News

Graham started school today, I really missed him. Our marriage has gotten a lot stronger with our time together at home. We are committed to keeping it this way.

Other good news, Tasha has been calling on Skype, and this is cheap enough to get caught up. She is really loving living her life right now, with lots of adventures. She goes to Scotland for Easter. She has no real idea of when she plans to come back!

My student loan question, the money question today-

Graham got his financial aid award letter, only loans as he has a bachelor's already.
We could stretch hard and pay his tuition with the tax return, or take out the student loans-

tuition is $4500 for 7 weeks of class

federal student loans offered $3700

tax refund about $8000, $2000 going to dd for college, need some for living expenses, to tide us over in April, May and June.

I think we are too old- 42 and soon to be 44- to take out student loans. We don't know for sure if he'll get a job in this. I would rather pay the bill and be done with it. I still have student loans rolled into the house, I think. I really don't want another bill, we have debt that makes it hard to pay just the bills right now. We have close to $30,000 in credit debt on top of our house.

Any advice is appreciated. Has anyone taken out a loan at our age for school and not regretted it?

We also have lots of educational costs for our kids, this is something we work hard to pay. I try hard not to go into debt for any of these as they are just regular expenses. I guess I view dh's as a regular expense, not something to go in debt for. His job will not improve his earnings, we are hoping in a year and a half he'll be replacing what he made before. I am confident we will make the bills for the next two months, until he is done with class. Then he can work more.

I think I have about a day to decide, with Graham. Will have to pay with loans or put off until 25th, when tax refund is due.

I did do a little more cooking today, with Graham gone. The time he was home I got some other things done, now with kids with me most of the day, with two different naps, it is easy enough to cook. Made lasagna with asparagus, artichokes, and spinach for St. Patrick's Day. Two batches of cookies for a meeting tonight.

Ivy has her first Communion on Maundy Thursday. My baby's growing up.

Looking forward to comments about the student loan, if you have one.

Our new budget

Changes in our budget were needed- I've been working on it since January- so here it is!

January budget Savings March budget

church $100 0 $100
mortgage and
home equity loan $1859 $100 $1759
heat and
appliance coverage $193 $26 $167

elec $107 $0 $107

garbage $22 $0 $22

water/sewer $45 $0 $45

phone $50 $5 $45

cell, 2 $20 $0 $20

gas $400 $50 $350
Graham,
misc. $ $50 $0 $50

credit cards $649 $149 $500
grocery and
diapers $440 $165 $275
car and life
insurance $145 $22 $123

internet/cabl $61 $0 $61
med insurance
and copays $650 $550 $100

totals $4,791 $1067 $3,724

So, things are better. The best thing for us was getting state health insurance to help us out. We tested it the second day, went and got three prescriptions for Graham at Walmart. What would have been $70 last month was $13! $9, $3, and $1!
I canceled my life insurance, the appliance coverage with the gas company, we have cut down on driving, long distance, I used a balance transfer offer, and went from 6 credit cards to four, lowering the minimums by $150. I've been paying down the home equity loan enough that the interest only payment dropped from $500 to $400. While Graham had the severance pay I stocked the pantry and found one free food source, a once a month Saturday pickup in a neighboring town. I went a few times, now Graham and I both go to get bread, produce, and a variety of other food products. I'm not confident I can stay under $300 for food every month, but I think I can for a few months. Our budget is still too high for our income, but with the tax refund coming soon and Graham had a free lance job last month proofreading, we are getting by.

On another positive note, Graham and I are working more as a team. The time off has given us a chance to talk about things more fully and work on our relationship. I think, and I think Graham would agree, that we have never felt closer.

The little girls had the flu, and Capri had an ear infection. Luckily now everyone is better. I did 12 loads of laundry last Saturday, blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, anything to get the house more germ free. Everyone is healthy now.

Cherish has been in a good nap schedule, and when she and Capri sleep at the same time, Promise and I cook! Today, cinnamon rolls, usually cookies. Of course, now that Capri was laying down and taking a nap in her portacrib-this lasted all of two weeks- on Saturday she dug her baby toes in the netting and came walking out- she has escaped the portacrib!

I hear a little from Tasha- she will be in Ireland for St. Patrick's Day and Italy for Easter. She sent photos, she sounds good, sounds like she's having fun. Stay safe, sweetie! We are trying to get Skype on our computer so we can talk for free.

True and Ivy are done with basketball- True's team did pretty well, Ivy's team learned a lot! Ivy played two seasons and is now moving into volleyball season.

I am hoping to go on ski day tomorrow with the big kids, going on the magnet field trip with Promise, making the most of my chance until Graham starts school on March 17.

Violet is busy reading-one of her favorite things to read is Tasha's old collection of Archie comic books! She recently wrapped up a colonial unit at school by making a help wanted poster. I've added a photo of Violet enjoying one of my very old books, a 1942 copy of Twig. She's my third little girl to enjoy it.

That's about all new here. I am contented to have a little slower pace while Graham has been home more, it's actually been quite lovely.

Tracy