I have house hunger, as financial expert Dave Ramsey would say. I have had it for a while, but it is now within site. Or sort of is. I am a year and a half away from being out of debt. But not really a year and a half away from buying a house. I need to save up a bunch of money, I don’t want to go into debt again, at least not if I have to.

I was looking at some large dining room tables the other day. Not really on purpose, but I was in the furniture store, and some of them caught my eye. I live in a small condo now and do not have room for a big dining room table. But some day……some day. I hope soon

I am a woman who can’t fix much, or at least I haven’t had the time to learn how to fix much. This includes cars, plumbing, drywall, windows….you name it. I also can’t afford to pay much in the way or repairs. It would be so nice to have a boyfriend or husband who is handy, who could fix any little problem that comes up, be it in the house or yard. Who could wield a hammer or saw and know how to use a rivet nut. Lest you think that I consider love to be just practical, that is not true.

But as the saying goes, if you marry someone, why not marry someone who is handsome and rich? I agree. I would add to that, and handy.

I don’t own a truck and don’t really want one. But there are times in life that it is good to know a truck owner. Such as when you are moving, or buying or selling furniture or need to get rid of junk. Or to take a boat to the lake or something like that. I don’t own a boat but would like to have one. I see trucks with curt hitches on the road all the time taking boats and trailers places. Sometimes you just need a truck (and a truck driver) to get the job done! I am hoping to buy a new sofa soon and my old one is too old to sell or give to Goodwill. I may be looking for a truck owner to help me get rid of the old one. Bless all the truck owners out there.

I am usually very good at picking out just the right gift. Doesn’t matter who it is for, I find just the perfect thing. But lately, I have hit a dry spot. Here it is March, and I have no gift ideas for mother’s day.

Usually by now, I at least have some idea of what to get mother on her special day. Usually, she has mentioned this or that that she would like to have. But I have no clue yet. I may just have to go to the mall and walk in all the stores until I find the item. Sometimes, I am good at pressure shopping too. Seeing the perfect item in a store at the last minute. But that is not my preferred method of shopping.

I am a 1st Amendment zealot, but I have to say the decision by Tumblr to ban self harm sites is a good one. First of all, Tumblr is a private entity, so the 1st Amendment doesn’t really apply. I am not that familiar with Tumblr, but if there has been a rash of self harm sites on there, it is good they took action. Some of these sites can only make such things as anorexia, bulimia, and cutting worse. I say bravo to them.

http://digitallife.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/24/10490934-tumblr-bans-anorexia-bulimia-and-other-self-harm

Some of my friends and I are taking a girl’s trip to Orlando soon. I am so excited–the weather at home is dreary, and I am ready for a sunnier clime. I am also looking forward to having fun and relaxing. I just can’t seem to do that at home–too many responsibilities keep hitting me in the face, and all I see is the housework that needs to be done. Get me out of here!

We have started looking for affordable airfares and hotel rates. We may not all be able to fly together, but hopefully we can agree on a hotel. Something nice but that won’t break the bank.

I am very excited about going to Orlando–I haven’t been there since shortly after college. and so much has changed. One thing I really like to do is go out to eat. I don’t have to eat at a fancy restaurant every night, but I do like to do fine dining at least a couple of times while on vacation. I have been researching Orlando Restaurants and have found a number I would like to try. I might want to go to Tommy Bahama’s and have their coconut shrimp again, also the award winning Emeril’s restaurant, the Bull & Bear Steakhouse (sounds yummy!) or enjoying some good music at the House of Blues Orlando. And who could resist going to Bubba Gump Shrimp at Universal Orlando?

Eating out is an important part of a trip for me. You get to try new dishes, soak up the restaurant’s atmosphere, and relax and talk with friends. I know we will have a lot of fun dining in Orlando.

I now have a dependent–a relative who is a minor moved in with me. I am thrilled and am enjoyig the life we are creating together. But I am also nervous about finances, since I have trouble paying for myself, and now I have to pay for two. So, I am looking for ways to save and ramping up again to cut coupons (haven’t used them in years, but now have a reason to start again). I am also looking for other ways to save money.

I am not wanting to buy a lot of things right now, but am searching for websites where you can find good deals on products when you do need to get something. There are websites out there to find deals on everything from skincare to dishes to collectibles to western saddles (not that I would ever need that–I don’t ride horses!) But you know what I mean. Sites that are aggregators of sorts and list sales prices.

But for the time being, I want to be in frugal mode. Now, if I can just get my niece in that mode too.