I spent $60 on gas to get to the retreat this weekend and back home. *That* was not a budgeted expense!

Gah. The gas increases were an unexpected benefit to our moving, as Tom's commute would have added lots of money to the monthly budget. Now we have higher fixed expenses, but much lower gasoline expediture.

We are also relieved that we can both get to work by train, very easily, if the shit hits the fan (i.e., even Tom's every-other-week fill up becomes too prohibitive). We are trying to develop a backup grocery plan, but that hopefully won't be an issue. Probably involve Tom shopping every day at the Stop & Shop across from where he works, no more than a backpack's full o' stuff.

It was kind of funny. I had to ask my dad for money yesterday to get me through till I get my loan check, because I HAVE to get my new registration tags and car inspection today, as it's the last day of the month. He's like, "I thought you budgeted for that money." I was all, "Oh, yeah...what I didn't budget for was the $60 for gas to New Hampshire and back."

"Oh. Yeah. I'll leave the money on the kitchen island for you."

I've worked my company's booth at a couple job fairs, although not at schools. We don't expect cover letters, but accept general ones if the applicant has them attached to the resume. We expect people to dress as they would for an interview, because often we interview on the spot (depending on the resume and any referrals).

Bring a swag bag, as companies often give out direct marketing junk, and bring someplace to store business cards.

Heh. I'm in the middle of a bout of Smiths obsession right now, AIFG. On Saturday, driving to and from Gilroy, I blew out my voice singing along with "How Soon Is Now" (that guitar. that guitar! GUH.) and "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" (so exquisitely pretty, so swoopy and swoony, so deliriously and gleefully woeful). I am at present large with the Morrissey love.

Awww. I also love vw's dad, though not the way I love Morrissey.

Goodness, there's a lot of joy in Bitches this morning (not to discount the worries or anything). Congratulations to Emily and Stephanie on test-passing! Congrats to Fay on the teaching job and to P-C on the good interview! Yay libkitty on motivational discoveries!

I have some good news, too. After four weeks in the hospital it looks like my mom will be moving to a rehab. clinic by Friday. And her CT (or is it CA?) 125 counts are below 30, which means they may have chemo'ed her cancer into remission.

Well, Calli said it better than I could. I 'm glad to hear the world is backing off somewhat for some of our Bitches.

Man, I missed a Depeche conversation. This saddens me. Depeche Mode will always have a special place in my heart, because my first love (the trombone player) introduced me to them. I've never gotten to see them live (I never get to see anyone live), but I adore them so.

(Bands/singers I have seen live: Warrant, Styx, Robert Cray, Gear Daddies, Barenaked Ladies, John Mellencamp, Pearl Jam, Semisonic, India.Arie, Lyle Lovett. Okay, that's not too bad of a list. Still, that's the grand total of concerts I've been to.)

Anyhoo.

"The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" (so exquisitely pretty, so swoopy and swoony, so deliriously and gleefully woeful).

Have you heard the cover by Bis? It's so fun.

You know what I think we should do? Start a Bitches wishlist. We all need a pick-me-up once in a while, and I don't know about the rest of you, but it makes me feel good when someone receives a gift unexpectedly. The gift-ers can remain anonymous.

Yes! Let's do this! It can be teeny tiny stuff, really -- like, I would be thrilled to get chocolate, or a mix CD, or just a postcard, honestly. It just means a lot to know that people are thinking of me. (Because it's all about me, you see.)

I do know that getting the Buffistas business cards in the mail, right out of the blue, perked me up enormously. I carry several of them in my wallet. So I could see where a "little things" wishlist could be groovetastic.

I do know that getting the Buffistas business cards in the mail, right out of the blue, perked me up enormously.

Oh my goodness, yes. Those arrived on a day when I was really down in the dumps, and were a joy to receive.

I'm gonna be Miss Taunty Pants for a minute.

You guys are not going to believe how amazing this cookbook is going to be. I was just looking over some of the new graphics and wow. Just wow.

IOW, keep sending in those recipes so it can be "all it can be."