The Second Sacrifice
First and foremost, I would like to start this entry by taking the time to apologize to all of you wonderful people who are taking the time to view my blog. I have been less than great with my posts, and my responses to notes left. As you can imagine, the past 21 days have been a whirlwind. There has been so much going on, that I find the days just aren't long enough to get everything done. First, there was the start of this project, which was harder than I expected it to be. Then, in the past 21 days, I have gone from being single--thinking about my guy every second of every day--to getting back together with him. We try to spend every moment together. This, of course, leaves little time for anything else. Then, on top of it all, there is school. At the time of starting this project, I was in my second to last class. The pressure to do well is overwhelming. My grades have never really been an issue. I have, since first starting school, been a student who receives high marks. But there is something about being so close to graduating...it really makes me stress out about my grades.
Because of these things, my blogging has suffered. I am not updating like I should be. I know that. And I haven't taken the time to respond to any notes left on my blog. For this, I am sorry. All I can say is that I will try my hardest to change this. I will try to create substantial posts from this point on. And, over the course of the next few days, I plan to respond to comments, and read up on all of the blog posts my friends have made.
So this morning, after having two wonderful cups of coffee, I made my way to the bath tub. I was beyond excited as I put the plug in the drain. I climbed into the tub, and sat down. "At last," I said, as I turned on the hot water. "Mmmm..." After 21 days of no hot water--watching my guy as he took hot showers, and listening to him, as he went on about how great the hot water felt--it felt FREAKING amazing, to sit in that tub full of hot water. I felt like I was on cloud nine. It was like being reintroduced to a friend, that you have not seen in a while. Hello, hot water. How I've missed you. We have SO much catching up to do. It is funny...I knew I missed my hot baths. As I took all of those cold showers, and chilly baths, I was constantly aware of m desire to take a nice soak in hot water. But, in truth, I didn't really realize how much I had missed my hot baths until this morning.
I stayed in the bath for far too long. Well past the point of my fingers getting all wrinkly. I stayed soaking in the tub of hot water, until I had a full-throbbing headache. As I dried off, I realized that I was dizzy. The hot water just felt so good, that I never wanted that bath to end. I swear, while relaxing in that tub, completely reveling in the joy of hot water, I heard the Hallelujah Chorus. Never before has a hot bath been such a BEAUTIFUL thing.
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Last night, after having candy corn martini (which, by the way, was AMAZING), I made my way to the red pouch, which holds the remaining sacrifices that I will make, throughout this project. I reached inside, twirled the folded up pieces of paper around, and imagined someone drumming as I grasped one of the papers between my fingers. Okay, I thought to myself, as I pulled my hand out of the bag. Time to see what this project has in store for me. I unfolded the paper, and looked at the writing on it. Scrawled out in sloppy handwriting, which would make a doctor's writing look pristine, were two words: Spending Money!
"Oh, man." The two words came out as I took in the idea that I will not be able to spend money for the next 21 days. "I knew I should have went out earlier today to get some bubble bath." I also started thinking about Bath & Body Works, and how they now have the Autumn stuff out. I had been planning to go there, some time this week, and go on a mini-shopping spree. I guess that won't be happening now.
If I thought the first sacrifice was hard, it was nothing compared to this one. I am one of the BIGGEST shopaholics you will ever know. It is pathetic how quickly I can go through money. Seriously, you would think I had a money tree growing in my back yard, with the way that I spend. Money simply CANNOT stay in my wallet. This particular sacrifice, my mother said, is going to drive me to the very brink of insanity. "Ooh, this should be fun," she said. "I wonder how long you can go before you break." (Once again, there is that motherly support.)
Even I have to admit, however, that this particular sacrifice came at the PERFECT time. With my graduation taking place in October--with all of the flying and hotel rooms--it is smart that I start holding to every penny that I have. Of course, there is ONE exception to this. I can buy groceries. But only needed things. There will be no purchase of beer, or wine. Alcohol is not a needed purchase, even though it really seems like it should be.
During this 21 day cycle, I have decided that I will also start to do something that I really haven't done up to this point. Whenever I see any type of money on the ground--even a sad little penny--I will pick it up. So, not only will I go without spending money. Hopefully, I can collect some extra money, as well.
I will try my hardest to post another entry tonight, at the end of my first day with this particular sacrifice.
As for now...Well, I am off to do a final.
Wish me luck!