Just gonna write again quick before I leave for Las Vegas on Wednesday. I’m sure I’ll write about how my flight was, seeing as this is my first time flying in 10 years, and first time ever flying alone.

The Vegetarian lifestyle is catching on. I tried tofu Saturday..It tasted like a sponge.. I brought pistachios for lunch today. How dinner goes..I do not know. My Dad is making Chivetta’s chicken, (its a Western New York speciality), and has been a personal favorite of mine for years. I must stay strong, and think of the little baby chicks!! I’ve already lost 3 lbs, alright!! : )

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged, but not much for the move has occurred. Just mainly, small life changes for me that I’ll touch on a bit. Oh, and Happy Christmas in July!

I decided a month ago that I wanted to start a vegetarian diet, and strictly follow it by my 21st birthday, next May. I’ve already cut many things out of my diet, while staying healthy. I take my vitamins regularly, eat meat substitutes, lots of cooked & steamed vegetables, and trying to only eat very little of foods that are high in sugar (this is hard for me). The shocking thing is that I did not know vegetarians also don’t eat seafood. I’m not sure why I thought they did, but that’s eye opening for me. That’ll be a large step for me as I’ve always been a large fan of fish and shrimp. I also read about Vegans, and that sounds a little too extreme for me, though my body is perfect for it – I’m lactose intolerant, I can’t even imagine going the rest of my life without ice cream or cheese ever again.

In addition to my Meditation classes, I picked up a dance class at the same place. It’s been a blast, however I’ll be missing the last class when I’m in Las Vegas next week. The teacher, Mary Ellen, is an ex-Nun, and professional dance teacher. She’s a complete riot and gets everyone in the class to laugh. There is such good energy when we dance, we dance to music from all over the world. Some sounds as though its from the Far East, others from Africa, Bob Marley and some well known songs we hear on the radio. The class isn’t about making your dancing pretty, but portraying your emotions. 90 minutes of this, and I’m more beat than my usual hour a day of cardio on the elliptical. Just amazing, if you live in the Buffalo/West Seneca/Lackawanna area, I highly recommend this. She talked about holding classes again in September, I’ll be sure to check Art Voice out to see if she does.

I found a beautiful dish set in my Mom’s basement cupboards, and a blender from the 1970s. A blender from the 1970s that works, believe it or not. It’s green and looks very retro so I absolutely love it. I cleaned up everything that I found, it looks almost new. My parents only used their dish set for a few years before we moved into our new house, and they bought a new set to match their blue kitchen. The design is pretty, petite flowers. Very simple and elegant. My mother also passed down her great grandmother’s cake plate, dishes & tea set to me. So antique, I’m really excited to bake something at our apartment and use it, even if its just Josh and me!

I leave for Las Vegas in 5 days, and I’ll admit I’ve been pretty high strung about the flight out alone. No matter how many times Josh or my parents explain it to me, or reassure me I’ll be fine, I can’t convince myself I actually will be. I’m sure it’s mostly anxiety.

Oh, and Joshua got contact lenses after years of glasses. He says they aren’t perfect and its shocking to see everything now clearly without wearing glasses. This morning on the phone, he told me wasn’t looking forward to sticking himself in the eye to put them in. He’ll get used to it, and thankfully before we’re “living together”. I thank God for my 20/20. : )

I’m after some affordable, yet not chinsey kitchen utensils & tools. I’m going to price shop at 3 different stores again. This time I’m comparing KMart (where I’ve found tons of stuff at a great price for the apartment already), Bed Bath & Beyond (an all time favorite), and William-Sonoma, the top of the line for cookware… just kidding, I’m not willing to put an entire month’s worth of pay into my cookware. My third store will be Macy’s just because it’s Macy’s, it needs no further explanation.

I’m actually looking for a cookware set so I don’t have to buy each pot & pan individually. My goal is to find a cookware set that’s durable, includes much, and around a budget of about $100. I also refuse to purchase stainless steel. If you’ve ever bought quality cookware, this may sound like an impossible task, but let’s see if we can master this anyway.

11 pc Black & Copper Aluminum Cookware (39.99)

KMart
I found a very cheap & simple set from KMart, featured on the left. It has a total of 11 pieces. It’s pretty ugly, but only costs $39.99.

You can by an additional 3qt saucepan for $12 each, and other matching accessories. If copper isn’t your look (as it isn’t mine), they also offer this set in a hideous Red & Silver Aluminum, see here. It’s difficult to deny the words “last resort” are a compliment to this set.

Essential Home 10 pc Aluminum Cookware (49.99)

 On the other hand, if you’re willing to throw down an extra ten dollars, you could own a cookware set that isn’t so ugly. The inside is Teflon to prevent sticky foods from, well sticking. A great starter set if you ask me. If you’re looking for color, specifically blue, I found a really nice 8-pc set for 59.99 at  KMart as well. I think though, the Essential Home 10pc Aluminum Cookware set gets my vote.

Invitations™ Everyday 8-Piece Non-Stick Cookware (59.99)

Bed, Bath & Beyond

 Macy’s

Tools of the Trade 12 pc Cookware (99.99)

It almost seems as though I should have just picked WS with the top of the line cookware at out-of-my-budget prices they offer at Macys. I was able to find ONE not stainless steel cookware set for under $100.

I’ll admit, this looks nice. Really nice, the handles on the pans look really “handleable”, if you will. The set totals at 99.99, which with tax is over my proposed budget for cookware. This set includes:

My trip to Las Vegas, NV is approaching soon. Only 2 weeks until I leave. At last, I made a list of things I’ll need to pack. Which was a lot more than I thought.

I’m trying to determine what I can, or can’t pack right before I leave, but it just seems like most of these items are essential to me in everyday use. My initial plans included using this really stylish travel bag for my carry on. It’s leather & red, absolutely gorgeous. My Mom however, bursted my bubble telling me it’s “too large” to be a carry on.

In hand:
- 1 Carry-On
- 1 Suitcase
- Boarding Pass
- Gum
- Wallet

In Carry-On:
- Books
- Blackberry
- Digital Camera
- Medication
- Neck Pillow (Josh left in my car..)
- Sun Glasses

Outfits to pack:
- dress shirt
- dress pants
- flip flops
- heels
- 2 pairs of pajamas
- 2 pairs of shorts
- 2 pairs of socks
- 2 tank tops
- 3 sets of .. “delicates”
- skirt
- sneakers

I never did get to that estate sale, though I heard about it from co-workers who are active garage sale junkies. They claimed the Estate Sale on St Davids was a “keep on driving” situation. So, I put them on the look out for a dresser & chest of drawers for the master bedroom, and matching end tables for the living room.

One of my co-workers has a newer dresser she has no use for.  It features removable front panels that allow for woodgrain, red or black.  I’m not sure what she means, or what to expect, but she’s offering it to me for $20. She might also have some refinished oak end tables for me.

I have to start planning what I need to pack for my trip to Las Vegas in two weeks. I’ve just skimmed over it in my mind, but it’s time for a list. I haven’t been on a plane since I was, oh about 9 years old..yikes.

The lines at West Seneca KMart were pretty much unreal last night! We only went shopping out of convenience..it was beside the grocery store, and we had just finished weekly grocery shopping. I told myself that I would only buy “one thing” for the apartment. I went in there, with all intentions of only buying, a pillow or toaster, but failed. Hard.

In total I bought.. 4 Toss Pillows - $23. Coffee maker - $20. Toaster - $9. Everything except the toaster was “on sale”. 

2 of 4 Beige Pillows	The Futon with my Pillows
12 Cup Coffee Maker	Our Toaster

Looks like there is more in the cart because my mom bought me a can opener ($14) and herself a new microwave, so I can have the old one. So I had to “clean the old one”, which I bought for her about 2 years ago. I bought the cheapest one, karma.

Before

I brought out the SOS, Dawn, a dish sponge & lots of paper towels and got down to work at 9:30 last night. This thing has survived hundreds of bags of popcorn, many spills of ramen noodle, a lifetime of oozing hot pockets, and countless frozen dinners. Thirty minutes later, it still looks awful.

After 30 Minutes

My Cat in a Box

I’m saving myself possibly $40 to $60 though, which could be better used on possibly more pillows. Josh says he is bringing out his toaster oven. I’ve never used one but he claims they’re amazing, and it was from his Grandma, so he wants to keep it. Fine. : )

Everyone is being very helpful in collecting things. Looks like even my kitty wants to help.

There’s an estate sale todaynear my work. I may go check it out, or see if my Dad wants to check it out with me. I’m tight on cash, but it looks like they have dressers & miscellaneous necessities.

Things our kitchens needs (major appliances are included):

[ Blender ]
Bowls (Thanks Grama!)
Can Opener
Coffee Cups (Thanks Mom!)
Coffee Maker
Crock / Utensil Set
[ Cutting Boards ]
Flatware
[ Food Processor ]
Glasses (Thanks Grama!)
Hand Mixer
Ice Cube Trays
Knife Set
Measuring Cups
Microwave (Thanks Mom!)
Paper Towel Holder
Plates (Thanks Grama!)
Pots & Pans
Potholders & Mitts
Strainer
Tea Pot
Toaster
Towels
[ Waffle Maker ] (Thanks Dad!)

* [ Items ] are not necessary, just we would like to own them.
I’m going shopping tonight, so maybe I can pick up a few of these things and cross them off. : )

Since I refuse to consider myself, really “moved in” with any man prior to marriage, I also refuse to bring my mattress from my house to our apartment! So we’ll be buying a new mattress, which are more expensive than I think I realized.

So I’m comparing prices & quality from 3 different stores that sell mattresses:
1. JCPenney because my mom and I shop there for home decor when Bed, Bath & Beyond doesn’t have just what we need.
2. Raymour & Flanigan because it’s a well known furniture store.
3. Walmart because it’s well known for its low, low prices.

Search Results
JC Penney, offers 42.
Raymour & Flanigan, offers 132.
Walmart, offers 18.

Mattress Search
JC Penney
Sertapedic .. what .. ? It’s on sale, and with tax runs about $340. It’s not bad at all, I may just go ahead and buy this if I get the cash together before it goes off sale. (Hyperlink)

Spring Air Monet Luxury Firm Mattress, shown on website for $599, down from $999. About $655 with taxes. (Hyperlink)

Raymour & Flanigan
A Donovan Ltd Queen Mattress for $399, including box spring! $435 w/ tax. It’s firm, but that’s also what I have now, and I sleep fine, I’m just not sure what Josh needs in regards to his bad back. (Hyperlink)

Baldwin Hills Queen Mattress also includes a box spring. About $545 after taxes. Also firm. (Hyperlink)

Walmart
Not offered in Queen Size on the website, the 8″ Tight Top Spring Matress in a box, comes to $299.84, with NYS tax, that’s about $330. On the website, its rated highly with tons of customer reviews. (Hyperlink)

Let’s also review a brand name I recognize from Walmart. Ah, Simmons, I’ve heard of them. Offered in Queen Size (nice!) the Simmons Deep Sleep Mount Sill Mattress (it’s also a pillow top!) is $499.88, with NYS tax, $545. Not many customer reviews, so I’d really like to check further into it. (Hyperlink)
Conclusion
Other things I need to consider..
- What kind of mattress is comfortable for Josh (Bed Bath & Beyond sells Mattress Toppers – $30)
- How much credit or cash I have available (Could apply for a 2nd card, or store card)
- Shipping, or use my brother’s truck to pick up

I still haven’t spoken with my friend Alison about getting a mattress from City Mattress through her husband, maybe that could work out cheaper for us.

My brother finally let us use his truck to pick up the futon & dinette set from my Dad’s friend (Thank you Gary!). It’s really cute, a lot cuter than I expected, really. It’s not dark wood though, as my Dad had claimed, which was the only dissapointment. The style is really different, so I’ll learn to appreciate it. I apologize for the bad quality of the picture, I took it with my BlackBerry at 10pm, inside our garage.

5 Piece Dinette Set

They also brought a futon last night, it wasn’t assembled, so that’s why I don’t have a picture. It has black metal frame that is in perfect condition, and black cotton cushion. The cushion needs to be washed badly, the bottom of it is dirty and it has some traces of dog hair on it. Luckily, you can unzip the cover and throw it in the washing machine. It also really needs pillows and maybe a blanket thrown over it to be really considered “comfortable”.

I did however, I find a picture of it in brand new condition on the internet:

The Futon

I spoke with Josh last night on color schemes, and it seems he really doesn’t care what colors I pick. (Bad idea!) I was thinking of deep purple & dark blue pillows for the futon, giving out living room a dark, but cooler colors. Beggars can’t be choosers, but I’d really just adore warm colors in the kitchen, over the traditional country blue…
 

I’m not sure yet if we can wallpaper or paint in the apartment.

I found a really cheap TV stand ($35) & 8-shelf book case ($26) at Walmart, that are also black for the living room. I hope that the store near me has these, otherwise I’ll have to resort to ordering online. :0(

Josh seems a lot less stressed since I’ve taken over the planning for our place & the furniture. I know he has enough to worry about moving 2300 miles across the United States as is and starting a job here.

Here’s some nicer apartments in West Seneca and Orchard Park I’ve looked into.

Too expensive? The cheapest apartments I find are in the Niagara Falls area. I even discovered some that are $440/month with ALL utilities included. I have no idea what these kind of apartments look like, but I assume they are in areas with elevated crime.

I’d also rather pay higher rent than worry about being stabbed while walking to my car. : )

So, if our electric bill is $100/mo in the winter, our cable & internet package is $40/mo, it’s about $790/month for living expenses in a 2 bedroom apartment at Royal York Gardens.

I have a $310 car payment each month, $70 school loan payment, I usually pay about $50 on my credit card a month, and $300 on my car insurance & cell phone bill. Then, a little under, let’s say $100 in gas. My mom carpools with me a lot, so sometimes she’ll pay to fill my tank for me, which I’m very fortunate to have. But let’s say she doesn’t that month – it’s $1620 in “certain expenses” total.

I bring home $1720/mo from working a full & part time job. This leaves me with $100 a month for groceries, clothes, toiletries, and anything else I’d need. This is very unrealistic for me to afford to live in a 2 bedroom apartment alone, unless I ask for a raise or pick up more hours at my second job.