Sunday, February 8, 2026

The Wait Begins

Since we are now in February and this month is off to a little bit of a strange start. Late last week, I received a letter reminding me that I needed to get dog licenses for both my dogs. If I didn't get them or order them by January 31st, I would have to pay $30 per dog but get them by the 31st, it's $15 per dog. I didn't forget about getting the license bit, just forgot about the whole cost thing. By the time I got home from work, I couldn't run back out and get them. So I ordered them online, had to pay an extra $2 because I was paying by debit card.

I did file my taxes last week, even though I said that I would hold off. I just said screw it and let's just do it. So the wait now begins to get my refund. There are some things that I want to get ahead on and hopefully get that crown on my tooth, especially before I go to California. Thus far, my state refund should be in my account by the 17th. So that is a little over a week away. Something did pop up that I had to put on my federal taxes and even though the IRS did accept my return, there has been no word on if it was "approved" yet. Maybe I will find out in the next few days about what is going on through there website. So there is nothing that I can really do in the meantime except wait. I am still holding off on depositing that large check but thinking of doing a 30 day CD, mainly so I don't lose the check and maybe earn a little interest on it.

You know that whole not buying anymore perfume and candles? Yeah, I failed on both accounts. Amazon decided to drop the price of the Lolita Lempicka Le Parfum and I snapped up a bottle. A residual bit of a gift card brought down the price a little more. Well, all it did was pay for the tax but still. Yesterday, Bath and Body Works had a candle, hand soap and body spray for $20. It was an offer that I couldn't refuse. I got the Japanese Cherry Blossom body spray to give to my coworker for her birthday, the Sweet Lavender hand soap for a Mother's Day gift and if I think that the Lavender Bergamot might be a good smelling candle, but if it sucks, it becomes an emergency gift. I failed again in the past hour as I spent a shade over $35 on samples from Luckyscent. Any perfume nut can tell you that vintage and niche perfume doesn't come cheap. I am hoping that I can stay on the no buy in terms of no perfume and candle buying thing.

I have had a little bit of success though. I managed to finish another Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62 lotion and I am about to finish up the travel sized body wash. I also finished a face wash balm and a face cream. I am pretty close to finishing a couple foaming hand soaps. I think I have to count my wins where I can. And let's hope I can keep using things up.