I love my husband, I really do. I love the fact that he is fairly handy, and if something is broken around the house, he takes the bull by the horns and fixes it. Even with stitches on his hand and being super tired from the weekend, he tore apart the wash machine and concocted a fix for it consisting of electrical tape and wire. It seems a little iffy to me, but he assures me that it will work. And if it doesn't, then the part we need is only about $25. PHEW!!!! Not looking forward to having to shop for a new washer.
I'm done taking the clomid and did not have any side effects, which I'm happy about. Now it's time to pee on a stick and get the hubby to impregnate me.
In other medical news, I'm going to a podiatrist next week to get my ingrown toenail removed and my left heel evaluated. I think I have plantar facitis which hurts like a mo'fo. May as well take advantage of the fact that I met my deductible this year.
I think I've finally decided what to get Paige for Christmas. We'll get her that Barbie My House and ask my family for furniture for it. I'm also going to ask for the game Hullabaloo and this Play Doh ice cream maker thingie. We'll save the Leapster for her 5th birthday. I can see it really frustrating her right now.
I am so nuerotic. I have this wild hair up my ass that Paige's winter gear MUST MATCH. So I went to Younker's and Kohl's a few weeks ago and got her a black, white and pink jacket, black snowpants, pink boots, and a pink hat and mittens. Adorable. Also ran me about $80. Well last year Mike's dad and stepmom got her a blue winter jacket to wear this year. It fits her fine and looks really cute. Since I'm all stressed about money, I decide to try to find blue snowpants to match her blue jacket and take the other stuff back. After Margarita's last night (YUM-O) I ran to Fleet Farm, Walmart and Shopko and found nothing. Shopping in the big girl section really sucks. The clothes are so much more expensive. So after stressing about this the whole way home, I complain to Mike about it and he tells me to let it go and keep the stuff we have. She can wear the blue jacket and black snow pants on the weekends at home. He also tells me to chill out about her having to match. See why I love this man?
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
When It Rains It Pours
So because Mike was out of town this weekend, I guess the universe decided to conspire against us and break stuff in our house. The wash machine stops in mid cycle, leaving me with a load of semi-dirty clothes soaking in water and not moving. I have to keep turning the dial until I find a spot where it will keep moving on to the spin cycle. I think the dirty clothes are onto me and are multiplying as we speak.
As I backed out of the garage on Saturday night to go to my friend Amy's house for supper, the garage door opener blinked a bunch of times and would not close. It was pretty freaky looking. Mike has a bunch of expensive fishing stuff in there so I didn't want to leave it open while we were gone. So I shut it manually, but couldn't figure out how to lock it. So on Sunday I had to get out and open and shut it manually when we went out. Not fun.
Then I'm driving our truck because we are under strict orders from our mechanic not to drive the Taurus until it's been aligned. The power locks on the truck don't work which doesn't sound like a big deal, but it really is a huge pain in the ass. Plus only the passenger side door opens to the back seat so I always have to go around to that side to get Paige. The power locks not working wouldn't bother me too much, but you have to get the key in the lock JUST RIGHT for it to open. UGH. Couple this with Paige asking EVERY SINGLE TIME I put her in the car seat "are you going around the front of the truck mama, or the back?", I was really sick of driving the truck. Paige has suddenly developed this phobia about being alone in a vehicle and not being able to see either of us. She usually screams from the time we shut the door until we get in.
On Saturday night I get a call from Mike saying that he shot a doe, but as his group was cutting up the deer, one of his cousins basically just about sliced his fingers off (Mike's, not the cousin's). This is why it's important not to drink when weilding knives. Mike claimed that it wasn't that big of a deal, but I ordered him to go to an urgent care to get stitches the next day. Promising he would, I hung up and hoped for the best. Sunday I get a message from him saying that he went to the ER in Rice Lake because the urgent cares would have cost the same as the ER and you're supposed to get stitches in a cut within 12 hours after, not 24 like Mike thought. So yeah, that bill won't be expensive AT ALL.
I know I just went off on how we can afford to do what we want when we want, but I am seriously stressed about money now. Here's why:
$1600 for the Taurus (about $600 more than we thought)
$2000 for the new furnace
$400 for a new washer (most likely)
$375 for Paige's 2nd tuition payment due right after Christmas
$350 (guess) for our land taxes, due at the end of January
$1000 for my medical bills at Aurora (at least I met my deductible)
$500 for Mike's chiropracter, at $50 a month
$400 left at CMH for my ingrown toenails and bladdar infection
Oh yeah and Christmas!!!! The first three are going to be paid for by a cash advance on a credit card. Not thrilled about that but it's at 3% interest and we had to do it. No other options, since our house didn't appraise high enough for a home equity line of credit.
Here's an FYI for ya, HSG tests are expensive!!!! Plus another $50 to get the Taurus aligned. I'm getting that done Friday morning. At least I've met my deductible, so I'm calling a podiatrist tomorrow to get in this year yet for my plantar facitis and 3rd ingrown toenail in less than a year. I'm tempted to have him remove the whole damn nail. And my next progesterone test will be covered too. I think I'm going to be paying Aurora for the rest of my life.
I hear the kid crying, almost her bedtime THANK GOD. She has been a bear today. She's probably mad at us for sending her to daycare, ha ha.
As I backed out of the garage on Saturday night to go to my friend Amy's house for supper, the garage door opener blinked a bunch of times and would not close. It was pretty freaky looking. Mike has a bunch of expensive fishing stuff in there so I didn't want to leave it open while we were gone. So I shut it manually, but couldn't figure out how to lock it. So on Sunday I had to get out and open and shut it manually when we went out. Not fun.
Then I'm driving our truck because we are under strict orders from our mechanic not to drive the Taurus until it's been aligned. The power locks on the truck don't work which doesn't sound like a big deal, but it really is a huge pain in the ass. Plus only the passenger side door opens to the back seat so I always have to go around to that side to get Paige. The power locks not working wouldn't bother me too much, but you have to get the key in the lock JUST RIGHT for it to open. UGH. Couple this with Paige asking EVERY SINGLE TIME I put her in the car seat "are you going around the front of the truck mama, or the back?", I was really sick of driving the truck. Paige has suddenly developed this phobia about being alone in a vehicle and not being able to see either of us. She usually screams from the time we shut the door until we get in.
On Saturday night I get a call from Mike saying that he shot a doe, but as his group was cutting up the deer, one of his cousins basically just about sliced his fingers off (Mike's, not the cousin's). This is why it's important not to drink when weilding knives. Mike claimed that it wasn't that big of a deal, but I ordered him to go to an urgent care to get stitches the next day. Promising he would, I hung up and hoped for the best. Sunday I get a message from him saying that he went to the ER in Rice Lake because the urgent cares would have cost the same as the ER and you're supposed to get stitches in a cut within 12 hours after, not 24 like Mike thought. So yeah, that bill won't be expensive AT ALL.
I know I just went off on how we can afford to do what we want when we want, but I am seriously stressed about money now. Here's why:
$1600 for the Taurus (about $600 more than we thought)
$2000 for the new furnace
$400 for a new washer (most likely)
$375 for Paige's 2nd tuition payment due right after Christmas
$350 (guess) for our land taxes, due at the end of January
$1000 for my medical bills at Aurora (at least I met my deductible)
$500 for Mike's chiropracter, at $50 a month
$400 left at CMH for my ingrown toenails and bladdar infection
Oh yeah and Christmas!!!! The first three are going to be paid for by a cash advance on a credit card. Not thrilled about that but it's at 3% interest and we had to do it. No other options, since our house didn't appraise high enough for a home equity line of credit.
Here's an FYI for ya, HSG tests are expensive!!!! Plus another $50 to get the Taurus aligned. I'm getting that done Friday morning. At least I've met my deductible, so I'm calling a podiatrist tomorrow to get in this year yet for my plantar facitis and 3rd ingrown toenail in less than a year. I'm tempted to have him remove the whole damn nail. And my next progesterone test will be covered too. I think I'm going to be paying Aurora for the rest of my life.
I hear the kid crying, almost her bedtime THANK GOD. She has been a bear today. She's probably mad at us for sending her to daycare, ha ha.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Dear High and Mighty SAHMs
*DISCLAIMER* Before I proceed, I realize that maybe 2 out of my 5 readers are SAHMs. This post is not about you because I am friends only with super cool people. This blog is a place for me to vent and boy do I need to vent about this. There, you have been warned. Proceed at your own risk.
Dear High and Mighty SAHMs:
Get off of your high horse. Just because you SAH does not make you a good mother. Good moms come in all types. If I stayed at home, I would be a bad mom. I know this, and there is nothing wrong with admitting that.
I work because I HAVE TO!!!! I make about $9 more an hour than Mike, and even working 20 hours a week less than him, my yearly salary is still a little more than his. However, neither one of ours is enough to stay at home. I married Mike because he is a good, honest, loving man, not because he brings home the bacon, or because "he works hard enough to allow me to sah." If I hear that statement one more time, I may puke. We did not live together before we got married, so we each spent money on our own rent. Meaning we did not have a big down payment for a nice house. We live in a small house and like it that way. It's less to clean.
I am good at what I do. My work saves lives. That's a big deal. I'm working to make workplaces in Wisconsin smoke free, making cigarettes hard for kids to buy, helping women receive lifesaving mammograms and Pap tests, and saving your children's lives by making sure you have safe car seats and are using them properly. I also teach you how to prevent getting sick from the flu, MRSA, whooping cough, norovirus, etc. My work is rewarding and I'm glad that I have a career in the field I got my hard earned degree in. What a concept, huh?
*Stepping off of my high horse.*
I don't have to ask Mike for money. I contribute more than my share to our household income-it's our money and we spend it how we see fit. We can do what we want, when we want. We can afford to send Paige to a Catholic school. We can afford to give generously to our church and to Paige's Christian Witness projects at school. We can afford gas for our vehicles and don't have to say we can't go somewhere because it costs too much. We can take Paige to fun places and do fun things BECAUSE WE CAN AFFORD TO!!!!
Because I work, Mike sees me as more than only to a mother to his child. We are equal partners. I am not "under his thumb" and can go out with my friends when I want to, even if I've worked all day. He does not expect a hot cooked meal on the table every night when he gets home, clean laundry that's folded and put away, and a clean house. We each keep the house and laundry taken care of.
Do not feel bad for me. Do not feel bad for Paige. She is a sweet, healthy, active, smart child who loves life and loves to laugh. I think we're doing something right. She is learning to listen to and respect other adults besides Mike and I by being in daycare. She is learning to play with and socialize with kids of all ages by being in daycare. We are often complimented on her behavior and good manners. Yes, she is not perfect, but is a good kid overall. Do I miss her every minute of every day while I'm at work? No. Do I cry every morning when I leave her at daycare? No. Are there some mornings I'm thrilled to be dropping her off? You bet your ass. Yes, there are mornings when I feel pangs of guilt for dropping her off, and yes, there are days at work when work sucks and I wish I was at home, but that's ok. And yes, there are days when she is at daycare 10-11 hours a day...horror of horrors. I can live with that. I know I am doing the right thing for my family.
I have had the opportunity to go full time and I am choosing not to. I chose to come back from maternity leave part time so I had extra time with Paige. The extra money and MUCH cheaper insurance would be nice, but time with Paige is more important.
Sincerely,
A Proud Working Mama
Wow, that felt really good. If I offended you, I apologize, but I am speaking my mind.
Dear High and Mighty SAHMs:
Get off of your high horse. Just because you SAH does not make you a good mother. Good moms come in all types. If I stayed at home, I would be a bad mom. I know this, and there is nothing wrong with admitting that.
I work because I HAVE TO!!!! I make about $9 more an hour than Mike, and even working 20 hours a week less than him, my yearly salary is still a little more than his. However, neither one of ours is enough to stay at home. I married Mike because he is a good, honest, loving man, not because he brings home the bacon, or because "he works hard enough to allow me to sah." If I hear that statement one more time, I may puke. We did not live together before we got married, so we each spent money on our own rent. Meaning we did not have a big down payment for a nice house. We live in a small house and like it that way. It's less to clean.
I am good at what I do. My work saves lives. That's a big deal. I'm working to make workplaces in Wisconsin smoke free, making cigarettes hard for kids to buy, helping women receive lifesaving mammograms and Pap tests, and saving your children's lives by making sure you have safe car seats and are using them properly. I also teach you how to prevent getting sick from the flu, MRSA, whooping cough, norovirus, etc. My work is rewarding and I'm glad that I have a career in the field I got my hard earned degree in. What a concept, huh?
*Stepping off of my high horse.*
I don't have to ask Mike for money. I contribute more than my share to our household income-it's our money and we spend it how we see fit. We can do what we want, when we want. We can afford to send Paige to a Catholic school. We can afford to give generously to our church and to Paige's Christian Witness projects at school. We can afford gas for our vehicles and don't have to say we can't go somewhere because it costs too much. We can take Paige to fun places and do fun things BECAUSE WE CAN AFFORD TO!!!!
Because I work, Mike sees me as more than only to a mother to his child. We are equal partners. I am not "under his thumb" and can go out with my friends when I want to, even if I've worked all day. He does not expect a hot cooked meal on the table every night when he gets home, clean laundry that's folded and put away, and a clean house. We each keep the house and laundry taken care of.
Do not feel bad for me. Do not feel bad for Paige. She is a sweet, healthy, active, smart child who loves life and loves to laugh. I think we're doing something right. She is learning to listen to and respect other adults besides Mike and I by being in daycare. She is learning to play with and socialize with kids of all ages by being in daycare. We are often complimented on her behavior and good manners. Yes, she is not perfect, but is a good kid overall. Do I miss her every minute of every day while I'm at work? No. Do I cry every morning when I leave her at daycare? No. Are there some mornings I'm thrilled to be dropping her off? You bet your ass. Yes, there are mornings when I feel pangs of guilt for dropping her off, and yes, there are days at work when work sucks and I wish I was at home, but that's ok. And yes, there are days when she is at daycare 10-11 hours a day...horror of horrors. I can live with that. I know I am doing the right thing for my family.
I have had the opportunity to go full time and I am choosing not to. I chose to come back from maternity leave part time so I had extra time with Paige. The extra money and MUCH cheaper insurance would be nice, but time with Paige is more important.
Sincerely,
A Proud Working Mama
Wow, that felt really good. If I offended you, I apologize, but I am speaking my mind.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Madison
I leave in a few hours for a work conference in Madison. YIPEE! Two nights, kid free, and husband free in a hotel room all to myself. Heaven.
Our weekend was fun and slightly busy. Took the Taurus to the mechanic to get fixed on Saturday morning. Mike took the dog hunting and left around 11am. Paige and I left for my mom and dad's in the afternoon. Had supper there and went to Appleton to see Beauty and the Beast at Xavier High School. I really enjoyed it! Paige liked it too, but it didn't start until 7:45pm so she was almost asleep at the end. Went to church with them Sunday morning, then headed back home. A friend and her daughter came over in the afternoon and we went to Cinderella at our high school. It was ok, not nearly as good as Beauty and the Beast. Paige was rather antsey and we were both glad when it was over. My friend and her daughter came back over afterwards and stayed for pizza for supper. Paige and Abby play so well together-so cute to watch!
Now I'm here at work and have been a huge slacker. My boss isn't here and I'm leaving soon, so I have taken unproductivity to a new level.
Pregnancy update: My progesterone level is slightly low. It's 11 and it should be 15-20. I'm still not exactly sure why or what that means, but the nurse told me to wait to see if I'm pregnant or not. If I was pregnant, I may have to take progesterone supplements. Well I'm not. I started spotting yesterday. I am waiting for a call back from the nurse now. She suggested Clomid and I'm ready for it. I know the side effects aren't that pleasant, but I don't care. I want another child so badly.
Some chick on my mom's group message board started a post extoling the glories of being a SAHM and I could just puke. Of course like 8 people have responded to it since last night and it's so sickening. I'm ready to post something back, but I'm trying to formulate a thoughtful and intelligent response. They are of the understanding that if the wife can afford to SAH, then she should. Doesn't matter if she WANTS to work...oh no, you made those babies, you stay home with them. So, if you see on facebook that I'm irritated, that's why.
Back to being a nonproductive slacker!
Our weekend was fun and slightly busy. Took the Taurus to the mechanic to get fixed on Saturday morning. Mike took the dog hunting and left around 11am. Paige and I left for my mom and dad's in the afternoon. Had supper there and went to Appleton to see Beauty and the Beast at Xavier High School. I really enjoyed it! Paige liked it too, but it didn't start until 7:45pm so she was almost asleep at the end. Went to church with them Sunday morning, then headed back home. A friend and her daughter came over in the afternoon and we went to Cinderella at our high school. It was ok, not nearly as good as Beauty and the Beast. Paige was rather antsey and we were both glad when it was over. My friend and her daughter came back over afterwards and stayed for pizza for supper. Paige and Abby play so well together-so cute to watch!
Now I'm here at work and have been a huge slacker. My boss isn't here and I'm leaving soon, so I have taken unproductivity to a new level.
Pregnancy update: My progesterone level is slightly low. It's 11 and it should be 15-20. I'm still not exactly sure why or what that means, but the nurse told me to wait to see if I'm pregnant or not. If I was pregnant, I may have to take progesterone supplements. Well I'm not. I started spotting yesterday. I am waiting for a call back from the nurse now. She suggested Clomid and I'm ready for it. I know the side effects aren't that pleasant, but I don't care. I want another child so badly.
Some chick on my mom's group message board started a post extoling the glories of being a SAHM and I could just puke. Of course like 8 people have responded to it since last night and it's so sickening. I'm ready to post something back, but I'm trying to formulate a thoughtful and intelligent response. They are of the understanding that if the wife can afford to SAH, then she should. Doesn't matter if she WANTS to work...oh no, you made those babies, you stay home with them. So, if you see on facebook that I'm irritated, that's why.
Back to being a nonproductive slacker!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Busy Busy Day
After stuffing my face at Margarita's last night and enjoying an absolutely huge and delish margarita, I was in no mood to wake up this morning. But I did. Off to Aurora I went for my progesterone blood test. I'm such a wimp about getting blood drawn, but it wasn't too bad. She tried my right arm first but no blood was coming out, so she had to poke my left arm. But I was a trooper. The lab tech was very sweet and made a joke about me never wanting to come in for blood draws again. I made a comment that hopefully the next time I come in, I'll be pregnant. The way she said "ooohhh I hope so" was so sweet and made me tear up. So feeling sorry for myself after sitting in the waiting room with a pregnant woman there for her blood glucose test, I decided to partake in some retail therapy. Kohl's is just way too close to Aurora and I had some things to return, so I felt obligated to go. I got a Christmas ornament for my mom's group Christmas party ornament exchange, 3 new shirts and a new purse. I returned $30 worth of stuff and spent $60. Nice.
Got to work and did not want to be there. After slacking off for most of the day, I left early to get to the sitter's by 4pm. Picked up the kid, went to the high school to get tickets for Cinderella at the high school PAC on Sunday for me, Paige and my friend and her daughter, to my work immunization clinic to get our flu shots (flumist for her, shot for me, my arm hurts) and to the grocery store. All in like 45 minutes. Got home, put up with a cranky kid, threw a pizza in the oven, and went to a 6pm meeting for a committee I signed up for through my church. Three pokes today-ouch. Mike offered to give me a 4th poke, he's so eloquent. I turned him down. Anywho, the committee is called the Family Life Committee and it's the brainchild of our priest. He wants us to plan family events that involve all three of the parishes. We are sort of merged with two other churchs, one about 5 miles away and one about 15. The other people on the committee are really nice and I think it will be fun. Our first event is a Family Game Night on a Friday night. We'll have snacks and refreshments, and people of all ages can play the games that are there-Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, etc. I'm in charge of making the flyer advertising it.
Came home and Paige was sleeping already. I haven't seen her much the past few days. Mike has been dropping her off at Sandi's in the AM which is AWESOME. But last night I ended up staying late at work and going straight to Margarita's, this morning Mike dropped her off, then we ran errands after work, and I took off again around 6pm and she was sleeping when I got home. But we'll be together all of this weekend and next weekend.
I guess I'll find out about my progesterone test tomorrow sometime. I'm peeing CONSTANTLY which is making me get my hopes up, but my boobs are starting to get sore tonight. I always get sore boobs about a week before my period starts. I was also super cranky today making me think I have PMS, but I think I may have forgotten to take my happy pill this morning. Damn happy pills. I hate it when I forget to take them.
Got to work and did not want to be there. After slacking off for most of the day, I left early to get to the sitter's by 4pm. Picked up the kid, went to the high school to get tickets for Cinderella at the high school PAC on Sunday for me, Paige and my friend and her daughter, to my work immunization clinic to get our flu shots (flumist for her, shot for me, my arm hurts) and to the grocery store. All in like 45 minutes. Got home, put up with a cranky kid, threw a pizza in the oven, and went to a 6pm meeting for a committee I signed up for through my church. Three pokes today-ouch. Mike offered to give me a 4th poke, he's so eloquent. I turned him down. Anywho, the committee is called the Family Life Committee and it's the brainchild of our priest. He wants us to plan family events that involve all three of the parishes. We are sort of merged with two other churchs, one about 5 miles away and one about 15. The other people on the committee are really nice and I think it will be fun. Our first event is a Family Game Night on a Friday night. We'll have snacks and refreshments, and people of all ages can play the games that are there-Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, etc. I'm in charge of making the flyer advertising it.
Came home and Paige was sleeping already. I haven't seen her much the past few days. Mike has been dropping her off at Sandi's in the AM which is AWESOME. But last night I ended up staying late at work and going straight to Margarita's, this morning Mike dropped her off, then we ran errands after work, and I took off again around 6pm and she was sleeping when I got home. But we'll be together all of this weekend and next weekend.
I guess I'll find out about my progesterone test tomorrow sometime. I'm peeing CONSTANTLY which is making me get my hopes up, but my boobs are starting to get sore tonight. I always get sore boobs about a week before my period starts. I was also super cranky today making me think I have PMS, but I think I may have forgotten to take my happy pill this morning. Damn happy pills. I hate it when I forget to take them.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Money Money Money
Holy shit, I just checked wbay.com and the wind chill is 18 degrees. WTF?
I did another Turbo Jam workout the other day...LOVE IT! So glad I got that DVD. I'm going to try the Turbo Sculpt tomorrow. No workouts this weekend. We raked the yard today so I'm counting that. Plus I did a ton of walking around while shopping yesterday and my heel was hurting.
Friday was my usual day off with Paige. We annoyed the crap out of each other all morning, then joyfully bid each other adieu at her bus stop. I frolicked into my house with glee at the thought of another 3 hours of a quiet house all to myself. Took pictures of a bunch of crap that I'm going to list on ebay, and then listed a couple of things. We need money BAD.
I'm so stressed about medical bills right now. We are currently paying $50 a month for Mike's chiropracter care this summer ($500 total so it will take us almost a year to pay off), we still owe for my ingrown toenail removal this summer (that was around $450), $80 for a recent trip to Urgent Care for another UTI that I had, $150 for the dentist for me from last month, and I really don't want to think about how much all this stuff with Dr. Gibson is going to cost. We've already gotten a $166 dollar bill from 2 different lab tests he ran at my office visit last month. Plus my HSG and now this week I'm having a progesterone blood test. Part of the problem is that we went on my insurance starting September 1st thinking it would be so great. We failed to notice that basically all labs, x-rays and other services are subjected to our $1000 individual deductible or $2000 family deductible and then covered 100%. The ingrown toenail and chiropracter stuff happened on Mike's insurance. We really were so stupid and should have waited until the first of the year to switch insurances. I'll probably just hit the $1000 mark at the end of the year and then start all over next year. I'm really not sure about the dentist bill. The first EOB from my insurance looked like all $400 worth of my services at the dentist were covered. I just got a different one from the insurance on Friday that said I owe like $150. Whatever. I'll just wait for the bill and go from there. The good thing about my insurance is that I can get a 90 day supply of my happy pills for $30, where on Mike's insurance it was $45/month. So we're saving about $100 right there. Plus we each get $150 in vision materials per year which is nice since we each wear contacts and glasses and routine vision exams are covered 100%. Infertility is covered 100% after the deductible. So if we have to pursue the infertility route, it won't be insanely expensive. Office visit copays on my insurance are $10, where Mike's is $30. So if Paige has an ear infection or something, it will only cost us $10, plus the prescription will be cheaper. Our premiums are about the same cost so I guess it comes out in the wash. But what's really nagging me is that whenever I've gone to the doctor in the past on Mike's insurance, I've only paid the $30 co pay and nothing else for lab, bloodwork, etc. The only thing is that with my $10 co pays, that if I ever decide to see a therapist (which I should, I have emotional eating issues) it will only be $10 per visit. I saw one last year and it was $30 a visit and I was going weekly for a while. My ingrown toenail is ingrown again, I think I have another UTI, and I really should get my heel checked out for plantar facitis.
On top of all the medical bills, we need a new furnace, the Taurus needs tires, and the Taurus also needs a bunch of front end work. We're going to slap all this on one of our CC's then transfer it to a no interest card and pay it off in one year. Not a huge fan of doing that but we both have awesome credit scores, and we didn't get the home equity line of credit so we have no other options. Wells Fargo Financial has contacted us about some short term loans but they have insanely high interest rates so I don't want to go that route.
I am so demented about money. We really need to save save save right now, but because I am feeling the pressure to save, I go out and spend a shitload of money. I'm like a defiant teenager-oh yeah? I'll show you who's going to save money!!! In the last week, I bought three pairs of pants at Old Navy for around $70, spent nearly $50 at Gymboree on pants and 3 pairs of jammies for Paige, $65 on a new pair of tennies for me from zappos.com, $75 yesterday at JCP on 3 new bras, a pair of shoes for Paige, hairspray and this leave in conditioner for Paige's hair, and $15 at Payless for new shoes for Paige. RIDICULOUS. Plus about $20 at Pro Bowl/Suamico Ale House on Saturday for lunch and bowling with Paige and a friend of mine and her daughter. So now Christmas is coming up, our land taxes will be due at the end of January, and Paige's school tuition will be due right after Christmas break. WTF?!?!?!? I have so much more I have to list
I have a bunch more stuff to list on ebay but it's rather time consuming. I'll have to plug away at it this week.
I did another Turbo Jam workout the other day...LOVE IT! So glad I got that DVD. I'm going to try the Turbo Sculpt tomorrow. No workouts this weekend. We raked the yard today so I'm counting that. Plus I did a ton of walking around while shopping yesterday and my heel was hurting.
Friday was my usual day off with Paige. We annoyed the crap out of each other all morning, then joyfully bid each other adieu at her bus stop. I frolicked into my house with glee at the thought of another 3 hours of a quiet house all to myself. Took pictures of a bunch of crap that I'm going to list on ebay, and then listed a couple of things. We need money BAD.
I'm so stressed about medical bills right now. We are currently paying $50 a month for Mike's chiropracter care this summer ($500 total so it will take us almost a year to pay off), we still owe for my ingrown toenail removal this summer (that was around $450), $80 for a recent trip to Urgent Care for another UTI that I had, $150 for the dentist for me from last month, and I really don't want to think about how much all this stuff with Dr. Gibson is going to cost. We've already gotten a $166 dollar bill from 2 different lab tests he ran at my office visit last month. Plus my HSG and now this week I'm having a progesterone blood test. Part of the problem is that we went on my insurance starting September 1st thinking it would be so great. We failed to notice that basically all labs, x-rays and other services are subjected to our $1000 individual deductible or $2000 family deductible and then covered 100%. The ingrown toenail and chiropracter stuff happened on Mike's insurance. We really were so stupid and should have waited until the first of the year to switch insurances. I'll probably just hit the $1000 mark at the end of the year and then start all over next year. I'm really not sure about the dentist bill. The first EOB from my insurance looked like all $400 worth of my services at the dentist were covered. I just got a different one from the insurance on Friday that said I owe like $150. Whatever. I'll just wait for the bill and go from there. The good thing about my insurance is that I can get a 90 day supply of my happy pills for $30, where on Mike's insurance it was $45/month. So we're saving about $100 right there. Plus we each get $150 in vision materials per year which is nice since we each wear contacts and glasses and routine vision exams are covered 100%. Infertility is covered 100% after the deductible. So if we have to pursue the infertility route, it won't be insanely expensive. Office visit copays on my insurance are $10, where Mike's is $30. So if Paige has an ear infection or something, it will only cost us $10, plus the prescription will be cheaper. Our premiums are about the same cost so I guess it comes out in the wash. But what's really nagging me is that whenever I've gone to the doctor in the past on Mike's insurance, I've only paid the $30 co pay and nothing else for lab, bloodwork, etc. The only thing is that with my $10 co pays, that if I ever decide to see a therapist (which I should, I have emotional eating issues) it will only be $10 per visit. I saw one last year and it was $30 a visit and I was going weekly for a while. My ingrown toenail is ingrown again, I think I have another UTI, and I really should get my heel checked out for plantar facitis.
On top of all the medical bills, we need a new furnace, the Taurus needs tires, and the Taurus also needs a bunch of front end work. We're going to slap all this on one of our CC's then transfer it to a no interest card and pay it off in one year. Not a huge fan of doing that but we both have awesome credit scores, and we didn't get the home equity line of credit so we have no other options. Wells Fargo Financial has contacted us about some short term loans but they have insanely high interest rates so I don't want to go that route.
I am so demented about money. We really need to save save save right now, but because I am feeling the pressure to save, I go out and spend a shitload of money. I'm like a defiant teenager-oh yeah? I'll show you who's going to save money!!! In the last week, I bought three pairs of pants at Old Navy for around $70, spent nearly $50 at Gymboree on pants and 3 pairs of jammies for Paige, $65 on a new pair of tennies for me from zappos.com, $75 yesterday at JCP on 3 new bras, a pair of shoes for Paige, hairspray and this leave in conditioner for Paige's hair, and $15 at Payless for new shoes for Paige. RIDICULOUS. Plus about $20 at Pro Bowl/Suamico Ale House on Saturday for lunch and bowling with Paige and a friend of mine and her daughter. So now Christmas is coming up, our land taxes will be due at the end of January, and Paige's school tuition will be due right after Christmas break. WTF?!?!?!? I have so much more I have to list
I have a bunch more stuff to list on ebay but it's rather time consuming. I'll have to plug away at it this week.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Our 44th President
Last night at 10pm, Barack Obama was named the 44th President of the United States. Mike and I watched the election coverage most of the night and could tell that Obama was going to win, but it was still so exciting when it was officially "called."
I was undecided at first, then watched the debates and did some research and decided to vote for Obama. Mike bashed Sarah Palin constantly and I always got on his case for it. But after learning more about her and hearing how she charged many personal trips to her travel expenses as the Alaska governor, forcing the taxpayers to pay for her family trips, that put me over the edge.
Once I made up my mind that Obama was the man, I became a big fan of his! He is so charasmatic, and I can really see him leading our country out of this huge mess. I also agree with where we stands on many issues. As a Catholic, it was difficult to vote for someone who is very pro-abortion, but there were other issues, namely the economy, the war in Iraq, and health care that are so much more important. So now I'm very excited and hopeful for our country's future. I think Obama will be an excellent leader. I think any Republican that ran would have lost after the last 8 years of GW the worst fuck up in American history.
So if I have any readers who support John McCain, I'm curious what made you support him. Out of my, you know, 5 readers, this could be a long shot, but who knows. I'm honestly curious, I'm not trying to start an argument.
What other exciting news do I have to share with my 5 readers? I'm very close to getting a positive OPK! Today is day 14 of my cycle and have been expecting to get a +OPK, but I haven't gotten a thing since Sunday. Tonight, I started to get a second line...yahoo! So guess what we'll be doing the next few nights. =)
I've worked out every night this week! YAHOO again! Tonight I did a strength training workout for the first time in a long time. It felt really good to lift weights.
I was undecided at first, then watched the debates and did some research and decided to vote for Obama. Mike bashed Sarah Palin constantly and I always got on his case for it. But after learning more about her and hearing how she charged many personal trips to her travel expenses as the Alaska governor, forcing the taxpayers to pay for her family trips, that put me over the edge.
Once I made up my mind that Obama was the man, I became a big fan of his! He is so charasmatic, and I can really see him leading our country out of this huge mess. I also agree with where we stands on many issues. As a Catholic, it was difficult to vote for someone who is very pro-abortion, but there were other issues, namely the economy, the war in Iraq, and health care that are so much more important. So now I'm very excited and hopeful for our country's future. I think Obama will be an excellent leader. I think any Republican that ran would have lost after the last 8 years of GW the worst fuck up in American history.
So if I have any readers who support John McCain, I'm curious what made you support him. Out of my, you know, 5 readers, this could be a long shot, but who knows. I'm honestly curious, I'm not trying to start an argument.
What other exciting news do I have to share with my 5 readers? I'm very close to getting a positive OPK! Today is day 14 of my cycle and have been expecting to get a +OPK, but I haven't gotten a thing since Sunday. Tonight, I started to get a second line...yahoo! So guess what we'll be doing the next few nights. =)
I've worked out every night this week! YAHOO again! Tonight I did a strength training workout for the first time in a long time. It felt really good to lift weights.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Epiphany
I just got done doing a Leslie Sansone exercise video. It was a 15 minute 1 mile walk and I loved it! It's from a set that I used to do when I was pregnant and in halfway decent shape. Now I'm not pregnant, just very overweight. With my plantar facitis, I've been getting so frustrated that I can't exercise, but I've decided to start VERY VERY small. This was only 15 minutes and just the right intensity. I broke a little bit of a sweat, and I feel SO GOOD right now! So now I've decided I'm not going to do any of my Firm or other really tough workouts and am just going to stick with the Leslie's and other easier ones. This way, I'll look forward to working out and actually DO IT. I'm searching on ebay for a lot of Leslie workout videos. I'm so excited!
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