It looks like we'll be moving come March.
Robb's finding it difficult to get work out here, and we are getting behind on our bills. It's kind of sucky, but things are picking up. We found a cheaper (albeit smaller) apartment that we're going to look at today. It's over $300 less a month, so we're pretty excited about that. We'll have to get rid of a lot of stuff, but it's not the end of the world. It looks like a nicer place, even if it is smaller. It's got laminate flooring all throughout, it's on the 3rd floor, so no one above us making noise! All in all, I think this will be a good move.
We're also thinking of more ways to save money each month. Here's what we've come up with:
* Cheaper rent costs
* Cancel my phone and get a cheaper plan
* Define a meal plan and stick to it - find cheap recipes and make our own bread (plus, mmm fresh bread!)
* Combine our phone and internet for a lower bill
We're also going to try to sell a lot of our stuff. Things we never use that are just taking up space in closets can be sold or, at least, given away.
I'm excited, and have already started organizing and packing. I won't have any room in the new place for sewing, so I'm a little bummed about that, but I'm not really sewing much anyway. I'd like to, it's finding the time. :/
Anyway, babies are getting fussy. Until next time...
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
School
I'm starting school today. I'm really excited. I was forever trapped in a loop of "I can't go to school because I need to update my highschool, but I can't do that because I have no money." Granted, now that I'm in BC it's free. But I realized that to get a diploma, you don't always need your high school courses.
I'm starting with introductory programming courses. My ultimate goal is to program AI and other intelligent computers. I would love to program a system for our house similar to this.
I'm going to school for fun, for a future career, but most of all for my children. I want to be an example for them, and someone to look up to. I want them to know that even though I decided to start a family first, didn't finish high school, and we don't always have a lot of money, I still pursued school for something I wanted to do. I pursued school for a future career to provide for my family, instead of giving in and working a job I thought to be meaningless and unfulfilling. I want the twins to know that school is important, but it doesn't always have to go first. My brother Isaac took a year off from high-school, and it made all the difference. He went back, and it was easy - he was one of the top three in his whole high school for marks, and ended up being valedictorian. I admire him so much for that, and he has been a integral part in my thoughts of school. Sometimes all you need is a little time to get a new perspective on life.
I'm excited about going to school - in 45 minutes! But for now, I'm going to go eat. Robb's made me dinner. Yesterday he bought me a special pen for school - it's yellow, and it's a duck, and when you push down on it's head it quacks. I'm so excited to use it when there's a quiet period in class. It lights up too :)
Until next time...
I'm starting with introductory programming courses. My ultimate goal is to program AI and other intelligent computers. I would love to program a system for our house similar to this.
I'm going to school for fun, for a future career, but most of all for my children. I want to be an example for them, and someone to look up to. I want them to know that even though I decided to start a family first, didn't finish high school, and we don't always have a lot of money, I still pursued school for something I wanted to do. I pursued school for a future career to provide for my family, instead of giving in and working a job I thought to be meaningless and unfulfilling. I want the twins to know that school is important, but it doesn't always have to go first. My brother Isaac took a year off from high-school, and it made all the difference. He went back, and it was easy - he was one of the top three in his whole high school for marks, and ended up being valedictorian. I admire him so much for that, and he has been a integral part in my thoughts of school. Sometimes all you need is a little time to get a new perspective on life.
I'm excited about going to school - in 45 minutes! But for now, I'm going to go eat. Robb's made me dinner. Yesterday he bought me a special pen for school - it's yellow, and it's a duck, and when you push down on it's head it quacks. I'm so excited to use it when there's a quiet period in class. It lights up too :)
Until next time...
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Nightmares
I've never been one to have nightmares, so I'm not sure why they are happening now. I had one the night before last, and one last night. I'm not going to classify them as one being worse than the other, because they were both pretty terrible on their own levels. I woke up today in a bad mindset that, even hours later, is still lingering in the back of my head.
What causes nightmares? My life is pretty good. I love my family and have no real worries. Money's a little tight, but I'm able to go back to school and am so grateful. I don't understand why my mind would produce these horrible dreams.
This post is short. I'm at a loss for words, I suppose, and a darkness still lingers.
What causes nightmares? My life is pretty good. I love my family and have no real worries. Money's a little tight, but I'm able to go back to school and am so grateful. I don't understand why my mind would produce these horrible dreams.
This post is short. I'm at a loss for words, I suppose, and a darkness still lingers.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
The Holidays
Today is December 23rd, and as a Christmas Eve Eve present the twins get vaccinations. Lovely! Poor babies. The only consolation is that they might sleep pretty well tonight because of them. I am hoping Silas does not get the fever her got last time. It was quite worrying.
We have been furiously cleaning the apartment in anticipation of company over the next couple of days. Mom, Tom, and Isaac are on their way as I speak, and should be here in about 5 hours. We are so excited. I'm glad the twins will be able to see their family. I'm glad we'll be able to see them too, and play games, and eat good food and have fun. I might lock them in the closet so they can't leave.
We bought a steam vacuum. Unfortunately, Temu has never learned not to pee wherever he sees fit. He's "not all there" as is said... and no amount of training has ever taught him not to pee on the carpet. He does use the litter box, he's just a dumb cat. :/ (The real problem is, someone here before us had a dog/cat/animal who peed everywhere, Temu smells it, tries to cover it up...) So anyway, we're paying for it. Hopefully our next place will have laminate and we can clean it up right when he does it. It frustrates me to no end, and if there were someone gracious enough to take him, I'd hand him over. It makes me sad, because he's not my cat, he's Robb's, and I know Robb loves him despite his flaws. I also know that... well, it's just gross, and unsanitary, and smells bad, and so forth. Some people have asked me if he'd do OK outside on a farm, but he's such a dumb cat he'd probably use up his 9 lives THAT DAY. Anyway... I can bitch and moan but it's not going to make the problem go away.
I should get back to cleaning. I just felt compelled to write and too often I ignore that feeling. Robb accidentally knocked over the tree earlier, (we're moving everything around so we can steam vacuum) so I'm going to go put the decorations back on and make it look pretty again.
Ta-Ta for now :)
We have been furiously cleaning the apartment in anticipation of company over the next couple of days. Mom, Tom, and Isaac are on their way as I speak, and should be here in about 5 hours. We are so excited. I'm glad the twins will be able to see their family. I'm glad we'll be able to see them too, and play games, and eat good food and have fun. I might lock them in the closet so they can't leave.
We bought a steam vacuum. Unfortunately, Temu has never learned not to pee wherever he sees fit. He's "not all there" as is said... and no amount of training has ever taught him not to pee on the carpet. He does use the litter box, he's just a dumb cat. :/ (The real problem is, someone here before us had a dog/cat/animal who peed everywhere, Temu smells it, tries to cover it up...) So anyway, we're paying for it. Hopefully our next place will have laminate and we can clean it up right when he does it. It frustrates me to no end, and if there were someone gracious enough to take him, I'd hand him over. It makes me sad, because he's not my cat, he's Robb's, and I know Robb loves him despite his flaws. I also know that... well, it's just gross, and unsanitary, and smells bad, and so forth. Some people have asked me if he'd do OK outside on a farm, but he's such a dumb cat he'd probably use up his 9 lives THAT DAY. Anyway... I can bitch and moan but it's not going to make the problem go away.
I should get back to cleaning. I just felt compelled to write and too often I ignore that feeling. Robb accidentally knocked over the tree earlier, (we're moving everything around so we can steam vacuum) so I'm going to go put the decorations back on and make it look pretty again.
Ta-Ta for now :)
Monday, December 20, 2010
8 months
The twins were born nearly 8 months ago. What a journey it has been so far.
In the past month, Silas has reached a few substantial milestones. He has succeeded at: reaching for wanting to be picked up, getting up on his hands and knees, sitting up on his own, and getting to a sitting position from being on his stomach. He learns so quickly, once he has a mind to.
Spark has learned to crawl already. She's not as all-over-the-place as I thought she would be though. As long as she has some toys around her, she pretty much stays in the same area. Every now and again though, much to my dismay, I see her break free and go after something (usually cords, sometimes a chair.)
Robb and I are more career minded these days. I am looking into 3D Animation and Design, and Robb is looking into Programming. Unfortunately, school is expensive, so we'll plummet more into debt before we can get out of it. I'm trying to be optimistic these days, but it's proving hard. I was excited to have a job, and my depression sank in more when my hip acted up again and I lost the ability to work. Now Robb is looking for part time work, and I feel bad. He tells me not to, and there's no reason I should. (He doesn't mind working.) I know this, for I am a rational person, but unfortunately depression overrides rational thinking - at least in my case. It's so hard to get out of a depressive mindset, and when you feel like a failure, even harder.
In the meantime, I spend every second looking after - and having fun with - the twins. Every day they get easier to look after, and every day they develop a little more. I'm anxiously awaiting the day they will be able to walk to the park with me, or even walk to the car on their own. It will make going out so much easier. We are also working on signing with them more. They know the sign for "tickle", and they lift up their arms if they want to be picked up - which isn't an ASL sign, but we still consider it signing.
I am hoping that a year from now I will be in a better place, both physically and mentally. I am looking forward to VCON next year, and am working on some art to sell at the art auction. That being said, I think I am going to go work on it, as I just put Silas down to bed.
Goodnight Dear Void.
In the past month, Silas has reached a few substantial milestones. He has succeeded at: reaching for wanting to be picked up, getting up on his hands and knees, sitting up on his own, and getting to a sitting position from being on his stomach. He learns so quickly, once he has a mind to.
Spark has learned to crawl already. She's not as all-over-the-place as I thought she would be though. As long as she has some toys around her, she pretty much stays in the same area. Every now and again though, much to my dismay, I see her break free and go after something (usually cords, sometimes a chair.)
Robb and I are more career minded these days. I am looking into 3D Animation and Design, and Robb is looking into Programming. Unfortunately, school is expensive, so we'll plummet more into debt before we can get out of it. I'm trying to be optimistic these days, but it's proving hard. I was excited to have a job, and my depression sank in more when my hip acted up again and I lost the ability to work. Now Robb is looking for part time work, and I feel bad. He tells me not to, and there's no reason I should. (He doesn't mind working.) I know this, for I am a rational person, but unfortunately depression overrides rational thinking - at least in my case. It's so hard to get out of a depressive mindset, and when you feel like a failure, even harder.
In the meantime, I spend every second looking after - and having fun with - the twins. Every day they get easier to look after, and every day they develop a little more. I'm anxiously awaiting the day they will be able to walk to the park with me, or even walk to the car on their own. It will make going out so much easier. We are also working on signing with them more. They know the sign for "tickle", and they lift up their arms if they want to be picked up - which isn't an ASL sign, but we still consider it signing.
I am hoping that a year from now I will be in a better place, both physically and mentally. I am looking forward to VCON next year, and am working on some art to sell at the art auction. That being said, I think I am going to go work on it, as I just put Silas down to bed.
Goodnight Dear Void.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
3 weeks
Three weeks ago I had a job. I was really excited, because the company was exciting. I had opportunities at every turn, from advancement, to online courses I could take for free. The job was simple, the people friendly.
Unfortunately, my bursitis came back. For those who don't know, 2 years ago I had crippling bursitis in my hip. I had to quit my job, and was more-or-less confined to my bed, or the couch. I had good days that allowed me to go out, but working was out of the question. Apparently, working is still out of the question. That is to say, any work that requires me to stand for long periods of time. I'm quite angry about this, as Robb and I both were looking forward to paying off some bills this month. Now, every day, I'm on craigslist looking for jobs I can do to earn a little extra cash. We're hoping our tax rebate comes soon.
Three weeks from now will nearly be the start of a new year. Isaac's birthday is on the 31st, mine two weeks later. Christmas is soon, and Mom, Tom and Isaac will be over to celebrate the twins' first Christmas with us. We seriously need to clean this place up before then! Most of it is boxes that we've emptied, or formula boxes. Luckily we have recycling bins just by our garbage bin so it's easy to dispose of.
In other news, Robb and I have been thinking of starting a blog for our journey "into the wild" so-to-speak. Our dream is to own a small bit of land a build a house on it. Not a conventional house by any means. Probably a yurt at first, or permanently. We've not decided yet. We're also looking into living sustainably, and have found many great resources online, including ways to use your own waste to fertilize your garden. We've also found ways to reuse our grey water. All in all, I think it's going to be a fun adventure! Look forward to our blog in the near future.
Spark's getting fussy so I'd better wrap up for today.
Unfortunately, my bursitis came back. For those who don't know, 2 years ago I had crippling bursitis in my hip. I had to quit my job, and was more-or-less confined to my bed, or the couch. I had good days that allowed me to go out, but working was out of the question. Apparently, working is still out of the question. That is to say, any work that requires me to stand for long periods of time. I'm quite angry about this, as Robb and I both were looking forward to paying off some bills this month. Now, every day, I'm on craigslist looking for jobs I can do to earn a little extra cash. We're hoping our tax rebate comes soon.
Three weeks from now will nearly be the start of a new year. Isaac's birthday is on the 31st, mine two weeks later. Christmas is soon, and Mom, Tom and Isaac will be over to celebrate the twins' first Christmas with us. We seriously need to clean this place up before then! Most of it is boxes that we've emptied, or formula boxes. Luckily we have recycling bins just by our garbage bin so it's easy to dispose of.
In other news, Robb and I have been thinking of starting a blog for our journey "into the wild" so-to-speak. Our dream is to own a small bit of land a build a house on it. Not a conventional house by any means. Probably a yurt at first, or permanently. We've not decided yet. We're also looking into living sustainably, and have found many great resources online, including ways to use your own waste to fertilize your garden. We've also found ways to reuse our grey water. All in all, I think it's going to be a fun adventure! Look forward to our blog in the near future.
Spark's getting fussy so I'd better wrap up for today.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
How things go...
I'm finding the new job pretty easy. There's a lot to remember, especially PLU codes for produce, but overall it seems to be pretty straight forward. We got to practice with produce which I think was the most fun. We went to the produce section and loaded up a basket, then rung them all through. Then, for the first time today, we actually had customers. It was pretty easy, but I'm apprehensive about being on my own! For some reason, I hate asking for help because I feel stupid. At my first job, when I was fifteen, I was put on a till on my first shift in the middle of a very busy rush hour without any training or anything. I ended up voiding transactions for the first hour or two just because I didn't know how to tender them, and it was too hectic to ask anyone. So basically, I'd cost the company a few hundred dollars because I wasn't trained. We've had a lot of training at this job, but I'm still apprehensive about asking for help I am going to need, or looking like I don't know what I'm doing if I get stuck. I just want things to go smoothly, and it will eventually I guess.
The twins got their 6 months shots finally. They've been having a rough day, and had a rough night last night. today is a lot better though.
It smells like someone is making a lemon cake somewhere in the building. Maybe it's just my imagination.
So, we're getting a good rebate from the government. Robb finally had time to do the taxes today. We were both behind a few years. If we get the rebate it looks like we're going to get, we can finally move out, and maybe even start our business. I'm really excited. We are also looking into housing assistance, as we made well below the required amount this year with Robb being on parental leave and me not working much. We'd like to see if Robb can find work first so we can (hopefully) move closer to where that may be. We're both hoping it will be on the island, as that's where we'd like to live and buy our land.
This post is already three days old, as I can't seem to find the time to write these days. Right now the babies are watching Pocoyo, Baby Boy is chewing on a blanket and Baby Girl is sucking her thumb. I work later today, so I should do the laundry, but my mind is on other things like non-profits and orphaned children. (www.sanctuaryforkids.org)
Kim
The twins got their 6 months shots finally. They've been having a rough day, and had a rough night last night. today is a lot better though.
It smells like someone is making a lemon cake somewhere in the building. Maybe it's just my imagination.
So, we're getting a good rebate from the government. Robb finally had time to do the taxes today. We were both behind a few years. If we get the rebate it looks like we're going to get, we can finally move out, and maybe even start our business. I'm really excited. We are also looking into housing assistance, as we made well below the required amount this year with Robb being on parental leave and me not working much. We'd like to see if Robb can find work first so we can (hopefully) move closer to where that may be. We're both hoping it will be on the island, as that's where we'd like to live and buy our land.
This post is already three days old, as I can't seem to find the time to write these days. Right now the babies are watching Pocoyo, Baby Boy is chewing on a blanket and Baby Girl is sucking her thumb. I work later today, so I should do the laundry, but my mind is on other things like non-profits and orphaned children. (www.sanctuaryforkids.org)
Kim
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