Whenever I get depressed about the budget, I try to keep thinking we're in a better spot than a lot of people.

I'm too doom and gloom for that to help me (can too easily see myself as One of Them). Also, too selfish, because if I think that way, then I just get depressed and feel guilty about feeling cranky about the money issue.

I really sometimes wish I were wired to feel nice and virtuous (sp?) and stuff about frugality and self-denial. Blah blah blah, I'm-so-much-better-than-the-materialists-cakes, like everyone on every single frugal living thread I've seen. But, frankly, fuck that noise.

I like stuff. I like nice stuff. I like being able to purchase an item that fills an exact need, even if it's three times more expensive than throwing something together that kind of works.

You know the weird thing that cheers me up? Seriously, when I say weird, I mean, there is no rational reason why this should make me feel better about being broke. Luxist: [link]

Maybe it's the sheer WTF about so many of those items, because they're so wildly out of my reach I can't even begin to imagine even wanting to own them, so I can think about them and just laugh trying to picture myself with them. It's not like my lust for cable tv, or a new book, or a $4.99 cardigan to allow me to wear my nursing tanks through the winter.

{{Aimee}} ma for your friend.

{{Allyson}}

{{Plei}}

{{GC}}

{{Sparky and family}}

We had Kara's birthday party this afternoon at the park. Greg's family was very nice and we had a good time. Nick's friends came and the babies ran the young people ragged. Greg's sister has a 3 week old baby, and I got to hold her. She was lighter than any of mine were at birth, 7 pounds, 2 ounces. So tiny.

Tomorrow is Kara's first day of pre-school. She is nervous and currently banging the wall beside her bed. I'm nervous too, but not banging. Yet.

Yesterday I cleaned all of my bathroom except the sentient mold in the grout, which leered at me so I ran away. Perhaps I'll clean it tomorrow. Its days are limited, anyway.

Best of luck for Kara's first day! Take pictures!

Plei, what size do you wear? I have clothes in my closet I doubt I'll ever get the chance to wear again. Also what colors do you like?

My computer is hating on me and not letting me post for multiple tries, and then posting double. Sorry.

I will take pictures if they'll let me, sj. I'm not sure what the rules are in her class right now. We got pictures of her today, though.

I just finished my first paper for this semester. Yay!

And actually, I don't even think the ranting "I already knew this shit!" part was too ranty.

Go, vw!

Plei, what size do you wear? I have clothes in my closet I doubt I'll ever get the chance to wear again. Also what colors do you like?

Heh. The lucky thing for me (well, lucky in the sour grapes way) is that right now, I don't actual fit much of anything, so it's not like shopping wouldn't be frustrating as hell even if I could do it. I'm anywhere from an XL to a 2X through the bust, and an L or XL elsewhere. The last time I tried on a cute dress, it squished flat across the front and had way too much fabric everywhere else. But, to answer, I wear mostly black and grey and lime green right now.

I'm going to have Paul bring up the basement storage boxes, so I can look through and see if I have anything I'd 86ed from the wardrobe that I can make work until I'm back to full-time work.

And, well, I realize these are all first world problems. I also know I can adapt, because I've done it before, but it's like dieting, and getting through those first weeks when your blood sugar is going all wonky, only with money and moods and expectations.

Taxes are the price we pay to live in a civilized society.

Somewhere recently I read, "Just as there are no athiests in fox holes, there are no Libertarians when the levee breaks."

"Well, Trevor, it's been a long, long, LONG damn time. A democrat may have been in the White House, in fact."

Is there a causal link you're not sharing with us?

Yes: if Teppy doesn't get laid, the terrorists win!

Whoo. Apartment smells like bleach. Whoda thunk it?