FINALLY!

(financial flattening and flamingos)

I don't talk about this much. Only a few of my closest peeps have heard me grumble in any detail about money, but we've lived on the precarious wire above not quite making it on the one side and really not making it on the other for most of our married lives. I have a good job, but hubby, between mental health issues and lack of training has had a lot of trouble holding anything. Two years ago, in 2008, he was laid off and we committed to him going to school to learn an employable skill (YAY!)



But our precarious position became that much harder. Then last year, the University had a wage freeze, so I didn't get my measly 3% increase that has NEVER matched the cost of living increase.



A lifetime of decent credit made 'getting by' work for a while, but I have to admit, the prospect of my first advance check seemed like a dreamy answer to at least some small portion of my financial questions. But I got this deal in JUNE. The contract was signed in August (already snails pace).



FINALLY, last night, the advance check came (I drove downtown to deposit it same night). The scary thing is it was BARELY in time. I have been mondo stressed over this.  Man, am I looking forward to paying all my bills right when I get them for a couple months!

Fictional Paths



I also have some groundwork to lay for being a PUBLISHED author. I need to pay for my web domain (and figure out how to make a website), I need to buy the tax software so this doesn't end up COSTING as much as I MAKE on it (because I understand the deductions are pretty darned important for making the money go further—like even deducting the little corner of my basement that holds my computer and provides such scary inspiration... too bad I can't deduct the bathtub... darned those other people who use it!





Facing Fears

So I did something that is possibly reckless yesterday. I entered the contest to guest blog for Nathan. You know, THE Nathan... well other than THE THE Nathan (whose butt is pictured here)... but the literary Nathan. I probably won't get it and nothing will come of it, but I have great fear of being a wannabe. I really HATE the kiss-ass, “MEEEEEEE” thing that sometimes goes on among his commenters (not all--most seem normal, but there are some regular irritants in there). But still, I felt compelled. I think it is because I want to be like my long-lost twin Simon who earned Nathan recognition and a bizillion followers (not that I admit to being after followers EXACTLY, but I do wanna be like Simon...)



Anyway... if it gets posted THERE, I will send you. If it DOESN'T, I will eventually post it HERE...