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Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!

September 5th, 2007 at 02:39 am

Today is the last day of my 11-day vacation from work. I took a week and a half off expecting to go to the New Jersey shore for at least part of the time, but my car has been making funny noises and whatever my mechanic did to fix it (twice!) didn’t work, so I ended up staying home. Not a problem, though, because I love being home! And not working is even better! I did some things around my house, spent a lot of time doing nothing, took a few day trips and mostly enjoyed my free time. I didn’t spend much money, so that was a plus.

In fact, the only drawback is that I didn’t get my last fix of salt water and air for the summer. I live near many lakes and rivers, which are beautiful, but they don’t quite cut it for me the way the ocean and saltwater bays do. I spent every summer from early 1970 to 1986 at the shore and I really do miss it. I try to go at least once a year, but the timing is tricky – the shore has become so overcrowded and noisy that I only like to go before July 4 or during the last week of August or first week of September. I was able to get down there for a few days in June, so did get a little dose then.

The last few days were low-spend days. I went to a picturesque state park on a lake near my house on Sunday and Monday ($3.00 admission each day) to swim and hang out (read some free magazines from a friend). I was going to rent a movie on Sunday evening, but couldn’t find anything worth my $3.18 in the tiny store near my house, so opted instead to watch that home makeover show and have a good cry. That show gets me every time – the generosity of everyone involved is amazing. I don’t understand why they make the homes so huge, though. It seems excessive to me and a waste to use that many resources for just one family. I’m a frugie at heart! I was invited to a BBQ on Monday afternoon, but I had a dull headache all day and was in solitude mode, so I skipped it. I bought a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Heath Bar Crunch ice cream ($3.99 – I haven’t bought it in awhile and was surprised at how expensive it’s gotten at the convenience stores around me. I did enjoy every penny of it!)

I just made a large salad to be used for lunch during work the next three days, using items already on hand: Local organic romaine lettuce, baby bok choy, and carrots. Sungold cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and flat-leaf parsley from my garden and some chickpeas that I soaked and cooked yesterday. Yum – lunch will be the bright spot in my day as I re-enter work. Wish me luck!

Thanks for all of the welcome comments to my first entry!

3 Responses to “Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

  1. Amber Says:
    1188959829

    I prefer the beach vs the lake as well. Glad you had a nice relaxing vacation, we need that some times

  2. fern Says:
    1189006374

    Welcome to SA! (I like your colors, by the way.)

    I was in Stone Harbor this summer...really lovely. my dad lives in ocean gate. i grew up in 'Joisy.'

  3. moi aussi Says:
    1191332800

    I love the Extreme home makeover show! I live in nyc, but never been to the jersey shore. Maybe next summer.

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