How is the year so far??

One month down....11 to go.  How is 2013 treating ya?  I am amazed how many changes are going on so quickly into the year and how many are coming down the pike.

Paychecks - we all know the tax situation.  I figured out that on a "regular" paycheck of mine, it is about $75 less.  G-man will get his first "normal" paycheck on Monday, so we will see what the end result is.  Of course, our medical insurance went up slightly, our FSA went down (due to Federal changes, although we are still putting more aside as if it didn't change).  All of this is still resulting in some tweeks to the budget.

Finding a New Job -   I have been looking and I am disappointed in the quality of the jobs out there. There are a lot of very entry level jobs.  Alot that I have no qualifications for (I am not a butcher, sorry).  And some that are just more of what I have done for 15 years.....grunt work for someone else.  There is a free service at the local library where a "professional" will look at your resume, so I am planning on setting up an appointment.  Can't hurt to have another set of eyes.

However, I have applied for my first job!  It was only a few days ago, so nothing to report.  It is an event planner/fundraising coordinator type position for a major university.  Actually, it is only a few blocks from G-man's office.  IF that worked out, he would look to change his schedule to days, and we could carpool.  :)  Major savings on gas!!!  But for now, I will wait to hear and continue to look.

Count down to free time! - As of June, I am out of the school volunteer business (at least for awhile).  I am ready.  This past month has been busy due to things out of my control.  I am in the process of handing over the reigns for some events to a new person.  I am looking forward to not constantly running.

House stuff.  *sigh*  I am a little worried on this front.  Our tv in our room is acting funky (cold medina.....sorry, had to do it).  The power button is about to fall out, and it doesn't like to turn on and off in general (the remote won't do it....)  This is a 17 yr old tv.  If it dies, it isn't getting replaced right now, unless we can get something on Freecycle.  The fridge made a noise the other day.  The stove top....2 burners are hit or miss on how they work.  We already had the one scare with the furnace.   There is NO WAY we can save up enough to replace ALL of those things this year.  NONE.  Even draining our EF, it won't happen.  So I am just being gentle to everything and hoping they hobble along a bit longer.

Kids.  They are going to be 11 this year (maybe we will find out they are wizards!!!).  The move to the middle school in September.  EEEEKKK.  And Sassy is "growing up."  As in, becoming a young lady.  As in, the boobie fairy has sprinkled some dust.  Nothing major yet....but changes are happening.  We have started to have some more mature talks, but the BIG talk hasn't happened yet.  We are closing in though.  EEEEKKKK.

Clothes.  This year is also going to be a major PURGE year for me personally.  I think part of my attitude towards what I have is influenced by the quality of what I have.  I am getting rid of alot of stuff that has holes, I don't like anymore, doesn't fit. I am tired of keeping it because I have nothing else.  So, I "splurged" and purchased some new underwear.  12 pairs (6 colors, 2 of each) for $19.  I ordered it and it is on its way.  When it arrives, all the old stuff gets tossed.  As will the socks that have holes or are stretched out.  "Foundation" garments are next on the chopping block.  I have $75 in GC to Kohl's for some new things.  Probably Saturday I will go (ALONE) to freshen things up.  It is probably bad that I have stuff that is older than my children......

This is getting too long.....stopping now!!!