Y5 D223

And the first rent payment of the year is sent. Whee. We had a long ass discussion about this last night. B was reading an article about a couple who "made sacrifices" in order to minimize their debt. We both agree they took it to extremes. The wife made a bed for crying out loud. She asked friends and family for power tools. They moved to a smaller place and walked to work. They also only needed 20,000 for a down payment on a house. Yeah right. I need 120,000 for a down payment for anything around here. But I like the fact that we can talk openly and honestly about money without fighting. Something X2 and I could never do. You have to keep a bit of perspective. It doesn't help (or maybe it does?) that we have been watching a lot of Grey's Anatomy lately. Seems like the whole point of the show is sleep with coworkers and don't go to a hospital or you will die. It does give you some perspective on life at the same time. You watch it and realize, yeah, I could die tomorrow. Would I want to go knowing I enjoyed myself without being annoying or that I drove everyone crazy trying to be so frugal? Balance man, it's all about balance. Plus we looked around the house. There aren't any luxuries to give up. We haven't eaten out in a while, we don't have cable, we use as little gas as possible, we don't have a $300 heating/electric bill ($89 for december thank you very much), and we have been really good about being stupid with money. One resolution still holding. Bills are pretty much due today and after paying off EVERYTHING for the month except my car payment (which will come out of the 17th check) I should have at least $800 left but then out of the 17th check, I will be doing okay. Trying my best people, trying my best.

In other news, worked all day. The kid stopped by. She and KBF went to visit her family and friends for NYE. They originally were going to go skiing but there wasn't enough snow on the ground. From the mountains to the desert. She told me all about her mother and how much of a bitch she was being the entire time they were there. Gee, I am so surprised. B came home while she was here and we all sat around talking. Things are so much better between everyone now that she is living on her own. So much more relaxed. Less drama and pain. Makes me happy. After the kid left, B napped while I finished up work.

After dinner B and I started the puzzle she gave me for Christmas. It's from the park and is Beauty and the Beast. While it's a 1000 piece puzzle we both agree it's 'simple' in the colors, shapes, etc. It doesn't have endless sky or water pieces. Things are easily identifiable which makes it go quick for puzzle people like us. In a few short hours we did the border and three or four major sections. We worked on it until about 10:30 then headed to bed.

I am up this morning for a conference call, followed by an eye exam. Fun stuff. I also need to check in to see what's planned for this month. As of right now I have one week on the calendar but that's it. Need to get things back rolling.