Money Earned...Money Spent!

Yep, the title says it all.  This past summer, I went to a few workshops.  Well, a couple of weeks ago, I received a nice check (about $300) for the time spent.  I haven't cashed it knowing that I would spend it on my classroom or on credit card bills.  My Christmas club money has already been spent on bills. Returning to college was the reason for the loss of my Christmas Club money this year.  Last year, I was determined to spend it on myself, but accidentally spending it on bill payments.  This year the plan was to quickly take the club money right on the day it was due to be deposited.  Unfortunately, a college bill and a change in my insurance premiums (I should have read the small print), made this year's club money disappear.  Well anyway, with the $300 check, I wanted to buy something for myself.  After thinking of various "toys/electronics(netbook, cell phone, tablet, etc...", I finally made a decision.  I would spent the dollar amount online and deposit the check to cover the expenses.  Below is my list:

 

Vaultz Locking Storage Clipboard Black
Collapsible Blue Fairshare Mug
Hi-Tec Men's Altitude IV WP Hiking Boot,Black
Trendy Military Fitted Cap- Black
Rubbermaid Blue Ice Flexible Ice Blanket
Alpha Industries Hooded MA-1 Flight Jacket- Black 2XL
BoxWave Capacitive Samsung Galaxy Tab Stylus (Jet Black)"
and
3 TIME For Kids The Amazing Fact and Puzzle Book

 

• The clipboard was an impulse I bought trying to spend the full $300. 
• The collapsible cup was a impulse from a collapsible cup that's been on my Amazon.com "buy later" list for several months.  During the summer I've been a bit annoyed at the low pressure of public water fountains.  I also always wanted a collapsible cup. 
• The boots were a necessity.  My previous boots had holes and always got my feet wet when it rained, but  I was always putting off getting a new pair.  Actually, the boots were never really waterproof.  I really wanted to buy a pair of winter/rain boots, but a couple of reviews about the "clunkiness" of the boots turned me off.  The fitted cap was an impulse after almost getting the imitation fur cap with the ear flaps. 
• The ice blanket is just a sheet of bubble wrap where the bubbles are filled with water.  I already have a 9 bubble sheet for my Polar Bear cooler.  I'm loving that bag -- this morning I woke up and realized that I had forgotten to open my PB bag.  I was amazed that the water bottle that had been place (frozen) in my PB bag over 24 hours before, was still definitely cool to the touch.  Amazing! 
• The bomber jacket was becoming a necessity.  My current jacket is about 5 or 6 years old.  I don't remember when or where I purchased it, but I do know that it was a cheap imitation bomber jacket that really lasted much longer than I had expected it to.  Now, it has worn out holes and the fiber-fill seems to have slowly disintegrated over time.  Lately, it seems as if the wind blows right through it.  I like the style of the jacket.  This one has a hood.  I'm not really comfortable with a hood, but I said what the heck. 
• The stylus pen was a purchase to replace the one I had lost on the train platform a couple of months ago.  I was so stressed out when I found out the last minute...(the very last minute [by rumor]) that I would be teaching 6th grade after a full day setting up my classroom believing that I would be teaching 4th grade.  I like using the stylus because my finger coordination isn't very good, and I really don't like the finger prints and smudges on my cell phone.  Also, I dug out my imitation tablet with the Chinese operating system.  I'm going to take it to a Staples store or a Best Buy and see if their computer department can change the Chinese system to an English one. I've had it for almost a year doing nothing but collecting dust. 
• The Time for Kids puzzle books were extras.  A couple of months ago, I purchased a class set for my students to have something to do during indoor rainy days when they couldn't go outside.  Unfortunately, I hadn't purchased enough to go with my slowly increasing class roster.  I now have 25 students in my class.  I hadn't planned on spending any of my $300 on my classroom or my students, but old habits die hard.

 

Once I finished my personal online shopping trip, I had to log onto Staples to purchase a few items.  My classroom personal printer/copier needs a new drum(about $200).  I also know that the ink cartridge($100 will run out soon. The custodian that sweeps and empties the trash in my classroom told me that due to budget cuts, there was no money for paper towels, so I purchased a case of paper towels (about $25) and a paper towel dispenser (about $25).  As I type this, I think I forgot to add a case of copy paper to my order(about $30).  I'm down to my last pack.  At my school, we have to provide our own paper, or seek admin approval for any copies to be made, fill out a requisition form and wait until the school aid can get around to it.  It is just easier to use my personal printer/copier.  I'm going to have to purchase another machine soon.  My current printer/copier is about 5 years old.  I've never had any real problems other than minor paper jams, but I know a break down is only a matter of time.  Unfortunately, I've grown accustom to (maybe even addicted to) the convenience of have a copies at my fingertips (no lines, wait, or requests).

 

Well I think that's..

 

Oh, the exercise thing.  Nope, I haven't been exercising.  Last Saturday was the last time I did any exercising.  So, my weight has been slowly going up.  Right now I weigh about 211lbs.  Last week, I was too stressed out about....never mind.  Anyway, going for full days (hyper kids and evening class, as well as paperwork for both) on about 4 hours of sleep was taking its toll.  Today I slept most of Saturday away.  As soon as I finish here, I'm going to check to make sure I ordered copy paper, then I'm going to call it a night.  I'm going to try to do a morning ride on my stationary bike.  I also want to try and finish my laundry and lesson plans early, so that I can get to be at a decent hour.  Hopefully, I can resume daily workouts on Monday.  Oh, and I need to (one of these days) open my Total Home Gym, it has been sitting in my hallway still in the box untouched and unopened.