Friday, January 29, 2010

From here to there...

Tonight is my last night in this townhome. Tomorrow, we load up and move on out. I am happy. Tomorrow I leave behind my obnoxious neighbors who leave beer bottles on my steps, bellow drunkenly for their dog at 4am, throw eggs and snowballs at the adjoining townhouse only to hit mine and occasionally drunkenly ring the wrong door bell on accident...I think. I leave behind crack flooring in several rooms. I leave behind more mold then anyone should ever have to live with. I leave all of this behind.

But I also leave memories behind. When we came to this townhome, we were broken, battered. We were lucky to have the clothes on our backs. In just a short time span, we lost a car, then our house.

For two years we lived here. Tripping over eachother. Having to tell our kids no, they couldn't play outside because of beer bottles and the trains. My husband and I fought. All the time.

We came here broken. We leave here a stronger family unit then we have ever been. We leave here knowing that we made it through whatever God could throw at us, and we came out, whole, on the other side.

My faith has grown exponetially these last few months. God has provided for my family. God was in control...so I didn't have to be. And as crappy as these last two years were, I wouldn't trade them for anything.

I like to think that we lost our first house for a reason. It wasn't time for us to have a house. We were not ready to appreciate the great responsibilty that came with owning a home. And we weren't. We took for granted that it would always be there...and it wasn't.

We have come to appreciate having a house, and a yard, and room for our kids to run and play. We are grateful for the chance we are getting to start new.

Will I miss this townhouse...nah. While it housed our family for two years...it was never home.

Tomorrow I leave here for there..

Tomorrow, I go home.

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The end is in sight...

The moving truck sits in my driveway, boxes are strewn throughout my house---yet there is still more packing to go---we have an extra set of hands coming tomorrow afternoon.
Everything is in place. I am exhausted beyond all belief. I haven't put a full day's work in, in over a week. But the end is in sight.
I am keeping my eye on the prize.

A home to call my very own.

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Thursday, January 28, 2010

Are you a Diva?

I have been part of a wonderful and supportive social network for nearly two years now. The Diva Within was started in the spring of 2008 by Kristin Rockey. The initial purpose of The Diva Within was to help promote small businesses that were run by women. Slowly, though, the network grew and The Diva Within now has several outstanding male members as well.

I have had the pleasure of getting to know many of the members on Diva Within personally. The relationships that are fostered on The Diva Within go so much deeper then just business.

The members of Diva Within are a group of some of the most supportive people you will ever meet. It doesn't matter if it is buisness related or not...they are there for you.

Over the past two years, I watched as members of The Diva Within rallied together to help another from loosing her home, supported a mother whose son has terminal brain cancer, offered prayer requests for members, and offered support in a time of need. They have rallied behind me as I felt crushed under the weight of personal problems here at home. I never felt alone.

If you have a small buisness or work from home, I recommend checking out The Diva Within. At the very least you should get more traffic....but at the very most, you will make friends that will last a life time.

Check out The Diva Within today to see how you can have a better tomorrow!

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Saturday, January 23, 2010

Marriage

Things have been on an upswing around here lately. And for that I am extremely grateful. Our overall situation seems to be improving and that is, in turn, improving my marriage...

I have been married to my DH for almost 4 years. It is hard to believe that it is 4 years. Not because it has gone by so fast, but because it is a miracle that we are still married.

Last year, we were on the verge of divorce. Or seperation. Or atleast I was. I thought that was what I wanted. And as much as DH fought me to keep our marriage together, I think, that towards the end, he was resigned to us splitting up. I do accept blame for my actions that contributed to the volitile state of our marriage. Just as he, I think, accepts blame for his actions. We are both to blame (though, I may be moreso to blame them him...)

I don't exactly have the best track record when it comes to relationships. I seem to be drawn to the guys who will use and abuse me and then toss me away like yesterday's garbage. DH is none of that. In fact, he is the total opposite of any guy I have ever dated. And that scared me.

I knew what it was like to be cheated on, beat, lied to, stolen from, put down, and hurt on a daily basis. I knew those feelings like the back of my hand. And even though they were bad feeling...it was all I knew. DH wasn't like that all. There has never been a moment in the 4 and half years we have known eachother that he has not been there for me. He offers moral and emotional support, even if what I am going through is greek to him. He has always been there...and I have no doubt that he will always continue to be there.

I pushed him away...even after a few years of marriage, I still have that wall that I can't quiet put down. And it creates problems between us. We fought all the time. And there were times that it got bad...but somehow, in the morning light, I looked at him and he looked at me and we realized how much we loved and needed eachother. So we work.

Each day we have to work on our marriage to keep it going. Marriage is not easy...nor should it be. Anything worth having is worth the fight. We have to work.

We have made it a point to work on our marriage...as much as two people can with small children under foot. We have talked about where our flaws lie, and what we are going to do to change them. Or if we even want to change them. We do.

I am working on letting my guard down. I am learning to love myself. And that is my DH doesn't seem to support what I am doing, that is ok. It doesn't matter what he, or anyone else thinks..as long as I am happy with myself.

And I am finally getting there.

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Tuesday, January 19, 2010

This 'N That Tuesday

Things are moving right along, at a pretty fast pace, for us to move in seven days. It is pretty stressful trying to decide what to pack now and what to leave out. Not to mention the boxes that we are tripping over. I am keeping my eye on the prize though...and that is a new house!!

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The kids are getting over a cold. Aidan and Morgan always seem to get the colds in their eyes. And the get all goopy and crusty. Peditrican assures me it is not pink eye though. So while gross, it is not contagious and goes away after a few days.
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This past week I had a falling out with someone that I considered a good friend. It has been hard for me because I care, too much, what other people think about me. I was unfairly and unjustly judged. I am learning to just shrug it off and accept that if people don't like me for who I am, then I am better off without people like that in my life. I would rather focus on positive anyways :-)
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Speaking of positive....I landed a new writing and photography job today. I am so excited, as the pay is good :-). When I first started really trying to work from home, I was afraid that, like previous times, I would fail. But I knew that this time, failure wasn't an option. With dedication, and commitment, I am finally doing well in my chosen path. I love being here with the kids. I love being able to say that I contribute to our family's income. I am happy...and that in turn makes the family happy :-)

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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Hope For Haiti Fundraising Campaign

It is on every news channel. And everyone’s mind. The people of Haiti are dealing with devastating aftermath of an earthquake that is thought to have left hundreds of thousands dead.

I will admit, until recently, I didn’t know much about Haiti. I didn’t realize that they were so poor that things like drinking water and food were almost impossible to come by before the quake. Things that we take for granted. And now….

I have been thinking about Haiti a lot the last 2 days. It weighs heavily on my mind. It brings tears to my eyes when I see the pictures of such massive devastation. It breaks my heart to know that the people of this nation had nothing to begin with, and what very little they did have has now been destroyed.

We take life for granted. We take for granted the food on our tables, the water that we drink. Our electricity. Everything that a person should have access to. Not everyone has those things.

I know that I am guilty of complaining about the things that I don’t have. I am sure many of you are too. We always want more. More then what we already have.

Watching the news, looking at the pictures, is a real eye opener for me. Here are people surviving on barely anything. Now they struggle to make sense of the disaster that has killed so many.

Instead of sitting in your home, wondering what you can do…do something. Now is the time to be reactive. Now is the time to step up and say that YOU CAN DO SOMETHING.


For just $5.00 you can help aide in the humantiarian effort that is underway in Haiti. Simply text “Yele” to 501501

Can’t spare $5.00? A donate now button is going up on my blog here shortly. Donate $1.00 for “Hope For Haiti” All funds raised will be going directly too The American Red Cross to help the people of Haiti recover from this horrible tragedy.


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I am such a procrastinator....

14 more days and we will be loading up the cars and moving van and heading across town to our new digs. We signed the papers this morning. We get the keys on the 27th.

I am excited. Really I am. So why is it that I have but one or 2 boxes packed?

Yes, I am a procrastinator. But I think it is so much more then that. Part of me is scared.

A few years back, we made a mistake and lost our home. It was, by far, one of the most defining moments in my life to date. We ended up having to rent a townhome. It was small. Had no yard. And we ended up having to endure 2 years of hell with our landlord(s). But it was a humbling experience at best.

We didn't respect the responsibilty that came with owning a house. We didn't appreciate what we had. Until it was gone.

We have tried, numerous times, over the last few years to find another home. But have been met with "no" at every turn.

Then we found this house. And for once, the no's turned into yes's.

We are getting a second chance at being homeowners. We are getting a second chance to prove that we do appreciate what having a house means.

But I am scared. I seen how quickly one could loose a house. I don't want to go through that again.

I am scared, because it is an awsome responsiblity to have a house. Its been two years. Are we ready for that?

But mainly....

I just don't want to pack. :-)

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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The night the computer died....

It is approaching 130am my time. The kids and my husband went to bed a long time ago. I should have followed suit. I am exhausted. But tonight the unthinkable happened....

My laptop died.

Shortly before 7pm, I was eating my dinner and browsing the web when it crashed...hard. A little concerned, I re-booted the computer and waited patiently for everything to load back up. Then it happened.

This stupid Malware thing, posing as it if it were part of the windows security thing on my computer...which it is not...starting popping up. Every. Two. Seconds.

Then it started to load shortcuts to "adult" websites on my desktop. It was then that I knew that my laptop was in dire straits.

Then it ceased to have an internet connection. I was hosed.

Every article I have ever written is on that laptop, all my book marks, pictures...

My husband reminded me that we had a desktop that had been sitting in the closet for some time. About a year ago, this desktop suffered what I thought was a fatal meltdown. ( I do not have good luck at all with computers it seems.) Why I held on to it? I couldn't tell ya. But tonight I am glad my pack rat ways paid off.

After swearing. Alot. I got the desktop up and running. Granted I have a fan blowing on it to keep it cool. But it works. Which means I can work.

Since I was unable to successfully wipe the laptop, my articles are still on there, so tomorrow,
I am going to print them all off and store them away. I will write down my most important bookmarks.

And as for the pictures? Well, I bet this is one time my husband is pleased that I do not delete pictures of my camera. I have every single picture available.

After tonight though, I learned a valuable lesson...always back up your work...multiple times.

But this story has a happy ending. I am pretty damn proud of myself.

I am headed for bed though. Sleep bekons and when you have 4 kids, the mornings come all to soon


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Adopting Positive Thinking...

I have been sitting here most the day just thinking. Well not just sitting, I mean I am moving in 2 weeks and I have a ton to do. But still, while sorting and packing, my mind was off doing its own thing.

A couple years back, my husband and I decided that I would stay home and he would work. The cost of daycare was outrageous and we both knew that he was the one who was making more money, so it was logical that he work.

But just because it was logical, doesn't mean that I accepted it. I am a social person by nature. I like being around people. It makes me feel...human I guess. All of a sudden I found myself shut off from the outside world and I didn't like it one bit.

The time came when we decided, that although I still needed to stay home with the kids, I needed to find a way to work at home. It was a good solution for me, at that time. It gave me something to focus on other then laundry and dinner.

I found it hard, to say the least, to find a job that I could do from home that didn't want an extreme amount of money up front or that wasn't a scam. I began to feel hopeless about the situation.

Late last year, after Noah was born, I decided that by thinking negatively, I was dooming myself to failure. I couldn't sit here and say "It's not fair" "Why doesn't it work for me?" It was time to turn those "I can't"s to "I can"s

So, I took a step back, thought about things that were really important to me when it came to working from home and things that I could let slide. I knew that I wanted to do something that I liked doing.

So, I starting writing.

Soon, I sold my first article, then my next. I started to gain the confidence to bid on larger jobs. To write more "out there" articles. I started to find my voice.

Then today came. I had an opportunity to apply for a featured writer on a site that I have been with for a while. I don't know if I will get it. I almost didn't apply. But why not me? I have a lot to offer, I have a background in the topic they were seeking. So why didn't I stand a chance? Because I said so?

I told myself that I deserved a chance at this position. So I applied.

It felt good to know that I am worth it. That I do deserve a chance. That I am good enough.

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This 'n That....

There are a ton of other things that I should be doing right now, other then writing a blog post. But I haven't done a random Tuesday post in a while...so I decided to bring it back. But now its called This 'n That.

We are moving. I mentioned that a time or three didn't I? We are 15 days away from getting the keys to our new house. I am excited. I am also overwhelmed. We have a lot of crap. So if you don't see me for a few days...just know that I am ok. Probably lost amongst the boxes that are invading my home.

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Things are going fairly well on the business front. The things I had planned to do/develop/start will still be started. I have had to push things back a few weeks to allow time for us to move and get settled. So, in Feb. things should start to come together.

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Damien had uniform inspection last night for Cub Scouts. He got a perfect score! He was proud of himself and he should be. He is nearing completion of his Wolf Scout badge and can't wait to get that. He also has a pinewood derby race coming up. Him and Steve will be starting on the car next week.

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I am trying to loose weight...again. After having a heart to heart with my Stepmom, whom I love greatly, I think I am ready to start taking accountability for my eating habits. Its a big step for me...as I am an emotional eater. But I look forward to being healthier for my kids

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Just wanted to say CONGRATS to my brother Matt and my sister in law Tiffany. They found out yesterday they are having a little boy!!! I am going to be an Aunt for the first time :-)

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Book Review and Give-a-way: Is Mommy A Hero? Is Daddy A Hero?

(I received copies of these books, free of charge, to read and review. While I recieved the product for this giveaway, my opinons are my own and have not been influenced in any way by receiving these books)

Recently I had the opportunity to read and review two great children's books, "Is Daddy a Hero?" and "Is Mommy a Hero" as part of my involvement with the Kidlutions Review Crew.

"Is Daddy a Hero" and "Is Mommy a Hero" are written by Sydney age 9 and Megan age 7. They wanted to write books for children who have parents that are in the military. They have seen some of their friends parents deployed and seen how hard it was to deal with that seperation.

The books focus on the positive aspects of the military and portray their mommy and daddy as a true HERO.

These young authors are donating a portion of the proceeds from the books to www.soldiersangels.org, a volunteer-led non profit with 200,000 volunteers. Through special projects, dedicated teams and individuals supporting the troops, they make a visable difference in the lives of our service members and their families.

I read each of these books, and was impressed with how well they were written. These 2 children have a really poweful message that comes across clearly in these books. These books are a must for any military family.

I am giving away a copy of "Is Daddy a Hero" and "Is Mommy a Hero" Here is how to enter:

1.)Leave a comment stating which of the 2 books you would like (Mandatory entry)

Additional Entries:

2.)Blog about this giveaway and link back to me (1 entry)
3.)Follow my blog (1 entry)
4.)Follow me on Twitter @melissa_austin(1 entry)
5.) Tweet about this giveaway (1 entry)

*Be sure to leave a comment after each entry*
*Winner will be drawn on January 19th via Random.org*

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Sunday, January 10, 2010

We are moving...

It has been 2 years in the making. From the moment we set foot in this townhome we have had nothing but problems. From a leaky and moldy ceiling to neighbors who bellow drunkenly for their dog at 4am, to crack flooring to more obnoxious neighbors, we have been through hell for the past 2 years.

My marriage bore the brunt of the damage too. Because I was unhappy here, because Steve was upset we had lost our home. We argued all the time. Contemplated divorce a time or two. But we weathered the storms together.

In all honesty, I did not expect to get this house. I mean we have been looking for two years. Only to be told No at every turn...I guess that is what happens when you loose a home in foreclosure.

We have been searching for two years. Trying to prove that we were not that stupid couple who made a huge mistake. Trying to prove that we were better then we were. But there is was...that foreclosure. It was the elephant in the room. And it sucked.

With four kids, a townhome is no place to live. We have no room, no yard and the back of our house backs up to a set of really busy train tracks. We wanted more.

People would tell me, every time we would hear a "no" when it came to moving, that we weren't meant to have that particular house. I didn't believe them. I just decided that God hated us. We were being punished for being financially irresponsible. That we learned our lesson didn't seem to matter.

Then our lease here was coming to an end, and again we were faced with the "what do we do now?" So, we started looking.

We finally found a few houses that were with our price range, and one that was way out of it. But for some reason or another, they wouldn't work for our situation. It was frustrating. Then we found the house. We emailed the realtor and waited (impatiently) for a reply.

We got to see the house on Thursday. I fell in love immediately with it. This is the house we were supposed to have. I anxiously filled out the application and taking one last look over my shoulder, walked away hoping this would be our new home.

I was impatient at first. Frustrated. Nervous. Anxious. Then it hit me...God is in control of this situation. I have done all I can and now it is time to sit back and let Him do his job.

And he did.

Today we recieved word that we got the house. Tears fell down my face as I finally envisoned my family living in a home that was not infested with mold or one where negligent college kids left open containers of beer where my kids could get them. One where I could let them play outside and not worry about trains. One where they could have the room the needed and deserved to run and play and be kids.

This is our second chance. A chance to start over. It is a new begining for our family.



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Thursday, January 7, 2010

First full week of the new year...

Well, the first full week of the new year is done, and what a week it has been! 2010 has definately let it's presence be known.

My husband started the year off with a ticket. :/ I guess had I realized that our insurance had indeed not renewed, the ticket could have been avoided. But it is what it is. Hopefully, when he talks to the Circuit Clerks office Monday, they will see that it was an oversight and the fine wont be too outrageous.

We also got snow. Tons of it too. Enough to warrant closing schools on Thursday. My son was happy. Me...not. It is not that I don't like snow, it is just that, well that was the particular day that we had set aside to get groceries. And to look at a house.

Yes, I said a house. Not the original one we had picked out..but a different one. Thankfully the snow stopped and the sun came out long enough for us to go and see it. An omen? I am hoping so!

My husband originally didn't want to move. We lost our home a few years back, and he wanted to wait until we were in a better place financially before we started looking again. And I understood that. Really I did. But I couldn't accept that waiting would mean that my kids and I (who is allergic to mold) would have to stay in a house that is unsafe. I wasn't willing to sacrafice my health another minute. So we agreed to look at the house. After he saw it, he was as happy as I was. It has a large yard, a basement, a park across the street, and a real wood burning fireplace!!! So now we just wait for final approval. I know that this is in God's hands and he is in control.

Admiting that is hard. That God is in control. But events that have happened have made me realize that God is in control. There is a reason that things happen the way they do. Does that mean I am ready to accept God in my life with full and open arms? Not yet...God and I have some work to do. He knows why I hesitate. And He also knows that a day will come when I will be ready to accept him, 100%. He already accepts me. God is patient though. He will continue to do what He does. He will continue to be in control in my life and show me that I can trust in Him...(but that is another post, a heavy post, for another day)...

And in the meantime...I guess I should get to packing. If all goes well we will be t minus 3 weeks until moving day...and there is so much to do!!!

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Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

A New Look....

Thanks to Jennisa over at Once Upon A Blog has completed my blog make-over!!!

A new look, for the new year. There are many great things to come on Crayons In My Dryer, including a Baby/Toddler Giveaway bonanza!!! Look for details in the next week. And if you have a product you would like reviewed and/or given away let me know!!!

Here's to a great new year!!

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Review: Looking for a book that fosters self esteem? Personal Child Stories is it!!

First off, let me say I am sorry. I meant to write this review in December. Before I got sick. Before everyone in my house got sick. Before life got...away.

I am part of the Kidlutions Review Crew. As part of the review team, I recieved, at no cost, a personalized story for my son Aidan from Personal Child Stories .

I chose my son Aidan to get his own book, because he was going through a phase. I think he was feeling left out because his older brother had his own issues, we had a new baby, and my 2 year old daughter was getting all the attention. I thought that maybe the book would help him feel better.

I got the book I believe it was within a week after uploading the pictures and emailing them to Shara. The book came wrapped with a beautiful ribbon that my son could not wait to undo.

He was excited!!! Nearly every page contained a picture of him with one of his siblings. At the end of the book there were 2 coloring pages.

The book is laminated, so you can use dry erase markers on the coloring pages. Spills wipe right off. (We put that theory to the test almost immediately lol) and it was indestructible. He still has that book, still reads it and it is still in the same condition as when we recieved it.

Personal Child Stories also won a Kidlutions Preferred Product Award! How cool is that?

I definately plan on ordering more books from Personal Child Stories!

It's really not fair...

Can I whine, just for a second?

Yesterday I posted about how excited I was that we had found a potential house to rent. I wrote about how crappy our current landlord is. And then I waited...

and waited...

and waited...

I went to bed last night hoping for an email this morning, something saying "yes the house is still available" and "yes you can have it"

And well, nothing. After 2 emails and a voice mail, the person renting the house has still not contacted me.

And we have to pay rent on our current home today. And sign the new lease.

We made a mistake a few years back. We lost our home in the midst of the house market crash.

We have tried really hard these last couple of years to get back on track, to do what is right. So why is that I feel like we are still being punished 2 and half years later? There are people with way worse credit then us buying houses and getting brand spanking new cars...

I don't want to even buy a house....I just want a home to rent. Somewhere that is safe for my kids, away from the train tracks. Where there is no mold or leaky tubs. Where the flooring isnt cracked. Where arcs of electricity to spark from the side of the house.

Why do I feel like it is too much to ask?

Because apparently it is.

We made a mistake 3 years ago....

and we are still paying for it now.

Monday, January 4, 2010

I really hate waiting...

I am impatient...I am pretty sure I have mentioned that a time or two. It is a really big flaw of mine. Yes, I am trying to work on it...and no today is not one of the days I am.

We need to move. Actually, we needed to move since a month after we moved in here in 2008. Our roof started leaking. Mold grew. The property manager at that time never fixed it. New property manager in 2009. Fixed the mold, not the leak. Ceiling leaked again. Mold grew again. Then the toilet started to leak. The the floor in the kitchen and bathroom cracked. Then the tub started to leak. Then the drywall in the garage ceiling under where the tub was at crumbled. More mold grew. Our tub got resurfaced. They never came back to fix the mold. I am pretty certain one of these nights, the tub (and me) are going to go crashing to the garage floor...

We have called, left messages, sent in letters...done it all in an effort to get it fixed right. And all this time, we kept paying rent.

Then, shortly before new years our neighbor could not figure out her fire place. She called maintence. They show up!!! Then knock on our door, wondering if we knew how to work the fire place.

Yeah.

Our lease is up in a few short weeks, and we are going to have to stay here another year, unless we can find something that will work for us. Something within our price range to rent, as we can not buy right now :(

I found something today. We love it. It is big. ( I will even have an office!!) So we are just waiting on confirmation from the girl that is renting it. All we need is a "yes"

I have been waiting over 6 hours for that yes.

If she doesn't email me soon....I am going to go nuts.

I have the boxes ready.

I want to move.

I have checked my email way to many times, been totally unproductive, and not gone more then a foot from my phone today.

For a house.


Saturday, January 2, 2010

I am starting to think I may be certifiably insane...

I do alot. Between being a mom of 4 crazy kids, running a house, cleaning said house, paying the bills, I also work from home as a freelance writer and sometimes photographer (thats changing...) I have a to-do list 6 pages long (and no I am not kidding) and yet, here I sit adding to it.

I hate not having anything to do. I can't just sit and watch t.v. I have to be writing, or reading or just...something. I am always in constant motion it seems. Even at night, while the rest of me is trying to decompress, my mind is going "ooohhh I can do this!" and "That is an awsome idea" which usually leads to me laying awake most of the night. I. can't. sit. still.

I think part of the reason that I have so many things that I want to do or am doing is because for the first time in years I am finally recoginizing that my dream of being a wahm is really a reality now. I am excited because I did this...I did it on my own, with little to no help. There were times (and, though, he won't admit it, now too) that my husband doubted that I could ever make this work...yet here I sit.

So, why might I be certifiably insane?

Because in addition to the loads of work that I already have, I have no less then six projects I plan on starting (hopefully within a months time).

And yes, it may seem like alot...and I am sure it is. But that is how I roll.

I like being busy. I like having things to do.

I like the excitement that I am feeling right now at the endless possibilites that are before me.

I like knowing now that I can do this. I like being able to believe in myself and my abilities. Being able to believe in me is empowering...because I know that even if no one else does...I do.

So, certifiably insane? Perhaps.

So incrediably blessed?

For sure!!

Out with the old...

We quietly sent out 2009 gathered around our dining room table. We spent the evening playing board and card games with my brother and sister in law. We had a blast. As 2009 turned in to 2010, I hoped for a new year full of great things.

We are only 2 days in to the new year, and I can tell you, its going to be one of those years. Not bad, just...occasionally chaotic.

I already have some new clients to work with. I am being offered more work by my current clients. I have tons of ideas in my head...so many I don't know where to start. But that is me, always in constant motion. Having four kids will do that to you.

My husband also started out new years day with a bang. He got pulled over for no lights (why he didn't notice they were not on at 10pm at night...dunno). This would be no big deal. It happens. Except for our insurance...well it kinda expired. I didn't know that and the company never sent me a letter stating it had lapsed. And while we are at it...isn't it supposed to auto renew?? Nonetheless, this ended up with a no insurance ticket and me up until after midnight frantically searching for car insurance that I could afford to start now.

Never a dull moment I tell ya.

So while the start to 2010 wasn't the smoothest start...it is still a new year, new slate and tons of new possiblities.


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