It's Rough Being Me (not)!

Despite the upheaval in my personal life this year a large number of friends and co-workers have recently commented on how happy I seem.  It was summed up quite nicely today when I broke a nail. 

See, I have very little vanity, but my nails are my weakness/strength.  I have natural nails that are unusually strong, long and healthy.  They are low maintenance, even when I ignore them they look good.  I do frequently pamper myself with DIY manicures, and I admit have a bit of a polish addiction.  So today when my index finger nail broke, 2 days before a big weekend full of social plans, I was bummed.  And I admit I whined for a bit.  Okay, it was actually 2 hours of whining.  And then I realized something, this was the only thing in my life to whine about. 

For the first time in years, I have nothing more than a broken nail to weigh my spirit down.  My bills are all paid, my health is good, my loved ones are safe.  I have some money in the bank, I have a job, I have a place to live.   If all I have to complain about is a broken nail, I should stop wasting my time with complaining and start thanking God for my blessings.   So I did.   And then I made plans to go get acrylic nails for the weekend.   God still loves me, even if I'm silly and slightly vain. 

Still crazy busy (with pictures)

ETA:  I've linked this to the Christmas Tree Party:

Somehow I've found myself volunteered to help plan and host a children's party at my office.  I work with around 40 people, and there are 9 kids (ages newborn to seven) who will be attending.   We haven't done a children's Christmas party in awhile, it went away when the budget had to be tightened.   This year a co-worker (a child free one) asked if we could hold it, if it was funded by her.   The Powers that Be agreed, and somewhere along the lines it went from my coworker planning it, to me planning it.   I've decided we're doing a sugar cookie decorating party.  I have it on good authority that kids LOVE sprinkles.  As do I. 

I finished the Oreo Truffles and the Christmas Pretzel Mix this morning, so tonight I will be boxing them up.  I made labels for the boxes/bags, so I won't be tempted to open them.  I also brought in all the extra pretzel mix and my coworkers have snacked on it all day. 

This is a picture of my Christmas tree.  I had a regular tree, the prelit kind which I scored on clearance at WalMart for $2.97, but it had colored lights.  I dislike colored lights, I prefer white lights, but my ex insisted on having his way when I bought it.  So once the divorce was final I gave the thing away, along with all my Christmas ornaments and decorations we'd bought together.  I kept everything I'd made, or that a family member had made though.  This year I wanted something "fresh" and cheap.  Mostly cheap.  

Twigs from the lot across the street:  free. 
Ribbon: 50% off at Hobby Lobby, under $10 total. (Aqua, Hot Pink, Lime and White)
Glass Ornaments:  I already had clear ornaments that I used to make glittery ornaments with $2 worth of glitter.
Unbreakable Ornaments in new colors: $3 at Dollar General for 20.
Glass Vases, Pebbles for Base: Already had those. 
Lights: $5.  I loaned some to a friend for her Halloween party and forgot to get them back. 
Tulle for table top: $2 (the three colors are layered but you can't tell in the picture)
White paint for twigs: $1

So for $23 I have a new "tree".  The best part is that it makes me really happy.   Aqua is one of the colors in my main living area, so I'm thinking about just removing the pink and lime elements and leaving it up year round.

Here's the ornament my Mom sent me:

It was in one of my care packages this fall.  Yes, I'm 40 and my Mom still sends me care packages, she's just awesome like that. 

I swear I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.  I was gone the last part of November to my hometown, where I can't get reliable internet.  Now that I'm caught up at work, I've started the holiday madness.  Although all of my presents are bought but 2 small items, I'm in the middle of a baking frenzy.   I'll update with progress soon.

Good, Bad, Awesome

It's been a busy week for me, and this blog is suffering for lack of attention.   I'm going to copy the theme of Mysti's post over at makingsenseofcents and just give you the highlights of my week.

The GOOD: 

I've updated my information and name change with Social Security and the DMV.  I am in possession of  my new driver's license, which I won't have to renew again until 2020.   

I found out that you can wash potatoes in your dishwasher.  I put all 10 pounds of potatoes in the top rack and ran the dishwasher as usual, omitting the detergent.   Then I baked the potatoes in the oven.  Once they cooled down, I sliced them open and scooped out the insides for Loaded Baked Potato Soup.  Yummy.  And economical since I bought the potatoes on sale last weekend for $2.88 for 10 pounds.  

The BAD:

The driver's license cost me $54.25.  That's more than I was expecting, the last time I updated my address it was only $10.   I was expecting it to cost about $25 dollars.

I have $5 in cash and $3.64 in the bank until I get paid next week.  It shouldn't be a problem, but that's cutting it a little too close. 

The AWESOME:

My cousin's currently unemployed husband fixed a bunch of things that were wrong with my Mom's car.  I worry about her and it's nice to know that she's all set mechanically for awhile.  For $500 he changed the oil, replaced the radiator, fixed the headlights, replaced the tie-rods, replaced the busted wheel covers, detailed the car, put in new floor mates, seat covers and steering wheel cover.  He also pounded out most of the dents where a deer had hit it, and tuned it up.   She says it's like having a new car.

Also awesome:  The debt I owe to Home Depot is actually on my Mom's card.  I recently changed banks, and in order to change my method of payment on the HD website I needed some information from her; the card security number and the last 4 digits of her social security number.  She ended up making a payment in person because we couldn't seem to connect on the phone for a couple of weeks.  I called her and she was moving into her new house, and she'd call me and I was driving, etc.    Anyway, when she made the payment, she took the money she'd made from selling my Dad's old tractor and put half of it toward the HD card.   It almost paid half of the balance, so I should be able to wipe out the remaining balance soon.   

Just Say No

While we were in the Judge's waiting room the day of my divorce my ex-husband reminded me (demanded, really) to call the car insurance company and have my name removed from his policy.  I had waited to start my own policy on the advice of the insurance company rep; some law requires you to name your spouse on your policy and then I'd have to get him to remove his name from my new policy, etc.   I told him it would have to wait until payday, which was yesterday.  

First thing yesterday, I called the insurance company and made the switch to my own policy.   It's $20 more per month than what I was paying as a married person, but hey, you can't buy happiness.   (actually you can...it's $422 to get divorced in the State of Florida)  I sent my ex-husband a text letting him know I changed over and that he'd probably need to call and find out what his new insurance rate is, being that he's no longer getting the "married rate".

Several hours later I get a text saying  "There's still a final payment of $116 on the 10th of this month, are you going to pay your half of it?"     Umm, how about NO?   I'm no longer on his policy.  We don't pay ahead, the payment comes out on the 10th of the month and covers the premiums until the 10th of the next month.   I was removed effective yesterday, so therefore I owe nothing, correct? 

I'm sticking to my guns and not paying it, unless everyone out there says I'm wrong, and if so I'll happily pay it.   My ex is a complete bully when it comes to money, and I've had enough. 

Welcome

Today marks my first day as a divorcee.   I set up this page simply so I could easily follow/comment on some of my favorite blogs, but I find myself drawn to putting something down in black and white to commemorate this moment in my life.

One of the biggest reason we divorced is that we had different goals in life.  I wanted to be financially stable, he wanted to be continually drunk.   Those goals were mutually exclusive.   The last 5 months, being separated, living alone, have been awesome.  I feel like I'm on the right path to some financial stability.  And I plan to use this blog to help me stay that way. 

Testing This Out

I'm adding in this post to see what the layout actually looks like.