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Mar 26, 2015    |       9 comments

Hair Solution

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I was debating what to do about my hair for my upcoming not-an-interview.

As you might recall, I went a full 9+ months without a single professional hair cut/color (I cut and colored my own hair at home during that time). The only reason I opted to finally go back to a professional hair salon was in preparation of my last interview. That was almost exactly 2 months ago and I’ve been really torn on what to do for my upcoming trip. I know I want to have a nice, polished look, but I don’t want to spend a lot of money and I feel like I just barely had my hair done!

Well, I think I came up with a good compromise/solution to the hair conundrum I found myself in (first world problems, right?) I went to an Aveda Institute salon (the “Institute” salons are the schools so they’re cheaper) and I paid for a cut and eyebrow wax, deciding to forego the color. I think my “old” highlights (said in quotes because they’re only 2 months old!) still look great. I don’t have a noticeable line of new growth and I think they’re holding up well. But my last salon visit I did more of a trim so, to have the polished freshly-cut look, I had the hair stylist cut a couple inches off the bottom and add in some new subtle layers.

The total cost for cut + eyebrow wax was a whopping $25. Add in the cost of tip ($7) and parking ($3) and the grand total was $35. Much, much cheaper than if I’d added in any color. Plus, I think the new ‘do provides a nice, polished look to it. Could just be a psychological thing, too, but hey – it’s important to feel confident at an interview, so I think it’s worth the price tag (plus I’d budgeted for this back in February, too).

Speaking of….

Surprise! I’m here now! (note:  I’ve purposely not mentioned where, specifically, I am….but I’m at the interview location, heh).

I flew in on Wednesday afternoon, picked up my shiny new rental car (brand new! so many fun/cool features!), and checked into my super fancy-pants hotel (with a full kitchen! full fridge! free hot breakfast! free evening social hour!!!) I’ll miss my kiddos but – man – can I stay an extra day? LoL! I feel like I’m in the lap of luxury right now!!

Meanwhile, I wrote this post on Wednesday night as TODAY is my interview not-an-interview! Wish me luck! They’ve got my itinerary pretty jam-packed in the morning (guest lecture from 9:30-10:45; then research presentation from 11:00-12:00), but then the rest of the day is more casual (lunch with faculty, individual faculty meetings, etc.). I wish it wasn’t back-to-back with my two presentations first thing in the morning, but at least that way I’ve got them out of the way and can just basically coast the rest of the day.

So – for a second time – please wish me luck! I know that there’s not officially a position open right now, but I’ve got to think that if this visit goes well that I’ll have made the short list for the next position that comes available (whenever that may be).

Also, thanks to those of you who have sent lists/links of interview questions for academic positions. I’ve definitely used them to brush up a bit before my campus visit.

Hope you all have a great Thursday! I’ll see you next week when I’m back in Tucson!

Mar 25, 2015    |       11 comments

Read the Fine Print

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As with most of us here, I am constantly looking for ways to cut expenses.  In fact, that has been the biggest way that I have been making strides in paying off debt.  So I was so excited when I saw a headline that read…Feed a Family of 5 for $200 per month!  I just knew they had some sort of magic couponing trick to get food really cheap, a great meal plan that lets you stretch things out for several meals and some other super component that I have been missing, because food gets us all the time!

So, of course, I clicked right through and the first sentence dashed all my hopes!  They were feeding two adults, a young elementary aged child and two toddlers.  Of course, their food bill is less than mine.  The two adults can make healthy choices and wait between meals (one thing they pointed out they did.)  Their elementary aged child will eat what they are given and doesn’t consume alot, and toddlers…eat like birds.  I did continue to read the rest of their meal plan to see if I could gain any new knowledge that would help me in my continued quest to feed my family healthier yet more economic foods.  But alas, all I did was come away disappointed.

But it did bring to mind a lot of what really gets me in doing this blogging thing.  So many of my critics, who I certainly appreciate as they always motivate to do more, constantly compare me and my choices to Ashley.  While we do have several things in common such as:

  • Both native Texans and our family remains there, so travel is required to see them.
  • Variable income due to her husband’s job and my job.
  • Have kids.

I think that about sums it up.  The reality is that we are very different such as:

  • I actually moved here to VA to be close to my family, 4 of the 7 of us lived here when I moved here 11 years ago.  When the last two moved back to TX just about 2 years ago, it cut me very deeply.  And not seeing them regularly is anguish at times.  So I will eat the travel expenses to see them when I can. (I am proud to say that I  have only taken the 1 trip down, but it’s not for lack of wanting.  Just trying to stay the course for debt pay off.)
  • I am a single mom with no second income to count on and no one to help make decisions.  (You have no idea how valuable a second opinion is even on day to day choices until you no longer have one, especially when there are kids involved.)
  • My kids are almost grown…16 years olds who are almost driving (think car insurance premiums) and two almost middle schoolers who are constantly growing and heavily involved in activities.  All of them who eat quite a bit, as compared to toddlers.

I could go on, but I think you get my point.  We all have to learn to read the fine print when we see those headlines that might make us think we can do better.  And I would ask that when commenting on my posts, you remember that comparing Ashley’s life and mine is like comparing apples to oranges rather than apples to apples.

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