The last time I opened up my computer to install the new video card I realized that my CDRW was also going bad. Or well, already went bad. It doesn’t work at all so I need a new one if I ever plan using a CD of any kind with this computer ever again. I also happened to have a review that I needed to do for eBillMe, a fast, secure way to pay cash for online purchases, so this was the perfect time to get that drive.

I surfed over to TigerDirect.com (they accept eBillMe) earlier this evening and browsed every cheap drive they had listed. Yes, I’m “frugal” like that. I found one that was the least expensive (actually free after I send the rebate that if being offered in) and quickly headed to the checkout process. I filled out my information as you would do with any online purchase but this time I chose the “eBillMe” option instead of putting in all of my credit card information. I have honestly never had a fear of using my cards online as I feel I am pretty protected for the most part but I do hate the hassle of having to go grab the card from my purse. I’m lazy and frugal. So this was a breath of fresh air. No movement required.

Let me tell you, checking out with eBillMe was FAST and so easy!!

As soon as I finished my order I was given an account number (as you can see above) and biller information for eBillMe. I took this information to the web bill pay area of my credit union’s website and added the company as a biller along with everyone else I throw money at every month and then sent the exact amount of my order to them from my bank account.

Just. Like. That.

Done.

I’m amazed at how quick and easy it was. I’m almost a little skeptical because it was TOO easy. I never had a moment of “duhh.. what do I do now?”. It took me all of 5 minutes and I’m all set.

Now I just have to wait on that spiffy new drive to make my geeky world right again.

If you are already using web bill pay with your bank, or have the option, this is a great way to pay for your online purchases. You never give ANYONE your banking information. Not the web store you’re shopping with and not even eBillMe. I feel so warm, fuzzy and free from the threat of identity theft right now and that’s great.

How the hell do you make sunburn itch go away!? It’s been almost a week and I am not only still in PAIN, like for real.. PAIN.. but I am now itching so badly that I can barely sit still. I’m about ready to get bear like and start rubbing against my fake ficus tree here in the living room.

AHHH!

I had to take Tylenol PM just to get any sleep last night and I have a feeling we’ll be repeating that tonight.

*off to scratch*

Of all of the times I went to Florida on vacation for the summer with my grandparents and then later LIVING there, I never went to any of the cool theme parks or other fun things to do in Orlando. We would go shopping and on other little road trips, just barely getting close enough to see the parks, but my grandparents would never spring for real fun. I mainly wanted to see Disney, of course, but because their own kids acted like hellions when they were younger at a Disney park, my grandparents refused to even try it again. Whatever! Someday I’ll get there on my own, with my own little ones and have a great time, I’m sure. Until then I’ll keep dreaming about that Orlando vacation - and researching!

TrustedTours.com has great online travel guides available for Orlando and just about any other city you can think of. Whether you are looking for theme parks or something a little more intellectual like the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, they have the info! They even have a newsletter that you can sign up for and right now you will be entered to win a $150 iTunes gift card (Offer ends July 31st, 2008). That’s a win/win situation right there.

I’m still debating on whether or not to make an appt to get my hair cut. How ridiculous is that? I have been researching for a week straight because I am just *that* picky. There’s a couple of salons right across the street that look decent and then there’s a couple of others that are further away but still very tempting. Ahh .. I don’t know. I want to go through with it and get a major change and at the same time I’m scurrrrred. I don’t want to walk out looking like a pin head. Tiny head, big old bod. I’m sure most chubby chicks know that fear. Why I think the length or style of my hair will have any effect on how big my ass looks is beyond me.

*sighs*

So much to do today .. but at the same time not.

I think I just get a little too wired about stupid things, quite honestly. No need for a date book or a pocket watch with an alarm to keep me in line.

Though I do need to remember to get to the store and buy BUTTER. Man .. you never realize how much you use it (or maybe it’s just me) until you’re out. I made breakfast muffins yesterday and a banana cake last night and my supply was wiped out. Pray for me. Every small “I just need butter” trip to the store ends up being a cart of crap that I don’t need.

I’m owed money and it’s days late .. but there’s no sign of it coming in anytime soon. I hate it when people are late, especially with money! I have a bill that I need to pay off this month (woo hoo for being done with those payments) and I want to just get it paid.

I’ve been doing pretty good with making a little money on the side to pay debts off. I want to get the stuff in my name out of my hair eventually. I don’t have the best credit on my own so there’s no way to get a loan or any help. It’s all on me. Of course not being able to get something like a debt consolidation hurts but at the same time, it doesn’t. I’ll feel so much more pride once I’ve accomplished my goals on my own. At least I think I will.

OH MY GAWD!

I’m in pain and reminded why I’m a hermit much of the summer. Just a couple of hours at the pool .. just a little fun. Arrgh! I’m thinking in my haste to get the pool (I literally woke up and said “let’s go!”) I forgot that sunscreen needs to be applied in advance, not just before walking out the door. SPF 50? Not so much when it’s on the fly I suppose. I just wanted to get out there quickly, as soon as it opened. I’m paranoid about taking the kids out there and having them bug the crud out of people who are simply sunning their boobies (they are very social kids who like to ask questions constantly) so I figured if we were there first .. well, neener-neener - we were there first. Sun your boobies, in peace, some other time!

But I did have fun and I didn’t burn anyone’s eyeballs out with my bathing beauty bod. Thank goodness. I’m happy to be over that issue because we seriously have a beautiful pool area equipped with a lifeguard on duty and for the amount we pay in rent - I’m gonna use it (and the cute, very tan, very muscle-y lifeguard)!

Next time though .. I’m planning ahead! I really need to chill on disrespecting my body. I didn’t go outside much for weeks due to the smoke in the air (and my ridiculous fear of breathing in some funk and getting mesothelioma or something) and now that I’m out and about more it’s nothing but burns and pain. ack.

The last few days have been exhaustingly boring! BO-RING!

Lots of everyday mundane duties, as always. I think I’ve been to Target THREE times since payday. They probably think I’m casing the joint for a robbery attempt. I swear. But I keep forgetting things. I go in for one thing and come out with another. I’m going to have to stay away for awhile though because they have all of their summer stuff on clearance and it is just too tempting!! A $200 wicker chair with cushion for the balcony would only be $49.98! But .. yeah, don’t need it. I’ve already spent my “play” money this month on books. More books that I’ll never find the time to read. I’m like a squirrel hoarding nuts.

I did save myself over $40 the first trip though! Lots of maxi pads and disposable razors (or “leg cleaners” as Will calls them), free with coupons.

Other than that I have just been busy screwing off, avoiding laundry, forcing the cat to pose for photos with me like the dork that I am. She doesn’t look amused but she was purring the entire time, promise. She even tried to lick the lens clean for me.

I have always wanted to order one of these cookies bouquets from CookiesByDesign.com but of course I didn’t know what they looked like in person or how they would arrive so I held off. That’s a lot of money to spend if you aren’t sure of what will be sent, you know? Well now I DO know! There’s a great review of the product/company on AccidentalMommies.com. You can check that out HERE! Now that I know that they arrive so fresh and in good shape I will have to try them the next time I need a gift for someone special. How wonderful would it be to receive one of those?!

If you would like a chance to try one yourself, enter the contest!! You could win a bouquet of your own.

I’m thinking we’ll just keep our VA tags on the car and deal with the stupid property tax hassle and getting it waved yearly. We’ve been trying for the last couple of weeks to transfer our old FL plate to the van but it is SUCH a mess and a pain.

They want copies of this, forms filled out for that and a bunch of money in between all of that. I understand that it’s because we’re doing it in another state and that only complicates things but man .. what a mess. I just don’t get it because if we drove the 1,000 miles and did it in person it would take $40 and a few minutes of our time - which is what we may end up doing. We want to go down to visit the grandparents sometime this fall anyway.