A Whole New World

It all started with cutting back on expenses. My hours were shortened to four days a week for a few months, over the summer. I struggled month to month, finally in September I went back to five days a week. Things were smoother, but catching up takes time. I had to prioritize. Cable went to the bottom of the list. It didn't help that I absolutely HATE our cable company. I like Direct TV, had it for 7 years, but it's inconvenient in an apartment.

Anyway, I started noticing a disturbing pattern. We were just watching the same shows, the same reruns, over and over. The new shows I watch were all on network channels anyway. Finally, I made the decision to cancel cable. And I did. We have those old rabbit ears anteneas on both TVs (living room and my room). I need to get the converter boxes soon. My mom hasn't had cable for years, and already has a converter box. The channels come in almost cable clear.

I ordered AT&T DSL for my internet service since that was part of cable. I am still saving between $50 and $70 a month after the cost of DSL. And we didn't even have any movie channels! Once we are on our feet, which will be very soon, I plan to use the money we save from cable on DVDs, movies as well as a few favorite kid shows for Brianna to watch. That's the one drawback, there aren't many kid shows on network TV. Before we very rarely bought DVDs. I also want to join something like Netflix. We used to have a Blockbuster membership, but it just became to0 expensive for the monthly thing, and I never remember to turn them in on time just renting them the normal way.

As a bonus, I've noticed the kids don't instantly ask for the TV to come on when we are home. And I don't turn it on right away either. We go hours with no TV going, and we listen to music more. And I'm not sure about the girls, but I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything at all. I am glad I finally canceled it. :)

I really don't like video games...

...but I gave my oldest a Brain Age game for her Nintendo DS, and this thing is neat! I want a DS!!!

Christmas Eve To-Do List

1. Vacuum
2. Give Brianna a bubble bath
3. Bathe the dog
4. Dishes
5. Febreze all the carpets while dog is quarantined in bathroom to dry
6. Pick up the girls portraits before 2:45
7. Febreze the bathroom once the dog is let out
8. Bake chocolate chip cookies with the girls
9. Leave cookies and milk out for Santa
10. Watch The Polar Express in my room with the girls just before bedtime

I very rarely complete a day's to-do list. Today I did!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Blessed Be!
Happy Holidays, whichever you choose to celebrate.

My word cloud

Must See!

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE HD

Quick Rundown...

So Tuesday the Ex says he's laid off. Wednesday, he got the job he'd been wanting for three or four years, coinky dink? I think not. He is going to be working at the Naval EOD school on Eglin Air Force Base near Destin Florida. In an instruction capacity. He went through the school there nine years ago.

So he waited til yesterday to pack up. He's on his way here now to leave Tristin with me. It will be late, very late. I have to get her enrolled in school tomorrow. When I told him we have to get up around 6:30 he said, and I quote, "I don't give a fuck." Nice.

But I'm calm. Things are going to be good, assuming he keeps those checks rolling in. He is afraid of losing his security clearance since I went to child support services last year, so I don't see a problem there. And in a few months I will have the money to finally make it all permanently over. Two and a half years to get a full divorce. Tennessee divorce law sucks.

And I'm still calm. My baby is coming home after almost a year. She will be better, we will be better, things WILL be better. I'm in a better place, I'm calm. And I will get her the therapy I told her father she needed a year ago. Divorce is hard on older kids. My little one was just two when it ended, she doesn't really remember before it was just us. We are going to take it one step at a time.

And I'm calm.

As Seen At Xmichra's and Karma's

ThREE NAMES YOU GO BY:
1. Kat
2. Kathryn
3. Weesie (My granny nicknamed me that when I was born and still uses it.)

THREE SCREEN NAMES YOU HAVE HAD:
1. KatEyes
2. KatEyes4
3. Kat

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. eyes
2. smile
3. boobs

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU DON’T LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. tummy
2. the melasma on my face (hormone induced splotches! not very obvious except to me but I hate them)
3. tummy

THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
1. Cherokee (25%)
2. Celtic
3. not so sure what all else

THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
1. being alone too long
2. if its so dark I can't see (i have nite lites everywhere at home)
3. tornados

THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:
1. cell
2. computer
3. caffine
They all start with C!!!

THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING NOW:
1. tshirt
2. undies
3. uhhhh...no third thing right now...


THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE BANDS OR MUSICAL ARTISTS:
1. Evanescence
2. buckcherry
3. ack! I dunno. I change it all the time.

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS RIGHT NOW:
1. Reach out by Hilary Duff (seriously!)
2. Keeps Getting Better by Christina Aguilera
3. Good Enough by Evanescence

THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP:
1. Intelligent conversation
2. comfort
3. hot sex

TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:
1. I am now thinking about sex
2. I'm not thinking about sex
3. I have blue eyes


THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE PREFERRED SEX THAT APPEAL TO YOU:
1. eyes
2. smile
3. arms

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES:
1. blogging
2. reading
3. cross stitch

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:
1. finish my book, but watching Greys...
2. eat ice cream...will after I finish this!
3. hot sex comes to mind...(Dumped monday, daydreaming about what the next guy will look like on thurs. wow. I don't even really want a next guy yet!)

THREE CAREERS YOU’RE CONSIDERING/YOU’VE CONSIDERED:
1. Writer
2. Online store owner
3. fortune teller (But not seriously, I would have to talk to too many people.)

THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION:
1. The British Isles
2. France
3. Italy

THREE NAMES YOU LIKE: (Other than the ones I used for my girls...)
1. Alexander
2. Elizabeth
3. Michael

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
1. Publish a novel
2. finish all the crafts I have started or bought but not started
3. See Europe

THREE WAYS THAT YOU ARE STEREOTYPICALLY A GIRL:
1. I luvs sparkly lip gloss.
2. I cry at some movies, songs, and tv shows. But not many.
3. Realy nice men's abs make me drool

THREE WAYS THAT YOU ARE STEREOTYPICALLY A BOY:
1. I notice when hot chicks walk by. (don't want them, just notice)
2. goofy girls that squeal and hug make me naseous
3. I can belch out loud rather awesomely.