"I don't think I have ever met a cat who ate popcorn, have you?"

I have prospects! Prospects for better days coming my way, for less financial woes. I have applied to two jobs online which will compliment my studies, PAY ME MORE MONEY, and last but not least will not require me to serve Thirsty Thursday specials or the soup of the day! One job pays a generous 18 dollars an hour which is a life raft I need in this ocean of bills and debt that I am currently swimming in. I need positive thoughts and vibes sent my way! and hell I'll even ask for some prayers too!

young, on my own, and living in CT....this is actually pretty hard.

I just organized all of my bills for the month. I grouped them by the dates they are due and the days of the week I get paid. So far it looks like I will not be able to pay all of them on time. It has made me realize that Luc and I need to continue to sell items, cut unnecessary expenses out of our lives, and I must get a second job ASAP.

My plan of action for the second job is to start visiting local restaurants and see if anyone will take me on and teach me the ropes of the serving profession. I am scared to death and would rather do anything else but that's just it, there really isn't anything left for me to do to make more money (legitimately anyhow). My dad, sister, and friends agree it is the only sensible way to make more money. All I hear playing through my head are the horror stories of grumpy customers, little or absent tips, exhausted bodies, and long nights straight from the mouths of those I know who already serve. I wish I could get a higher paying job that applies to my studies but I am not qualified for anything that is available. Christine found me an incredible job opportunity working as a case manager in a mental health facility which would perfectly compliment my current career path except that you need a bachelor's in social work specifically. My bachelors in Media Studies? Yeah, useless. She says I should shoot for it anyhow, type up a really creative and mind blowing cover letter and she's right I should, and I will, but we all know the likely outcome. Okay, enough with the whining!

What a humbling experience this is turning into. I still haven't given up my daily coffee purchases. By the end of this week I will have spent about 17 dollars on coffee. I am still not living within my means. I need to get a stronger grip on my financial reality. I also haven't been able to go through with giving my smart phone when it could be saving Luc and I an extra 30 dollars on our phone bill. I invited my close friends over to my apartment tomorrow night for drinks and avocado treats but can I even afford to provide those (now) luxuries? I am going to go restaurant job hunting first thing Monday afternoon before my new class begins.

Clutter Bug Cashes in and Contributes to Green Causes at the Same Time!

I am broke!

I have lots of stuff!

So, I have decided to sell as much of my stuff as possible. I just spent an hour organizing my entire DVD collection, and old clothing that I no longer wear into bags to be sold at Blockbuster and a consignment shop. I am dangerously broke and need to make money any way I can at this point. One thing I know I should really sell is my colossal book collection. This is very difficult for me because I take a lot of pride in my books and enjoy them in various forms. They make great decorations, talking pieces, research companions, resources, and entertainment. Okay, so maybe I will just do without selling them for now.

It feels great to shed "stuff" from my life. For awhile now I have been very concerned with living a more minimalist lifestyle and cutting back on consuming. This blog is really helpful in keeping me mindful of this: http://rowdykittens.com/
I know that once I get rid of the DVDS I wont be acquiring anymore because just about anything I am ever interested in watching I can find online or download. As for clothes, I do not have the financial means to acquire anymore so that solves that. Back to the book problem, I haven't purchased a book in months and probably will not do so because again I can download most books on the internet or spend a day or two at the bookstore if it is not search-able.

The only form of consumption I regularly participate in is food and alcohol consumption. I am afraid this probably will not change either. I buy organic and local food whenever possible but am shamefully absent minded about my alcohol and restaurant choices.

In 2010, it is important to be mindful of consumption and waste. The more I acquire the more I am contributing to the growth of landfills and hastening the destruction of our planet. To fix what is broke, donate or sell what is no longer needed, and only buy what is absolutely necessary and durable is the way I want to live.

I need to get into yoga
I must discover meditation
I am ready to raise my consciousness
I desire self actualization

I think I may quit the gym, or at least one of my memberships and use the extra money for a meditation or yoga class. I run and body build but all I get is sore joints at 23 and a hungry belly. I thought I was going to do a body building bikini competition but now I think I'll go a different route. I am not selfish enough to pursue body building, I do not want to be so vain anymore.

I want to connect with the energy of the universe. I want to sweat beauty, not see it superficially staring back at me in a mirror.

The Year Ahead
Forecast for August 2010 to August 2011


If You Were Born Today, August 4: Famous people born today: Percy Bysshe Shelley, Louis Armstrong, Barack Obama, Billy Bob Thornton.

Your Birthday Year Forecast: You are likely to make important contacts through learning, communicating, and mental pursuits this year. The period ahead is sure to be an intellectually stimulating one in which the exchange of ideas with others figures prominently.

Saturn transits sextile your Sun this year from November 2010 forward, and you are likely feeling quite solid and supported. Paying attention to the important details of your life is important now, and will lay the groundwork for future successes. This influence keeps you on track and structured. You are practical in your choices (for the most part), keeping your feet on the ground and paying attention to, and honoring, tradition as well as tried-and-true methods. You have the power of practicality, realism, and caution on your side in the year ahead. Work you have done in the past begins to pay off this year--not necessarily in dramatic ways, but in small, measurable ways. You may be recognized or rewarded in some way for the efforts you put forth. Because you project a more responsible and credible "you", people in authority are more inclined to appreciate you and recognize your work. This is a year in which you put your life in order in some significant manner. Improved concentration, a more realistic outlook, and a practical awareness of the limits of time all help you to make steady progress, particularly in your career. Your concern for your future this year is stronger than usual, and you may find that projects you start, or investments you make, this year will benefit you for years to come. The key to success this year is adopting a realistic, practical, disciplined, and orderly approach to your life.

In March 2011, you benefit from transiting Jupiter trine to your Sun, and this is a time to find ways to improve your life and your satisfaction from life. Resolving conflicts with others is favored, as you come across in a more favorable light than usual. Jupiter is giving your ego a boost, and it's likely a much-needed boost. New visions of the future and new inspirations are likely to come along with this transit. You are likely to feel very good and confident during this period.

The practical aspects of your love relationships will be especially important to you this year, and security factors prominent. You might find yourself especially involved in a love interest's day to day affairs. Genuineness, commitment, and faithfulness are extremely important qualities that you are seeking in your love life this year. In your love life, you can sometimes struggle between sticking with familiar habit patterns and feeling like you need more. There can be some see-sawing as you try to find a balance for your needs for both stability and excitement. While there is a strong urge for security and familiarity in love, there can be some disruptions to these patterns.

You have an especially strong urge to get on track financially, to buckle down, to budget, and to save. However, there can be times when whim overcomes you, or there can be disruptions that throw you off course temporarily.

Saturn in opposition to Uranus around the time of your birthday suggests some restlessness. Attempts to assert your individuality, freedom, and originality undermine your feelings of groundedness and security. Yet, you are not satisfied when you conform. There may be sudden and unexpected twists that force you to do something different or that help free yourself from old habits. Adjusting your plans is in order, and striking a balance between convention and innovation is the challenge. Setbacks tend to be temporary and often lead to new, more creative paths or solutions. Ambivalence is likely and could color many of your interactions.

While many people born around your birthday experience this Saturn-Uranus influence in their Solar Return charts, it can be especially significant for you as both Venus and Mars aspect this pair of planets. Sticking to tried and true methods for achieving your goals is a strong tendency, but frequent challenges to your methods, and even opposition, will force you to think outside the box. Don't waste your time on feeling frustrated or blocked. Use this energy to work harder. It's important that you stay grounded and realistic in your expectations.

Jupiter joined with Uranus is also found in your Solar Return chart, and this suggests the need for progressive change in your life. You might take risks (perhaps, but not necessarily, foolish ones) for the sake of freedom. You are open to new energies, approaches, and attitudes. Fortunate events occur as a direct result of your willingness to entertain the unusual and to think outside of the box. Enthusiasm runs high, the desire for freedom from restrictions is strong, and thirst for adventure is with you.

The major key to success this year is managing to keep your feet on the ground and your expectations realistic. However, you are also bound to deal with issues of control, anger, and power this year, and you might channel this energy into a constructive new pursuit or passion. Overall, you are thinking clearly and making steady progress. Positive connections can be made through learning endeavors.


2010 is a Number Six year for you. Ruled by Venus. This is a year of relative contentment. It is a time when love is the easiest to attract, and partnerships formed under this vibration have a better chance for longevity. You are able to attract others, and material things as well, this year. This is a good year for establishing harmony in the family and in the home. Advice - develop existing relationships, be positive and receptive because these kinds of energies help you to attract what you desire.

2011 will be a Number Seven year for you. Ruled by Neptune. This is a year of preparation, chance, and refinement. It is not a time of dramatic changes. Instead, it's a year when reflection on the past is helpful, and when refinements to your life path should be made. It's a good year to study and analyze. Unexpected twists to your life story and "chance" meetings are probable. Advice - take stock of your life in order to prepare for more exciting years to come, examine the past and plan for the future, get in touch with your deepest needs and uncover your personal power, don't strain yourself or actively try to expand.