Christmas Ideas for Gas Monkey and Myself

Ok, I"m already going out of the box this Christmas and only making things for people. Good thing I'm unemployed, because it is very time-consuming (I'm not talking about the quicky crafts here). However, I know that no matter what Gas Monkey and I do or say, we will be getting Christmas presents. So here our a couple of gifts that we need. I would argue that it does not matter how many people get us these things, because we will end up using them.

Merut's list:
1. Beef Jerky (I just saw one of those Sasquatch Beef Jerky commercials. I don't get beef very often living with Gas Monkey and his "morals")
4. Any cooking staples, such as whole wheat flour, bread flour, olive oil, chicken breasts, ground turkey. This would easily be remedied by a simple gift certificate to any of the following: Sunflower Market, King Soopers, or Safeway
5. Diamonds . .. . just kidding
6. A Job - you'll be bumped up on my list for next year's Christmas. I'll put in a special word to Santa
7. Coupons - as in coupons for services performed by you

Gas Monkey's List (created without his input):
1. Boxers (large) - I am making it my special mission to make sure almost everybody gets him a package of boxers. He is still wearing some that are translucent, or have the band showing through the fabric. I want to take his old set and either wear them for my pjs or throw them away.
2. Coffee - unground, he likes organic, but if not, at least as dark as possible
3. A coffee mug - My mom got him a very nice mug one year, but he lost it. So, it should be stainless steel, but cheap, because he'll lose it
4. Socks
5. Drill bits - he has a very incomplete set, because he loses things. So don't buy him any, just go through your collection and find any spares
6. Some sort of Stain removal - for his shirts and coats. He has a small mouth after all. The dentist still uses kid's tools on him
7. Scissors - somehow "we" are losing those all the time too
8. Any sort of salty treat - because I deprive him


Ok, enjoy. Like I said, no pressure. Thanks!

Gas Monkey's Birthday and he turns OLD

My F.M.I.L (future mother in law, for future reference) and I are thinking of holding some sort of birthday party for Gas Monkey. He turns the scary 3-0 on the 19th of December. So does anybody have any ideas of what we should do for him? It will likely be at my house, but it is a little small for a lot of people, especially if nobody can go outside due to the weather (but we'll keep our fingers crossed). He does not want a fuss, but that is one birthday wish he won't get. Sorry pal. Instead we'll make him wear a birthday crown and sing to him in front of a cake (maybe in a creative shape like a boat or a dinosaur, or a piece of elephant poop). Oh this will be exciting.

Jumping Ship

WARNING: For the sake of your sanity, nobody need read the following post as it is admittedly whiny. I just had to vent, and my only outlet is the black hole that is the internet.



Woe is the day I had to move out of my parents house and start taking on my own bills. Even more, woe is the day I left Utah to come home to my family, friends, and unemployment. Luckily, I had enough money saved to help me pay my bills for September and October. My parents paid my bills for my birthday. Now I'm in the worst month of the year to be unemployed, having bills to pay, and Christmas presents to buy. Not to mention a new mortgage payment.

Today the recycling guy pointed out to me that two of the tires on my Suburu are flat. They were leaking less than a month ago, and I filled them with air. Now they are leaking again. So . . . what do I do? I'd rather pay health insurance and my energy bill than buy new tires. I don't need my car now, I probably will when (and IF) I find a job. So much for being in the holiday spirit.

Staying home everyday being pressed by these financial matters is very depressing. While I wanted to stay home for awhile (as in not working in the field in another state), I think I might have to take another field job, or least start applying to them, just to pay the bills. I wanted to wait until next March/April, but I don't know if I have a choice. Here are some other things I'm doing to save money.

1. Not buying anything for Christmas, so expect some lovely homemade gifts and Merut coupons.
2. Spending a lot of time in the kitchen making things completely from scratch, like vegetable stock, cooking and freezing dried beans, making bread, making pasta, making tortilla chips, pretty much anything I can think of. Not eating meat every night, and avoiding buying any prepackaged food like chips, juice, candy, cookies, crackers, etc. I'm desperately trying to avoid the ramen noodle diet
3. Not eating out, which we have maintained since we moved in. Although we lapse once a week.
4. Going to the library. I know this seems obvious, but I have an addiction to bookstores. But I don't have the money or the storage for more books (I had to donate about 1/3 of my personal library already).
5. Not getting my oil changed, which means I don't drive me car very often
6. My house is always at 60 degrees. Any lower and my jaw sets very tightly
7. A major decrease in liquor
8. Avoiding taking Corin to the vet for his annual exam. I'm a bad pet owner. But the brat is driving me crazy with his attention-grabbing antics, so I'm assuming he's healthy. And he's still up-to-date with his rabies shots.

I'm sure there is more, but so be it. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't spend most of my day in complete isolation. Books, internet, tv, and cooking only do so much to maintain sanity.

Currently I am reading A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, but also In the Heart of the Sea, by Nathaniel Philbrick. Heart of the Sea is about the tragedy of the Essex, where in 1921 a whaling ship was sunk by a sperm whale, and the crew was set out to sea long enough for them to go crazy and begin sacrificing each other so they'd have something to eat. It is pretty metaphorical for how I feel lately, like I'm stranded at sea with only my own company to keep. And slowly nothing to eat or drink. I'll have to wait until a Job Vessel comes to my rescue before I jump ship.

But don't worry. I know I'm not alone and my situation is not unique. I'm not seriously depressed. Just weary and worried. Don't start planning an intervention or anything.