Layout:
Home > Vacation, + lots of etc.

Vacation, + lots of etc.

January 5th, 2010 at 01:54 am

Overall, my California trip went really well. My very favorite part of the trip was the day my dad, grandma and I spent with my brother in San Francisco and finally at his home in Napa. We stopped at Ghiradelli's and had hot chocolate, then somehow wound up under the Golden Gate bridge where we discovered a part of San Francisco none of us had been to before - Fort Point. Later, we played three games of Rook, and finally played Wii bowling.

We were planning on visiting Hearst Castle on our way from San Jose to Loma Linda, but we got started at nearly 1 p.m., and by the time we were within 30 minutes of Hearst, it was past time for the last tour of the day. So, we all agreed to continue on to Solvang.

A *lot* of eating out was done on this trip. So much so, that if I don't eat out again until this summer, it'd be just fine with me! On New Year's Eve we ate out at the Cheesecake Factory in Beverly Hills (by the Farmer's Market/Grove). The tip for that meal, and the hot chocolate at Ghiradelli's, were the only things I paid for the entire trip.

My grandma wasn't quite sure what her Wii was all about. She kept calling it "wi fi". Big Grin Once we got to her place, and I set it up so we could bowl, she got the hang of it. Smile

In Denver, (layover) I experienced my first deicing while on a plane. I was quite happy that my return trip was non-stop.

I got quite a few new clothes. We went shopping at an outlet place - Coldwater Creek, Liz Claiborne, and Izod's sister store, all contributed to my wardrobe. Smile Then we also hit up JC Penny's for one more item we couldn't find at the outlet place. All in all, for just a bit over $100 I got - two dressy tank tops; a new purse; a short sleeved sweater top; two other tops, and a dress.

---
One downer of my trip, which really had nothing to do with the trip at all. I got a call from E telling me my hours had been cut to 27. When I asked him where those hours had been cut (thinking only 4 had been cut) he told me Thursday. I used to work from 8 to close - he was putting me as noon to close.

I asked him if I could have 8 to 3 instead, to keep my schedule basically the same. He told me that K was the one wanting the morning hours. So then I told him to cut a few hours on T and F to equal out the 4 instead. He then tells me that those hours had already been cut!!

So then I asked him how he was figuring 27 hours, because it sounded like 8 hours were gone from my schedule. In the end, he made it so I have 29.5 hours.

I was expecting a cut in hours, but it still hurts (financially).

---
I had an interesting homecoming (to where I live). I was greeted at the door by all 4 animals. The two dogs raring to go for a walk.

However, the first acknowledgment/greeting I received from any of the humans was 6 hours later when I went out to the living room and told the daughter that Kayla was outside whining. She snottily informed me that Kayla was not whining. Umm ... ok. I just walked out to the living room for no reason, and happened to see Kayla at the door.

My next acknowledgment was from my landlady this afternoon after I had placed the doggy bag in the trashcan. A short curt "Be sure to lock the door!"

Nice. Adding to that the lovely argument I got to overhear last night between the mom and the kids ... is it May yet???

At least the animals are friendly to me.

---
The dishes situation is completely ridiculous. I had a mug of hot chocolate last night. I rinsed out the mug and the spoon, and placed them in the (empty) dishwasher.

Tonight, I went out to the kitchen to put groceries away, and found this note taped to the mug cabinet "Wash your own dishes!!"

I am seriously contemplating buying paper plates, cups, and plastic ware. I hate the waste and the expense, but it might just be worth it for the peace of mind.

I am also contemplating about whether it would be all that horrible to move during the semester if I found the right situation ...

---
Something which may help me be a bit more flexible in how much I can budget for housing ... my mom is letting me "have" one of her students for the $25/hr rate. She's been tutoring him at the $50/hr rate, but the mom just isn't able to keep going at that rate.

It would be 4 hours a week, so $100/wk. But it would be about an hour's drive one-way (assuming no major traffic snafus.)

If I do well with this kid, then it might lead to more people willing for me to tutor their child. So, this could be a good thing - especially with my hours being cut.

I'll be meeting the mom/child on Thursday to try it out.

My two biggest concerns are: 1)My mom is going to somehow hold this over me - that there is going to be some kind of extra expectation of me which hasn't been stated yet (like "I'd be glad to help you with getting a different car, but you have to promise me that you'll keep it clean and neat."), and 2) That for one reason or another the child and I won't gel, or I'll have no idea what I'm doing, and completely mess it up, and that somehow that will end up messing up my mom's tutoring business ...

I guess I shouldn't worry over milk that hasn't spilled yet ...

-----
While I was in San Jose, I ended up telling my Uncle about all my car troubles this year. He basically offered to either co-sign on a loan for a new car, or pay for it up front, and have me pay him back when I can.

The offer does appeal to me very much. Every time I get in my car I wonder if something is going to go wrong.

My dad recently replaced his car. He looked for months for a used car, or even for a few years old car (like an 09 leftover on the lot). He found that the used vehicles were going for as much, or more, as the new vehicles.

My uncle is big on Subaru's. They're good cars .. if I could find one that was similar in size and gas mileage to my Honda, I might go for it.

I just am not sure how I feel about going into such large debt to a relative. Paying it back in good time would depend so much on my finding a *real* job (i.e. not minimum wage!) once I graduate. But if my car dies on me, or gives me more mechanical headaches ... I'll end up having to do it anyway, plus have used up more savings to try to fix it.

Ugh! I've got such a headache thinking about all this!!

---
Spending:

Gas: $22.41 (Sunday)

Deli: $4

Groceries: $22.78 (replenishing things I ate up before the trip, etc.)

Almost forgot -- extra monies:
Brother - $40 (birthday money)
Grandma - $50
Dad - $200 (cell phone, space heater, baggage fees, + extra just because)

I'm thinking about getting a portable DVD player - something I can take to the gym to watch movies on, or use at home (since my computer's dvd program still isn't working!).

$10 of my brother's gift goes to saving/giving, but I could put the other $30 towards a portable DVD. Then if I used $30 of the money grandma gave me -- I'd have $60. If I used $25 of the extra my dad gave me, that would give me $85 to buy one.

I've seen them for right around $80, but need to do some research to see if I can find one for less. (I was told by all three that they *did not* want me to put all the money into savings or just bills - they want me to use it for something frivolous.)

I also kind of really need a new printer. It needs to have the scanning capability. Two or three rounds of printing out journal articles for research papers at the library would probably equal out to the cost of one. (my mid-term paper research cost about $18 in printing costs at the library)

---
Sorry if this is all over the place. I think jet lag + plane leaving 6:20 a.m. CA time on Sunday, and then getting up at 5:30 this morning for work all are coming together to make me very tired and out of sorts.

9 Responses to “Vacation, + lots of etc.”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    1262657087

    I'm sorry about your living situation. They are becoming down right rude to you! Plastic ware may ease things, but it sounds like they would find other things to nit pick about. I hope you can find another place soon.

  2. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1262657252

    Thanks CCF. That's my hope too. I'm thinking about putting out feelers at church this weekend - somehow I think I might find something better with a fellow church member. And this time I'll know better to make sure all expectations are clear - time of stay, dishes, etc.

  3. boomeyers Says:
    1262668140

    Wow!! Well...
    I love those outlet malls. They are great!
    Loved all your updates on FB!
    Cut hours Frown Living arrangement, hang in there for now! You will be gone a lot again soon.
    I would wait on the car too. That is a lot of money, even if you found a deal on a used one. You would become obligated to a loan and therefore have less freedom in your decisions.
    Try Craigslist for the DVD player or perhaps hang in till garage sale season!
    Thanks for filling us in on everything. Now get some rest!!

  4. frugaltexan Says:
    1262710131

    Thanks Boo,

    I did some more looking at portable DVD players, and found one for $60 that had great reviews. But then I thought more about it and realized that I'd reall only be able to use it until the 19th when school starts again - then not till May. So I think I'll stick with the dollar theater and my two movies a month that I can stream. And for my frivolous purchase, I'll get a pedicure. Smile there's a place here that does them for $10. Smile

  5. whitestripe Says:
    1262751398

    sorry about your living situation. argh, dishes were the bane of my existence when sharing. i see from your most recent post that you bought the plastic cups and plates etc which is a good solution. otherwise i was going to suggest just washing them by hand instead of using the dishwasher. Smile

  6. whitestripe Says:
    1262751576

    oh and meant to say, subarus are good, we have three friends that have one each. when we finally get a new car (2011 or 2012) we will be getting a subi - haven't decided on the model yet but i think we would just go for whichever is the best value for money at the time when comparing what's available - but it would be between a liberty, outback or forrester, and 05-09 models.. i think Smile

  7. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1262752270

    Thanks
    whitestripe,

    I would wash them by hand, more than happy to.
    The problem is that it takes at least 10 minutes running the hot water tap to get it warm. So, lets say I use one glass, a plate and a fork. Does it make sense to run the water for 15 minutes just to wash them? I, at least don't think so. So, I've tried rinsing my dishes and putting them in the dishwasher until I have enough to warrant running the water for so long. I've never actually been able to get to the point of washing them because she takes them out and washes them. So for awhile I just kept the dishes in my room, and then washed them. That wasn't really a good solution either. I've also had a number of times where
    i'd generated enough dishes in a day to warrant running the water, and then washed said dishes. Only to hear her later mutter loudly that she wished I hadn't washed the dishes.
    Counter to that though, I've overheard loud discussions with her kids about them needing to take care of their own dishes.

    There's more to it, but in the end, going the paper route just seems to be the easiest solution - at least until I can find a new place to live. Where I will make sure that ALL expectations are outlined from the beginning for both parties.

    Subuarus - I've heard many many people vouch for how awesome they are. Smile

  8. ceejay74 Says:
    1262801921

    Wait, let me predict: Next she'll complain about the increased garbage caused by the paper products. And if you start taking your garbage out with you and tossing it elsewhere...she'll start leaving notes about the excess oxygen you're breathing! Wink Best of luck on getting out of this souring situation before it gets much worse.

  9. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1262802311

    Heh! Love it Ceejay!

    I'm not sure if this was intentional or not (I tend to believe that it was) but last night Kayla didn't sleep with me. She's slept in my room every night since shortly after I moved in. Landlady's door was closed last night, while it normally is open. Hmm... It'll be interesting to see what happens tonight.

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]