I was extremely happy to see my daughter this week. She was accepted in a program called "Aspire" which will guide her through finishing high school. She had two semesters left of her senior year. From there they will help her with college. They give her some assistance so she can work part-time instead of full-time while she schools. She was also very excited because one of her paintings was chosen to display at a local art gallery that features Maine artists. This is all good news to me as it is like having my daughter back.....normal,hardworking and achieving!
I have a good friend that wants to come once a week to watch my grandson for a few hours so I can do anything I would like to without worrying. My sister also offered to take my grandson once a week so I can do the same. A local "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren" group can not take me because I am not old enough!
Maybe I'll start my own group for us youngin's!!!

Since I lost my sewing room to my darling grandson I had to move all my sewing/crafts to our partially finished basement. Boxes and boxes stored there all summer. I finally spent three days setting up shop in the laundry room thanks to a metal cabinet and storage bins from freecycle. I can't work on my penny rugs and dolls unless everything is in an organized state! My sewing machine is set up close to the monitor heater and I'm ready!! Though I substitute there are my own bills so I think my crafts may be my salvation for my $10,000 safety net. Plus, there is Christmas coming fast so I can't count on much from my part-time job. Time is still a challenging factor but I'm doing my best to spend an hour or two a day. Training my daughter to take over more and more of the baby's care!! Training my hubby to understand I need my own time,too!

I've been married almost 11 years, second marriage. One thing that has always bothered me is that my husband controls all the purse strings. Frankly, I have absolutely no clue where he banks, just an idea. I don't know what he has for available funds...everything is a well guarded secret for the hubby. Checking, savings, investments, land he owns. ( he is a building contractor, and also builds spec houses on land he buys up) This is a rather unusual relationship and often frustrating for me because if anything ever happened to him I would be in the dark. I decided to create my own security. I can't change his ways...I guess somewhat mistrusting after his first marriage ended! I need to take care of myself! And I am quite capable or at least have convinced myself I am.

My first goal was to go back to work. I went back to substituting for the school system. $70.00 a day...7-2. I see $63.63 for every day I work in my paychecks. Now, the hubby wants me to share bills (but not housework and cooking!) Seems difficult but I'm going to pay according to my income. He definitely makes more so It must be fair. I want to put so much in savings each pay period. My own personal expenses can be played with as I'm pretty frugal!

Another goal is to sell my crafts for the extra income. It's all going to be a challenge but I am ready!