A Perfect Storm of Irregular Expenses

Is it just me, or does it seem like everything you never have to buy runs out at the same time?

Well, in that case, I guess technically you don't never need to buy them.

And yes, that sentence is grammatically correct.

You know what I mean - the expendable things that you only have to buy once in a while and rarely run out of. Like sugar, shampoo, and vacuum bags. 

In the past month, I have run out of the following things:

A First Quarter Inventory of New Items Purchased

When I mailed in my 1040-ES a couple of weeks ago, it got me thinking about the first quarter of my year of nothing new, and how it really has changed the way I think about things. I am no longer interested in going to the mall, or scouring the ads to find out what is on sale. Now I have to actually plan a special trip to Target every once in a while instead of counting on a weekly visit.

But these last few months have not been without new material items, as you know.

New items* I have purchased as of the closing of Q1 2012 are:

• 5 pairs of tights
• Seam gauge
• Pin cushion and pins
• Pattern transfer wheel
• Dress pattern
• Earrings
• Strapless bra
• Assets

It all fits in one photo

That's it! Seriously.

Compare that with an abbreviated list of the used items I have acquired since the new year:

• Kenmore sewing machine, with 1 yr. warranty
• Revere Ware copper bottom skillet
• 4 books
• Leather boots
• Vintage cashmere cardigan
• 3 pairs of jeans
• 2 skirts
• Several shirts...

...and all for a fraction of the price they would have cost new!
So far I don't feel like I've really missed out on anything, but we'll see how quarters 2-4 go!

How are your resolutions going?

*Material items only; does not include expendable supplies.

Reason #2 Why I Hate My Apartment

I came home last night to this posted by the mailboxes at my building:

Really, you couldn't be more specific than that? Just a few hours, sometime during the day?

Thank you for defining "a few," though, that was very helpful.

Furthermore, there was only one of these this time, and it was posted in the front entry, which is not a guaranteed viewing place since most of the assigned parking is in the back.

I decided to chance it by taking my regularly-scheduled shower this morning, hoping that the lack of specificity meant the water would be turned off sometime in the middle of the day when most some people are at work.

Having to rinse off in the piddly leftovers from my hot water tank at 7:30am told me otherwise.

At least the water was warm?

I am not a failure ...right?

Guys, I have given up. Remember this?

I took that a few weeks ago. That was when things were going well.

Back to Reality...

It’s been a rough couple of weeks.

I was writing to you about how terrible work was going, and how I had only clocked a mere total of 6 hours in one week. I was about to hit publish when I received a text message from my dad telling me my cousin had died.

It suddenly seemed trite to post about how bored I was at work.

Rory had been battling melanoma (yes, skin cancer) that spread internally (yes, it can do that).  

It's kind of the worst.

One Reason Why I Hate My Apartment:The Laundry Room Drama Unfolds

I came home last night to this piece of work shoved in my screen door:

Dear Tenants:

There have been some strange activities taking place in and around the laundry room. People who do not live in our building have been seen coming and going from there, and doing laundry does not seem to be their activity.

To discourage this activity, the laundry room will have shorter hours of operation and will even be closed at times. I am sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause.

In addition to restricting the laundry room, I would appreciate you being aware of any strange activity that you see in this area and report it to me, or even the police if you think it necessary.

Please call me with any questions, concerns, or comments.

Thank you,
[Property Manager]

Uhhh... what?

One Reason Why I Hate My Apartment

Really, just one??

If you know me, you know I hate where I am currently living. This is due to the surrounding company more than anything else. Case in point:

I just got home from work about 20 minutes ago. I thought, this would be a good night to do some laundry. It's really piling up, I've got a friend coming to stay with me this weekend, and another one moving in with me next week. (Uhhhh.. we can get to that later...)

So I went to the laundry room to see if there was a machine available. The door was locked. No problem, I said to myself, I will go get my laundry room key and open the door. But hey, I don't hear a machine running, so that's great! I can probably do two loads at once!

I went back with my key in hand. I stuck it in the door and turned the knob. Nothing.

What?