* I finally received my reimbursement check from the disability insurance overpayment. So, that's $16.25 more which I'll be putting in my Downpayment fund.
* I had an ING referral go through today. So, that's $10 more to the Downpayment fund. 
* My carpooler paid me today. I'm probably going to have to get gas tomorrow - so I think I'll put that $10 to my gas fund. $10 worth of gas should get me through to Friday, and a replenished gas fund.
* On Sunday I went on my first outing with the DFW club. There were six of us who ate lunch at the museum (good price/food). Then 4 more showed up in time to do the tour. The exhibit was really quite large, and I really enjoyed seeing works by Monet and Gaughlin etc. in person.
* I used nearly 1/2 tank of gas to go to the museum and back. Ugh.
* I've really been trying to do the gas mileage "tricks". Such as driving 55, not using a/c unless absolutely needed, trying to keep a steady smooth pace, etc.
I'm not sure if all of that has given me much more than an extra 15 miles or so. I'm also not sure if it's worth continuing when I'm having people practically running over me on the tollway. Or, like yesterday on 35, having people tailgating me and giving me birdy signs when they finally pass.
* This weekend I had a very visual reminder of why it's so important - so *vital* to have renter's insurance. Sometime Sunday morning one of the apartments in my complex caught fire. By the time the fire was out, 4 apartments were destroyed, and 12 others were heavily damaged by smoke and water. One person was injured, but I haven't heard anything about pets.
Neither my carpooler nor I had even heard the sirens or commotion because the area where this happened is on the other side of us, closer to the main road.
* I spent a bit of money this weekend on foolish and wasteful things. Things I knew I shouldn't be spending money on even as I bought them. Unfortunately, they are not things that can be taken back.
I got stressed out at work on Friday (over something which I found out today was not even necessary) and the "who cares" monster came out to play. Oy.
* I have signed up for not just one, but for TWO 5k's in September! One is on Labor Day, and the other is on the 14th. I was so happy to find races that weren't on Saturday. I really want to make going to church a regular part of my life again.
* The race on the 14th benefits an organization that does a lot to help underprivileged children in India and the US inner cities obtain an education. I have set a fund raising goal, and made a donation page. If anyone is interested in hearing more, let me know.
* One of my co-workers today told me that her daughter was interested in doing a 5k with me. So I gave her the info for both of the races I've signed on for, and told her I'd love to have the company!
* I've been having trouble with my abductor muscle the last week or so. E, my PT was telling me it could be overtraining. I sheepishly asked him if the problem could also be caused by drinking too much coke.
After telling me what I know already (i.e. soda dehydrates muscles) he told me that for every ounce of soda I drink, I should drink 2 ounces of water to somewhat mitigate the effects.
He also suggested using foam rollers to help work out my leg muscles. Although he said a much less expensive option was just getting some pvc pipe from Home Depot, etc. That it would serve the same purpose. **Bright idea alert! I just remembered that I have two pvc poles that my dad made for me years ago (for some exercise video - which have gone unused) which would work perfectly! Can't get more inexpensive than free!
E will be working at the gym in the morning, so maybe I should take one of them and see if he'll have time to show me what to do.
* E also told me today that due to minimum wage rising, that the gym's monthly fees will be going up as of September 1.
So, since my training session is coming to an end (2nd week of August) I will have to start paying the quarterly fee.
I can either pay for the first quarter by the end of August at the lower rate, then after that have to pay at the higher rate.
OR I can pay for a full year's membership at the lower rate, then once that year is up, will have to pay the higher rate.
Paying a full year upfront will save about $120 over paying the higher rate.
My only quandry though is, what if I do end up moving to CA in March? They have a no refund policy.
Bits and Pieces
July 29th, 2008 at 02:51 am
July 29th, 2008 at 03:02 am 1217300573
Wow, good for you! 2 more 5Ks! I dropped my registration check off (despite knowing my finances will be muddled due to the tenant leaving and who knows how long before house will be rented). I have rounded up my sponsors (three so far to come up $100) to benefit the fund at my kids' school which helps with tuition. Certainly I now have an incentive! And I did 3.1 miles in 50 minutes at the Y today ...
And I must confess I did useless spending as well. I had a damn coupon for $20 free dollars at an expensive store. I hate my address numbers, so I plunkered down an additional $41 for a new address/number holder. I am disgusted with myself in a whole new totality. And because I paid with a check it isn't easily refundible.
July 29th, 2008 at 03:16 am 1217301401
July 29th, 2008 at 03:43 am 1217303008
3.1 miles in 50 minutes? Wow! You are getting into my range.
I'm not sure what you mean by "address holders". Do you mean an address book? If so, could you use your cell phone (if you have one) to store #'s and addresses? Or, you could use whatever email program you use to store that same info plus a lot more.
The items I can't return are because they *were* edible.
gamecock,
Hmm . . that is a good question. Even if it was possible, I'm not sure who I could sell it to. I will have to check with E about that possibility.
July 29th, 2008 at 05:42 am 1217310174
If you are going to use the gym, splurge at the cheaper price!
Good luck on all your runs and I hope your coworkers daughter goes with you! Your an inspiration!
July 29th, 2008 at 12:21 pm 1217334099
I don't really need a/c in the mornings on the way to work because it usually is still cool enough to not matter. Then after work, unless I have someplace special to go, I can put my hair up in my "alligator" clip and roll down the windows, as long as I'm driving on main roads and not on the highway. If it's too unbearable, I will turn it on.
July 29th, 2008 at 01:24 pm 1217337889
July 29th, 2008 at 01:30 pm 1217338240
TexasLaura ~ I should have said "house number holder" or adress marker. It certainly was an upgrade to what I have, but totally a nonessential.
July 29th, 2008 at 01:46 pm 1217339199
You are right - I've read that as well. Except that I've also read that it only matters at highway speeds (such as 55mph+) but at normal road speeds (30 - 45 mph) it is different.
Momcents,
I'm still not sure what you're talking about
July 29th, 2008 at 03:27 pm 1217345233
July 29th, 2008 at 04:48 pm 1217350085
No, the gym is not a commercial chain - it's located only locally. I haven't seen the contract yet, so will have to see if their is any kind of stipulation regarding moving out of the area or not.
July 29th, 2008 at 05:17 pm 1217351821
July 29th, 2008 at 06:02 pm 1217354575
Check your email.
July 29th, 2008 at 08:15 pm 1217362535
July 30th, 2008 at 01:53 am 1217382838