kapachino

Category: domestication

  • Bubba’s On His Way Out

    I posted yesterday about my ignition problems with my car before leaving for work. Then I went to my car to leave, and my key wouldn’t turn at all. Short story: my wonderful fiance picked me up and took me to work, I had my car towed to the shop, took the bus home, and my car needs a part replaced and won’t be ready until Wednesday or Thursday. The whole deal will probably cost me around $500.

    I’ve gone back and forth on whether or not to get it fixed, because my car is a 1999, it’s beginning to have more and more problems, and I’m sure it’s not worth a whole lot. But I decided to go ahead and put this on my (ever-increasing) credit card bill and wait until I start my job to get a new car. This way I can shop for a deal, get the car I want, and not put so much stress on myself at the moment when I need to be studying for finals.

    In related news, I started reading Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace today.

    My mom is graciously letting me borrow her car until I get mine back. All of these things that are going on with me lately are stressful but I will say that I am learning a lot of life lessons and I am grateful.

  • Happy Monday

    Hey there,

    Thanks a bunch for your comments on our pictures. They make me happy. Sorry about the lack of posting last week, but it was a stressful one, as the next few probably will be as well. I passed a test last week that I was nervous about, but I have another, more important one today. It’s our exit exam and we have to get an 85 to pass. It could go either way for me, so I’m just going to do my best and see how it turns out. If you think about it, say a prayer.

    I let Friday go by without publishing a very special happy birthday to my brother David, so I want to say it now. He is halfway to 50! As a present I got him two cases of Red Bull, and if you read his blog you will understand why. He is addicted – and I will go ahead and say obsessed – with energy drinks. And now he’s got my fiance on the same path. Oh, well, it’s better than being addicted to many other things!

    I am house/pet-sitting this week, but I had to leave Cleo at home because last time I brought her there were some casualties in the form of wooden chess pieces and a rug. I’m looking forward to getting paid tomorrow, and then I can focus on how in the world I’m going to come up with rent for May. I graduate in less than three weeks, I start my job in less than two months, and I get married in less than six. I’m trying to keep looking forward. My life is wonderfully full but it is so easy to get caught up in the stress of the moment.

    The stress of this moment is that I need to pass this exit exam. And so I must leave. God, be with me!

  • “If The Going Gets Easy, You May Be Going Downhill”

    This is the sign this week on the billboard of the church that I live near. Yes, it’s very cheesy but it actually encouraged me today. Because, my friends, the going is not easy for me at this moment. I am enormously stressed with many things.

    First of all, money. I am broke, not to mention in debt. David has already proven his love for me many times over, but in the last month he has compounded that by giving generously to me in my time of need. We say that it’s “our money” now, because we’re trying to change our way of thinking before we get married, but until we share the same checking account it’s going to take some swallowing of my pride to accept so much.

    So I have cut my spending down to almost nothing lately. I take the bus to the medical center and catch rides whenever possible. I don’t eat out. Heck, I don’t even buy groceries. I’m going to eat our cupboards bare. (Although yesterday I splurged and bought cereal, because I just couldn’t live without it anymore.) Also, I am working as much as I possibly can. This is tough because…

    …I am also enormously stressed about school. We have about three weeks left, and they are not taking it easy on us. Not that I’d expect them to, but I really wish I could just focus all my attention on my board exam. However, I have a paper, a project, an exit exam, and finals to conquer. And lately I have not been doing as well as I need to be on my practice exams. It’s very hard to find time to do all this when I need to be working in all my spare time.

    I am worn down. Weary of worrying about where I’ll find the money to pay my bills, of skimping in every area possible to save money, of always having work to do for school, of not having a day to just relax without feeling guilty.

    I know this is the time when I need to give everything to God. And I do, every day. Some days I start out great and then end up stressed again by the end of the day. Some days (like today) start out horribly but somehow end up OK.

    But I’m going uphill, headed for something good. Thanks for sticking with me.

  • Pita Pizza

    I’ve been trying to eat healthier for about 6 weeks now. And even though I’d like to be, I am not a cook. I just haven’t had the time to get in to that yet. But sometimes it’s really helpful to make things myself: for the variety, because it can be cheaper, and healthier too. So I’m going to give you a recipe now, but since this is the first time I’ve done this I’m going to make some caveats which will hold for all future recipes (if, indeed, there are any to follow):

    a) This won’t be fancy, but when I do give you a recipe it’s going to be quick, easy, good, and healthy. At least in my opinion.
    b) I’m not married, and usually only have to provide a meal for myself or 1-2 others. I have no idea about cooking for an entire family.
    c) The measurements may not be exact, because I estimate a lot. Sometimes I won’t even give you measurements, because I think you can figure it out for yourself, like I did.

    Pita Pizza

    Whole wheat pita bread
    Pizza sauce
    Low fat mozzarella cheese

    1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
    2. Cover the pita in pizza sauce
    3. Add a layer of cheese
    4. Place on top shelf of oven
    5. Cook for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted

    And that’s it! Oh, and you can add meat if you want, but I prefer plain cheese. If you want to keep it healthy though, stick with lean meat.

  • Not Just For Mothers

    I was at work stuffing envelopes today with a bunch of my coworkers, just listening to the conversation. At the end of each month we have to send out heaps of checks to creditors and it takes a couple of hours to get them all folded and put into envelopes, even with a bunch of us working on it. No one really likes doing it, but we try to enjoy it as best we can. Usually I just observe and come away with a funny story or conversation that I have overheard, like the time I listened to one lady relating the story of her first experience buying condoms over the weekend.

    Today, however, was different. Today I was educated. Today I learned all about the science of coupon cutting.

    One of my coworkers is ALL into it. She buys at least three Sunday papers, goes through the coupons, organizes them into a binder, and then watches the sales. She taught us how to get free products, how to work each individual store, what each different kind of coupon means, and lots of other tidbits. Our favorite story was how she was able to get 40 tubs of butter for free. What she did with 40 tubs of butter is beside the point. Everyone at the table was riveted! We even asked her to do a lunch-hour workshop on the subject.

    I know that coupon cutting is like the ultimate in domestic, old, and uncool. But I can’t help it–I’m picking up a Sunday paper.