Been Derelict....

in my clearing out the kitchen/storage duties....still.

There have been some fairly important decisions being made about other stuff and that particular area has been put on the back burner (again)....fairly easy to do when all I have to do is shut the door and not look at it.  Also, the gathering of paperwork and writing of letters concerning the "stolen" taxes just seriously burned out my brain for a few days.  Slowly getting back to my normal.

On another note, there looms a j-o-b interview (first round) for me.  Tuesday.  And it's not fast food or retail related...so positive thoughts on that would be most welcome.  It would be the perfect fit for my future plans but we all know that Murphy lives with me so expecting the unexpected is expected.

Just thought I'd drop a quick life update in here today...have a bigger post planned for later (maybe tomorrow) about the "fairly important decisions" and how they relate to our preps and plans.  We're still not 100% sure how but that's why I have you lot...you get to point out the holes!

Have a good weekend all....I'm off to work on some more lists...HA!

After a Week Off....

due to extreme germiness...I head back in to work tomorrow.  And find myself thinking...thank goodness it's only a temp position.

That's bad, isn't it?  After all the hunting, searching and practically begging whilst in the market for a job I am now grateful that it's only temporary.  Touched in the head, I swear.

But in my defense, there is A LOT to get done around here before the VA will back us for a loan...Tanker can not do it all alone (nor do I want him to even attempt it).  And we're not really hurting for money...but I do dislike spending money on stuff to get it fixed when the 'Stead is not yet in our name...BUT we can't get it in our name until certain things are fixed.  Damned if you do kinda thing, ya know.

I only have to push through 'til the beginning of June (I think...gonna have to double check that) and then the position is done.  I was saving my paychecks for a new fridge but they'll sit in savings as part of the required down payment for a bit...gathering tiny, itty bitty bits of interest.

Got nothing done on the 'Stead today as we opted to make use of our season passes and took the boys to Branson for a bit....note to self:  No more weekends if it can be helped.  Huge crowds do nothing for Tanker's non-existent PTSD.

Off to sleep it is for me...meds have kicked in (along with all of today's activity) and I suppose I should attempt to be human for work tomorrow.

After This Weekend...

the real work begins.

This weekend is frivolous fun weekend...a day trip to SDC to break in the season passes...then a day of "rest" aka putting together (FINALLY) the table and benches I've been working on (off and on) for a couple of weeks.

Then Monday, the real work begins.

In addition to a new j-o-b for me (Lowe's...infinitely better than slinging burgers for drunks and minimum wage...even if it is just seasonal) there is plenty to be done around the 'Stead.  Topsoil delivery means the raised beds will finally be getting put to use...but that also means shoveling, shoveling and more shoveling along with putting in some PVC hoop frames on a few of them so they'll be useful sooner this spring and longer this fall.  Cherry trees and blueberries need to go in the ground...strawberry "patch" needs to be worked out as the coop has yet to be moved and the area I WAS going to put them in happens to be the chickens' favorite place to take a dirt bath.  If the ground ever dries out enough in the spot we've got to cross (natural wash out area...small raging stream while the rain was melting the ice/snow last week), we'll get the coop moved...IF.  I'm thisclose to just building a new coop.  Seriously.

We'll also start work on the rabbit shed...right now the chow dogs are in small hutches next to the house.  Tanker wants them out further, next to where the coop will eventually be.  Oh and a small barn/shed/whatever is in the works for future cow...whenever she is able to be bought.  Prices have started inching back up on dairy cattle, so looks like we'll be waiting a bit longer on that.  Sigh.  I'm beginning to think just putting up a small barn would be a better choice.  May be chewing that one over with Tanker soon...before any serious building is begun.

And now...I'm off...chicks to attend upstairs and sleep to be had.

So Long...Farewell....

no, no...not you!

Said 'Adios' to ALL of our credit card debt...put the cards AWAY (i.e. I remember where they are right now...in three days, probably not so much)...and have absolutely no intentions of using them unless the purchase can be paid within a week of being made.  There will be no more balances carried, no more cards carried.  Any purchases to be made with them will require pulling the cards out from their hiding spots.  That means no more impulse buys on credit.  Went from 5 cards to 3...none with a limit that would require more than my paycheck to pay off if maxed out.  Good deal.

Also paid some extra on the principal on both vehicles...our new budget has extra wiggle room that we've not been privy to previously, so can be done with little effect on the bottom line there (but the bottom line on those loans are shrinking nicely).  The extra wiggle room is also allowing us to make some much needed improvements here at the 'Stead...especially important as we have decided moving back to KY is not really what we want.  We're good here, with wonderful neighbors and the most excellent school the kids could have.

And bonus:  A few of my feathered ladies have begun laying...one being the lone female banty I have but she's so darling and lovable I'll forgive her the tiny eggs, lol.

Off to sleep now...these overnights, though I love the folks I work with, are really messing with my sleep!

Hadn't Really Talked About It....

with you lot yet at least.

The 'Stead, though we do like it a lot and adore our neighbors, is likely not to be ours.  The VA requires certain things for loans, the 'Stead does not have these things and they are mighty pricey to be getting.  Top those matters off with Tanker's ever decreasing ability to navigate parts of the house (i.e. stairs) and you have us in a position of "should we or no."

We're leaning to the no.  We have until early August of next year to decide for absolute certain.  However, the decision is pretty well made in every way.  It's beginning to look a lot like KY will again become home.  I'm sad only at the thought of leaving the school the screamers are in...they are the most fantastic people in the teaching profession I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  I can only hope wherever we settle has a school half as good.

So now the search for new jobs for me has taken on a different dimension.  A multi-State search now.

I suppose, barring the Mayan Apocalypse, that next year will be interesting in more ways than I had originally thought now.

What a Crazy Idea....

a friend and I were privately chatting on FB (she's still mostly sheeple...just to set the scene) and she asks me about this whole fiscal cliff mess (her knowing I am of the tin hat wearing sort) and how the annual Holiday break those folks in D.C. take might work out.

"It won't," says me.
"Aren't they supposed to stay and finish this kind of stuff?" says she.
"LMAO...seriously ROTFLMFAO," says me.
"I'm serious," says she.
"Oh...well, they really should but let's be honest: THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN OPERATING WITHOUT A BUDGET FOR NEARLY 4 YEARS...why worry about it now, I mean...what's a little fiscal cliff at this point, right?" says me, full on interwebz shouting. "It was a nice thought though."
"Really?  I didn't know," she admits.

Guess which team she voted for.

Le Sigh.

At any rate, the convo continued with her wondering why we Americans don't do something about the lack of cooperation between everyone in D.C. and me telling her the problem IS everyone in D.C.  Blah, blah, blahditty, blah.  You know how it goes from there...I become that crazy, paranoid, tin foil wearing nutjob that she still adores even though I'm not all there.  Thanks for the talk, Cindy Lou Who...here's your water and a pat on the head.  Have a candy cane and celebrate the downfall of our country.

Moving on.

The good news of the month (thus far) is that Tanker finally got himself a little Marlin .22 he's been wanting and mostly got his 20 gauge in working order.  Also picked up a compound bow at a local pawn shop completely decked out with bells and whistles.  I got jealous, so went and found me a nice little PSE at BassPro.    Note to self:  Need more arrows.  Yeah, and not the fiberglass kind that shatter on impact when you're retooling your sights and aim too high (oh, hello oak tree).  Second note to self:  Next time just use those damned annoying roosters as targets.  Two birds, one arrow.

Speaking of roosters...the flock isn't as rooster full as previously thought.  Though I am feeding more than I need.  They aren't big enough for eating yet, so have to wait on that pleasure.  Not that it matters...the two causing the biggest ruckus in the flock are bantams...not even worth the time it would take to pluck.  I've been trying to get rid of them but no takers as of yet.  I've also been toying with the idea of adding to the flock now, instead of next spring. Have to get the coop moved first and find a little solar light to go out in it (stupid chickens won't go back in if there's not light but do just fine without it once they're in).

And the final bit o' news from the 'Stead....we've added another family member....of the 4 legged variety.  A deaf white cat that was originally named Fiona.  Now named Finn.  Poor Finn, called him Fiona for a couple of days...guess it's a good thing he couldn't hear us, right?

That's about it for now...back to work tomorrow night at McD's...still hoping to find something either better paying or closer to home.  Both would be a bonus.

Verdict is In...

got back Tanker's percentages from the Army and the VA.  Of course, he got screwed.  10% from the Army which means a lump sum payout, no insurance, no etc.  30% from the VA that will only pay at 20% until the lump sum payout from the Army is paid back (I did the math...16.5 years).  We can't do much about the Army one as the wording in all of his paperwork from downrange is what tapped that one into place...wording in which a certain PA makes himself a complete ass but still manages to screw Tanker over big time.

The VA one we can fight at anytime, so (even though it may eventually pan out to be a mistake) Tanker signed off on it.  He's done with the politics in the Army.  We'll take the lump sum, pay off bills, get a jump start on getting things done around the 'Stead that were going to have to wait and fight with the VA from the outside.

I officially will no longer be slinging burgers on the 21st...clinical hours with the schooling will be no joke and frankly the job isn't going to pay enough to even cover gas (now that it's marching back up toward $4 a gallon).  I'm good with that though.  Word in the neighborhood is that applying for a seasonal position at the local State nursery is a good option...will be looking into that shortly.

And now I'm off to sling burgers for 6.5 hours...yay?

Possible Interesting Development...

at work the other night...sort of got approached by a manager about taking up a management position.  I didn't say no, I also didn't say yes.  Management at a fast food chain has never really been in my plans...let's face it though, going back to work at McD's after leaving it 12+ years ago was never really in my plans.  They (aka management) know my classes and clinicals will take a lot of time away from work and that I plan on quitting once we're out on the place because the drive is not worth it...so I'm not real sure where this offer came from.  Don't know if it was said manager's frustration at the idiocy that was occurring at the time with the younger workers or if it was a legit offer.  Time will tell I suppose...will wait to see if the higher ups actually come to me with the question.  Though they have previously asked if I thought I might be interested...the whole thing has me wondering all in all.

As it is, there is plenty on the plate for the next couple of months anyway.  Moving, getting settled, getting to work on setting up the place as much as we can as fast as we can...all of which takes $$; which takes us back to the whole question of should I quit or should I stay.  Vicious flippin' circle, I tell ya.

I'm seriously just flat out undecided on the whole thing.  The dreamer/idealist in me says quit and focus on school and the homestead.  The realist in me says we need the money to get things rolling quickly and it's possible for me to do it all until there is a scheduling conflict with clinicals and work.  Add to all of the above the fact that I know how difficult it is to find a job period and there is no guarantee that I will find something in the field after I'm done with the EMT courses.  I suppose I can always just ask for a leave of absence until I'm done if it gets to be too much then pick up where I left off at McD's until something comes along for me as an EMT.

Le Sigh...being grown up is over-rated...decisions pertaining to the well being of family and home suck.