Since then, though, the rest of my life has been picking up quite a bit. Jon sat down to look through our finances, who we were paying out to, what we still owed, etc.--- we're almost completely out of debt! One of our big debts gets paid off in November, and we're going to use the extra money we have that normally would go to that to make double payments on his credit cards from before we were married, which should pay them off sometime before March- and then the money we'll have that would usually go to that after that point will go towards extra payments towards something else, etc. etc. etc. At any rate, it's so exciting to finally see a light at the end of the financial burden tunnel.
Also, my mom was screwing around on the US Treasury website today and apparently I have unclaimed property tax refunds in my maiden name in Newport News? I'm not sure what exactly, my name was on a list- so I sent in the little form and they're researching it and in 8 weeks I should be getting a check for whatever the amount I overpaid is in the mail if it is indeed me....so that's kind of exciting.
Plus, my etsy shop is picking up- I've had 5 sales through the website and 3 off-site, my brother is advertising like crazy for me, and so is my mom....so many other etsy sellers complain that it took weeks/months/ages to get their first sale, and I've been going for like 3 weeks with 8 sales so I'm pretty hopeful. I need to get some business cards (and stickers, and buttons) made with my logos and all, which seems soooo awesome to me. I'm kind of proud of myself. (and in case you missed the last post, my myspace, and the button on the side panel over there, the web address is: shinobisoup.etsy.com)
I'm trying to come up with a slogan or shop motto or whatever to put on my business cards/in my shop announcement- if you have any suggestions, please leave me a comment or email me at shinobi.soup@yahoo.com!
In other news, Jon and I have both now lost a total of 4 lbs. since we started our new diet and exercise plan. I feel so much stronger than I have in a while- and have weird leg muscles I never knew existed to prove it lol. I went shopping on Saturday to get a new dress to wear to my nephew's upcoming wedding, and ended up getting a size smaller than I normally would! I don't know if that's because the store I bought from sizes strangely (I'd never bought anything there before- H&M) or if it was really because my strength exercises and walking have really shifted my fat that much, but it was really exciting. I got a really cute dress, at any rate. It's short sleeved with a deep v-neck and a high cinched-and-tied waist, full a-line skirt, and it looks absolutely awesome. Nice and swingy and drapy in the right places, and clingy in the right places, too :) I bought a skinny grey cardigan to wear with it, and some tall grey boots from Target to match. I love shopping for pretty outfits, it's so rare that I ever have an excuse to dress up.
I've also been knitting lately, of course. Here are my newest socks!
I love love love the colors. Unfortunately, I have to take a break from knitting for myself for a little while (and it's SOOO hard, since I still have some awesome sock yarn to get through) because it's time to make Xmas gifts! I'm halfway finished with a pair of thick socks for my grandfather, and I have some things for my mother-in-law, grandmother, and sister and brother-in-law to knit still, too (I'm not going to say what they are, in the off-chance one of them is reading this though). I'm doing the handmade thing this year- everyone in my family is either getting a gift made by me personally, or handmade by another artisan. I have a bunch of things picked out so far, but I'm still stumped on what to get my mom and Jon.
What else, what else. I'm so sick of the election crap I could puke, I don't like either "main" candidate and will probably end up voting Libertarian again. My car broke down, and got fixed, and is now running like a dream with a new thermostat, gasket and tires. We're thinking of getting another car in a few months, but I'm tempted to wait until next Spring/Summer so we can save up more for a down payment and maybe get something less lame than a Kia Rio. I'm really loving the VW Rabbit. We're heading down to SC on the 4th for the wedding I mentioned earlier, but we'll only be staying one night since Jon's giving training on some new something-or-other that week and has to be around for that. I think he's going to Baltimore for a few days starting the 14th, but I'm not sure for what or for how long. Mom may be coming down that week to spend time with me, so at least I won't be alone. That SHOULD be the last business trip until at least January, which is good. He's been working so hard, I'm proud of him...just wish we could take a vacation or something that doesn't involve work or family functions. One of these days.
Anyway- I ought to get ready for bed, have to wake up to go jogging early tomorrow, and then work on a few things for Shinobi Soup. Need to find time for a haircut, too- it's looking wicked shaggy lately. So, yeah- until next time!
* Allison *
currently listening to: "Sugar Water" by Cibo Matto
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