How old is too old for an allowance?

Chebbar and I had to have a little chat this past weekend.

You see, he has dropped the phrase "We need to get back on track with our finances" three times since the beginning of the month.  Now, I am the one who handles our finances: I have handled my finances to the point that I was able to buy my first home on my own; he asked me to help him because he's not so good at managing his money.  He is the impulse spender; I'm the one who agonizes over spending $30 on a purse for so long that he ends up going and buying it for me.  He spends money with little thought, albeit likely because I've made it easy for him to do so by taking care of the bills.

The first time he made the finance comment, I winced a little, but conceded that it was likely a fair observation -- we *had* gotten away from our goal(s).  The second time he made the statement, I bristled because, as I said above, he's the one who will drop $23 on renting video games, blithely inform me that he "forgot" to cancel his Xbox Live account (that he's been talking about cancelling for WEEKS) which resulted in a $60 charge to the credit card, then turns around and talks about renewing his WoW membership at a cost of $80 for six months.

The proverbial straw was me mentioning that Blue Rodeo would be playing close by and tickets were CHEAP.  He looked at me, brow furrowed, and issued that blasted sentence a third time.  My reaction, in my inside (my head) voice?  Screw you, too, hypocrite!

I did bring it up briefly, but we were on our way to my parents' house, so the conversation was short-lived, leaving me feeling burdened.  We ended up using Gail Vaz-Oxlade's -- of Til Debt Do Us Part fame -- budget tool to hammer out where to put our money.  Included in the budget sheet was a box for allowances.  Now, I'm guessing this intended for parents to work their children's allowance(s) into the family budget.  However, after talking to my mom briefly the night before, I was inspired to make that work for us.  I proposed an allowance of $100 a month for each of us to do with as we wish -- if he wants to renew his WoW subscription, he can go for it; if I want to save up for that Clarisonic face brush (KILL ME WITH WANT -- thanks, Loralee *wink*), that's cool.  The understanding is that neither one of us will question or criticize what the other chooses to do with his or her allowance.  As well, once it's gone, it's gone and we're SOL until the next month.  Chebbar had the good idea to withdraw the cash at the beginning of the month to put in separate envelopes so we're aware of how much we've spent/have left. 

The only thing we haven't nailed down yet is the difference between necessity and non-essential items.  In my oh so humble opinion, if we need underwear or something for work, those are necessary items that should come from the communal pot.  On the other hand, if he wants a new video game or I want a new purse, those are non-essential items that should come from our allowances. 

Has anyone else used this type of setup?  What worked for you?  What didn't?  What did you do about essential items?  Did you call it an allowance, or were you able to come up with a term that was less... 6-year old doing chores?

Meme Monday

1. What color is your toothbrush?
White Sonicare

2. Name one person who made you smile today?
Co-Worker
 
3. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
Firing up the computer and putting my stuff away
 
4. What were you doing 45 minutes ago?
Working on job hours
 
5. What is your favorite candy bar?
Depends on my mood
 
6. Have you ever been to a strip club?
Strip club?  No.  Strippers?  Sadly, yes.
 
7. What is the last thing you said aloud?
Uh, I blew a kiss -- does that count?  lol
 
8. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Grasshopper Pie, black cherry

9. What was the last thing you had to drink?
Hot chocolate
 
10. Do you like your wallet?
It holds all my crap and stays closed, so sure.
 
11. What was the last thing you ate?
Breakfast (strawberry yogurt with granola)
 
12. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
Nope.  In fact, I returned a tank top, a cardigan, a pair of capris, and a pair of running shoes.
 
13. The last sporting event you watched?
I watched the Canucks blast St. Louis out of the playoffs. 
 
14. What is your favorite flavor of popcorn?
Popcorn-flavoured?  Nah, I lurve the kettle corn.  OM NOM NOM
 
15. Who is the last person you sent a text message to?
Sis
 
16. Ever go camping?
Not in a very, very long time.  Hopefully we will remedy this situation this summer.

17. Do you take vitamins daily?
God, I take so many I had to get the SOOPAH-DOOPAH sized weekly vitamin holder-thingy.  *hangs head in shame*  I don't even know if the crap works for me.  lmao
 
18. Do you go to church every Sunday?
What is this "church" you speak of?

19. Do you have a tan?
I have a smidgen of colour.
 
20. Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza?
OMG, that's tough!  Again, I'm gonna have to go with my ever-dependable "it depends."
 
21. Do you drink your soda with a straw?
Yup: I drink all cold liquid with a straw because my teeth are sensitive.
 
22. What did your last text message say?
Received:  Darn and okay thank you.
Sent:  I believe so.  You can call & check first.
 
23. What are you doing tomorrow?
Working
 
25. Look to your left, what do you see?
Job hours binder; ruler; wite-out tape thingy
 
26. What color is your watch?
Black and silver
 
27. What do you think of when you hear Australia?
G'day, mate!
 
28. What is your birthstone?
Diamond, baby!
 
29. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
Depends on the drive-thru line-up.
 
30. What is your favorite number?
21
 
31. Who's the last person you talked to on the phone?
A co-worker
 
32. Any plans today?
Working out, making dinner, probably more Animal Crossing (Chebbar is *so* proud of himself for pulling me over to the "dark side" of gaming (if Animal Crossing can be considered gaming...  lol))
 
33. How many states have you lived in?
None, but I've lived in two provinces.
 
34. Biggest annoyance right now?
The pain in my neck (literally)
 
35. Last song listened to?
This Fire - Franz Ferdinand
 
36. Can you say the alphabet backwards?
Never tried, but I'm guessing it would require considerable concentration
 
37. Do you have a maid service clean your house?
Only if Chebbar counts  ;)  (we split the chores)
 
38. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
Flip flops
 
39. Are you jealous of anyone?
Nope
 
40. Is anyone jealous of you?
Hell if I know.
 
41. Do you love anyone?
Yes

42. Do any of your friends have children?
Yup
 
43. What do you usually do during the day?
Work/internet
 
44. Do you hate anyone that you know right now?
I don't hate anyone, but I stronly dislike a couple of people.
 
45. Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
Hmm...  Specifically "hey" or "hi"
 
46. What color is your car?
"Copper mica" (aka burgundy)
 
47. Do you like cats?
Nope
 
48. Are you thinking about someone right now?
Yup
 
49. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
Nope
 
50. How did you get your worst scar?
Dog leash

Hooooeeee

It's been an... "interesting" week+ to say the least. Since I last wrote (aside from Meme Monday), we have:

• gone to my parents' for dinner to celebrate my sister's 21st birthday
• ran around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to complete errands on the Saturday
• drove across the Canadian/US border without passports with NO PROBLEMS *gasp*
• found our (nice) hotel only to discover that the bed was lumpy, old, and so soft we both had trouble sleeping and woke up feeling like 90-year olds
• braved a torrential downpour to go to The Big, Huge Mall, only to find that you Americans take your holidays *much* more seriously than us Canadians -- Sears and Old Country Buffet were the only things open in a mall with elebinty stores on Easter Sunday
• discovered that the complimentary airport shuttle service included with our "stay & park" package only ran from 8am to 10pm (our outbound flight was at 9:45am (meaning we were *supposed* to be at the airport by 7:45), and our return flight was scheduled to arrive at 10:30pm)
• landed in Vegas to discover that Allegiant Air had lost our second luggage lock, the second of three
• as a bonus, they also snapped our brand new luggage tag in half
• Chebbar's poor sinuses went haywire the second we touched down in Vegas, resulting in some crazy-ass unmanageable (even with $36 worth of pharmaceutical products) post-nasal drip
• this resulted in him not being able to breathe through his nose, which meant the CPAP machine was useless, which means neither of us got much sleep, which means we were both fracking cranky
  
• somehow I blocked from my memory that it would take 3.7 years to check in to the hotel
• after trudging along the strip for approximately 47 hours in (2.5" platform) flip flops the first day we were there, I managed to give myself both a blister and plantar fasciitis (aka "flip-flop disease" -- HA! no shit, Sherlock) and was in pain for the remainder of our trip (well, except for the periods when my foot was resting on two pillows being smothered by an ice pack)
• we (read: me) were !@#$^%%& suckered into one of those !@#$^&*@$ time-share BS sessions for a "romance package" of crap
• however, we were able to get our deposit back when we (read: I) changed our minds
• Chebbar swore he'd never fly again
• his left ear didn't pop for a day and a half after landing at home
• I got a new job
• I gave my notice
• I was asked three times what Current Company could do to change my mind
• I turned 31
• a family member was sentenced to 75 days incarceration for a stupid, stupid stunt
• another family member took out his/her stress on me, ranting about how I treat the aforementioned family member different, and how I can't hold said family member's actions against him/her for the rest of his/her life (on my birthday, no less)
• Chebbar stayed home from work in order to provide "back up" while accompanying me to my birthday dinner with the ranty family member (I wouldn't have gone alone)
  
• I got four hours sleep last night and got up to a screaming bitch of a sinus headache

But guess what? It's Hump Day. That means the weekend is almost here. Thank Jeebus. (Aside from me beating myself up for "ruining" our trip, we had a great time in Vegas and Chebbar is looking forward to going back for Mom's 50th in two years (even if he says he's gonna drive (even if I tell him I'll meet him there)).)

Meme Monday

I'm back!  Didja miss me?!?  ;)  I'll write a post about all that has been going on (hopefully tonight).  For now, you'll have to be entertained by this piece of surveytastic drivel.


Did anyone watch you the last time you kissed someone?
Nope

When you're walking, do you stop to drink?
Noooo... ?

Do you believe that if you want something bad enough you'll get it?
Nope.  I believe it all works out the way it's meant to work out in its own good time.

Have you ever kissed someone in a vehicle?
Of course

Ever snuck out of your house?
No (but I snuck someone IN once... )

Kill or Be killed?
I'd probably be killed

Break someone's heart or have your heart broken?
Ugh.  How about neither?

What did you do today?
Tendered my resignation

Do you like someone right this second?
Yessir/ma'am

Would you ever get a tattoo?
Already have four

What was the last thing you ate?
Chocolate chip coffee cake (good, but weird: I'm used to fruit in my coffee cake, and not used to cinnamon with my chocolate)

Are you a morning person or a night person?
Neither

Do you snore?
Rarely

Do you know anyone who has gotten an abortion?
Yup

What would you do if you opened up your front door to a dead body?
Freak out and call the police

Do you like to spend time with people?
Some people more than others

Are you hungry?
Nope

Are you a forgiving person?
Mostly

When was the last time you did the dishes?
Last night

Are you talking to anyone while doing this?
Nope

Do you want a relationship right now?
Just the one I'm in, thanks.

What are you about to do?
File

Have you ever thought someone died, when they really didn't?
I don't think so...

If you could be a superhero what would you want to do?
Fly

Your name plus "ness"?
Chibiness --  heh, I like the sound of that.  "She exuded chibiness."  :P

Three feelings at the moment?
Excited, melancholic, worried/anxious/nervous

Done anything you regret so far in life?
Yup, but not to the point that I wish I hadn't done it -- everything is a learning experience

Are you listening to anything?
"That's Just The Way It Is" by Bruce Hornsby and The Range

Where are you right now?
My office

What are you scared of?
Ending up alone and unloved.  Oh, and spiders. 

Last movie you watched?
Zak & Miri Make a Porno

Last song you sang out loud?
*gasp*  I don't remember! 

Are you thinking of someone right now?
My brother

Who is the last person you talked to on the phone?
Chebbar

Last thing you downloaded on your computer?
Pictures

Have you changed much this year?
Um, I'm fatter?

Where was the last place you went besides where you are?
Outside.  Vitamin D FTW!

Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?
Ha!  No.

Do you speak any other language?
You'd think I'd have a better grasp of French after 4 years in high school, but no.  However, I am proficient in Pig Latin.

Do you dress for style or comfort?
Comfort

Ever had a drunken night in Mexico?
Never been to Mexico

What's the craziest thing you've done?
Booked a trip to Vegas with little notice (for me) when we weren't sure about job situations

Favorite color(s)?
Purple, blue, green

What is your favorite Nickelback song?
Far Away.  It's "our" song.  (Shut up.)

What are you looking forward to this summer?
It ending.  I don't do well in the heat.

Last time you smiled?
Maybe two minutes ago?

If you could choose any fate what would you choose?
The one I have?

If you could have anything in the world, what would you want?
Love

CAN'T SLEEP...

...GOING TO VEGAS!  :D

(Well, as long as they let us over the border with no passports.  D:)

See you in a week!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

When will I learn?

You'd think by now I would know better.  It is just NOT a good idea to have a conversation about anything of the slightest importance with Chebbar when he's at, or on his way home from work.  He's cranky, grumpy, and (while I don't think he consciously does it) sometimes seems to be itching for a "fight" -- not a fight, fight, but an opportunity to bitch out some pent up frustration.

THREE TIMES yesterday.  THREE. 

He called me on his break and in the course of the conversation, he told me that he thinks we should bring the laptop to Vegas.  Buh, wut?  Neither one of us has jobs that require us to be available while on holidays.  There are no familial child births pending.  We're not waiting for an auction to end on eBay.  So why, pray tell, would we need to take a computer with us on vacation?  There are internet cafes all over the place if we feel the need to look something up.  Frankly, I'm looking forward to four days with no reason/excuse to check email and facebook and blogs and Twitter and message boards and and and.

Well, he might want to bring his MP3 player with him, and he'll need some way to charge it, duhhhhh.  (Insert heavy eye-rolling here.)

Okay, let me get this straight.  (In an order to save $30 ('cuz I'm cheap like that), we opted to only pay for one suitcase.  The one we borrowed from my parents is too big, so we figured we'd take two carry on bags to give us a little extra space for any shopping we do.)  You want to take up space in a carry on bag with a 20 lb laptop so you can charge your MP3 player?  Seriously?  Seriously.  (His reply: "Well, it would be ridiculous to waste three hours in an internet cafe just so I can charge it... "  No, what is "ridiculous" is taking the fucking thing at all!  LEAVE IT AT HOME!!!)

I ended the conversation with a "There's not really a point in continuing this conversation right now, as we're both getting annoyed and not hearing each other."

He had a union meeting after work and called me when he was on his way home.  We were talking about going to get travelers cheques and my mom's suggestion that we split them up so that they're not all in one person's name in case of an emergency.  He suggested that perhaps we'll both be able to sign them initially so that either one of us can cash them.  I relayed that I had never seen any double-signed travelers cheques (worked in retail for 100 years, so I've seen my share (including the bogus ones)), but said that things could have changed over the years and we'd ask at the bank. 

Of course, I  couldn't *just* leave it at that and had to elaborate, telling him that they would have to print cheques with four signature lines in order to accommodate a couple.  He cut me off (he has SUCH a bad habit of doing this and it makes me count to ten every time it happens) to say that we wouldn't both have to sign them.  I thought he meant when we purchase them, so I was in the process of explaining why we would both have to sign, when he cut me off (again) to parrot me with the good old "Well, there's not really a point in continuing this conversation... "

*fumes*

In an effort to change the subject, he started talking about which car to take.  We had originally said we'd take his car because it has an alarm/immobilizer (the Mazda only has an immobilizer: we'll be installing an alarm, but not until after my birthday).  Then, somewhere along the line, we said we'd take the Mazda: he felt that the alarm on the Sunfire wasn't really of any added benefit: if someone wants to bust a window, s/he probably isn't going to care about an alarm (that 99% of the population will ignore anyhow).  Then we were back to the Sunfire.  Then we were back to the Mazda (he has his front windows (illegally) tinted and we were concerned about trouble at the border, especially given the fact we don't have passports).

Are you still with me?  Because I think I'm lost.

Last night?  He says -- no irony here, people -- "Yeah, I think we'll take my car because it has the alarm.  At least that might deter some people."

*head asplode*

On making connections

When I signed into Twitter this morning, I was faced with tweet after tweet announcing the sorrow felt for the loss of little Madeline Spohr.  I've read a handful of Heather's posts, but never commented.  I wasn't necessarily... "invested" in this family; however, after seeing the pain evident in so many tweets and attempting to imagine the pain the Spohrs must be experiencing, it is impossible not to feel the pain of a life lost too soon.  If you can, please click the link above and make a donation to the March of Dimes in Madeline's name. My thoughts and prayers are with the Spohrs.

It never ceases to amaze me the speed and depth at which internet connections are made.  I first dipped my toe into the World Wide Web in 2000, starting with a few chat rooms (what an eye-opener to naive little me).  Eventually I graduated to a message board where I have been a member for four years.  Now I find myself connecting with people through their blogs and Twitter.  Relationships have been forged, and some have dwindled slowly.  I have made "friends" with people online that grew to the point where Christmas cards and birthday gifts are exchanged; last summer I had the honour of hosting a dear woman and her family for a night on their way back across the country after their summer vacation; hell, I met the love of my life on a dating website.

It is mind boggling how quickly people who may have never met "IRL" will band together to offer support to each other.  It is mind boggling that people, in this world that can turn us cynical and bitter, can trust what they "hear" and will give of themselves unabashedly, with no reservation or thought of how they might benefit.  It is mind boggling that someone I've only "known" through a website can touch my heart and make me laugh, cheer, yell, cry, FEEL. 

I have truly been blessed by the people that have entered my life via the internet.  I am a richer person for "knowing" each and every one of you.

My bail is $315.50 (Meme Monday)

Just read the 'offense' and if you've done it, you owe that fine added up your total fine.
Title your bulletin 'My Bail is $........'
You don't have to confess your answers, just the amount of your fine.


1) Smoked pot -- $10

2) Ever got drunk at work, or went to work while still drunk --$50

3) Cheated on your significant other -- $10

4) Been in love with two people or more at the same time -- $50

5) Said you love someone but didn't mean it -- $25

6) Went streaking -- $5

7) Went streaking in broad daylight -- $15

8) Kissed a co-worker-- $20

9)Kissed your boss --$50

10) Been arrested -- $5

11) Spent time in jail -- $15

12) Peed in the pool -- $0.50

13) Played spin the bottle -- $5

14) Done something you regret -- $20

15) Slept with your best friend -- $20

16) Been in love with a stripper -- $20

17) Went skinny dipping -- $5

18) Been slapped-- $5

19) Slapped someone-- $5

20) Beat up someone -- $20

21) Been jumped -- $10

22) Ever had sex at church -- $25

23) Dated someone you met on My Space -- $25

24) Cheated on test -- $50

25) Vandalized something -- $20

26) Slept with someone in your parents' bed -- $100

27) Crossed dressed -- $10

28) Given money to stripper -- $25

29) Flirted with an officer to get out of a ticket-- $30

30) Been in love with a stripper -- $20

31) Kissed some one who's name you didn't know --$10

32) Hit on some one of the same sex while at work-- $15

33) Ever drive drunk -- $20

34) Used toys while having sex -- $30

35) Got drunk, passed out and don't remember the night before -- $20

36) Had sex in a pool -- $20

37) Masturbated -- $10

38) Cheated on your significant other with their relative or close friend --$20

39) Done oral -- $5

40) Got oral -- $5

41) Done / got oral in a car while it was moving-- $25

42) Woke up in the morning and did not know the person who was next to you-- $40

43) Stole something -- $10

44) Slept with someone who has been in jail -- $25

45) Made a dirty home video -- $15

46) Plan on making a dirty home video in the near future --$30

47) Had a threesome -- $50

48) Had sex in a public place-- $20

49) Been in the same room while someone was having sex -- $25

50) Stole something worth over more than a hundred dollars --$20

51) Had sex with someone 10 years older -- $20

52) Kissed a teacher while you were still a student--$25

53) Lied to your mate -- $5

54) Lied to your mate about the sex being good -- $25


Wow, I'm lame!  lol