When she shops

Went shopping today for clothes, something I rarely ever do. Actually, make that spending money is something I rarely ever do unless absolutely necessary. I've even become known as tight wad at work, I think, because of my frugal ways. (Hey, I buy Starbucks from time to time; that's not frugal!) But I needed some presentable clothes for work because I'll be in Vegas next week hobnobbing with all the biggest AV companies in the world at InfoComm. Can't really wear jeans and a T-shirt. So a hundred or so bucks later, I've got a few new shirts to wear there. I also picked up a cute dress for a wedding I'll be attending next week. But, ugh, spending money on clothes made me feel sick to my stomach. In my head I was thinking: That's money that could go in savings or help pay down debt. Not sure where my penny-pincher ways came from, but we have almost finished paying off our credit card debt. We'll still have school and car loans, but those things are hard to get by without, so I'm comfortable with having those. Our next big purchases: house, new car (Jonathan's car is two wheels in the graveyard), and you know, a baby...eventually; what's the going price for those suckers now days? I wonder if I can get one on sale. I'm all about coupons and discounts.

Wishy washy

Cars are nothing but trouble. Might need to capitalize the 'T' on that. Trouble. Yesterday, Jonathan called me saying his check-engine light came on.

His car is 11 years old, so it shouldn't be a surprise, but really? You have to start breaking down right now? When we're back on the We're-going-to-buy-a-house-this-summer kick, something we have been saying on and off for at least a year. We take the car in Monday, so fingers crossed that it's nothing major to deplete our savings. Where's public transportation when you need it?

If we have to pay a lot, we once again will be sitting tight to buy a house, which to us means putting the rest of our lives on hold: the real cooking I want to do (I've dreamed of making croissants), the card-making, the decorating, the having kids, the possible gardening, the having friends and family over that won't come visit me because my apartment is too small (or so Melissa says), the everything!

Oh, and did I mention that I'm not getting a raise?!

Woe is me

I love Black Beauty (a.k.a my Scion xA), but sometimes she's just a thorn in my side. Apparently, we've got a leak somewhere causing my Check Engine light to come on. Problem is it could be caused from one of two valves. One is covered under my warranty, the other isn't, and it could end up being neither valve. The long-term repecussions of the problem: zilch. Basically, I'm paying to not have my Check Engine light light up. Those carmakers are sure clever guys—they'll get your dough somehow, someway. If hubby and I weren't so damn responsible, we'd probably let the problem slide, but we are, so we'll keep sitting in Toyota Service Center until the sun goes down and I hope the problem solved. Jury will be out on that one. If the light comes back on, we'll have gambled with fixing the wrong valve. If it doesn't, we won!

In other news, we've been browsing houses. Yep, we're probably going to be buying a house this summer because we're afraid we might not be able to break into the market if we wait any longer. Part of me is excited. My own place where I can paint the walls and have space for all my great wedding gifts that are still sitting in my closet. But the other part of me thinks, "Oh the dread of unexpected expenses for repairs and then taxes." But we can't really move forward in our lives without taking this step. Can't have kids (not that you can't have kids in an apartment, but I've had kids in my apartment, and they feel like they're sitting on top of me or getting into everything—maybe that's not exclusive to apartment homes). With my 26th birthday coming up next week, I'm thinking about that ticking clock, or rather trying to find the damn snooze button for just five more mintues (or years). I think we're ready for home and the extra space, but part of me likes the uncomplicated life we lead. We don't have too much to worry about. Why give that up? Is the grass really greener on the other side? I doubt it. It will still be the same life, but just with another place to call home—and more bills to pay.