After another self-enforced viewing of the PBS Frontline series on retirement planning and mutual fund fees, I spent an hour on the phone with Vanguard who happily handled all the paperwork to get me out of a bunch of my higher fee mutual funds and into a nice target fund. I'm happy with the allocation; after years in brokerage, the last thing I want to do is fuss with trying to outwit the market.

We did it all online, and I'm so glad I got it done. I then called Schwab, which will be a trickier transfer, but sold most of my holdings (not all!) and will roll that into that Vanguard fund as well. I'm only sorry it took me so long. Simplify, simplify, simplify.

In other good news, the freelance editors are very happy with my work and have sent me another batch to accuracy check. I read two capstone projects, and have a stack of finals to grade. I also deposited $750 from my flex spending that cleaned out the account, but helped pay the periodontist.

DD's school registration was today at a lovely $203 bill. What doesn't get done tonight, will have to get done tomorrow. Lots to do!

The dreaded garage sale is finally over, and I think it went very well. We sold about 3/4 of our stuff, much of the rest has already made it to the charity shop. I held on to DD's snow and rain boots and will give Craigslist a shot at them.

My buddy made over $300 as she has bins and bins of kid's clothes, and I made about $141. We sold a few things for a friend for another $35. She brought sandwiches over and we sat under the tree and chatted. All in all a satisfying day with loads of stuff out of my house and some cash in my pocket.

We also ordered the carpet today, and I'm about to pay the homeowner's insurance. Now might also be a good time to take photos of the few remaining things to sell on Craigslist or ebay. Feet up and thinking about opening a beer.

I woke up yesterday and went for a long walk before DD even began the day. I ate well, slept well, had a good class, and feel pretty darn good. Same morning routine this morning. A solitary walk REALLY helps my wellbeing.

I have only two weeks of my current class left, have got the prospect of some nice freelance work, and have sent out next year's London flyers. I don't think I've said it officially, so I'm saying it now: I'm going back to London next winter/spring--enrollments willing.
All my SA folks are cordially invited to come visit.

With the smaller than expected periodontal bill, I think we have enough to swing the new family room carpet. DD and I are headed out to look at some in a bit.

And a colleague and I are having a (yuck) rummage sale here on Saturday. Tomorrow will be devoted to unearthing more things for sale. We'll throw the proceeds in the bathroom fund.

I cashed $50 out of Swagbucks today--also destined in part for the bathroom fund.

Phew. Sometimes emotional energy is so exhausting. I'm feeling for all my SA buddies who seem to be going through emotional issues right now.

We've had some too. My friend who had moved to Germany last year returned yesterday. All of mutual women friends were very happy to see her, and it's been lots of fun preparing her new place, but it's been long days. That joy is tempered by our sadness that her return really signals the end of her marriage. I think she moved to Germany to give it a final chance for them to sort things out as the husband really wasn't happy here. But their relationship just continued to deteriorate there, and he's returning with their 5-year-old only to leave them both in a couple weeks.

My "aunt" (long story) died yesterday, and although she was 98, we spent much time together years ago, so we're sad about that too.

The saddest news for us is my S-I-L's cancer surgery did not have good news. It looks as if the hysterectomy is not enough, and there's Stage 3 cancer in her tubes as well. And their son's wedding is a month away. So we're all pulling for her.

Somehow my DD and I thought it would be a good idea to binge watch some more "19 Kids and Counting." Unfortunately the season we were watching ended with the stillbirth of their last child which sent us both into a big crying jag. I sort of rallied, but DD, in 12-year-old hormonal storm, started connecting all our current concerns and is now sleeping in our bed next to my snoring DH. Looks like I'll be spending the night in her room.

Looking forward to renewed balance in the morning. And our best to all of you. Not much financial, but more on that tomorrow.

Ok, only my gums are in stitches, and I look like I've done a few rounds with Mike Tyson, but the dread gum surgery is over. Gone also is $1327 and another $60 for prescription co-pays. But it's done, and at this rate I'll be 5 pounds lighter by the end of the week.

I have another appointment for suture removal next week and more work on the other side, but the bulk of it is done. Great doctor, comforting dental tech, nice office staff; I guess that's as good as it gets.

I'm off to read some blogs, spend some time on e-mail, watch some movies, and read the new Cormorant Strike book.

I'm way too excited that my lagging ebay item has a bid. I'll need to list a couple more things, but indeed got everything else mailed and done.

We had fun last night at a football (soccer) match. A popular Mexican team was playing Swansea from the English Premier League. Since there's many more Mexican Americans than Welsh around here, we were a bit outnumbered, but it was fun to see. My soccer-loving husband had a blast. I brought in food and we tailgated a bit too. The ticket prices were horrendous at $40 a piece, but it's not very often we go.

Need to make a library stop and also buy some cards today. I seem to be buying lots of sympathy cards lately.

My darling daughter turned 12 on Thursday. Although we had a chocolate strawberry birthday pie and her favorite chicken on Thursday, most of the celebration took place on Friday.

We took five of her friends to a local fondue spot. DH and I got a separate booth so they felt in charge, but I'd specified a cheese fondue followed by a chocolate one for them. They really enjoyed themselves, especially ordering something as fancy as fondue. The restaurant threw in a photo and took two of our coupons, so the damage was less than a party might have cost.

As far as gifts, she's a funny one to buy for. She wanted books and new sandals, but when I offered a phone, she turned me down. In fact, even the idea of a phone seems to stress her out. About half her friends have phone, and while she'd just get a prepaid, it would be comparable to her friends' fancy phones. But she doesn't want it. I think there's part of her that is reluctant --thankfully for me-- to enter into lots of that teenage fray.

The rest of the weekend was recovery and football. We also bought a new lawnmower after much deliberation. That $300 was not unexpected but not welcome either.

One of my ebay listings sold for ==drum roll== $2.79. The other has been relisted. I'll list more this week.

Yesterday DD and I took advantage of a special at the theater to see "The Fault in Our Stars." We had read it together, so it was good to see the film together.

I enrolled for movie perks at the theater and we ate lunch before, so only spent $6 on the tickets. A quick stop at Target to return a few things rounded out the afternoon.

Today we had free ice cream and snacks at our town's 4th of July parade, then free red, white, and blue bagels. But we did spend a bit on lunch watching France vs. Germany. I did remember it's the first Friday of the month and we'll get triple Chase points as well as Aadvantage dining miles.

Tonight will be a picnic followed by fireworks. We've made traditional food and despite that Brit boy's muttering independence, we're having fun!
Happy 4th!

Yesterday I set off for Target, mindful of Chicago Laura's willpower sticking to her Target list. But yet another SA blogger tripped me up. Before I left, I checked my last Target receipt to see if anything was on sale worthy of a price adjustment. And after I dutifully completed my Target shop, I found CB in the City's absent mindedness had crept my way. I'd driven to target without my wallet: no ID, no driver's license, no credit cards. So I bought nothing and drove home.

About to rectify this error, double-checking wallet and hoping willpower outs.

My pick-up comp class ended last night. I have no complaints about it at all, and we did some great work. Despite losing half my students to attrition, all seven who ended will pass. And their writing is significantly better. They were supposed to come into class with their work completed last night; but I was there with them for over four hours, helping them finish.

I talked DH into going out for a margarita at 10pm to celebrate. The bartender foisted lots of free food on us as they close at midnight and were throwing it out at the end of the night. So, for $12 I came home with chipotle salsa and enough taco fillings for lunch and dinner today. I left her a nice tip.

That was my entire spending for the day except for refilling my gas tank. Now, off to brave Target, close my Chase savings, and write a new syllabus for fall.

I received an estimate from the periodontist about the insurance charges. I was thinking it would be 5K since that's last time's damage. But they seem to believe insurance will cover all but $500. Do I believe that? Not sure. If it were true, I'd be happy and relieved.

But now I'm a little stuck. I'd happily start investigating bathroom remodeling if I was $4500 richer. But I suspect I won't know for sure until the surgery at the end of July. And it would be fabulous to have the bathroom done before school begins in the fall.

DD is off camping with church until the end of the week, and it's quiet and empty here. I hope to get a lot of work done while she's gone, and need to start planning her birthday events.

My last-minute class is actually over tonight, but I start a literature class next week. I've taught that one a dozen times, so I'm prepared. Man, the public schools here do an amazingly horrible job of teaching writing. It's such a critical skill, and it's depressing to see how poorly the 'average" student emerges. Have any of you seen or are planning to see that new movie on student loans? Now there's a depressing fact. The NYT magazine had a great article on the situation last week; I recommend it.

While I was out teaching last night, the periodontist called with an opening for my initial check. He got me in two weeks early, which is good news, sadly, the only good news.

It looks like oral surgery with a bone graft in at least one spot. It's disappointing because I've been SO diligent, but he was very kind, assuring me that it wasn't my fault, but likely due to my bad gum genes. There are other spots that are bad as well, but he's doing less invasive procedures there.

I'm waiting for a call back within a couple of days to get the insurance estimate. I'm not sure how much they'll pay, but several years ago when I had the hated Humana insurance, I paid $5K out of pocket. The surgery is scheduled for late July. What joy.

Hmm--other news? I found 2 cents in the period parking lot. DD and DH swam last night, but the pool was closed due to our torrential rain today.

In a fit of frustration I cleaned the refrigerator and made quiche from verging-on-dubious leftovers. It was very good. Now, back to pouting.

The season pass which starts today at the municipal pool costs $180 for a family membership. DD is very eager, but we can also spend $14/day for one parent and her. It's a close call, but I think we're going for it. I'd like us both outside more all summer, and this way I won't have the cash hesitancy. I'm always grumbling when we go for 45 minutes or less, but with the membership, we could go all the time.

I guess if we're going to buy one, today is the day.

A small but nice snowflake floated into the mailbox as our insurance finally reimbursed DH's flu shot. I'll drop that $30 in the bank on the way to the pool.

It's was a World Cup dominated weekend here, despite England's loss, we enjoyed the "footie" very much.

Not much other spending, but we need to watch the grocery budget a bit more.

It's 52 degrees here and has been pouring since 6 a.m.
From my original enrollment of 15, three people showed up for class last night.
My last half-hearted stab at dieting ended rather spectacularly with DH's birthday cake last night.

To combat this malaise, I'm going to the library to avoid being sucked into Swagbucks, leftover cake, or continuing e-mails with past London students who are also sniveling about missing London. It's a snivel-fest here.

Let's see what joy I can find at the library.

Wow, I'm adding $2.50 to my bathroom fund from an ebay sale. Not sure that would even buy toilet tissue for the bath, but it's there. In slightly more exciting news, I'm taking on a one-night tutoring gig in July for $100.

It was an inexpensive weekend for us. DH is really concentrating on his class, and I spent time in the garden and around the house. DD went camping with the Girl Scouts. Our only major spending was a plant for the neighbors' anniversary party and the rest of the money ($225) for DD's upcoming Apostle Islands trip. She'll need a few things for that including a camping mattress and a Nalgene water bottle. I'm looking around for places to borrow the mattress.

I also picked up furniture from another friend for my returning-from-Germany friend. She's got quite a pile of it stashed in our basement now.

DD has three more days of school left. I will be very happy to sleep in with her, and we'll both be happy to be rid of her English teacher. I could say a lot more, but I won't.

Looks like a lazy June so far. Tomorrow is DH's birthday, but I have to teach in the evening. I'll make something special for he and DD to have for dinner while I'm out. Now I'm out to an estate sale for a bit.

Unfortunately, the setbacks are bigger than the triumphs. My evening job is revamping their capstone project for business majors. This means they will no longer write capstones, eliminating about $75/month for my reading fees. Ugh. Plus I got to spend 90 minutes driving there and back in traffic to hear this good news. Capstones will continue for liberal arts majors as well as in the social sciences.

Tiny triumphs included selling a book, using some nice doubled coupons, and the Girl Scouts deciding we don't need a mess kit for DD's weekend camping. All that probably saved/made $30.

Our fun artsy next-door neighbors are celebrating their 50th anniversary this weekend and have invited us to the party. Any one have a cute idea for an inexpensive but interesting gift?

It's been a productive enough weekend. I had a great time garage saling for items for my US-bound friend. We got her many things off her list: A tremendous doll house bargain for her daughter, a Brita pitcher, two matching bedside lamps, placemats, a winter jacket for her DD, a great glass bowl, a magazine rack, and other misc. stuff. The bargain of the day was the dollhouse. It retails for around $200, was in perfect shape, and the folks sold it to us for $40, throwing in the winter jacket. All in all, we spent $65, and we were both pleased. And done by noon.

But my found money came from my own guest room where we found $40 in Target gift cards. Some of them were Christmas gifts, others earned from Target offers. They came at a good time, because try as I might, I couldn't get everything I needed for the garden for $75. I only spent $75.26, but still need more potting soil and a few other things which I'll try to pick up from Target.

We watched "In Bruges" last night, which I really enjoyed. The language was a bit crude, but they were Hit men after all.

I hope to get the back gardens squared away today and tomorrow. And I met my SB goal all month, so I'm looking forward to those bonuses.

Happy June!

One of my ebay items sold last night, so I'm adding $5.52 to my bathroom fund. I still have another item listed, and I got the book sold mailed.

I'm off to the garden center to get the summer plants purchased and hope to only use the $75 in gift cards I have.

I've shut the door on the guest room until I get the planting done, but have agreed to go garage saling with a friend tomorrow to help buy some things for our returning from Germany friend. It sounds like a fun day, a bit frivolous, but very fun.

I also checked the IRS site, and our refund should be in the bank tomorrow. Hooray! I'll update the bathroom fund then.

I finished the JK Rowling mystery and really enjoyed it. I'll need another library trip over the weekend. DD and DH are very busy with school, and I spent hours last night on a conference proposal. I think I need to get in the sunshine!

The tax refund good news was fun while it lasted, all 10 or so hours of it. Then I went to the dentist. I have bad gums; blame my mother and her bad gums. So I get my teeth cleaned every 3-4 months, but about 8 or 9 years ago had gum surgery. And now it's flared up again and after talking with the hygienist about the state of one tooth, I'm booking the periodontist. Ugh. Last time it cost a fortune. I've got my flex spending account, but I'm really dreading the appointment.

In the "drop in the ocean" news, I listed a book on Amazon which sold in five minutes.

Sigh.

Yikes. I'm still grading hours and hours a day, but to add to the load, my week is chock full of meetings. Really? Every instructor I know is working full tilt, and I have an obligatory 4 1/2 meeting? And another one on Wednesday? And two shorter ones tomorrow?

In a reminder of how time flies, I just got an e-mail from the institution that runs my evening adjunct classes congratulating me on my 10 years there. What? That job sort of got dumped on my lap when we needed extra money for a garage roof. I've been at it ever since though I often swear I'm going to quit. I started a new class there last Tuesday and did a couple more capstone projects for them over the weekend.

We spent a nice Mother's Day with a lovely lunch out, a trip to the garden center for herbs and a hanging plant, and new shoes for my DD. She has again outgrown all her shoes, and is now wearing a woman's size 7-8. I'm hoping she can get by with Teva sandals, athletic shoes, and one pair of dressy sandals for the summer.

Lots to do once I get done with all this grading, but I suspect it will be Friday at the earliest.

This looks to be a much busier week than I'd like. The class I've inherited begins tomorrow night, and while I'm done with the syllabus, I have no class plan at all.

My online class is wrapping up but I have 20 students whose final projects need reviewing. That takes about 45 minutes for each project.

Our house is still a disaster post holiday. It needs a big blitz.

I three appointments tomorrow at the university, two about the possibility of London again next year.

The yard needs some attention too.

Did I mention the laundry? Yikes.

And that arm-length list of stuff to do from restarting the newspaper, doing the taxes, signing DD up for camp, and 20+ others.

But I do have good news. Both DH and I have lost 5 lbs. I'd like to lose another 20 and have been pretty darn good about my diet.

My plan?

Attack the house in 15 minute periods.
Attack the list in similar periods.
Attack the laundry while watching Jack Bauer tonight.
Write up a class plan tomorrow morning from 7-9.
Read three student projects tonight.
Read three more tomorrow afternoon.

Taxes can wait until my online class is over as can the necessary review of our financial situation.

Off for the first 15-minute attack.

We left 65 degree days and green trees and abundant flowers and are back to 40 degrees, greyness, and rain. No sign of BBC1 on my TV. Not in a good mood at all.

So here's some Robert Browning to increase my pouting.


HOME-THOUGHTS, FROM ABROAD

Oh to be in England
Now that April's there,
And whoever wakes in England
Sees, some morning, unaware,
That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf
Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,
While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough
In England - now!

And after April, when May follows,
And the whitethroat builds, and all the swallows!
Hark! where my blossomed pear-tree in the hedge
Leans to the field and scatters on the clover
Blossoms and dewdrops - at the bent spray's edge -
That's the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over,
Lest you should think he never could recapture
The first fine careless rapture!
And though the fields look rough with hoary dew,
All will be gay when noontide wakes anew
The buttercups, the little children's dower
- Far brighter than this gaudy melon-flower

I meant to make it to the Plague Pits today (what's the likelihood of ever writing that sentence again?), but I've had several student crises today, and it didn't happen. Hopefully I'll manage the PP tomorrow, but man, it is busy here.

DH reports my car tire at home has a sidewall bulge. I've told him where the receipts are. I think they're still under warranty. I've made DH and DD packing lists. I've made myself some sample menus to try to eat all my food here before we go and to minimize waste. I've made a list of a few more things I want to see.

While emotionally I'm not ready to leave London, I am very eager for the semester to be over. It's a much more intense relationship with students than a standard semester. I see the same 20 or so students three or four days a week,often for five hours at a time. I suspect they're pretty darn sick of me too. But we are bonded in a way that is so different from any kind of relationship I ever have with a student at home, it's very cool. And we need a break from each other.


One financial detail. I spent a grand total of 40p today on reduced price baps (rolls) for my sandwiches. In our lecture today a student told me he eats lunch out every single day, spending about 6 pounds a lunch. That's roughly $10. Just for lunch, every day. I had a cheese sandwich and a clementine from home, supplemented by a granola bar during the field trip, also from home. That means he spent 300/ month for three months or about $1000 since January. Sheesh, they sure spend.

The university has asked me to do the program again next year. I'm pondering; I'm pondering.

It's been another rewarding and satisfying day. I took 17 American students to Churchill's Cabinet War Rooms today, one of my favorite activities. Just the journey there makes me happy. It's all become automatic: which tube there, what to point out to them along the way, which streets to take, and where to escape for coffee afterwards.

I wonder what we teach high school students about WW2? Virtually none of mine had ever heard of "The Blitz," none knew Churchill had an American mother, and many, unbelievably, never knew that the war in Europe started before Pearl Harbor.
But now they do, so I guess they get there eventually.

After their tour and the museum visit, they went back to their later classes, and I took a walk through St James Park which was in full flower, swans swimming and all that. What could be better? I had lunch at the Farmers' Market behind the University of London Union, then spent an hour catching up on school chores, checked out the half price books but reminded myself how full my suitcases will be and how much books weigh.

I got groceries and went home for an afternoon nap to try to kick my week-long cough, and will now grade my online class for a bit.

I've got two weeks left in London and want to spend a few days just walking around, both to favorite places and a few news ones. Or I might just not go.

I've been back in London about 10 days now at the same flat in Muswell Hill. I've brought nine students and am teaching two classes plus the British Life and Culture class. I have students from the two other universities here too.

So far, I think they've had a great time, and we're starting to get in the swing of classes. My additional "cultural events" that students pay a small fee for are included in my package, so Friday went to Stratford and Saturday to a fun retro tea with way too many cakes. My classes went to see some Stanley Spencer paintings last week, and I spent a wonderful 90 minutes listening to a lecture on Jane Morris.

I've again been bowled over by grocery prices and am working hard to keep costs down. My landlady has bought some additional housewares and was pleased to see me. I did a pretty good job of bringing the right clothes, and it's been a much milder winter than last year. I haven't bought much but groceries, and had a credit from last year that I used for one of my grocery shopping expeditions.

My university still only pays me for two classes while I'm here, but I've taken on an additional class on line to help pay for things. DH had yet another crisis that came to nothing about his contract, and he's been renewed until June. He and DD are arriving in 11 days for 11 days here. We've been skyping every night which helps us all.

I do have some plans after they leave: The students are going to Prague, and I'm going too at the end of February. My friend who moved to Germany will join me there. I'm thrilled to be able to see her.

I've got a few other things up my sleeve, but that's enough for now. And I can see that I've got to update my goals.

Yesterday was all about London and London students. I spent a total of 12 hours with the rep, meeting students, talking about the program, and finally a great dinner with the rep. I came home and almost fell down with exhaustion about 9 p.m.

Several of my former students came by, and I was thrilled to see them. The students were generally good, except for my two no-shows. Because this is LONG mandatory meeting with three hours of information, I'm not sure what will happen with them. Frankly, I'd like to boot them out now. I don't need problem children with me for months. I also had to tell one to stop texting. Sigh.

But lots of enthusiasm and lots of ideas. Now, back to real life.

I feel very behind in everything from class planning to laundry to house cleaning and errands. I owe half a dozen people e-mails. I need an hour with a cup of coffee and a list.

Since I don't teach on Fridays, I thought I'd have the day to catch up. But last night I remembered I'm meeting with London students followed by a two-hour meeting.

And I got some sad news about a dear friend who is in the hospital now with cervical cancer. We used to be thick as thieve, like sisters really, We had a rough split over money lent, but a mutual friend who lives hours and hours away says she wants to see me. And I so want to see her. So either before or after all these meetings, I'll go to the hospital.

If you're the praying kind, keep her in your prayers.

Now, there's a nice problem to have. But the turkey bones have monopolized the fridge, and though I cooked half of them down yesterday, I still have another pot's worth to go. I used to make a mean turkey creole soup years ago, and I think I'll try it again. I bought some okra today and have the rest of the ingredients.

As ceejay, ccf, and cb said, it's cold here in the Midwest. A nice pot of soup will be perfect for tomorrow.

Apparently the full fridge didn't mean that I haven't been eating much. I lumbered onto the scale this morning and it wasn't very pleasant. So it'll be a low-cal soup. I'm still too congested to get on the treadmill, but perhaps by Thursday.

There's just about a month left of the semester and frankly, I'm wondering how we're going to get through it all. I could use a week off to spruce things up around here and rest up. Despite the cold, it's the point in the term where I have to show up.

A bit of grocery spending today, but nothing else.

I'm happy to say it's been a couple days since I've spent a cent. I had a raft of meetings this morning, preceded by the dentist. The dentist bills me, and as a bonus, I found out my favorite dental hygienist also does dog sitting. If my brother can't take the dog while we're in England, she will.

But I spent nothing on student meetings at the coffee shop, even though they were ordering lattes, I restrained myself. I thought about stopping to pick up a late lunch, but came home and ate a salad.

DH has sent off a resume to another department. The skill set certainly matches his. No definite word on end dates or the possibility of the other contract job.

Now to figure out dinner. Pasta with ?

After a very busy week, I decided I needed some wiggle room.
My advanced writers had a workshop today rather than a regular class. I helped those who needed help with their upcoming projects, and those who just needed time took our 90 minutes and worked. It was lovely, and it was pretty funny too.

I held drop-in hours at the library and was joined by students from each class (!), some taking early quizzes, some turning in papers and asking questions, and other talking about projects. And three London students came by. Turns out the dean from our Fine Arts program was at the table across from me. He came by and said, "Man, you have a lot going on. I heard you talking about everything from apostrophe use, to Photoshop edits, to immigration rules, to the London subways." I sometimes envy people who have a more refined focus, but it was a nice variety.

I have a busy rest of the week too--lots of meetings, lots of extra stuff, but I'm determined to give myself a little more time this weekend. I've turned a couple of individual assignments into group drafts to be discussed. They need extra practice, and as much as they hate collaborative work, I think learning to work together is an important and difficult skill.

It's been a "treading water" week, but we're a week from the semester's halfway point. Nothing really financial to report. I had to buy coffee to keep going. I was frustrated with my DD's inability to bring her various hoodies and jackets home from her locker. She complains it's too warm during these October afternoons for a jacket, yet every morning she's freezing. My stopgap solution? I paid her a dime for every one she brought home. Bribery? Yep.
But her locker was jamming because she's such a hoarding little squirrel. So I'm out a dollar on that one.

Looking at this post, I can't decide if I have overload or abundance.