Just checking in...

My Aunt past away from cancer on Sunday morning and we will be attending the funeral tomorrow. My cousin (her son) just past on back in August of a sudden heart attack. I feel very down.

Haven't been eating well, although I have the best intentions. I have a lot on my hands right now. Besides my Aunt's passing, I'm trying to figure out WHY we never have enough money, even though with this new job I get paid more...WHY is it that we may owe taxes this year when we have never before (I still say I am not doing something right..and where is that money going to come from if we do indeed owe?) And how can I get rid of my lazy BIL without causing a family meltdown. Maybe it's a cop out, but since he moved in, (and doesn't pay rent) our electric bill has gone up almost $200, water bill sky high, house a mess, and he doesn't pay a dime. I know he bought tires for DH car which was great, because we obviously couldn't afford it, but what about pitching in around the house???

Well, back to work though....I need a good soak in a tub...anyone got any Calgon?? LOL

Frogger - my condolences. I remember the death of your cousin and how that was such a blow to you. Another death so soon makes it more so.

And no wonder you feel down! BIL still there and not doing much to help would wear me down in about 24 hours. And, of course there are additional expenses because he's there. Does he have ANY job yet?

Re taxes, you may need to have one less dependent declared on W-4 so enough is deducted. Of course, making more would mean you'd be taxed a bit more in total but if your main concern is that you not owe more at tax time, your safest thing is to have more deducted. Of course, that's a bit less to spend each pay but you'd likely miss it less. (Unfortunately I must pay quarterly deposits and that's really a blow when you see it going out and you have to sign for it.) For many people, managing money is more difficult than making it and there are lots of things out there to read up on that would help - maybe something you could do when job's slow? Happens to be an area I LOVE and I learned a lot of my basic stuff reading articles in mags like Woman's Day, Family Circle, in the old days (and then reading lots of professional articles in stuff dh got and later taking two years of college accounting). But just getting a handle on where it goes is a step up and time worthwhile spent.

Feeling only a smidge better today but it's a step in right direction. Think I'll plan at least one errand and see how it goes. Going to DD's for valentine's day is definitely out. I'm getting well rested and gobs of junk stuff done in between - out of sheer boredom.

To the sweetest, funniest, most intelligent, resourceful and altogether regal bunch of women I've ever had the pleasure to know!


Same old, same old here. Actually had a run in with dark chocolate and some trail mix yesterday, I think as a result of the smidgen of sugar in cough drops. I think I'm okay without them now, so hopefully that won't be repeated. Had my walk, did most of yoga. Just have to finish yoga & meditate. I keep saying that and not doing it. No try, only DO!

K. S'pose I should be working. Love to all!

Oh, Frogger, so sorry for your loss!

Sorry for your loss, Frogger. Please take care of yourself.

Queens, I am having massive trouble getting in to 3FC on my home computer. No problem at all where I am working today, but may not be back all that much until this is resolved, if it can be.

Happy St. Val's Day!

Ex-husband of neighbor across the street died this morning. He had lived there too for many years before their divorce. Feeling more down tonight, assuming that's why. Food pretty good most of the day until this evening. Tomorrow will just have to be yet another restart.

Weather to be nice - plan to get in a good walk for a change. Still hacking but feeling better (physically, that is). Hearing more birds in morning, feeling springlike at least for a few days.

Frogger so sorry for your loss. Remember the good times you all had together it seems to help during these difficult times. As far as what you owe in taxes I think the interest rate is really low on the gov't pay back system. One time a few years back we had to pay on State. We were able to set up a payment reasonable to pay on a monthly basis. Did you have your taxes done by a professional? Cause sometimes they come up with things to claim we wouldn't normally think of. I would of had to pay the state but I had bought a car in 2005 and claimed the taxes paid on it. Thank God for that cause it made a big difference. Having folks live with us is never easy. But I think they should have to pay a share of the living cost. As where else could they live for free. It isn't an easy thing. Sometimes just sitting down with them explaining the cost and setting up arrangements is all it may take. Good luck hope some of this is helpful. Lately I think more people are sharing homes due to the high cost of living. Shared expenses could be helpful as long as limits are set.
Worked out on Tues. a.m. ate a good breakfast, lunch pretty low in cals etc. good thing cause dinner cals were up with valentines and all. I didn't feel to badly knowing at least I had burned calories and ate 1/2 the day healthy. Today I plan on a totally healthy day.

Had another phone call this a.m. Another friend passed away. So..... two funerals in the next couple of days.

Went out in the nice weather and got in a good walk.
Felt much better.

Came home to message from dd that she had her eyes examined this morning and they think she has a hole in her retina. Has an appt. with specialist in the morning. So I'm on standby......

So sorry to hear of your losses, Frogger and Anagram.

Frogger, i'd forgotten about your BIL living with you. I'd be beside myself in the first 48 hours. Yeah, something HAS to be done!

Still doing BFL with Ceara. Any new takers? It's a great very do-able program!

Anagram so sorry too close to your own loss thats rough. Hang in there girl your stronger than you think. Thinking about you!
Well girls I am what you would say motivated this week. The most I have been in months. So far this week I have in 10.75 walking miles. Hopefully another 4 today as the weather is suppose to be beautiful. It helps having my friend as a walking partner. We chat enjoy each others company and ck out nature on the way. Its great. I am going to track myself and see how many miles in a months time. I didn't give in to the munchies last night after girls night out only at a banana. I stayed within my 1500 cals for the day. I was thinking about checking the scale this a.m. but friday is my day. So I will wait at any rate I feel better even though the scale might not show it I know the difference. Hope I stay this motivated for awhile as it will have to show up in the end as a loss.

Fly by: I'm doing okay, a bit draggy with this cold and diet hasn't been perfect. Why is it SO much harder when we don't feel well?

Seems like one of those times -- my neighbour just told me that her husband is in Intensive Care and it sounds as if he may not make it. Funny how easy it is to forget about mortality most of the time and then you have a period where reminders (and the real thing, of course) are staring you in the face from all directions. I've had a couple of deaths of people I know lately, not people I was really close to, but people I cared for. Trying to remember that the message is always to live our lives as best we can.

I'm scheduled to take tomorrow off to make a 3-day weekend. Must get work done ahead.

Love to all -- take great and gentle care of yourselves, Lovelies!

anagram-sorry to hear of the loss of your friends! i hope your cold is on its way out. hope everything will be ok with dd's eye appt.

frogger-condolences to you on the loss of your aunt!

kaylets-congrats. on your new job!

and to all royals, hello. i finally feel like i have a little solid time under my belt with being op consistently again-for the last couple of weeks now. we had a nice, warm day today, which was a pleasure. i am definitely ready for spring, with no threats of ice storms (as there is for monday.) well, while i hadn't been able to get online too much recently (due to ms and some computer "technical difficulties"), i certainly have been thinking about you all. take care.