Thursday, August 22, 2013

Looking Forward

My husband has been in Michigan all week for training.  In just two short days, he'll be back home, even if "home" is currently the most temporary thing in our lives.  When I asked him how he likes his job so far, he told me he actually really loves it.  Music to my ears, particularly during this chaotic week.

I'm currently sitting here sweating at my desk.  The AC in the rental house is out again for the third time.  I can't wait to live in a place where I can just call a maintenance guy.  And, honestly, even if maintenance isn't fantastic, I can figure an apartment AC out a lot better than the archaic thing we have in the downstairs boiler room.  I honestly wonder if that thing is even powerful enough to cool the house we live in.  Wait, no, I know it isn't because my roommates live on the top floor and it's always sweltering up there.  I think it breaks down so much because it gets overworked.  Despite that, it's significantly cooler tonight.  Not looking forward to packing the kitchen tomorrow in the heat, but I'll cope.

I'm also coping with packing and working at the same time while Aaron's away.  It's tough.  I feel like I need a spare me to get everything done - particularly my commissions, which no doubt are suffering from goingtobelateosis.  I don't like being late on anything.  It makes me feel unprofessional.  Of course, I always give notice and my commissioners have always been so understanding.  Couldn't ask for a better job.

So while I'm in the middle of a bit of chaos, albeit optimistic chaos, I'd like to take a moment to look forward to the future.  Since Aaron's job seems to be working out well, we have some things on a list that we're in desperate need of replacing.  One of them is a part of one of my major goals this year - we need a new mattress, box spring and set of pillows.  Aaron and I have spent the last few years duct taping springs back into his decade old, or maybe even older, mattress.  A couple months ago, I got jabbed to the point of blood.  Never mind that some of the pillows I have came from my grandmother who passed away when I was 12.  You can feel the cotton in them clumped.  I spend many a night sleeping on our futon or my roommate's couch than I do my own bed because it's not comfortable, nor does it feel sanitary given its age.  However, because our previous finances, a mattress just never seemed possible.

Not getting a new mattress was one of the many financial "sacrifices" Aaron and I made every year.  We'd take a look at our budget every year, try to work it in, and then something would explode and we'd scrap the idea.  Not this year.  Instead of moving our old, worn out and broken mattress to the new apartment, we're trashing it and getting a new mattress the first week.  I'm super excited to sleep on a fresh, clean, comfortable mattress!

In addition, my digital camera failed me last December.  This was something I'd had on our list of things to buy this year but scrapped it to pay for car repairs for Aaron.  I'd like to get something decent but still point-and-shoot.  Something that would work great for photographing sabbat celebrations for Witchy Words.

After getting the new mattress and camera, we'll probably batten down the hatches and hold out for late November.  During that time, we'll be able to save up more than I've ever thought possible - in fact, I anticipate having our target savings for the year completed by the time Aaron rounds out his 90 days.  In addition, I really want to make sure this job is a good fit and that his company views Aaron as an asset.  We'll know that by the end of November.  And what better way to celebrate it than participating in our first Black Friday ever!

A few years ago, I invested in a cheap laptop.  The lemon of a thing maybe lasted me 6 months before I was mailing it off for repairs.  When I got it back, it was in even worse shape.  I've taken with me on long trips and dealt with its issues, but it's to the point now where it's not even feasible for me to work on it.  As it is right now, it works to watch workout videos but pretty much nothing else, and that's when you can get the stupid thing to turn on. I desperately need a new laptop.  Being able to work away from home or, hell, even in a different room of the apartment, would be fantastic.  It's something I'm regretting I don't have right now while I sit here in the heat.  I could be downstairs if that damn thing worked.  So there's something I'd like to invest in this year.  This will be my Christmas gift to myself.

Something's wrong with our TV's RCA connection.  Has been for about two years.  We haven't been able to hook up anything that requires it, like a DVD player or some of our game systems, because you don't get sound when you do.  It'd been a problem we've dealt with by simply avoiding it.  This year, I'd like to get a simple, cheap flat screen that actually has working hook-ups!  That will be my Christmas gift to Aaron.

The final thing I'm wanting this year is something I wanted ever since Aaron picked up our first cat, Nyx: a cat tree.  A nice one.  Something tall that Hermes can climb up and hide near the ceiling.  Something that has a stern base so Zeus can take his claws to it.  Something that I can hang toys off of, or drench in catnip.  Artie, my dog, has all the toys in the world and more sweaters than I can even count.  It's time I do something for the cats more than bell balls, feather toys and the occasional catnip dump in the entry way.  That will be my Christmas gift to my fuzzy babies.

And of course there's a few small things sprinkled into all of that.  The pets have their yearly vetting coming up this September/October.  I'd like to find out what I can do for Zeus's asthma and get Hermes a blood test - he hasn't had one since we first got him.  I'd like to go to the Six-Week Slim Down course for the fall session.  I didn't last year and my weight suffered.  I'd also like to invest in some wall shelves for my spiritual room at the apartment.

So quickly and for future reference, here's some items I'd like to have purchased before the year is over:

  • Mattress Done!
  • Box spring Done!
  • Four pillows Done!
  • A new sheet and comforter set Done!
  • A digital camera
  • Laptop Done!
  • TV
  • Cat tree
The last month of the year will be light.  All the Christmas gifts will be bought and we'll be back to saving again.  Heck, even buying everything I want to buy, we'll still have some spare to save.  At the beginning of the year, I'd like to reassess our finances and our savings.  If we have spare money, I want to throw it at the higher interest student loans Aaron has.

Previously, I made a list of things I want to do next year.  Some ideal goals to achieve for 2014.  I'd like to bring that back and add some things to the list.



  • Become an active participant in the KC Pagan Community (spiritual).

  • Attempt to attend all sabbat rituals led by Lushede Grove.

  • Attend at least four Coffee Covens.

  • Attend at least two Mystic Treasures classes.

  • Get my own health insurance, either through Aaron or myself. (health/financial).
  • Begin looking into investing money and retirement options as a freelancing illustrator (financial/career).
  • Buy a dining room table (home/financial).
  • Begin thrift shopping again and update Thrifty Difty (personal).

  • Make an effort for a weekly post.

  • Begin a balcony/indoor garden growing the following (health/spiritual).

  • Herbs: Basil, bay, mint, sage.

  • Vegetables: Cucumber, carrots, leaf lettuce, tomato, spinach.

  • Fruit: Blueberries, lemon tree.

  • Other: Aloe, garlic.

  • Buy our first tent so we can camp more often (relationship/financial).
  • Swap all of our storage items and memory boxes from cardboard to tupperware and reorganize (home).
  • Be able to speak basic Spanish again by taking two courses at the local community college (knowledge).

  • Spring: Elementary Spanish 1

  • Fall: Elementary Spanish 2, Latin American Humanities.

  • Continue in 2015 by taking Intermediate Spanish 1 & 2, and interpreting courses.

  • Learn how to swim (health).
  • Attend one convention related to my career (career).
  • Get a set of armchairs (home/financial).
  • Maintain savings and add an additional 20% (financial).
  • Complete a Wreck This Journal (personal).
  • Pay off 1/3rd of Aaron's student loans, starting with the highest interest (financial).
  • August: Week 3 Check-In


    AUGUST 2013 GOALS
    Month is currently 68% over.
    Overall: 56% complete.

    CAREER - 56% Complete
    Hit target number of monthly illustrations. - 53% complete.
    Number illustrations completed - 41% complete.
    Make target income for the month. - 74% complete.
    Some notes:  Work is work.

    FINANCIAL - 71% Complete
    Make target income for the month. - 74% complete.
    Keep budget. - 68% complete.
    Some notes: None.

    HEALTH - 23% Complete
    Continue taking thyroid meds. - 68% complete.
    Lose 3 pounds by beginning 5k training - 0% complete.
    Begin training for a 5k and be able to run one mile without stopping. - 0% complete.
    Some notes: Losing weight this month isn't going to be possible.  In fact, I'm absolutely certain I've gained.  I'm not going to fuss with it this month, but I am going to let it take a chunk out of my percentages as a reminder.  Next month is going to be catch-up month.  I'm going to have to work hard if I want to be comfortable in a corset for RenFest season.


    HOME - 63% Complete
    Organize the downstairs closet - 100% complete.
    Organize and sort the boxes in the garage. - 100% complete.
    Make sure lease has processed. - 50% complete.
    Sort items to donate, discard and sell. - 100% complete.
    Post sellable items on Craigslist. - 100% complete.
    Have a garage sale. - 100% complete.
    Gather packing supplies. - 100% complete.
    Pack contents of storage areas and infrequently used items. - 100% complete.
    Color code, label and number each box. - 75% complete.
    Call to have utilities and internet service disconnected from old home and installed in new home. - 100% complete.
    Pack the bulk of the house. - 100% complete.
    Complete a change of address form. - 100% complete.
    Get key to new apartment. - 0% complete.
    Do a walk-through of the new place. - 0% complete.
    Pack an essentials box. - 0% complete.
    Move all items into new place. - 0% complete.
    Notify places of our new address. - 0% complete.
    Give keys back to landlord. - 0% complete.
    Some notes: Like last week, if I seem behind, it's because most of this can't be 100%'ed until after next week.18 goals (just a reminder so it's easier for me to calculate everything).

    KNOWLEDGE - 68% Complete
    Continue taking thyroid meds. - 68% complete.
    Continue taking supplements. - 68% complete.
    Continue daily mental exercises. - 68% complete.
    Some notes:  None.

    PERSONAL - 43% Complete
    Continue taking thyroid meds. - 68% complete.
    Meditate three times. - 66% complete.
    Lose 3 pounds by beginning 5k training - 0% complete.
    Adhere to my planner schedule. - 68% complete.

    RELATIONSHIP - 50% Complete
    Do one date night. - 50% complete.
    Some notes: Still looking at Chinese take-out the night we move in.

    SPIRITUAL - 71% Complete
    Meditate three times. - 66% complete.
    Volunteer for T.A.R.A. for 8 hours this month. - 75% complete.
    Some notes: Nothing new here.
    ---


    Check List for August
    1. Move.
    2. Be 153.4 by the end of August.
    3. Decide on a date night this month.
    4. Volunteer for 8 hours this month.

    Friday, August 16, 2013

    August: Week 2 Check-In


    AUGUST 2013 GOALS
    Month is currently 52% over.
    Overall: 46% complete.

    CAREER - 42% Complete
    Hit target number of monthly illustrations. - 34% complete.
    Number illustrations completed - 34% complete.
    Make target income for the month. - 58% complete.
    Some notes:  Work is work.  It's going pretty steady.  I have another caricature event this weekend which will help.

    FINANCIAL - 50% Complete
    Make target income for the month. - 48% complete.
    Keep budget. - 52% complete.
    Some notes: None.

    HEALTH - 17% Complete
    Continue taking thyroid meds. - 52% complete.
    Lose 3 pounds by beginning 5k training - 0% complete.
    Begin training for a 5k and be able to run one mile without stopping. - 0% complete.
    Some notes: How.  In the world. Do you not eat out. During. A. Move?!  Bah.  I've been to lax on myself.  Chinese yet again tonight.  I really don't want to look at the scale.  It's been terrible.  At some point though I have to put an end to it.  Might as well be tonight.

    HOME - 47% Complete
    Organize the downstairs closet - 100% complete.
    Organize and sort the boxes in the garage. - 75% complete.
    Make sure lease has processed. - 50% complete.
    Sort items to donate, discard and sell. - 100% complete.
    Post sellable items on Craigslist. - 100% complete.
    Have a garage sale. - 100% complete.
    Gather packing supplies. - 100% complete.
    Pack contents of storage areas and infrequently used items. - 100% complete.
    Color code, label and number each box. - 50% complete.
    Call to have utilities and internet service disconnected from old home and installed in new home. - 0% complete.
    Pack the bulk of the house. - 75% complete.
    Complete a change of address form. - 0% complete.
    Get key to new apartment. - 0% complete.
    Do a walk-through of the new place. - 0% complete.
    Pack an essentials box. - 0% complete.
    Move all items into new place. - 0% complete.
    Notify places of our new address. - 0% complete.
    Give keys back to landlord. - 0% complete.
    Some notes: This is slowly but surely happening.  A lot of this won't be 100%'ed until the last week, so if it seems like I'm falling behind, that's why.  18 goals (just a reminder so it's easier for me to calculate everything).

    KNOWLEDGE - 52% Complete
    Continue taking thyroid meds. - 52% complete.
    Continue taking supplements. - 52% complete.
    Continue daily mental exercises. - 52% complete.
    Some notes:  None.

    PERSONAL - 43% Complete
    Continue taking thyroid meds. - 52% complete.
    Meditate three times. - 66% complete.
    Lose 3 pounds by beginning 5k training - 0% complete.
    Adhere to my planner schedule. - 52% complete.

    RELATIONSHIP - 50% Complete
    Do one date night. - 50% complete.
    Some notes: Still looking at Chinese take-out the night we move in.

    SPIRITUAL - 65% Complete
    Meditate three times. - 66% complete.
    Volunteer for T.A.R.A. for 8 hours this month. - 63% complete.
    Some notes: Nothing new here.
    ---


    Check List for August
    1. Move.
    2. Be 153.4 by the end of August.
    3. Decide on a date night this month.
    4. Volunteer for 8 hours this month.

    Sunday, August 11, 2013

    August: Week 1 Check-In


    So I know I'm running a touch behind.  I'm updating this in the middle of a garage sale, lol.

    AUGUST 2013 GOALS
    Month is currently 35% over.
    Overall: 30% complete.

    CAREER - 8% Complete
    Hit target number of monthly illustrations. - 0% complete.
    Number illustrations completed - 0% complete.
    Make target income for the month. - 25% complete.
    Some notes:  I had a gig this weekend and it went spectacularly well.

    FINANCIAL - 30% Complete
    Make target income for the month. - 25% complete.
    Keep budget. - 35% complete.
    Some notes: None.

    HEALTH - 12% Complete
    Continue taking thyroid meds. - 35% complete.
    Lose 3 pounds by beginning 5k training - 0% complete.
    Begin training for a 5k and be able to run one mile without stopping. - 0% complete.
    Some notes: Oh god, we've been eating all the takeout.  Cooking just doesn't seem possible in the middle of a move.



    HOME - 38% Complete
    Organize the downstairs closet - 100% complete.
    Organize and sort the boxes in the garage. - 75% complete.
    Make sure lease has processed. - 50% complete.
    Sort items to donate, discard and sell. - 100% complete.
    Post sellable items on Craigslist. - 100% complete.
    Have a garage sale. - 100% complete.
    Gather packing supplies. - 100% complete.
    Pack contents of storage areas and infrequently used items. - 50% complete.
    Color code, label and number each box. - 0% complete.
    Call to have utilities and internet service disconnected from old home and installed in new home. - 0% complete.
    Pack the bulk of the house. - 0% complete.
    Complete a change of address form. - 0% complete.
    Get key to new apartment. - 0% complete.
    Do a walk-through of the new place. - 0% complete.
    Pack an essentials box. - 0% complete.
    Move all items into new place. - 0% complete.
    Notify places of our new address. - 0% complete.
    Give keys back to landlord. - 0% complete.
    Some notes: Slowly but surely!  18 goals (just a reminder so it's easier for me to calculate everything).

    KNOWLEDGE - 35% Complete
    Continue taking thyroid meds. - 35% complete.
    Continue taking supplements. - 35% complete.
    Continue daily mental exercises. - 35% complete.
    Some notes:  

    PERSONAL - 28% Complete
    Continue taking thyroid meds. - 35% complete.
    Meditate three times. - 33% complete.
    Lose 3 pounds by beginning 5k training - 0% complete.
    Adhere to my planner schedule. - 35% complete.

    RELATIONSHIP - 50% Complete
    Do one date night. - 50% complete.
    Some notes: I'm really thinking Chinese on a box in the kitchen of our new apartment on the 24th is probably our best bet.  Still an awesome date night.



    SPIRITUAL - 42% Complete
    Meditate three times. - 33% complete.
    Volunteer for T.A.R.A. for 8 hours this month. - 50% complete.
    Some notes: Nothing new to say here.  T.A.R.A. has enough cat caregiver volunteers that they're cutting me back to one day a week, but replacing my hours with some graphic design work.  Happy day!
    ---


    Check List for August
    1. Move.
    2. Be 153.4 by the end of August.
    3. Decide on a date night this month.
    4. Volunteer for 8 hours this month.

    Tuesday, August 6, 2013

    Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

    I'm sure most of you remember reading Crapstorm 2013.  If you haven't, let me save you some time.  About half-way through July, we got notice that we would have to move out of the house we're currently renting.  On top of it, my husband's car died, leaving us -$1400 in the hole. On top of that, our insurance came in just the next day, which took another -$1500 out of us. So broke, homeless and with a massive dent in our savings, things were looking a lot like 2012 all over again.

    I am admittedly a bit of an open book about the difficulties my husband and I face.  A lot of it is because I never want to face three months of depression like I did in 2012.  Letting it out gives me a chance to gain some perspective, get some feedback and learn from my mistakes, even if there's only two people reading this blog. :)

    So my primary solution to Crapstorm 2013 was to begin applying for a second job.  I received some interviews and made quite an impression on one company in particular, but it was hard for me.  Getting a second job meant cutting back on my primary job a bit and losing my spare time to do things I loved, such as Circle of Open Traditions, volunteering or exercising.  And, for the first time in my life, I became angry at Aaron for having student loans.  Why should I have to sacrifice my dream job just because my husband decided to go to school and not pay it back when he had the chance?  Why can't he get a second or better job?  I laid all of this out plainly the day of my successful interview.  Aaron began applying for new jobs and second jobs that night.

    Apparently, having that argument was the best decision of our lives.

    Aaron heard back from one of the companies that he applied for the next morning, asking details about his knowledge in certain areas.  By that afternoon, he had a Skype interview the following morning at 7 AM.  Imagine his surprise when he finds out he's interviewing in Spain.  Yes, Spain.  They gave him a brief abilities test and he passed with flying colors.  Spain loved him!  They gave him a second interview with a plant here in the US at 1 PM.  In this interview, Aaron found out that they'd been searching for someone for this position for months, but everyone that they sent to Spain came back unapproved.  Spain was technically supposed to be the second interview, but they liked Aaron so much they nabbed him before the US could.  Aaron leaves the interview fairly certain he's got the job, but without a job offer letter, we're simply waiting.

    Friday, Aaron gets the job offer letter!  In it, it offers him more money than Aaron has ever made.  At the same time, I tell Aaron that his skill set was perfect for the job, that he has an immense amount of experience for his age, and that he is malleable for the company.  "Ask for more," I said.

    They took his request.

    So Aaron has a new job and flies out to Michigan on August 19th to train.  He's making double what he's making now.  Don't get me wrong; we couldn't be more appreciative of his current job.  Between our jobs, we've managed to pull ourselves out of seemingly impossible scrapes.  That being said, this job feels like Aaron's first official "big boy" job.  It's real, it's happening and it pays enough.

    In my Crapstorm 2013 blog entry, I mentioned briefly a metaphor about swimming.  I said that I felt like all we ever do is splash around in the water, barely being able to bob up enough to catch a breath before being pulled under again.  I said I wanted a raft in the flood.  What we just got was a boat.

    Official August Checklist


    AUGUST 2013 GOALS
    Month is currently 19% over.
    Overall: 9% complete.

    CAREER - 0% Complete
    Hit target number of monthly illustrations. - 0% complete.
    Number illustrations completed - 0% complete.
    Make target income for the month. - 0% complete.
    Some notes:  I'm probably going to cut back my total income this month since we're moving,

    FINANCIAL - 10% Complete
    Make target income for the month. - 0% complete.
    Keep budget. - 19% complete.
    Some notes: None.

    HEALTH - 6% Complete
    Continue taking thyroid meds. - 19% complete.
    Lose 3 pounds by beginning 5k training - 0% complete.
    Begin training for a 5k and be able to run one mile without stopping. - 0% complete.
    Some notes: Last month, I didn't lose because I came down sick and stress happened.  So this month, I have to be on target.

    HOME - 3% Complete
    Organize the downstairs closet - 0% complete.
    Organize and sort the boxes in the garage. - 0% complete.
    Make sure lease has processed. - 50% complete.
    Sort items to donate, discard and sell. - 0% complete.
    Post sellable items on Craigslist. - 0% complete.
    Have a garage sale. - 0% complete.
    Gather packing supplies. - 0% complete.
    Pack contents of storage areas and infrequently used items. - 0% complete.
    Color code, label and number each box. - 0% complete.
    Call to have utilities and internet service disconnected from old home and installed in new home. - 0% complete.
    Pack the bulk of the house. - 0% complete.
    Complete a change of address form. - 0% complete.
    Get key to new apartment. - 0% complete.
    Do a walk-through of the new place. - 0% complete.
    Pack an essentials box. - 0% complete.
    Move all items into new place. - 0% complete.
    Notify places of our new address. - 0% complete.
    Give keys back to landlord. - 0% complete.
    Some notes: This list is HUGE because we're in the middle of moving now.  This is also why other areas are getting cut.

    KNOWLEDGE - 19% Complete
    Continue taking thyroid meds. - 19% complete.
    Continue taking supplements. - 19% complete.
    Continue daily mental exercises. - 19% complete.
    Some notes:  Cutting the book for this month.

    PERSONAL - 10% Complete
    Continue taking thyroid meds. - 19% complete.
    Meditate three times. - 0% complete.
    Lose 3 pounds by beginning 5k training - 0% complete.
    Adhere to my planner schedule. - 19% complete.

    RELATIONSHIP - 0% Complete
    Do one date night. - 0% complete.
    Some notes: Part of me wanted to cut our date night, but I think we'll be able to work it out, even if it's Chinese on a box in our new apartment.

    SPIRITUAL - 25% Complete
    Meditate three times. - 0% complete.
    Volunteer for T.A.R.A. for 8 hours this month. - 50% complete.
    Some notes: I've cut down my volunteering for this month significantly.  8 hours covers my T.A.R.A. Cat Caregiver position that I cannot back out on and the one T.A.R.A. adoption event I have to do to stay on their list.  Everyone else has been notified of our moving situation.
    ---


    Check List for August
    1. Move.
    2. Be 153.4 by the end of August.
    3. Select a new book to read.
    4. Decide on a date night this month.
    5. Volunteer for 8 hours this month.

    Final July Check-In


    This is going to hurt, but I have some new developments to talk about soon!  Stay tuned!

    JULY 2013 GOALS
    Month is currently 100% over.
    Overall: 98% complete.

    CAREER - 103% Complete
    Hit target number of monthly illustrations. - 100% complete.
    Number illustrations completed - 100% complete.
    Make target income for the month. - 108% complete.
    Some notes:  I'm going to skip notes for this and update in a journal entry.

    FINANCIAL - 100% Complete
    Make target income for the month. - 100% complete.
    Keep budget. - 100% complete.
    Some notes: 

    HEALTH - 50% Complete
    Continue taking thyroid meds. - 100% complete.
    Lose 3 pounds by beginning 5k training - 0% complete.
    Begin training for a 5k and be able to run one mile without stopping. - 50% complete.
    Some notes: 

    HOME - 33% Complete
    Organize the downstairs closet - 0% complete.
    Organize and sort the boxes in the garage. - 0% complete.
    Organize the linen closet. - 100% complete.
    Some notes:
    Downstairs closet: Sort boxes; sort filing cabinet; reorganize wedding box; weed out miscellaneous items into a box.
    Garage: Buy new boxes; sort into seasonal, labeled boxes; remove unsorted miscellaneous unboxed items.

    KNOWLEDGE - 100% Complete
    Continue taking thyroid meds. - 100% complete.
    Continue taking supplements. - 100% complete.
    Continue daily mental exercises. - 100% complete.
    Read one book - 100% complete.
    Some notes:  

    PERSONAL - 75% Complete
    Continue taking thyroid meds. - 100% complete.
    Meditate three times. - 100% complete.
    Lose 3 pounds by beginning 5k training - 0% complete.
    Adhere to my planner schedule. - 100% complete.


    RELATIONSHIP - 100% Complete
    Do one date night. - 100% complete.
    Some notes: 



    SPIRITUAL - 225% Complete
    Meditate three times. - 100% complete.
    Volunteer for the local pet shelter twice this month. - 400% complete.
    Find a new place to volunteer. - 300% complete.
    Manage one COT event this month. - 100% complete.
    Some notes: 
    ---


    Check List for July
    1. Triple up on July's home cleaning chores.
    2. Sort out July's home cleaning chores into weekly goals.
    3. Be 153.4 by the end of July.
    4. Select a new book to read.
    5. Decide on a date night this month.
    6. Volunteer twice this month.

    Thursday, August 1, 2013

    Crapstorm 2013

    2012 knocked on my door about two weeks ago.  Nearly every catastrophe that happened last year is happening again.  Losing place to live?  Check.  Huge four-digit car repair bill? Check.  Bad, costly health news?  Check.

    Where to begin.

    I've always been aware that our living situation was temporary.  I've never been more grateful for what we've got.  Unfortunately, the ride is over.  About two weeks ago, we got word that we would need to be out by the end of August.  Aaron and I have been trying to scrape together every penny to make a successful down payment on a decent place, and we would have had it too if his car hadn't bitten the big one.

    Only a day after getting that news, we got stranded in the airport terminal trying to pick up a friend because his car randomly wouldn't start.  A tow truck, a lost terminal card and $1400 later and it's fixed.  There was obviously a lot more than just the starter wrong - some of it we knew about and just had fixed anyway.  Nonetheless, there goes the down payment on a place to live.

    Not that that matters much.  The top place on our list decided they no longer take huskies, after telling me on a phone call and  in person the first time I saw the place that they did.  Turns out, next-to-nill townhouses with adequate space in the KC area take huskies.  That's a huge problem since my best friend owns one.  We've started looking at renting houses, but the monthly rent is just too high.  Townhouses here tend to stay just under 1k, but houses almost immediately jump to $1200.  Seems freaking impossible.

    On top of the costs, my yearly auto insurance bill came in, so that's another four-digit chunk out of my account.  And I finally went to see a dentist.  That's getting pretty costly too, since apparently I neglected the hell out of my teeth and our dental insurance doesn't cover as much as I wish it did.  Every visit is around $150 for what I need.  Ouch.  That and I do actually have my wisdom teeth.  They're completely impacted.  Insurance only pays 50% of that costly surgery.  That's completely and totally out.  Not happening.  Can't afford it.

    A few nights ago, a spring in our mattress poked through.  This isn't the first time it's happened.  We've already flipped our mattress for an impossible spring pop and it's full of duct tape patches.  Aaron patched it last night, but this morning, it ripped through my PJ pants and stabbed my leg.  It wasn't bad enough for an ER, but there was quite a bit of blood involved.  That also means we need to officially buy a new mattress.

    With what money?

    So I started applying for a second job pretty much anywhere a week or so ago.  I don't know what else to do.  I had a pretty successful few interviews the past week, but of course none of them are anywhere near my field.  Everything in my instincts tells me to just buck it up.  That 80 hour work weeks won't be that tough and that it's really the only option at this point.

    But is it really worth it to lose everything?  Right when I was beginning to love my life and get involved with things that make me happy, I suddenly have to cut it all off.  The volunteering, the Circle, the exercise.  When will I have time for it?

    If I get a call back for any of these jobs, I have a big decision to make: to turn it down and continue with the goals I've set for myself this year, or to take the job and risk losing everything due to stress and lack of time.

    This also includes being unable to complete my needed dental work since they're only open Monday-Thursday 10-5 and I'll have to work then.  It means not going to see an endo because I won't be able to take a few hours off.  It means sacrificing not only my spiritual and emotional happiness but my health as well.  How worth it is that?

    At the same time, all Aaron and I have ever done is splashed around in the water, bobbing up just enough to catch a breath before being raked under again.  It'd be nice to get on a raft during this flood.  A second job could provide that.  But at what cost?

    I will do a check-in as soon as I can figure out how to manage this explosion.