175 posts from 2007 (page 2)

I clip coupons. In fact, I play the Grocery Game. I get obsessive about my coupons but it's a fun hobby, it saves me money, it gets me off the computer... it's all good.

Today I bought four newspapers. I'd been buying three but I kept finding deals where I'd used two coupons for a deal and then my third coupon was sort of "odd man out" and would be wasted... so four it is. One of the papers had had an issue with the machine that inserts the coupons and stuff - I got four copies of the TV guide and an extra set of coupons. Woohoo! It's probably a bit sad that I was giddy-happy over coupons but I've already justified it.

I still have a ton of coupons to clip and sort but they'll be done by Tuesday, when my Grocery Game list comes out and I go shopping.

I haven't blogged about this - but I finally booted my Diet Coke addiction to the curb! I kept drinking caffeinated tea (less than the pop, though) and even Crystal Light... but the pop is gone. I'm drinking orange juice for breakfast these days instead of a can of chemical evil.

I'm still drinking the tea and Crystal Light but not a whole lot of either - more water, really... and even if I go several hours without the other drinks, I'm not getting headaches so that's a good sign I'm succeeding.

Apparently the last time I went cold turkey, I broke more of the addiction than I realized because things were far easier this time.

This is very cool - a set of rules, just for me! :)

Lamont's Rules of Jen

A set of guidelines for dealing with resplendent Jenitude on a day-to-day basis. (Gaps in the numbering were deliberate, to leave space for further rules)

#1		Jen is an exceptional person who is to be worshipped and adored at all times.
#2		Jen is always special.
#3		Jen is frequently up to something.
#4		Jen can usually get away with it.
#5		If your relationship with Jen fails, it's your fault.
#6		(The Jennocious Tenet of Remote Control Ownership) If Jen wants to watch a particular movie or TV show, she will. Even if it clashes with The Game. You may, however, purchase and fit new batteries in the remote.
#7		There is no rule 7.
#8		Jen isn't easily fooled. She has Her own reasons for letting you think you've pulled one over on Her, which will only become clear when it is advantageous for Her so to do.
#9		(The Srey Maxim) Jen does not like being kept waiting.
#10		If and when she so desires, Jen is to be cuddled and comforted without question or hesitation.
#11		Thou shalt not taunt Jen, lest ye be consigned to the fifth circle of hell-dating where the women are all named after department stores.
#12		Jen is always right, especially when she isn't.
#13		Jen does not procrastinate; she waits until the time is right.
#14		(The Goldfinch Guideline) Dating Jen is a commitment to a lifetime spent worshipping the wonder that is Her, even if you never see her again (see also #5).
#15		Jen will cross the road when and where she wants, which may be before or after everyone else.
#16		(The Jezzie Precept) For the duration of your relationship or acquaintance with Jen these Rules (and any personal supplements) will render null and void any or all of your own rules, at her discretion.
#19		Jen can always read maps perfectly. You, however, can't follow her clear, precise directions, no matter how many milliseconds she give you before screaming "Left! Left!" as you pass the turning.
#20		The last piece of candy, brownie, popcorn, soda, beer, slice of pizza, breadstick or spoonful of ice cream belongs to Jen.
#21		Jen always looks beautiful.
#22		Whatever Jen has to say is worth listening to.
#23		(The Powroz Principle) The subject changes when Jen says so.
#24		However Jen want to pronounce or spell her name is the correct way.
#25		Jen is a tidy eater. That piece of food on the restaurant floor fell off your fork. If it's something only Jen ordered, you must have picked at her plate while she wasn't looking...
#26		(Corollary to #20 and #25) Jen does not like people picking at her plate while she isn't looking.
#27		Jen should not be expected to work on her birthday.
#28		(The Stevens Sutra, addendum to rule #27) Jen's birthday is a holiday, and should be treated as such, even if it means taking the day off, calling in sick, or cancelling other plans to be with her.
#31		Jen is exceedingly clever.
#31		Jen doesn't like seeing two rules with the same number.
#32		Jen always has the last word. Anything you might say after that is the start of a new discussion/argument.
#33		As soon as your relationship with Jen starts she has the right to borrow your clothes, especially comfy sweatshirts, sweaters and t-shirts, but (being kind and considerate) she'll probably let you keep your fifteen-year-old "lucky" underpants all to yourself...
#35		Jen always does things her way. Don't ask.
#36		Jen knows what information you need to know about Jen.
#37		Addendum to #36) There is always more to Jen than she is letting on.
#38		(Greg's Theory of Jeneral Relativity) If you are behind Jen, you are walking too slowly; if you are in front of Jen you are walking too fast.
#39		If and when Jen makes an appearance, consider it a gift.
#40		Only Jen decides if the temperature is right for opening the window.
#41		Any poetry by Jen is good poetry.
#43		Withhold Jen's chocolate at your peril.
#50		Jen does not like having any sort of camera pointed at her without permission. Carefully consider rule #8 before attempting a rule #21 defence.
#51		(Corollary to #12 and #19) Jen always knows where she's going, even if nobody else does.
#52		Jen always knows what she's talking about, even if nobody else does.
#53		Jen does not like having to make decisions.
#54		(Addendum to #53) Jen's decisions (when made) and opinions are always valid (See also Rule #12).
#55		Withhold Jen's chocolate at your peril. (Yes, we know that's the same as Rule #43, but it's *VERY* important to remember this...)
#61		Jen is sometimes inclined to wisecracking or being a smartass. It's cute.

The Jencyclopaedia and Rules of Jen are copyright ©1996-present Simon Lamont. You are welcome to print out the Rules of Jen for personal, non-commercial use, or put them on your personal website, provided they are unedited and the copyright notice is retained. The URL for the Rules is http://www.gizmo1.demon.co.uk/jencyclo/data/rules.htm.

Is kicking a Diet Coke habit a prescription for the blues? Because damn it, I've just been in the dumps lately and it's really making me crazy.

Of course, getting a tooth pulled and the subsequent limited diet doesn't help either.

Whatever it is, it needs to stop.

I have to stay at home. There's something about having to do something that makes me want to do something, anything, else. I'm not stuck here - there is some gas in my car, though I'm broke and I'd have to take 10-year-old Munchkin with me... we'll be seeing family this weekend so there's little reason to go there. So yeah, I'm pretty much stuck.

There's always housework. That's the joy that never ends. I could clean out my closet. I thought it'd be cool having a walk-in closet, and it is, thought it's more of a stumble-and-grumble than walk situation - there's always an incredible amount of "out of sight, out of mind" going on in there.

Then I start thinking about the "Christmas closet." It's only a dedicated holiday closet because everything got shoved in there willy-nilly last year and now I'm afraid to open the door. Then I start thinking that, for good or bad, I'll be opening that closet soon.

Then I start thinking about Christmas shopping. Then I remember I'm broke and get grumpy because I can't go shopping.

It's an endless cycle, really.

I'm feeling incredibly whiny right now. I'm tired and my mouth hurts. I intended to make a pot of soup today but I was lazy so I'll be eating whatever crap I can find that doesn't involve a lot of chewing, since I have yet to master that again.

On a bright note, I need something to strive toward, so I'm going to give a shot at the National Blog Posting Month event. I don't think I've managed to blog every day for a month in the past five years so I don't know what makes me think I'll do it now but what the heck. I'll blather on every day and hopefully find some gems in the midst of the havering.

I had a tooth removed this morning. So not fun, but nowhere near as awful as my wisdom teeth were - those suckers were worse than the time I fell down in the street while rollerblading and broke my legs in four places.

So I'm laying on the couch with my blanky and my happy drugs and I hear drums. Oh, crap. Annual Halloween parade. Munchkin's a fifth grader, this is her last one, I must see it.

So I manage to get myself dressed and head out the door trying to figure out where the route ends so I can be there. Wouldn't you know it, the kids go right by my house. So I grab the dog and her leash, figuring she'd love it. She did. She wanted to go lick all the kids. She got so excited at one point she knocked me down. On my knees, in the mud, in front of the entire elementary school. Yes! That's a perfect day!

But I got to see Munchkin in her angel costume and all was well. My hand hurts from the leash, my knees are muddy and now my mouth is aching but I got to see Munchkin and that's what matters.

Where do the weekends go? How can it be Sunday night already? I've got most of tomorrow off, so I can't really complain - and then Wednesday and Thursday for a medical issue. It's just annoying how fast the weekends go... and yet a single Monday afternoon can last a week, all by itself. Go figure.

This is cool - there's a Native American tribe at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Their mail is delivered daily by Mule.

You've Got Mail!

Adds a bit more depth to the idea of "Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

We all seem to roll our eyes when the USPS wants another rate hike - but this quote puts that in a bit more perspective:

I think my ex-boyfriend almost ran into me in the Kohl's parking lot today. At least, it looked like him from a distance - who knows. If it was, he got a nasty look from me. If it wasn't, he still deserved the dirty look. Parking lots have rules, people. You don't drive willy-nilly across them just because you've got a big truck.