November 2008

 November 1st: Saturday, Work Day: I was able to get off a little earlier so that we could down to Richmond to be with the Lawrences for Brenden's Birthday tomorrow. My parents also came over from Williamsburg and we had the kiddies all to ourselves (meaning no parents) that evening. 

November 2nd: Sunday - Brenden Lawrence and Mary Beth Wilson Birthdays! Work Day: Before work, we were still at the Lawrences' house, had a fabulous breakfast party for Brenden, and then headed back home. My sister really does know how to make a birthday special, she made a gourmet breakfast of pancakes, quiche, bacon and parfaits. She is just amazing and we had such a great time.

November 3rd - Monday: Work Day: Found out that the other workcampers decided that they just could not do workcamping and so they quit. This is going to be real fun, back to only two people for working at the office. I'm sure the managers will find someone else to take their place.

You might notice over on the right side some interesting books - they are part of a series of books. I had picked up the Lover Revealed at the laundry room, (we have a book exchange at the campground) and it was really good. So I searched the libraries for the rest of the series, found more of the books and started reading. So that is why it has taken me a while to get the November page up. I submersed myself in these books and read each one of them in about a day and a quarter. and then I started reading them again in order. However, I have not gotten the first of the series - Dark Lover, so I might have to read them all over again in order.

November 4th:  Tuesday: Work Day: We had already voted (back in October) but once I came back from work, I plugged into CNN.com and watched the polls. It was better than the Superbowl in any year. And you stayed up just as late. I called up my parents at midnight when the results came in, figuring that they had to be staying up to watch it as well. Let's just say that we were real happy about the outcome and leave it to that.

Of course the big thing is that we are in Virginia, and the fact that the state turned was a big factor. Huge factor. So we were pleased. Of course getting up the next morning will be tough, staying up that late.

November 5th: Wednesday: Work Day: Moving slow today, since we stayed up late the night before.

November 6th: Thursday: Day Off - Up to the Museum today, did my first day of the historical house tour - Woo - Hoo! I did it! I was so excited, only had one person the first time around, but it was still very exciting, and then the second time it did it, had five people. It was truly a thrilling moment for me, I know I can do it and it did not take very long to learn how. This was a great day!

November 7th: Friday: Day Off: I went to get the mail and go to Aldi's for provisions. Found out that the Costco dried berries were more expensive than the berries at Aldi, so I loaded up on berries here. I think this is going to be the last time this year that I am going to load up on provisions, and we will just use what we have in our massive pantries for the rest of the year.

When I went to get the mail, I swear to God, there was more junk mail in there than regular mail. Like I have stated before, we do not get any bills sent to us via mail, they are all online. The only things that come to us via mail are government stuff - personal property taxes and voter registration and that sort of stuff. I had to mail out a couple of late birthday cards, and my wallet fell open and all of the credit cards fell out. I thought I had gotten them all BUT I did not.

I was halfway home, hungry because I did not bring a good snack so I went into a McDs to get some food, and my American Express card was not there. I called up the post office and they stated that YES the credit card was there and that they would put it in our post office box. So I had to go back. What a waste of gas. So Friday was not so good a day.

November 8th: Saturday: Work Day: After work Sasha and I went to Costco to get flu shots, then headed over to the club for a swim, steam and shower. A great way to end the day. We watched a movie and enjoyed the evening.

November 9th: Sunday: Work Day: Got a couple of things done.

November 10th: Monday: Work Day: Getting apples to dry - This is the last of the season of apples - the Pink Lady Apple is a crisp, sweet apple that I hope will work well for drying. Sasha absolutely loves these apples so I plan to get a bunch.

November 11th: Tuesday: Work Day: Sasha got a flat tire on the Motorcycle. He had to be towed to work - I called up the tow company (had to use someone that could get the motorcycle up on the truck), and then brought him to work.

November 12th: Wednesday: Day Off: Went to work with Sasha; and my computer died. That was one of the reasons I have not put anything on the website. I picked up a new one for $399 - I decided not to go with an Apple/Mac computer because I am totally tied to Frontpage.

November 13th: Thursday: Day Off

November 14th: Friday: Work Day:  I came home to a soggy floor, the third time this year. We have a leak in the camper. This is the last straw. Not only is it cold out, but raining and now a soggy mess in the camper. I dry it out, put down bleach (to kill whatever organisms might have started, and call Sasha.

We have to figure out a way, more than likely going to have to move into a rental apartment or something like that so that the camper could get fixed.

So instead of working on the website, I have been working on the prospect of moving. I gave Candy Hill Campground where I workcamped this season, my 2 week notice (well, it was on November 15th I think, once we were able to figure out where we were going.) We also went to Sasha's work to pick up the motorcycle using the trailer, so we had to get the trailer cleaned up and organized, a great thing to do now that we figured we had to leave.

November 26th: Wednesday: went down to Williamsburg to spend Thanksgiving to my side of the family.

November 27th: Thursday: Thanksgiving! Turkey Time in Williamsburg, Went down the night before, and had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner. We stayed with my folks until Sunday morning when we headed back to the campground to pack to moving to a new home.

November 28th: Friday

November 29th: Saturday

November 30th: Sunday

Expenses: Hopefully not as bad as October.

The food expenses were not too bad, considering we got a ton of provisions, I really went wild this month. If you put the provisions and the farmers market together, it is almost the same amount as regular food and household amounts. The Meals to Go has been about the same amount for the last couple of months...the McDonalds has been so close and so easy. Obviously, we are not going to continue to do that.

Transportation was high this month because of Sasha's flat tire and having to buy a new tire. I also got an oil change for the Saturn. It will be nice when we only have one vehicle, less maintenance that we have to worry about, just more miles on one vehicle.  It has been nice that the price of gas and diesel has gone down, that bill would have been double.

Utilities: Well, in the beginning of November, we winterized the water lines, to comply with the campground. So at the same time, we got a larger tank of propane. Of course, we did not use it all but one of my co-workers was able to use it. We bartered with him to fix our  ceiling heater (Sasha was supposed to fix that way back last year...but he was busy and Steve knew how to do it, so better this way) and he got the propane as payment. I think it was a pretty good trade. And of course, you can see we have RENT, the first in a LONG time. That is for 3 months' rent, so we are paid up to and including February. So rent will not show up on December, January and February's Expense sheets.

Camper Services included the rental space for 6 months for the trailer and camper, once we got them back from repair. Of course, we also had some expenses in the beginning for winterizing the camper, but I paid for them through working at the campground.

Communication this month was high, because I bought a laptop. My old one, you probably know the saga by now, was driving me crazy and around the middle of the month, it just refused to turn on. I had had it, I was ready to kick the computer clear across the parking lot. But instead, I got a refurbished computer for $399 plus tax. It is a Dell, wide screen. We changed the hard drive to a larger size, the new hard drive that I had bought for the old laptop last month.  Also got a cable there at the store, that could transfer the old data to the new computer tons faster.

The hosting on the website came due this month for 6 months of hosting, and thanks to you and others clicking on the Google and Yahoo ads, the ads are generating enough revenue to pay for the hosting. Obviously we are not making tons of money with the ads, but maybe someday they will.

The phone both needed to be updated, so I got 450 minutes and Sasha got 300 minutes. I seem to talk more, plus more people know my phone number rather than Sasha's so our family calls us on mine. So more minutes.

Health: Even though we cancelled the gym membership, we will still get a charge in December, because you need to give them 30 days notice. We waited too long, so have to pay. And since the FSA money (before tax money taken out of Sasha's paycheck) had run out like in June, we had to pay for Sasha's dental bill. Next year will be better, we will put more money in. Oh and Sasha got a haircut as our electric razor stopped working (shucks, now I can't continue giving Sasha "OOPs" haircuts.

The Recreation stuff was, basically the iPod, it died. Well the hard drive died and so their warranty is $30 to ship and handle a refurbished one back to us. Kinda stinks, but it is better than paying several hundred for a new one. And then I got needles and yarn to make a scarf, while I was with my Mom. Let's just say that at Christmas, Mom had a scarf and I just had some yarn. Really have to get back and work on it some more. I got a little frustrated with it, when Mom is not there, can't ask anyone how to do it, and you really need to see it being done.

Check out Next Month: December, the holiday season is upon us and the cold weather! And hopefully less expenses for some things. We can only hope!