I shopped and shopped and shopped this weekend. And, granted, I didn't spend much money (about $20-$30 more than I'd planned), but I did have a lot of fun. I got new work shoes, so I can throw out the ones with the sole pulling away from the upper. I got new "play" shoes, for walking, so my feet won't hurt on the weekends any more. And, yes, I got toilet paper, shoe polish, and dishwashing soap! (Whoah! Stop this crazy-mad roller-coaster of fun!)

I went into a bookstore and came out empty-handed. !!

I had a little make-up indulgence. Most of you know that I've been quasi-addicted to a reality show called What Not To Wear for the last six months. They're always talking about using "luminising primer" before you put your make-up on. It's supposed to create a "smooth canvas" and should make you glow like a 20 year-old or something. I had me some of that.

I'm wearing it today. I can't honestly say I look smashingly better--or even different--but Girly Toys don't really have to have an effect to make you happy, do they? (Actually, I'm wearing about four layers of make-up today and when I look in the mirror, it doesn't look as though I have any on at all--and not in the good way. Clearly I need a foundation with more coverage.)

What Not To Wear is a bad influence on me. As I wade through the six-month plan (now in its thirteenth month), I find it more and more difficult to keep myself out of stores. I need clothes - and I need them all custom tailored!*

Red shoes! All of the women on that show wind up with knock 'em dead red shoes. (Not infrequently with two or three inch stiletto heels.) I want red shoes!

I have never in my whole life had a pair of red shoes. I think that's sad, don't you?

In spite of set-backs (like $900 worth of car repairs or a 15% pay cut), I have remained focused on fighting my way out from under staggering (for me) debt and am very close to achieving a pay-as-you-go lifestyle. It's very exciting.

I did some rough figuring this weekend and I realized that I can account for almost every penny I made last year. Less than $1,500 is unaccounted for - so I frittered away less than that amount all year on things like eating out, buying books, car insurance, gasoline, Target (toilet paper, shampoo, deodorant), etc.

If you don't know me well, you won't know what an astonishing and sustained act of maturity this has been. (If you do, you probably still don't care, but I'm talking about it anyhow.) It's been a long, tough year but I'm seeing a tiny sign of light at the end of the tunnel.

Or, you know, I would be seeing a light, if not for the whole unemployment things. This week they're back to talking about my extended stay in terms of a month or two. Except for one ChaosManager, who said something that indicated I might not be here after next week. (My NewBoss Anais says I can never leave. I had to tell her that I don't put on make-up unless I'm being paid to.**)

Sheesh. Someone has to tell one of the 'Nuts that some territory he wants to market to is not in his "official" geographic area, but we'll let him 'manage' it until it's owned by someone else. Everyone in the conversation raced to claim "not it." What a bunch of fraidy-cats. I mean, comparatively speaking, this guy isn't even one of the mean ones. Whiny, yes, but not actually abusive. I told him myself.

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* Obviously, tailors are not in my budget these days. But I'm not without skills. I have a shirt that would be just the kind of thing I need, if only it wasn't three inches too long. I measured it, cut off the bottom, and started hemming it myself yesterday.

I have no sewing machine, but I console myself with the thought that you can't machine-hem a shirt anyhow. Once I get the hem done, I might even splash out on taking the side seams in a bit. Mad skillz!

** That sounds vaguely obscene.