Friday Roundup

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going
to put words on them ourselves. The book is called
Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.

Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Well, one New Year's Eve tradition was changed this year.  For the past 15 or so years, hubby has gone to a Dominican Restaurant for a whole rotisserie chicken and boiled yucca with red onion.  The best rotisserie chicken in, I tell you.  And we have enough for two days so I don't have to cook on New Year's Day either.  Well, hubby headed out for our dinner, and about twenty minutes later I get a call from him.  "You'll never guess what."  "Oh no.  They can't be closed.  Not today." I reply.  "The restaurant burned down.  It's all boarded up.  I have to go someplace else."  So much for that tradition.

I wrote the first chapter of my book yesterday.  I sat down and added up my income and how much I pay out in bills each month.  Something I should have done a long time ago.   Then, I spent about an hour making about a monthly budget, and I'm really feeling much better than I was going into the new year.  I do believe we can make it.  And now that the building owners finally agreed to send me the copy of my lease renewal that I have been requesting for so long, I will be able to apply to SCRIE (Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption).  They freeze all future rent increases for seniors living in rent stabilized apartments. It's too late for this year, but hoping next year to get a freeze put on.

Speaking of budgeting.  My youngest gave me a $100 gift card for Christmas.  He knows how I love my shopping sprees.  But this year I didn't go out and buy any new clothes.  As much fun as it is, I really don't need anything.   So, instead I got hold of a Rite Aid flier and took advantage of all their sales on toiletries--body lotion, shower gel, hair coloring, shampoo, deodorant, etc.   I am happy to say I am now stocked up with supplies enough to carry me through March.  

I also went through my recipes and picked out a few budget recipes that I hope to try this week.  In fact, I can honestly say right now that I am looking forward to this learning experience and handling this challenge.

Yesterday I sat in on an online conference  from Astrology Heals on setting intentions for 2015 which focused on "How can I love myself more?" and "How can I support my intentions?"  by working with natural cycles and energies that support and heal us.   Very interesting.

Well, I'm off to the shower.  Going for my weigh-in and a meeting today, and then it's off to do my food shopping.  Should be quite interesting working with my new budget.  Have a good one.