For the first time in quite a while, we are living paycheck to paycheck. I feel like I have lost all sense of security. And there are so many expenses this time of year, mainly involving my children. How do you explain to a five year old that you cannot do something because mommy does not have the money? She saved her birthday money for a season pass to Carowinds. Just this weekend, she told my mother in law that she still had her money, but "Mommy and Daddy don't have theirs yet." Heartbreaking. She has a dance recital coming up and her tap shoes no longer fit. Some people wonder why we didn't just quit dance. Well there were a lot of things I did not get to do growing up that I really wanted to. My dad told me, no matter what, let her dance. And he's right. Why should she have to quit? It's not her fault. I could have pulled her out of preschool, since I work at home, but I wanted her to be able to graduate with her classmates (that she has been with since 18 months).
So I am starting to take my stress therapy crafts and will begin to sell them. I have started making hair bows and pillow case dresses. Pretty soon I will start on crocheted scarfs for the fall too. I plan to take these to the local trade lot/flea market, to see what I can do. I love to do crafts, of any and all kinds. I am hoping to make enough income to cover the extra activities, and then I could breathe easier. Some things might not be neccessary, like dance or an amusement park, but if you can make it happen-do it. Live life to the fullest.
Today I am thankful for a dear friend that is helping take my daughter to and from school. I am thankful my son has his two year checkup this week, so we can find out if we need an allergy specialist. I am thankful that my husband is working with some really great people.
G'day all!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
New Job
After my husband lost his job, he immediatley enrolled in school. It was a tough year, but we made it through it and he passed the course. Certified in Basic Law Enforcement to become a police officer. Work however, has still been slow to come. Constantly getting over looked due to someone else having more experience. How do you get experience if no one will hire you? Over the course of 18 years, my husband worked every day, with no lapse between the two jobs he had. Hard working, dependable, and never a job jumper. Yet it does not seem to be enough.
The "system" has not been on our side either. The job I have does not offer health insurance benefits, so we applied for Medicaid for our children. After sending in a six page application, we received another packet in the mail with more forms to fill out. Then they had to verify employment history, and more forms. It felt more like an IRS audit. My income alone does not pay all the bills, yet according to the "system", we are just over the limit to receive food assistance.
We are not one of the families that stretched their budget for a lavish house or other wordly goods either. For nine years we lived in a two bedroom, 900 square foot mobile home. When we were pregnant with our son, we decided to look at our finances so we could buy a bigger home. After coming up with a strick budget, and only accounting for regular wages and no over time, we finally found a number we could live with, and live comfortably. We never wanted to live paycheck to paycheck. Then, two months after we moved in, we received word that my husband's plant was closing the doors.
Over the past year I have witnessed many people loosing their homes, their cars, their businesses. Fortunatly we had a savings account in place and did not fall victim to the reccession. Not yet. Our savings is finally depleated and we are now living week to week and scraping the piggy bank. But God is good! My husband just started a part time job this week. It is not quite enough but much better than not having a job at all. Currently I am looking to become a freelance writer and have been making hairbows and little girls' dresses to sell. There are so many things I love to do, that if I can do them and make a living at them-well, that's not really work!
I'll admit I do get nervous and stressed at times, wondering what bills we should pay this week, what we can cut out and do with out. My faith in God is relentless though. He never gives up on me and I will never give up on Him! He has blessed me with a wonderful husband, two beautiful children and family and friends that are awesome. So again, I may get stressed, but I am always blessed too!
I am thankful Lord, that even though I didn't get to go out to eat tonight, I do have food in my cabinets. I am thankful Lord, that even though there is nothing on tv tonight, I have power and a home. I am thankful Lord, that even though my daughter has been up and down the hall trying to stay awake, that she has such a creative mind!
These may seem silly thanksgivings, but to Him it does not matter. Thank God, seek God, and trust God!
G'nite all!
The "system" has not been on our side either. The job I have does not offer health insurance benefits, so we applied for Medicaid for our children. After sending in a six page application, we received another packet in the mail with more forms to fill out. Then they had to verify employment history, and more forms. It felt more like an IRS audit. My income alone does not pay all the bills, yet according to the "system", we are just over the limit to receive food assistance.
We are not one of the families that stretched their budget for a lavish house or other wordly goods either. For nine years we lived in a two bedroom, 900 square foot mobile home. When we were pregnant with our son, we decided to look at our finances so we could buy a bigger home. After coming up with a strick budget, and only accounting for regular wages and no over time, we finally found a number we could live with, and live comfortably. We never wanted to live paycheck to paycheck. Then, two months after we moved in, we received word that my husband's plant was closing the doors.
Over the past year I have witnessed many people loosing their homes, their cars, their businesses. Fortunatly we had a savings account in place and did not fall victim to the reccession. Not yet. Our savings is finally depleated and we are now living week to week and scraping the piggy bank. But God is good! My husband just started a part time job this week. It is not quite enough but much better than not having a job at all. Currently I am looking to become a freelance writer and have been making hairbows and little girls' dresses to sell. There are so many things I love to do, that if I can do them and make a living at them-well, that's not really work!
I'll admit I do get nervous and stressed at times, wondering what bills we should pay this week, what we can cut out and do with out. My faith in God is relentless though. He never gives up on me and I will never give up on Him! He has blessed me with a wonderful husband, two beautiful children and family and friends that are awesome. So again, I may get stressed, but I am always blessed too!
I am thankful Lord, that even though I didn't get to go out to eat tonight, I do have food in my cabinets. I am thankful Lord, that even though there is nothing on tv tonight, I have power and a home. I am thankful Lord, that even though my daughter has been up and down the hall trying to stay awake, that she has such a creative mind!
These may seem silly thanksgivings, but to Him it does not matter. Thank God, seek God, and trust God!
G'nite all!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
WAHM Stressed & Thankful...The Beginning
I am a full time work at home mom with two preschoolers. I am on the clock just like I would be going in to an office. The brutal winter has wreaked havoc in our household. My husband has been unemployeed since New Years Eve 2008, affected by a lay off. My children go to preschool for four hours a day, four days a week. The rest of the time we are all here, in the house together, all the time. Gets a little hectic. But even though I am stressed, I am thankful.
In Sunday School recently we discussed being thankful. How some only turn to God in time of need or want, yet never really stop to thank Him for every day blessings. Even when there are troubles we should all remember to thank God. We ask for blessings, healing, guidance, but do we ever just stop and say "thank you"? During this class it was also discussed that a group of people once did a study about being thankful. Part of the group was to record three things each day they were thankful for, while the other group continued their normal routines. The findings of this study showed reduced stress and anxiety for those that recorded their thanksgiving.
That is how I am beginning my blog, my first blog ever, by showing thanks. That even though there are numerous things that stress me out through the day, there are even more things to be greatful for. I hope that this inspires others to do the same. I cannot promise you that in my blogs that I will not vent, that would make me a hypocrit. I am not perfect, but I am striving to be the Christian, the Witness, the example that Christ would have me be.
So for today, I am thankful Lord, that even though I wanted to sleep in this morning-I was able to get up and move. I am thankful Lord, that even though my kids fought all day-I am blessed with children. I am thankful Lord, that even though it snowed today-it did not stick!
G'nite all.
In Sunday School recently we discussed being thankful. How some only turn to God in time of need or want, yet never really stop to thank Him for every day blessings. Even when there are troubles we should all remember to thank God. We ask for blessings, healing, guidance, but do we ever just stop and say "thank you"? During this class it was also discussed that a group of people once did a study about being thankful. Part of the group was to record three things each day they were thankful for, while the other group continued their normal routines. The findings of this study showed reduced stress and anxiety for those that recorded their thanksgiving.
That is how I am beginning my blog, my first blog ever, by showing thanks. That even though there are numerous things that stress me out through the day, there are even more things to be greatful for. I hope that this inspires others to do the same. I cannot promise you that in my blogs that I will not vent, that would make me a hypocrit. I am not perfect, but I am striving to be the Christian, the Witness, the example that Christ would have me be.
So for today, I am thankful Lord, that even though I wanted to sleep in this morning-I was able to get up and move. I am thankful Lord, that even though my kids fought all day-I am blessed with children. I am thankful Lord, that even though it snowed today-it did not stick!
G'nite all.
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