My woe is me post was getting old. :-)
How is everyone doing? What are you doing? Facebook sort of helps with that...your lives in snipits! I was happy to see an MTW update on OT.
Job
Still lucky to have a job. Chris and I begin taking home $500 total per month less with new pension and health insurance contribution rates taking effect. Given we've had no raises in over four years, we can't seem to get ahead. But at least we can still pay our bills. Although a certain dental insurance battle is pissing me off and we may need to plop a few thousand on the credit card.
The good news is that I've applied for a new title, given we got two new grants in, and I'm the co-investigator on one. That gives me a little raise, without costing the state anything (as my salary is grant funded), and it helps make up some of that $500 our take-home is reduced by.
The big grant that had me terrified was not funded, so I'm relieved. If my new title didn't go through, I was going to walk. Now, all can remain fairly stable and I can maintain the (semi) flexibility my job affords me. It's flexible often, but very inflexible other times. Hence spending vacations working half the time. I think many of you are in similar situations.
Cats
Bartleby decided to play cat bowling last night on the dining room table, just after me and my guests had put all the food, water and wine on the table. He ran at the table (which we rarely use) at full speed and jumped, sending the glasses flying. He managed to miss stepping on plates and bowls, though! Dork.
Movies and Books
I've had some time for reading and movie watching in the last month. It's been great! I'm reading The Killing Floor (thanks, Breezy, for the recommendation!) and Stuff White People Like (my coffee table reader right now). Just finished Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. It was very good. Have been using the library on campus (books are checked out by the semester instead of a few short weeks!) and half priced book store.
We went to one movie in the theater this year so far! That's big for us. Tonight we are going to Bridesmaids. Groupon, Living Social, etc. all had a deal with Fandango, so we bought a few offers and are enjoying the flicks. We also are using Red Box a little this summer since we cut Netflix out due to reducing bills. Just watched The Town and Despicable Me. Both were great.
That's all I've got. As you know, the midwest is dry and hot. We haven't had rain in our town for over three weeks and it's consistently been in the high 80s/high 90s with a fair amount of humidity. Yuck.
14 comments:
*smooch* Miss you too.
I actually announced in my blog today that I am coming back. Not sure what that will mean, but I will be back.
Sorry about the work situation. We have been feeling a little strain as well - for other reasons. May be a blog post. I worried about you at first because I didn't read it as $500 less. I read it as $500 total. Ack!!
I too am reading and love it. Currently reading The Island by Elin Hilderbrand. I love her books.
I'll be back more often.
Welcome Back!
LOL-$500 a month would be impossible! We'd be selling the house, the cars, the cats!
Thanks for the update Kim. I keep tabs on you on FB, but blogging is nice too.
Love love Reacher. Somebody told me the other day they signed Tom Cruise to play him in a movie.... that is so wrong. *gag*
Is next week the Chicago 3Day? Are you ready?!?!?!
Mom is thinking about crewing, I suggested Chicago.
I'm glad that MTW updated a little bit on OT. I miss him and wish him well. I figured his news would be coming sooner or later and thought that was the reason for his absence.
Did the wine spill when Bartleby ran over the table? Cats are like ballet dancers; they can avoid the pitfalls.
What other deals have you gotten through Groupon and Living Social?
Hope your heat wave is over soon!
Reunion time! I think this calls for some green posting.
I'm back and here to clog you up!
I'm back and here to clog you up!
It's all that cheese.
I must have missed MTW's update.
MTW is on Facebook too.
He is? Can you send him my name to see if he wants to be friends?
I like looking at my sock puppet photo. I missed him.
OMH-I about fell over when I saw 13 replies. Of course half of them are the sock puppet. :-)
One more week til the Chicago 3 Day, Breezy! We have to go Wed. night, as ours is an advance crew that works all day Thursday and we stay in camp Thursday night in addition to F&S. How is training in the heat going? Yuck! That would be awesome for your mom to crew Chicago next year!
Puffy-we have only used Groupons for restaurants and movies locally, but also use them on vacations for tourist stuff. We got a good tour discount once, and a local brewpub deal.
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