Finally - '08 WrapUp

I am a procrastinator - if I can't do something perfectly I put it off until it
doesn't need doing anymore or I feel so guilty about putting it off that I throw my
hands up and finally wade in. At that point, whatever happens - happens, so here are my latest ramblings.

I had intended to do better on blogging this year and was going to start the year
with a wrap up of 2008 and yet, here it is almost April and my first blog of the year is finally arriving. I would like to say it was lost in the mail but it was definitely lost in my brain somewhere.

'08 was one of those rough, roll with the punches kind of years - still out of work and trying to get my disability, I seemed more down than up at times. The credit cards sputtered to a halt one payment short of covering the January bills. I got a call about that time telling me I had been hired as a substitute teacher. A couple of catches - I could only work a couple of days a week and my first check would not arrive for almost two months.

Oh well, I had a job again so I immediately tried to hustle more money but was turned down everywhere. I had $160 a month in food stamps but things went right into the crapper and I broke down crying because I didn't even have money to buy toilet paper (no pun intended :).

Praise God for my wonderful friends and church members. Some of them decided they would care for my animals and buy their food. People would show up with bags of dog food, packages of light bulbs and toilet paper and misc groceries. When I caught the creeping crud from the kids at school they even brought me cough drops and Kleenex. I was given clothes for Christmas so I would have something to wear to school and others tucked $20 bills into my pocket now and then so I could buy gas to get to the schools. When my van broke down they all told me their schedules so I could call and get rides. Can you believe it? People got out of bed at the drop of a hat to rush me to whichever school called. It was amazing and reminded of how truly blessed my life has been and is.

In May I went before a Judge and was approved for my disability based on my medical records. The checks began the end of July but my $700 a month meant I was making "big" money so I lost my food stamps *sigh*.

In June I fell and ruptured my Achilles tendon which has left me near crippled and
unable to drive (and a bit cranky about it - you may remember the blogs whining about it LOL). The end of Aug I received my back pay and began the long road of negotiating payoffs for my credit cards.

I saved a small amount of the money to get my car and well fixed. I have been without
water since Feb 08 and have been quoted prices from $1200 plus to $3500. I simply did
not have that much so I have held out. I talked to a man this week who is going to replace the pump this Friday for a flat fee of $600.

Hallelujah, I can't believe it!!!! I will finally have running water. Dang, now I have to start doing the dishes again. Being unable to drive I have had to depend on the wonderful people from my church to fill milk jugs for me each week so I could have water for me and the dogs. My garden did terrible during the drought last year because there was no rain water to keep it going and barely enough in the water jugs to keep me and the fuzzy butts going. It was the perfect excuse to put off laundry and dishes:)

'09 started off good and bad. I finally negotiated the payment for the last credit card but a few days later I got a notice that I have to start paying $96.80 a month for Medicare beginning next month. That leaves me with $200 a month for groceries and misc spending so I am working hard to get in a good garden this year. The leg is still partially numb and still has barely any calf muscle but I am getting around better these days. Also, having my well working, I will be able to
keep everything watered so I am optimistic.

I had plans to get some scrapbooking, sewing and knitting done this past winter. Single digit temps changed that. With the furnace out and just a small electric heater with a bad thermostat, I spent most of the winter buried under a pile of covers and wearing 4 to 5 layers of clothes. I did catch up on some old movies and a few books :)

Well, we are basically caught up. Aren't you glad that's over? LOL Right now I am trying to get everything ordered for the garden and some lettuce and onions started. Also I need to find out what kind of hot water heater I have so I can buy new elements for it. It took a powder about a week before the water pump. I will be so happy when I can finally have a long hot shower again.

Have a great day,
Linda B:)