Surprise $$

I was very surprised to find a couple of deposits in my bank account this last week.  Big, like $3,000 big.  In January I had a boatload of paperwork and crap to fill in because of my work injury.  I was told by my employer that I had to or I would not get my medical coverage or my pension benefits.

So a ton of photocopies, 2 trips to the Dr., too many phone calls to count and I mailed and faxed in my life story.

Apparently, I wasn't applying for what they told me or for what it said on the forms!  I had called the company and clarified twice, told them I was working full time again.  I thought it was all tickety-boo.

I got a letter from the same lady I had clarified why and for what all of the paperwork was for saying that this was my income supplement for when my employer dropped down my hours, and that they gave it to me even though I had applied 8 months too late!???

Umm Hello???  I filled in all of the BS within a week of getting the forms from my employer!  I don't have access to these forms unless they are given by my employer.  Don't tell me I am 8 months late.  I was told it was for medical benefits and pension coverage.  That wasn't done at all.  Talk about screwed up departments.  I don't care, they are all a bunch of fools.  I will take the money.
*edited to add:  I apparently met the criteria to receive it, even though not one dummy told me about it when my wage was cut by 3/4*

So I added money to my 2 savings accounts of 1. House stuff /crap happens and 2.  Vacation.

My little #3 had his other test done and it was a nightmare.  I don't even like to think about it.  I knew it had to be done but he didn't cope well and had a lot of discomfort.

Now we wait and find out what needs to happen.  3 options: 1.big surgery 2. small surgery no external work, just a scope and injection in the bladder 3. nothing - live with it and hope it doesn't get worse.

I am going to phone the specialists office today.

DH has been at his new job all week.  It is identical behavior that he has done for his last 6 jobs.  He phones me (no matter where I am or what I'm doing), tells me he hates it, tells me he's quitting.  Pretty much has a panic attack and acts like he's 4.  I tell him that we have been through this 6 times now and for the 6th time he will be fine and if he doesn't want to work he can move home and live with his mommy.  Suck it up and be a man.  Honestly!  I didn't even have to finish my spiel this time... I said my usual lines "and if you don't want to work you...."  "I can move home with my mother"  "There you go honey"
I'm tired, I too am doing a job that I don't love and find a breeze.  Trust me that the stress levels in what we do are not comparable at all.  I would love to have as little responsibility as he does.  His biggest decision this week was where to go for coffee!!!  I don't drive the sympathy bus.  I should be all gushy I suppose but really, I have supported my family for 10 years financially.  Until the mortgage was paid and since then - even with my reduced wage we split the bills in 1/2.  He does pay for the line of credit that the vehicles are on.  He could pay it off in its entirety today but he doesn't want to part with the cash.  His choice to pay the interest.

My kid #1 got a full time job this summer.  (Yeah mom and the new resume!).  I helped with his cover letter too as his dad, my idiot x told him he could and should use the same one for all jobs he applies for!?

No, you need to be specific to the job you are applying for.  He had a "Group Interview" with 6 others and he got the job.  I was very proud of him.  He's a friendly nice kid and should do fine working at this place over the summer.

As soon as we find out the plan for little #3 we are going to book a holiday or 2.  I have also had a talk with DH that IF our little guy needs the big surgery I will not work anymore.  I'll take a leave for as long as it takes for him to be fine again.  I had planned to go part time at the end of 2013 and we would be financially fine.  If I have to work 0 hours and care for my son full time we will be more than fine too.  I will just stop the big RRSP monthly buy I'm doing and reduce or stop the RESP.

It really never gets easy does it?

The Good Things...
free $$ as far as I'm concerned
We have jobs that pay well
my older 2 have good jobs for summer
I am prepared to do what I need to do for my son's health

Things that suck...
I would do anything to trade places with my little guy
not loving your job
stress

I've been nominated!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to Aggie over at  http://www.shoestringmanor.com/

 

 

1. How long do you wait before purchasing non-essential items?
Anything that is for myself and over $100 I will wait at least 3 days.  For the family I will talk it over with dh.

2. Why are you cheap?
I'm not cheap.  I would rather buy quality over something cheap that will wear out twice as fast.
My dh is cheap.  He wears out clothes and shoes twice as fast as me but doesn't see how it relates. I will also save up to buy good quality furniture instead of flimsy cheapo stuff. 

3. Processed, from scratch or both when you cook?
Both.  This last year with a back injury that made me loose hand and arm strength I have been happy to have pre-made things.  ie pre sliced carrots!

4. Manufactured or homemade (non-food)?
We all prefer homemade
5. How handy/creative are you? 1-10 scale.
I'll give myself a 7.  Points off for not being able to knit or crochet.  I am very comfortable with tools...drills, saws, drywall, painting, etc. I like to create in my yard with landscaping and flowers.

6. Books or movies?
Books

7. Why blog?
It is an outlet for me because I don't share my finances with anyone on a regular basis in real life.

8. Dogs or cats?
I have a dog but I love all animals and would have a zoo in my house if I could.

9. Do you use Google to spell check?
Yes

10. Cast iron cookware, yes or no?
No.

11. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A pilot.

11 Random things about me...

1.  My Mom-in-law frequently buys me clothes, and I love them :)

2.  I have never worn the colour red in my life until a month ago and I got a pair of pants/jeans that were $24 reg $100 for my new job.

3.  My own family is a dysfunctional mess.  We don't talk.  My mom has never said that she loves me, and I can count on one hand the compliments that I have got in the last 10 years.  (none on my wedding day). 

4.  I am now back at a very well paying job.  My dh is too.

5.  Because of my spending habits and savings we didn't go without anything when my wage was severely reduced.  I can also decrease my job to part-time and we will still maintain the same lifestyle.

6.  I have at times a wicked temper.  (I blame my red hair)

7.  Because of my family mess I love my own kids with openness and I tell them I love them and am proud of them often.  I am a moma bear when it comes to my boys.  This red hair also makes me love fierce and protect fierce.  ;)

8.  I am very uncomfortable in large crowds.  I hate when strangers bump into me.  Dh understands now and he always works to clear a path and be my bouncer when we go to a sporting event or concert.

9.  I love American football.  I'm Canadian.

10.  The last time I flew in a plane was 4 years ago.  We had horrible turbulence 10 minutes straight before landing and I thought that I was going to start puking along with the kids behind me.  I'm scared to fly again.

11.  I buy everything with a credit card.  I pay it off in full every month and have done so for 10 years now.


 I will come back and tag some blogs when I've thought of some questions today.

Questions I wonder about others...

1.  Do you talk to family and friends freely about money like you may do on your blog?
2.  When is the last time you went out for a nice meal?  (And enjoyed it)
3.  You are given $500, where does it go?
4.  A job you hate for 6 figures or a job you love for minimum wage?
5.  Green thumb or brown thumb?
6.  What would be a "do over and do different" in your life?
7.  What would be a "do-again"?
8.  Most expensive piece of clothing you ever bought?  (Includes wedding wear)
9.  What do you collect?
10.  The last thing that you baked as a treat?
11.  Would you be able to handle 6 months without any income for your family?

I nominate...

http://thehawaiiplan.blogspot.com/
http://lifebeginsatretirement.blogspot.com/
http://anostrichnamedsam.blogspot.com/
http://planetdebtfree.blogspot.com/
http://outmywindowtoday.blogspot.com/
http://www.thequesttobe.com/

Payday and Payment Day

It hardly ever happens that I get paid and the payments are on the same day.  I am paid every 2 weeks but payments are arranged by date.  I like that it is orderly this month.  This makes it a 3 paycheque month too!  Good thing as I was reading in my archives that my insurance bill will be arriving soon and due to a tune of   $1,100. 

One of little guys tests is done.  It was painful getting a bunch of iv pokes. I was ready to choke the tech.  I wouldn't let her do the third one, called in someone that was good at kids iv's and he made it look easy.  Now thanks to her my child is terrified of iv's.  He had numbing cream on and she went beside and above it?!  Anyone could see the vein to use!  What's worse is things are looking like he will need surgery.  How big of a surgery will be determined by the test next week.  I would rather cut off my own leg than have him go through any of this.  I hate it.
The only bit of information that made me feel a bit better is that this isn't related to the strep he had.  Or at least it doesn't look that way right now.  So a bit of guilt has been lifted but not the feeling of helplessness that he has to go through this at all.

I had my brave mommy face on all day and then cried all night.  Thank goodness that I can go into work a little late and it's OK.  Nobody gets bothered by it. 

My dh starts in his new department in a week.  I am relieved that he will be in a stable job for now.  His pay is going up which is good so that means the LOC will be going down faster.

My friend invited me to visit her in New Jersey.  I am in a state of flux right now with my little guy.  Once life settles down again may take her up on it.  We used to be next door neighbours 20 years ago and then we were co-workers for many years.  I miss her.   Her 3 kids were adorable and have now grown into beautiful successful people.  She went through a nasty divorce right after I did.  She met her soul mate online and moved across the country.  She is happy, she looks as good as she did 20 years ago.  I always wished she was my older sister.  I think I would really enjoy a week with her.

Here is today's accomplishment:

1 hour left to rise and I should be pretty popular after school today!

The Good Things:
great kids

Things that suck:
I would give anything to trade places with my son.