Not There Yet

So in my rush to get my debt paid off, I called American Express to get the most current balance & mailed the check ahead of time, rather than wait for my statement to arrive. I had the cash, so why wait?

Alas, though the check was indeed in the mail, it wasn't fast enough. The billing cycle turned and I was charged interest. I now owe American Express...$1.98. Then I will be officially debt-free.

My friend R. said that I should write the check for $2, then ask for a $.02 refund. I'm considering it.

-C.

Ode to a Mouse (part deux)

I euthanized my other mouse, Mischief, today. Starting with her cagemate, Oops!, a few months ago, I've said goodbye to all of my rodent pets except for one. It's been a rough go, and the last rodent standing (Giggle the rat) has developed problems of her own. Her days are numbered.

Mischief was a great mouse. She was mostly black, and the black became gray on her belly and muzzle as she got older. When her Oops! became sick and was having difficulty moving from her bed inside a plastic igloo to the food dish just outside it, Mischief took food out of the dish and ran it to the igloo so that Oops! could eat. Maybe I'm over-anthropomorphizing here, but I was really touched by what appeared to me to be concern and generosity from one creature to another.

It reinforces my theory that the littlest creatures get it right sometimes, maybe more often then the bipeds with the brains. Peace, Mischief. You were a way cool mousie.

-C.

Worthwhile

All the hours put in, all the posts about how much I work, how tired I am, blah, blah, blah.

It's all been worth it. Know why? Because yesterday I wrote two checks, and with the stroke of a pen, a couple of envelopes, one bus trip, and a single postage stamp, I am completely debt-free. I don't have much, but I owe nothing, and it's a glorious feeling to have.

Hopefully soon I'll be more energetic, therefore articulate enough to really put into words how pleased I am right now. But the long work-weeks are still stretching onward, so I only have a moment to sit here and punch in a few jumbled sentences, for I've more yet to accomplish. And now that I have this moment to enjoy, I'll be doning the blue scrubs and the green apron with a renewed spring in my step, looking forward to a few more glorious moments of accomplishment yet to come.

Sometimes, all the hard work can pay off. Big time.

-C.