At some point I will actually talk finances....but in reality, we are just in a holding pattern. It isn't terribly interesting. Once the house sells.....then it will get interesting!
In the meantime, the stress of everything has started to take a toll. I know I am not getting a restful sleep, so I am tired. My stomach is all cramped up, and it isn't the stomach bug that is going around. Just thinking about all the stuff I need to do starts a chain reaction in my body of stress, adrenaline, etc.
I am debating taking Monday off from work. I already need to go in late (around Noon) because Bossy is getting his braces on. His appointment should be over about 11:00...then take him to school....drive to work. I usually work until 3:30, but I was planning on working until 5. But then I get home at 5:30, and dinner is late, and I am off schedule....
It starts all over....stress, adrenaline...
So I am toying with just taking the day off. I will bring home whatever work I can (but it may not be much that I can do from home). And I will not like missing the pay. But I need a catch up day. I need a day to get through all the phone calls, errands, and miscellaneous tasks that are just piling up.
I want to be able to crunch some numbers. Do our taxes. Call Verizon to get $10 off our bill. I want to go through the pile of "stuff" that I have been shoving aside. I want to feel like I am in control of my life, instead of a series of reactions to whatever is going on.
The stress around here is reaching critical levels. The kids are grumpy, I am grumpy. Bossy has started soiling himself. Sassy is back talking (but that could just be my pre-teen discovering how to get under my skin).
Of course....we may get snow. And my mini-plan might be foiled. I may spend the day shoveling snow....again.
Right now I am just desperate to clear the board. I hate feeling like I have so much hanging over me. I wish the weekend could allow me to do all of this, but I spend every weekend dealing with the showings on the house, bickering kids, house noise. I need a quiet day....one where I can make a mega TO DO list, and just keep crossing stuff off. I know there is no way I would get it ALL done....but to feel like I can at least make a dent.....it may be worth one day pay.
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Monday, February 9, 2015
Bits and Bobbles
Since January 24...my world has been at MACH-10. I am ready for it slow down a little. Not sure that is actually going to happen....but it is a nice fantasy.
****
Ooh La La
I was glad that I wasn't the only parent on Saturday morning who needed "one more hug" when dropping the kids off for Quebec. (And thank you for all the support on our decision to do this!) They made it there safely, although later than expected. The teacher has sent an email each night (or morning, as it is posted at 1am!!) that everyone is fine and having fun, even though it is COLD.
Sassy has NOT e-mailed us....which either means she couldn't figure it out with the Wifi (and we told her to ask an adult for help....) or she is just too busy/excited and having fun. Either way...not happy that she is not checking in. But very happy she is enjoying herself (or at least she appears to be in the few pictures she has been in that the teacher posted). And she had her camera in the pictures we saw....so at least we know that she hasn't lost it. lol
****
SNOW!
Yes, this is New England in the winter. It snows here. But we have had back to back storms for 2 weeks...enough. Need a break.
It is snowing now, and my office is closed until Noon, but I told Boss that I am just going to work from home today anyway. No school today....still need to shovel....and
****
My Car
My car is back in the shop....for the third time in 2 weeks. I had to get a rental car last Thursday that I still have (and that was a story in itself....seriously.....not everything should be a story, but it seems like in my world, that is just how I roll).
My car actually is at a different shop (again....a story) and should be done today. Front drive shaft....$724. On top of the $812 we already paid...oh and the $93.....oh and the rental car..... this little episode is somewhere around $1800 now.
****
Finances
I have to balance the checkbook, pay some bills, sort some stuff out. I have just been in crisis mode for 2 weeks, and I have just done the bare basics to get by. I "think" that is on the slate for tomorrow night.
I would like to do our taxes this coming weekend and be done with that. Plus, we could use the refund.
****
Treating Myself
I am going out on Valentine's Day with a girlfriend, and a few of her friends. We are going to have dinner...and go to see THE MOVIE. If you don't know the movie....you should be able to figure it out fairly easily. I NEED some time off!!!
I did take Bossy to the trampoline park this weekend, with 2 friends and their kids. I thought I would feel silly jumping on the trampoline, but it was INCREDIBLE stress relief. I highly recommend it.
****
The House
Things are starting to roll! I am holding off on reporting too much right now, but we are hopeful at this point.
As for a new house...we are actually looking at a NEW house. Never did we think we would be able to do that! But there is a popular builder who is an "all inclusive" (i.e., many of the standard features are what most think of as upgrades) and we are looking at that community. While there is a floor plan that I LOVE....that one is out of our price range. But there is another we like and IS in the price range. The community has a pool. It is the school system we wanted, and because this area is a little further out than we wanted...the taxes are even cheaper. Our drive will be just a hair bit longer than we were hoping for, but still less than we are doing now. And this is an up and coming area, so there is a good chance that our house value will continue to go up.
****
Like I said....bits and bobbles!
****
Ooh La La
I was glad that I wasn't the only parent on Saturday morning who needed "one more hug" when dropping the kids off for Quebec. (And thank you for all the support on our decision to do this!) They made it there safely, although later than expected. The teacher has sent an email each night (or morning, as it is posted at 1am!!) that everyone is fine and having fun, even though it is COLD.
Sassy has NOT e-mailed us....which either means she couldn't figure it out with the Wifi (and we told her to ask an adult for help....) or she is just too busy/excited and having fun. Either way...not happy that she is not checking in. But very happy she is enjoying herself (or at least she appears to be in the few pictures she has been in that the teacher posted). And she had her camera in the pictures we saw....so at least we know that she hasn't lost it. lol
****
SNOW!
Yes, this is New England in the winter. It snows here. But we have had back to back storms for 2 weeks...enough. Need a break.
It is snowing now, and my office is closed until Noon, but I told Boss that I am just going to work from home today anyway. No school today....still need to shovel....and
****
My Car
My car is back in the shop....for the third time in 2 weeks. I had to get a rental car last Thursday that I still have (and that was a story in itself....seriously.....not everything should be a story, but it seems like in my world, that is just how I roll).
My car actually is at a different shop (again....a story) and should be done today. Front drive shaft....$724. On top of the $812 we already paid...oh and the $93.....oh and the rental car..... this little episode is somewhere around $1800 now.
****
Finances
I have to balance the checkbook, pay some bills, sort some stuff out. I have just been in crisis mode for 2 weeks, and I have just done the bare basics to get by. I "think" that is on the slate for tomorrow night.
I would like to do our taxes this coming weekend and be done with that. Plus, we could use the refund.
****
Treating Myself
I am going out on Valentine's Day with a girlfriend, and a few of her friends. We are going to have dinner...and go to see THE MOVIE. If you don't know the movie....you should be able to figure it out fairly easily. I NEED some time off!!!
I did take Bossy to the trampoline park this weekend, with 2 friends and their kids. I thought I would feel silly jumping on the trampoline, but it was INCREDIBLE stress relief. I highly recommend it.
****
The House
Things are starting to roll! I am holding off on reporting too much right now, but we are hopeful at this point.
As for a new house...we are actually looking at a NEW house. Never did we think we would be able to do that! But there is a popular builder who is an "all inclusive" (i.e., many of the standard features are what most think of as upgrades) and we are looking at that community. While there is a floor plan that I LOVE....that one is out of our price range. But there is another we like and IS in the price range. The community has a pool. It is the school system we wanted, and because this area is a little further out than we wanted...the taxes are even cheaper. Our drive will be just a hair bit longer than we were hoping for, but still less than we are doing now. And this is an up and coming area, so there is a good chance that our house value will continue to go up.
****
Like I said....bits and bobbles!
Friday, January 30, 2015
Exhausted
I planned on writing a more detailed account of things...but I just don't have it in me. The past seven days has kicked my physical and emotional tushie. I have been overwhelmed and stressed out. So I am HOPING that this weekend can be less eventful....let me catch up on some sleep and house stuff....and start February fresh. February is booked solid....I gotta get geared up.
But I will at least give you the highlights of the past week....some of I have already shared:
Realtor wants to do a showing on Sunday...so I have to get the house show ready...and leave. And did I mention we ate getting more snow Sunday night?
Stick a fork in me......I am done. I have a busy weekend of paperwork ahead (normal bill paying, taxes, and submitting financial waiver request for Bossy's medical supplies), need to catch up on laundry and do the "once over" in the house, and prepare for something else that is next weekend (that I will share after it is all said and done). I hope your week was WAY better than mine. I am not a football person....so no Super Bowl stuff for me....but if that is your bag, baby....you have a great time!!!!
But I will at least give you the highlights of the past week....some of I have already shared:
Saturday, January 24
- Shovel out from snow
- Fix broken sink
- Wedding anniversary
Sunday, January 25
- Calm before the storm (literally!)
Monday, January 26
- Busy day at office (including the copier breaking)
- Car break down on the side of road
- Drank wine
Tuesday, January 27
- Shovel out from 2 feet of snow
- Multiple calls to deal with car
- Multiple calls to talk to Brother about something big with my parents (I will not be going into this...but this has been a huge source of stress, has required many hours of phone calls, and we weren't sure how it was going to end)
- Work from home for 6 hrs
Wednesday, January 28
- Kids still home from school
- Shovel the several inches of snow we got overnight
- Borrow neighbor's car for work (I can't believe she offered...and it was a lifesaver)
- More phone calls about car, and had to go down to the place that towed my car to deal with them
Thursday, January 29
- Copier broke at office (2nd time this week...and I NEED the copier for alot of things....and the repair guy couldn't make it out to fix it),
- Work computer died (seriously....not my week for things breaking....),
- Borrowed car again
- Car repaired to the tune of $812 (+$93 from Monday, but $100 will be reimbursed from insurance....needed new battery and my power steering cables blew out....part of the bill was for the 2nd tow, and half of the remainder of the bill was the labor charges)
- Children locked themselves out of the house
- Things came to a head with my parents (but thankfully went way better than expected)
Friday, January 30
- As I write this, it is only 6:40 in the morning...the day is still young!
- Will need to deal with the little bit of snow we got overnight and whatever falls today
Realtor wants to do a showing on Sunday...so I have to get the house show ready...and leave. And did I mention we ate getting more snow Sunday night?
Stick a fork in me......I am done. I have a busy weekend of paperwork ahead (normal bill paying, taxes, and submitting financial waiver request for Bossy's medical supplies), need to catch up on laundry and do the "once over" in the house, and prepare for something else that is next weekend (that I will share after it is all said and done). I hope your week was WAY better than mine. I am not a football person....so no Super Bowl stuff for me....but if that is your bag, baby....you have a great time!!!!
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Let's NOT repeat this situation
I have had some scary moments in my life. The top ones involve the kids. But this one is definitely ranking up there.....at least cracking into the top 5.
*For the record, while we currently have a foot of powdery snow, we will NOT be getting the 30 inches that were forecasted...or at least not where I am. However, Boston is getting pummeled...and that is what was supposed to be here in CT* ETA, 11:30am. Boy was I wrong!!!! I thought it was about a foot....closer to 2 feet!!!! I had the kids help in the beginning, but it was very cold, and I didn't want them out for too long. Plus...as much as I love them....I just wanted to get it done, and this was not the time for the teachable moment. Please enjoy some snow pics before getting to the REAL story in this post. :)
#Snowmeggedon2015 started about Noon on Monday, but wasn't sticking yet. I left the office at 3:30 with a box of work (office had already closed for Tuesday, as did school). I stopped at a nearby shopping center....picked up cat food and a puzzle for the kids. Headed home. I was going to make chicken and potatoes and green beans for dinner. Planned on doing some work so that I wasn't as busy on Tuesday since I had to shovel out as well.
However....as Kim has said before....Mysti makes plans, God laughs.
I was about half way home, on a major highway....traffic was slowing down because the snow was falling much heavier by then and was starting to stick. Plus it was WINDY. All of a sudden....I hear THUD. THUD thud THUD thud.
Aw crap. What the heck is wrong with my car????? Since it was rhythmic, I thought maybe I rolled over something and had a flat tire. I was on the far left side of the 4 lane highway with no shoulder....made my way across to the other side where there was a shoulder.
Looked at the tires....they looked fine. I called G-man, and he told me to check the lug nuts. Well, then I couldn't find the tire kit. He googled it, and I now know that is is screwed under my back seat. So I am hanging out of the car, upside down, unscrewing the tire kit.
Checked all the tires....they were fine. Not dragging anything. Nothing looked out of place. By this point it is getting dark, and snow is really blowing. I decided to limp the car home, and would deal with it there. Except.....
Now the car won't start. Seriously. It started just fine at the office....after my errands....and now it is dead.
I am sitting on the side of a major road....in a snow storm (albeit still early in the storm, but my car was covered in snow by this point)....with a dead car.
Deep breath. I don't have AAA (but that is changing this week!) but we do have roadside assistance through our car insurance. Tried calling them....all circuits are busy. OF COURSE THEY ARE. I try again a few minutes later.....get them on the phone....and......The state police pull up to tell me I can't park on the side of the road.
I am not parked!!!!! My car won't start!!!!
Roadside assistance tells me it will be 1.5-2 hrs to get someone to tow the car. Police say that isn't acceptable and they will call a tow truck which will respond faster. OK...what choice do I have. Luckily, the tow truck came quickly....
Except he can't tow my car where I want it to go (15 min away, near my house). He can take it to his shop that is at the next exit on the highway. We passed several other disabled cars in just that short distance, so he had to go get them next. So he dropped me off at a Dunkin' Donuts on the corner and took my car.
I am walk into Dunkin' Donuts with a paper ream box with my work, cat food, and my purse (I left the puzzle in the car. *sad* ). I had been on the phone with my friend around the corner to see if she could get me. She can't....she is home with her kids....and her friend's kids....and her husband is at work.
Ok...called my boss....he was the next closest in distance and he has a truck. I felt stupid calling...but I didn't really have many options. So he came and got me and brought me home.
I got home a little after 6pm (remember...I left 2.5 hrs before). I fixed a frozen pizza for my kids (nothing but the finest processed food for my family!)....because my patience to now cook dinner was left on the side of the road. And....I opened a bottle of wine. And I drank....a bottle of wine.
Yep. I drank a bottle of wine. So no, I didn't do any work. I was home....the kids were fed (not the best dinner, but it was food).....and since I wasn't going anywhere without a car in a snowstorm.....I drank a bottle of wine. And it was delicious. I was in warm jammies, with an awesome buzz. I am not a drinker, and usually don't have wine...but I was given this bottle at Christmas as a gift. I need to really thank the gift giver....
My friends all tell me someday I need to write a book....because the stories about stuff that happens to me really just can't be made up. Not that having a broken down car is unique...but really??? Didn't I just fix the sink the other day....haven't I put in my "this wasn't part of my job description" dues for the week???
So here we are....I have to call about my car, but there is a good chance, per the tow driver, that they won't even be able to look at my car until Thursday. I am hoping that since the storm wasn't as bad as predicted, that maybe the time line will change. Meanwhile...I will probably have to rent a car.
ETA: The car nightmare is turning into a whole other post....stay tuned for the next part tomorrow!
I can't complain about my car too much. We have owned it for over 3 yrs, and the only real issue we have had was when I replaced the tires last year. So now I have to pay the tow truck (insurance will reimburse up to $50)... get my car fixed....and possibly rent a car....
Yeah, that wasn't in the budget.
I stayed calm....I did what I had to do....but it was scary. A broken down car when it is dark and snowy....ugh. I was just glad I didn't have the kids with me. Even if I did have AAA, the police wouldn't have let me wait for them, so the scenario would have still played out. But I do want AAA now....just for the peace of mind. Nope, that wasn't in the budget either....but I don't really care about that. It was scary...and even if I only use it one time...it will be worth it.
Well.....I guess I better get some work done before I have to shovel the snow!!!
*For the record, while we currently have a foot of powdery snow, we will NOT be getting the 30 inches that were forecasted...or at least not where I am. However, Boston is getting pummeled...and that is what was supposed to be here in CT* ETA, 11:30am. Boy was I wrong!!!! I thought it was about a foot....closer to 2 feet!!!! I had the kids help in the beginning, but it was very cold, and I didn't want them out for too long. Plus...as much as I love them....I just wanted to get it done, and this was not the time for the teachable moment. Please enjoy some snow pics before getting to the REAL story in this post. :)
#Snowmeggedon2015 started about Noon on Monday, but wasn't sticking yet. I left the office at 3:30 with a box of work (office had already closed for Tuesday, as did school). I stopped at a nearby shopping center....picked up cat food and a puzzle for the kids. Headed home. I was going to make chicken and potatoes and green beans for dinner. Planned on doing some work so that I wasn't as busy on Tuesday since I had to shovel out as well.
However....as Kim has said before....Mysti makes plans, God laughs.
I was about half way home, on a major highway....traffic was slowing down because the snow was falling much heavier by then and was starting to stick. Plus it was WINDY. All of a sudden....I hear THUD. THUD thud THUD thud.
Aw crap. What the heck is wrong with my car????? Since it was rhythmic, I thought maybe I rolled over something and had a flat tire. I was on the far left side of the 4 lane highway with no shoulder....made my way across to the other side where there was a shoulder.
Looked at the tires....they looked fine. I called G-man, and he told me to check the lug nuts. Well, then I couldn't find the tire kit. He googled it, and I now know that is is screwed under my back seat. So I am hanging out of the car, upside down, unscrewing the tire kit.
Checked all the tires....they were fine. Not dragging anything. Nothing looked out of place. By this point it is getting dark, and snow is really blowing. I decided to limp the car home, and would deal with it there. Except.....
Now the car won't start. Seriously. It started just fine at the office....after my errands....and now it is dead.
I am sitting on the side of a major road....in a snow storm (albeit still early in the storm, but my car was covered in snow by this point)....with a dead car.
Deep breath. I don't have AAA (but that is changing this week!) but we do have roadside assistance through our car insurance. Tried calling them....all circuits are busy. OF COURSE THEY ARE. I try again a few minutes later.....get them on the phone....and......The state police pull up to tell me I can't park on the side of the road.
I am not parked!!!!! My car won't start!!!!
Roadside assistance tells me it will be 1.5-2 hrs to get someone to tow the car. Police say that isn't acceptable and they will call a tow truck which will respond faster. OK...what choice do I have. Luckily, the tow truck came quickly....
Except he can't tow my car where I want it to go (15 min away, near my house). He can take it to his shop that is at the next exit on the highway. We passed several other disabled cars in just that short distance, so he had to go get them next. So he dropped me off at a Dunkin' Donuts on the corner and took my car.
I am walk into Dunkin' Donuts with a paper ream box with my work, cat food, and my purse (I left the puzzle in the car. *sad* ). I had been on the phone with my friend around the corner to see if she could get me. She can't....she is home with her kids....and her friend's kids....and her husband is at work.
Ok...called my boss....he was the next closest in distance and he has a truck. I felt stupid calling...but I didn't really have many options. So he came and got me and brought me home.
I got home a little after 6pm (remember...I left 2.5 hrs before). I fixed a frozen pizza for my kids (nothing but the finest processed food for my family!)....because my patience to now cook dinner was left on the side of the road. And....I opened a bottle of wine. And I drank....a bottle of wine.
Yep. I drank a bottle of wine. So no, I didn't do any work. I was home....the kids were fed (not the best dinner, but it was food).....and since I wasn't going anywhere without a car in a snowstorm.....I drank a bottle of wine. And it was delicious. I was in warm jammies, with an awesome buzz. I am not a drinker, and usually don't have wine...but I was given this bottle at Christmas as a gift. I need to really thank the gift giver....
My friends all tell me someday I need to write a book....because the stories about stuff that happens to me really just can't be made up. Not that having a broken down car is unique...but really??? Didn't I just fix the sink the other day....haven't I put in my "this wasn't part of my job description" dues for the week???
So here we are....I have to call about my car, but there is a good chance, per the tow driver, that they won't even be able to look at my car until Thursday. I am hoping that since the storm wasn't as bad as predicted, that maybe the time line will change. Meanwhile...I will probably have to rent a car.
ETA: The car nightmare is turning into a whole other post....stay tuned for the next part tomorrow!
I can't complain about my car too much. We have owned it for over 3 yrs, and the only real issue we have had was when I replaced the tires last year. So now I have to pay the tow truck (insurance will reimburse up to $50)... get my car fixed....and possibly rent a car....
Yeah, that wasn't in the budget.
I stayed calm....I did what I had to do....but it was scary. A broken down car when it is dark and snowy....ugh. I was just glad I didn't have the kids with me. Even if I did have AAA, the police wouldn't have let me wait for them, so the scenario would have still played out. But I do want AAA now....just for the peace of mind. Nope, that wasn't in the budget either....but I don't really care about that. It was scary...and even if I only use it one time...it will be worth it.
Well.....I guess I better get some work done before I have to shovel the snow!!!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Family DRAMA - the final instillation
For those of you who are following along....I swear, this is how it all went down. Yes, my family is dysfunctional on so many levels. I know. And while it is easy to say "just don't give into it," 37 years of dealing with it in a certain manner is not easily changed. I am working on it, but the after effects of my family run deep.
I won't bore you with a super long post about this part....because it could get REALLY long. So I will hit the highlights.
But here is the big story I teased about....
Right before we left, my uncle was a little jittery. I asked him if he had enough to eat.....yes, I ate 2 sandwiches. OK, how about drinking water (it was in the upper 90's that day). He said he was drinking soda. I said, well, you need water to rehydrate, and I will get you some.
He turned around to me and said he knew his body, and he didn't need water. I "argued" that water was better for hydration, and he needs to make sure he stays hydrated in the heat. I, in a kidding manner, said "hey, I can sass you just as easily as I sass them (meaning my parents)."
WHOA. World War III.
He told me that "I wasn't too big for him to put over his knee." I said I respectfully disagree. And he goes on to say that when his other niece (my aunt's oldest niece) was 16, she sassed him, and wouldn't stop, so he spanked her, and she never did it again. I said there is a big difference between a teenager, whose brain hasn't fully developed yet, and a grown adult.
He argued back that was BS, and in his day, "children" respected adults. My dad jumped in about spanking and that only a parent has the "right" to spank their child, and yes...there is an age where it wasn't appropriate.
Cue my time to leave. While I realize my uncle is grieving....being "put in my place" because I was trying to get him to take care of himself....forget it.
I have spoken to my dad once since all of this, and he had nothing to say about anything. I will have to talk to Mom to get more details. But there ya go. 48 hrs for all of this....and 3 days for me to "recover." Nothing but fun here!
I won't bore you with a super long post about this part....because it could get REALLY long. So I will hit the highlights.
- Just under FOUR hours to drive to the funeral (we left at 6:00am for a 10am service)
- Dad didn't say Hi to me when we walked it (claimed he didn't see me, but was talking to Bro)
- Mom wearing a very obvious bandage, and having every single person come up to her to ask what happened
- No air conditioning at the funeral home, with 100 people in attendance (and about half had to stand)
- Listening to my aunt's nieces (from her side of the family) deliver a beautiful eulogy about their aunt, yet nothing they said applied to how my aunt treated me or Bro
- Funeral home didn't stop traffic leaving, so the funeral procession was a mess, and people got lost (including me) and per my uncle, the GPS was taking us the wrong way. We gave up and just went back to the house.
- Dealing with my aunt's friend who was none to happy that Bro and I were there early.
- Other friends of my uncle (whom I have known since I was a toddler, and never liked), picking on me that I don't visit my parents enough, and that I OWE them.
- Having to "re-meet" Mom's cousins, who continued to tell me that I was "this high" when they last saw me, and were astounded that I was an adult, married with kids....
- Mom's cousin being surprised I have dark hair (he and his brothers all have light hair), and someone pointing out that it was also purple.....and not in a nice way.
- Listening to friend of the family claiming we need anarchy in this country.
- Aunt's nieces shooing me away because they were cleaning up (no kids in the kitchen!)
- Mom was a little shaky all day, so I was getting her water, food, etc.....and bouncing between her and my dad, who was laying down because he didn't feel well, and getting HIM food, water, etc.
- FOUR hours to get home, due to traffic, having to stop for gas (that was a whole other adventure), and construction on the road.
But here is the big story I teased about....
Right before we left, my uncle was a little jittery. I asked him if he had enough to eat.....yes, I ate 2 sandwiches. OK, how about drinking water (it was in the upper 90's that day). He said he was drinking soda. I said, well, you need water to rehydrate, and I will get you some.
He turned around to me and said he knew his body, and he didn't need water. I "argued" that water was better for hydration, and he needs to make sure he stays hydrated in the heat. I, in a kidding manner, said "hey, I can sass you just as easily as I sass them (meaning my parents)."
WHOA. World War III.
He told me that "I wasn't too big for him to put over his knee." I said I respectfully disagree. And he goes on to say that when his other niece (my aunt's oldest niece) was 16, she sassed him, and wouldn't stop, so he spanked her, and she never did it again. I said there is a big difference between a teenager, whose brain hasn't fully developed yet, and a grown adult.
He argued back that was BS, and in his day, "children" respected adults. My dad jumped in about spanking and that only a parent has the "right" to spank their child, and yes...there is an age where it wasn't appropriate.
Cue my time to leave. While I realize my uncle is grieving....being "put in my place" because I was trying to get him to take care of himself....forget it.
I have spoken to my dad once since all of this, and he had nothing to say about anything. I will have to talk to Mom to get more details. But there ya go. 48 hrs for all of this....and 3 days for me to "recover." Nothing but fun here!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Family DRAMA - part 2
In case you didn't read part 1, check out yesterday's post.
So we left off with my father telling me to BEHAVE. Thus, knocking me down to the status of a child. I told him I am NOT a child, and I refuse to be treated as such. Additionally, it is highly disrespectful. He didn't seem to care.
He called back later to let me know that they still weren't at my Uncle's (it has now been 4 hrs. I can't figure out what took so long). He still didn't have the name of the funeral home, and I asked that he call me by 8pm, as Bro and I were probably going to go to bed early since we had to get up early. It was 3:30pm at this point.
Did I mention that my brother paid $600 to fly up that day? I picked him up at the airport around 6:30pm, and he stayed with me. I hadn't seen him in several years, so it was sort of "nice." Turns out....he thinks my parents are as loony as I do.
8:30pm....still nothing from my father. I called....voicemail. We have no idea where we were going in the morning...someone needed to know something. But why communicate when you can just drive members of your family Bat-$hit crazy? My brother tried calling at 9:00pm, and actually got my dad.
Now....be forewarned....I am NOT making this up. This is actually what happened.
I am listening to Bro on the phone, arguing with my dad that we were NOT going to make it to the house by 9am (that would have required leaving at 5:15-5:30am) to take the limo (we didn't want to anyway, but in hindsight, should have taken the limo...more on this later) over to the funeral home. Please just give us the name and address of the funeral home. Finally he agrees....Bro writes it down.
The next words out of Bro's mouth....."So what time do you think you will be home from the hospital?"
Hospital? Who is at the hospital?
Bro gets off the phone and just looks at me....."Sis, you are soooooo not going to believe this."
Turns out that my MOTHER (the one who needs all the attention), slipped getting into the mini van they rented (it was all the car's fault), fell backward, and HIT HER HEAD on the pavement. Blood everywhere. Had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital to rule out a concussion (it wasn't). She had x-rays and a CT scan. In the end, she shook up her brain pretty good and was going to have a big headache. But she was fine.
Now, this is important for a few reasons...
So, in a 24 hr period of time....my parents cancelled their trip to see us and flew to NY. Mom managed to injure herself and get a ride in an ambulance and lots of bloody bandages. Dad missed taking HIS medication, and due to his health issues and all the excitement, by the time we saw him on Wednesday, he was in bad shape. Bro flew to CT, and spent WAY too much money doing so....all in the name of family peace. I had to rearrange my schedule at work, deal with not knowing what was going on with the 'rents. Deal with disappointed kids who were so upset that Grammy and Grandpa weren't coming. Bossy threw a wicked tantrum.
And we aren't even at the funeral yet. More to come....but to give you a teaser, this was part of it:
So we left off with my father telling me to BEHAVE. Thus, knocking me down to the status of a child. I told him I am NOT a child, and I refuse to be treated as such. Additionally, it is highly disrespectful. He didn't seem to care.
He called back later to let me know that they still weren't at my Uncle's (it has now been 4 hrs. I can't figure out what took so long). He still didn't have the name of the funeral home, and I asked that he call me by 8pm, as Bro and I were probably going to go to bed early since we had to get up early. It was 3:30pm at this point.
Did I mention that my brother paid $600 to fly up that day? I picked him up at the airport around 6:30pm, and he stayed with me. I hadn't seen him in several years, so it was sort of "nice." Turns out....he thinks my parents are as loony as I do.
8:30pm....still nothing from my father. I called....voicemail. We have no idea where we were going in the morning...someone needed to know something. But why communicate when you can just drive members of your family Bat-$hit crazy? My brother tried calling at 9:00pm, and actually got my dad.
Now....be forewarned....I am NOT making this up. This is actually what happened.
I am listening to Bro on the phone, arguing with my dad that we were NOT going to make it to the house by 9am (that would have required leaving at 5:15-5:30am) to take the limo (we didn't want to anyway, but in hindsight, should have taken the limo...more on this later) over to the funeral home. Please just give us the name and address of the funeral home. Finally he agrees....Bro writes it down.
The next words out of Bro's mouth....."So what time do you think you will be home from the hospital?"
Hospital? Who is at the hospital?
Bro gets off the phone and just looks at me....."Sis, you are soooooo not going to believe this."
Turns out that my MOTHER (the one who needs all the attention), slipped getting into the mini van they rented (it was all the car's fault), fell backward, and HIT HER HEAD on the pavement. Blood everywhere. Had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital to rule out a concussion (it wasn't). She had x-rays and a CT scan. In the end, she shook up her brain pretty good and was going to have a big headache. But she was fine.
Now, this is important for a few reasons...
- She had to wear a compression bandage on her head, thus calling attention to the injury (oh, did she).
- My aunt died of BRAIN CANCER, and now my mother is wearing this bandage on her head TO THE FUNERAL.
So, in a 24 hr period of time....my parents cancelled their trip to see us and flew to NY. Mom managed to injure herself and get a ride in an ambulance and lots of bloody bandages. Dad missed taking HIS medication, and due to his health issues and all the excitement, by the time we saw him on Wednesday, he was in bad shape. Bro flew to CT, and spent WAY too much money doing so....all in the name of family peace. I had to rearrange my schedule at work, deal with not knowing what was going on with the 'rents. Deal with disappointed kids who were so upset that Grammy and Grandpa weren't coming. Bossy threw a wicked tantrum.
And we aren't even at the funeral yet. More to come....but to give you a teaser, this was part of it:
Uncle to Mysti: You aren't too big for me to put over my knee.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Family DRAMA, part one - long
Something I recently "discovered" is that my mom has a Narcissistic Personality. I have always known that she can be self-centered, but it was only recently that I had an actual name for what was going on. And I have also discovered that the wounds that I have from this type of upbringing run deep. I am really struggling to break free of it all.
So....last Monday evening, while I was at occupational therapy with the kids, my dad called. I am very good at detecting variances in my parents' voices, and before he said much of anything....I said "you aren't coming, are you?" DAMN IT. Sorry for the swear.....and if that offends anyone. But this was the second time in a ROW that they cancelled a trip with less than 24 hrs notice.
Well, it turns out that my aunt passed away. (Before everyone says I am sorry....I wasn't close with her, never was.This was my mom's brother's wife.) She had been ill, so this wasn't a surprise. The timing was something I hadn't planned of course. At that time (Monday evening), my parents knew just about nothing. The funeral arrangements were being done on Tuesday, so it would be at least another day before we knew anything.
I had to call my brother, who as it turns out...wasn't having a great day already. And I got to make it even better. His car broke down, so now he would have to fly here for the funeral. $$$. Plus, we didn't even know when the funeral was yet. Oh, and we were "guessing" that the funeral would be Wednesday....which was his birthday.
Now, I should mention that my aunt and uncle live about 2-2.5 hrs away by car from me.
I mention this, because my parents decided that they were going to stay with my uncle for a week. Not come here. Dad mentioned coming here by himself at the end of the week, and I pulled the plug on that (which was a good thing with all the stuff that was about to happen). He isn't well, too much travel, the weather was going to be brutal (it was 99 degrees for 2 days, and we don't have great air conditioning).
Oh, and by staying with my uncle....they were kicking him out of his bed. The man just lost his wife, and my parents were perfectly fine letting him sleep on the sofa. *shake head*
Tuesday morning, I tried to get in touch with my parents. Voicemail all around. I suspected that they were on a plane (Heaven forbid they actually let me know what they are doing). The question at that point....where were they going? We had talked about them flying to CT as planned, and then going to NY, just in case they couldn't get a flight to NY. When last we spoke, they said they weren't coming to CT. But I wouldn't put it past them to arrive in CT and be mad that I wasn't there to pick them up.
Enter my BFF who is a travel agent. So she did her blippity blip typity type....and tracked them down! HA! Oh, she and I are dangerous together. She confirmed that they were on the 10am flight to NY. I texted my dad and asked why is it so hard to just send me a note and let me know what is going on.....*sigh*
I get a call from Dad around Noon....telling me that the funeral was indeed on Wednesday, at 10am (which meant I had to leave my house at 6am....). Now, he called me from the shuttle bus, and was having a hard time hearing me. I mentioned that Bro and I sent an Edible Arrangement to the house (in Jewish funerals, there are no flowers....people send food.). And he said something that didn't make sense. So I repeated myself, and again, he didn't answer in a way that made sense.
So I said "Dad, if you can't hear me, and all you are going to say is OK, then let's talk later." He said, and I quote...."BEHAVE."
EXCUSE ME??? You are reprimanding me???? Oh no....now it is on.
So....last Monday evening, while I was at occupational therapy with the kids, my dad called. I am very good at detecting variances in my parents' voices, and before he said much of anything....I said "you aren't coming, are you?" DAMN IT. Sorry for the swear.....and if that offends anyone. But this was the second time in a ROW that they cancelled a trip with less than 24 hrs notice.
Well, it turns out that my aunt passed away. (Before everyone says I am sorry....I wasn't close with her, never was.This was my mom's brother's wife.) She had been ill, so this wasn't a surprise. The timing was something I hadn't planned of course. At that time (Monday evening), my parents knew just about nothing. The funeral arrangements were being done on Tuesday, so it would be at least another day before we knew anything.
I had to call my brother, who as it turns out...wasn't having a great day already. And I got to make it even better. His car broke down, so now he would have to fly here for the funeral. $$$. Plus, we didn't even know when the funeral was yet. Oh, and we were "guessing" that the funeral would be Wednesday....which was his birthday.
Now, I should mention that my aunt and uncle live about 2-2.5 hrs away by car from me.
I mention this, because my parents decided that they were going to stay with my uncle for a week. Not come here. Dad mentioned coming here by himself at the end of the week, and I pulled the plug on that (which was a good thing with all the stuff that was about to happen). He isn't well, too much travel, the weather was going to be brutal (it was 99 degrees for 2 days, and we don't have great air conditioning).
Oh, and by staying with my uncle....they were kicking him out of his bed. The man just lost his wife, and my parents were perfectly fine letting him sleep on the sofa. *shake head*
Tuesday morning, I tried to get in touch with my parents. Voicemail all around. I suspected that they were on a plane (Heaven forbid they actually let me know what they are doing). The question at that point....where were they going? We had talked about them flying to CT as planned, and then going to NY, just in case they couldn't get a flight to NY. When last we spoke, they said they weren't coming to CT. But I wouldn't put it past them to arrive in CT and be mad that I wasn't there to pick them up.
Enter my BFF who is a travel agent. So she did her blippity blip typity type....and tracked them down! HA! Oh, she and I are dangerous together. She confirmed that they were on the 10am flight to NY. I texted my dad and asked why is it so hard to just send me a note and let me know what is going on.....*sigh*
I get a call from Dad around Noon....telling me that the funeral was indeed on Wednesday, at 10am (which meant I had to leave my house at 6am....). Now, he called me from the shuttle bus, and was having a hard time hearing me. I mentioned that Bro and I sent an Edible Arrangement to the house (in Jewish funerals, there are no flowers....people send food.). And he said something that didn't make sense. So I repeated myself, and again, he didn't answer in a way that made sense.
So I said "Dad, if you can't hear me, and all you are going to say is OK, then let's talk later." He said, and I quote...."BEHAVE."
EXCUSE ME??? You are reprimanding me???? Oh no....now it is on.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
PANIC!!
Don't tell me not to panic....this is a crisis! PANIC!!!!!!
We bought the kids netbooks as their Santa gift this year. Got them from 1saleaday. Well, they don't support Flash Player. So the kids wouldn't be able to play games on them. Which was the whole purpose of getting them.
PLUS...we can't return them. (We will probably sell them ourselves to recoup the money).
But now we don't have a Santa gift for the kids!!! They don't want anything!!! They aren't into anything!!!
CRAAAAAP!!!!!! And Christmas is in less than 2 weeks!!!
So now what?????
We bought the kids netbooks as their Santa gift this year. Got them from 1saleaday. Well, they don't support Flash Player. So the kids wouldn't be able to play games on them. Which was the whole purpose of getting them.
PLUS...we can't return them. (We will probably sell them ourselves to recoup the money).
But now we don't have a Santa gift for the kids!!! They don't want anything!!! They aren't into anything!!!
CRAAAAAP!!!!!! And Christmas is in less than 2 weeks!!!
So now what?????
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
The post crisis anxiety
One unfortunate "side effect" of constantly being in crisis....is your body gets used to CRISIS as the norm.
I spend so much time putting out fires and juggling knives, that is just what I know. It is how I roll, baby. But in the rare times that things aren't in crisis mode....I don't know what to do. And then anxiety sets in.
I am just waiting for crisis to happen again. So I get jumpy. I just KNOW something is about to fall apart. And I gear myself up for it. Like a tigress waiting to pounce. I am in crouch position, tail wagging. Waiting for the crisis to happen so I can leap into action.
But what happens when the crisis doesn't happen???? Part of my changes in real life is retraining my body to NOT be in crisis mode all the time. Yes, crisis will happen, but the constant heightened state is just not healthy.
This week....I am just not stressed out. I refuse to be. There isn't anything to be stressed about. Well, one thing, but payday is tomorrow...so that will be resolved. But Thanksgiving foods are purchased. Prep has begun. No one is coming, so no major gala to put on. I have a car that is great. Sassy is on the mend. Holiday gifts are around 80% purchased and are shipping.
So I am spending some concentrated time, NOT STRESSING.
G-man and I talked about our Yule plans, and he is totally on board. And looking forward to it! This will be new for our family, and it is long overdue. It is part of the missing piece of Mysti.
Other than knowing that I will be hammered at work today (since I was out yesterday with sick Sassy), and I have the ever so confrontational PTA meeting tonight....my biggest stress (if you can even call it that), is that I need to clear another 20% of my DVR before Thursday because we have a free preview weekend of the premium channels and I like to record all the movies for the kids, and a few that I haven't seen.
This weekend will be holiday decorating, and I am just going to enjoy it!!!
I spend so much time putting out fires and juggling knives, that is just what I know. It is how I roll, baby. But in the rare times that things aren't in crisis mode....I don't know what to do. And then anxiety sets in.
I am just waiting for crisis to happen again. So I get jumpy. I just KNOW something is about to fall apart. And I gear myself up for it. Like a tigress waiting to pounce. I am in crouch position, tail wagging. Waiting for the crisis to happen so I can leap into action.
But what happens when the crisis doesn't happen???? Part of my changes in real life is retraining my body to NOT be in crisis mode all the time. Yes, crisis will happen, but the constant heightened state is just not healthy.
This week....I am just not stressed out. I refuse to be. There isn't anything to be stressed about. Well, one thing, but payday is tomorrow...so that will be resolved. But Thanksgiving foods are purchased. Prep has begun. No one is coming, so no major gala to put on. I have a car that is great. Sassy is on the mend. Holiday gifts are around 80% purchased and are shipping.
So I am spending some concentrated time, NOT STRESSING.
G-man and I talked about our Yule plans, and he is totally on board. And looking forward to it! This will be new for our family, and it is long overdue. It is part of the missing piece of Mysti.
Other than knowing that I will be hammered at work today (since I was out yesterday with sick Sassy), and I have the ever so confrontational PTA meeting tonight....my biggest stress (if you can even call it that), is that I need to clear another 20% of my DVR before Thursday because we have a free preview weekend of the premium channels and I like to record all the movies for the kids, and a few that I haven't seen.
This weekend will be holiday decorating, and I am just going to enjoy it!!!
Monday, October 24, 2011
My total numbers are so off
As I was updating my side bar information the other day, it really hit me how "off" these numbers are.
The actual balances....well, those are right. I am capable of checking the balance and reporting it!!! (most days at least....) And I hope I am able to add. But again....that is alot to ask of me some days as my brain is so melted and mush that I have to put cotton in my ears to keep it from oozing out. Then I ring out the cotton balls and put it in a mold.....it makes a lovely little jello-like cube.
I digress.
I started this blog with $76k of debt. This didn't include our retirement loan....which was in the $7,000 range at that time. So it really was closer to $83k. I don't know why I didn't include the retirement loan. I think it was seeing a number in the 80's that freaked me out. Or maybe because it was being paid back to ourselves I just didn't count it as debt. Who knows....it was over 2 years ago. I barely remember yesterday.
We currently stand at $65k (or about $67k with the retirement loan). So it looks like we have barely made a dent in our debt. Anyone who just glances at the numbers would be like....really? That is all you have paid off??? In TWO years????
But that isn't the case. We have incurred new debt. I haven't added the numbers up....but I know it is there. I would love to say we NEVER use our credit cards....but that isn't true. We have used them....MOSTLY for need (such as car repairs!!!)....but there has been some budget missteps along the way as well.
There have been NO major purchases (new furniture, vacations, appliances). Our computer was paid for with cash. Anyway you slice it....we have incurred some debt.
So our numbers....we have actually paid for all of the missteps PLUS what we have paid down. I am not sure how to reflect that without driving myself crazy. All I know is that month after month....we consistently pay about $1000 just in CREDIT CARD debt. So in 26 months since I started this blog...that would be $26,000 right there we have paid (including interest).
We have paid off the car, the hospital bill, one student loan, and our retirement loan is almost done. All of that is around $18,000. We have been paying the interest on my student loan....at about $2,100 for that.
Yet, it looks like all we have done is 11k.
Some day when I actually have TIME, I will figure out all the real numbers....but for now I have to remember that we have done WAY more than my numbers actually reflect. Pardon me while I attempt to cheer myself up. I need to find something right now that proves that we aren't completely crappy at this.
The actual balances....well, those are right. I am capable of checking the balance and reporting it!!! (most days at least....) And I hope I am able to add. But again....that is alot to ask of me some days as my brain is so melted and mush that I have to put cotton in my ears to keep it from oozing out. Then I ring out the cotton balls and put it in a mold.....it makes a lovely little jello-like cube.
I digress.
I started this blog with $76k of debt. This didn't include our retirement loan....which was in the $7,000 range at that time. So it really was closer to $83k. I don't know why I didn't include the retirement loan. I think it was seeing a number in the 80's that freaked me out. Or maybe because it was being paid back to ourselves I just didn't count it as debt. Who knows....it was over 2 years ago. I barely remember yesterday.
We currently stand at $65k (or about $67k with the retirement loan). So it looks like we have barely made a dent in our debt. Anyone who just glances at the numbers would be like....really? That is all you have paid off??? In TWO years????
But that isn't the case. We have incurred new debt. I haven't added the numbers up....but I know it is there. I would love to say we NEVER use our credit cards....but that isn't true. We have used them....MOSTLY for need (such as car repairs!!!)....but there has been some budget missteps along the way as well.
There have been NO major purchases (new furniture, vacations, appliances). Our computer was paid for with cash. Anyway you slice it....we have incurred some debt.
So our numbers....we have actually paid for all of the missteps PLUS what we have paid down. I am not sure how to reflect that without driving myself crazy. All I know is that month after month....we consistently pay about $1000 just in CREDIT CARD debt. So in 26 months since I started this blog...that would be $26,000 right there we have paid (including interest).
We have paid off the car, the hospital bill, one student loan, and our retirement loan is almost done. All of that is around $18,000. We have been paying the interest on my student loan....at about $2,100 for that.
Yet, it looks like all we have done is 11k.
Some day when I actually have TIME, I will figure out all the real numbers....but for now I have to remember that we have done WAY more than my numbers actually reflect. Pardon me while I attempt to cheer myself up. I need to find something right now that proves that we aren't completely crappy at this.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water....
Anyone else hearing the Theme to Jaws in their head? C'mon....you know you are.
I am a planner. I like to know what we are doing, and how we are going to get there. Fly by the seat of my pants.....that is not me. The land of the Unknown....uber scary and not very comfortable. As my good friend, C, said last night....it is just an extended Rental Unit.....we aren't buying a time share there. In a few weeks, we will know.
Ah....what will we know???
Just 8 days ago I posted we weren't moving. Well....apparently the move is back in play. G-man received notification last night that he is still in the running for the job. BUT....at the lower pay level. Which will mean a pay cut if he gets this job and accepts it. Add in the loss of my job, and his second job.....
I know I will be able to find something. (Maybe I am being naive....but I really don't think that it will be a huge issue). In the ideal world, he won't need the second job if my job will cover that pay (about $10,000), and for the first time since the kids were born....we will GASP.....have a "normal" schedule.
But the prospect of a pay cut is scary. I know others of you have been laid off and I probably shouldn't whine about a pay cut....but I know the bills, and a pay cut freaks me out. I am trying to keep in perspective that the cost of living is less there....some of the bills we have here will go away (like the oil bill....although it will be replaced by gas and electricity to a degree....but probably not as much as we are paying now). We will get some money back from deposits and whatnot.
Worst case scenario we live at my parent's house for a spell (although that will majorly screw with the kids' schooling)
I know this is what we want....it just is freaking us out that we may actually get it.
We are hoping to know within 2 weeks. Until then.....my new to-do list of 37 things is calling....along with non-stop meetings, Bookfair, G-man's mom coming to visit. I have enough to do and focus on so I am not worrying about the move.
Oh and as a side note....my "31" To-Do list...I got down to 3 things left...and they have been shelved for a bit. They need to get done before my mother-in-law comes...but if I do it now...I will just have to re-do it. So they will wait for a bit.
I am a planner. I like to know what we are doing, and how we are going to get there. Fly by the seat of my pants.....that is not me. The land of the Unknown....uber scary and not very comfortable. As my good friend, C, said last night....it is just an extended Rental Unit.....we aren't buying a time share there. In a few weeks, we will know.
Ah....what will we know???
Just 8 days ago I posted we weren't moving. Well....apparently the move is back in play. G-man received notification last night that he is still in the running for the job. BUT....at the lower pay level. Which will mean a pay cut if he gets this job and accepts it. Add in the loss of my job, and his second job.....
I know I will be able to find something. (Maybe I am being naive....but I really don't think that it will be a huge issue). In the ideal world, he won't need the second job if my job will cover that pay (about $10,000), and for the first time since the kids were born....we will GASP.....have a "normal" schedule.
But the prospect of a pay cut is scary. I know others of you have been laid off and I probably shouldn't whine about a pay cut....but I know the bills, and a pay cut freaks me out. I am trying to keep in perspective that the cost of living is less there....some of the bills we have here will go away (like the oil bill....although it will be replaced by gas and electricity to a degree....but probably not as much as we are paying now). We will get some money back from deposits and whatnot.
Worst case scenario we live at my parent's house for a spell (although that will majorly screw with the kids' schooling)
I know this is what we want....it just is freaking us out that we may actually get it.
We are hoping to know within 2 weeks. Until then.....my new to-do list of 37 things is calling....along with non-stop meetings, Bookfair, G-man's mom coming to visit. I have enough to do and focus on so I am not worrying about the move.
Oh and as a side note....my "31" To-Do list...I got down to 3 things left...and they have been shelved for a bit. They need to get done before my mother-in-law comes...but if I do it now...I will just have to re-do it. So they will wait for a bit.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
I think I figured out part of the problem
We have spent some extra money this week. Pretty much the entire lot of purchases were not necessary. Emotional spending.
Yesterday, we were talking about new living room furniture. We took the slipcovers off to wash them, and WOW, our couches were bad. I forgot to take pictures before we put the slipcovers back on, but the material on the cushions is DESTROYED. Everytime you sit down, you feel it rip. The attached backs are only partially attached. Threadbare doesn't even describe them. And because the slip covers are a chocolate brown, the dye from them has rubbed off over time onto the material, which makes them look that much worse.
If we hadn't been in grubby clothes at the moment, I think we would have bought new furniture.
I think for us right now....we have hit a wall of existence. That is all we are right now. Existing. We meet the minimum qualification for things...food on the table, roof over our head, clothes on our back....but we don't LIVE. Our house is not a place we come HOME to. All we see is the old, falling apart CRAP. We have been together almost 15 years....and our stuff has been around just as long. It is worn and done....and we can't do much about it.
Using the current situation....we don't see any of this changing in the next 5 years. Even 7 years.
We are in constant CRISIS mode. We need to get into a different mode. We can't just live to fix the next problem. It is wearing us down.
Will buying new furniture fix the problem....nope. Will it make it easier to live with the problem....maybe.
All I know is that while I do believe in Dave Ramsey's idea of "Live like no other so you can live like no other," that will only work if it is for a finite period of time. If you know there is something better at the end of the tunnel and that tunnel will take 3 years to get out of...you can deal with it. But when that tunnel is so long and dark and filled with spooky stuff....you can't stay there indefinitely...you will lose your mind.
So that is where we are at. We have identified part of the problem....now it is finding a reasonable fix.
Yesterday, we were talking about new living room furniture. We took the slipcovers off to wash them, and WOW, our couches were bad. I forgot to take pictures before we put the slipcovers back on, but the material on the cushions is DESTROYED. Everytime you sit down, you feel it rip. The attached backs are only partially attached. Threadbare doesn't even describe them. And because the slip covers are a chocolate brown, the dye from them has rubbed off over time onto the material, which makes them look that much worse.
If we hadn't been in grubby clothes at the moment, I think we would have bought new furniture.
I think for us right now....we have hit a wall of existence. That is all we are right now. Existing. We meet the minimum qualification for things...food on the table, roof over our head, clothes on our back....but we don't LIVE. Our house is not a place we come HOME to. All we see is the old, falling apart CRAP. We have been together almost 15 years....and our stuff has been around just as long. It is worn and done....and we can't do much about it.
Using the current situation....we don't see any of this changing in the next 5 years. Even 7 years.
We are in constant CRISIS mode. We need to get into a different mode. We can't just live to fix the next problem. It is wearing us down.
Will buying new furniture fix the problem....nope. Will it make it easier to live with the problem....maybe.
All I know is that while I do believe in Dave Ramsey's idea of "Live like no other so you can live like no other," that will only work if it is for a finite period of time. If you know there is something better at the end of the tunnel and that tunnel will take 3 years to get out of...you can deal with it. But when that tunnel is so long and dark and filled with spooky stuff....you can't stay there indefinitely...you will lose your mind.
So that is where we are at. We have identified part of the problem....now it is finding a reasonable fix.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Getting Nowhere Fast
I can complain about our debt if I want to. The fact still remains that complaining doesn't change it.
Our mini-spending spree on Monday didn't help. I have no one to blame but myself on that one.
Here's the root of the matter....our stuff if worn out, broken, stained, old, and getting worse and worse. The majority of our stuff is from when we got married in 1998 (or before). And it looks it. Then I feel bad that it looks so bad. So I want to "beautify" around it. So I do. It isn't much individually....just when you see it added up....it takes on another life.
I would be better off NOT doing it...and taking the money I would have spent, and put it in a pile for new BIG purchases. But that isn't what I do.
Heck....we ALMOST bought a new TV on Monday...which would have also required a new TV stand. We didn't....but it was close.
I am frustrated at myself. I am frustrated at our budget. Our budget doesn't allow for much extra...and recently, when we have had extra (in the form of overtime) it seems to have gone to the pool, the car....so this time...it went to US.
I am overwhelmed at home at the moment. Work is a mess, and the bad juju around here is taking its toll on me. It is raining. School stuff is a mess. I am upset that I have now gained back all the weight that I lost, and virtually have to start over.
I don't know the key to balance. It is feast or famine. I either have it all under control, or none of it.
I am sick of all the mess. The debt....it is really weighing on me. I figured out what we would need to pay on a monthly basis to be out of debt by my 40th birthday. And that will require finding a CONSISTANT $600 more a month. And that is assuming that we NEVER go over budget, nothing changes, and oh yeah....nothing breaks.
Can I have a do-over???
Our mini-spending spree on Monday didn't help. I have no one to blame but myself on that one.
Here's the root of the matter....our stuff if worn out, broken, stained, old, and getting worse and worse. The majority of our stuff is from when we got married in 1998 (or before). And it looks it. Then I feel bad that it looks so bad. So I want to "beautify" around it. So I do. It isn't much individually....just when you see it added up....it takes on another life.
I would be better off NOT doing it...and taking the money I would have spent, and put it in a pile for new BIG purchases. But that isn't what I do.
Heck....we ALMOST bought a new TV on Monday...which would have also required a new TV stand. We didn't....but it was close.
I am frustrated at myself. I am frustrated at our budget. Our budget doesn't allow for much extra...and recently, when we have had extra (in the form of overtime) it seems to have gone to the pool, the car....so this time...it went to US.
I am overwhelmed at home at the moment. Work is a mess, and the bad juju around here is taking its toll on me. It is raining. School stuff is a mess. I am upset that I have now gained back all the weight that I lost, and virtually have to start over.
I don't know the key to balance. It is feast or famine. I either have it all under control, or none of it.
I am sick of all the mess. The debt....it is really weighing on me. I figured out what we would need to pay on a monthly basis to be out of debt by my 40th birthday. And that will require finding a CONSISTANT $600 more a month. And that is assuming that we NEVER go over budget, nothing changes, and oh yeah....nothing breaks.
Can I have a do-over???
Friday, August 5, 2011
A Friday of Uncertainty
Happy Friday!! I know for most of you, it is the last day of the work week....sliding into the weekend of errands, cleaning, maybe some R&R if you are lucky.
Our Friday is FULL. FULL of uncertainty and expense. On the agenda:
9:00am - drop kids at camp
10:30 - couples counseling
12:00-2:00 - errands
3:00 - pick kids up from camp
3:30 - Bossy occupational therapy
5:00 - hopefully pick up my car from the shop
The car is being fixed....and will run about $1,000. This is killing me.
We are on pins and needles waiting to hear about the job situation. I am trying to remain positive, but I really don't think this is going to pan out. We have never had this happen, and the dragging on of it is wearing. The government makes this sooooo much more complicated than it has to be. I understand that the field office can't read thousands of resumes and they need to be weeded out. But the way they do this, you are at the mercy of HR. If the supervisor says no, it really is game over.
I am worried that the car won't be fixed. That in 2 months I will be blogging yet again about car woes.
And August tends to be emotional for me anyway. Alot of the major issues with my pregnancies were in August, and I am a date person, so as these dates are approaching, I find myself becoming more anxious about them...and everything!!
One errand we have to run today is at the mall to exchange Sassy's birthday present. We bought her a pair of boots, and upon further investigation, decided they were the wrong size. So we have the right size on hold at the store. But this mall.....has all the GOOD stores. The Trollbead store...Pottery Barn....William Sonoma....Ann Taylor Loft.....J. Jill......all dangerous to either me or G-man. Not a good place to be when you are stressed!!
I am sure you will be refreshing your screen every minute waiting for an update.....we will let you know as news becomes available.
We got out of the mall with out spending any money! We exchanged the boots (even exchange). We did window shop at the Trollbead store (and I added to my wish list ;) but didn't purchase). And we found something at William Sonoma that we will probably get at some point (replacement pan for one of ours that has died). But no money spent.
Our Friday is FULL. FULL of uncertainty and expense. On the agenda:
9:00am - drop kids at camp
10:30 - couples counseling
12:00-2:00 - errands
3:00 - pick kids up from camp
3:30 - Bossy occupational therapy
5:00 - hopefully pick up my car from the shop
The car is being fixed....and will run about $1,000. This is killing me.
We are on pins and needles waiting to hear about the job situation. I am trying to remain positive, but I really don't think this is going to pan out. We have never had this happen, and the dragging on of it is wearing. The government makes this sooooo much more complicated than it has to be. I understand that the field office can't read thousands of resumes and they need to be weeded out. But the way they do this, you are at the mercy of HR. If the supervisor says no, it really is game over.
I am worried that the car won't be fixed. That in 2 months I will be blogging yet again about car woes.
And August tends to be emotional for me anyway. Alot of the major issues with my pregnancies were in August, and I am a date person, so as these dates are approaching, I find myself becoming more anxious about them...and everything!!
One errand we have to run today is at the mall to exchange Sassy's birthday present. We bought her a pair of boots, and upon further investigation, decided they were the wrong size. So we have the right size on hold at the store. But this mall.....has all the GOOD stores. The Trollbead store...Pottery Barn....William Sonoma....Ann Taylor Loft.....J. Jill......all dangerous to either me or G-man. Not a good place to be when you are stressed!!
I am sure you will be refreshing your screen every minute waiting for an update.....we will let you know as news becomes available.
UPDATE: No application news. The supervisor hasn't looked at it and won't until Monday. The good news though is that they have not sent the "final" applications to the field office.
My car is done....and it was almost $1200. There were a few other things that needed to be replaced in order to fix the issues. As an added bonus, the new shop took detailed notes for us regarding the water pump....and saved it for us. Everything CLEARLY indicated that the previous shop installed it wrong.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
A Bug In My Margarita
Have you heard this song from Alan Jackson? If not...here ya go, with lyrics:
My favorite verse:
He said the rain won't leave
And the pain won't ease
And the sun don't wanna shine
And there's something in the bottom of this drink I just got
And it don't look like a worm to me
*******
Yesterday.....we got a call from camp that Sassy got hit in the mouth with a swing (she was pushing another kid, and must have been standing too close). And she broke off half her front tooth. Her beautiful PERMANENT tooth.
Brought her to the dentist who said that it didn't break over the nerve, but it was close. They were able to bond the tooth, and she looks good as new. She said it didn't hurt too much, and she was very brave.
Of course, even with all our medical and dental bills, we are still $338 from our deductible. Most of our bills are co-pays that don't count toward the deductible, and the stuff that does count is all Bossy. The rest of us haven't racked up bills to hit the deductible.
So, we will now owe another $318 to the dentist.
I really do want to cry. Say what you will about how we choose to spend our money....we really can't cut a break. I am having one of those....We are never going to get out of this moments.
I said a long time ago that I wanted to be debt free, minus the house, by my 40th birthday. That is roughly 3 yrs, 9 months. Per this calculator, using rough numbers,
Laid out like that....it seems totally do-able. However, that is assuming no new general debt. And it doesn't account for the new medical debt. And Murphy needs to leave!!!!!!!
Plus, we haven't gotten to the car saga yet....oh, and a few work drama things...because they didn't want to be left out.
I read ALOT of blogs. But there are few that I read that have THIS much happen. We just can't cut a break.
There's A Bug in my Margarita!!!!!
My favorite verse:
He said the rain won't leave
And the pain won't ease
And the sun don't wanna shine
And there's something in the bottom of this drink I just got
And it don't look like a worm to me
*******
Yesterday.....we got a call from camp that Sassy got hit in the mouth with a swing (she was pushing another kid, and must have been standing too close). And she broke off half her front tooth. Her beautiful PERMANENT tooth.
Brought her to the dentist who said that it didn't break over the nerve, but it was close. They were able to bond the tooth, and she looks good as new. She said it didn't hurt too much, and she was very brave.
Of course, even with all our medical and dental bills, we are still $338 from our deductible. Most of our bills are co-pays that don't count toward the deductible, and the stuff that does count is all Bossy. The rest of us haven't racked up bills to hit the deductible.
So, we will now owe another $318 to the dentist.
I really do want to cry. Say what you will about how we choose to spend our money....we really can't cut a break. I am having one of those....We are never going to get out of this moments.
I said a long time ago that I wanted to be debt free, minus the house, by my 40th birthday. That is roughly 3 yrs, 9 months. Per this calculator, using rough numbers,
When will you be debt free?
| Your plan summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| • | If you pay $1,595.26 a month, it will take you 3 years and 9 months to pay off your credit cards. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| • | Based on your current combined balance of $64,520.00, you will pay a total of $7,306.57 in interest. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Here's what to do first | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strategy: Pay as much as your budget allows to the credit card with the highest interest rate, and pay the minimum to your lower rate cards. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Laid out like that....it seems totally do-able. However, that is assuming no new general debt. And it doesn't account for the new medical debt. And Murphy needs to leave!!!!!!!
Plus, we haven't gotten to the car saga yet....oh, and a few work drama things...because they didn't want to be left out.
I read ALOT of blogs. But there are few that I read that have THIS much happen. We just can't cut a break.
There's A Bug in my Margarita!!!!!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Adventures in Yard Sales - The Final Episode
We survived. Can I just tell ya....there were a few moments in there where I wasn't so sure. But we are alive. I had a massive melt down the night before. My anxiety level was really high. We had marital counseling earlier in the day, it was a rough go. The boxes and the clutter all around me at home...I was a mess. My friend stopped by while out on a walk to find me huddled on the couch.
This was the mess around me at the time (sorry they are dark again...I stink at photography using my phone):
We left ourselves 3 hours to set up, which was just about right. We had a few earlybirds, which was fine. We were amazed at how much STUFF we had in general. Some it looked like more than we thought....some of it I thought looked sparse. But it was what it was. We ran the sale from 9am-3pm, but no one showed up after 1:30pm. It took us about 2 hrs to take everything down, and by 5pm, we were wiped out.
Here is what it all looked like set up:
I think we priced things well, as most people just paid what the sticker said. We had a few hagglers, which I expected. Then there was the one lady who must have picked up 25 items of clothes, and offered me $5 (we were asking $1 an item). She wouldn't go above $10...fine, whatever lady...just go away.
So...how did we do? We didn't sell as many clothes as I thought. We had tons of pregnant ladies, and I was sure that we would get rid of stuff...but some things were never even touched. We did sell several larger items to our neighbor. Kids books went well. Home decor was not a big hit.
We made $88 from presale, and $193 from the main sale, for a total of $281. I am trying to not be disappointed. I sort of had $400 in my head as a goal....but whatever. We netted $256 after we paid Sassy $20 and Bossy $5.
We are sooooo proud of Sassy. She was up at 5:30am to help us, and worked her little tail off. She hauled boxes, ran and got things for us. She entertained little kids while their mom and dad shopped. She had her bottled water station, and stayed outside with us for the entire day. Her water station didn't do very well. Only sold 2 bottles all day. :( We felt she deserved more than just $2 for all her efforts, so we added $20 to her profit.
Bossy mostly stayed inside for the day. But he was so well behaved. He did come out from time to time, but he largely kept to himself and just let us do what we needed to do.
Unfortunately, we ended up putting things back in the attic for the moment until we can permanently get rid of them. So no pics of the attic yet!!! I think I am going to bring the clothes and try and consign the nicer ones. The rest will probably get donated. Toys...don't know yet.
Would I do it again....probably. But I think I would rather do 2 smaller sales than 1 large. Especially with the clothes!! We decided that the profits will go towards debt (although part of us is thinking of putting it toward the carpet in Bossy's room).
Thanks for all your well wishes!
This was the mess around me at the time (sorry they are dark again...I stink at photography using my phone):
We left ourselves 3 hours to set up, which was just about right. We had a few earlybirds, which was fine. We were amazed at how much STUFF we had in general. Some it looked like more than we thought....some of it I thought looked sparse. But it was what it was. We ran the sale from 9am-3pm, but no one showed up after 1:30pm. It took us about 2 hrs to take everything down, and by 5pm, we were wiped out.
Here is what it all looked like set up:
I think we priced things well, as most people just paid what the sticker said. We had a few hagglers, which I expected. Then there was the one lady who must have picked up 25 items of clothes, and offered me $5 (we were asking $1 an item). She wouldn't go above $10...fine, whatever lady...just go away.
So...how did we do? We didn't sell as many clothes as I thought. We had tons of pregnant ladies, and I was sure that we would get rid of stuff...but some things were never even touched. We did sell several larger items to our neighbor. Kids books went well. Home decor was not a big hit.
We made $88 from presale, and $193 from the main sale, for a total of $281. I am trying to not be disappointed. I sort of had $400 in my head as a goal....but whatever. We netted $256 after we paid Sassy $20 and Bossy $5.
We are sooooo proud of Sassy. She was up at 5:30am to help us, and worked her little tail off. She hauled boxes, ran and got things for us. She entertained little kids while their mom and dad shopped. She had her bottled water station, and stayed outside with us for the entire day. Her water station didn't do very well. Only sold 2 bottles all day. :( We felt she deserved more than just $2 for all her efforts, so we added $20 to her profit.
Bossy mostly stayed inside for the day. But he was so well behaved. He did come out from time to time, but he largely kept to himself and just let us do what we needed to do.
Unfortunately, we ended up putting things back in the attic for the moment until we can permanently get rid of them. So no pics of the attic yet!!! I think I am going to bring the clothes and try and consign the nicer ones. The rest will probably get donated. Toys...don't know yet.
Would I do it again....probably. But I think I would rather do 2 smaller sales than 1 large. Especially with the clothes!! We decided that the profits will go towards debt (although part of us is thinking of putting it toward the carpet in Bossy's room).
Thanks for all your well wishes!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Continuing Pool Drama
First off...thanks to all the commenters yesterday. As my day continued to turn into a big pile of poo, it helped to know someone out there has my back.
On to the pool....I really don't get how these companies stay in business. Pools are a luxury item, and I have to think that over the past several years their business has declined.
Company 1....we called, no return call. Called again (because something was off with their voicemail system), nada. Call 3, if we don't hear from you by COB, we are taking our business elsewhere. What do ya know...they called. Said they would have the pool crew call and schedule. Nada. He did call a week later, but by then we had moved on to....
Company 2. Seemed on top of things, until they got our contract. They wanted a $400 deposit before they would schedule the job. We said the job was only $450, and they said ok...we can do $300. We agreed (at this point I just wanted the stupid job done). Well...they charged $400 to my credit card. And still couldn't schedule the job.
G-man called them AGAIN about the schedule, and said since we are having problems getting it schedule, the mistake on the charge...would they knock the final $50 off the bill. The schedule girl said she had to talk to the boss. Go ahead honey....go talk to your boss. She called back and said no. G-man asked to talk to the boss. He wasn't there. OK, have him call us.
So yesterday schedule girl called us back and said "boss is too busy on appointments to talk" and he said "either we pay the $50, or we can just cancel the whole thing and refund the money." WHAT??? The boss is TOO BUSY to talk to a customer who is having an issue???
At this point G-man and I talked, and we said, forget it. Let's find another company. He called back and said 1) We want the refund, and oh by the way...technically you made an unauthorized charge because we authorized $300 not $400, and that is illegal. 2) The boss can't talk to us? Not acceptable. 3) We are reporting you to the Better Business Bureau.
The girl was all flustered and was trying to defend the mistakes. Don't care. Give us back the dough.
So we are waiting to see the refund back on my credit card. This was 5:00pm last night, so I am hoping that it will show up today. And now...we have to find another company.
Oh, and in the middle of all of this, I was dealing with a pre-sale yard sale person ($20!!), and G-man burnt dinner. We ALMOST ordered out....but we didn't. Our June No-Eating-Out Challenge is still in tack (half way there!!!)
On to the pool....I really don't get how these companies stay in business. Pools are a luxury item, and I have to think that over the past several years their business has declined.
Company 1....we called, no return call. Called again (because something was off with their voicemail system), nada. Call 3, if we don't hear from you by COB, we are taking our business elsewhere. What do ya know...they called. Said they would have the pool crew call and schedule. Nada. He did call a week later, but by then we had moved on to....
Company 2. Seemed on top of things, until they got our contract. They wanted a $400 deposit before they would schedule the job. We said the job was only $450, and they said ok...we can do $300. We agreed (at this point I just wanted the stupid job done). Well...they charged $400 to my credit card. And still couldn't schedule the job.
G-man called them AGAIN about the schedule, and said since we are having problems getting it schedule, the mistake on the charge...would they knock the final $50 off the bill. The schedule girl said she had to talk to the boss. Go ahead honey....go talk to your boss. She called back and said no. G-man asked to talk to the boss. He wasn't there. OK, have him call us.
So yesterday schedule girl called us back and said "boss is too busy on appointments to talk" and he said "either we pay the $50, or we can just cancel the whole thing and refund the money." WHAT??? The boss is TOO BUSY to talk to a customer who is having an issue???
At this point G-man and I talked, and we said, forget it. Let's find another company. He called back and said 1) We want the refund, and oh by the way...technically you made an unauthorized charge because we authorized $300 not $400, and that is illegal. 2) The boss can't talk to us? Not acceptable. 3) We are reporting you to the Better Business Bureau.
The girl was all flustered and was trying to defend the mistakes. Don't care. Give us back the dough.
So we are waiting to see the refund back on my credit card. This was 5:00pm last night, so I am hoping that it will show up today. And now...we have to find another company.
Oh, and in the middle of all of this, I was dealing with a pre-sale yard sale person ($20!!), and G-man burnt dinner. We ALMOST ordered out....but we didn't. Our June No-Eating-Out Challenge is still in tack (half way there!!!)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Bummin' hard today
Frustrated doesn't even begin to cover my feelings right now.
The paycheck/OT/direct deposit mess created it's own problems. I am slowing figuring all of that out. But it is taking alot of concentration. G-man and I talked about it last night, and all he said was "sorry." He still doesn't get the anxiety this all causes for me.
I had REALLY thought we would be below 60k debt by my blogiversary. But that wasn't accounting for the almost $700 it was going to take to fix the pool. All of the OT that G-man had and will have in the coming weeks was all supposed to go to DEBT, not the pool!
Gas prices are finally coming down (a little). But the damage is done. We have been paying about $600 a month for gas. That is almost $200 more than the original budget. A few months of that....and it adds up.
It seems that our therapists have changed their billing cycle, and are only billing to insurance monthly. So it takes almost 2 months from the time we write the check before we get reimbursed. Again, it causes some problems when you are paying almost $400 a month in co-pays.
I should be glad that we aren't using our credit cards for everyday purchases. The rise in the card balances in the recent weeks is from the pool, and 1) the OT screw up, thus not having the money to pay it off right away, and 2) having to wait for payday when the OT was worked almost a month ago (G-man's payroll is offset by 2 weeks). The dental bills...it happens. Those don't stress me out other than I just hate that our dental coverage stinks.
I am failing to understand how we redid the mortgage, which freed up $200 a month, paid off the car, paid off one student loan.....and we are where we are. I am bummed. I am not sure why this is SO hard. I expected it to be hard, but this is insane. I feel like I am constantly robbing Peter to pay Paul. I really don't like missing a goal....but I am finding it hard to see how we are going to pay $5000 in the next 6-7 weeks.
*sniff*
The paycheck/OT/direct deposit mess created it's own problems. I am slowing figuring all of that out. But it is taking alot of concentration. G-man and I talked about it last night, and all he said was "sorry." He still doesn't get the anxiety this all causes for me.
I had REALLY thought we would be below 60k debt by my blogiversary. But that wasn't accounting for the almost $700 it was going to take to fix the pool. All of the OT that G-man had and will have in the coming weeks was all supposed to go to DEBT, not the pool!
Gas prices are finally coming down (a little). But the damage is done. We have been paying about $600 a month for gas. That is almost $200 more than the original budget. A few months of that....and it adds up.
It seems that our therapists have changed their billing cycle, and are only billing to insurance monthly. So it takes almost 2 months from the time we write the check before we get reimbursed. Again, it causes some problems when you are paying almost $400 a month in co-pays.
I should be glad that we aren't using our credit cards for everyday purchases. The rise in the card balances in the recent weeks is from the pool, and 1) the OT screw up, thus not having the money to pay it off right away, and 2) having to wait for payday when the OT was worked almost a month ago (G-man's payroll is offset by 2 weeks). The dental bills...it happens. Those don't stress me out other than I just hate that our dental coverage stinks.
I am failing to understand how we redid the mortgage, which freed up $200 a month, paid off the car, paid off one student loan.....and we are where we are. I am bummed. I am not sure why this is SO hard. I expected it to be hard, but this is insane. I feel like I am constantly robbing Peter to pay Paul. I really don't like missing a goal....but I am finding it hard to see how we are going to pay $5000 in the next 6-7 weeks.
*sniff*
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Federal government shutdown
With the shut down looming....I just want to throw my hands up and quit.
G-man is considered "essential" personnel...so he would continue to go to work. But, not get paid. At least not until the budget is worked out. Yes, that would be back pay...but we could go a month or more without a paycheck coming in.
We have the money from the refi that is just sitting there....so we have SOMETHING. But wanna talk about huge wrench in plans!!!!
Oh, and we haven't done our taxes yet (that is on the the docket for this weekend). We know we will owe some State, and have a small Federal refund....but of course that won't get processed.
Time to go into mega-survival mode.
G-man is considered "essential" personnel...so he would continue to go to work. But, not get paid. At least not until the budget is worked out. Yes, that would be back pay...but we could go a month or more without a paycheck coming in.
We have the money from the refi that is just sitting there....so we have SOMETHING. But wanna talk about huge wrench in plans!!!!
Oh, and we haven't done our taxes yet (that is on the the docket for this weekend). We know we will owe some State, and have a small Federal refund....but of course that won't get processed.
Time to go into mega-survival mode.
How observant are you?
Notice anything? I will give ya a minute.
*waiting patiently*
Ah yes....our debt totals. HUGE backward slide.
This is due to putting $2,000 on the CC because of G-man's car. We WERE close to have paying off $10,000 before our lives were turned upside down. We have probably added close to $1000 to our cards from everything....plus the car.....
Bummed doesn't cover it. Sad....angry....those are closer.
With the oil bill going up, gas prices going up.....knowing that my student loan will go up in October. I am SCARED. I know it will work out. I know that adjustments will be made. But I just know where we were 2 years ago....and feel like we are only a step away from that.
I am just trying to take it one thing at a time....but failing miserably. All I see is EVERYTHING coming at me.
This is sooooo not the way it was supposed to be.
*waiting patiently*
Ah yes....our debt totals. HUGE backward slide.
This is due to putting $2,000 on the CC because of G-man's car. We WERE close to have paying off $10,000 before our lives were turned upside down. We have probably added close to $1000 to our cards from everything....plus the car.....
Bummed doesn't cover it. Sad....angry....those are closer.
With the oil bill going up, gas prices going up.....knowing that my student loan will go up in October. I am SCARED. I know it will work out. I know that adjustments will be made. But I just know where we were 2 years ago....and feel like we are only a step away from that.
I am just trying to take it one thing at a time....but failing miserably. All I see is EVERYTHING coming at me.
This is sooooo not the way it was supposed to be.
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