I am a bundle of overworked nerves lately. The biggest issue I’m having is the lack of help I’m getting from John with the dog. I’m the one who walks him, and the only one who tries to practice discipline with him. I’m trying like hell to be consistent, but it’s not working because My Other Half is not pulling his weight in this arena. I’ve gotten to the point that I really can’t stand the dog sometimes, and I HATE feeling that way. It’s not his fault at all, and I know that. His lack of exercise is making him impossible to deal with. Labs and Huskies are both known for excitability… and he’s a mix of the two! It’s like a double whammy here, and I can’t get John to see that.

The obedience class is being saved up for again. I’m just afraid that the money will be wasted because John won’t enforce the training at home once the course ends. On top of all this, the cat has decided that she’s going to stop using her litter box consistently. My pretty carpet, that was brand new when we moved in six months ago is now a mess. We use Kids & Pets and it works really well, but it’s like every day we’re finding a new spot. The carpet has lost it’s newness. This Saturday, we’ll be taking the carpet cleaner to the floor and heading to the dog park for a while to let it dry… again.

So this is the main cause for my nervous energy. I feel that my household is slipping into chaos. I have no energy to keep up with it, and I’m tired of feeling this way, like I have no control. Also, I’m not trying to make John out to be a horrible person or whatever, because he’s not. I love him dearly, and I couldn’t ask for a better mate (most of the time haha). The problem is, he’s one of those people that wants the cool thing but not the work that comes with it, know what I mean? Ugh, I need to do some yoga or something, get centered and regain some control around here. So uh… anyone wanna tell me how?

It’s a known fact that one of the most common fights among couples is money. Right now, we’re feeling that. I’m not doing so well with the “giving up luxuries” thing that I knew I would have to do when we bought the house. The several-times-weekly trips to Starbucks, going to Barnes & Noble often, buying scrapbooking and/or beading supplies… all things that are not really a necessity. My interest in simplifying has been peaked. This stems partly from my desire to make things green in our life, as well. We have a local family farm right down the road that sells produce, and while it may not be organic (yet, I’ve read that they’re working on that), it’s local so it helps support our community and obviously eases my gas expense. I have a coffee/espresso machine, so I need to start making my own at home. Turning lights off, not running the air all the time, etc… little things that are both green and cost-effective, that we don’t always think about. I really need to reevaluate and simplify.

Something I mentioned in a previous post was my newfound hobby of making jewelry. I’m still kicking around the idea of trying to sell some pieces on Etsy. I’ve made a few, and I think they’re cute, but would others think they’re worth buying? I’d like to hear from people who’ve done it. Were you sucessful in making some extra money? What was your experience with the whole process? I guess I could browse the site and try to talk to a few people on there, see what they say.

Above and beyond that, however, I’m just curious… how do you pinch pennies in your household? Any specifics that you live by for cutting costs and making things easier in the process? We’re just looking for ideas that we may not have thought of, but even if they’re obvious, please do tell! 

I have my share of weird dreams on a regular basis, but last night was a first for me. I had a blogger dream. Anyone else ever have those - a dream where other bloggers you read or know show up? I’ve never met any of them, and that’s what made it even more strange. I’ve spoken to a few through comments or email but that’s it. I’ve gotta stop eating so close to bedtime, because every time I do, I have weird dreams. Anyway…

Staz, Joelle, Y and myself were in an old church that had all these secret tunnels to other rooms. We were rummaging through cabinets and drawers, but I have no idea what we were looking for. Then a few others joined us. Mac walked in with Erika, and I think I saw Kathy, too. There were a few more, but I can’t remember who at the moment. I still don’t know what we were looking for.

Then we all sat down in this room that had chairs lined up, like for a meeting or something. We were all sitting there talking, waiting for whomever was going to speak, and Y walked by and told me I should smile more. The next few details are fuzzy, then suddenly we’re all outside lining the street with a ton of other people, waiting for a funeral procession to go by. I’m not sure who died. I vaguely remember talking to two guys about where we parked, but I woke up before I found my car.

So yeah, weird. I think there are too many elements here to look this up in a dream dictionary lol. Maybe I was looking for the meaning of life, I don’t know. Also, Y telling me I need to smile more is actually something that people often tell me. So who knows, maybe there’s a hidden meaning here and I’ll figure it out as I remember more details. Anyone else ever had a blogger dream? 

Some things that suck:

a) My best friend - whom I haven’t really been close to since he started dating The Princess two years ago - hasn’t bothered to contact me all week while I’ve been on vacation. We’re often online at the same time, he says nothing. He has my number, no calls. He dropped John off last night from work, no hello. We’re supposedly so close. I’m sick of being friends when it’s convenient for him. We’re not friends anymore, we’re really just coworkers now. And I’m done.

b) We won’t have as much money to spend in Dublin as I had hoped, but we still have enough to eat yummy festival food and drink beer all weekend. So yeah, I guess that’s a positive, not really a negative.

c) Migraines. Really hoping I don’t have to stay medicated the whole weekend, but if that’s what it takes…

Some things that don’t suck:

a) Went out to buy some capris and other stuff for the trip, and discovered that I’ve lost two pant sizes. I was utterly confused for a minute. And than I did a little happy dance in the dressing room.

b) I’ve discovered a new hobby that could potentially make some money in the future: making jewelry. I have a ton of beads and things, and have already made some pieces to go with my outfits for this weekend (pics later). I think when we get back I’m going to research the whole Etsy thing and see if I could make a go of it.

c) My foot is getting better every day, and I’m no longer limping! No more Gimpy McBrokefoot! The stretches, silly as they seem, are working. And I bought some new sneakers that I’m loving. I may no longer be an Adidas girl. I think New Balance is winning me over. These things are wonderful to my feet. And they’re cute!

d) I managed to get stuff done around the house, even though I was lazy. My office, although not fully furnished yet, is now organized. And the kitchen is sparkling, and the laundry is completely done. I was oddly domestic this week. 

e) Three Words: Dublin. Irish. Festival. GAH. It’s almost here, and I’m beyond excited. We leave for the kennel tomorrow around noon, and then will head straight up to Dublin to check in to the hotel. Hopefully I’ll have many pictures to upload when I get back.

More positives than negatives. I think that’s a good start. 

Anyone who knows me will tell you I am not a morning person. In fact, until I have coffee, I’m pretty much a half-incoherent, mostly hateful witch. For the past few weeks, I’ve been all about getting up early and getting stuff done. Today, for instance… I’ve been to the grocery, mailed out the Ebay packages and cleaned and organized my office (which was no small feat). All this done, and it’s only 9:50am. I think getting old does weird things to you. 

I’ve decided that I need a course on how to be on vacation. I’ve been off since Friday, and I’ve been up before 7am every day. Today, I got up and read email, saw my last three Ebay auctions end and took care of that stuff via email, made a coffee run and went to Home Depot for more paint chips. Then I went to Michael’s and bought some bead supplies and sets to make some jewelry out of. Oh, and Kohl’s for a new pair of sneakers. May not sound like a “slow Sunday” so far, but this was all done by 10:30am so yeah, now it’s slow. John has left for work and I’m sitting here wondering where to start my to-do list, which is a mile long for the week. I think I’m going to take the creative route and see what kind of jewelry I can come up with while watching all the home and cooking shows I’ve DVR’d over the past few weeks. Good times. Easy day. Vacation rocks.