, my parents are visiting from out of province, and I'm spending time with them and a wonderful man. Life is still going, and its good.<br />
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Have a good Sunday everyone :)Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-83332837795233409312011-05-21T08:00:00.001-06:002011-05-21T08:00:03.977-06:00I'm No Weed EaterI have declared war on my lawn.<br />
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Specifically, I've declared war on the plants that think they should inhabit my lawn.<br />
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As I've mentioned before, I bought my home in foreclosure. It was not well cared for, and that extended to the lawn. You know when you look at a neighbourhood of nicely manicured lawns, and then you come across one that no one is caring for and let go? I bought "that house". Yay. Didn't really think about that at the time, because it was October/November and I looked at it in the evening.<br />
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Last spring I was welcomed by a sea of yellow dandelions and prickly thistle. I attacked them with fervour, digging them out, using chemical weed killers, and going so far as pulling the sod right up and reseeding the ground.<br />
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This spring their numbers have been greatly reduced, and the plants are much smaller/younger. The grass I put in last year is struggling, and is mostly brown. As much as its an eye sore, it's made it surprisingly simple to locate the weeds as they're coming up. This year I actually have fewer weeds than my neighbours :)<br />
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I wasn't a huge fan of using the chemicals last year. Its expensive, and it goes against a lot of my green beliefs, so I looked up a bunch of frugal green to do with weeds.<br />
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<ol><li><b>Pull Them Out!</b> - The frustrating thing about dandelions and thistle is that they have tap roots. Basically, they're carrot shaped roots that dig deep into your lawn. Even if you run a lawn mower over them and cut off the flowers, they'll come back year after year because you haven't killed the plant itself. If you can get yourself a weed puller and pull that sucker right out of the ground, you'll be much better off. Bag it and chuck it in the garbage so the seeds don't spill out on the ground as the plant dies.</li>
<li><b>Boiling Water</b> - This does for weeds what it does for vegetables, it cooks them. This would work quite well along sidewalks and under patios, where you don't want anything growing. Be careful in other areas, because it doesn't cook selectively. It cooks the animal life as well, which is why people use it on ant hills.</li>
<li><b>Vinegar</b> - It's an acid, and plants don't like acid. Some like acidic soil, sure, but they don't like acid on them. Think acid rain. Again, this isn't selective, so be careful with it. I read somewhere that if you mix a little dish soap in it the vinegar will stick to the plant better. Spray it on the leaves of the plant. Most plants are shaped in such a way that moisture will funnel its way from the leaves to the base of the plant, which helps nicely in the weed killing department.</li>
<li><b>Salt</b> - There is a reason soldiers used to salt the earth of their enemies. If you salt the earth, nothing will grow there for quite some time. As with the boiling water, this will work well for areas you don't want any plant life, such as sidewalks. Mix it in the boiling water and you've hit the weeds with a one two punch.</li>
<li><b>Alcohol</b> - It dehydrates you, and it will dehydrate plants. Spray it on the surface and let it shrivel. Note that you'll need to use rubbing alcohol for this, not beer.</li>
<li><b>Corn Gluten</b> - This doesn't actually kill weeds, this just prevents weed seeds from sprouting and taking over. While you're doing your thing taking care of the weeds in your lawn, sprinkle some of this on the ground to prevent other people's weed seeds from taking root. Note that you should make sure you don't intend on over seeding afterwards, as it will prevent grass seed from taking root as well.</li>
<li><b>Eat Them</b> - You read that right. Dandelions were originally brought over from Europe by the Spaniards to plant in their gardens. Being a non-local species, they kind of took off... and you know the rest. The plant is edible. I've seen deep fried flowers, dandelion greens in salads (get them young or they turn bitter), or greens steamed like spinach or swiss chard. I've actually seen it for sale at my local organic grocer. Sadly, I am severely allergic to them. If I get their milky white liquid on me, I start reacting. If you're not, and you haven't put anything on them, try eating them. You might lower your grocery bill.</li>
</ol><div><b>How do you deal with your weeds?</b></div>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-88813241144010052922011-05-20T10:46:00.000-06:002011-05-20T10:46:39.521-06:00I Love Samples and FreebiesReally, I do! They've been helping my budget tremendously in the personal care department. Just in the last week alone off the top of my head I've used:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Philosophy Senorita Margarita Shower Gel - <i>Sephora sample, used up.</i></li>
<li>Ojon Reverse Restorative Shampoo and Conditioner - <i>Gift bag samples, used up.</i></li>
<li>B.Kamins Sunbar SPF 30 - <i>Sephora sample, several days worth left (face only).</i></li>
<li>La Mer Moisturizer - <i>Deluxe sample, can easily stretch it a couple weeks in warm weather.</i></li>
</ul><div>None of which I have budget room for at the moment. I've been working my way through my stash of body products in my bathroom (I started a while ago), and I'm actually starting to get to the end of the stash in some areas! It's very gratifying, the underside of my sink no longer looks like a war zone, but at the same time it means that when I do start getting pay checks again the first one is going to have some personal care shopping on it.</div><div><br />
</div><div>But, since I don't know when that will actually happen *sigh*, I'm going to stretch as long as I can on the samples and freebies :) I still have:</div><div><ul><li>Josie Maran Argan Oil - <i>Sephora sample, several days worth</i></li>
<li>Korres Wild Rose Mask - <i>Sephora sample, several days worth</i></li>
<li>Clinique City Block Sunscreen - <i>Sephora sample, several days worth</i></li>
<li>Kevin Murphy Easy Rider Styling lotion - <i>Gift bag sample, one use</i></li>
<li>Bamboo Shine Shampoo, Conditioner and Cream - <i>Gift bag sample, one use</i></li>
<li><s>frizz</s> Shampoo and Conditioner - <i>Gift bag sample, one use</i></li>
<li>Bumble and Bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner - <i>Gift bag sample, one use</i></li>
<li>Amika Oil Treatment for Hair - <i>Gift bag sample, one use</i></li>
<li>Phyto Repair Serum for Hair - <i>Gift bag sample, one use</i></li>
<li>Head & Shoulders 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner - <i>P&G sample, small bottle</i></li>
<li>Olay 2-in-1 Daily Facial Cloth -<i> P&G sample, one use</i></li>
<li>Crest 3D White Strips - <i>P&G sample, one use</i></li>
<li>Crest 3D White Toothpaste - <i>P&G sample, two uses</i></li>
<li>Glide Pro Health Dental Floss - <i>P&G sample, two uses</i></li>
<li>Pringles Baked Wheat Sticks - <i>P&G sample, one use</i></li>
<li>Too Faced Eye Love Pallet - <i>500 point Sephora perk, full 8 shade pallet</i></li>
<li>Givenchy Play Eau de Toilette - <i>100 point Sephora perk, 5ml</i></li>
</ul><div>If my hair wasn't long I would probably be able to get multiple washes out of each sample, but it is. I'll get multiple out of the Head & Shoulders sample. My hair is frizzy/curly too, so I only wash it every 3 or 4 days, which means I should be able to get some decent milage out of these samples. The Head & Shoulders, Olay, Crest, Glide and Pringles samples all came out of a free Proctor & Gamble sample package that I <a href="http://www.brandsampler.ca/">signed up</a> for a little while back. Thanks for the heads up on that <a href="http://theasianpear.blogspot.com/">Pear</a>! It also came with $8.50 worth of dental health manufacturers coupons which don't specify that you can't use them on sale items. Sweet. I'll be doubling up on those.</div></div><div><br />
</div><div>Almost every single one of these samples I got just by asking for it. A couple of them I didn't even ask for, the sales girls just thought I might like them, so they made one up for me! I'll take that. For the most part, you won't get what you don't ask for. It's worth asking. They know they're more likely to make a sale if you like a product, so letting you try a little for free is worth it for them.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Some of the samples I got simply because I've spent so much money there. Ouch eh? Sephora has a Beauty Insider program, where you get 1 point for every 1 dollar you spend, which can be redeemed for freebies. They have a rotating supply of little samples for 100 points, and larger freebies for 500 points. It's almost shameful to say that I've gotten 2 of the 500 point perks in the last couple years :s That's a lot of money, even though it's been from a combo of acne care, makeup and hair care.</div><div><br />
</div><div>If you spend a LOT of money there *cough* they'll bump you up to their VIB program. Basically, you get e-mailed extra coupons and promotions (like the free makeover I got the other day), and at the check out they usually have extra stuff they throw in your bag. Those hair care gift bag samples were thrown in one of my shopping bags, I didn't even ask for them. Since they go of the sales results from the year before, I'll be part of the program until the end of December.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Even if you don't frequent a store very often, sometimes its worth signing up for the free programs just for the freebies and coupons.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I'm finding the best part about using all of these freebies and samples is that even on a tighter budget I don't feel deprived. They let me test drive something "new" without spending money on it. When my budget loosens up a bit I may purchase some of them, but until then I get the allure of the "new" on the price of "none".</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Do any of you use samples or freebies? Where do you find them?</b></div>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-43479313744083952332011-05-19T08:00:00.000-06:002011-05-19T08:00:09.722-06:00Clothing Budget AnyoneIf the clothes <s>in my closet</s> laying on my bed waiting to be put away are any indication, I'm a little bit of a clothes horse. I'm not the worst out there, but my closet isn't minimalist by any means. I dive into a glossy fashion magazine with the same fervour as a hungry person digs into a hot meal. Taking in every last page of it. Imagine my delight when Canadian Business magazine put a special report in their May 9th issue called "You, Only Better" that included a section on style. Sweet! Clothing advice for the corporate world!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoUOKQlMNzO2CyBBnQOS6iuLVR4w5eDDwsJZ_2lbXmdoHfWyAo9tXH98Um7N3cplyyjkt-t_iyx82SZYo9s616NNBumdfMG2P18OiCSPEymocuPCZYVYu65s3x58ajMQnewsQoGZG9wA/s1600/c7b0f98b4cdfb02691d59c507d12.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoUOKQlMNzO2CyBBnQOS6iuLVR4w5eDDwsJZ_2lbXmdoHfWyAo9tXH98Um7N3cplyyjkt-t_iyx82SZYo9s616NNBumdfMG2P18OiCSPEymocuPCZYVYu65s3x58ajMQnewsQoGZG9wA/s200/c7b0f98b4cdfb02691d59c507d12.jpeg" width="110" /></a>I knew it was trouble one page in when the bubble beside the style heading said "How to look richer than you are".<br />
<br />
*sigh*<br />
<br />
It's about keeping up with the Jones. Dressing for the position you want, and dressing richer, are two distinctly different things.<br />
<br />
Granted, there was some good standard advice in there for men and women, like: "Not too big, not too small and not too trendy. Invest in a neutral colour purse, with subtle to no branding." That's decent advice, it's just too bad that it was in approximately a size 6 font, and in size 20 font was "Style beyond your tax bracket" suggesting that placing a $400 cricket bat in your office "will make you look both mysterious and sophisticated".<br />
<br />
I'd be laughing, except I know that out there is someone looking to make an impression who is taking this advice seriously. The <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2010/1214/For-UBS-bankers-a-head-to-toe-style-guide-as-precise-as-a-Swiss-watch">advice that is being laughed at</a>, a 43 page employee style guide issued by UBS bank in Switzerland (which gets a small nod in the article), is one that people should actually be taking seriously!<br />
<br />
The part that really got me though, was their suggested spending:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"ALWAYS think about clothing as an investment. Your wardrobe should be 5%-10% of your annual salary - or, if you're dressing for the job you <i>want</i>, the same percentage of your desired one"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Imagine trying to fit that into a <a href="http://money.msn.com/how-to-budget/how-much-should-you-spend-on-weston.aspx">50-30-20 budget</a>. Lets say you make $60,000 a year and you're trying to get promoted into a job where you'll make $70,000 a year. For math's sake we'll say your income tax is 40% right across the board, so you take home $36,000 a year. Your annual "wants" category would be $10,800. According to their recommended clothing budget, you would be spending $3,500 to $7,000 a year on clothing. If you spent the full 10% you would be left with $3800, or $316.67 a month, for vacations, gifts, entertainment, eating out, TV, internet, and all the other little wants that crop up.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In theory its doable. I just have a hard time foreseeing someone who pays almost $600 a month (every month) on clothing turning down coffee or lunches out with their colleagues for the sake of their finances.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What do you guys think? How much do you spend a year on clothing? How much do you think is a reasonable amount?</b></div>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-233514721156314442011-05-18T14:39:00.000-06:002011-05-18T14:39:05.556-06:00Filled UpMy car isn't completely run out of gas yet, but I still filled it up today anyway. Why? Well, it's a long weekend this weekend here in Canada, and that usually inspires an uptick or two in the price of fuel.<br />
<br />
Compounding my forecasted uptick in gas prices this weekend is the fact that a number of oil producing sites in Fort McMurray have been completely shut down due to the wild fires raging in Northern Alberta.<br />
<br />
On that note, my heart goes out to the residents of Slave Lake. <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2011/05/16/slave-lake-fire-evacuation.html">The town was all but destroyed</a> in a matter of hours when the wild fires jumped the highway and quickly spread through the town. If you would like to make a donation to assist the displaced, and now homeless, residents of Slave Lake, donations can be made to the <a href="http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=39285&tid=001">Red Cross</a>.<br />
<br />
For everyone else:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Increased Demand + Decreased Supply = Increased Price </div><br />
This is my little microeconomics kick in the butt to try and save you a couple bucks.Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-1766302508701776292011-05-18T11:20:00.001-06:002011-05-18T11:21:47.464-06:00Getting To Know Me<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another popular post spinning around the blogosphere, it's popped up over at </span><a href="http://homeownerby30.blogspot.com/2011/05/getting-to-know-me.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Homeowner By 30</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://shakingthemoneytree.blogspot.com/2011/05/getting-to-know-me.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shaking the Money Tree</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and most recently at </span><a href="http://morgaineandmoney.blogspot.com/2011/05/getting-to-know-me.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Morgaine and Money</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw it last night, but I was on my way to bed at the time. So, I give you my amped up version: The A-B-C's and the 1-2-3's!</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ge: 26</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">B</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ed Size: Full - not a twin, but not quite a queen either.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">C</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hore You Hate: Washing dishes. Ugh. I'll dirty them, but I sure as hell don't want to wash them.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">D</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ogs: None, though I do play with The Boy's pup :)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">E</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ssential start of your day: When its available, a cuddle from The Boy. If not, the snooze button.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">F</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">avorite color: Green - and that has nothing to do with money!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">old or silver: Silver</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">H</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">eight: 5 feet 2.75 inches. That's right, I'm taking my fractions where I can get them.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nstruments I play (or have played): Piano, Recorder (that counts, right?). But none currently.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">J</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ob title: Unemployed Engineer in Training</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">K</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ids: When I'm married.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">L</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ive: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">M</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">om’s name: Sue</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">N</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ickname: Cass (original, I know), Little Bear.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">vernight hospital stays: None. Kind of surprising really.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">et peeve: People tapping their feet or a pencil in an otherwise silent room. Oh yeah, and I hate the sound of velcro *shudder*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">uote from a </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">movie</span></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> real woman: Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">are, you aren't. - Margaret Thatcher </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">R</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ight or left handed: Right.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">S</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">iblings: 1 sister</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">T</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ime you wake up: As late as physically possible, about 5 minute before running out the door.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">U</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nderwear: Usually. lol. Thongs, boy shorts, or whatever is comfy that day.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">V</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">egetables you dislike: Dandilions. They are in fact a veggie. I just tear them out of my lawn.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">W</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hat makes you run late: My dear, sweet, snooze button. And The Boy ;)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">X</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-rays you’ve had done: Just the dentist</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Y</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ummy food you make: Roasted garlic and butternut squash soup, potato salad, roasted chicken...</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Z</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">oo animal: Anything little, cute and fuzzy. I'm a sucker for that.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - number of credit cards. Makes checking my credit report easier ;)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - number of Burberry coats I own. Consumerism fail.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - number of times I've gone into anaphylactic shock. Yet still no overnight hospital stays.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - number of years it took me to finish 5 years of high school</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - number of failed blogs I started before started this one</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - age when I got my ears pierced</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - average number of dollars I spend in Starbucks. Damn growing stomach.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - bits to a byte. 4 bits to a nybble. Sorry, that's not about me, but the fact they named half a byte a nybble cracks me up.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - number of European countries I hit on a 3 week bus tour as an exchange student. We switched languages every 2 days, lol.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - jersey number of my favourite hockey player as a kid - Pavel Bure (Go Canucks Go!)</span></span>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-9303604634948988292011-05-17T11:21:00.000-06:002011-05-17T11:21:48.510-06:00A Nibble At The LineAfter what has basically been a quiet month on the employment front, I got two calls yesterday for interview this week.<br />
<br />
If I was Charlie Sheen, I'd say I was bi-winning right there.<br />
<br />
I was quite happy yesterday. One is a company that I know treats their employees quite well, and the other one was for a position my experience is almost a perfect fit for. This is fine and dandy.<br />
<br />
But I found something kind of strange. The second company that called me left a message on my phone at 2:26 in the afternoon yesterday. I got it and replied shortly after 3pm to set up the (phone) interview for today. When I checked my e-mail this morning, there was a message from the company's senior recruiter sent at 2:25 yesterday (how did I miss that?) saying that while my skills were impressive they would be interviewing other candidates who more closely match their needs.<br />
<br />
Huh?<br />
<br />
I called the company to ask for clarification as to whether or not I did in fact have an interview this afternoon. Turns out I do, they were responding to two different job positions! *facepalm* Why one person called from Edmonton, Alberta and one e-mailed from Chesterfield, Missouri, I don't know. One would think centralized HR would be handy in the hiring department. <a href="http://add-vodka.com/">Daisy</a>, do you know why it's done this way?<br />
<br />
Anyway, I have an interview to prep for. Hopefully I didn't make too much of a fool of myself there :sCassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-27517609241713459082011-05-16T11:56:00.000-06:002011-05-16T11:56:28.802-06:00Bright Sunshiny DayIt's beautiful out.<br />
<br />
By beautiful I mean it's 20 some-odd degrees, the wind has died down, and there isn't a cloud in the sky. I should be outside basking in the sun and gardening!<br />
<br />
Except, ummm, I'm already burned.... yeah...<br />
<br />
I should have paid attention earlier in the week when The Boy said it looked like I had gotten some sun. I assumed it was because I had just gotten out of the shower that my skin was flushed, so I didn't think anything of it. Bad move. I didn't spend a tonne of time outside during my yard sale Saturday, but I did spend a little bit. Just enough to burn my nose, and lightly burn my cheeks. That was unexpected, though upon some reflection it occurred to me that the acne medications I've been on for the last 6 months are known to make the skin photosensitive. Very photo sensitive, apparently.<br />
<br />
I'm going to need some sunscreen.<br />
<br />
This wouldn't be an issue if it wasn't for the fact that every sunscreen I've ever tried has made me break out.<br />
<br />
I believe that right there falls under the category of irony.<br />
<br />
But, it is what it is. It's only mid spring and I've already been burned from moderate sun exposure. This summer I'm supposed to do a 200 km bike ride, spend lots of time out at The Boy's lake lot with his friends on a boat, and spend some time on the ocean with the family. There is no way I'm going to be able to do that without sunscreen.<br />
<br />
Phooey<br />
<br />
So, today I'm going to drop off some of the yard sale left overs at the goodwill donation center, then head down to the mall to gather sunscreen samples to try. That and a sample of some of the <a href="http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/2011/04/my-favourite-beauty-products/">Argan Oil</a> that FB says has been working for her skin.<br />
<br />
I'm a Sephora V.I.B. (until the end of this year, because I highly doubt I'll spend enough this year to get that status again next year), and they have a "free makeover" promotion this month. I doubt there will be many people there on a Monday afternoon, so I'm going to book myself one today. I could use a little perk up, and free is right in my price range right now.<br />
<br />
<b>All you lovely ladies (and gents) with sensitive skin: What kind of sunscreen do you use?</b>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-91227970110247493492011-05-15T08:00:00.001-06:002011-05-15T08:00:02.070-06:00The Results Are InOne man's trash is another man's treasure.<br />
<br />
No kidding.<br />
<br />
The stuff I didn't think I'd be able to GIVE away sold almost immediately, while the stuff I figured would sell quickly didn't even get a once over.<br />
<br />
The stuff that sold first?<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Obsolete electronics without cords, software, etc...</li>
<li>A 10 year old discman with disintegrating headphones...</li>
<li>Electronics with damaged cords (told the buyer up front about it)...</li>
<li>Cheap messenger bags from 6-10 years ago...</li>
<li>Baseball caps I'd received from construction places as advertising...</li>
</ul><br />
The stuff that didn't even get a look over?<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Barely worn Lululemon tops</li>
<li>A pair of barely worn Fidelity jeans</li>
<li>A bunch of Sophie Kinsella books in nearly mint condition</li>
</ul><br />
That surprised me to say the least. That being said, I was expecting more women to show up earlier in the morning, which didn't happen. Almost all of my sales before noon went to men in the 28-38 year old range. The things you learn.<br />
<br />
All said and done the yard sale brought in $85.50. After the <a href="http://diggingoutandup.blogspot.com/2011/05/found-it.html">cost of setting up the sale</a> ($1.93), it netted me a total of $83.57. Not bad for a bunch of stuff I had lying around and wasn't using.<br />
<br />
Obviously not everything walked away today, and I have a bunch of stuff left over. The remaining stuff is being split between 3 places:<br />
<ul><li>Odds and ends, bedding, too large clothing, etc... will be dropped off at the Goodwill donation centre on Monday.</li>
<li>The books will be dropped off at the Wee Book Inn in town. It's basically book consignment, and you get paid in store credit. Instead of buying new books (guilty habit/pleasure), I can get "new" ones here.</li>
<li>The clothing that needs some tweaking will be put in the "mend" pile. The ones that require a little more skill than I have will go into a "tailor" pile for when I'm employed again.</li>
</ul><div>All in all, I'm pleased with the results. I probably would have gotten a lot more people if it wasn't for the fact that it was so windy out today. Oh well. The proceeds are going to be deposited in my bank account. The longer I can go without touching my emergency fund the better!</div>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-91486131087097653932011-05-14T10:56:00.001-06:002011-05-14T10:58:11.219-06:00Is It A Warehouse?So, I'm a little curious, at what point did we decide that we wanted our stores to become malls?<br />
<br />
The store I'm talking about, unsurprisingly, is Wal-Mart.<br />
<br />
Though at this point I think I'm going to start calling it Mall-Mart.<br />
<br />
When I walked in to pick up some poster board yesterday, I noted the fact that the clothing section was right beside the produce section. While I'm sure you can get some great deals in there, it just feels... wrong.<br />
<br />
On the way out of the store I passed the nail boutique and shook my head. When on earth did that happen? And why?<br />
<br />
Just off the top of my head, the Wal-Mart I went to contained:<br />
<br />
<ol><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgCKvTrnA-toOPg0b8QEJqiOc6E_RvPgdQfBkY_pbk3AVF0HJNhzLFgUy_ArAtszC4UmTQh7vOMNSAv6bu8ZxGfZh7xhGvL67Qw_BvPAV00HJIghlRp9R_BNn-nIBSIE2vXu2rCymF6Y/s1600/wal-mart-aisles-consumption.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgCKvTrnA-toOPg0b8QEJqiOc6E_RvPgdQfBkY_pbk3AVF0HJNhzLFgUy_ArAtszC4UmTQh7vOMNSAv6bu8ZxGfZh7xhGvL67Qw_BvPAV00HJIghlRp9R_BNn-nIBSIE2vXu2rCymF6Y/s400/wal-mart-aisles-consumption.jpg" width="400" /></a>
<li>A bakery</li>
<li>A produce section</li>
<li>A grocery section</li>
<li>A frozen goods section</li>
<li>A clothing section</li>
<li>A shoe section</li>
<li>An office supply section</li>
<li>A pet section</li>
<li>A pharmacy</li>
<li>An automotive section</li>
<li>A green house section</li>
<li>A sporting goods section</li>
<li>A makeup section</li>
<li>A sewing section</li>
<li>A kitchen goods section</li>
<li>A furniture section</li>
<li>An electronics section</li>
<li>A photographer</li>
<li>A nail boutique</li>
<li>A hair salon</li>
<li>A McDonalds</li>
<li>And more that I haven't mentioned...</li>
</ol><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XBwG5wQ62dhzppDUisjl2MJvyVNR7KGHqrkMUY41rgCr-_844PEl9yF0xeHsKimZWu9leyFaYCBvB78JtO2jUichU-WCIa5bNmELYj8CiLjQwr8WcFgHBrK7KfT_iMs2frLcQggccJ0/s1600/800px-wal-mart_in_madison_heights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XBwG5wQ62dhzppDUisjl2MJvyVNR7KGHqrkMUY41rgCr-_844PEl9yF0xeHsKimZWu9leyFaYCBvB78JtO2jUichU-WCIa5bNmELYj8CiLjQwr8WcFgHBrK7KfT_iMs2frLcQggccJ0/s400/800px-wal-mart_in_madison_heights.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>That's not a store. That's a mall.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Why?</div>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-48656245536266962792011-05-13T16:41:00.000-06:002011-05-13T16:41:57.254-06:00Found It!Oh, why thank you blogger. How kind of you to let me access my blog again.<br />
<br />
*huff*<br />
<br />
Anyway, I finally found that receipt I had misplaced for that <a href="http://diggingoutandup.blogspot.com/2011/03/disgusted.html">ridiculously expensive light bulb</a> I bought a while back. That's $15.74 I definitely could use!<br />
<br />
I'd like to say that I applied it to my highest interest debt as a snowflake payment, but seeing as I'm still without employment *sigh* they went towards somewhat useful items.<br />
<br />
I picked up 2 fluorescent yellow poster boards from Wal-Mart for my yard sale tomorrow. They were $0.92 each, or $1.93 with tax.<br />
<br />
At the grocery store I grabbed some milk, kaiser buns, sliced turkey, grapes and carrots so I'd have some food for the next few days. Not scraping bottom economical, no, but it's food I'm likely to eat and enjoy before it spoils. $10.11 there.<br />
<br />
Walking back from the grocery store I stopped in at the Starbucks for one of their half priced coconut blended creme drinks. Frugal? No. Enjoyable? Yes. At $2.44 it was a reasonably priced little splurge.<br />
<br />
I have little over $1 leftover from the light bulb to put into my mortgage change jar.<br />
<br />
I'd be lying if I said that being unemployed wasn't getting to me, because it is. I'm not a morning person by any stretch of the imagination. AT. ALL. And yet, I was awake this morning well before the alarm clock went off (5:something am?), thinking about where I was going to find work. It's not pleasant. I've been doing a decent job of keeping my brain occupied during the day, but theres not much I can do about it when I'm supposed to be asleep. Is there?<br />
<br />
I'm just going to focus on my yard sale for now. I had 2 people comment out their vehicle windows while I was putting the sign up, so I'm hoping it'll get some interest tomorrow. For now, I'm going to go put together my clothing rack. It's beaconing me.Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-59959363904483458212011-05-12T11:29:00.000-06:002011-05-13T14:24:54.950-06:00SALE!It is WINDY outside today!<br />
<br />
REALLY WINDY!<br />
<br />
I'm hoping this slows down in the next day or two, or else my yard sale this weekend is going to be... interesting?<br />
<br />
I finally got my act together and posted an ad on kijiji for a yard sale on Saturday. This initial spurring of action morphed my living room from reasonably tidy last weekend to yard sale ground control over the course of a couple hours. One of my friends dropped off some stuff that was otherwise going to go to goodwill. I ransacked my closet, pulling out clothing shoes and accessories I didn't wear anymore. I (finally) went through a bunch of boxes that have spent over a year in the basement (and several years of just being packed!) and pulled stuff out to sell. I went through my bookshelves and pulled out books I had no intention of reading again. I went through my cd collection and weeded out the music I wasn't really all that into.<br />
<br />
It is now all sitting in my living room, waiting for me to make some sort of order out of the piles. We'll see how that goes! lol.<br />
<br />
I have a bunch of these bingo dot sized stickers left over from when I moved into my place, which I think I'm going to use up on Saturday. I can use them to price cds, books, and other flat surfaced odds and ends. I'm going to kill two birds with one stone and use up my dry cleaner hangers and old business cards to price the clothing. After that I'll have to see what I have for stickers or other markers to price the larger stuff. The clothing is all being hung up on my porch on a rolling clothing rack I got from IKEA years ago, and I'm going to use the tables the last owner ditched in the house to put things on outside. I'll probably mark those "free" just to get them out of the house at the end of the day.<br />
<br />
I'm going to head down to the bank today to grab a roll of quarters ($0.25), a roll of loonies ($1 coins), a roll of toonies ($2 coins), and some assorted small bills. I have a slim makeup bag I can stash it all in on Saturday (I actually used to use it for coins/bills while waiting tables when I was younger), but I don't have any apron of any sort to put it in. I'll have to figure something out there.<br />
<br />
I'm not expecting to make loads of money off this, but I am looking forward to getting some of the stuff I don't use out of the house. And that's not just so that I can make room for more stuff ;)<br />
<br />
<b>Is anyone else planning a garage/yard sale this year? Any tips for the day of?</b>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-45962259322776501762011-05-11T09:59:00.003-06:002011-05-13T17:09:27.110-06:00SighWell, I've been unemployed for 4 weeks now....<br />
<br />
I'm not a fan.<br />
<br />
That being said there have been some definite upsides to the experience. I've had ample opportunity for reflection on my career and where it has been heading, and I've decided I'm going to try to work my way back into the mechanical end of the Engineering spectrum. Yay, progress!<br />
<br />
That being said, while I've been hearing that companies are hurting for mechanical EITs, most of the job postings I've found are for senior positions. I've just started sending applications to companies regardless of whether or not they have a job posting up.<br />
<br />
Most of my job leads have been frustratingly silent. Ditto with the applications I've sent out through job search engines. I received an application non-consideration notice from one company recently. While it sucked getting it, I can respect the company for having a reasonable response time. At least I'm not sitting around waiting and wondering.<br />
<br />
This is the longest period of time I've been unwillingly out of employment. I don't know how people do it for 6 months or a year, I really don't. I feel just a little batty right now.<br />
<br />
Okay, maybe more than just a little batty.<br />
<br />
While I'm still good for a little while, I'm worried about money (obviously). The EI payments haven't started showing up yet, not that I really want to be on them in the first place. Right now I just want to get back to work and start paying down my albatross.<br />
<br />
Part of me wants to walk around wearing a t-shirt that says "I'm a Mechanical EIT, Hire Me!"<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAm8v0U9Ivo1Bm-l2mHgUyD-jkVySG3-agOXFKTMU4xaUUwWoM4Iw7Xo6kGlRTzhp6rGwpKNNpGF5hEzoMFnjBUqxr1Wt1ENGPrIUAaQPJaxYjYpppIJBjTpTyC8mKVojsG2IFXQY2Gs/s1600/images-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAm8v0U9Ivo1Bm-l2mHgUyD-jkVySG3-agOXFKTMU4xaUUwWoM4Iw7Xo6kGlRTzhp6rGwpKNNpGF5hEzoMFnjBUqxr1Wt1ENGPrIUAaQPJaxYjYpppIJBjTpTyC8mKVojsG2IFXQY2Gs/s1600/images-3.jpeg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Maybe I'll wait another week for that one.Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-26023824892166230672011-05-10T08:00:00.002-06:002011-05-10T08:00:01.179-06:00Side Hustle Semi-failMy distinct lack of a side hustle has been sticking out to me like a sore thumb the last couple of weeks, so I decided I should do something about it. The easiest one, though not necessarily the best paying, was filling out surveys online.<br />
<br />
I decided to check out <a href="http://citygirlindebt.com/?p=126">sites that others had already been to</a>, and had been paid from, so I knew I wasn't dealing with a scam. After checking out the sites (not all allow Canadians), I signed up for two: <a href="http://ca.toluna.com/Default.aspx">Toluna</a> and <a href="http://www.surveyhead.com/index.php">Survey Head</a>.<br />
<br />
I realize that the earnings are quite slow on these, but that's not the part that's bugging me. It's the surveys themselves. There have been a a number of times where I click on a survey, only to be told that their quota had been filled. I understand that happens, but it has happened to me back to back a couple times. Grrr.<br />
<br />
The other part, which I've run into several more times, is that it takes an awful long time for them to figure out that you're not part of their targeted demographic. I've been 10 minutes into a survey only to be told "nope, you're not who we're looking for". There is no compensation when this happens.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08GsP9w5ijZYZ1KSYSkQQJ64z6xKAhpOMfOuqXeo7EJe_zECeXyM8sxLF3MtHHav1rBtEHiTy9BhoEGKVJaLEVV0H9aFLHMq21O98fJzM3wPeOUiBxCio2LspxL_1TA5INaJ5T0SBARo/s1600/failure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08GsP9w5ijZYZ1KSYSkQQJ64z6xKAhpOMfOuqXeo7EJe_zECeXyM8sxLF3MtHHav1rBtEHiTy9BhoEGKVJaLEVV0H9aFLHMq21O98fJzM3wPeOUiBxCio2LspxL_1TA5INaJ5T0SBARo/s200/failure.jpg" width="200" /></a>Maybe I'm just frustrated with my general money situation right now, but I've logged a couple hours doing this, and I've made less than $10. I can't even have it paid out until at least $25. This is quite possibly the only time I've been frustrated by the high Canadian dollar. The survey compensation is in American dollars, so for every $1 survey you do, you get 90 some-odd cents towards your cash out total.<br />
<br />
<b>Has anyone else encountered this? What do you do as a side hustle?</b>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-20863025777131729362011-05-09T08:00:00.006-06:002011-05-09T08:00:12.202-06:00Unfinished Business...CardsI've been trying to take a page out of <a href="http://www.everydayminimalist.com/">Serena's</a> book and de-clutter/minimalize my life. I have WAY too much stuff, and most of it is hiding under random papers that have collected over the years (making it hard to find and use said stuff). So, I've started attacking the pile(s).<br />
<br />
Turns out I have a number of business cards from my last employer. Obviously I'm not going to be using those again for their intended purpose, but I wanted to do something with them that didn't involve throwing them away. I have a few too many to just use them as bookmarks as well. I was a little underwhelmed by most of the ideas I found on the internet, so I came up with some ideas on what I could do with them:<br />
<br />
<div><ul><li>write a description of what needs mending on an article of clothing, punch a hole in the card, slip over top of hanger.</li>
<li>fold in half and use to clean lint out of the bathroom fan. (you know you need to)</li>
<li>organize decorative bobby pins by pinning like ones together on a card at home.</li>
<li>organize purse by sticking emergency bobby pins and hair elastics to a card.</li>
<li>organize earrings during travel by punching them through the card together.</li>
<li>create an impromptu sewing kit with some thread, a needle, and a couple pins.</li>
<li>throw some in old film canisters with waterproof matches as emergency camping tinder.</li>
<li>make keyholes in the cards and use them as wine glass identifiers at a party</li>
<li>write notes to a loved one, hide in their jacket pocket or lunch box</li>
<li>write a reminder why you shouldn't spend money, place card in front of your credit/debit card.</li>
<li>etc...</li>
</ul></div>While I was mostly underwhelmed by my googling, I did find a couple interesting ideas. These Swedish business cards are particularly clever:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfEvBv-8V4zN1fg6vKseYLKv03WYmSQfBKH5vT7krvUnKbTrm-XZQwrDNNrp3UZ84iLTw4dw9wPnYQw2Sr1nVbkQ0O-Vnp8fudoggrlRb2VSQ_EZjsB226Oa346dTTfKHeaiyL3aFdOk/s400/second.hand.business.card.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="316" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.keanhui.com/archives/418">Second hand goods anyone?</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
If I was to get into the consignment business, I'd totally do a riff on that design. On the other hand, I almost wish I had grabbed the rest of the box when I was cleaning out my desk; I could have made one of these:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCmRHypGlaGWk0rrSprtqJEz2_bo4Kh5HiIGbJ0MS624yR4flXY1EjonSiiYUAoP2JRcA-MkA_YSAafAVX56dPnSXrnKUoihuIqg8_uvB0WS7coUa0_PABHnvzoi7XgZajSU6_GaFiTo/s1600/3085680812_bd1e977957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCmRHypGlaGWk0rrSprtqJEz2_bo4Kh5HiIGbJ0MS624yR4flXY1EjonSiiYUAoP2JRcA-MkA_YSAafAVX56dPnSXrnKUoihuIqg8_uvB0WS7coUa0_PABHnvzoi7XgZajSU6_GaFiTo/s320/3085680812_bd1e977957.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://twtitw.firebus.com/node/71">BonnerCube</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
But alas, I did no such thing.<br />
<br />
As it stands, I'll probably take the easy way out and use one of my clip magnets to hold most of them on the fridge as an impromptu grocery list note pad. I'll clip loose bobby pins to one in my makeup bag, and the rest will become shims under wobbly Starbucks tables ;)<br />
<br />
<b>What would you do with your old business cards?</b>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-2097021665321695382011-05-08T08:00:00.001-06:002011-05-08T08:00:08.143-06:00Casper the Friendly BuskerI came across this fellow the other day on my way to yoga.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVwVsgErDEox9i94BBFaNfIMoVFCGIf-A7ZQik80xHJN6GI5mfQbVs6mPAnc0WLZpfDHjzXWOya85ecO54OVLkIjHhMxEFLdmjTE59nGHqSlC02ViE1D0XeSj6BnjDzennxtffbGQTEM/s1600/IMG_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVwVsgErDEox9i94BBFaNfIMoVFCGIf-A7ZQik80xHJN6GI5mfQbVs6mPAnc0WLZpfDHjzXWOya85ecO54OVLkIjHhMxEFLdmjTE59nGHqSlC02ViE1D0XeSj6BnjDzennxtffbGQTEM/s320/IMG_0416.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I looked at his set up and thought "That's the most brilliant marketing I've seen in a while!" With my class starting in 10 minutes I was running short of time, so I made a point of going back to talk to him after class. Turns out it wasn't just marketing.<br />
<br />
Casper is a lyricist by trade, and got into busking little under a year ago. It took him quite a while to make the jump from song writing to busking, as he said he was afraid of exposing himself and who he really is to the world.<br />
<br />
Aren't we all.<br />
<br />
I'm sure every pf blogger out there had a fear of exposing themselves when they started writing. It's scary! You're putting yourself out there for all the world to see, for better or for worse. We expose our debts, our financial struggles, our ups and downs. We expose things to complete strangers that we're scared, or don't want to, share with our closest friends and family. We hide in semi or complete anonymity, with only a few exposing themselves to the world completely once their debts are paid off.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha15KkOw8ik0y9FjJUJFMTCpKPkWpA4Y_zH-Gh1JQ_rLUmi1I5ZLKs1mEOc7Lr_02if8Wrf9C5yWRNq6OLpERmsHWXe0SfXqR7m5T5VivX5GhLMdOED4U2mk7Zo3YJ-0fVL2Ff929328g/s1600/IMG_0417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha15KkOw8ik0y9FjJUJFMTCpKPkWpA4Y_zH-Gh1JQ_rLUmi1I5ZLKs1mEOc7Lr_02if8Wrf9C5yWRNq6OLpERmsHWXe0SfXqR7m5T5VivX5GhLMdOED4U2mk7Zo3YJ-0fVL2Ff929328g/s200/IMG_0417.JPG" width="200" /></a>Casper stands on the street in person; sharing his songs, his food, and his love, with anyone who wants it. You don't have to be homeless, or even having money difficulties, to take a bottle of water or an apple from his blanket. He just wants to give and spread the love.<br />
<br />
We as bloggers do our best to spread the experience, tips and tricks that we've learned along the way, in hopes that someone else will learn from our successes and our mistakes.<br />
<br />
I don't know if he makes enough to live on, or if he makes just enough to purchase things to give away, but his generosity is inspiring. The world needs more Caspers.<br />
<br />
If you're ever down on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton, keep your eyes peeled for him. He'd love to talk to you.<br />
<br />
So would I.Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3509874543934071072.post-50330422782033322082011-05-07T08:00:00.001-06:002011-05-07T08:00:04.862-06:00Anticipation Much?I've noticed these last couple weeks that I am extremely guilty of anticipatory spending.<br />
<br />
I'm much more likely to open my wallet and let go of some of my money if I get a lead on a job. I don't even have to have an interview lined up yet; if I know that the possibility is there, I'm more willing to spend money.<br />
<br />
Not good, definitely something I need to be aware of.<br />
<br />
A couple weeks ago I went for coffee with a couple guys at company that would be needing help soon. We met at the Starbucks near their office and talked for about an hour. I expected to buy a drink while I was there, but when I got there I decided to get a pastry as well.<br />
<br />
Was I hungry? Yes.<br />
<br />
Did I actually need it? No.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL8q8pqZDDwNeSPyFLnUZzLqx0okkENcruVTk_t80r8QBn3ACpOub1lLMWXq-DhRxK7DRlP-0O6Z9q4t41DfzoaHxGGlE3QpgsljKjBJEvQGYMareWMg3DZ9nUHIX3hUu3MRMQoFgoUw/s1600/money-flying-away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL8q8pqZDDwNeSPyFLnUZzLqx0okkENcruVTk_t80r8QBn3ACpOub1lLMWXq-DhRxK7DRlP-0O6Z9q4t41DfzoaHxGGlE3QpgsljKjBJEvQGYMareWMg3DZ9nUHIX3hUu3MRMQoFgoUw/s200/money-flying-away.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Did I actually have a pay check in hand? Again, no, but the anticipation was there.<br />
<br />
I was doing much better at not spending money before that, so what gives? Well, I was excited at the possibility of finding work again. It was like a little pre-emptive celebration. I've noticed that popping up elsewhere as well. When my financial situation appears to be improving, even if the actual improvement isn't in hand yet, my grip on my wallet loosens up.<br />
<br />
Obviously this will be a problem if it gets out of hand. I have to focus on how my mental state is affecting my finances, because they're obviously quite strongly linked. For better or for worse.<br />
<br />
<b>Has anyone else noticed this with their spending?</b>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637374526994566873noreply@blogger.com6