Well, I am not sure if I mentioned this (I am sure I have but this is what I have been thinking about lately) but… we may NOT be coming down to Minnesota this spring/summer after all. While contacting the government about my interest relief (periods of time when I do NOT have to pay back my student loans) I found out that I am right out of time. After April/May we have to start paying back almost 300.00 a month!!! So much for putting Ken’s tax return to pay off some of our older debt… instead we are hoping that it can go to cover a portion of my Alberta loan – the smallest of the 3 (the government changed the way the loans were given out so I owe Alberta and Canadian to a bank and then another Canadian to the government directly – are you confused yet?? hehe – they have taken over half way through so after that point you got the money from the gov and not the bank). So now that I have gone through all of that explanation – even with Ken’s folks paying our gas (what a wonderful gesture.. you think?)… the added expenses of a trip south – food, dinners out, essentials, added things, extras…. I just do not think we have the money for it. I doubt that our credit cards could carry the extra debt though – after all before Ken found this second job we had expenses come and go – carseats… emergencies, etc etc.
It is hard to be responcible and think about these things rationally. I would really love to come down to Minnesota – as tiring and wearing as the long drive is and how being away from home is always stressful for the boys – especially overnight… it is nice to visit with Ken’s family and I miss my friends – the Novak family among others. I am hoping I am wrong and things will work out – a raise, worst case – change in job for Ken… I am going to keep praying and looking into ways we can set aside money for those first loan payments. I am looking at opening an ING Direct account where each paycheque we will take an amount out to be saved for that reason. Their interest is terrific as well as their lack of fees. Hopefully that will make a difference.
I am very proud of myself… I got OFF of WoW tonight and managed to scrapbook all of Emanuel’s Christmas pictures. Including Boxing Day and the Choir Christmas Concert. Nothing too fancy but they did turn out rather nice. I am so going to have to save my pennies and either get Itsakadoozie (sp?) from Michaels or the cutting system from Creative Memories. I am tired of outlining from a template and then taking scissors to cut. I still need to finish the pages from Emanuel and my trip to SC. I just don’t have the right stickers for the fireworks page and need to print out some of the pictures Jamie sent me from the airport when we were leaving. Not exactly the NICEST pictures of me, but I do want to include a couple.
Talking about SC – my sister (Kathleen) has a new boyftiend – from the BASKETBALL team! I can’t wait to see pictures. I have also gotten to chat with my brother (James)’s girlfriend Cindy on MSN. She seems really nice, and they are really happy together. I am so glad he has someone who cares for him as much as he cares for her. Hopefully they will make it for Emanuel’s birthday – we were chatting about maybe taking all the kids swimming on the Sunday. James has not seen the boys since Emanuel’s birthday in June!
Well Ken is at work tonight and I am thinking I will turn in soon. I made it to 18 1/2 on Wow and got some scrapbooking done, did a couple sinkfulls of dishes and managed to tidy up the top of the twins’ closet. Tomorrow it is OUR BEDROOM! Everything that has been in the way lately has seemed to migrate into there. I am thinking I will do a total clean in the closet when Spring comes and I switch out my warm clothes. It gets so un-tidy but I just do not have the room and desperately need one of those closet systems where you can just put it in the closest (not the bolted in one since we rent) and make it to fit what you need… or another dresser. One dresser for two adults that is just a little dresser is simply NOT enough. I want to get the majority of the cleaning done now so that the week before Emanuel’s party I am not rushing around. After all that morning he and I are going to the library reading program so I have to trust Ken and the twins to do the last minute stuff. Hmmm is that a GOOD idea? Oh well maybe Cindy and James will be here and I can put her in charge….