Stuff on my mind

Morning has broken...... and so has my shitty attitude (I hope).

I am having day-old coffee (pretty nasty- makes me want to brush my teeth over and over) and Monkey is already down for his morning nap. Unfortunately, the morning nap is the only one he's been wanting to take anymore. I don't like it, but I have to roll with the punches.

I'm trying to be more responsive to his morning sounds so as to get him outta bed sooner, thus moving up the whole ballgame and preserving the afternoon (early eve) nap. He's only 13 months old... surely he needs 2 naps (or do I mean that **I** need him to have two naps?).


Got the icky ER bill yesterday from my visit two weeks ago; boy, they sure don't waste time. Even with insurance AND a $50 copay, we still are liable for more than $200. [insert nasty word here]. Of course, I am glad to 1) be alive and 2) still have both ovaries. I guess that's worth a few hundred dollars.

Still, nice just around the holidays-- though what do I care? We don't have money to buy anything anyway.

Redbeard & I almost never exchange gifts, and we don't have money to buy anyone else's, so we'll just get a few small things for Monkey. I am actually fine with that. What I like best about the holiday season (besides it being over) is spending time with people that I love, and the food.

We are working to pay off a car repair and Redbeard's dental work, and then we plan to pay off my car with our tax return-- depending on how much it is. I really need for us to have some emergency money- I'm planning on setting aside an amount and investing in a stable savings product (CD, Money Market, high paying savings, etc.); if we need the money, then we can get it pronto, but otherwise it's just there working for us.

I'm guessing a new-used car will be in our scope in the next year; if we have another baby, I am NOT futzing around with a 2-door vehicle with 2 carseats in the back. Ah, NO.

We'll keep my SUV, which has permanent tags and get a newish wagon, I'm guessing, as Redbeard has moderate-to-severe issues with minivans. I would fight for it if a VW bus like this was on the line... but the new-to-be Vanagon isn't getting me hot.

We need something with some guts- V6 would be fine- but more seating (and doors!). That's why I semi-lean toward the van; if 2 carseats in a wagon, there is no other seating but for the dog in the cargo area. In a van with 3rd row seats, you've got room for 2-3 passengers. But then again... my mom says that she likes having just a two-seater truck b/c she doesn't always get elected to drive everywhere. Not a bad consideration...

Well, I'm off to figure out how to make brown rice in my rice-cooker for lunch. :) I think my portion control- eating less b/c I'm needing less- food situation is really working. My pants are definitely looser all over, even just out of the dryer. That's how you KNOW you're not cheating...