Today I worked my first day at the store where I am doing tarot readings. It was a good day; I was fairly busy and I met some great new people. I ended up doing 5 readings, and three were phone readings. I've never done phone readings before, but I think it went well. No complaints from the customers at least. 
So, after a 9-5 shift, I came home with $71 cash in my pocket. That includes the money I got paid for doing to readings, as well as tips from the customers. Makes me happy.
And today, FINALLY, I got my stimulus check!! Yay! Mine was for $600, so I am really happy with that. We are going to take a little but to use for a few fun summer activities (aquarium, day in Salem, whale watching). I have to use some of it for regular bills that we need to pay and don't otherwise have cash for with me not working full time right now. And I'd like to put some in the House Fund. Too bad we can't just throw it all in our savings or even plop it all on a CC. We're just too strapped for cash right now. I guess I should just be grateful that we got this to helps us out right now. The trick now, is to see how far we can make it stretch.
Tarot and Financial Stimulation
July 5th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
July 6th, 2008 at 02:18 pm 1215353898
July 6th, 2008 at 03:59 pm 1215359966
But, there are some FAB kids things to do other nights and days of October. I highly suggest the Witch Museum. It is a large room that everyone stands in the center of and up above you different sections light up. They are filled with wax figures posed to tell the story of the trials while someone tells the story outloud. Very cool, and a little creepy. If you don't like being scared, skip the witch dungeon. It's really cool (more wax figures and a walk through a dark tunnel), but sometimes people jump out from hidden spots and grab you. As a kid, I was not cool with that.
Make sure you hit the old cemetary (right in the middle of Salem, just follow the smells of food and the other people walking that way. In October, you don't really need to know the area, just follow everyone else). It has some very cool grave stones and graves from way back (1700's). It is next to a memorial for the people who were killed as witches in the witch trials. The memorial is a horseshoe shaped stone wall, with pieces jutting out. Each piece has a name and date on it from someone who was killed. People tend to use them as benches, but locals get po'd at that and a lot of time, you will need to ask someone to stand up so you can read the stone and see who they are sitting on. I aways bring flowers and place one on each stone (20 in all). At the memorial, there are also some great quotes carved onto the walkway.
Also in that same area, there are some cool wooden cut outs where the kids can put their heads through the holes and pose as a pirate, monster, or witch. Oh, and definately try the apple cider. Yum!
The House of Seven Gables is on the waterfront. I always thought it was cool as a kid. It is the house where Hawthorne lived, as well as the house that inspired the book by the same name. If I remember correctly, there is a hidden passage under the stairs that you can walk up. Very cool for the kids.
Also on the waterfront are a bunch of replicas of some cool ships. You can pay a fee and go on them to explore; kids will love that. Oh, and check out the pirate museum for the kids. Very fun.
I recommend avoiding the museum that features horror movie monsters. It was expensive ($10 a person) and consisted of a self guided walk past about 10 wax figures of classic horror movie monsters (Freddy, Jason, Carrie, Swap Thing). Not really worth the money.
Other than that all I can say is to bring a lot of money (things are expensive there, esp. that time of the year) and comfortable walking shoes. You might want to bring a backpack filled with drinks and snacks as well, since it tends to be expensive. Oh, and it is hard to find a public restroom that isn't a smelly porta potty, but right in the center of the brik walkway by the stone fountains (you'll know what I mean when you see it) is a small mall, and you can usually use the public restrooms in there.
There are TONS of gift shops with every imaginable type of Halloween kitch available (I love it).
If you are looking for a place to stay, there are a LOT of local places, such as Holiday Inn, Moetl 8, etc. You might want to stay in Peabody. It is the town next to Salem, about 15 minutes away (follow route 114). Not being in Salem it will be cheaper. If you want to splurge, check out the Hawthorne Hotel right in downtown Salem. It is GORGEOUS (and expensive) and very haunted.
Depending on when in October you go, you might be able to get tickets to the Witch's Ball or Vampire Masquerade (costumes expected). Expensive and fun, but not for kids.
If your hubby likes the witches thing, you might want to check out a store called The Crows Nest. It is a black building that looks like a house and has a black and gold sign. It is owned by Laurie Cabot, who is known as the Official Witch of Salem and it is filled with books, herbs, candles, etc. There is usually a line to wait in to get in since it is rather small and crowded and everyone always wants to go in. She and her daughter own a few more stores in town, as well.
LOL I feel like I could go on and on. As I remember more things, I'll let you know.
July 7th, 2008 at 03:06 am 1215400009
July 7th, 2008 at 06:25 pm 1215455108