A crazy week!

This week has been crazy for me!! Okay -- to others who have been working or who have been going to school or been doing both - not so crazy. For me...whose been out of school for four years and out of work for at least six months (and off and on prior to that) this week has been crazy!! My schedule isn't really all that hectic to be honest but I am just not used to having to be somewhere at a certain time, navigating to and from my class locations (while lugging books and keeping warm), keeping up with housework and meals, getting homework/projects done and now working from home in the off chance I have a moment to do so (and the work is available). The week isn't even over yet and I already feel like I am falling behind!! To top everything off - Hubby is on a new diet so now I can't just toss some spaghetti on the stove and call it done, I've got to come up with some meals that he can actually eat. Granted, he did agree to cook one night a week *at least* as I just lack the chance to do so myself that particular night.

I will say that so far my classes are super fun! Monday nights I have my sewing class and it was the first time that I ever did anything with my NEW machine. Yes, I have a new sewing machine instead of the hand-me-down one that Craig's Aunt gave me. What's the story there? Well I took the machine (a Singer that was about 10-15 years old) in to get cleaned up, get the timing fixed and make sure it was in working order. The repair shop then told me it would cost more money to fix the machine than it was worth and suggested I recycle it - so I did. It made the most sense to go this route as just the cost to clean and fix it up was $104 and the part that was broken (a cam-shaft?!?) was difficult to get and costly to replace. A new machine with extra parts and in perfectly working order was $200. I added the stores 3-year maintenance plan for an extra $100 which means I can bring my machine in as many times as I want or need to over the next 3-years with no additional cost (base price to have it cleaned up is $84 and it's suggested to do so at least once a year), plus I get 20% off at the store in the event I need supplies during my sewing class (which coincidentally is at the same store.) The class is fun though - there are only five students in the class so it's easy to get one-on-one time with the instructor and no one should fall behind on projects. There is only one lady in the class who has never once sewn in her life but she seems to be a quick learner, the rest of us have sewn projects here and there and just want to get better at what we're doing. Personally - I just want to know my machine. I am super excited about the projects we'll be making and am also excited to start making gifts for friends and family. I have a huge list forming!!! I also talked with Craig and he thinks I should make an etsy account to sell handmade things - we'll see how that goes (as everyone and their mothers uncle has an etsy account these days).

My Tuesday and Thursday morning class is Environmental Ethics. So far it seems like everyday we'll hold a class discussion on "What is Nature?" and on our reading assignments - which is pretty cool except that I am not a big "discussion" person - I like to listen to discussion's and hear what others have to say but I am not much of a vocal person or one to share my opinion in public. I suppose it's my way of avoiding arguments. We'll have a few research papers to write, but overall I think the class should be pretty fun. Oh!! One really cool thing about the class is that it's locally based - meaning it's Environmental Ethics in relation to the Pacific Northwest - so we won't be talking about global issues or ozone layers or anything of that nature. I thought that was really cool because it'll be a great way for me to get to know the area better and I can do things on my own to help "save the environment" --at least, locally.

My Tuesday and Thursday evening class is Intro to Building Systems. I took a similar class at DISD but neglected to pay much attention and it was apparent when it came time to use the material at work. I didn't feel as if I knew what I was looking at sometimes or what my boss was talking about. So I decided to take the class again - I'm glad I did. This class is also locally based so I can get to know Oregon codes, zoning and the way the Oregonians do things. This class is also residential based - which is new to me so I hope to learn a lot more in regards to building and designing residential. I've only done assignments and work related issues in the commercial field so it's a welcome change!!

My Wednesday night class is manual photography - and it doesn't start until next week, so I will tell you all about it then!

As far as work is concerned - if you've read my past entries I mentioned my old job in CA asked me if I was available to do some Auto CAD work for them on an as needed basis. I told them I was willing and able to do the work and naturally-- the work started this week! I started on Wednesday afternoon and typically should be working Monday, Wednesday and Fridays and the weekend if the work-load allows. Also; because I have 3 hours in between classes on Tuesday's and Thursdays, I can work then as well. It'll be nice having the extra income and the work keeps me busy and motivated - yippie!

Complainers

I am writing this blog about complainers. I will admit to being one as well, because I too complain but have tried my hardest not to (at least, I feel I've tried). Yes, I do see the irony in complaining about complainers.

I know everyone's lives have been of the sucky nature lately and don't think for one second that your life is worse than anyone else because you were or are unemployed or because you don't make enough or whatever other horribly awful reason you have...trust me that you're not the only one who has had something negative going on in your life at some point.

Work:
One of my reasons for writing this is because I am tired of people complaining about their work, the job they do, their coworkers or their boss...on facebook.. really?! You're complaining on the internet about your JOB. First off, be thankful that you have one...I was without work for nine months and even though everyday isn't perfect and not planned with my personal comfort in mind I am SO thankful to be working again, getting a paycheck and keeping myself busy and my mind active (not to mention utilizing the expensive skills I picked up in college). Stop making comments on how you can't wait for the end of your work day, that you're dreading tomorrow's, that you have a case of the Mondays, or that hump day is here. I know plenty of people who would LOVE to take your job if you're not happy or willing to do it (send me an email if that's the case and I'll work on getting you out of there).

Personal:
No one wants to know that your back hurts, that you're going to the doctor to check out that weird rash, about that oozing abscess on your back, or whats in your bank account. If you have a really cool story about breaking your leg by all means tell it, but don't sit and bitch about it hurting for weeks on end (hell-o, broken bones hurt...duh!). The world (ie: everyone on your facebook friends list) doesn't need to know about your DUI court case, how so-n-so is ruining your life because of xyz, your parents ruined you life or that you're thankful so-n-so died. Keep your personal life PERSONAL (they call it that for a reason, you know). Now, I am not saying to never ever talk about personal things to your family and close friends, but there isn't any need to post this all over facebook/internet (try using the phone, email or a text for a change).

I've learned something this past year from being unemployed, losing our house and losing some family members. LIFE GOES ON. It's not the end of the world. I've learned to be more positive no matter the situation, avoid telling the world all of your grudges and only talk about everything that's going good in your life - things will eventually get better. I don't assume everything will work out wonderfully and I'm not walking around with my hopes up in the air. Yes I want things to work out for me and my family but realistically they don't always go the way they are planned - but I'm not going to bitch and moan about it to the world.

I am not where I want to be right now, but I am not complaining about it everyday. I'd love to have a new house, not be living with my in-laws, have time and money to take fancy vacations, be in a position to have children soon, be able to get a new car, and be able see my friends and family more often (just like most of my friends). But that is not where my life has taken me right now...I'm still positive though - I have a husband who loves me like you wouldn't believe, I have in-laws who are allowing us to live with them until things get better (for both us and them), and I have dreams that I can hold on to that ONE DAY I will achieve.

No matter how many negative things happen, my life will still be positive. I wish others would think and act the same way.

The year that sucked.

2009.

Why this year sucked (for me)...

1. Unemployment:
During the first three months of the new year I knew I would be losing my job, eventually. Sure enough at the end of March two of us were let go. My Mom & Dad, Mom & Dad in law, Sister in law, best friend and several other people that I know were all let go as well (some in 2008) and most are still unemployed.

2. Foreclosure:
We decided to give up our house in June. First we tried a loan modification, which they wouldn't do because we were still current on our loan, with no late payments. Next we tried to short sell it, which they wouldn't do without us first signing a promissory note in the amount of $15,000 payable over 10 years - no thanks! And our last option was to foreclose, which will be effective January 2010. No biggie - we'll move on.

3. Hospitals and Losses:
Well, my Grandma Owens passed away at the beginning of 2009 and my Uncle Gary Owens during the middle of 2009. My Aunt Mildred fell, broke her leg and hip (this after having a hip replacement) and is still not doing so well at the hospital, my Grandpa Smith fell the day before Thanksgiving and had slight bleeding on his brain, he was released two days later and a weekend after that my Grandma Smith was at the ER for her eye - which she now has to have surgery on. My Dad has been having issues with his leg (which seems to be getting better) and my Mom had to have neurosurgery on her lower spine (which she is doing well from). Several other family members have been in and out of the hospital for various reasons as well. More so than usual.

On a more positive note...

Nine months after I was laid off I received an email that the company I used to work for needed some help, so I came back to work for them as a regular part-time employee with a 3% pay raise (started December 12th). Hopefully this will be more permanent an I can learn and grow more from the experience of being laid off. I have learned the value of having a job and will (hopefully) no longer complain about having to go to work, or do the things expected of me. I am grateful to be working again. We had a vacation in Cabo that was memorable, especially with the majority of those in attendance being unemployed at the time. This year has definately pointed out our financial flaws and we've learned how to improve upon them. I think we've been doing well. We've managed to pay off every one of our credit cards and our savings account is continually growing. I got to see my brother and his family from Arizona as well as my Aunt and Uncle and cousins from Colorado, aside from the incident with my Grandpa - this made for a great and memorable Thanksgiving - it was nice to have everyone together (with a cardboard cut-out makeshift Grandpa).

The way this year has ended is giving me hope that 2010 will be better for everyone.

Here's to ending 2009 on a positive note. *cheers*

Plans for 2010? (no not resolutions, I have my list for that).
--Vacation with just Craig and I (Brazil? Ireland? Tropical Getaway? Europe?)
--Moving out of the in-laws place (House? Apartment? Condo?..who knows!)

Short Sale Frustration

I now understand why people begin to beat the crap out of their houses when they go into foreclosure. Not that I would be one of those people that would do that but I "get" how those people were feeling. We've struggled to make house payments for over a year now, roughly around when my hours got cut working for Stouse. At that time, we called the bank to see about getting our loan modified and were denied (a few times) due to the "inability to pay back the loan" (gee, really?!). About 6+ months ago I was laid off at Stouse, so making payments got even more difficult and we decided to short sale our home. At first we were just going to walk away but decided to go ahead and short sale it so that my credit wouldn't be as f*ed up (2 years vs 7 years). We got three offers on the house within the first two weeks and sent one in to the bank for approval. Now, there are a few departments that need to approve the sale before it is completely accepted. First is the bank and second is the mortgage insurance company. I just  got a call today from our Realtor and she informed us that our bank approved it but the only way the mortgage insurance company will accept the short sale is if we sign a promissory note in the amount of $15,000 paid over the next 10 years with no interest unless we're late or miss a payment.  I know that only equals $125 a month but it's for 10 years and that's still ridiculous to us. If we decide not to sign the promissory note then our house goes into foreclosure status. I understand that they would like to recoup as much money as they can, but at the same time it makes no sense to me that they would rather deny a short sale; in which they would be losing approximately $160k, and gain a foreclosure; in which they would stand to lose even more money, the house would sit unoccupied, unmaintained and stands the potential for break in's and squatters. Their method just seems too risky in this type of market and just irritates the hell out of us because we tried to avoid foreclosing only to have it happen anyways. This is about the time I started to feel like punching holes in the walls and ripping out sinks, plumbing, cabinets and the like. I won't, but I am tempted.

We talked this over and decided that we're not going to sign the promissory note and instead increase our monthly savings by $125 and in 10 years we'll actually have something to show for it. By then the foreclosure will be off my record and we'll be fine. If the bank doesn't want to work with me in this type of market, they can have the place, maintain it, and not profit a damn penny from it. I will say though, that it's kind of depressing to see all of our friends getting houses now that the market is better for them. We thought we were buying in a low market and it turned out to be just the beginning of the change in the market. Now we'll be screwed while prices are good, fantastic.

Live and learn.