money might not grow on trees

but it readily flows from plastic. my credit card is seing some serious action lately, and it's freaking me out just a bit considering i've spent the last 2 years paying it down to zero. some people pour money into their cars, houses, wardrobe, pets or, for the more lucky and - arguably - mature, their savings. travel and food are the only reasons for my financial exorbitance. fix my busted e-brake? nah. a 3 week trip to bonaire, an island in the netherlands antilles, during high season? yes please. frozen chickens in an economy size bag that'll feed you for a month? yuck. but i'll add that $15 square of handmade, limited-edition blue cheese macerated in pear brandy to my overladen grocery basket.

this dive paradise vacation is actually surprisingly reasonable. a 1st class, roundtrip plane ticket was less than $200 because i used miles. i got this exceed empress 3/2mm jumpsuit for less than $120 after shipping, and no-frills boots oughta be less than $30. between p and his dad, i can borrow the rest of the scuba gear. p's bringing their underwater video camera, and i'm also gonna get housing for my digicam - $192 being the cheapest available for shipping to AK. sure it adds up, but considering that a coach flight from juneau to seattle alone costs about $500, that tally ain't so bad.

our big ticket items were accomodations and a truck rental. we booked at a budget place called happy holiday homes, which has spacious, clean bungalows and consistently great reviews. it's a small, family-run business that caters to divers, just a block inland in a tranquil neighborhood. unlimited shore diving tacks on another $110/week. we will just have to dive our brains out. p wants to do 70 because he's nuts, but i'd be happy with 35-45.