Stress

Sorry for disappearing on you all.  We had a bit of a family crisis starting Easter weekend. 

DS2 had what I can only explain as a psychotic break and after days of trying to get him help via the local police and an emergency room visit we had to ask the state to remove him from our home. I always tell my kids that the number one job of a mom is to keep my kids safe.  It became very apparent that I could not keep DS2, myself, the pets or the other kids safe with DS2 living with us.

It was probably the hardest decision I have ever made. I have parented him for 4.5 years and tried everything I could imagine to get him help.  The entire family is devastated. 

And to quickly change subjects so I will stop crying over the keyboard, we got our tax return last week.  The emergency fund and Savings plans are both fully funded.  Captial One credit card is PAID OFF!!

The rest of the funds went household stuff. I admit we did some emotional spending but I got everything I had wanted plus have a $500.00 account buffer so I am happy.

I will probably be taking a few more days off to heal and then will be back in the blogging groove. 

HAPPY FRIDAY

I ran the numbers and I was $100.00 over budget last month.  While I always strive for better,  I am not to upset as this is month two and I didn't go into debt at all.

I am getting April's budget all cleaned up and hopefully have it posted in the next few days.

I got my grocery list done for the coming week.  I choked a bit when I saw the estimated total, but $50.00 comes out of the Easter budget and $20.00 out of DS1's birthday budget so I am still in the normal range for weekly groceries.

I am really excited about all the cooking I am doing this weekend.  I HATE daily cooking but I love make big special meals.  Easter brunch is Sausage Souffle, French Toast casserole, fruit and rolls. Orange juice to drink for the kids and Mimosa's for the parents.  DS1's birthday is the same day as easter and he requested homemade chicken noodle soup and Ice cream cake.  Both of these meals are recipes I grew up watching my grandmother's and parents make so it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to be making them for my family.

My weekend is booked! We have an Easter egg hunt at my dad's Saturday morning. My little sister and I are doing an Ikea and Easter basket filling shopping trip together in the afternoon.  Saturday evening DW is taking all the kids to a charity event Roomate is chairing while I get all the Easter preparations done.  First half of Sunday is easter related activities, and then the afternoon is dedicated to DS1's birthday celebration. 

I am really looking forward to some family time.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. 

WRECK

I am a wreck…

I have been fighting a cold since Monday and it wiped the floor with me.  I ended up calling in sick to work Tuesday and slept most of the day.  I would have done the same Wednesday but my schedule was so packed I couldn’t afford too.

I wish I could have filmed myself in the meetings with school officials and DD2’s birth family I meet for the first time.  It must have been hilarious because I was so doped up on Dayquil.  On occasions I would just shut my mouth in mid-sentence cause I realized I had no idea what I was saying.  Good fun.

Some life items that were causing my stress were resolved this week.  DS2 was accepted into a new specialty school so we can avoid inpatient for now.  DD2’s case went in front of a judge and it looks like she will be with us until June.   I also got to me DD2’s birth family and while they probably think I was nuts, I thought they were awesome people. 

On the money front, I know I have done some damage but honestly haven’t had the time or energy to figure out how bad.  I will run the numbers tonight as we start our April budget tomorrow. 

I did get to see my paystub for tomorrow’s paycheck and it looks like the changing of my withholding and the small pay raise I received went into effect.  I can’t wait to see what that would look like with a full 80 hour paycheck…one day.