At 9 am, we had 100% of our federal tax refund in our checking account. At 10am, all of it had been spent... on getting out of debt. Seriously, it was the best meeting of our financial minds we have ever had. Plus, we have a plan to get all of our debt expect for my student loan, in four years. I know you aren't supposed to talk about money, but quite frankly, I think that's what's wrong with the economy... or was wrong with the economy. No one wanted to fess up to the fact that they couldn't keep up with everyone else, except very few people could actually keep up in the first place, so who were you keeping up with? (Did that make sense?)
All I know is that I am liberated from that part of my past and intent on being liberated from the rest soon. We're taking Dave Ramsey and tweeking it for what our life plans are. It's not like we couldn't pay our bills or had creditor hounding us, or anything like that... we just weren't making our money work for us. What instigated this change? Well, Louis was offered a management position during the day, which would have been great, but he would have had to quit his PRN job. That would mean a lose of $30,000. We just aren't in a place where that will work. But we want to be there. The kids are getting involved in sports and soon enough, there will be scouting... there parents met at a boy Scout camp, so you know scouting is in our future, and a lot of those things happen at night. (Plus, I agreed to handle the Cub Scout thing, but I am not being a Boy Scout Leader. I know there are some women who do it, but I have no desire to be one of them... I want to send everyone in my home away for a week of camp and go to a spa!
It's not just the accomplishment of paying things off that has me running on a high... it's the idea that finally I have taken charge of things in my life. I've reworked our schedule so there is more time for the book, because the truth is, if the book sells, we get out of debt faster and I do not want to go back to the "traditional" workforce when the kids are in school. I want to be able to be home with them when they are sick or know their friends and provide a safe, warm place for their friends to hang out. I've given up the idea that I will have warm cookies ready when they walk in the door, but there will always be fresh fruit.
Speaking of the book, I am back on the writing train. It's been too long. For a few days, I couldn't "get into my characters head". You know how, after years, you run into someone you knew in high school, but really didn't keep in contact with and you make small talk, but after that, there's nothing left to say... that's how it was. But we've muddled through and are chums once again. I have a few crafty things to do today, but I'm hoping to work on the book some more tonight.
On Monday, I am beginning my second attempt to marathon edit the book to completetion. I am giving myself 20 days to finish and 10 days to print, bind and ship to my editor and three readers for feedback. Hopefully I'll get some responses by the end of April and I will be able to start submitting in May. During that time when my baby is being fostered by others, I will be working on my query letter and starting book two. I don't want to become strangers with my characters again.
Monday also begins my full-time training for the mini. For those of you now from around here, the mini is the half-marathon that is part of the Indianapolis 500 celebration. This year, I am doing it and it happens to fall on my 36th birthday. I plan on this being a changing moment in my life. Not since college have I taken on an athletic feet that required dedication and consistant practice. Plus, I want to prove to myself (and others) that I can do it. Monday is going to be a rough day, but I can do it!
I think I should end with that! Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to posting more changes in my life!
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