Moon-lines and Apple-pathways

Is there a national Punch a Banker In the Face Day? (And if not, can it be today?)

So, my personal funds have dwindled rather low lately. For a while, I had a tiny cushion of money from my savings that I could use to cover any surprise expenses, but that cushion has completely deflated.

Despite being very, very careful about the money I spend, I managed to overdraw my checking account this month while waiting for my paycheck to clear. Overdrawn about $5.00. Of course, by the time the bank was done with me, they'd managed to charge me 3 overdraft fees of $37.00 each.

( Cut for EPIC BITCHFEST )

So, the Patronizing Git told me they'd send in a request to the Mountain Fortress to have my fees reduced, and the Well-Meaning-But-Useless Girl offered to call me once they get a decision.

Fortunately, I will be spending the evening tonight with friends where I will be able to drown my frustrations in wine and cheese. Huzzah!

ETA: What do you know? As I was writing this entry, I got an email from my Jessica. She's a close friend of mine from college, and is now an attorney living in Santa Monica. She's visiting Michigan next month for her birthday, and her email suggested going to The Whitney for dinner. (She also said "I know it's not cheap, so it's no worries if we need to find something a little less expensive, but I think it would probably be worth the experience and ambiance.") Now: do I suck it up, save up some money, go and order the cheapest entree (roasted zucchini, $19) OR plead my poverty and wonder if she wouldn't mind choosing something a little cheaper?

I think I need to calm down from my Bank Rage before making a decision. :P

UPDATE! Also ETA: The bank called back, and they are refunding me $52.00. Why that amount? I have no idea--I just took it an ran! I'd go out and celebrate, but then: they're just giving me back money that was mine to begin with and they had no right to in the first place. :/

So, I threw a minor tantrum in a clothing store today. I think the tantrum itself was justified; it was just staged in front of the wrong audience.

( A tale of retail woe in which I am CRAZY, in PUBLIC, AGAIN! )

I'm pretty sure going back to apologize made me seem even crazier than my temper tantrum did to begin with, but what else is new? Just a side effect of KEEPIN' IT REAL, YO! ;)

Today's post is brought to you by drunk!

Well, not exactly drunk, but certainly tipsy: which is surprising, since I've only had 2 (well, one and a half at this point) glasses of Tempranillo, and it usually takes a lot more than that to take me down. (I wasn't kidding when I said my favorite drink was red wine; YUM!)

First things first: I BE JAMMIN'! Behold! Raspberry and mixed berry jam:



Yesterday my mother and I went to pick apples and raspberries, and today I turned the raspberries into jam. I also bought strawberries and some frozen berries to make into mixed berry jam. Someday soon, the apples will be made into applesauce. (Although my mother has been stricken ill today, so it may have to be done without her help. Which reminds me...I should go check on her soon.)

( Still interested in this hot mess? Follow me! )

Here's the finished bonnet I made for my friend's baby:



I think I'm still going to block it to smooth out that back seam.

For highlights of my first day back in classes after two years or so, follow ( the white rabbit! )