So Now What?

Spared, but a Bittersweet Victory

(Pearlieq) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:09:20 PST

Well, I got the notice today that I am not being cut.

I'm happy about that, of course, but there are some downsides.

First and foremost, good people that I like got cut. That's very tough. I'm going to have to work with them this week to transition off their work and I feel...

The Hatchet Man Cometh

(Pearlieq) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:51:11 PST

My company announced layoffs at our last company-wide meeting in early Dec. This was right after they announced they were cancelling our holiday party and right before they announced they were also eliminating our 401k match. Sigh...

They gave the date as mid-Jan and I noticed...

When Did Doing a ReFi Get So Complicated?

(Pearlieq) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:36:02 PST

It's been all over the news that mortgage rates are dropping, and I've finally been motivated to check them out.

We're about 4 years into a 30 year fixed mortgage at 5.5%, but if I can go lower, I wouldn't mind at all.

Unfortunately, the decision is becoming much more complicated...

No DVR and Well-Done Pancakes

(Pearlieq) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:39:20 PST

One of the heads on our DVR died, and you don't realize how dependent you get on that darn thing until you lose it. If I want to see something on TV, I actually have to sit down and watch it! Not only that, but I actually have to pay attention--no rewinding or pausing. It's very...

Yet Another Sign of the Times

(Pearlieq) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:54:42 PST

We had our first trash day after Christmas. Normally this is huge mess with piles upon piles in front of every house.

Not so this year. If you didn't know what week it was you would have thought it was any other trash day. No giant boxes filled with other boxes. No overflowing...

God Bless Church Ladies

(Pearlieq) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:05:46 PST

DH's grandfather passed away on Dec 27th. We're sad to lose him, but he was 92 and had enjoyed a very full life and good health right up until the end. His family is very big and very close, and they all seem to be handling it well.

We went back to Ohio for the services, and...

A Considered Purchase

(Pearlieq) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:55:18 PST

I don't normally buy a lot of "stuff". I prefer to save my money and not have too many things taking up space in my house.

Usually when I see something in a store that catches my eye, I admire it for a minute or two then put it away and keep going. Most of the time, I've forgotten...

Things you don't think about without kids...

(Pearlieq) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:02:16 PST

A couple of months ago we had a friend's kids stay with us while their parents went on a second honeymoon.

Things went pretty well until they came home from school the first day. That's when I realized DH and I don't own a single pencil!

They hadn't brought one home with them,...

Teeth, teeth, everywhere...

(Pearlieq) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:29:44 PST

Teeth are expensive!

I just had the cats into the vet for teeth cleaning today--between the cleaning and the kidney infection they found in Diana, I walked out just shy of $600.

What's more, I had been having trouble with one of my teeth--it hurt and things kept getting stuck...

I got grounded from contacts.

(Pearlieq) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:43:32 PST

At least it feels that way!

My eyes have been steadily getting more and more irritated over the past few months. At first I figured it was just a tired pair of lenses (I wear the Night & Day kind you can leave in for 4 weeks), then I thought it was allergies, or possibly conjunctivitis.

So,...

We owe, we owe...

(Pearlieq) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:08:07 PST

...off to work I go...

I did a preliminary run through our taxes today, and it looks like we're going to owe about $500 between the feds and the state.

Anyone want to lend me a kid for a week or two? :-)

Thousands in unclaimed government refunds!

(Pearlieq) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 11:14:26 PST

And for once it was actually me!!!

A while back we started getting a flurry of junk mail with people offering to collect a government refund on our behalf (and help themselves to 35%, of course). I threw away the first several without a second glance, but when they kept coming...

Finally!

(Pearlieq) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:53:41 PST

I just paid off my student loan! Admittedly, it's not really saving me much money as the balance was tiny and the interest rate was low, but it still feels so great to have it done!

Now, on to DH's loans...

$9 Left for Groceries until the 10th

(Pearlieq) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:04:36 PST

Whoops!

The grocery budget got a little out of hand this month. Of course I should have been expecting that since we've been eating in for almost all meals. It actually does take more groceries to cook 6 dinners a week instead of 2. Whouda thunk it?

The other problem is...

Eating in for Every Meal

(Pearlieq) — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 13:37:08 PST

DH got home from the hospital Friday, which was great news! He seems to be doing pretty well. He has to take an antibiotic for 2 weeks and take it somewhat easily physically, but is otherwise none the worse for wear.

The identified his infection as an aggressive strain of strep...

MOMA

(Pearlieq) — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 13:27:10 PST

Here's my bit:

You don't need it! It's amazing how little we really need to get by and live a happy life. The human race survived millions of years without the iPhone.

To that end, here's some tips:

1.) Don't tempt yourself. Don't hang out at the mall for fun. Don't read...

I'm Getting Too Good at This

(Pearlieq) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 19:28:09 PST

DH got admitted to the hospital this week. Poor guy got an abcess, which is bad enough on its own, but it's also playing havoc with his diabetes.

The first day was very hard on him--he says this is the worst pain he's ever experienced. They gave him really potent painkillers and...

Football!

(Pearlieq) — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 07:51:32 PST

Football season is back upon us again! I'm so excited!

I've really missed it, and now I can't wait to watch my beloved Bears play the season.

We enjoyed last night's pre-season exhibition game, and next weekend we're going down to their training camp to watch the last two public...

Made the Appointment Today

(Pearlieq) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 17:06:28 PST

I called my doctor and officially made my "I can't get pregnant" appointment today. We knew it was coming since it's rather unlikely we'll be able to conceive without a little help, but making the appointment made this whole baby thing feel really real.

It's funny, they made us...

Back from Vegas

(Pearlieq) — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 14:39:12 PST

We made it home safely last night, and actually had quite a smooth trip both ways.

I wish I could say I had a better time on this trip, but I just spent WAY too much of it working for it to really pass a vacation. We had some nice moments, but always with work hanging over my head.

We...