A Slow Trip Back to the Stone Age

I confirmed it today on my credit union's web site that I can't refinance my mortgage.

Already, I don't feel like there's much in my budget to be cut, but here goes.

Today, I re-ordered land line service for Ma Maisonette, which I had been wanting to do since Irene. I also ordered a telephone from Amazon.com. Grand total? Less than half of what my cell phone bill is. I will have voice mail on this new phone but that's about it. Of course the cell phone goes as soon as I don't have to pay a penalty on cutting service, which should be next month.

As soon as I finish watching the rest of the "Medium" series, Netflix goes.

And so does cable. I've lived without cable before. The library is a mere half mile from my house and they have wi-fi there.

Food budget cleaved in two. Right now, lunch brought from home costs me about $2.50. I think I can probably get it down to $1.50.

Clothes budget nil. And after all, I did just buy three more pair of SmartWool socks.

Grabbing something to drink or munch while I'm gadding about? No.

I've lived this life before, when I first moved into Ma Maisonette. I've done it before, I can do it again. I spend too much time on the Internet, anyway.

Emma calls this my Little Match Girl phase but it's never been this serious before.

I started listing alternatives to how I normally spend my weekend on this morning's post. Really, it will be all right. I need to set goals so I can see some progress, otherwise it's going to be a long, hard slog before I pay off my home equity loan.

Why, yes, this was one of the days when I wished I'd hounded Xman for alimony. My reasoning at the time was that he couldn't even pay his own bills, so how likely would he have been to pay alimony on time? Of course, at the time, I didn't realize how quickly he snaps to attention when courts and law enforcement are brought to bear. Ahem.

In my new and barbaric world, I may even be forced to do things like go outside. To weed the front patch of lawn next to the shrubs. To engage in manual labor. And yes, chickadees, I think Diego will not be back for a return appearance next year, although I do need him and a pal of his to come by to do some heavy lifting. The Big Chair is going.

I ramble.