A Random Wednesday Afternoon...

First off, a Happy Birthday to Jessica, a little late! Sounds like you had a really good one.

My own birthday is in about two and a half weeks... I currently have no plans what-so-ever... I asked Chris to make sure he has the night off so I can spend time with him, but otherwise there are no plans. But, I mean, my whole family is not exactly having a financial party at the moment - and neither am I, personally. Usually, I call up my Grandma/Mom and say "I'd like a nice meal at 'X'"... but this year I just don't feel like I have the right to demand a nice meal that will cost hundreds of dollars after we include everything/everyone.

Otherwise... I managed to force Chris to let me take a picture of the two of us. He says that we just haven't been doing things that people really take pictures of - and I see his point - we tend to make the cheapest food possible and watch a movie at home... but... I don't know. I'm happy, and I don't see any reason why I shouldn't document being happy - even if it isn't in a foreign country or at a special event. So, yeah... I accosted him with the camera today. I think the torture is evident on his face :-P

Other than torturing the boyfriend, things have been pretty quiet. Applying for every job that moves... Counting pennies... trying to keep from thinking too hard from thinking... at all. Hopefully, I will at least find something that will at least pay bills here soon. It's too easy to freak out, and that wouldn't help anything at all.

Sunday is my family St. Patricks Day dinner... in which we imbibe much beer and whisky and debate everything you have been taught to not speak about in polite society. My Uncle Mike will be coming in from the Army (he's more like an older brother than an Uncle)... and I have been informed that Chris is to come as well... So, everyone who knows my family... say a little prayer for him. (Actually, I think he'll stand on his own pretty damn well.)

Now, it is time to dredge the larder (that is for Andy, who doesn't even read this, but still) to find out what is for dinner.

An Update to This Morning's Post

If you didn't read the post from this morning, I'd suggest scrolling down and starting there first or none of this will make a whole ton of sense.

...Did not get the desk job. :-( The owner said it was nearly even between another girl and myself, but they went with her. He also said that he plans to have a second position open up in a week or two and he'd like my permission to call me back in regards to that. I, of course, gave it to him... but I'm not really holding my breath.

Ugh. I will likely be in a mild money panic for most of today. I am headed to Chris' for the night, but not until 8pm or so because he works until then. He'll probably slap most of the panic out of me (figuratively, of course)... but between now and then I will just try to remember that I did make $75 this morning... better than nothing.

I already sold most of my excess stuff (electronics I don't use, books, etc) but I do have my DVD collection that I might get a nice amount for (it's probably about 150-200 DVDs...). I don't want to do that, but since I do have 2TB worth of movies and TV on my various hard drives it's not like that would leave me without entertainment. I'll save it as a last-ditch sort of thing if the end of the month comes and I still can't pay rent.

Ok, well... I am starving after spending 6 hours standing in a grocery store and handing people coffee while staring longingly at the "Massive Meat Sale!!!" (is it just me, or is that a BAD name?)

Marchy March

It is my first time being awake so early in quite a while without being mad at someone/something for waking me up out of turn.

I got a new part time job at the local coffee company as a demo rep for the weekends. I can do a demo Saturday or Sunday, both or neither... just depending on my schedule and financial need. I get $50 for a 4 hour demo or $75 for a 6 hour demo. And, it actually sounds like something that I can make fun for myself if I approach it with the right attitude... I go in the the factory to pick up some beans and some equipment and take it out to local restaurants, supermarkets, fairs, etc... then I set it up and spend a few hours just brewing up coffee and talking about coffee and the best ways to roast and brew it. Not a bad way to make $50 :-) It could be worse at the very least.

I also interviewed for a 30-hour per week receptionist/dispatching/appointment setting sort of position that would be a Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm position. It went really really well and I will know between 10am and 11am my time if I got the job... To be honest, unless they met someone completely shockingly amazing (or who offered sexual favors), I will be surprised if I don't get offered this job. And, while it is relatively low pay and not technically full time, I did the math and - after taxes - the pay from this job should pay all my solid, non-negotiable bills (rent, electric, car insurance, etc.). There won't be much more than a dollar or two left over, but at least my important and un-skippable bills will be covered. And then I have the coffee job to keep my gas tank full and food on my table.

Downside? If I am short on money for any reason (unexpected bills, birthdays and holidays I need to save for, etc) I can easily end up working 7 days a week for many weeks. And that sounds exhausting...

Upside? Well, paying my bills of course! And, even when I do have to work 7 days a week it will never be more than 6 hours a day and I never have to be up before dawn... AND my evening are *always* free.

Speaking of... time to get my butt off the computer and into some clothes so I can go make some money talking about yummy coffee!

I'll update this post with whether or not I get the desk job.

Sad Times

Well, another semi-rare update from the world of Sarah.

Life isn't too bad right now, some mild dramas and anxieties... no more or less than anyone else, I'd guess.

Today is a sad day, though. A really, really fantastic woman I knew passed away this morning after a long battle with cancer... leaving behind a husband and two young children. We weren't best friends, and there are many many people feeling a deep and harsh loss today... but all I can say is that it is rare for me to meet someone in this world whom I instantly respect and like. I never saw anything but kindness, generosity, and patience from her, even when life was being so far from fair.

So, if you're the praying type... Maybe say one for Susan Norman as she goes on to whatever is next - though if there was ever anyone who had a fast-pass to heaven, it'd be her. And, maybe, say one for the family she left behind. The kids who have to feel this loss and deal with not getting to have Mom be there for all the big and little days - and the husband who has to go to bed alone tonight.

If you're not the praying type, maybe just give it a shot anyway? Who is it hurting... and what if it helps?

A tiny little update...

So, I have been ridiculously terrible about updating this for the last two or three weeks. I know your lives must be in deep and unalterable peril from that fact. Have no fear, a random life update is here!

My job has become ridiculous to an insulting and maddening degree. I have taken home, all together, less than two dollars in the last seven days. Granted, they will have to raise my paycheck to be at least minimum wage for the hours worked - but they always just end up cutting me from the floor and requesting I clock out... so the hours are pretty low, legally, even when I am actually on premises for a while after. Last night I ended up babysitting the boss' toddler son while taking care of his "VIP" guests for free... all the same work as I do for pay, but this time with a 16 month old baby pulling my hair and with no money at the end of it... WIN.

Otherwise... life is going on as normal. Chris and I are hitting our one month this week (depending on how you count it)... so that is nice. We both have today off so we are heading to my place once I get his butt out of bed (it's already 11am!) and we will placate the kitty and play with computer/tv stuff. I think I might also take a few pieces of non-sentimental jewelry up to a shop to sell. Work is definitely not paying, and even with my relatively sizable tax refund I am going to need more money soon.

It has been snowing on and off pretty much constantly all winter. We barely see bare ground anymore - and that is actually not normal for Missouri. We usually get one or two good soilid snow falls, and that is it... but it has been relatively constant since December. Fell on my ass in Chris' driveway yesterday - with tons of grace, of course.

Alrighty... time to wake the man up and see if I get my face eaten off by a grumpy monster. Wish me luck!

my nobe is duffy...

I have discovered that sinuses that are stuffed to my ears make every man who doesn't have a noticeably deep register (i.e. James Earl Jones) begin to sound like Ray Romano to me... It makes watching TV really strange.

Two nights ago I tossed and turned all night, kept feeling hot and then freezing... kicking off blankets and then huddling up... Needless to say, I was sick as a dog when I woke up. I spent the whole day yesterday pretty much prone until NyQuill took me away on a happy cloud. Luckily, I slept pretty well and feel markedly better today... though still worn out and filled with sinus joy...

Woohoo...

It's likely I will become gloriously fat in the keeping of this blog...

So, I had someone over last night and made a yummy dinner... Cod, marinated all day in lemon, butter, and herbs and then baked in the same... A nice whole wheat linguine... brussel sprouts tossed in bacon and the fat from the bacon and then roasted to a happy place in the oven...

Unfortunately the pasta was a bit under cooked (by a minute or two) and the fish was over cooked (also by a minute or two... if only I had switched out their times!)... But the sprouts were freaking delicious... Though my dinner companion did not seem to appreciate their beauty. Luckily, he brought a more than decent bottle of wine so he is forgiven.

This morning, the amazing brussel sprouts were tossed in a hot pan again to get warm, then eggs and seasonings were added... Pop that under the broiler for a few minutes with a few pieces of fresh buffalo mozzarella, and - poof! Yummy frittata!

Lesson learned here: bacon saves all meals, even those where you just couldn't get the timing right.