I am in a state of shock.  I just got an e-mail from my mother, letting her three kids know that she and my dad will be getting divorce within the next 6 months.  They've been married 33 years, this August, and have made it through some really rough times.

A while ago, my dad was contacted by an old high school sweetheart of his.  They were e-mailing and sending IMs back and forth, for quite a while.  Her husband decided that he didn't want to lose her, so he attempted to stifle the contact.  He then contacted my dad back, saying that he couldn't handle the hurt anymore, and allowed them contact again.  So, my dad is wanting to go back to her, saying that she makes him feel alive.

Originally, she and her husband, along with their 10-year old son, were supposed to relocate to Dallas, but since her husband is having a hard time locating work, that move won't be happening.  So, now it's possible that my Dad will be moving to Wisconsin, where they live.  I'm not sure what my mom is going to do.  She'll get half of my dad's retirement check, every month, as she "earned" it by staying home and taking care of her 3 kids.  She'll also still be the primary beneficiary of his life insurance.  But, she loses the medical benefits from the military, which isn't good for her, since she's diabetic.

My big thing, is this:  Greg and I moved down here, so that Bobby would be close to his Nana and Pop-Pop.  They were there when he was born.  They were there for the first 2 years of his life, almost ... in the same house as us, as we were unable to support ourselves in the new england area.  So, when it came time for us to decide if we were moving back to South Dakota, or coming here to Dallas, I chose Dallas.  I wanted Bobby to grow up very close to his nana and pop-pop, just as I did, especially with the attachment to them.  He will NOT be able to understand why nana and pop-pop don't live here anymore, and I am NOT prepared for his little heart to be broken.

Greg and I had decided 6 months ago, that even if they moved, we will not be leaving Dallas.  I still think this was a good move for us to make.  I have friends here now, and I do not want to uproot my son all over again.  Dallas will be my permanent home, no matter where my parents end up.  It scares me to think of not being close to my parents, but it's time to be completely on my own.  We haven't needed much financial help from them in the last year, and that feels good, but it's always nice to know that they're there in case we do need the help.

So, that's it.  My parents will be splitting up, after 33 years of marriage.  They may be moving out of Texas, but I will stay here.  Bobby may end up broken-hearted, but he'll pull through.

“Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to better.” - Richard Hooker

“Don't fear change, embrace it.” - Anthony J. D'Angelo

Saw this on Helly's blog, and thought it might be fun.  I won't be answering about my actual first child, as I don't remember much about the pregnancy and whatnot, so I'll be answering regarding Bobby.

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes, we had been trying for over a year

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? I was calm until I scheduled an ultrasound with my doctor's office.  I had had a false positive blood test 2 months prior, and didn't believe the lab would tell me the right news again.  After the 8-week ultrasound, I was excited.

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? Absolutely not.

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 24, but 25 when he was born

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? I had a migraine when I'd gone into work. A friend of mine offered me Advil, and within 15 minutes of taking it, I was running for the bathroom to throw up. I knew, at that moment, that I was pregnant.

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? My mom, then my husband (he was out fishing with my dad, that day, and my mom was the first one I called when I took the home test. after confirming with the home test, I called my dad's cell, and let Greg know)

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Yes, and we did.

9. DUE DATE? January 14, but I was induced exactly 7 days later.

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? No, but I did have nauseousness

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? ice cream and chinese food (i think) ... my cravings changed from week to week

12. WHO IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? I don't think anything irritated me, except not being allowed to be alone or drive a car for the last trimester.

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILDS SEX? Boy

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? I had hoped for a girl, but all I really cared about was that he was healthy

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 5 or 10 ... I lost weight when the pregnancy began (from drinking water and eating 3 times a day), and then gained a few at the end

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? My mom's friend, Debby, held a shower for me when we moved at the beginning of the final trimester

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? Yes

8. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? At 32 weeks, I had a grand mal seizure at 4:30 in the morning. I woke up in the hospital at 8:30 in the morning, being told by the doctor that if my blood pressure didn't drop, they would have to deliver by c-section. I spent 3 days in the hospital, had EEGs done and they could find no cause for it. So, I couldn't be alone (just in case it happened again) and wasn't allowed to drive for 6 months.

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? York Hospital in York, Maine

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? On the 21st of January, I was induced at 9:40am. I chose to have them break my water and labor began and progressed for a few hours. At 1:30pm, I opted for a dose of Stadall, to help with the pain, but it was still intense. Around 3:00pm, I ended up with an epidural (I had sworn that I would never get one of those done) and the doctor decided an hour later that labor wasn't moving along like it should, as I had stopped dilating. So, around 4:00pm, I was given Pitocin. Thank God, I couldn't feel the pain!!! Bobby was delivered at 6:02pm, the same day.

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? My parents and Greg

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Greg (of course) and my parents. My mom and dad knew I wanted pictures taken, since we didn't have a video camera, so they took all the pictures of the delivery. My dad got some really nice pics (even though it's not common to have your dad there, taking them). My mom cut the umbilical cord, since Greg wasn't interested (said it would make him sick, cutting flesh like that).

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? Natural (and only 3 stitches)

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Yes. I had Stadall after 3 hours of trying without drugs, and when the Stadall didn't work, I ended up with the epidural.

27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?? 10 lbs 1/2 oz.

28. DID YOUR CHILD HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS? He wasn't breathing, so they actually had to "bag" him with oxygen for a minute and a half (though it felt MUCH longer than that), but then he was fine.

29. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Robert Francis (after both my and greg's grandfathers)

30. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN? 3 years 2 months exactly today.

We filed our taxes, and for the first time in years, we were able to file without injured spouse.  I've been so far behind on my child support for Dakotah, that Greg had to file injured spouse every year to ensure that his tax return wasn't used for my debt.  I received a refund check from Child Support Enforcement, last year, for overpayment and figured my debt was paid in full.  When I checked on our tax return, to make sure it was coming in as quickly as TurboTax said it would, there was a little message stating that our return might be a little short.  So, the phone call was made.  I talked for over an hour with Child Support Enforcement, asking why I received a refund check last year if I wasn't paid in full.  They explained that there was an error, and instead of applying the overpaid balance to the state, they sent me a check.  So, I did still owe $303 to the state, and the taxes would be deducted accordingly.  Also, there's a balance due to Phil of $275, for legal fees, but I can take all the time I need to.

My Pop-Pop's suffering ended on January 15th, this year.  My mom was up in Sheboygan, WI to help my Granny Grace get through it.  There was a service there, and my Pop-Pop was cremated, just as my Nana was.  There will be a masonic funeral service on May 5, and my plane ticket is already purchased.  I won't be taking Bobby, as I cannot afford another plane ticket just for him, and a funeral isn't the place for a 3-year-old who doesn't like to sit still.  After the service, my Pop-Pop's ashes will be spread out to sea, per his request.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend that, as we don't want a crowd gathered, since it's illegal to do so.  While in New Hampshire, we'll be going to the beach (which I miss) and karaoke.  I'm looking forward to seeing old friends, and catching up with everyone.

Greg's new job is going all right.  He's getting used to working nights, and seems to be enjoying his job.  He recently got a call from another company, regarding employment.  Evidently, when he was unemployed, he had interviewed with Sir Speedy, for a graphic artist position.  The press man that was working there had found a new job with Minuteman Press, and had been so impressed with Greg at Sir Speedy, that he had recommended him to his new boss.  So, Greg went in for a meeting with the new owner of Minuteman.  He will be working part time, 3 hours in the mornings, Monday through Friday.  He is getting paid $20 an hour, and gets a check every day.  So, that's an extra $300 a week.  It'll help, but I'm worried about him getting worn out.  So, time with Greg will be sparse, and sleep is necessary, since I'll have to continue to be up with Bobby, and my naptime in the mornings is gone.

I'm still at home, full time.  However, Greg gave me a business card for his part-time boss's wife's preschool.  It's a private preschool, and tuition there is $10,000 a year.  However, if I want to work part time, when Bobby is potty-trained and ready for preschool, I can work on the days that Bobby goes in and Bobby's tuition will be free.  I can also get full benefits.  Greg said that I should just think about it, and I'm weighing the options.  Part of the reason for me wanting to put him in preschool, just before he turns 4, is so that I can actually get some stuff done around the house.  I can't keep the house very clean because Bobby takes so much attention and so much time.  Not that I'm really complaining, but my apartment is getting pretty messy.

So, things are going well, and looking up.

So, things have been very interesting as of late.  Bobby is growing by leaps and bounds, and getting into more trouble every day.  This morning, I woke up to find an orange had been opened, along with a canteloupe (how on earth he got the hole into the skin of the canteloupe, I'll never know), his new board games strewn all over the living room and he had just opened a box of cereal and was eating his Rice Chex dry.  What is a mother to do??  He doesn't even come into our room anymore, to wake us up.  He must think that he's dependent enough to do things on his own, but he's just not capable of doing them.  His birthday's coming up.  He'll turn 3, and I feel as though I'm at my wits' end about the things he does.  He's learned how to say, "I can't" from his father, so every time I tell him to do something, he says "I can't".  He's telling people to shut up, and yelling back at them.  I feel as though I have no control left over him, but I continue to try and get him to listen.

Greg's new job is all right.  He says that he enjoys working with the people, but nights are reallly slow.  He'll get used to working nights, but in the meantime, I'm the one up with Bobby every morning.  His arthritis seems to be going better, considering that he's not hobbling around at all hours of the day anymore.  Now, it's just mornings that are difficult on him.  It's nice to have him out of the house.  He was getting in the way, more than he thought.  I had a routine that I followed, and with him at home, it was tough to follow that routine, cuz he did absolutely nothing with housework or Bobby, while he was out of work.  That's 2 weeks of him sitting around, yelling ... ugh.

As 2006 ended with a flash, and far too quickly for my taste, I sit here and reflect on all the things that have happened, good or bad, this year.

I found a temp-to-hire job at the beginning of February, which ended abruptly toward the end of April.  They had decided to bring in an employee who had worked for the company previously, and let me go.  I got a call after 6pm on a Friday, from the temp agency, telling me that I couldn't get my things from the office, either.

If I hadn't lost that job, I wouldn't have been able to be a stay-at-home Mom for 7 glorious months!  My son is thriving, and he is so cute when he talks.  He turns 3 this month, and talks like he's a year older, at least.  Now, if I could just find the "Off" switch for the violent behavior and destructiveness, I'd be even more happy.

My husband had found a MUCH better job in July and gave his ass-boss his notice, but left the job before that two weeks was up.  His new boss was a dream come true, helping us to get back on our feet, from bills piling up.  The job was going great!!!

I was able to make it to Las Vegas in September, to see my brother have a committment ceremony with his life-partner.  It was a beautiful ceremony, and I couldn't ask for a better brother-in-law.  It was a wonderful visit, seeing some of the sights of Las Vegas, and my son getting to see his uncles.  My brother, Chris, was even able to make it from Chicago, and it's the first time that our entire family had been together since my wedding 4 and a half years ago.

My brother, Chris, left the big city life in New York City, to move to Chicago.  He's doing all right, though things could be a little better for him.  He finally got a twin-sized bed to sleep on, instead of the couch or floor, and his roommates were ecstatic about it!  The simple things in life ...

Halloween was fun for Bobby.  He wanted to dress as a pirate, so we bought the costume and he had a blast trick-or-treating.  It would've been better if he had taken a nap during the day, and hadn't been so tired by the time we were done, but it was cute to see him at every door.

Thanksgiving was just terrific!  We went up to see Greg's sister and her family, in Oklahoma.  We had a good visit, and look forward to being able to see them again soon.

On the 22nd of December, Greg was fired from work.  What a time to lose a job ... so Christmas was interesting, to say the least.  We had already bought all of our gifts, for friends and family, so there was no way to take them back.  We visited with Debby, Bob and Dan, opening gifts at their house on Christmas Day.  Bobby had the motherlode, this year, in gifts.  My best friend, Vada, even sent him 5 gifts from Washington State, even though she's never even met him.  It was wonderful to see the joy on his face when he opened all his gifts.

Greg's been looking for work and has had a couple of interviews already.  He's got a few more scheduled over the next few days, and we're really hoping he can get himself a job again.  We decided that it would still be best for me to be able to stay at home, so I haven't been steadily looking for work.  We're sure that something good will come out of this.  We're hoping he can find a job for a little bit more money, and with benefits, considering his arthritis and medical expenses.  Two of his medications are over $50 a month, and we really need a co-pay on those!!!  LOL

We found out, yesterday, that the reason he got let go, was because his boss is closing his print shop, completely.  The other girl who works there, is not being warned, so she will up a creek without a paddle in a few months.  The only problem had been that we had found an absolutely gorgeous apartment, finally!  It had a garden bathtub in the master bath, a private alarm, sprinkler system and full-size washer/dryer connections.  The rent was significantly higher, so we weren't able to sign the lease, due to no income at the present time.

So, 2006 ended with a BANG, almost literally.  However, things are beginning to look bright already for 2007, or at least, we can hope so!

Been so busy the last few days.  Working in the house, getting it all cleaned up and organized (somewhat).  Greg promised me last night, that if I got the house cleaned before I left, he would make sure it stayed that way while I was away.  I can't wait to get it totally taken care of.  I think the task that will take the longest, is reorganizing my bedroom closet.  I have to buy hangers, so that we can hang up all of our dress clothes.  There isn't much room in the closet for Greg's stuff, cuz the "Clothes Closet" at my church keeps giving me more clothing!!  I've asked her to stop, but she hasn't, and I figure that I have plenty of dress clothes to wear now.......

I just figured I would blog real quick, before I take off for the day, to get more cleaning done.  I have to sweep under the stove and wash the sides of it.  Then, I'm going to get the living room taken care of, so that Bobby can't get into so much.  The bathroom will get cleaned up tonight.  Then, it's on to my bedroom tomorrow....ugh.

Well, everyone ... it is OFFICIAL!!!!  I leave on a plane for Las Vegas in 15 days!  I fly out of Dallas/Ft. Worth around 5pm on September 2nd, and arrive in Las Vegas just before 11pm.  I hope I can get a window seat.......to see the lights, as we near the city.  I leave Vegas on September 15th (a day earlier than planned, but cheaper) at 7am and arrive in Dallas around 4:30pm.
 
I'm so excited!  I can't wait to see Bobby's face when he sees that we'll be going on a plane!  He loves to watch them fly overhead, and this is just a bonus!  I hope that they still allow children to see the cockpit, and give them their own "wings".  He would totally love that!

I probably won't be on the computer much over the next 2 weeks, due to catching up laundry and getting the apartment clean and organized.  I want it looking good, so that if Greg lets it get bad, I don't have double the work to do when I return.  I'll be sure to read up on blogs in the mornings, though!
                           

I took a little hiatus, that I'm not quite done with yet.  Things have been so hectic here, so allow me to fill you all in..............

Greg's new job is amazing.  When he was hired, he was told he would make $30,000 annual salary, with bonuses of 1% at the end of every month, if the company pulled in more than $50,000 in profits.  Well, the first month, they came dangerously close to that goal, but not quite close enough to receive a bonus.  The last two weeks, Greg's been working overtime, having to stay late because the press operator was on vacation.  Poor Bobby never saw his Daddy, except one day a week on Sundays.....

So, Ray (Greg's boss) takes him aside the other day and talks to him about a number of things.  Now, remember Greg's old boss took advantage of him, never paid him overtime when he was on an hourly wage, expected him to stay late, and so forth......  Ray tells Greg that he is NOT to stay late anymore; he has to spend time with his family after work and on the weekends.  Ray also lets Greg know that he's paying him "under the table".  Greg receives $600 weekly, no taxes taken out.  That's just under his gross pay, but a BIG help.  He also tells Greg that he's changing the bonus structure for him.  If the company makes his annual salary ($30,000) in one month, Greg will get 2.5% of anything above that.  So, if the company makes $45,000 in sales again, this month, Greg will receive $375 in bonus money.  We're hoping for more than that, but that will help for my trip to Las Vegas next month.  Ray also told Greg that in a few years, Ray is hoping to make Greg a partner in the business.  So, things are looking up (really up) with his job, right now.

I had an ear infection in my left ear, last week.  You can read my previous blog on that.  When I woke up in the morning on Saturday, this past weekend, my right ear was beginning to swell.  Sure enough, on Sunday, I was in horrific pain all over again, but in the right ear this time.  Thank God the doc gave me samples of oral antibiotics, cuz that was helping to clear out the middle ear, even though it was just starting.  Instead of 3 days of holy pain, I only had to endure one.  I feel better, but both ears are still pretty plugged up, and I can barely hear.  I'll tell ya, I'm glad that Bobby's never had to go through one of these; they're absolute hell.

Today is kind of strange with Bobby.  When he was finished eating his lunch, I let him watch another half hour of TV.  Then, when the show was over, I told him it was "quiet time" in his room, he walked up to me, asked for a hug and went straight to his room, and has been playing in there for almost 15 minutes without coming back out.  Usually, I have to keep putting him in his room, because he won't stay in there.  *knocks on wood*  Maybe, this will be a good thing.........  After his quiet time, he is supposed to take a nap and then we have a few errands to run.  I just love having a second vehicle to run around in during the day!!!

Here's a shot of my right ear, directly on the ear........
And one from the front...........

Now, for the pictures of my left ear.............from the front and directly on the ear.........
                                                             

I went to the doctor yesterday, due to swelling and pain in my left ear, as you can tell from the photos!!!  He took a look at my right ear first, then my left and asked if I had gone swimming recently.  I told him that I take Bobby swimming 3-4 times a week at the apartment complex, and he said that I have a middle ear infection;  prescribes me ear drops (5 drops, 4 times daily), an oral antibiotic, and Vicodin for pain.  These pics were taken just a few minutes ago, so you can imagine how swollen my left ear was yesterday!!!!!  In the meantime, I have to try to keep anger under control while watching Bobby, because of all the pain I'm in.  My ear doesn't drain like it's supposed to, but I can feel the pressure easing a little.

I let the apartment complex know that my ear infection was probably caused by their pool, and the level of bacteria in it.  Will they do anything about it?  I highly doubt it.  But, I won't be taking Bobby swimming here again.  He's two and a half years old, and he's never had a single ear infection, and I plan on keeping it that way.  He's only been sick once, and that was just before Christmas last year.  He had a respiratory infection, but nothing that needed major medications!!!  Thank God!!!

And, all I could think at the doctor's office yesterday, was "Thank God, it's not an absessed tooth!!!!"

I have a 'new' car!!!  It's a 1998 Toyota Sienna LE Minivan!  It has tinted windows, power locks, power windows, AM/FM CD player, Air conditioning (with vents through the back), tilt steering, ABS, Front wheel drive........it's so awesome!!!  It's even in great condition; no rust or dings anywhere.

Greg had to take it back to work today, so that they could put new front brakes on it and give it a tuneup and oil change.  The only thing I don't know how to take care of, is getting it registered.  Right now, it's an untitled vehicle, so I don't know how to get plates for it.  We'll find out.  I'm posting a pic from google of the van, but I'll take some today or tomorrow of the outside and inside!

I'm just so excited.....!!!!

First, I have to vacuum the living room, dining room, hallway, bobby's room......
Then, I can get the dishes finished up.......
Finally, the bathroom needs a good scrub, top to bottom

Then, it's time to cook and serve dinner
Then, Bobby and I eat.  If Greg's home, he eats with us

Then, it's time to go swimming.
After swimming, time for Bobby's bath and bed

so, greg's on his way to work yesterday morning and looks in his rearview mirror to find his old boss, mathew, following him.  now, greg works a little further south than his old job, and there was no reason for mathew to be in that neighborhood to begin with.  so, greg sees him there and turns left into a residential area.  mathew follows.  greg speeds up and goes right, takes a left and another left, just to see mathew's tail end going straight to continue to follow.  greg speeds up and loses him.  i told greg that the next time he sees mathew behind him, to call 911 and report someone following him; remain at the same speed and, as much as possible, on the same road.  mathew can be ticketed or arrested for stalking and harassment.

see, he's been trying to figure out where greg is working now that he's left.  i'm surprised to know that mathew hasn't been calling greg on his cell phone and he hasn't been calling here, either.

meanwhile, the other graphic artist, who incidentally left two weeks before greg did, had to go back to work for mathew.  the job that she had gotten for $11 an hour, worked her a lot of overtime in her first week there, but then told her that she'd be part time, only 3-4 hours per week.  single mom with two kids.....she ended up having to go back to mathew.  mathew, of course, is now offering to pay her $12 an hour, but he's out of the office so much that she has to run the entire shop.  she's brand new and doesn't know a whole lot, but he's expecting her to run it for him.  greg's trying to get his boss to hire her where greg's now working.  even if it's for only $12 an hour, it'd be a calmer and better environment than where she's working now. 

I'm using red because it's the color of anger, and I am absolutely fuming!!!!!!!

First off, Greg had a doctor's appointment yesterday and his boss originally told him that he couldn't go.  Mathew doesn't know how to run the shop without Greg there.  He took off for a delivery and didn't show back up at work until 5 minutes before Greg's appointment started, and it takes Greg at least a half hour to get there.  Greg demanded his paycheck (Fridays are paydays) and Mathew tried to get him to stay anyway.  Anyway, Greg finally showed up at the doctor's office, discussed medications and treatment for the arthritis and then we went home.

Mom and Dad helped us out with the $200 we needed to cover the rent and they treated us to dinner, too.  They came over today to talk about our bills and Mom finally realized that we truly are living penny to penny.  We actually pay out $12 more than Greg makes.

I went online last night to find out if we can continue coverage on our own with Greg's insurance company after he leaves his job.  We got an email this morning, stating that his coverage ended 5/31/06 and he needed to talk to his local benefits provider to get more information.  The problem is that Mathew has been taking premium payments out of Greg's paychecks all through June.  That's $150 that he's stolen from us, and we'll end up being billed for all medical appointments in June.  He had a Remicaide infusion a couple of weeks ago (June) that is over $2,000 for.  I am absolutely LIVID with his boss.

Greg contacted Ray, who offered him a job, but asked that Greg give Mathew 2 weeks notice, and Ray stated that when he wants to start working for him, he'll get him started right away.  He also said that whenever we needed help, he would be willing to advance us and take a little out of each paycheck to pay it back.  Greg figures that we are going to attempt to get our premium money back from Mathew and if he refuses, we'll flat out tell him that he'll hear from our attorney.  It's fraud and a Class A Felony, and he should be arrested for it on the spot, but Greg doesn't want to ruin our weekend by dealing with stuff from work.

I'll make sure to keep everyone informed as progress continues in this matter!  And, I want to thank all of you for caring and keeping us in your prayers.

greg works for a prick!!!  that's the best way to get it started.  he left for 3 weeks to visit family in india, and comes back to make greg work almost 10 hours of overtime in one week.  the problem comes in that greg is on salary, and we're pretty sure that he was only put on salary so that his boss wouldn't have to pay him any overtime.  he's saving a buttload of money by not having to pay the overtime.  he's working greg like a dog for a measly $28,000 a year.  any manager in another company would be making over $35,000 a year.  he's getting such a ripoff and i feel so bad for greg.

in the meantime, greg's been interviewing for other jobs.  he's finishing one up today and the guy is offering greg $35,000 as just a graphic artist, with no supervising involved.  then, after a few months, when the current supervisor leaves, greg will get that position and a raise.  the guy also owns a car dealership and is willing to help get us a new car.  (thank God, cuz ours is a POS)

the guy is wanting greg to give a week's notice to his current boss, no matter what illegal practices he is doing.  i advised greg to ask if he can give 4 days, instead because we want to make sure he'll get his final paycheck.  if greg leaves, and the current graphic artist's last day is monday (tomorrow), then mathew won't be able to keep the business running...hehe.  we need that paycheck and mathew won't be able to keep the money coming in, so he'll have to close his doors, and it's possible, he won't have the money for a final check for greg.  so, i guess we'll have to see how it goes.......

he had another interview yesterday with a national company based out of PA.  he said that they're talking about $40,000 a year, and trying to figure out how to get his insurance started immediately.  greg's not sure which company he wants to work for...one is further south than where he works now, and the other is east, where we want to end up living.  it's confusing.....but, i know he'll do what he thinks is right and best for his family.

meanwhile, money's so tight we're not sure we can make rent next week.  we can't keep affording an extra $100 in late fees on our rent, if we're going to be able to pay our bills.  we're about $200 short for the rent next week, and trying to figure out where we're going to get it.  please, keep us in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

we're also trying to figure out where we're going to get the money to make it to Las Vegas for my brother's wedding in September.  he and his life-partner found a chapel in Vegas that does gay weddings, even though they're not technically legal.  it's more of a committment ceremony and james has asked that his family be there.  we're going to fly, and the tickets are around $200 a piece, so we'll have to come up with $700 just to get out there, and then spending money would be nice!!

i guess we'll just have to hope and pray that a job falls into his lap and we're able to get the bills taken care of, while still buying our air fare and putting other monies aside.  *bows head*