Here's a conversation I just got done having with a Delta Dental lackey (seriously):

Me: Can you tell me why Delta won't pay for an emergency exam I had last month for a tooth infection?

Delta Lackey: Because we only pay for two exams a year.

Me: Yes, but this wasn't a regular exam. This was an emergency exam. I woke up and my tooth was throbbing and my face was swollen up like the Sta-Puff Marshmallow Lady.

Delta Lackey: But under your plan, we only cover two exams a year.

Me: So, how was my dentist supposed to diagnose me if he couldn't examine me?

Delta Lackey: I'm not sure.

Me: So what you're telling me is the next time I have a toothache if I've already had my two regular cleanings for the year I will need to wait until the next year to get the toothache examined if I want Delta to kick in its share of the bill?

Delta Lackey: Yes or pay out of pocket for the exam portion of the emergency.

Me: Doesn't this seem a little bit absurd to you since I'm already paying you all my money for dental insurance to begin with?

Delta Lackey: Yes, I see what you're saying.....

I actually went to the post office today to mail some packages and couldn't figure out why it was so crowded.... DUH! April 15. TOMORROW!!!!

I need to come up with something else to blog about. Instead, all I've got today is another addition for the challenge of $31.60. That brings the new total up to $7,994.59.

I shipped another eBay item today. My proceeds after shipping were $31, which I'm adding to the challenge. My new total is $7,993.99.

I also rectified my shipping dilemma with eBay by picking up a flier at the post office that outlines the exact costs for flat rate shipping. It's illustrated and includes international rates, so it'll be much easier to use than eBay's shipping estimator.

Sold some more stuff on eBay yesterday, so I'm adding $21.81 to the challenge. The new total is $7,962.99.

I sold some stuff on eBay last night and got it all shipped off this morning so I'm adding $26.40 to the challenge. The new total is $7,941.18.

I need to be better about calculating postage. I always underestimate the shipping costs and then end up using more of my proceeds for shipping than I would like. Any suggestions from eBay sellers out there?

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I got up early to do some work on the booming side business (soon to be the only business) and I also swam a mile. I'm now exhausted and it's only 11 a.m. Not a good thing since I need to go into the "office" job today to give notice and maybe get some work accomplished there as well. It's shaping up to be a high caffeine day....

I have decided to give notice at my "office" job tomorrow. I will work through the middle of May, but it's time to clue them in.

I was going to wait until May 1 to give notice, but went back to the "office" job yesterday for the first time in two weeks and realized I really do not want to be there any more.

Since the booming side business is still booming and is more than enough to meet my financial needs, I feel like I am doing the right thing.

Yes, the booming side business could come crashing down, but for now I'm willing to bet that it'll keep me going for a while.

Got a small freelance check of $50 today so I'm putting it toward the challenge. The new total is $7,914.78.

I just read

I noticed a slight drip under my kitchen sink this morning, so I called Vince the Plumber to come take a look. Normally, I'd just hand my husband a wrench and tell him to go at it, but about once a year my kitchen sink backs up (usually in the middle of the night) and I end up calling the plumber to snake the line out since it requires some heavy industrial snake to clear it every time -- not something the average homeowner can rent.

Instead of waiting for the big flood that usually accompanies the back up, this year I'm taking preventative action and having Vince snake the line out even though there's no problem yet.

It'll probably cost a couple hundred bucks, but it's better than the cost of a midnight visit from Vince the night before we leave on vacation (which has happened in the past).

Vince is coming tomorrow afternoon. I can hardly wait to see him for once....

While standing around after the shindig last night thinking about how much my feet hurt in high heels and wondering when my husband would be done chatting up some stuffy guys in suits, I was approached by a banquet worker carrying a tray of centerpieces from the evening's dinner. She asked if I would like to take one home. (This was after the event was over.)

My husband paused long enough to say "Yes, she would" before carrying on his conversation.

I'm thinking this is his way of saying "Thank you" for being his arm candy despite being a walking germ factory. What a deal he got, huh.....

After swinging by the gas station ($48) and hitting Starbucks for my venti black iced tea sweetened ($2) this morning, I drove way out south for my meeting, which was actually a training session that covered stuff I didn't really want to learn. (Too much information for a job I'm quitting in a month anyways....)

Then I stopped in at a spa/salon to get an eyebrow wax. I rarely splurge on such things, but I noticed yesterday while dressing for my fancy schmancy dinner that my "eyebrows" were becoming an "eyebrow." Yes, unibrow was threatening to show itself, which might be OK if you're Frida Kahlo but not if you're me. So I thought the $36 (with tip) was money well spent.



After that painful experience (try it sometime guys....), I had every intention of getting my running shoes, but first felt the need to eat lunch so I stopped for a fish taco ($7). As I was sitting there chowing down, it occurred to me that I still felt like poo so I came home instead of driving across town to the running store.

All in all, still a spendy day....

I picked my husband up on the way to the fancy schmancy dinner (which was lovely by the way) and he ended up paying for parking, so I technically had a no-spend day yesterday.

Today, though, I have to drive to another town for a meeting and I need gas in the car so a no spender isn't going to happen. I also need Starbucks, which I haven't had forever, so I'm treating myself in hopes that I'll survive sitting through a work-related meeting that I'm dreading.

Depending on my energy level after enduring the meeting, I might stop and get new running shoes with some birthday money I've been hording. So I'm not even anticipating a "low-spend" day.

I'm taking my red, chapped nose and seal bark out tonight since my husband needs a date for his work event.

I had planned on getting a manicure, so my hands wouldn't look like I was just digging up the back 40 (which I was). However, I'm trying to conserve my energy today, so I've decided to skip it and save some money.

I do have to pay for valet parking at the hotel where the event is being held since there's no way I'm hoofin' it in high heels. (And, yes, that money will be coming from my husband's parking stash.....)

This is the dress I've decided to wear (since I know BA and DisneySteve were dying to see it....):



Hopefully it won't clash too much with the box of tissues I'll be carrying with me.

I finished my massive spring cleaning project in the kitchen. The vinegar and baking soda cleaning solution did a decent job. I did have to bust out the all-purpose cleaner for the countertops and floors, though.

I didn't take "before" pictures, but thought you would all get a kick out of seeing the "after" shots. (Trust me, the "before" shots were scary...)





Mind you, it'll stay this nice for another hour. By the time we finish dinner, it'll be trashed again.

On a financial note, I had a no-spend day. Since I was determined to get the kitchen cleaned, I only left the house to go for a run and to pick Mini Me up at the bus stop.

I made a tuna fish sandwich for lunch and busted out the Pepsi from the trunk of my car. And, I'm roasting a chicken and veggies for dinner. I even made brownies for dessert. Just call me Martha.....

Credit cards are like crack if you're an addict like me....

Fancy red sports cars with 6-year loans tend to break down around year 5....

Designer duds do not make the person....

Diamonds are not a girl's best friend and it's student loans that are FOREVER....