Well life is just plugging along at the moment. Jordan and I are in a small group at church and we're all reading and discussing "The Screwtape Letters" by CS Lewis. Its been a lot of fun meeting everybody there, and we've got various little hangout plans with a bunch of them. I'm really looking forward to it every week. Everyone is real and genuine, and most people have been where Jordan and I are now (questioning, and broke lol). This past Monday we were in charge of snacks, so I busted out our Chinese cookbook and made Won-Tons and Eggrolls for everyone. I also made pigs in a blanket, chocolate chip cookies, and brought along some fruit for those who try to eat healthier. Everyone was commenting on how great it tasted, which was awesome cause it was a whole lot of work to get all that ready. I was pretty much cooking all day Monday.
I've been making good progress on my 50 projects in 2010 thing too. Here's the list I've got so far. Italics means finished, and bold means in progress:
1. Mom's birthday present custom teacher bag
2. A new everyday purse for me!!
3. The "Happy Puppy" quilt for quiltforkids.org
4. The knitted afghan with 117 squares - 11 down so far!
5. A coupon holder for my purse
6. A new quilt for our bed (started in 2009, lets finish it!)
7. A birthday present for Julie (Oct)
8. A new and improved knitting project bag (I learned from my mistakes on the last one)
9. A weekender travel bag/luggage
10. A change purse to hold the change in my purse!
11. A nice warm hat for my hubby - already have the yarn and needles, just need the skill
12. Fill up the nice wedding scrap book we received as a gift that is still empty
13. The Apples and Pears NICU quilt for quiltsforkids
14. Scrap quilt from Jordan's great grandma's fabrics
15. Baby quiltforkids.org quilt (no name yet)
16. Kitty quilt for kids quilt (no name yet)
17. Spaceman quilt for kids quilt (no name yet)
18. Claire313's crazy Sanibel bag
19. Ruth's crazy Sanibel bag
So 5 projects done of 50, I'm 10% done! But the year is more than 10% over, so I need to bust a move. All my projects are so big and time consuming though!
Well, its about time for me to leave for work. God has blessed us in that I was able to pick up another student for tutoring, and I'm working with him for about 2 hours every week. Its great because the little income boost has really helped. The problem is that all this tutoring will be ending in about two months because of summer vacation, and I will need to find another job to make ends meet until it all picks back up again in the fall. At least, I'm assuming it'll all pick back up again and I'll get to keep my same students. I'm not sure what I'll do in the summer, but hopefully God will provide something. For the time being I'm trying not to worry about it.
Jordan and I were successful in sticking to our budget this month. We now have a fully stocked emergency fund and will be making a larger payment on my student loan debt than we originally anticipated. Its nice because the first couple of weeks were lean as we were waiting for my paycheck to arrive so we'd have money to buy groceries, but since then we've had everything we've needed and haven't really felt the pinch of running out of money at all. Which is because we haven't. It has really worked out well for us, and it was really encouraging. We even had some car trouble this month and a doctor's visit, but we turned out ok. That's always a nice feeling to see hard work start to pay off.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
50 Projects in 2010!!!
So we've been doing pretty good on my new year's resolutions so far! I've added a new one that I'm focusing on for the month of February - drinking my full 64 ounces of water every day. When I complete it for the day, I get a sticker on the calendar. I've gotten a sticker every day so far this month!
1. Etsy store - has had to be put on hold as I've been trying to get another job so that we can get out of debt faster.
2. Cook dinner at home more often - We have been doing really well on this, up until Jordan was switched back to nights. Now I have to gear myself up for cooking lunch for the two of us every day, instead of supper which seems easier as I have more time. But we haven't eaten out at a restaurant since I don't remember when, and our fast food intake is much lower too.
3. Reduce our eco footprint - our gas bill this last month was down almost $20!! And its the winter!!! I think that's pretty good.
4. Plan to and stick to a budget - We've started the Dave Ramsey budget, and are living much more frugally than a couple of months ago. Hopefully this will pay off soon as we will be out of debt.
5. Get out of debt - well, we're working on it! It may take longer than a year, but I hope not.
And now I'm going to start a new count thing: I want to complete 50 projects in 2010!! I think I'm already off to a good start though, and it shouldn't be too difficult as long as I stick to it. I'm going to try not to include the things I'm making for Craftster swaps on here, as I want to make sure I'm making things for our home too. Here are the things I've already started/finished:
1. Mom's birthday present teacher bag
2. A new everyday purse for me!!
3. The "Happy Puppy" quilt for kids - needs batting and quilting
4. The knitted afghan with 117 squares - 4 down so far!
5. A coupon holder for my purse
6. A new quilt for our bed (started in 2009, lets finish it!)
7. A new wallet
8. A new and improved knitting project bag (I learned from my mistakes on the last one)
9. A weekender travel bag/luggage
10. A change purse to hold the change in my purse!
11. A nice warm hat for my hubby - already have the yarn and needles, just need the skill
12. Fill up the nice wedding scrap book we received as a gift that is still empty
Obviously, that list is not to 50. But I need to think of more things to add to it! I'm getting project ideas all the time, I just need to have an achievable goal so that I can watch myself working towards it! I'm excited. And it gives me drive and direction in all this free time that I have currently. But I've already learned how to sew button holes, and how to do satin stitching on a machine. Not to mention the knitting stitches I've had to learn and master. I'm excited, and hope that this will increase my crafting skills.
1. Etsy store - has had to be put on hold as I've been trying to get another job so that we can get out of debt faster.
2. Cook dinner at home more often - We have been doing really well on this, up until Jordan was switched back to nights. Now I have to gear myself up for cooking lunch for the two of us every day, instead of supper which seems easier as I have more time. But we haven't eaten out at a restaurant since I don't remember when, and our fast food intake is much lower too.
3. Reduce our eco footprint - our gas bill this last month was down almost $20!! And its the winter!!! I think that's pretty good.
4. Plan to and stick to a budget - We've started the Dave Ramsey budget, and are living much more frugally than a couple of months ago. Hopefully this will pay off soon as we will be out of debt.
5. Get out of debt - well, we're working on it! It may take longer than a year, but I hope not.
And now I'm going to start a new count thing: I want to complete 50 projects in 2010!! I think I'm already off to a good start though, and it shouldn't be too difficult as long as I stick to it. I'm going to try not to include the things I'm making for Craftster swaps on here, as I want to make sure I'm making things for our home too. Here are the things I've already started/finished:
1. Mom's birthday present teacher bag
2. A new everyday purse for me!!
3. The "Happy Puppy" quilt for kids - needs batting and quilting
4. The knitted afghan with 117 squares - 4 down so far!
5. A coupon holder for my purse
6. A new quilt for our bed (started in 2009, lets finish it!)
7. A new wallet
8. A new and improved knitting project bag (I learned from my mistakes on the last one)
9. A weekender travel bag/luggage
10. A change purse to hold the change in my purse!
11. A nice warm hat for my hubby - already have the yarn and needles, just need the skill
12. Fill up the nice wedding scrap book we received as a gift that is still empty
Obviously, that list is not to 50. But I need to think of more things to add to it! I'm getting project ideas all the time, I just need to have an achievable goal so that I can watch myself working towards it! I'm excited. And it gives me drive and direction in all this free time that I have currently. But I've already learned how to sew button holes, and how to do satin stitching on a machine. Not to mention the knitting stitches I've had to learn and master. I'm excited, and hope that this will increase my crafting skills.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
New Drive
Jordan is interviewing for a new job right now. We're hoping and praying that its not a sales job, and that it'll be salaried and the right job for him. We shall see. He forget to grab his coat and his ipod charger, so I'm going to drive out to his work later today and bring it to him.
I've found myself a new project. I'd like to start work on another quilt, but after having to pull out all the stitches I've put into the one that I started making for Jordan and I, I need a little break from that pattern. I found this website while reading on a blog: http://quiltsforkids.org/ and I signed up to receive a kit of fabric. What a great way to get out of my quilting funk and help some needy kids at the same time! I'm rather excited for it.
Still no luck on the job front for me. Everything that comes across craigslist is a sales job, or a full time job that would make it so I can't tutor. I know that something will happen soon though, so I'm not going to let it get me down. Until then, I'm just trying to squeeze in as many hours of tutoring that I can. Never thought I would say that teachers don't assign enough homework. :)
I've found myself a new project. I'd like to start work on another quilt, but after having to pull out all the stitches I've put into the one that I started making for Jordan and I, I need a little break from that pattern. I found this website while reading on a blog: http://quiltsforkids.org/ and I signed up to receive a kit of fabric. What a great way to get out of my quilting funk and help some needy kids at the same time! I'm rather excited for it.
Still no luck on the job front for me. Everything that comes across craigslist is a sales job, or a full time job that would make it so I can't tutor. I know that something will happen soon though, so I'm not going to let it get me down. Until then, I'm just trying to squeeze in as many hours of tutoring that I can. Never thought I would say that teachers don't assign enough homework. :)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Looking up?
Well, Jordan's work called about 30 minutes ago and informed him that apparently the guy who he'd switched shifts with in order to do a favor had decided to go ahead and switch back and not tell Jordan. So they were calling to find out why he was not at work. Which really makes me angry in a way I can't express, as Jordan really did his co-worker (who would have been fired if Jordan hadn't agreed to switch with him) a favor, and now this co-worker decides to completely screw him over. Oh it just makes me SO MAD.
Thankfully, we've both spent the past two days applying for jobs (Jordan more so than I because I've been cleaning house as well and we've only got the one computer), and Jordan actually already had a call on one and has an interview tomorrow. Of course, he had to call and reschedule the interview when he found out what his co-worker had done, but at least they were able to make time for him earlier tomorrow so he can still do that and make it to work. Oh, I am soooo angry at this person right now. But I really hope that this job Jordan is interviewing for is the right one for him (not sales) and that it works out, so he can get out of this crummy situation.
I'm trying to find some kind of part time work too, because we realized that our current income and budget are not going to allow us to get out of debt in any timely fashion. But the job I've got (tutoring) pays sooo well, that to give it up for a 40 hour a week $8 an hour job would be pointless as they'd have about the same income. So a part-time job it is. Anything would help, honestly. And I'm applying for anything I can find.
The Etsy business is definitely going to have to go on the back burner for a while until this whole mess is cleaned up. Which stinks, but that's ok. It'll still be there waiting for me when I'm able to get back to it. Just like this house, which seems to continually get itself messy when I'm not looking. I did finally make myself a new purse the other day. I had planned on listing it online to sell it, but I like it so much I'm going to have to keep it for myself. Which I think is ok, because I never make anything for myself.
Phew. I'm still quite ticked off. I need to go scrub something.
Thankfully, we've both spent the past two days applying for jobs (Jordan more so than I because I've been cleaning house as well and we've only got the one computer), and Jordan actually already had a call on one and has an interview tomorrow. Of course, he had to call and reschedule the interview when he found out what his co-worker had done, but at least they were able to make time for him earlier tomorrow so he can still do that and make it to work. Oh, I am soooo angry at this person right now. But I really hope that this job Jordan is interviewing for is the right one for him (not sales) and that it works out, so he can get out of this crummy situation.
I'm trying to find some kind of part time work too, because we realized that our current income and budget are not going to allow us to get out of debt in any timely fashion. But the job I've got (tutoring) pays sooo well, that to give it up for a 40 hour a week $8 an hour job would be pointless as they'd have about the same income. So a part-time job it is. Anything would help, honestly. And I'm applying for anything I can find.
The Etsy business is definitely going to have to go on the back burner for a while until this whole mess is cleaned up. Which stinks, but that's ok. It'll still be there waiting for me when I'm able to get back to it. Just like this house, which seems to continually get itself messy when I'm not looking. I did finally make myself a new purse the other day. I had planned on listing it online to sell it, but I like it so much I'm going to have to keep it for myself. Which I think is ok, because I never make anything for myself.
Phew. I'm still quite ticked off. I need to go scrub something.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Frustrations and Revelations
I'm pretty frustrated because the HORRIBLE bed and breakfast job that I worked over Christmas STILL has not paid me. She said she mailed the paycheck on Jan 18th, but how long can a letter take to get here from Weatherford? If it has not arrived on Monday, I will bring it up with her again and have her mail me a new one. This is absolutely ridiculous. Granted, she's not the best person with money (I took a payment to Macy's for her the day before Christmas - she was paying $40 on a $500 balance), but I still should have been paid by now. It doesn't help that we need the money right now. Several of our bills were high this month for some reason, combined with me not being able to tutor half the month because school was out. Just frustrating. Our budget has officially begun, but it feels like we're more in the hole than when we started because of this situation.
In other news, Jordan and I went and heard Grant play at a coffee house yesterday, and it was actually a lot of fun. We brought a board game, because my husband loves board games and I knew saying we'd bring it would convince him to go. Ultimately, it was a good thing because we both needed to get out of the house and he ended up having a lot more fun than he thought he would. The job situation is rough on him, and he deserves better. I haven't been much help lately because I've had a severe lack of patience for various reasons, the chief of which being that I need to get back into a house-cleaning and Bible-reading swing of things. Christmas "break" really threw us off. Anyway, the coffee shop was a lot of fun. And then tonight we went and heard the Fort Worth Symphonic Orchestra play a free community concert at church. The nice thing about these concerts (one of which I went to in December) is that we sit extremely close because its a small-ish auditorium. At least, small compared to Bass Hall. But we were probably about 10 feet away from the conductor. It was great. Apparently they had a contest for musicians in high school (or below) and the winner came to play with them. The winner was a Senior high school student who played a violin concerto (extremely long - totally memorized) with them. He looked nervous as all get out, and he messed up every now and then. But he sounded really good, and I bet it was a thrill to be the soloist playing with a professional orchestra. Man, the orchestra sounded amazing as always. The second piece they played was a symphony written by a bohemian composer, and it was beautiful. It featured the lone flute player, and she was remarkable. The lone clarinetist was also amazing. Its funny that the orchestra will have only one (two for the low brass instruments) player on each instrument, and then a whole herd of violins and violas and cellos and upright basses. The wind instruments can still be clearly heard. I keep saying this, but MAN they sounded good.
I've been making handbags recently, and I finally made one for myself (granted, I was testing a new style to see if it worked - and I like it a lot!). I've been using it and loving it the past day, and have a couple modifications that I will put into place when I start making them to sell. Kristen thought it was cute anyway. And I really really like it a lot. I enjoy making handbags, much more than anything else I've made.
Well, life goes on. The library is awesome for free entertainment. We checked out a copy of HBO's "John Adams" series and have been watching that. Its great, and you should see if it you get the chance. The first episode is a little rough because, as my husband put it, "I just didn't care about any of the characters". But by the second episode you've been drawn into the story and it really is well done. We've been enjoying it.
We've also resurrected Lego Star Wars since we never completely beat it. We're now working on the last 15% and we'll have beaten the whole game. Its a fun game and we enjoy playing it together. Anyway, back to my book. I'm currently reading "Julie and Julia", yes the one they made the movie of. I enjoyed the movie, and - as usual - the book is far superior to the movie. Well, kind of. Its much much better at telling Julie Powell's story, but doesn't tell Julia Child's story at all. The movie did a better job at that. Good night inter-world.
In other news, Jordan and I went and heard Grant play at a coffee house yesterday, and it was actually a lot of fun. We brought a board game, because my husband loves board games and I knew saying we'd bring it would convince him to go. Ultimately, it was a good thing because we both needed to get out of the house and he ended up having a lot more fun than he thought he would. The job situation is rough on him, and he deserves better. I haven't been much help lately because I've had a severe lack of patience for various reasons, the chief of which being that I need to get back into a house-cleaning and Bible-reading swing of things. Christmas "break" really threw us off. Anyway, the coffee shop was a lot of fun. And then tonight we went and heard the Fort Worth Symphonic Orchestra play a free community concert at church. The nice thing about these concerts (one of which I went to in December) is that we sit extremely close because its a small-ish auditorium. At least, small compared to Bass Hall. But we were probably about 10 feet away from the conductor. It was great. Apparently they had a contest for musicians in high school (or below) and the winner came to play with them. The winner was a Senior high school student who played a violin concerto (extremely long - totally memorized) with them. He looked nervous as all get out, and he messed up every now and then. But he sounded really good, and I bet it was a thrill to be the soloist playing with a professional orchestra. Man, the orchestra sounded amazing as always. The second piece they played was a symphony written by a bohemian composer, and it was beautiful. It featured the lone flute player, and she was remarkable. The lone clarinetist was also amazing. Its funny that the orchestra will have only one (two for the low brass instruments) player on each instrument, and then a whole herd of violins and violas and cellos and upright basses. The wind instruments can still be clearly heard. I keep saying this, but MAN they sounded good.
I've been making handbags recently, and I finally made one for myself (granted, I was testing a new style to see if it worked - and I like it a lot!). I've been using it and loving it the past day, and have a couple modifications that I will put into place when I start making them to sell. Kristen thought it was cute anyway. And I really really like it a lot. I enjoy making handbags, much more than anything else I've made.
Well, life goes on. The library is awesome for free entertainment. We checked out a copy of HBO's "John Adams" series and have been watching that. Its great, and you should see if it you get the chance. The first episode is a little rough because, as my husband put it, "I just didn't care about any of the characters". But by the second episode you've been drawn into the story and it really is well done. We've been enjoying it.
We've also resurrected Lego Star Wars since we never completely beat it. We're now working on the last 15% and we'll have beaten the whole game. Its a fun game and we enjoy playing it together. Anyway, back to my book. I'm currently reading "Julie and Julia", yes the one they made the movie of. I enjoyed the movie, and - as usual - the book is far superior to the movie. Well, kind of. Its much much better at telling Julie Powell's story, but doesn't tell Julia Child's story at all. The movie did a better job at that. Good night inter-world.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Every Once in a While
Grrr. Sewing machine pedal decided to stop working. I called a shop around here that carries my brand of machine, and they told me to bring it in and they'd diagnose it for free. But over the phone, they thought I would need the circuit board in the foot replaced, which would cost $75. But if I have to replace the entire foot, the part will cost $250. LAME!!! Especially since the starter on the camry decided to die as well, and we have to get THAT replaced. Estimate was at $340 with the part and labor, but Jordan did it himself and saved us $150. Still, meant we couldn't afford to fix the sewing machine.
However, Beth has decided that it is time for her to get a new sewing machine, and she is sending her old one down with Bill who is driving to Oklahoma to pick up the new youth minister on Monday and help them move. So we're going to drive tonight and spend the night at Jordan's grandma's house, and then see Bill and some of the other church guys on Monday. I'm excited to see family, as it sure does get lonely down here in Fort Worth. Its rough because I spent my first 1.5 years out of college (teaching) getting used to being lonely and not being able to hang out with friends. But Jordan is just now going through that, and there isn't a whole lot I can do to help him. Its hard because I'm home alone most of the time and look forward to when he gets home, but when he gets home he's a little down because all of our friends have other plans and can't hang out like they used to in college - which I guess is just part of growing up. Plus he hates his job and is just generally dissatisfied with life right now. Again, I think that must be part of growing up as I've got a lot of those feelings going on too. Oh well, life goes on.
We're officially starting our Dave Ramsey budget this friday with Jordan's paycheck, but its going to be hard because our emergency fund was so depleted by the car starter. Its good, because I have the feeling we would have run into a MAJOR crisis soon which we would have been unprepared for financially. We were talking last night about how if either of us were to get sick or in an accident, we wouldn't have any way to pay for it. But now that I think about it, Jordan is actually insured already for his health. It would just be the $500 copay, which we could come up with. Its me who we can't afford to get sick or injured. Just a rough spot to be in, when we're living below our means but just not making enough money and generally feeling like we're spinning our wheels. At least we don't have kids.
What a whiny blog post. Honestly, we have a pretty good life. We've got food on the table, two funny (and frustrating sometimes) dogs, each other, and an unlimited pass to the local library. I'm pretty convinced that the only thing more money would bring is more bills. And so I'm going to work on changing my attitude today.
However, Beth has decided that it is time for her to get a new sewing machine, and she is sending her old one down with Bill who is driving to Oklahoma to pick up the new youth minister on Monday and help them move. So we're going to drive tonight and spend the night at Jordan's grandma's house, and then see Bill and some of the other church guys on Monday. I'm excited to see family, as it sure does get lonely down here in Fort Worth. Its rough because I spent my first 1.5 years out of college (teaching) getting used to being lonely and not being able to hang out with friends. But Jordan is just now going through that, and there isn't a whole lot I can do to help him. Its hard because I'm home alone most of the time and look forward to when he gets home, but when he gets home he's a little down because all of our friends have other plans and can't hang out like they used to in college - which I guess is just part of growing up. Plus he hates his job and is just generally dissatisfied with life right now. Again, I think that must be part of growing up as I've got a lot of those feelings going on too. Oh well, life goes on.
We're officially starting our Dave Ramsey budget this friday with Jordan's paycheck, but its going to be hard because our emergency fund was so depleted by the car starter. Its good, because I have the feeling we would have run into a MAJOR crisis soon which we would have been unprepared for financially. We were talking last night about how if either of us were to get sick or in an accident, we wouldn't have any way to pay for it. But now that I think about it, Jordan is actually insured already for his health. It would just be the $500 copay, which we could come up with. Its me who we can't afford to get sick or injured. Just a rough spot to be in, when we're living below our means but just not making enough money and generally feeling like we're spinning our wheels. At least we don't have kids.
What a whiny blog post. Honestly, we have a pretty good life. We've got food on the table, two funny (and frustrating sometimes) dogs, each other, and an unlimited pass to the local library. I'm pretty convinced that the only thing more money would bring is more bills. And so I'm going to work on changing my attitude today.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
A weekend of new jobs
I took the test for the census job on Monday, which was kinda a shame because Bill was in town and I really would have like to see him. The census test was a joke, and anyone who graduated high school should have been able to get 100% on it, as long as they actually tried. If you try to do it too fast, you will miss questions as they trick you. But it took me about 15 minutes out of the 30 we were allowed. There were some people who didn't even finish, and some people who didn't pass (passing is 10 out of the 28 questions). I was the youngest person in my testing group. Everyone else was in their 30's or above with one or two exceptions. Since I got a perfect score, theoretically I should be at the top of the list when they come to fill positions. We will see though.
Jordan went to see his dad in dallas while I was testing, and Mrs. Gayla was there. She and her husband live here now, which is weird to me because several of us from MABC ended up here in Dallas/Fort Worth (Harris, Watson, Kristen, Jordan and I..). She works for the Southern Baptist Convention of Texas and told Jordan about a couple openings they have, which would be great for me because I would like to have health benefits. Hopefully I'll be able to do the work from them (hopefully in the missions department like Gayla) and still keep my tutoring job, which will help us follow our Money Makeover plan that much faster.
We had to get the cars' registration renewed yesterday. Good bye $100. AND in the state of Texas you have to have your car inspected every year, so we still have to do that. Already thinning our emergency fund as the two people who were supposed to pay me on the 15th (the tutoring company and that terrible bed and breakfast) STILL have not gotten my pay checks in the mail. Which is a huge part of the reason we're doing the money makeover plan - so that when people fail we won't be left in a pinch. Also, the started on the Camry has started to fail, so now we have to replace that. The mechanic down the road (who always quotes us high) said $340 to replace it. Jordan is looking at other options. Just frustrating.
We've spent the last 5 days pretty much consistently hanging out with the Watsons and the Michalkes. Its fun to have other married couple friends. On Sunday, after we went to church, we went back to the Watson's house and talked for a while. Everybody ended up telling their beginning of relationship through engagement stories, which was interesting to hear. The Michalkes were high school sweethearts, the Watsons randomly met and got engaged shortly after, and then Jordan and I. Of course we had to tell the whole Jodi's-college-mistake story, even though we were trying to gloss over. But they wanted to know, so we told them. Its great to hang out with people in our same situation of being newly married, broke, and trying to find where we fit. I've really enjoyed it.
The dogs are driving me nuts. Abbey has decided that after a month with no accidents, she is now no longer potty trained. So we're back to the kennel/outside time until she gets it through her head that she has no other choice. Hopefully this time it will stick. She's also been a whiny brat at night, which leads to less sleep for Jordan and I, which leads to raised nerves at night. Jojo is just very vocal, as always. Their new game is to sit on top of the couch and bark at the neighborhood stray cats.
Goals for the day? Do a little cleaning around the house, as they dogs have decided to unstuff another previously-stuffed animal all over the living room. I've got to replant some cabbage seeds that have sprouted and will need a bigger pot before they go outside in the garden. And I'm going to list an item or two online - at least make them so I can list them throughout the week, as well as finish mom's birthday present and figure out what dad is getting so that I can get that box in the mail and not worry about it.
Jordan went to see his dad in dallas while I was testing, and Mrs. Gayla was there. She and her husband live here now, which is weird to me because several of us from MABC ended up here in Dallas/Fort Worth (Harris, Watson, Kristen, Jordan and I..). She works for the Southern Baptist Convention of Texas and told Jordan about a couple openings they have, which would be great for me because I would like to have health benefits. Hopefully I'll be able to do the work from them (hopefully in the missions department like Gayla) and still keep my tutoring job, which will help us follow our Money Makeover plan that much faster.
We had to get the cars' registration renewed yesterday. Good bye $100. AND in the state of Texas you have to have your car inspected every year, so we still have to do that. Already thinning our emergency fund as the two people who were supposed to pay me on the 15th (the tutoring company and that terrible bed and breakfast) STILL have not gotten my pay checks in the mail. Which is a huge part of the reason we're doing the money makeover plan - so that when people fail we won't be left in a pinch. Also, the started on the Camry has started to fail, so now we have to replace that. The mechanic down the road (who always quotes us high) said $340 to replace it. Jordan is looking at other options. Just frustrating.
We've spent the last 5 days pretty much consistently hanging out with the Watsons and the Michalkes. Its fun to have other married couple friends. On Sunday, after we went to church, we went back to the Watson's house and talked for a while. Everybody ended up telling their beginning of relationship through engagement stories, which was interesting to hear. The Michalkes were high school sweethearts, the Watsons randomly met and got engaged shortly after, and then Jordan and I. Of course we had to tell the whole Jodi's-college-mistake story, even though we were trying to gloss over. But they wanted to know, so we told them. Its great to hang out with people in our same situation of being newly married, broke, and trying to find where we fit. I've really enjoyed it.
The dogs are driving me nuts. Abbey has decided that after a month with no accidents, she is now no longer potty trained. So we're back to the kennel/outside time until she gets it through her head that she has no other choice. Hopefully this time it will stick. She's also been a whiny brat at night, which leads to less sleep for Jordan and I, which leads to raised nerves at night. Jojo is just very vocal, as always. Their new game is to sit on top of the couch and bark at the neighborhood stray cats.
Goals for the day? Do a little cleaning around the house, as they dogs have decided to unstuff another previously-stuffed animal all over the living room. I've got to replant some cabbage seeds that have sprouted and will need a bigger pot before they go outside in the garden. And I'm going to list an item or two online - at least make them so I can list them throughout the week, as well as finish mom's birthday present and figure out what dad is getting so that I can get that box in the mail and not worry about it.
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