Time for a change?

I suppose a site re-design is due...but I don't have time for it. In fact I don't have time for anything. I bought myself a really nice cross stitch pattern (with what else, but a Christmas theme) and I was so excited to have it, I couldn't wait to get started on it. I'm now about 1/100th of the way done, and haven't touched it in two weeks.

The sister got a new place, so for the first couple of weeks she was looking, I was coming with her checking out all the places out there. There's actually some nice ones, that aren't all that badly priced. Anyway, then she got the nicest one out of all of them, that is top of her budget, at the top of a road that will prove to be incredibly dangerous come winter. I guess we'll deal with that when it comes, which sadly isn't that far away.

Once she had the place picked out, and they approved her application, then we had to shop for furniture. She gets mad at me a lot, because she always says it's amazing that considering how much I make, I don't have any money ever. And yet, she works 5 jobs, and is so far in debt she's looking at around 7 years of payments (more than the minimum, too) before she's back in the black. I may not have a lot of extra income, but I'm always in the black (or at least, I am now). I've got 2 $200 payments left for my $1500 head gasket repair, and I won't owe a dime to anyone. Then I can save $1000 in my savings, and get one of those credit cards where it's your money you load on there, and you spend it and then make payments. It's like a loan from the bank that just keeps getting approved over and over. This supposedly is a fantastic way to build credit. So, to ensure I'm not nearly as irresponsible as I was when I was 18 and had a CIBC card, I will be making small purchases (gas, groceries) on the card until I have brought up my score by 10 points. Then, I will make slightly larger ones (clothes, some random computer parts I've been wanting, etc). Once the balance is back at $1000, I will make a larger purchase (brand new computer parts, so I can rebuild the whole thing again). Then, I will start applying for new cards, until I get one. Once that happens, I will shop for the best rate that is locked in for at least 3 years, and I will transfer whatever balance I have over to that one, and will NOT get any more cards. I have proven to myself over the last 11 years since my first ever card that even when it appears I am destitute and won't be able to eat, something ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS comes through at the last minute to save my ass. This means the school of thought "Oh, I'll apply for every card out there, in case of emergency" will die off, and I'll start behaving like a real adult.

I suppose I should have started this all a long time ago, but oh well, some of us are slower than others.

I bought myself a 20 inch 3000:1 contrast ratio with 3ms response time wide screen LCD. This is true geekdom at it's finest. And WOW? Holy shit does that game look good when you're not watching the refresh rate, well...refresh. The other 17 inch monitor now looks horrid every time I look at it, so I'm using it for my chat programs, and things I don't have to look at very often, like WinAmp.

I have $600 saved so far for my Dominican trip, and as long as I'm careful this week and next, I should be able to add another $100 to that from this paycheque, as well as about $300 from my next one, especially since I won't need groceries for half of the pay period. And the day I get back is pay day, so there you go! I'm hoping I won't go crazy while I'm down there because:

A. I won't have enough room in my suitcase to bring a ton of stuff back with me
B. I'll have a sizeable enough savings account that I can take care of my Christmas presents and not have to worry about being able to afford to bring random food with me when I go to all the Christmas dinners I've already planned on attending.
C. I can apply for that credit card I was just talking about, and hopefully will still have the $1000 balance I need in my account to be approved.

I figure as long as I'm careful, I can still have a GREAT time, because 98% of the reason I'm so excited to head down there is a ridiculously AWESOME photographic opportunities I'm predicting I'll have. Well, maybe not 98%. It's been a long damn time since all us friends were together, and we're all extremely excited to see each other, so I think it will be great.

The new kitten is adjusting well to life in this place. Belle is reasonably more happy with her presence in my home, which is a good sign. And, Belle doesn't appear to be so bored anymore, which is also good. The nights when I bust out the laser pointer are a LOT more interesting though!

2 weeks ago I got my nails done, and while I was there the nail lady broke out some darling stickers she had bought at a random dollar store many months ago. One was Hallowe'en/Thanksgiving themed, so I got one orange pumpkin (which turned out to be sparkly!) on each thumb. I sat there for the relaxing 2 hours, staring at the sheet, trying to decide what I would get done a few days before I leave for the Dominican. I think I'll get one red witch hat on each thumb. They were so damn cute, but the skeletons were pretty cute too.

The funny thing about the pumpkins though, is that only one woman that I've seen in my life or that I work with, has actually noticed the damn things. And she was a vet assistant that I only first met when I took Emma in for her first round of shots. Since then, it's been ALL MEN. Since when do men notice things like that? So very weird.

Weight wise, I'm down 23 pounds. Going to the gym each day before work has made me appreciate my days off, because I wake up on a Saturday, and all I'm REALLY bound to is whatever plans I made for myself. It's a nice feeling.

This weekend will be a busy one though, I fear. Friday night we've got a TSR outing (bowling at an alley near work), Saturday night us supervisors are heading to a sup's house, who lives near me, to drink and drink and drink. Sunday I know I have something planned as well, but I can't freakin remember what it was. The following week, all my appointments for the Dominican will begin. I have to take my traveller's diarrhea pills starting 7 days before I leave, which means October 31st is the day. I have to start my teeth whitening regimen 14 days before I leave, which makes it this Sunday. My second round of Twinrix shots are on the 27th, which is next Friday. My nail and hair appointments are on the same day on the weekend next week. Then, the next week, I have to start combing stores until I can find mosquito repellent with DEET in it. I've already started looking, and am not having an easy time finding anything so far. I've tried 3 separate stores, and haven't found a lot.

I will not be bringing my iPod with me, as much as I think I'd ABSOLUTELY enjoy having with me on my freaking 8 hour layover in Vancouver, because I've heard that the security people will take it away. Apparently it can be rigged to blow up planes, so they aren't allowing them. I wonder why notebook computers are allowed then? One of the tasks for the final week before I go is to call the airport to ask them for a very specific list of accepted plane stuff. I will also be bringing my cross stitch, as I think I will have a lot of time for that as well. They might not let the needle on the plane, because it could be construed as a weapon, so I guess I'll have to wait until I get the full list.

I managed to find a super cheap piece of luggage at MTF here in Kelowna. It's a decent size and was only $50. It has wheels and a pull out handle, which I am suspecting I will find VERY handy while I'm trying to amuse myself at the Vancouver International Airport. I wish I knew more people who lived in Van, as I'd love to be able to LEAVE the airport. Actually, I just thought of someone I could try to call. Thing is, they both work, so that will probably be a big fat no.

Anyway, I'm feeling more stress than excitement at this point. My friends that are coming keep messaging me and calling me wanting to talk about how excited they are, and all I want to do is have this whole thing be over so I can sort and process all the images, and get back into my working life and routine. Pretty sad when you're such a home body, a freaking trip to Puerto Plata isn't very exciting. Sigh.

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