Monday, March 4, 2013

A week at a glance

By Sunday, it seemed that the bad mojo snowball had finally stopped rolling.  *phew*  I was over it.

This week should be fairly quiet.  The kids start standardized testing tomorrow (they have 9 days, usually Tues-Thurs) which means.....no homework!!!  While Sassy is independent with her homework, Bossy is not.  And it can be hairy trying to make dinner and do HW, and deal with any tears that can accompany HW.  Plus, we do 30 minutes of reading.

The kids start "dog" class tomorrow.  They have taken this class twice before and love it.  They work with therapy dogs and "train" them to go through an obstacle course.  It involves following multi-step directions, having confidence, and being vocal and strong.  Both kids can benefit from having a little help in these areas.

The Father/Daughter dance is Friday night.  I have gotten over the frustration that the first dress I ordered had a stain, and this afternoon I will package it up to be returned.  Sassy loves her new dress (purchased with a gift card to Macy's from something I had to return, as I very rarely shop there).  I decided that I will have to do her hair for the dance (vs going and having it done).  It just isn't in the budget.  I won't do as good of a job, but I will try!  And we have to bring a finger food for the refreshment table, and I am making my life easier and purchasing Chicken Salad and rolls.  I was going to make the chicken salad....but at some point I have to admit I can't do everything.

I am hoping that we find out more about the Sequester this week and how it relates to G-man's schedule.  As it stands now, he will have one work day "off" per payperiod, unpaid.  Now, we don't know when this will start, or what day per week it will be (or even if it will be the same day each time!).  It equates to 10% of his pay.  Plus, overtime is more or less frozen.  And trainings have been postponed (he is supposed to have an out of town training in May).  No idea if any of these things will actually happen....it will depend on how long the sequester goes.  But in the meantime, we have to plan for a 10% pay cut....which may or may not be paid later.

In the meantime, I am having to come to terms that there are alot of tentative plans that will just have to be shelved for the moment.  I can't justify spending the money if there is a chance we will need it for REAL expenses later.  The only one I might bend on is getting a $50 gift card from my Discover Card bonus points (I have over $400 right now, and can get a $50 card for $40) so we can paint Sassy's room.

Otherwise, unless it is BROKEN, it ain't getting fixed.  I am hoping that just decluttering and cleaning will make me feel a little better around the house.  The spring projects just will have to wait.

Hope everyone has a terrific week!!!!

10 comments:

  1. Hope your week get's better! I agree on the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it comment', there are other things that should be a priority right now. :) I'm sure your dd's hair will look great! I never had someone to "do" my hair when I was younger and it hasn't scarred me for life.. ;) lol!

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    1. Sassy's hair is very long. Like, almost to her waist. It is a little bit of a challenge to make "fancy" for me. She has only had her hair done once, and that was last year for the dance. I had hoped to be able to do it again, but alas....

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  2. I need to be in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" category, I'm more of a "if it ain't broke, how can I make it better'.

    Sorry about the overtime, can he get in to a salary role? I'm salary and some weeks I work 30 hours but still get paid for 40 but of course some weeks I work 50 hours.. but my paycheck never changes and I don't have to worry about tracking every hour, I can come and go as I please.

    HS

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    1. A salary position isn't on the horizon right now. Most of the jobs at his office are hourly. Tis the wonder of the federal gov't.

      I tend to be in the "make it better" category as well. But I am going to have to just be strong.

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  3. Good luck with dealing with the Sequester. So much uncertainty right now.... so right on with the "if ain't broke don't fix it"!!!! Good luck!

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    1. G-man seems to think that the Sequester will only last a few weeks. But he was furloughed back in 1995, and that was a complete furlough....for 6 weeks!

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  4. That does sound like a tough situation for G-man, hope they can come to (satisfactory terms) with the whole budget shifting. Definitely, now would be the best time to hoard a bit of those funds, in case the worst case scenarios do come to happen, so that you can weather those waters with a bit more ease. Still, here's to hoping they can reach an agreeable agreement!

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    1. For the meantime, I am only going to pay the minimums on things and try and save a few bucks. Won't do much for the debt, but in the long run, at least it will be going to a good cause.

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  5. I have been following your blog for some time and thoroughly enjoying it. As a new financial blogger I have been a bit timid about stepping forward and leaving a comment but I commend you for how you are handling your debt situation while raising a family. I look forward to all your posts. Juliane

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  6. I think its great that your kids are in dog training classes. I think everyone can learn from working with animals.

    I hope the sequester ends soon. It affects so many families.

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