Cutter's Log - Stardate 2102.92.01
Current Song - Borderline (Madonna)
Slowly, but surely, I'm getting things moved in little by little. Today, Tuesday and Wednesday are the last three days I'll be spending at where I'm at now before officially being on my own.
112 12th Avenue on 11/1/12. Lots of 1s and 2s here.
I now have a two-seat couch and a big, fluffy chair that will be "my chair." I got another chair to compliment the living room (thanks Rich and Laurie!), and I have that arranged accordingly.
As for the kitchen, the doors on my fridge had to be reversed - a tedious thing for me, dad and grandpa. So the words on my handles, "magic chef" and "food locker", are upside down, but that'll have to do. Cleaning the fridge was no problem, but the stove is another story. The inside and underneath the burners were easy, but there are spots on the console that need the mega-heavy-duty cleaner.
There's a coat closet near the five-point hallway, but I only have a couple of coats. I decided to give it multipile roles as a linen closet and laundry hamper.
BTW - five-point hallway means that at the center of it, spin around 180 degrees and you'll come across five doors as you rotate.
I bought many household items a while back and set them on the counter, still in their bags. I finally emptied them out and filled up the medicine cabinet, bathroom sink, and some of the cabinet space in the kitchen.
Dad says that I have more cabinet space in my kitchen than we do at home, but not as much space as the house that we had in Rock Falls 15 years ago. I tried to assign a role to each cabinet: this was the pantry, this was for the plates, this is for the cups, this is for the cereal boxes, etc. That's hard work.
With four moving days left, I have to hurry up and put things together.
Today I plan on emptying out the garage of my remaining stuff, as well as my bedroom closet. Tuesday was originally spent grocery shopping, but that has been pushed to Wednesday. I think I'll take Tuesday off from moving things around, with the exception of one minor thing.
Thursday will be the big day where everything goes. The quicker everything gets in the house, the quicker I can disperse everything around it. Plus, that's when I go over the final arrangements of the lease. After that will be trying to determine all of the change-of address situations. I think I'll spend Friday on that.
I still need a doormat and trash receptacles.
I'm struggling with trying to label things. For example, "my place" for the past 15 years is now going to have to be called "mom and dad's place." And, "the rental" (because my grandparents own it) is now "my place."
Monday, October 29, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
House Update III
Cutter's Log - Stardate 2102.52.01
Current Song - Yester Me, Yester You, Yesterday (Stevie Wonder)
I've been coming over to my new house nearly every day now. My grandparents (who own the place) have been working hard at getting it all set up for my arrival.
The carpets are shampooed, and that means I can move some of the larger things in already. I have some things in the garage that need relocating as soon as possible because of all of the rain we've had. I would rather start moving things in little by little because I think the work schedule is going to be a bit erratic in the next couple of weeks.
Tomorrow I'm arranging to have the fridge picked up from downtown Sterling, as well as a stove from rural Morrison. That, and a chair from one of my grandparents' friends will also be going in - with that comes another television set.
I made a snap decision tonight about the television. I will NOT be getting cable installed right away. I have determined that cable was going to be a bit more of an expense than what I first thought. I will, however, have the Internet hooked up after the moving date. I'll have three television sets when I start: two of them I'm not sold on working, and will find out once I have enough in my to have cable installed.
I can always read books. Hey, it worked in the early 20th century.
***
The grocery decisions are coming along well, and I'll be getting some help from my parents in some of that. I didn't expect this, so it increases the reserves in what I had originally budgeted (set aside from a long time ago) for move-in stuff (appliances, households, groceries, etc.). So I won't be going in broke.
But next week is going to be very tight when it comes to pay. We're almost back at full strength at work, so I'm down in the hours category for now. That's alright when it comes to time next week, because I'll be shuttling back and forth these few blocks throughout it.
Grocery shopping will happen on Tuesday.
***
As moving day gets closer and closer, there are more and more things that I need to put on a "want list" for the house. I thought I had it all thought out in advance, but there are always things that I overlook.
There is one additional place that I am going to look at for some free stuff before moving on to the list below:
Rug for the living room, to compliment the light-colored carpet
Shower curtain
Door mat
Mop
Two- or three-seat couch
Facebook's SCE is a place to start.
Current Song - Yester Me, Yester You, Yesterday (Stevie Wonder)
I've been coming over to my new house nearly every day now. My grandparents (who own the place) have been working hard at getting it all set up for my arrival.
The carpets are shampooed, and that means I can move some of the larger things in already. I have some things in the garage that need relocating as soon as possible because of all of the rain we've had. I would rather start moving things in little by little because I think the work schedule is going to be a bit erratic in the next couple of weeks.
Tomorrow I'm arranging to have the fridge picked up from downtown Sterling, as well as a stove from rural Morrison. That, and a chair from one of my grandparents' friends will also be going in - with that comes another television set.
I made a snap decision tonight about the television. I will NOT be getting cable installed right away. I have determined that cable was going to be a bit more of an expense than what I first thought. I will, however, have the Internet hooked up after the moving date. I'll have three television sets when I start: two of them I'm not sold on working, and will find out once I have enough in my to have cable installed.
I can always read books. Hey, it worked in the early 20th century.
***
The grocery decisions are coming along well, and I'll be getting some help from my parents in some of that. I didn't expect this, so it increases the reserves in what I had originally budgeted (set aside from a long time ago) for move-in stuff (appliances, households, groceries, etc.). So I won't be going in broke.
But next week is going to be very tight when it comes to pay. We're almost back at full strength at work, so I'm down in the hours category for now. That's alright when it comes to time next week, because I'll be shuttling back and forth these few blocks throughout it.
Grocery shopping will happen on Tuesday.
***
As moving day gets closer and closer, there are more and more things that I need to put on a "want list" for the house. I thought I had it all thought out in advance, but there are always things that I overlook.
There is one additional place that I am going to look at for some free stuff before moving on to the list below:
Rug for the living room, to compliment the light-colored carpet
Shower curtain
Door mat
Mop
Two- or three-seat couch
Facebook's SCE is a place to start.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
House Update II
Cutter's Log - Stardate 2102.32.01
Current Song - Barefoot on the Beach (Michael Franks)
The break from sportswriting is underway. During this time, my mind is on the moving process. I'll be back for the IHSA State Volleyball Finals.
A supplemental challenge that comes with living on my own is trying to lose weight - the thing that I've written about constantly, but never wind up doing.
I'm buying the food now, and am on a tight budget. I know deprivation doesn't work, but this would still allow me to cut back on poritions or face bankruptcy.
To try to save money in this start toward things, I'm going to try to do some things that I've always wanted to do but never get around to it.
1. Walking to Work - I actually tried this for a brief time during the final days of my first stint at Shell, before it got colder. This is a one-half mile, one-way trip for me, so it translates into the one-mile walk. My knees are starting to hurt a little, so I would like to do this in babysteps. Once I get down to a somewhat-comfortable weight (well, no weight is "somewhat-comfortable"), I'll bring out the bicycle.
2. Riding The Bike - "The Bikeride" was 10 years and many pounds ago, unfortunately. For longer trips, the bike should suffice. (Bank, Insurance agency, light grocery trips, Comcast, the 3 high schools, relatives, etc.). Obviously the car will have to do in longer trips, and in the winter. I'll be living along Sterling's Bike Path, and the trail picks up right across the street from my front door. So riding to Rock Falls is easier.
Funny thing is, this pedestrian bridge across the river makes it so that things in Rock Falls are closer. The closest gas station (one that I can actually go to) is the Casey's on Dixon Avenue. Plus, it is actually closer to the Rock Falls Wal-Mart from my house than it is to Sterling's. The canal path acts as a chute of sorts, with the challenge being trying to ride up the hill at the Dillon Home.
3. Challenging The Portions - I'll admit to using more than the recommended portions of things. When I get a glass of milk, it has to be toward the top. When I buy a one-liter of pop, I can't save the rest in the fridge. In trying to cut back on portions, this kills two birds with one stone: less intake and stretching the grocery bill.
4. Basement Space - My basement has enough open space, and I measured it to one-fifth of a side of a city block. If there are 18 blocks per mile (my predetermined guess from a long time ago), then it takes (18 x 5) 90 laps from wall to wall for make for one mile. This will work out well when I have something large running on the computer, such as uploading a video file onto YouTube. In this downtime, I can just go to the basement and start walking these 90 paces.
Heck, I could even try to JOG these 90 paces. I'm not at the sight, comfortably, to be jogging out in public. You don't want to see that.
***
I have spent some considerable amount of time lately trying to nail down a grocery plan. Natrually, living on your own means wanting to eat whatever you want. However, I cannot do this as it would probably lead to serious health problems. While I am certainly capable of having the freedom to eat what I want, it's best for me to stick to a frugal way of grocery shopping.
I'm one of those people that cannot stand to eat those generic brands of foods: you know, foods that are canned or boxed with the grocer's name on it. Especially perishable generics. The grocer is mainly in business to supply places for food to be bought, not to create food. Plus, generics visually scared the heck out of me since seeing those bright yellow packages in black font at Eagle's. How boring.
I had to debate whether or not to buy them now and work up, or buy them when the pinch starts to really hurt. I'm going to try to suck it up. Let's see how this works. I'm planning on buying non-perishable generics in the first shopping trip, and name-brand perishables. That is, unless a name-brand coupon beats the generic.
After work one night, I made a trip to the three 24-hour grocers in town. With a list of common staples on a post-it note and a pen, I went to the three stores to compare prices. You'd think that one would have the lowest prices on everything ("always"), but the other two stores had some things cheaper. I have yet to check out those stores that actually close, but I'll make a prediction that most of my stuff may come from the Walton Mart. Some items will come from other stores. The good thing about that is this: I don't have to waste gas to go from store-to-store, but rather ride or walk to these select places.
Of course, time is important. Everyone around me is always complaining about not having enough time. It's not time's fault, it's yours. When we say we don't have enough time, its always those luxury things that take up the space. The first thing I'd do is cut the luxury. Do I deserve these things? That's not up to me. So it takes me an hour to ride my bike to and from the Wonder Bread store in Rock Falls for the cheap, day-old bread (I can do with day-old bread). So what? I have the time to do it. I schedule this in advance, with luxury only as a last resort and not because I "deserve it."
Plus, it bundles the need to get bread with the hour of exercise.
Current Song - Barefoot on the Beach (Michael Franks)
The break from sportswriting is underway. During this time, my mind is on the moving process. I'll be back for the IHSA State Volleyball Finals.
A supplemental challenge that comes with living on my own is trying to lose weight - the thing that I've written about constantly, but never wind up doing.
I'm buying the food now, and am on a tight budget. I know deprivation doesn't work, but this would still allow me to cut back on poritions or face bankruptcy.
To try to save money in this start toward things, I'm going to try to do some things that I've always wanted to do but never get around to it.
1. Walking to Work - I actually tried this for a brief time during the final days of my first stint at Shell, before it got colder. This is a one-half mile, one-way trip for me, so it translates into the one-mile walk. My knees are starting to hurt a little, so I would like to do this in babysteps. Once I get down to a somewhat-comfortable weight (well, no weight is "somewhat-comfortable"), I'll bring out the bicycle.
2. Riding The Bike - "The Bikeride" was 10 years and many pounds ago, unfortunately. For longer trips, the bike should suffice. (Bank, Insurance agency, light grocery trips, Comcast, the 3 high schools, relatives, etc.). Obviously the car will have to do in longer trips, and in the winter. I'll be living along Sterling's Bike Path, and the trail picks up right across the street from my front door. So riding to Rock Falls is easier.
Funny thing is, this pedestrian bridge across the river makes it so that things in Rock Falls are closer. The closest gas station (one that I can actually go to) is the Casey's on Dixon Avenue. Plus, it is actually closer to the Rock Falls Wal-Mart from my house than it is to Sterling's. The canal path acts as a chute of sorts, with the challenge being trying to ride up the hill at the Dillon Home.
3. Challenging The Portions - I'll admit to using more than the recommended portions of things. When I get a glass of milk, it has to be toward the top. When I buy a one-liter of pop, I can't save the rest in the fridge. In trying to cut back on portions, this kills two birds with one stone: less intake and stretching the grocery bill.
4. Basement Space - My basement has enough open space, and I measured it to one-fifth of a side of a city block. If there are 18 blocks per mile (my predetermined guess from a long time ago), then it takes (18 x 5) 90 laps from wall to wall for make for one mile. This will work out well when I have something large running on the computer, such as uploading a video file onto YouTube. In this downtime, I can just go to the basement and start walking these 90 paces.
Heck, I could even try to JOG these 90 paces. I'm not at the sight, comfortably, to be jogging out in public. You don't want to see that.
***
I have spent some considerable amount of time lately trying to nail down a grocery plan. Natrually, living on your own means wanting to eat whatever you want. However, I cannot do this as it would probably lead to serious health problems. While I am certainly capable of having the freedom to eat what I want, it's best for me to stick to a frugal way of grocery shopping.
I'm one of those people that cannot stand to eat those generic brands of foods: you know, foods that are canned or boxed with the grocer's name on it. Especially perishable generics. The grocer is mainly in business to supply places for food to be bought, not to create food. Plus, generics visually scared the heck out of me since seeing those bright yellow packages in black font at Eagle's. How boring.
I had to debate whether or not to buy them now and work up, or buy them when the pinch starts to really hurt. I'm going to try to suck it up. Let's see how this works. I'm planning on buying non-perishable generics in the first shopping trip, and name-brand perishables. That is, unless a name-brand coupon beats the generic.
After work one night, I made a trip to the three 24-hour grocers in town. With a list of common staples on a post-it note and a pen, I went to the three stores to compare prices. You'd think that one would have the lowest prices on everything ("always"), but the other two stores had some things cheaper. I have yet to check out those stores that actually close, but I'll make a prediction that most of my stuff may come from the Walton Mart. Some items will come from other stores. The good thing about that is this: I don't have to waste gas to go from store-to-store, but rather ride or walk to these select places.
Of course, time is important. Everyone around me is always complaining about not having enough time. It's not time's fault, it's yours. When we say we don't have enough time, its always those luxury things that take up the space. The first thing I'd do is cut the luxury. Do I deserve these things? That's not up to me. So it takes me an hour to ride my bike to and from the Wonder Bread store in Rock Falls for the cheap, day-old bread (I can do with day-old bread). So what? I have the time to do it. I schedule this in advance, with luxury only as a last resort and not because I "deserve it."
Plus, it bundles the need to get bread with the hour of exercise.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
House Update I
Cutter's Log - Stardate 2102.01.71
Current Song - Undun (Guess Who)
So much for a Blog break.
I got most of my household necessities figured out. I'm in need of a used steel shovel, though. I'm looking at spending no more than $3 on it. Got a bunch of things I bought new to return to the Walton Mart: new rake, new gas can, new box of nails, and possibly the new shovel. (Basically, I'm looking for a cheaper shovel).
The fridge has also been found, and I'm waiting on my dad to okay it (as he is helping me pay for that).
That leaves an electric range. I'm willing to go no more than $150 on it.
Groceries will be undertaken after that, with what money I have left to spend and the refund money. I've got a microwave that I know works, as well as a crock pot and toaster that I don't know if they work or not. I guess until I find a range, the hot groceries will have to be microwaveable.
With groceries comes meal planning. Right now I'm a bad meal planner. When I find my own dinner, I usually find just that one thing (just Hot Pockets, or just Soup). I don't have the time to supplement the main dish with the side vegetable or side fruit. I guess improving on this comes with learning as you go. I wonder if a can of corn dumped in tupperware works?
I'm expecting a rough patch in the wallet come the week I move. So for the time being I'm hoping I can stretch my groceries out as far as possible.
Finally, I'm debating about what to do when it comes to water. I've looked at water filters that are hooked up to the faucet; the system and one refill adds up to roughly $35 at the Walton Mart. One refill is good for 1,000 gallons, according to the box. Either water filters or one of those big huge water cooler jugs. I haven't done the math on which is more economical.
Ahh, Christmas ... the big stimulus!
Current Song - Undun (Guess Who)
So much for a Blog break.
I got most of my household necessities figured out. I'm in need of a used steel shovel, though. I'm looking at spending no more than $3 on it. Got a bunch of things I bought new to return to the Walton Mart: new rake, new gas can, new box of nails, and possibly the new shovel. (Basically, I'm looking for a cheaper shovel).
The fridge has also been found, and I'm waiting on my dad to okay it (as he is helping me pay for that).
That leaves an electric range. I'm willing to go no more than $150 on it.
Groceries will be undertaken after that, with what money I have left to spend and the refund money. I've got a microwave that I know works, as well as a crock pot and toaster that I don't know if they work or not. I guess until I find a range, the hot groceries will have to be microwaveable.
With groceries comes meal planning. Right now I'm a bad meal planner. When I find my own dinner, I usually find just that one thing (just Hot Pockets, or just Soup). I don't have the time to supplement the main dish with the side vegetable or side fruit. I guess improving on this comes with learning as you go. I wonder if a can of corn dumped in tupperware works?
I'm expecting a rough patch in the wallet come the week I move. So for the time being I'm hoping I can stretch my groceries out as far as possible.
Finally, I'm debating about what to do when it comes to water. I've looked at water filters that are hooked up to the faucet; the system and one refill adds up to roughly $35 at the Walton Mart. One refill is good for 1,000 gallons, according to the box. Either water filters or one of those big huge water cooler jugs. I haven't done the math on which is more economical.
Ahh, Christmas ... the big stimulus!
Monday, October 8, 2012
Busy Busy Busy
Cutter's Log - Stardate 2102.80.10
Current Song - Pop Muzik (M)
Folks, this will be my final Blog entry until I get settled inside my new house. (You'll just see longer Facebook posts if something otherwise happens).
I just got done planning the next seven days. Today is the second of three straight days off, which doesn't happen often. So I'm trying to make the most of it.
I plan on writing about something regarding the Columbus Day XC Invitational @ Amboy today (the whole reason why I asked for this day off of work). After that I got four more places to go to and write something about.
As for the house, I'm hoping to make cable/internet arrangements this week, as well as appliances and groceries. I've got most of my possessions boxed up and set aside in my bedroom awaiting the moving day. Just got to deal with my closet and my desk.
The hope is to make the house look more like a home, rather than a college dorm room.
The week after this one? Plenty of stuff on slate to write about. I'll just have to tackle them one after another before the announced website Leave of Absence date. I'm just covering football that week. All of this concludes with the Week 9 Observations piece - then three weeks to myself.
Readers, I'll see you next month!
Current Song - Pop Muzik (M)
Folks, this will be my final Blog entry until I get settled inside my new house. (You'll just see longer Facebook posts if something otherwise happens).
I just got done planning the next seven days. Today is the second of three straight days off, which doesn't happen often. So I'm trying to make the most of it.
I plan on writing about something regarding the Columbus Day XC Invitational @ Amboy today (the whole reason why I asked for this day off of work). After that I got four more places to go to and write something about.
As for the house, I'm hoping to make cable/internet arrangements this week, as well as appliances and groceries. I've got most of my possessions boxed up and set aside in my bedroom awaiting the moving day. Just got to deal with my closet and my desk.
The hope is to make the house look more like a home, rather than a college dorm room.
The week after this one? Plenty of stuff on slate to write about. I'll just have to tackle them one after another before the announced website Leave of Absence date. I'm just covering football that week. All of this concludes with the Week 9 Observations piece - then three weeks to myself.
Readers, I'll see you next month!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
I Think They Understood
Cutter's Log - Stardate 2102.60.01
Current Song - My Sharona (The Knack)
I went into last night's assignment not sure what to expect.
This past summer I had to make some decisions that weren't too popular with this area that I was about to enter. Had to do it.
Last night was my first night back into the territory that "I had left behind." When I cut that rope, I didn't know if I was going to hear the end of it from those in that area.
I had thought they would refer to me as the scum of the Earth for what I did. I went back knowing full well that the reaction was going to be either way.
But ... it all turned out good.
I wasn't disrespected and they were thankful for my presence.
Translation: I wasn't sure how my relationship would be with the Little 10 Conference after having to release my writing staff (the conference's three best-known writers). There was no tension at all, but rather the same warm feeling that I have always felt when covering something that way.
I'm down, but I won't let them down.
Current Song - My Sharona (The Knack)
I went into last night's assignment not sure what to expect.
This past summer I had to make some decisions that weren't too popular with this area that I was about to enter. Had to do it.
Last night was my first night back into the territory that "I had left behind." When I cut that rope, I didn't know if I was going to hear the end of it from those in that area.
I had thought they would refer to me as the scum of the Earth for what I did. I went back knowing full well that the reaction was going to be either way.
But ... it all turned out good.
I wasn't disrespected and they were thankful for my presence.
Translation: I wasn't sure how my relationship would be with the Little 10 Conference after having to release my writing staff (the conference's three best-known writers). There was no tension at all, but rather the same warm feeling that I have always felt when covering something that way.
I'm down, but I won't let them down.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
I See You
Cutter's Log - Stardate 2102.30.01
Hi! Remember me?
I've heard about you. You're kinda frustrated with something right now.
I've been down that avenue before.
I know what it's like to be frustrated at not getting what you want and search for. I've changed the game plan also at times.
What makes me different, however, is that I've never experienced such a feeling. I've been around many people, the best of the best, but wasn't able to make anything work out.
Presently, I am a wreck. I'm in the middle of transitioning into larger living quarters, and getting on my own two feet. There's plenty of space this time, much of it I probably won't use.
Getting off on my own means trying to find myself some happiness.
Seems like you're trying to find happiness also.
Maybe we can work something out.
You know me. You know what I'm capable of. I'd be willing to get myself straight if it means making you happy.
Call me.
Hi! Remember me?
I've heard about you. You're kinda frustrated with something right now.
I've been down that avenue before.
I know what it's like to be frustrated at not getting what you want and search for. I've changed the game plan also at times.
What makes me different, however, is that I've never experienced such a feeling. I've been around many people, the best of the best, but wasn't able to make anything work out.
Presently, I am a wreck. I'm in the middle of transitioning into larger living quarters, and getting on my own two feet. There's plenty of space this time, much of it I probably won't use.
Getting off on my own means trying to find myself some happiness.
Seems like you're trying to find happiness also.
Maybe we can work something out.
You know me. You know what I'm capable of. I'd be willing to get myself straight if it means making you happy.
Call me.
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