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I finally figured out how to change the font and color in here (kewl) - but how does one do the glitter words?  You are probably wondering why a 30-something woman would want to have access to glitter words?  Well, I want to check it out and get a little funky aka creative! 

There's snow and ice on the ground here - drove down the hill to take my daughter to the bus - she has skiing lessons every Saturday (well, thru March anyway).  Put the SUV in 4wheel drive and we made it just fine.  Walking on the ice takes a lot of strategic planning and practice. 

Grandma called this morning, she's heading up the hill to watch her granddaughter ski today - that should be exciting for them both.

While I am here paying bills, ordering plants/flowers online to plant in the next couple of weeks, doing laundry and other household chores, etc.  I do plan to also get my haircut (it really needs it) and maybe shop for some new clothes.  I have a DATE tonght...and I'm thinking a new outfit is in order!

The rest of the family is in the other room watching tv - I think I hear Spongebob and Patrick talking (from spongebob square pants).   Time to go fix some breakfast...Just another fun day in my neck of the woods.  

I did it - I went on a date with a MAN last Saturday. We had a good time. Actually, it was more of a meeting or having lunch with a MAN...a MAN that I can see myself dating...hummmm.
We have been in touch ever since. He has called me (just because) every other day. I called him once so far - to talk about the weather, of course!

He wants to get together again real soon - but he is unwilling to give up his week nights (he has kids) and I am busy this weekend (promised stuff with the kids) and next weekend I have a seminar to attend.

Let's see, the word here is COMPROMISE. We've been single for so long we really haven't had to do it for anyone else other than our children - of course! Hummmm.

He's a widow, like myself. I don't know if this really matters all that much - ok, it does a little...I've been widowed a lot longer than he - and what if I'm his rebound relationship - yikes. I definitely do not want that.

Hopefully, he doesn't want to rush into anything - which I know I do not want too. If I had my way (which I may well have), we will start out as friends first - and see if anything grows from there. If not, then we've made a pretty darn good friend (at least he has)! hee-hee

I'm getting a headache from thinking about dating and MEN again. Gotta jet. Enjoy life and be nice to each other...

Man, what a day. I went from a real low thinking about my slacking finances and scary future without money - drats! And then I heard from a friend going thru much worse stuff than I - we went out for dinner last night to talk thru our stuff...boy, does she have a lot on her plate right now...and I thought I had it bad - NOT! Not even!

Her eldest boy recently got caught with an illegal substance - he's grounded now for the entire month. WOW, that's it!

Her mother had a massive heart attack.

Her ex-husband (aka deadbeat) comes around once a year to stir up crap. Can I use that word in here?

She's been at her job for like 20 years or something like that. And she's now scared she might lose her job - the new boss seems dreadful to work for!

Her finances are depleted too - but we ate out and had a good time last night anyway!

That's a lot for any single parent (or even married parents) to have to deal with.

This morning I refrained from purchasing anything from that darn Current catalog - boy, that was hard!

I received most of the stuff I ordered online already - I think there are just a couple of things out there somewhere, making their way here. I'm returning two big things today - didn't like the way they looked (cheap material). Got invited to a jewelry party - it's tonight. I'm going...I could use another nice pair of earrings!

No, I'm not an ebay kind of gal - I leave that for everyone else. I've been purchasing things from other online stores like JCpenny, Target, Aveda, and misc. clothing online stores. Maybe I should take a break - ya think!

Alright, it's about that time for me to go make the big bucks. Yeah, that means 'off to work I go'.
Ciao

Ok, so today I'm thinking about my finances. Thinking I need to stop buying stuff...I've been purchasing a lot of stuff lately...nice stuff, but I need to quit it - NOW! Ok, so now I should stop. Now I am thinking about my future...yikes. Who wants to do that, especially now?

I'm thinking about how things will be in the distant but near future. I will lose my Social Security Survivors benefit in 5 years - yikes. That means, I have 5 years to complete my degree and business goals. Will 5 years be enough time for me to obtain my Masters degree? I haven't even received my Bachelor's yet. I'm just a few credits shy of my AA. Darn math!!!

Is this the direction I really want to go? How about something else, like photography...that may be a much easier route to take. Decisions-decisions. And do I really need that good ol' Masters degree?!?! Maybe not - but I would like to have it...why you ask? I don't really know, it's just a feeling that I have. It would, no doubt, help me whether I want to open up my own business or get that great job with a great salary and 'great' benefits.

Anything can happen in the next 5 years - I could get hurt, get married (yikes), be the next American Idol (yeah right), or win the Lottery...anything could happen. So, why am I so worried now about my future? Perhaps it's because I've been shopping like I have never been before. I'm not in complete debt - but close. It's still manageable - but if I keep it up, in 5 years it will not be manageable...and I would hate to leave my comfortable zone and return to that horrible 8-5 (++ overtime/travel) to just make it month to month - and I don't want to return to that. Yikes.


Ok, time to calm down - get a grip Gretchen!!!
I'm trying...bear with me. Thanks!