I need some kids.
- I’m uploading something like 200 pictures to snapfish right now. I just randomly decided to see if they had any deals going on, and they have free shipping that ends today (go check it out if you need pictures!) and I cannot pass up free shipping on snapfish. I’m supposed to be on a spending lockdown of sorts (and I am! other than this), but I really need to stock up on my pictures before I’m completely broke and can’t order them.
- The last couple days have been interesting. Nothing bad, nothing fantastic. Just….I don’t know, weird. I always knew that NYS was hard to thrive in, which is why we moved to NC in the first place….but it’s really hitting us now. We came back for all the right reasons, but we’re already starting to struggle. We bought a cheaper home than we had in Charlotte to account for this, and we’re still not going to get any relief. Because of the taxes & fees in this state, we’ll be paying $100/month MORE on our mortgage for a house that is costing us $12,000 LESS than our Charlotte house. And, that’s only a piece of the complications. We found out that our closing costs are going to total around $17,000. Yeah……I told you it was ridiculous. Our closing costs in Charlotte were $3,000 – only $1,200 of which came out of our pocket. We knew things were a little different now (like, you HAVE to put money down, and NY requires you to put up a year of taxes at closing), but we thought this might bring us up to $10,000 or so – we were totally prepared for that. NOT $17,000. I can’t even express how infuriating it is that this state makes it so impossible for it’s citizens to get ahead. INFURIATING! AND, we will NOT get any of the housing tax breaks because our last home purchase was too recent. If we could get that, we would be okay. Without it….we’re really going to struggle.
- Matt told me that I need to find a way to make money. There’s no way around it anymore. When we first talked about it I spent the next hour crying my eyes out and holding Luke and telling him I would NOT give him up and how it would break my heart to hand him over to anyone and let them spend time with him that should be MINE. And not just for my benefit – because I wholeheartedly believe children should be with their parents. I started looking into other options – I applied for a few work-from-home jobs online. And, if I get any, I’ll gladly accept. But I’ve decided that I need to babysit. That way my days with Luke hardly change, we get some income, and Luke gets to socialize even. This was my initial thought when we first moved here – I just knew I couldn’t do it in my mom’s house, I had to wait until we found our home. The problem is, finding kids that want to come to MY house. I figure there should be plenty of them needing child care over the summer, particularly in kid-infested Amherst, but I just don’t know how to find them. For now I’m posting on Craigs List and asking around. Any suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated. I just can’t leave Luke. I cannot.
- Those last two bullets pretty much account for my ‘tude lately. Well, that, and Luke teething molars. My poor guy – he has been struggling with them so much. Three of them made it through – I’m almost scared for the 4th one to start it’s journey out….it’s just so terrible. But at least when he gets it out of the way, he’ll get a break til he’s 2(ish)!
- I’ve been trying to be more optimisitic and hopefull about everything. The truth is – we’re about to move into a really fantastic home in one of the best neighborhoods you can hope to live in. There WILL be kids to babysit – I will find something. We will have to cut back even MORE, but we’ll do it – we’ll be okay. The weather is helping me stay positive. It’s sunny and the forecast has temps ranging from upper 50’s (like 58, today) to 68 (on friday)! I’m really excited about that!! It will be fantastic to have a semi-warm Easter!
- I’m really looking forward to Easter! Luke LOVES picking up Easter eggs & putting them in his basket, so he will really enjoy all the fun Easter stuff! We’re going to dye eggs on Friday, that should be interesting with Luke! haha We still have to pick up some hockey cards from the Easter Bunny for Luke’s basket and then he’s all set. I think we are going to cook some form of brunch here Sunday morning, and maaaybe even venture out for church. I’m so scared of Luke being nuts for it, but I would feel so good about going. Then we’re going to my Grandmas, and then probably my Dad’s for dinner. Matt’s parents sent us a ham, polish sausage & a butter lamb (lol) so we’ll probably bring those to my Dad’s. I can’t wait to put little man in his outfit again!
- I have to get some breakfast, order my pictures, and get in the shower so we can go grocery shopping when Lukey gets up. And I want to find something to do outdoors today. Time to get busy!