After I paid my bills and allotted monies for groceries and the post office, I had enough left over for some modest retail therapy. I've started to become a lot more conservative with my spending of late just because money has been tight, but I took pains to choose things I need and will use rather than just want-- but they do in fact qualify as luxuries.

Victoria's Secret-- I got the Soft & Sexy Wrap in the burgundy cashmere/cotton blend. I have a turquoise one in a lightweight linen that I love, although Mim did put a hole in it. It's so comfortable. I'm hoping that the cashmere one will be like a more fashionable alternative to the travesty that is The Snuggy. I also got a pair of jeans and couple of clearance tops-- utilitarian but comfy basics that will be good in the fall. So far, it doesn't seem like they'll be bringing back the light knit sweater that I *loved* from last year, though once their lightweight cowlnecks are available, I might pick up a few of those.

Lathers & Lights-- new Soft & Shine shampoo & conditioner. Expensive, but after I got over its non-lathery-ness, I loved how soft it made my hair, and that it doesn't have SLS or parabens. I also got more of the conditioning cream in Egyptian Dragon. A lovely, fragrant hair treatment I do about once a week to try to keep my ends from further damage.

Today: packing orders, post office, zill practice.

So, following liminalia's lead, I'm going to attempt to do The Gratitude Project, wherein from Lammas to Mabon, I post one thing I'm grateful about every day. I'm already behind, so today, there are two.

1. I am grateful for the support of my customers, which has made me able to fulfill my desire of having a creative job. Without the support of my regulars, it is very likely I'd still be behind a desk somewhere, wasting my talents and not doing what I truly want to do at this point in my life. Thank you.

2. I am grateful for my Nox, my soul kitty. The shelter we got him from sent me an automated email yesterday, reminding me that it was his adoption anniversary. My dude has been with us for a whole year now! So, like the Tribute to Olivebean, I give you...

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The Story of Nox.

Once upon a time, we had one kitty named Olive, and also an empty spot in our hearts where her twin, Squeaky, had been. Olive did, too, as she got severe anxiety whenever we left the apartment-- it was clear to us that she needed a companion for her. After about a month, we started scoping our humane society's website for kittens in her age range (3 months). We decided on an all black kitten named Hiro, so on Lammas 2009, we headed down to scoop him up.

When we got there, though he was still there, pawing at us like "hello! Hi! I'm here! I want to go home with you!", we were told that he'd been officially adopted 45 mins prior, as had the polydactyl we were also considering. Balls.

So, heartbroken, we went to the BARCS shelter downtown, which Dixie had recently sent me a flyer for. When we got there, most of their kittens were still in need of fostering, and we'd either have to take two to three or take none. We knew we couldn't foster. If we took three home, we'd fall in love with three, and not be able to re-home. Not to mention, having four kittens on our hands at once was a lot, especially with the wedding planning madness. I was resigned that it was just not the right time to get a kitty.

On the way out through the cat cages, I felt a scratch on my jeans, right above my knee. I looked down and at first didn't see anything. But then I looked, and there was a little black face, crusty with goo.

( Noxman.Collapse )

I don't appear to be getting LJ comments emailed to me. Am I the only one or is this a cluster thing again? In any case, you'll probably hear back from me when I inevitably get a FLOOD of comments in my inbox.