it's FRIIIIIIIIDAYYYYY!!!

Ollie08

That's how I feel about today! 

I'm really bummed because my girls are going on vacation with their dad this weekend. They've been with him since Monday, and we won't get them back until Thursday. How will I survive?! 

On another note, BF and I are going out for date night for the first time since my birthday weekend. Oh! And tonight we might check out the local auction house. They had a ton of stuff we'd be interested in for photography props. Has anyone been to an auction before? I'm nervous/excited. I hope it will be fun!

Ollie08

Swazzle said:

Happy Friday! 

I'm super jealous of your early Fridays, Coco. 

H and I just got paid on the 15th and our bank account is already pretty low and I couldn't figure out why. I know a lot of our bills come out right around now (utilities, my student loans, car payment, Verizon, and we put a decent amount away in savings on this pay day) but our checking account is significantly lower than usual. And then I realized it's from stupid freaking EZ-Pass. H commutes to work (it's the only option for him) and I went away a bit recently and paid tolls to get there and we paid over $300 in tolls in 2 weeks. I want to cry. It's so outrageous and I'm frustrated. 

Holy fucking shit @swazzle! BF commutes to work via toll roads, and we thought it was expensive because it's like $60/week, but hot damn! 

Hummingbird125

500days said:

Question for @swazzle @hummingbird125 @tuarceatha- Why so many tolls? I drove to Maine a couple of weeks ago and it was only like $6. I am not used to having tolls around ever. I think we only have one for the Newport bridge and that's it.

I drive from NY into NJ for work. It's only a 30 minute drive but I go over the George Washington Bridge which is $11 with an EZ Pass (only going from NJ into NY, not both ways), and I spend a few miles on the NJ Turnpike, so that's another couple of dollars each way.

Swazzle

500days said:

Question for @swazzle @hummingbird125 @tuarceatha- Why so many tolls? I drove to Maine a couple of weeks ago and it was only like $6. I am not used to having tolls around ever. I think we only have one for the Newport bridge and that's it.

My H works in Brooklyn and we live in NJ. The Holland Tunnel costs $9 and that's with a discount. Coming home it's another $7 if he comes back through Manhattan or $15 if he goes through Staten Island. He usually goes through Staten Island and deals with the higher toll on Fridays because he will sit in one spot for 2 hours LITERALLY without moving if he goes through Manhattan.

Pretty much to get anywhere in NJ, you take the New Jersey Turnpike (you go through a toll as you go on to mark the exit number and then the toll is calculated based on where you got on and where you got off) or the Garden State Parkway (random $0.50-$1.75 tolls throughout the whole highway). 

Edited because it posted only part of what I typed. 

phira

@Swazzle so are the toll charges accurate? That's awful. I'm so sorry.

I am BORED and FREEZING. I'm at the hospital for my infusion, and when I got here, the room I was put in was a nice temperature. But the nursing staff was really warm, so they turned the temperature super low. It's colder in here than it is in the lab, and the lab is freezing. The hair on my arms is sticking straight up.

And I'm bored because the hospital has free wifi (which, yay) but it's un. be. lie. vably slow. And it doesn't allow streaming video and (as far as I can tell) any other streaming media. So the 9 playlists I made last night for our Canada trip are inaccessible because I made them in Google Music instead of iTunes. Bleh.

Hopefully, my infusion will be over in an hour, and I'll be at work by noon, with time to talk with my coworker before I have to meet with my boss.

eilis1228

@swazzle HOLY SHIT! I can't even! Wow. Just wow. I get antsy spending $40-$60 per month on tolls for both me and FI. That's just crazy!

@KeptInStitches Your job/grad work sounds so cool. I know you're super frustrated with it right now, but every time you talk about lab work, I'm like 

Also, good luck with the apartment! I hope you guys are able to clear it out and clean it out quickly.

@Hummingbird125 I feel ya on the limited budget. It's awful. I spent $100 on Monday on a couple of copays for doctor visits and dry cleaning, and I was like, "Well, there goes my extra money this pay period..." Long-term it's worth it, but being on a limited budget is awful while it's happening.

Tonight FI and I are going to see the new Planet of the Apes movie with some friends, and we may go to a nearby bar afterwards. I've never seen any of the Planet of the Apes movies, but FI seems excited. I may fall asleep at the bar afterwards :-P I got up this morning at 5:15 to work out, so I'm sure I'll be dead to the world around 10pm. 

Tomorrow we're meeting with the photographer to sign the contract and give him the deposit, and then we're going to spend the rest of the day packing. FI is stuck in that mindset you sometimes get in the earlier stages of packing when you think you're practically done. He's sadly mistaken. We have tons to do. If the movers came today, jack shit would be moved. But whatever, he's pretty, so I'll let him stay in his non-stressed state. If we're productive tomorrow and have the energy, we may try to put together a gaming night with some friends. I got a bunch of new games for my bday that we want to try out. 

Sunday is more packing. We pick up the keys on Monday, and we're hoping to move things like electronics, food, clothes, guns, makeup, etc over throughout the week. I'll probably have to switch all my workouts to the morning next week, which should be interesting...

I'm also bummed because I apparently lost my license with my current address on it sometime over the past year and seamlessly transitioned into using my license with my old address. I have no recollection of any of this. When I tried to change my address online yesterday, I realized I didn't have the right license, and I couldn't find the correct one at all last night... so this means that I'll have to physically go to the DMV one day to change it. Infinite sadness.

Ah, I need to work today. Damn.

ETA: We are having the best weather ever in Texas. The high yesterday was like 70 degrees, and this morning I needed a JACKET on my way to the gym. It's glorious! Why can't it stay like this forever?

buddysmom80

FRIDAYYYYYYYYYY! Can you tell I'm excited? Next Friday I'll be off, so maybe that's why I'm really excited that today is Friday, idk.

Don't even get me started with tolls. EZ Pass has been the death of me, because I don't think about how much tolls cost until the next month. I'm like "fucking GW bridge!"

Tonight FI is going to be late coming home since he's going grocery shopping. When I get out of work, I have to go to Target to pick up a gift for a baby shower. I might even go to Home Depot to buy some paint for either our bedroom or hallway (leaning towards painting the hallway) since I'll have three days off next week to paint something. My goal is get most of the downstairs painted before 2015 so we can put new floors down over the mess we create from painting. I might go to the bar down the street and get a few drinks and apps, who knows.

Tomorrow I have to drive to the vet and pick up Buddy's ashes (they just called me to let me know he's back). I have to do this myself since FI has to help his mom move some stuff around. I'm going to have all the feels but I also have to make appointments for the kittens, so with sad times are happy times.

After the vet, I have to wrap a baby shower gift and then head to the baby shower which is like 45 minutes away. When I get home, we're going to eat all the things at the food truck festival down the street.

Sunday I'm working on wedding stuff. Centerpieces, sweetheart table stuff, my veil, escort card table stuff, make or order a guest book, order envelopes for our invites, etc, etc, etc.... I'll be glad when all this stuff is done, because it'll be a lot of checks off the list.

Sunday night, more food truck gluttony.

GoldenPenguin

@eilis1228 - your ETA is awesome, and it's been the same way here! We actually opened all the windows last night, and it was GLORIOUS. All week it's been sunny and warm, but not humid, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Swazzle

@phira - Unfortunately, yes. I double check the times and codes for the actual tolls to make sure they make sense and then compare to the fare lists in case H is commuting during off-peak hours and whatnot. It just plain sucks. You should ask for a blanket! I hate being cold. I hope the transfusion goes okay. Big hugs!

eilis1228

@GoldenPenguin Best July ever!

eilis1228

On a different note, the Google Doodle is amazing today! 

phira

Swazzle said:

@phira - Unfortunately, yes. I double check the times and codes for the actual tolls to make sure they make sense and then compare to the fare lists in case H is commuting during off-peak hours and whatnot. It just plain sucks. You should ask for a blanket! I hate being cold. I hope the transfusion goes okay. Big hugs!

Dear EZ Pass:

lmcooper86

@eilies1228 - Oh that just made me so happy. What a wonderful man. Also, budgets suck, I would like more fun money   (ETA: whining after looking at Mandela...wow, first world problem much. I am a jerk)

@Swazzle - Those toll prices are awful. Holy shit that is rough.

@phira - Hope your infusion goes alright. When are you coming to Canada? And where are you going?

@buddysmom80 - Hugs for you, I'm sorry you have to bring home his ashes alone. Hopefully the kittens will cheer you up!

@CocoBellaF - Work is making me feel stabby the last few days All of the crazies are coming out!

@thetimewillcome - You are reminding me that I really need to get my hair done...payday is next Wednesday, which sounds like a good day for a cut and colour!

loves2shop4shoes

DH and I haven't decided what we're doing this weekend.

We'll definitely do some laundry, clean the bathroom, go to the farmer's market, go groceries, get ahead on cooking for next week, and SLEEP IN.  We've both been so tired this week.

It's unlikely that I'll get any boom boom this weekend, since I just started my period yesterday.  SADFACE.

Otherwise, we'll see.

phira

@lmcooper86 Thank you! It's going well so far (I think I have 30 minutes left, but it's hard to tell). We're going to be up in Nova Scotia during the second week of August. I'm really excited! Last year was my first year, and I think we're going to do a little less driving and hiking and a little more relaxing and beach-ing. I'm not looking forward to the drive, and I'm nervous because my future father-in-law wants to drive up in the evening (and I'm driving part of the way), but hopefully he'll let me do three or four hours of Maine, when we're still early in the trip.

joy14bw

Is today over yet?

Sorry, I'm having a awful day and I have a head ache.

AuroraRose41

CocoBellaF said:

has anyone read this article?  I saw it last night and showed it to H.  we both thought it was funny and pretty accurate!  LINK - Early 20's vs. Late 20's.

@thetimewillcome - what do you plan to have done to your hair? 

@CocoBellaF, I am 23, and all of the late 20's statements apply to me...I don't know how I feel about this.

Tomorrow, BF and I are going to the Del Mar Race Track for Opening Day/a college alumni event. Our alumni association rented out a penthouse restaurant at the track with a buffet lunch and private bar and betting area. We are also all wearing hats in our university's colors (green and gold) in honor of it being Opening Day!

We have no plans for Sunday yet.

Blue & White

Hello!  You guys are quite chatty this morning.

Anyway, I had a drainage tube in my butt (I think I've mentioned this before?  If not, well, hi, nice to meet you) from the surgery.  It FELL OUT last night.  Um, it was supposed to stay in until like August.  So I called the doctor today kinda flipping out because it fell out and THANKFULLY it can stay out.  But now I have to...air out my butt?  Thank God I'm off work today lol <--this story may be slightly gross but it is hilarious because the doctor told me to "air out" my butt.

So today, I am airing out my butt and making blueberry cheesecake frozen yogurt with Biscoff swirl.  My ice cream makers' bowl isn't frozen yet which is totally lame so I'm waiting semi impatiently for that.  I also went to Publix like @southernpeach89 and got these really delicious foods. 

Tomorrow, I WANT to be at @LaPeanut1018's bridal shower.  However, my retail job has me scheduled from 3-10 PM and it's a 7.5 hr drive to the shower, so I just don't think that's possible.  Which is stupid.  So I hope @southernpeach89 eats an extra cake pop for me or something.  Maybe the bachelorette can be in St. Augustine?  Or Daytona...or yea, I'm not that picky.

Sunday, I also work 3-10 AND MY HUSBAND COMES HOME.  He's in Baltimore for the weekend, and I'm pretty pumped because that means I can eat semi-vegetarian the whole weekend.  Who needs meat when you have veggies?!  And pasta, obviously.  He's cute and left me a little note on my pillow to come home to last night.  The sappiness kills me

[Deleted User]

@Blue we will share a cupcake in your honor! Also, the Bachelorette is also in ATL but it's on September 13th so MARK YOUR CALENDAR OR ELSE!

[Deleted User]

I'm so glad we don't have toll roads/bridges here. The one time I was in San Francisco I randomly ended up with EXACT change at three different toll booths. I didn't know they were coming, but somehow scraped the money together every time. . .

I finally got my hair cut for the first time in four months yesterday. The split ends were killer, but my hair stylist got cancer so I had to find someone new, and I get so nervous about letting new people touch my hair! Luckily it turned out great. It literally feels like weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.

Blue & White

@southernpeach89 um okay, so...I have a problem with the bachelorette date.  You see, my BROTHER is getting married on 9/12.  In Orlando.  And I kinda have to go.  Do you think H will let me drive to Atlanta the next day? lol

[Deleted User]

@Blue&amp;White If he doesn't let you come the next day then I will side eye him : )

Blue & White

@GoldenPenguin the toll through Delaware (which is a whopping five minutes) is like $7.  I hate that evil state, haha.  It's possible the $7 is half in MD and half in DE, but I always blame DE.

@southernpeach89 haha, I will see what I can do.  cause I think there's a football game that day too.  I think we actually can't go to that football game because of the wedding, but we will see.  agh, tell all my siblings this is too many weddings!

ShallowSeas

I am so glad there are no toll roads in central Indiana.

[Deleted User]

They just took down the only toll road in Georgia that used to be on the highway we would take to ATL...they took it down the day or maybe two days before my wedding so none of my relatives coming into town had to pay LOL!

doubleSS07

@eilis1228 you are clearly not in S. Texas because it has been hot as BALLS and schweaty as them too!       

I want all the cake...aunt flo must be on her way.      

lmcooper86

There's only one toll highway in Ontario. FI takes it all the time for work, but luckily can expense that. We use it a fair bit outside of his work hours too, but the rates are pretty reasonable outside of rush hour.

I always forget about toll roads in the states, and get annoyed when I have no change in the car!

Blue & White

@lmcooper86 Since I grew up in Jersey (and don't have an EZPass because we didn't have tolls down in Hampton Roads, VA and EZPass doesn't work on FL tolls - yet) I always have change in my car.  And singles.  Because some tolls are expensive, yo

eilis1228

@doubleSS07 It's 68 degrees in DFW!

morphemes

YAY FRIDAY!!!

My little sister is visiting this weekend so we're planning on doing all the fun/touristy things that Madison has to offer (including, but not limited to eating and drinking our weight in cheese curds and beer)! We're going to hit the farmers market and drinks on the Terrace to name a few. I'm pretty excited. Other than that, no specific plans!