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Archive for January, 2008

A raise to go with the new office!!

January 30th, 2008 at 03:37 am

I had my evaluation this week. I must have did ok at work even though I was going through so much at home..as I got a very good evaluation and a nice raise because of it!! I am so blessed to have a boss that truly believes that family is as important (if not more) than one's job.

I reworked the budget and may be able to make it work without getting a second job!! The hub is supposed to be getting a raise soon too...which should put us back into a more comfortable position.

Of course, our ebb right now is that DD2 (single mom of GS 3) lost her job this morning....not sure what impact that will have on our finances.

It is hard to believe papa has been gone a month today...but I am seeing the proof that life goes on. In spite of the month long anniversary, today was a good day. I was able to help someone today and make an impact in her life in a good way...it felt good. I honestly believe that sometimes the best medicine for a sad heart is to help someone else...once you do, the world is ok again.

I am loving that new office guys...it has such a nice view!! Whatever I did to be this blessed...well, I am not taking it for granted!!!



New Beginnings...

January 27th, 2008 at 05:12 am

We had my dads memorial tonight. Instead of a sad evening, we planned a birthday and celebration (his 75th birthday was on the 23rd). I made little handouts for everyone and we played the song "I can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me. We had pictures and cake...cried a little, and did our best to make peace with the fact that he is gone.

Yesterday, I moved into my new office at work. I have a beautiful big office with a great view. I am now right next door to the CEO-- which is perfect as his assistant. I am looking forward to having the privacy that this office will provide...I was out in the middle of the reception area and had constant interruptions before..this will definately help me to stay focused and to hopefully be more productive.

My job went to self-insurance this year, and as part of the process, they are going to offer an 8 month program to get healthy, which includes a personal coach who counsels and weighs you once each month...plus they are offering an 8 month contest (with some great prizes)to encourage everyone to join in and partake. So, I am going to sign up...and hopefully by October, I will be a 'new me'!!

The hub, DD3 and I are taking a long weekend next weekend to get away and regroup...I hope it helps reduce my stress..seems like lately, nothing is helping.

Money...well, Ive decided to forgive and start over...we are back in the red and need to work our way back out of the black hole of indebtedness....Ive been here before and I know we can do it. I am still tossing the second job idea around. The hub sold 4 cords of wood this weekend...which means we made about $500 profit,which will more than pay for our adventure next weekend.

I am looking forward to the newness of the future..thank goodness for "opportunity and a chance to start fresh every 24 hours"...I plan to make the most of these new beginnings...






ps...I miss you dad.

Staying sane in the midst of chaos...

January 19th, 2008 at 03:57 am

Plumbing is working again...$450
Nerve study for pinched nerve...$1100 (I saw the doctor for about 15 minutes...unreal!) My part...$195 + $20 co-pay for my dr to read the results and discuss in an office visit.
Deductible for hubs ER and Hosp stay...$250 + who knows on the 20% copay...

Thank goodness the chimney fire last weekend didnt result in any damage to the home. (yep, caught on fire and burned whatever had gotten in there right up...)

Todays blessings...a job I love, lunch with my mom, a little bonus in the paycheck, a toasty fire as I type this and healthy kids and grandkids.

We got the results from the hubs MRI today that he has blown a disk again...but they are going to try cortisone shots instead of surgery for now. I sure hope the shots work!!

We are planning my dads memorial for the 26th. (His 75th b-day would have been on the 23rd)

All in all this was a good week guys. It feels good to have life returning to normal..even an expensive normal. (ouch) Ive been tossing the thought of a second job around in my head to catch back up...we'll see.

But for tonight, I am looking forward to a THREE DAY WEEKEND and lots of rest. :-)




And now the little stuff...

January 7th, 2008 at 02:16 am

I have a feeling, most folks would condsider backed up plumbing in their entire home (except for toilets) big stuff...but with everything else that has been going on here...I have put it on the 'it can wait' burner. Now that my mom and the hub are both home, it is time to deal with it. So, I see plumbing bills in our future. So hoping that this wont kill the budget for the year...but I guess we will see. We will call the plumber out tomorrow and see if they can send some powerful flush through the pipes and get everything working again. (please!!)

My 2008 Christmas shopping is done for everyone but the babies...I have reserved a great 7 bedroom home at a mountain resort for us to all gather for the week following Christmas. I thought this would be a great year to create a new family tradition...we will see how it goes, but I am soooo excited!!!

I slept 12 hours last night. I was so exhausted. I took it easy today and am returning to work tomorrow. I spent some time today planning a few vacations this year...It is good to have things to look forward to.

I can't thank you all enough for your support these past few weeks. I wished you knew how many wee-hour visits I made to this blog to read and reread your supportive words when my dad was so ill. You will never fully understand the impact you had on my life during those nights. I am forever grateful to you all.

If bad luck comes in threes am I done??

January 4th, 2008 at 10:14 pm

I swear, I couldn't make this up.

Got my mom home from the hospital yesterday and walked into my bedroom..there laid the hub with a major headache...within 5 minutes, I was back on the FWY to the hospital...5 hrs later, the hub was admitted for meningitis.

THANKFULLY- it is looking viral rather than bacterial and he should be able to come home tomorrow.

I can't even tell you guys how tired I am...but I am very grateful for having a caring and understanding boss. I have gone through this past couple of weeks without having to worry about my job.

I am afraid to see what these medical bills will do to my newly created budget...even with insurance, deductibles and co-pays are expensive!!! ugh.

HELP...does anyone know about MRSA??

January 3rd, 2008 at 03:51 am

My mom took a bad turn today. Breathing distress so she is on oxygen now...and a fever...They ran tests and said she has contracted MRSA. They have her in quarantine and everyone wears a gown and gloves that enters her room. Does anyone know anything about this???? I have heard about it but do not know much. All information greatly appeciated.Thanks guys.

Nana is ok and the 2008 budget is done!

January 2nd, 2008 at 02:52 am

My moms surgery went well and she is out of the ICU today. She may even come home tomorrow.

I spent the day cleaning her home and putting my dad clothes away so she does not have to watch us pack them up.

I also spent some time on my budget. Finances are not as bleak as I was expecting. I had a heart to heart with the hub and we decided that we would give our new spending plan an honest effort.

The budget accounts for our normal monthly expenses, as well as those not so routine expenses...and also provides some money in to a 'miscellaneous' fund so that the unexpected things are covered.

Hopefully, this will enable us to build a nice "emergency" fund. Throughout the year.

Extra money earned will go towards debt until the debt and the emergency fund are fully funded. (unless there are mounting medical bills from another back surgery this year...then most will have to go to that.)

Tonight, was tv and popcorn. Cheap, mindless entertainment.

I will ask for your prayers again tonight that all goes well with the hubs back pain diagnosis tomorrow. I am expecting the news to include the word 'surgery' somewhere....

But for tonight...my thankfulness is on nana's successful surgery and recouperation. I think she is going to bounce back totally and quickly.