Somedays...

So I am kind of frustrated. I got an email from my MIL saying that whenever we are interested in getting some Christmas gift ideas for their family, to let her know, because Adam didn't seem too receptive when she was trying to tell him the other day. Argh! Yes, I love Christmas, and I love getting gifts for people. But this year, it's a little difficult. With moving and everything, things are extremely tight. We went almost a month without a paycheck - finally got paid last Friday, inculding a moving bonus, which after taxes 1/3 of it is already gone. We had nothing in savings. Had to borrow from my parents just to make last months rent payment and have a little money for groceries and stuff. So half the moving bonus will be gone after paying my parents back, which means it will help for only the next 1 or 2 months making rent/mortgage payments. Unfortunately with his new job, Adam did not get an increase in pay. So he's making the same amount as before. Which we were getting by on, but there wasn't much left over. So now we have to survive on that same amount, but now we are paying a mortgage and rent, and utilities on 2 places. After just the mortgage, rent, car payment, and studetn loans, that leaves us with maybe $300-400, which is nowhere near enough to cover just the remaining bills (utitlities, cell phones, renters/homeowners/car insurance, etc), much less groceries, gas, unexpected expenses. I have my orientation this week for subbing in the Duluth district, but there are no guarantees that I will be workgin regularly. For awhile, I had been having major anxiety issues, just worrying about all of our money issues. Now I thought I had things under control with all of my anxiety, but all of the sudden we're like bombarded with Christmas ideas for the whole family. ARGH.... So Adam was trying to explain this again to his mom last night, and she was like, I know that's, why I'm giving you cheap ideas. Some of the ideas were somewhat low cost, others were not. But either way, they are all more than we can afford at the moment. And some of the family members would be very offended if we didnt' get them anything. It's so difficult sometimes. I would say I'd just make things for everyone, but I really don't have a stockpile of supplies laying around, so it would probably cost me more to get stuff to make anything than it would be to just go buy something cheap. At least my parents have already told us (over a month ago) to not even think about getting them anything - and that my grandparents would all understand too if we can't get them anything. So I guess that's a little bit of help. Although more than likely we'll get everybody something, just cuz I'd feel horrible getting all of Adam's family presents and oh too bad for my family. Frustrating. So I guess we could use some prayers - that our house would sell SOON, that I will be able to work and make some money to help, that we would be able to stretch what money we do have as much as possible.

On another note, there's a BX (military store - kind of a general store) right across the road from where Adam works. It's in an old kind of dumpy building and there are rarely cars in the lot, so I wasn't even sure if it was actually open, but last week, I got there a bit early to pick Adam up, so ran in there quick. It's pretty small and limited selection, but they do have some of everything. So that will be kind of nice. Tax free shopping. Whoo hoo! Especially since Duluth sales tax is 1% higher than the rest of MN, which I have never understood why... Oh well. It will be nice to shop there if we do end up building a house eventually - maybe see about getting some of our appliances and things there. Who knows though. A nice perk of Adam being in the reserves.

Well my cousin is in town (home from college for a long weekend) and is stopping by in a few minutes, so I should get a few things picked up around here. More later...