Worries

It seems like I've been spending so much money lately. I know that Mary has enough, but I think once you've lived from hand to mouth for a while, you never get over that nervous fear in the pit of your stomach that you're going to run out of money. It's like a disease.

First, the guy came to check the air-conditioning. He said we had a small leak, so I told him to go ahead and fix it. We also talked about and decided to change over to a different air filter. There is an electric type installed but I haven't gotten the impression in a long time that it was doing anything much. So he turned that off and put in a filter. They are expensive but last for half a year. I hope it works better! At least the electric bill might be a bit smaller. Luckily, when the guy came the next day, he said there really wasn't any leak that he could tell. The other guy was newer, I think. The second guy is the one that has always come since I've been here. Whew! I went ahead and paid for a service contract for Mom and Dad. They've never had their ac or heater checked and I think that's something that should be maintained. Maybe I'm an idiot...they say a fool and his money are easily parted! I wish they'd get a digital thermostat so they can see exactly where the temp is set.

Then I was out cutting grass and when I came in, I noticed a distinct smell of gas, so I called the gas and electric company. They came to check it and found there was a leak, so they turned it off. I was so nervous about getting a good plumber to fix it. I called the one that had the Better Business Bureau seal of approval and had been in business since 1938. They got here the next day and fixed it for $188. I was so relieved--till the gas and electric guy came and said that he would turn the dryer back on because the pipe leading to it was copper and that's illegal. Gas eats through copper. Well, that's good to know, at any rate. We don't want any health hazards. However, that job cost $280! I about fainted. Then the gas and electric guy had to come back out. I wasn't here, but Bonnie was. He turned everything on and checked it. Apparently, he tried to check to see if the furnace was working properly. Odd because the other guy didn't do that. He didn't think it was turning on, so Bonnie called me and I was even more of a mess thinking about getting that fixed. Luckily, when I got home and finally got around to checking it, everything worked just fine. They just didn't wait long enough for it to come on properly.

Also, Mary and I went to the dentist yesterday. I don't have dental insurance, so that was a bit over $100. Then there is the party on Sunday for Aunt Angie. I know I shouldn't spend a lot, but it's her 90th, so I want it to be special. I got all the matching plates and things for the Disney Princess invitations that I sent out as well as streamers, champagne, and food. The bill was humongous and I still have stuff to get today. Some people have asked if they can bring anything but I find it hard to tell people something specific. What if they're late or something happens and they can't come? And what's fair? Oh, there was a special deal running--buy four frozen pizzas (by a brand I like) and you get two quarts of Breyer's ice cream. Cool! But I was sweating finding room in the freezer, and Mary and I will have frozen pizza at least twice this week!

Did I mention that Mary and I saw this movie called Howl's Moving Castle? I got it out from the library. We really enjoyed it. I'd like to take it over to Mom's and watch it again. I wonder how she'll like it. She'll probably think it is stupid.

I love the library. They now have music CDs, so I'm listening to a Mozart CD. Wonderful! I think the cat likes it, too.