Well, this is going to depend on whether I work on Hallowe'en. We get to dress up at work, so long as we keep it clean/pg 13. If I'm working, then I plan to dress up as a character from one of the online comics I read. If I'm not working, then no, probably not.

It's more fun to play dress-up and act like a kid when you've people to share with. ^_^

How long it takes to plan depends on the costume. Now, I could just go to Party City or Target and buy one off the rack. I actually was close to doing that, but if I decide to go as Super Girl, there's a certain outfit I want to do, and would need to make my thighs a bit better looking (though that is my own opinion on that little "issue").

If it's a costume that I would have to either cobble together or make myself, then it depends entirely on my own procrastination. For example, there's one comic character that I've been wanting to make a costume for for a few years now; I haven't been able to get the time to sew it up, though.

Well, once again, it has been awhile since I've been on here. :/ Oops?

Not much to report, for all the time spent away, though.

Love life? Still no guy in my life, which I find rather depressing. I also find it rather depressing that girls are apparently supposed to be asking the guys out these days. I'm not entirely certain that's fair, and I can see a lot of affairs starting that way. Why, you ask? Simple. When a guy asks a girl out, they can typically tell at a glance whether they're married/engaged; girls almost always wear a ring of some sort. Guys? Not so much. I'd estimate maybe 50% of married guys wear a ring. How are we girls supposed to know whether a guy is taken or not, aside from asking? And they complain that asking a girl out is stressing! :P

Work? Work has not changed. I got a nice bonus earlier this month, but then, so did everyone in the store, because we met our sales goals. It was nice, and I used it to get some containers to transfer my beads into, as 3/5 of the ones I had were broken in some way. Plus, the new ones have individual lids for the compartments, which is also nice. Anyway, still working in flooring. Not a lot going on there, aside from certain managers being really irritating. So, meh.

Book? Made some progress in writing, but I am once again toying with the idea of trying to draw it into a comic instead of writing. Need to do some editing to get rid of spelling mistakes, and all that fun stuff, also.

Jewelry? Have some new pieces, but not really any new toys. I really would like to get into chasing and that kind of technique, but would need a better torch, as mine really doesn't handle annealing well.

Language skills? No change, really; haven't had the time or space to study, though I'm hoping to cure the latter problem soon.

So, all in all, meh. *shrugs*

Well, while it's nice to know I was going to get a refund on the loan I gave the government, it is sad to know it was spent on nothing fun.

"Fun" would have been paying off more bills. Just to get rid of them, you know? Maybe buy some beads or silver sheet to play with.

Instead, I get to play the "catch up" game with said bills, mainly because I missed the payments last time they were due, in favor of making my kitty healthier.

I'm more in debt, but my pussy has more play in her than she has for months. (You may make what you will of the double entendre within that statement.)

I have not used a balance sheet in my checkbook for a few years, now.

This is mainly because, when my last computer died, it ate my spreadsheet that had my account info on it. Putting it back together again was being a pain in the arse, so I just didn't. The stupidity of a college student.

Fast forward to about 1 week ago. The day before I got paid, I had three transactions clear. Also, I made two purchases, based on the fact that I get paid at midnight (auto), so there would be no problem covering the purchases.

The purchases immediately came out of my available balance, causing the three clearing items to bounce.

This is apparently the way the bank has operated for years. Also apparent, is that in the past, my timing has been incredibly lucky (or something). So, that's $57 I won't see again. :(

So, now I get to find my balance sheets and everything, and try making a spread sheet to reflect the last 5+ years of my checking account.

Wheeee~

(What's a word for how you're upset about something that happened to you, but also know you brought it upon yourself?)

I have to wonder about my cat. I have a sneaking suspicion she thinks that the last vet visit (about a week ago) was the best one she'd even had.

"This is great! My paws don't hurt anymore and aren't bleeding, my claws are a manageable length, they've stopped putting that weird stuff into my mouth, I didn't get poked with anything, *and* I got this awesome bright green rocking mouse toy! I could enjoy thi---Zzzzzzzzz~."

(I don't know why, but the bright green one appealed to me, so that's the one I bought her.) She seems to be really enjoying her rocking mouse, too. I just can't tell if she's actually playing with it or just trying to cuddle, though. It does wind up moved in the morning from where it was left last night, though. And makes a funny "goro-goro" sound when it moves.

She'll be rather put out when I finally take her for her shots, I imagine. X(

Oh, don't get me wrong - he's a wonderful author. Fantastic in fact, love the way he does narration. Great sense of humor, too. But that's part of the problem.

I borrowed "Hogfather" from my brother awhile back, and just got around to reading it last night. Started at about 7:40 or so, while waiting for the car to warm up. Read about 10 pages or so, then went home, had dinner, and sat down to read for a bit. Decided to read in bed around 8:30 or thereabouts.

Suddenly remembered that I was supposed to shower tonight, so took my shower around ten. Then went back to reading. And basically finished the book.

At four forty-five in the morning.

It's a good thing I have today off. XD

So, Dad's in the hospital for knee surgery (whether to just clean it out or to replace it, I'm not quite sure), and meanwhile, Mom is running the household. Or trying to.

She found out yesterday that their checking account is overdrawn, and had spent the better part of her day off trying to figure out why.

She knows nothing of the way Dad pays bills, no idea what should have been going through and what wasn't supposed to, and can't even read his spreadsheet for the checkbook. And the "what to do in case I die" folder he has is at least 2 years old.

Considering the complications that have already gone with this surgery. . .

Scary concept.

I knew Mom was keep out of the loop a bit as far as their finances went, but I didn't know it was -that- far.

My brother and I had to go to Petsmart a bit ago (well, he had to go, I was just providing the transportation), and while he checked for the cat food and checked out, I checked out the fish.

I've always wanted a fish tank, ever since we had to get rid of the one we had as children. I can't afford the one I'd love to have (a really, really, big one), and I've off-and-on been toying with the idea of making a fish tank that would go around the entire house (kind of like those hamster trails people can have), but I haven't the space/money.

This doesn't mean I cannot look.

And I've noticed, that the things you can put into a fish tank have gotten a lot more interesting recently.

One of the fish tanks they had on display had this foot-tall Oriental standing dragon in it. This was really neat. There's also a version lying down instead of standing. It's supposed to be a bubbler, so when it's going it has bubbles coming out of it's mouth, like a breath weapon. The one I saw wasn't going, but I really like the concept.

I might just pic one up for the heck of getting one, since they're only about $25. I could paint it to look like a "real" dragon, for instance, and just have it as a conversation piece. (Or, you know, leave it plain to use in the fish tank later on.)

(I wasn't logged on on the 26th, so I swiped this from Indigoskynet. Thanks, Indigo! :) )

I am a (Earth) Goat

-Personality
Occupying the 8th position in the Chinese Zodiac, the Goat (or Sheep) symbolizes such character traits as creativity, intelligence, dependability, and calmness. Comfortable being alone to ponder the workings of their inner minds, Goats enjoy being part of a group, but prefer the sidelines rather than the center. Their nurturing personality makes Goats excellent care-givers. They’re quite and reserved because they spend much time absorbed in their thoughts.

Home and alone is where Goats feel most comfortable. There they can express themselves artistically, whether it’s by painting, cooking or participating in whatever artistic endeavors they enjoy. Goats prefer the couch because there they can relax and explore their minds. They don’t need elaborate furnishings; only items reflecting their desire for art.

When traveling or seeking entertainment, Goats prefer groups or venues that hold many people. Goats spend money on fashions that give them a first class appearance. Although Goats enjoy spending money on the finer things in life, they are not snobbish.

[OK - I'm introverted, I'll give it that, and my mother has stated that she thinks I'm too creative for my own good. When I'm at work and there's nothing to do, I'd rather be at home getting something artistically accomplished. And lately my only traveling has been to conventions, which have a lot of people - and I tend to hang out with the artists when I'm not in the Dealer's room.]

-Health
Perhaps because Goats are basically serene, they tend to have fewer health problems. Their fragile exterior hides the fact they’re typically very healthy. When they’re happy, they’re healthy. When Goats become unhappy, especially as a result of romance, they quickly become sick.

[Except for my bouts of bronchitis, this seams fairly accurate. If it is, the only reason I can come up with my getting sick lately is that I'm not terribly satisfied with what I have to live in, atm. Granted, it's better than noting, but I've the equivalent of a 1-2 bedroom apartment in one 11'x 11' bedroom, with some stuff in storage, and not a lot of space to move in, currently.]

-Relationships
Goats tend to be private, so it can take effort to get to know one. The Goat is the one who will decide when and with whom it will share its personal life. As a result, most Goats have few “close” friends, yet they’ll work hard for those they love.

[Yup, not a lot of close friends, but I value those I have.]

-Career
Goats at work prefer being part of a flock. Power and status aren’t important. Goats will only assume leadership roles when asked directly. They’ll never volunteer. Good career choices for Goats include: florist, interior designer, daycare teacher, pediatrician, actor, editor, hair stylist, illustrator, musician, and art history teacher.

[I a few career choices I've though about in that list. Atm, I work retail in a home repair place, and have my side business of jewelry making, which I get to be very creative with. I have thought of becoming a teacher, and have also given thought to both interior design and architecture, along with nursing, and am currently trying to make the time to learn to play more instruments than I already do.]

(Earth Goats – Years 1919 and 1979
Stable with feet firmly planted in the ground, Earth Goats are conservative, independent and practical, but not very confident in themselves. Most important in life is the family and they truly enjoy all that life has to offer. )
[Not so sure about that conservative part, but ok. lol]

This thing is actually scary-accurate. I wonder how my being a Scorpio and having been born a month late come into play with this, though?

Dad's driving mom crazy again. He's in the nursing home to get therapy for his knee.

He called home for another pair of his gym shorts, but didn't tell mom they were in a box in the alcove, so she was going nuts trying to find them in the laundry, and finally had to call him. Then he asks her to bring the crutches we have to him, but doesn't tell us my brother might still have them (he does), and calls back an hour later to say well, wait until Friday, no maybe I should have them now, no wait~ etc, etc, et-c.

Mom is ready to kill him. She won't literally, mind, but still.

Meanwhile, I've stuff going in my tumbler downstairs, and am trying to clean my room again. Game is not until this evening, so when I've the day off, I can do whatever until then.

And right now, I think I'll have some lunch.