Starting Over

New Year's Eve Campout Lake Livingston State Park 2011

2012-01-02T11:28:00.000-06:00

Last year, I slept in the loft of a shelter. This year, I opted to pitch my tent next to the water. Mine is the tiny green one. This may become a yearly tradition. It's nice to not have to drive the roads with the drunks. My share of the campsite fees was $12.  I also contributed champagne, a bundle of firewood, and guacamole but still only spent around $50 total.

I'm excited to finally be allowed a campfire again. The drought is not over, but at least we have gotten some rain and we have a break from the severe fire threat. I was beginning to think I would be telling my future grandchildren stories about when it used to rain in Texas...or when the entire state went up in flames.

Hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year.

Poor Man's Dinner

2011-12-30T23:03:00.000-06:00

That's what the recipe was called. It looked better in the magazine, but it still tasted pretty good. It's a layered dish of ground beef, potatoes, and onions topped with mushroom soup. I found it in one of my Taste of Home cookbooks.

Living from paycheck to paycheck is not fun. It sucks to check your balance and discover you have $20 to last until you get paid again in 4 days. My New Year's resolution is to save up several month's rent (at least) in readily available cash so I don't have to stress over that particular situation any more. I'm not going to buy any more furniture or take any more non-camping trips until I've succeeded.  I'm also going to be eating at home.

I'm not talented enough to come up with my own recipes, but I can take a look in the pantry and then dig through my books to find something utilizing ingredients I already have. The trick is to hunt for menu ideas while you're hungry and everything looks good, but go shopping when you're not hungry and nothing does. It's much easier to stick to a list when it's not dinnertime.

I'm off to a decent start.  I already had pepper, garlic powder, and onions. I bought ground beef ($2.98), potatoes ($3.72), 2 cans cream of mushroom soup (56 cents each), milk (98 cents), and parsley (50 cents). I forgot to use the parsley. Ooops. It came to $1.55 per serving.  Yes, I can eat all six servings because I freeze the leftovers for later. They are tastier, healthier, and far less expensive than the frozen dinners you buy at the grocery store.

What do you cut back on when you're tightening your budget? Got any ideas for me?

For the Fashion Challenged

2011-12-28T22:58:00.000-06:00

Hey, I just found out one of my former colleagues has started her own fashion blog and apparently a new consulting / fashion stylist business. Maybe when I decide to start dating again I'll get her to take me shopping. Lord knows I can use the help.

http://blog.isanicole.com/

I'm Not Dead

2011-12-26T16:52:00.000-06:00

I'm not dead I'm just floating
Doesn't matter where I'm going
I'll find you
I'm not scared at all
Underneath the cuts and bruises
Finally gained what no one loses

- Pink

Wow, I've been gone for months and I'm still getting pageviews! I thought Google would have deserted me. Just goes to show those books telling you how to get your posts to the top of the search engine results are a waste of time and money. I've done none of what they say to do. Not that I started this blog with that goal in mind - but I'm not mad it happened.

I've been busy...and I guess I needed a break...but writing is an addiction that I can't shake. I'm pretty sure I don't want the blogging monkey off my back permanently.

I didn't make my goal of 300 posts last year. Shall I try again? I'll write some ahead of time and schedule them to post starting January 1.

Counting down the days until I can say, "2011 KISS MY ASS!"

See you next year.

Love Always,

Jen

Hands that Built America

2011-09-11T12:31:00.000-05:00

It's early fall, there's a cloud on the New York skyline

Innocence, dragged across a yellow line

- U2

Irish, Chinese, German, Russian,
Black, White, Brown, Red,
Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu...

...They've all made significant contributions to our nation as we know it. As we remember that awful day 10 years ago, let's not allow a handful of radical, evil men destroy what they created with their sweat and blood. This is not a day to preach hatred and endorse discrimination. This is a day to stand together.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

2011-09-01T19:16:00.000-05:00

That's me, stuck on a downed tree during my last kayak camping trip.

Stay in town for the weekend, or go on the annual Sabine River kayak trip, that is. It's a three-day kayak camping trip that takes place along the Texas / Louisianna border each Labor Day weekend.

View Larger Map

The new tropical disturbance in the Gulf is frightening me. I want to go, but I'm not sure my paddling skills are adequate to cope with 50 mph winds and flooding rivers if that storm develops.

Not only would it be a much-needed weekend escape, it would make a great post for my new travel blog. I may have to sit this one out, though. Maybe I remember enough details to post about my Village Creek trip...

Numero Dos

2011-08-30T21:02:00.000-05:00

The second post for my new travel blog is up. Click here to read. It's another restaurant review. You need to know where to eat when you travel, right? I'm planning some museum visits since it's too hot to do anything outside right now (110 heat index!), and maybe Space Center Houston, the zoo, or Moody Garden's pyramids.

Since I named it Gulf Coast Traveler, should I only post about the Gulf Coast, or include trips to the Hill Country, West Texas, or other non-coastal destinations? I haven't decided what to do about those yet. I do hope to earn a little money from it eventually, so maybe I should keep it focused.

I'm also trying to decide on the photo to use behind the title and description. Which do you guys like?

Those are the best I have to choose from for now. I'll get out and take some more.

Non Grata

2011-08-29T21:40:00.000-05:00

Found this one in the garage.

My cats used to kill everything that moved, so I rarely found anything living in my old apartment. Not true in my new place. I found a bunch of baby spiders in my entryway downstairs. I have no photos of them because I didn't think grab your camera...I thought grad the Raid...

When I first moved in, I noticed daylight shining through the closed door and asked maintenance to add weather stripping. One must have snuck in before they did and laid eggs. With no cats around, they made themselves at home. They didn't look dangerous, just creepy. If I find only one, I usually catch it and put it outside. Not when I find this many. I sprayed and then I put out glue traps. If that doesn't work, I'll be heading to the pharmacy for some boric acid.

I found the one in the picture in my garage. Does he have six eyes? I suspect he might be a recluse. I have to go kill the bastard.

Update: Too big to be a recluse. He's dead, though.

More New Furniture

2011-08-28T14:31:00.000-05:00

This is where I've been eating my dinner for the last 4 months...

No more! My real table and chairs were delivered yesterday.

I found the set on sale at Rooms to Go for $295. The bistro table is chrome and glass, the adjustable height barstools chrome and leather. Another shopper said they looked like Star Trek chairs. I guess I've decided I'm going more modern than traditional with my decor. I don't have a separate dining room, so I chose a cream color that won't clash with my recliner.

The first thing I noticed when they took my furniture off the truck was that the table was in a box. I was thinking, "I waited 2 weeks and paid delivery for furniture in a box?" I said out loud, "Oh. It's not put together..."

"Would you like us to put it together for you?"

"Does that cost extra?"

"No, we can put it together for you."

"If you have time, that would be great."

I tipped them 5 bucks apiece. I didn't have 20 or I'd have tipped 10. Next time I'll remember to ask if my furniture requires assembly. If it comes in a box, I don't need to waste my money on delivery charges.

Kemah Boardwalk

2011-08-27T13:20:00.001-05:00

My new apartment is just a few miles from Kemah. After work yesterday, a colleague and I visited the Kemah Boardwalk. We ate dinner at Joe's Crab Shack (she's amazed at the amount of food someone my size can eat), and browsed some of the shops.

We watched boats returning from a day of fun on the water, or heading out for a sunset cruise...

...and we saw some kids cooling off in the fountains...

I toyed with the idea of starting a new geocaching blog, and probably will eventually, but the search engines like my travel posts so I decided I should start a new travel blog instead. I made our dinner at Joe's the subject of my first post. Please visit Gulf Coast Traveler to read it.

Shinedown IV

2011-08-25T12:42:00.000-05:00

They're in the studio recording their fourth album. Woohoo! Can't wait to hear new stuff. Zach has been broadcasting from the studio - no sound 'cause he's no fool...

Streaming live video by Ustream

Up With the Roosters

2011-08-23T21:02:00.002-05:00

_IGP9714_Buff_orpington_crow_lr, originally uploaded by John Churchman/Brickhouse Studios.

Every night I tell myself I'm getting up at 5 so I can get an early start to the day. Every morning when the alarm goes off, my five o'clock brain involuntarily hits snooze. Every day I regret it. Once I'm up, I'm fine and not tired at all. Curse you, Morning Brain!

I'm not required to get to work before 8:30 and don't get paid overtime (I'm legally exempt), but my day is so much less stressful when I get in early and have everything organized before the phones start ringing and my email inbox starts filling up that it's very much worth it. I can't make up for it by staying late because then I'm tired and make dumb mistakes that I have to spend the next morning correcting. Besides, there are better ways I can spend my evenings.

I can't sleep with the blinds open because of the floodlights outside. Does putting your alarm clock across the room work? What about putting timers on lamps?

Reluctantly Folding

2011-08-22T22:36:00.000-05:00

I wanna hold em like they do in Texas please
Fold em let em hit me raise it baby

- Lady Gaga

(OK, so she's not really singing about playing cards...I like this song...let's pretend it fits the post...)

I used to play online poker before the government cracked down on some of the internet gambling sites. I could play for months at a time on $20, playing 2/4 Texas Hold 'Em at the penny table. On a very bad night I might lose $2. Uncle Sam decided he must protect me from myself and not allow me to waste such large amounts of cash, so he shut them down.

Well, there are some sites that still exist. I figured I could afford to spend $20 playing Blackjack on one of the few sites still standing. They had a coupon offer to double my deposit. Cool. I paid 20 US dollars and got 40 in casino cash.

I won! I was up $100. Woohoo!!!! Time to cash out...

WTF? Withdrawable amount 60 cents? I didn't read the coupon offer well enough. You can't withdraw the money until you make bets worth over $1000. Grrrr....

This is what happens when you shut down the reputable sites (if it's possible to be reputable and illlegal at the same time). Why not regulate them and tax the income? Why is it legal for me to go to a Stop 'N Rob to purchase lottery tickets for ten dollars apiece, but not legal to play at penny poker tables?

Lesson learned. No more internet gambling. The sites that remain are nothing but thiefs.

Flood Insurance

2011-08-21T22:43:00.000-05:00

And Ike was just a cat 2. Keep in mind the seawall is 17 feet high and normally far from the water's edge. The building at the beginning is the Balinese Room that Z Z Top immortalized. It did not survive the night.

Should I buy flood insurance?  I've moved into a hurricane evacuation zone, and watching The Weather Channel's reports on Irene have made me think. My my new chair ought to be safe since I live on the second floor, but I keep my new tents and expensive backpacking gear downstairs in the garage. Storm surge from a cat 3 storm could swamp everything down there.

I'm waiting for a quote from the insurance company that has my car and renter's policies. I think they had to call FEMA. The agent said it could be as low as $150 yearly if I'm not in a flood zone. Does being in a hurricane evacuation zone for cat 3 storms put me in a flood zone?

Do you have flood insurance? Would you carry it if you lived in a second floor apartment?

Connected

2011-08-20T10:44:00.002-05:00

I finally have internet access in my new apartment! Actually, it's a mobile connection that works in my apartment as well as anyplace that cricKet cell service works nationwide.

I mentioned in an earlier post that Comcast denied servicing my new address. I suspected that was false information,but didn't really want to subscribe to their internet service anyway, so I called around to see if there was anything else available. I had no luck. Management confirmed Comcast and only Comcast is my internet provider. Darn.

I called again and was transferred to three different people in my attempt to get connected. I first spoke to someone in billing (how I ended up there I don't know) who told me to transfer my digital cable equipment from my old address to the new I would need to talk to sales.  (Even though I have an HD TV, I can't receive digital channels without Comcast boxes. Why? It's not the fault of my TV because I was receiving them for months before they were blocked.) It took her 30 minutes to complete the transaction.

I then asked how much it would cost to add internet service. She said she could mail a cable modem that would be $99 and a wireless router that I could rent for $7 a month. "Why can't I go to Best Buy and get my own equipment?" She thought I could but was not able to answer my questions about which modem to buy, why did I need to visit their office to pick up a CD, or if the wireless router I already own would work with Comcast service. So I was transferred again to billing (Why?) who could not help me and sent me to tech support.

Tech support confirmed I did not need a CD to install their software, which is good because my netbook does not even have a CD drive. He informed me that my modem was a DSL modem which would not work, but any of the major brand cable modems at Best Buy would. Forgive me for being skeptical after 2 phone calls, 3 transfers, and 45 minutes of my life that I can never get back.

While at Best Buy, I discovered the prepaid Broadband modems offered by cricKet, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Some are instant hot spots that can connect 3 or more devices at once, and some are like the one in the photo above (mine). The modem cost $80. (Damn! I could have ordered it from Amazon for less.) I didn't have to wait 5 days for it to be delivered, I don't have to rent a wireless router, it works everywhere there is a cell phone tower, and took only 5 minutes to install. The service plans range from $30 to $60 a month based on allotted data. I chose the $30 plan. After I download/upload 1GB of data within a 30 day period I still get unlimited email and basic web browsing, I just can't upload or download anything.  If I find I need more I'll change plans.  There are no contracts, no late fees, no credit checks, and no Comcast customer service folks to deal with.

I'm now surfing the internet in the air-conditioned comfort of my new recliner. Hooray!

To see what plans are available in your area, visit cricKet's website.

Checking In

2011-07-28T21:11:00.000-05:00

Where’s Jennifer???? She's hiding inside because it's so frickin' HOT!!!! Maybe we'll get some relief when that storm blows in.

What have I been up to? I bought my first piece of real furniture. This is what I was sitting on, since I didn’t bring any furniture from my old place.

This is what I’m sitting in now. I have no more pets or children (my daughter took the cats) so I can finally have something nice.

I always wondered if La-Z-Boys were really better than other chairs or if I’d just be paying for the name. Then I visited their showroom in Webster and fell in love. I had the saleswoman laughing as I ran around from chair to chair trying to find the perfect one. Was she laughing at me or with me? Hmmmm…

I decided upon a microfiber, pewter-colored, rocking recliner with extra lumbar support. By the time I paid for fabric protection and delivery, it cost almost a month’s rent but it was well worth the price. I love my new chair!

Oh, yeah. I paid cash. I’m planning on buying new furniture one piece at a time and charging none of it.

It’s too hot and humid to sit outside for long now even after dark, so I haven’t been online much. I need to get internet inside my apartment soon. Or maybe I’ll just start shopping for one of the mobile cards that allow you internet access anywhere. Does Sprint have those?

Until then I’ll be relaxing in my big, comfy, cozy, recliner…snuggling under my blanket…reading a book. I’ll check in soon. Miss you guys.

Herbed Chicken

2011-07-07T20:08:00.000-05:00

It never looks as pretty as the photo in the book. Why does one leg look sunburned and one look raw? I cooked it to the required temperature, but it turns out I like my birds cooked well past that point. Next time I’m roasting it until the entire thing looks sunburned. Also, I need to buy some of that string to tie the legs together. I’ve been told the purpose of doing that, but I forgot what it is. I know it’s not just for looks.

I’ve started checking the sales flyers and buying meats that are on sale and then finding recipes for them. Whole fryers/roasters were 77 cents per pound, so I had chicken this week. I’m not excited about cutting it up. If I buy a whole bird, I’m cooking the whole bird and then carving it like a turkey.

The instructions were to mix up some herbs with bouillon granules and water then pour it over the chicken. The recipe is here if anyone is interested. It’s baked covered for almost an hour, then uncovered to brown. It turned out very moist, but I think the herbs were wasted on the skin because I didn’t eat it. When I cook chicken pieces, I remove the skin before I cook them. Can you do that when you cook it this way?

Cycling in Clear Lake / Nassau Bay

2011-07-06T21:39:00.000-05:00

BCO had a bike ride in my new neighborhood, so I joined them and got to have a look around. We rode past the lake and visited a few parks. I’m on the blue bike, wearing the blue helmet and blue backpack. No, I didn’t coordinate that on purpose.

Click to read sign.

There seem to be an awful lot of gators this far south. I see signs warning about them everywhere. Two swam up to us during a break. People must be feeding them. It may be cute when they’re small, but when they become 12-footers – not so much. This one looks pretty large.

I think I’ll limit my swimming to the apartment pool…

Time to Get Moving

2011-07-05T21:01:00.000-05:00

After I take advantage of the free wifi in the clubhouse each evening (well, most evenings), I need to start using the gym. I despise working out indoors, but when the temps hit 100 degrees I have no choice. I’m paying for the amenities in my new apartment complex. I might as well use them.

I have to work this off.

Whoever invented the hot fudge sundae is my hero.

Internet Blues

2011-07-04T20:06:00.000-05:00

I still have no internet in my new apartment. I tried to transfer AT&T, but received an email response stating that they did not service my new neighborhood. I thought I had Comcast cable, so I tried them next. The customer service rep couldn’t find my address. Next, I tried calling a company that sent me a flier in the mail. They don’t service this area, either. “Well, stop sending me mail then!”

Verizon sent me an ad, too. Should I try them next? Maybe I should just give up and utilize the free wifi available in the clubhouse next to the pool. This is not a bad place to spend an hour each day…

Frustration

2011-05-25T19:46:00.002-05:00

Frustration, originally uploaded by CCBImages. Image from Flickr.

I tried to respond to everyone's comments yesterday and Blogger wouldn't let me. Today it's being fickle again. I signed in three times and still can't comment on mine or anyone else's Blogger posts. Grrrrrr...

Where do I send the nastygram?

Memphis Rising

2011-05-24T19:17:00.000-05:00

He's doing it again. I posted awhile back about a benefit Zach Myers (of Shinedown) did for the fallen officers of Memphis...now he's raising money for the flood victims. Just one reason he's become one of my favorite people. It's this weekend and here's the link for more info: http://www.memphisrising.org/.

"General admission tickets will be $15 in advance and at the door. A limited number of $75 VIP packages are available, which include a premium concert seat, commemorative backstage pass and a cocktail reception at 9pm in the Hard Rock Cafe balcony with the artists and special guests. The Memphis Rising Online Auction , Concert Tickets and VIP packages will be available beginning May 21st." (Copied from the website.)

It's a great cause so anyone near Memphis should go. If you can, ROADTRIP!

Why am I not going? Because I have to clean out that old apartment. Why am I being so responsible instead of blowing it off like I'd rather and letting my old landlord deal with it? Because one day I'll probably need to move again and I'll want a nice place instead of having to live in a hellhole...

Dreaming of Kayaks

2011-05-23T19:22:00.001-05:00

I'm in the green one.

It's a rental. I went kayak camping with BCO and except for the rudder that I couldn't use because my legs are too short, I fell in love with this boat. I want one. It's got 2 hatches - one in the front and one in the back. I packed it with all my gear and had plenty of room for more.

Guess what? I'm up $1300! I won it playing blackjack. I was tempted to play some more, but started thinking about the kayak I wanted. I came home with the money to buy it. Woohoo!!!!

Someone suggested I rig a pulley system in my garage to raise and lower the kayak so I don't have to lift it onto my car alone. That sounds like an excellent idea, but I haven't the foggiest idea how to do it. I'll figure something out.

Starting with the Kitchen

2011-05-02T20:58:00.000-05:00

My daughter is constantly cooking with too high temperatures and using metal utensils on my nonstick cookware. Well, she can have the pots and pans she ruined. I found a Bed Bath and Beyond near my new home and started stocking the kitchen. I got all of this for $49.99. Is it top of the line? No. Will it cook my food? Yes.

I've been using the same knives since 1995 (at least). The same electric can opener, too. I think it's time to replace them. I found 3 knives with sheaves for $9.99. I also bought a manual can opener, plus various other kitchen gadgets.

Next paycheck - bathroom!

I'm Back

2011-05-01T22:01:00.000-05:00

I got the keys to my new apartment today. Hooray! No more spending 3 to 4 hours in my car every day.

Look! No clutter! There won't be any, either, because I'm not bringing all that crap over here. My furniture isn't worth what it would cost to pay the movers, so I'm starting over with new stuff. IKEA, here I come!

My daughter can have the old stuff for her new apartment.

I love my new apartment. It costs less than what I was paying for the old one but I have access gates, a private entry (above), an alarm system already installed, washer/dryer, microwave, gym, and that door on the right leads to my...

...attached private garage! Now I have a place to put a kayak. My outdoor gear will live here. I need to get some shelving to organize it, but there's plenty of room.
I'll be around to your blogs soon. I've missed my blog buddies.