Hidden Money

I've been on a journey of debt reduction and minimalizing my possessions.  If I don't use it and it has no emotional attachment (minus my wedding dress), I am selling it and dumping the money on debt.

I started this path of cleaning and purging when I was tired of owning clothing that no longer fit and wanting to pay for a trip without amassing debt and using credit cards.

Since the beginning of the year, I've sold near to $1600 worth of stuff, most items in the $5.00 range, although with the higher priced items, it averages out to about $8-10 per item.  

This bra represents a whole lot to me!  I am part of a few Dave Ramsey Facebook groups and people quite often say they have nothing to sell.  I beg to differ. You have a lot more than you think.  Think outside the box.  This bra has been sitting in my drawer for about 5 years, still with tags on it.  I bought it to wear under my wedding dress, but that didn't work, so rather than take it back to the store, I kept it 'just in case'.... my sweet lord!  How foolish.  

Fast forward 5 years.  I have had this thing listed for sale for about 6 months.  A lot of interest, but as is often the way with online sales, zero respect and no follow through with pick up  - until last night!  I pocketed a cool $15.00 for this beauty!   It was money that went directly to my dog grooming sinking fund.  $10.00 in sales and Daisy's next grooming appointment is funded.

Step back and take a look.  What do you have to sell?  I bet more than you realize!

Until next time,

~T xo

A Rug Or A Dog?

How is this for a down in the dumps dog?

Or this one?

Daisy can be a wee bit anti-social and a lot of a sucky baby when life doesn't go her way? Hmmmm, sound like anyone you know? :)

We have neighbours now, after living here for almost a year without. The neighbours on one side have a dog. Daisy doesn't like it.

The neighbours on the other side and towards the back are outside today building a deck. Daisy doesn't like it.

She's has been pretty much 'off' all day. She is not a happy girl. She had to go outside this afternoon to do her business and she put it off to the very last minute and when she did finally go out, it was a fast doo-doo job and the whole time peeking over her shoulder to see that no one was watching. She's a shy girl too, I see.

All these things I tell you are true, but the real reason for posting pics of Daisy doo-doo is to bring some sunshine to my blog and my heart. She is such a precious little girl. I don't know how I can be so sad at times with the likes of her in my life. My little love girl, even though her heart beats for Cute Boy and not me.

If these pictures of my sweet girl don't bring a smile to my face nothing will, and hopefully to yours too.

When The Running is Tough

The runners try to maintain a healthy diet. This is my effort to try and undo the damage to my heart and head when I was still in pain this morning on my run. I decided to come upstairs and try and turn the frown upside down with some good eats.

The little Daisy girl in the background is good at bringing out the smiles too. She is such a little bum and I just love her to bits, although the feeling isn't so much mutual. She is a Cute Boy girl.

Nothing much on the agenda today. Mini run 8 minutes -woohoo. Not only is my leg sensitive, but my treadmill seems to be making a nasty banging noise now too! It was moved this past week with the incline up and that is a major no-no. I have to get a name of a repair guy to come have a look at it. Add that to the list of annoyances in my running world and I'm in a pissy mood!

Big baseball party on the schedule for tonight. Really looking forward to it. I love partying with my ball team. They are so fun and funny. I will be partaking in some cupcakes. I can't wait for that as much as I am looking forward to hanging out and relaxing.

I am dragging ass though, because as much as I was excited to be off all weekend, no sooner did I hit 'publish post', last night saying I was off all weekend, the phone rang calling me in for a midnight. It wasn't the best midnight I've ever worked, but it's done now.

I'm off to do a little bit more of nothing.

Lookin' Out For Ya, Mom

This would be how, more often than not, I find my dog. Daisy is keeping an ever watchful eye on the homestead. She's a good girl like that. Do you remember the dog on the Bugs Bunny cartoon that would sit on the hill watching over the sheep? I can't remember the dog's name, but this is what Daisy puts me a mind of every time I see her looking out in to the back yard.

What she is really probably looking at is the dog in the yard at the back of ours. Cute Boy and I refer to this other dog as her boyfriend. He will come up to the fence, okay not really a fence, but pallets, not our pallets, and sniff for Daisy and she will some times great him and some times not. She has mastered the skill of playing hard to get. She's a good girl like that too.

I can't wait until the dog days of summer so I can be out on the deck with her. Not too much longer. I keep telling myself that and soon enough it will be true.

Saturday Sweetness

I've finished my run. I felt and feel incredible. If I feel so incredible, someone please tell me why I delay the work out and the running like I do. I'll never figure it out.

I did intervals for 40 minutes. 4.89KM later, so close to 5K, I'm done for the day. I did a mini shoulder, bicep work out as well. One work out at a time. I will build on this tomorrow with something physical. Maybe a bike ride, maybe a walk on the treadmill, or better yet outside with the dog. Shhhhh, don't read that part too loud because if she hears the word "walk" she goes crazy. Cute, but crazy.

Here was my post work out snack. One of my all time favorite combos right now. Can't get enough of it.

1/2 cup Liberte Yogurt
splash vanilla
1/2 sweetener packet
chopped strawberries
1/2 all bran bar

After assembly, it looks like this:

I love the crunch of the granola bar on top and the fact that it's only a 4 point snack. I get in a dairy serving as well as a portion of fruit. Yummy goodness!

I'm outta here for now. I'm off to attempt to knock things off my to-do list.

Again, have a great day!

Saturday Stuff

I've been up and on the go since 8am and haven't accomplished much other than a couple cups of coffee and a bit of house cleaning.

Cute Boy is gone to work so it's just Miss Daisy and me for the rest of the day. There is so many things that need to be done. Treadmill, weight train, floor washing, stitching (gasp) and a couple movies to be watched is what I have on the agenda for the day.

First on the list has to be the work out or I'll put it off so long that I'll end up doing nothing and that is not the path to success! :)

In answer to a couple questions in my comment section - Yes, I've been on anti-depressants in the past (2x). I know the value of them and the importance of meds at times like this. My very first bout of depression was difficult, as was expected. One thing, I'm never ashamed of is being depressed. Although, I'm saying I like or look forward to it. t is something broken with my emotions and chemical balance. It is no different in my opinion, than having a broken arm other than the hurts inside aren't something seen to the human eye, but deserves as much respect and understanding.

I'm off to do some of the chores I've listed. I will hopefully be back with a few other posts today, since I've some things I want to share.

Have a great one!

It'll Be Random

Do you ever just have one of those days?

It starts off great - I'm alive.

I weigh in - why bother?

I get my coffee and out to the deck I go with coffee and my book. It has been this way all week. Couldn't ask for more in that regard.

I decide to try and do the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. Things are finally set up for me downstairs so that I can give it a whirl. This being a non-run day, I thought I'd have a date with a sexy hot gorgeous woman. Not to be. I can't navigate the DVD menu without the remote. AUGHHHHHH!!!!!

I want to give a shout out to my WEE Krista. You don't suck! You're awesomeness extraordinaire! I thank you for your support, your shoulder and your friendship. I was in a hole this morning and you tied your rope around me and pulled me out! I thank you! I thank you! I thank you!

This post is all over the map. I'm all over the map. Sometimes, I swear I'm manic!

I wonder why I can't find peace with my body and my current state of being? I know I shouldn't be comparing the physical me of before to the me of today. It's the most difficult thing for me to grasp. I was sooooo successful before, but I was in the gym all the time. Was that good? I'm not sure? Was I happy? I think so! Was I proud of myself? Absolutely! That I'm not reaching that level of commitment and intensity now, disappoints me.

I know I'm too hard on myself at times and I work towards changing that, but old habits die hard. I don't know why I do this to myself, I just do.

I want to find balance in my life. Financially, emotionally and physically. The only way for me to do that is keep working forward. Keep questioning my motives. Keep on with the discovery of why I do what I do. In all that, I also need to find the time to just be. I'm working on that this past week while on my deck with coffee in hand and book in lap while peeking looks at my lovely little dog loving life on the deck with her mommy. That is some balance right?

I told you it would be random!

I'm outtta here to see what other kind of trouble I can get in to today since Jillian and I couldn't hook up!

Summer Sunny Smell

There are good things to report today.

• Yesterday I drank all my waters plus some.
• I ate within in my flex points yesterday.
• I feel much better mentally. Not so much physically, but that will come.

Today is a better day than most. I had a great night's sleep last night which always helps. I only ended up on the couch at 6:30am and that was because I was hot and couldn't get back to sleep. I ended up hitting the couch so as not to wake Cute Boy.

The most wonderful thing happened today. I put Daisy dink outside many times this morning. She loves the sun and frolicking in the back yard on the wee bit of grass we now have laid. When I was leaving for work, I gave her a kiss and snuggle good bye and she smelled like warm summer sun. It was the most wonderful smell and feeling in the world at that moment.

Life is good!

Drama Filled House

Life isn't bad at all, just drama filled with my Drama Queen (aka Queenie), home for a few days. Cute Boy, Princess, Miss Daisy (dog) and I took a little road trip to Belleville yesterday to meet FN (will not translate that one for you - use your imagination :)) and pick up Queenie.

The car ride home was filled with chatter and giggles. It warms my heart to know those girls are the other's best friend. The one good thing FN and I did was to encourage the girls to remember they are the rock for the other. It seems to have worked.

Can I rave a little bit about how I think Cute Boy is wonderful? We are having my former in-laws over for dinner tonight. I'm so blessed to be loved by them, Cute Boy and B & M. To know that Cute Boy is comfortable with our relationship means the world to me. Not only are B & M coming for dinner, but Cute Boy is doing all the work and cooking too. Awwwww, he does my heart good.

After a week of trials and turbulence, life is taking on an easy pace, although still hectic. Things with the house are still all about cleaning organizing and unpacking. I love it!

Pics are coming. I promise they are going to be here before the end of the week. That is my mini goal. Don't want to over do it too much.

Happy healthy days to you!

Almost Home

As I stated in my previous post, there is lots going on in regards to the house.

We finally have a move in date - this Saturday. There is so much going on and I'm doing my best not to stress out. I'm a regular stand up comedienne if you believe that one.

The condo is getting packed up and I can come nowhere near close to expressing how over joyed I am about that development. Good bye and good riddance.

This week is going to be crazy busy. Tomorrow I'm heading to Belleville to Lowe's for a bathroom light fixture, but not before a stop at Starbucks. The current light in the bathroom now is too long for the current set up and lays against the HRV thingy.

There is a wee bit of an issue with our kitchen. The light that is to be hanging over the island was measured to be hanging 'here', but the island is actually 'there'. The electrician wasn't sure what was to be done with the extra hole. He capped it with this glaringly ridiculous cover thing until he had direction from the building company. It looks bad and I'm glad to report that Derek (our contact with the building company) agrees. He informed us before we even mentioned it, that the hole and cover would be fixed and gone.

The cleaning company is to be in on Wednesday to get things prepared for our walk through on Thursday and we have our appointment on Friday with the lawyers. So things are really moving now.

Daisy has been booked with the groomer on Saturday morning so she's not traumatized with all the goings on of another move. Poor freaking dog! This is her last move for a while. I think of all the upheaval she has probably fared the best. To live the life of a dog, or this dog anyway.

The friends have been called upon and the thoughts of "Home Sweet Home" are dancing in my head. I thank each and every one of you that has gone through this venture with me, here on my blog and in real life. It is far from over, I know, but right now progress is being made.

What am I most excited for? A bath? A dishwasher (again)? A kitchen I can really cook in? A washer and dryer(again)? A garage with garage door opener? The list could go on and on and on... you get the idea, I'm sure. I'm just so excited to know I'm almost home again. In something that feels like mine, something I can be happy to clean and want to clean. A place that I belong and belongs to me. Awwww, the simple things in life.

Sweet!

Gold, Las Vegas, Carey, D-Day

I'm so glad I went to the gym yesterday to start towards a healthier happier heart. You think I'd take that and build from it, but no! What do I do but go home and spend hours in front of my television watching Canada's Junior hockey team win their 5 gold medal in as many years.

What a game it was! You see, I'm not a passive sports fan. Truth be told, I'm a screamer. My poor dog will never be the same. Between the screaming of Cute Boy and myself, I think Miss Daisy thinks she's in t-r-o-u-b-l-e! She was comedic entertainment in an otherwise stressful evening!

Those kids are incredible. What poise they showed in the face of diversity, including finger biting and back of the head punches from the Swedish players. I know emotions can run high in such a situation, but the lack of composure shown and poor sportsmanship was glaring in the way the Swedish players were attacking the Canadians. I'm biased, yes, but I'm also fair. I was so disappointed to see such blatant penalties and lose of composure. I'm not the greatest at noticing penalties, but last night even I could have called the game!

~~~~~~~~~~
Cute Boy came home from work yesterday with a question for me: What would you think about going to see a Nascar race, March 1st, in Las Vegas? Holy, what did you say??? No thinking about it! I'm there! A co-worker and his wife are huge Nascar fans and are going to Las Vegas to the race and invited us along because they know I'm a big fan. Cute Boy - not so much.

Cute Boy is a little concerned it might be a bit too soon after buying the house. He may be right. I do think it might do us well to get away for a bit, part and parcel because of all the drama and stress of the house. Not to mention, Vegas in March has to be a hell of a lot better than Ontario in March!

The plan will be discussed over the next couple days and we will be making a decision soon!

~~~~~~~~~~
Call me spoiled. Cute Boy came home from work with a Carey Price t-shirt for me. We are going to see Montreal play Ottawa in March, so I've been whining about wanting a Carey Price piece of clothing and I'm my way to getting one. The only shirt that could be purchased was a child's medium. It fits, but we are going to keep looking for a woman's small. I can't wait to be Carey Price proud with my new shirt!

~~~~~~~~~~
D-Day (otherwise known as closing day) January 15th! Cute Boy was talking with Derek (building contact) and the final walk through is January 15th, so barring any complications the move will take place that weekend.

Can you say excited? I'm excited, apprehensive and every emotion you can imagine in between.

There is so much to be packed in the condo and organizing to be done. Sometimes it doesn't pay to be anal retentive.

I can say without a doubt I'm ecstatic to have this condo living phase of my life behind me.

Is Santa Hiring?

I want to apply for the position of Spare Reindeer in Training? Does anyone know where I forward my resume?

I got this most fabulous present from Cute Boy (and he says he doesn't love me) that I probably didn't deserve. It brings out my eyes, don't ya think?

I've had a very stressful week, all of my own making, but stressful nonetheless. You see my Mommy and Princess went shopping for Christmas goodies the other day and put the Christmas goodies on the table. Well, they know from lingering evidence of previous actions that I'm able to get on the table. I know! I know! I know! I'm a sneaky one, aren't I! So, knowing I could get on the table I did.... I ate the candies *insert maniacal giggle here* . Okay maybe not so funny after all, because those candies tasted mighty scrumptious going down, but let me tell ya about when they come up. No? You'd rather not hear that??? Okay, but you can probably imagine, eh? I yakked and yakked....all out my mouth. Nothing out my derierre. The candies were so mint flavoured you could smell it in my pee. Nice, eh! I'm a special girl with very special talents!!!!

I'm thinking with all the trouble I'm causing around here lately I'd be best to start looking out for myself and bringing in a little money before I get myself the boot. If I show a little initiative and maturity by looking for work, do you think they'll forgive my indiscrections?

Who am I kidding? They love me to the point of insanity around this joint. I don't have enough time to fit work in to my schedule. Being this cute takes up an awful lot of my time!

Until next time.

Love,

Daisy

Yankee Stadium Distance Challenge

Distance to go - 292.7

I didn't do a distance challenge for August. Zero is zero no matter how you look at it.

Now living in condo hell, Daisy no longer has a yard and needs to be walked a minimum of 2 times daily. She sometimes gets more walks than that, but I'm not always the one doing the walking. That would be Cute Boy, bless him.

The distance I walk isn't far. This isn't the type of hardcore work out I'm accustomed to nor muscle building. Only .76 each loop, but every little bit helps.

September
4 - 1.52
5 - 1.52
6 - 2.28
7 - 2.28
8 - 1.52
9 - 1.52
10 - 1.52
11 - 1.52
12 - 1.52
13 - 2.28
14 - 2.28
15 - 2.28
16 - .76
17 - 1.52
18 - .76
19 - 2.28
20 - 3.04
22 - .76
23 - 2.15
24 - .76
25 - .76
26 - .76
27 - 2.28
28 - 1.52
29 - 1.52
30 - 1.52 (42.58)

As I enter the distances, I find this might not be all that bad a thing, this condo hell of mine.

September End Distance Remaining - 250.12KM

When You Do This...

You get this....

Cute Boy and I took Daisy apple picking this afternoon and she was spent by the time all was said and done.

After picking apples we went to visit Cute Boy's sister and BIL for BIL's birthday today. I'm ashamed to say that Daisy was a snob to Cute Boy's sister. She wouldn't sit with Gloria or give her the time of day, really. She couldn't get enough of Dave nor the chipmunk watching, which was absolutely hilarious. My dog has developed a love of chipmunk watching and chasing if I'd allow such behaviour. What is a dog mommy to do when her baby grows up to be a monster?

A Day In The Life of....

a sauce pot of a puppy.

Told by Daisy - My mommy attempted to strip her bedding today, but I had other ideas. She thought she could lure me away with treats. Does she really think I'm that easy? Hmmmph! I showed her who was running this show and as much as she thinks it's her, I know different! I let her think she's got it going on, but when I don't want to do something I don't. It is plainly obvious to everyone, but my Mommy and girl (Princess) that they know nothing about the art of manipulation. One bat of my big brown eyes and I'm the winner of every fight!

This picture tells of the abuse I live with day in and day out. My mommy left me in the yard by myself and I got into a world of a mess. I dug up in front of the shed and was hiding in the cool dirt. Don't I look lover-ly with my muddy muck paws. Again, I win. Mommy abused me and now she's fawning all over me apologizing for leaving me in the yard to my own vices. I keep up with the pitiful abused expressions until I can no longer stand the constant petting and kisses. It is fun! I tell ya, the life I live is a-w-e-s-o-m-e! I've got this family wrapped around my little finger, okay maybe not my little finger, since they all seem the same size really. You know what I mean!

Awwww, a dog's life

Mommy, I'm having a bad hairday!

Have you ever seen a cuter, more pathetic looking thing in your life?

This would be my baby girl with a really bad hair do. She is need of her spring cut and I've yet to book her. I trim her through the winter to keep the hair out of her eyes and trim away any mats she may get from wet paws. She is working the room in this shot. Trust me on that one.

Oh, how I love this little dog.

Smell That?

It really is spring! I just got home from work and on my way to my car I could smell a skunk. I was so happy I was grinning from ear to ear. I love the smell of skunk and I know when I smell one this time of year, in my books, it is officially spring. I'm so excited right now, you have no idea.

That is about all the excitement in my world today - a skunk smell.

I worked this weekend, which is nothing new. I stitched a bit, not near as much as I normally do, but I made a dent on the contribution I want to do with the Paula Vaughan piece I'm working on. I have another couple hours to contribute then I'm mailing it on to the next finisher.

I cleaned up my stitching list today. I still have 11 pieces on my WIP list. I'm slowly making progress on my UFO piece, Halloween Fairy. I should have a pic to share in another couple weeks. I had to do some frogging of her wing. I should have known better than to stitch while my house was under renovation. I will need to place an on-line order for floss because I definitely don't have enough to finish her up. Not a good thing, on-line shopping when I'm trying to cut my spending!

I didn't go to the gym today. I was a lazy bum this morning and hung out at Cute Boy's rather than getting up, coming home and heading to the gym. I did take my dog for a walk though. So she is happy I didn't go to the gym. I don't usually walk her because she doesn't 'need' it with living in the house and running crazy around the backyard. Cute Boy made me feel guilty about not walking her though, saying she may not need it, but was sure she'd like it. Okay, point made. Dog walked! I will try and make this part of my every day. One of the reasons I wanted a small dog after having a Rottweiler, is because I didn't have to walk her, not to mention the social responsibility of a larger dog is much greater than a small dog. People were so afraid of my Rottie, but it really is the Shih Tzu that is more temperamental than the Rottie every dreamed of being! Hmmmm

Anyway, I'm just chattering to chatter with nothing really much to say, other than I smelled a skunk! I love it!!!

Happy days to you!

Bear Thief on the Loose ~ Beware!

My house has been overrun with a thief. It is not kind nor compassionate or sentimental whatsoever. If you've been reading about the renovation progress you'll know that my room has recently been renovated but has most recently been labelled as the 'scene of the crime'.

It is a beautiful room, except for some of the renovation tools and a missing dresser. If I do say so myself it looks awesome so far. I have some things in their place and some things still needing attention. One thing that was in it's place was my cute little teddy bear. I love this bear, for one because he is cute and another because it was gift from Cute Boy. Very early on in our relationship he had to go out of town for about 10 days and this was a souvenir gift from him, so little bear has some special meaning because he was my first gift.

I bought this beautiful chocolate brown chair to sit in my room with a matching chocolate brown overstuffed pillow to sit on the chair. The place of honour for little bear was on top of the brown cushion/pillow. Now this is where the thievery comes into play, where havoc overruns the house.
Yesterday I caught my precious kitty stealing my bear 5x.... yes, 5x! One time I caught her in the living room with little bear bounding along in her mouth, bear paws flapping in the wind. I caught said thief and returned little bear to his throne. What do I see a few minutes later, but little bear and kitty tearing through the house again. This time headed for under the dresser that is in my front room waiting to go downstairs. Caught the delinquent once again, you get the picture. Little bear heads back to the room and returns once again to the pillow. I do this 3 more times, but the following times kitty and bear make it only as far as under the bed. Do you have any idea how hard it is to catch a kitty that doesn't want to be caught? She was slowed down only by the fact that she wouldn't give up little bear.

Now for the criminal of all criminals! Daisy the, ohhhhh so cute (not) Shih Tzu. I went out last night with Cute Boy and came home to my poor little bear not only stolen from his stoop, but maimed and ewwwy. Little Miss Daisy took it upon herself to abscond my little bear and quite nicely remove one of his eyes. I couldn't believe it! Poor little bear! He had one heck of a day already and Daisy was the nail in his itty bitty coffin. He now sits atop his pillow with only partial vision since his left eye is just barely sitting in place. He stinks and needs a bath too. Poor fella.

I can say Miss Daisy and kitty are lucky they didn't get my Valentine bear. I betcha they tried but she's a bigger bear and probably growls louder and meaner.

I get it now! Daisy and kitty were being bullies and look what happened! Nasty critters they are. I'm so disappointed in them. I thought I'd raised better babies, apparently I was wrong. Be cautious when out and about. If you see said dog and kitty, hold tighter to the paw of the stuffed animals you love. They're not safe!