Hello my friends...

...I've been keeping busy. Trying not to overspend but life is challenging these days. My new fridge ($$$) was delivered today but not installed properly so I am in waiting mode for the delivery people to come back to level it and raise the front up a little so the door closes instead of falling wide open. That's just common sense isn't it? And darn it all I needed to go to the grocery store as we kept just the bare minimum of food in it this week so as to only need a couple of coolers to store food in while the switch was made. Sigh...good thing I have leftovers from last night's dinner!

I tried something new last night - lettuce wraps! I ended up having to really improvise because although I bought a Boston lettuce the leaves weren't as big as I thought they'd be. I invented my own filling in order to use what I had on hand: leftover turkey, onion and quinoa with some HOT spices and then I chopped tomatoes, cucumber and green pepper to sprinkle on top, threw in a few jalapeno peppers  - YUM!! Instead of folding it all up inside the lettuce leaves (which were too small) I made a layer of lettuce on a big plate, added my filling and toppings, finished it off with crushed tortilla chips and cheddar cheese and warmed it in the microwave just enough to melt the cheese. Best meal I've had this year!

Went to the trailer on Wednesday and had a challenging day. The lawn was out of control so I went to the nearest Walmart (20 minutes away) and bought ($$$) an electric lawn mower. Drove back, did some assembly to the mower and got about half way through cutting the grass and the mower konked out. I tried a different cord, just in case, but it was dead. Drive back to Walmart and exchanged the mower, back to the trailer and finished the lawn. Then pulled about 1,000 dandelions barely making a dent! My sister told me to make wine!!

Then I was about 1/3 of the way back to London when I realized I hadn't turned the water off at the outside source. It would probably be ok til the next time I went but I couldn't take that chance so I turned around and went back. Yeesh!!! What a waste of gas ($$$) in big ol' Dougie the Dodge! Ah well, that's life.

He's here he's here - the delivery guy is here!  He's an impatient fellow I have to say - take your time and do it right!! I don't want you back again anytime soon!

Okay, I'm off to the grocery store ($$$)!!

PS - I had a good talk with the counsellor on Monday, she was very good to talk to. I'm going to go again next Monday. She used the word "remarkable" as in it's "remarkable" I'm doing as well as I am after all of the losses I've had piled on top of a traumatic childhood (in more ways than one). So I just keep reminding myself "I'm remarkable"!

Good Riddance May Budget

Well THAT was a spendy month!! I was never so happy to get to the end of a budget month!

Let me scrounge for the GOOD:

• Union Gas dropped to $43 in May - I had budgeted $65; however I now pay Union Gas at the trailer with an activation fee of $40
• London Hydro came in at $63 - I had budgeted $70 - woo hoo! I'm hoping for a further drop (yeah, right - Hydro just goes up and up and up!!) since we aren't using the electric heater in the basement now

That's it for the good.

Now for the BAD:

• I had to pay HST on the trailer - SURPRISE!! That was an unexpected $1,314.00.  Colour me BLUE!!!
• License stickers had to be renewed this month - what a lovely birthday gift! $98.00 Plus this was my year to get an E-Test and I needed an oil change. KA-CHING!!
• Lots of invites to go out for lunch/brunch etc; that's nice but really makes an impact on the ol' budget. Eating out twice in one week is equal to the amount I spend on groceries in a week!
• $45.00 for 40 days of yoga
• I spent $356 on stuff for the trailer: this was "needed" stuff as the previous owners left nothing except a big fat mess. I purchased a small BBQ, side tables, 4 tubs of grasses to plant, cutlery, utensils, bedding, pillows and much more.
• I spent $300 on stuff I needed for hiking and my upcoming trip at MEC (Mountain Equipment Company): a good backpack (the one I have is from Roots and used to be Kazi's high school backpack - it is NOT suitable for hiking long distances and really hurts my shoulders; a day pack for short hikes - it goes around your waist, holds 2 water bottles and has a zippered compartment for snacks and another for keys, ID etc; socks, sock liners, headband for HOT yoga, and a buffy for hiking - it can be used in many ways; and 3 tops (all on sale)

That spree was my birthday gift to myself. 

Needless to say I had to dip into my savings several times during the month which gives me anxiety. Oh yes, I also loaned Kazi $700 as her car needed repairs and was unsafe to drive. She was upset about having to borrow from me but has already repaid $200.  And now I need a new fridge. Arghhh!

Oh well, I will adjust the budget like we all have to do from time to time. Touch wood I won't have any more big unexpected expenses in the near future. I have $2500 set aside for my trip and hope that will be enough. I have an automatic tsf of $300 monthly into savings which helps to rebuild and in a year (when I turn 60) that will go up to $800 or $900 monthly. 

I knew when I retired early at 58 I'd have two lean years but I wasn't expecting so many visits from Murphy!! But that's the way it goes right? The best laid plans...  But I know I will come through it ok and look forward to the future when I can redo the bathroom etc. We can plan for the future but we have to live one day at a time.

June's budget looks good so far!! 

HOT Yoga

It wasn't that hot. I decided to start with Beginner's Hot Yoga and they don't make the room TOO hot for us newbies. It was pleasantly warm but not like a sauna. The poses were mostly ones I knew which was nice though I struggled with the ones requiring balance. I loved how reaffirming it was - full of "love yourself the way you are" and "love your body the way it is now" etc. The instructor was a young, very gentle and soft spoken woman, overall a good experience.

So today I got in my truck to go again but made a mistake - there are TWO locations in London and I went to the wrong one. Must read the schedule more carefully. Tomorrow I have a hike in the morning so will go to a class in the afternoon or early evening. I followed Thursday's class with a hot bath with Epsom Salts. I felt pretty good physically Friday but today am back to the usual level of pain.

Had to leave my post for awhile - Kazi got banged in the head last night - whacked heads with another bartender reaching down for stuff. I was a little worried about a concussion so skipped hot yoga (Saturday) and kept a close eye on her. She felt a bit dizzy, weak and nauseous and her vision was a little blurred. Doctor said for her to rest.  Never a dull moment.

Still no call back from the counsellor so I will call again tomorrow - the squeaky wheel and all that.

Whoa...I started this post several days ago....it's time to publish!

**Updates

• Kazi is doing much better now - back to normal. I'm glad I was here to look after her for a couple of days. Thankfully she didn't work Sunday and only did a half-day on Monday. By Tuesday she was feeling AOK once again. 
• I have an app't with a counsellor this coming Monday.
• Went to Hot Yoga again at a different location and man was it HOT!! Sweat dripping off the end of my nose the whole time. I felt so refreshed though when it was done. 
• Enjoyable birthday celebrations yesterday - I'm 59!!
• I need a new fridge :( :( :(

Furry Cuteness:

Lily is so hard up she has to nap in a box full of old newspapers - poor baby!

Luna, on the other hand, loves to stretch out on the most comfortable chair in the house!