Didn't really do much at all today at work, other than surf the internet and email the time report. The surveyor who was going to do the last weekday assignment yesterday hadn't left his stuff in the office. After a few phone calls found out he hadn't done it. Arranged for him to pick up a Palm and a battery and get it done TODAY, since doing it tomorrow would not have worked. Tomorrow I'm going to get the office space all cleaned up and store all the batteries and the Palms, clear the temp folders and caches on the computer , and generally batten down the hatches until whomever finishes the project in January comes to take over.

When I stopped at the library today to pick up my "Mary Mary" book (quite good so far) I stopped at the first place I always go in the library - the new release shelf. Guess what I found??? A new Scott Turio book!!!!! Woo Hoo!!! Two legal thrillers in one night - unfortunately both of them are 7-day checkouts, so I have to have them turned back in by next Tuesday - which really shouldn't be a problem.

I checked my checking account today and found out that all the transfers, etc resulting from the TIVO escapades on Saturday have evened out. Now all I have to wait for is my package from the Ebay seller.

Dad was very tired and cold tonight. He and Charles had been working outside in the rain all afternoon cutting up tree stumps and hauling them somewhere. We had broccoli soup and leftover biscuits (from supper last night) for supper.

Oh, almost forgot. Dad was complaining this morning about how cold I'm keeping the house. I'm sitting at the breakfast table in shorts and bare feet and am perfectly comfortable. I like to keep the thermostat at 60 - but even when it's 35 or 40 outside, inside it still reads right around 64 - 67. He'd like it more like at 68 - 70. As we were discussing it, he made the comment "When you have kids I'm going to insist on you keeping them warm." Um, hello! Would that be your business??? NO!! Someday if I ever have the good fortune of having some little ones of my own, I'm going to make sure they are comfortable and safe. Does that neccessarily mean that I'm going to have the thermostat at 70 in the winter? Nope, not neccessarialy - unless I have a well to do husband! He just doesn't like to wear layers inside. How hard is it to wear a sweatshirt with a shirt under it? To put on two pairs of socks? To put a blanket over your legs when your'e sitting still?

I made a decision tonight. Come February, when this lease is up, no matter what the situation is with my dad, I'm going to move to a place that is most convenient for ME without taking him into consideration. He'll still be welcome to eat his meals here, etc, but it just might mean a little extra driving time for him. If I'm truly going to get my life back on track, it's going to mean me making some selfish choices - choices that are in the best interest for me.

I talked to my mom tonight. She visited one of her internet people this past weekend. What a jerk!!! About 8 years ago my mom had her stomach stapled and lost over 100 lbs - which left a lot of saggy skin. Well, this guy apparantally did a peeking Tom type thing and observed her changing for a party they were going to. He then had the gall to tell her that her baggy skin disgusted him - and the fact that she had at one time weighed alot disgusted him!!!!!!!! I'll say it again - WHAT A JERK!!

No spending today.

Keeping It Frugal in Texas,
Laura