The Beer and Cheese State?

So it's settled...I'm moving to Wisconsin! I got the job I was praying for and I've never been happier. God came through for me in so many ways: a wonderful new job opportunity, a fantastic future salary, and a family who will support me through it all. My mom is really excited about my new job; I'm going to miss being just an hour away, but I know that this move will be the best thing for me.

But with the excitement came a lot of nervousness and worrying. It will cost about $2,000 to break my lease on my apartment. I've got to pay for all of my moving costs (but my new company will reimburse me on my first paycheck). All in all, I need about $3,500 up front to pay for the move. Luckily, I got a personal loan for that amount yesterday, so I'm breathing a bit easier about that. However, I've still got to put in notice at my jobs, pack all of my things, get a Uhaul, and find an apartment once I get to Wisconsin. A lot to do, but I'm sure everything will work out great.

My last day in Kentucky will be September 20th, right after my birthday. I'm working six days a week at my part-time to make money, and I'm writing articles to earn some extra cash too. I'll keep you all posted on my progress--I'm so excited!

Three Good Things:

• I get my personal loan on Monday or Tuesday.
• My new job has FREE health insurance, and the dental insurance is cheap, so I can finally get my dental work done!
• I don't have to be at my part-time job until 2 today, which gives me some times to finish a few chores and relax.
  

What's Going On

I'm writing this post from underneath a hooded hair dryer in the comfort of my bedroom. For all the black girls out there, this is no surprise. Most women of color I know have all the hairdressing accoutrements to start their own beauty shops. Hair is a big deal to us. But I digress. It's time for the update I promised y'all.

I still don't know anything about the job I'm up for, but I should know by next week. I called yesterday and was told that they are waiting for paperwork to come back from their regional office and that they'd let us know just as soon as they knew something. I'm relieved, but nervous at the same time. I really, really want this job...but I'll just have to wait and see. I'll let you know as soon as I hear something.

I've been working my part-time job every night this week, so I've been lacking a bit in the sleep department. I can't wait to quit; the extra money is enough to make me stay, but I would love not to have to clean up after fully capable adults every night of my life. It makes me not even want to clean up my own house. I think everyone should have to do this job at some point in his or her life (just like I think people should have to work in a daycare--preferably a ghetto daycare--before they have kids). I've got a newfound respect for people who clean, and I'm the first person to grab my trash and toss it so someone else doesn't have to now.

My boyfriend is excellent. We...mesh well. He's weird, and so am I, and that works for us. There hasn't been a day that I haven't seen him since we started dating. This part of my life is good. :) I've got two friends staying with me while their dorms are closed for spring break, and I'm looking forward to having some company in the house--especially these two. They're wild! I've got a slight medical issue (there's something wrong with my leg), but hopefully I'll be able to get it looked at sometime next week. It's kind of hard to explain, so I'll just let you know what's up when I find out what the hell it is.

Everything else is going well so far; I can't complain at all. I wish I had more to tell you, but there isn't too much going on right now. The weather is beautiful, so after my hair is finished I'm heading out to enjoy it before I have to work tonight. Have a great weekend!

Three Good Things:

• I've got a day off from both jobs tomorrow, so the boyfriend and I are going to spend the whole day together.
• I went an entire week without breaking a single nail (a vast improvement, as I had to have seven repaired last week).
• My hair is almost dry!
  

"I'm not always there when you call..."

I've had a problem with trusting God in the past. I'm a person who worries a lot, and I would get so caught up in worrying about everything that could or would go wrong in my life that I didn't just leave it up to God to handle. I was putting my faith in the world and not in the Lord.

I've since been working on giving everything to God to handle. He, after all, is the one who can heal all wounds and solve all problems--all we have to do is ask. I also have issues asking people for things; I always want to do everything myself and never want to depend on anyone. But it finally clicked to me today that God wants to hear from us. He wants us to tell him things that we can't tell anyone else, to ask for things we wouldn't dream of asking anyone else for. The fact that we can bear our souls in prayer proves our faithfulness to Him. He already knows what's in our hearts, and just wants us to be able to confide in Him with our own mouths.

Sometimes God brings blessings to show us that he hasn't forgotten about us. At times when we pray, God doesn't say "no," but instead says "not right now." I've found that blessings like these come when my faith is dwindling. For example, I was stressed about my finances, worrying about how I was going to make ends meet. I was questioning God and wondering why He was letting things go downhill when my life had been going so well. But then I got an email about a job I interviewed for a year ago (which you already know). I have a follow-up interview on Monday, and I'm praying that things go well. This was something that reminded me that God was still on my side, and that struggles are His way of reminding us to keep our faith in Him.

Count It All Joy - Bebe And Ce...

Three Good Things:

• I'm one step closer to getting in control of my debt.
  
• I'm starting a special craft project tonight. :)
  
• Job interview Monday morning!
  

New beginnings...

Lately things have been...pretty great actually. I'm finally settled in my new job (secretary for a non-profit), and while it doesn't make much use of my degree, I really enjoy it. My dad was in hospice before he died and even though all I do is take phone calls and other office-y things, I feel like I'm doing my part to help people during their hard times.

I'm becoming obsessed with saving money, probably since I don't have any. I decided today to limit my unnecessary spending as much as possible. I've been printing out coupons like a fiend and trying to stop spending on a whim (which, if you know me at all, is something I do on a daily basis).

I found this great interactive grocery list at WorkingMom.com. You can add your own items, print the list, and even write comments to yourself or your shopping helper. I've got coupons for a lot of items, so I made notes on which specific brands I need to buy to use them. I also looked at the online version of this week's Wal-Mart ad and made notes of items I use that are on sale so I can stock up. I feel so responsible and grown up! :)

I've also gotten a lot done as far as Christmas shopping. I know it's only the first week of November, but Christmas will be here before we know it. Plus, planning and shopping are two of my favorite things, so being able to do them both at once was very satisfying. :) I'm doing some grocery shopping today, so I may even be able to knock out a few more gifts (Wal-Mart gift cards, etc.) while I'm out today.

My grandfather is recovering well from his stroke and surgery; that's a blessing. Mom and the rest of the family are doing well too. Matt and I have had our ups and downs, but that's something I'm leaving up to God. Since I get a lot of free time at work, I'll probably be updating more often now...but don't hold me to that. :)

She works hard for the money...or she would if she could find a job.

Today I'm heading to the annual job fair hosted on my school's campus. I feel prepared enough: 25 copies of my resume, freshly pressed suit, perfect hair and flawless makeup. Inside, though, I'm a little unsure. We're in a recession, and I'm worried that there won't be any full-time openings for a gal fresh out of undergrad. I'm trying not to worry about it too much, but you know how I am--"worry" should be my middle name.

Not only that, but I had a bit of an accident with my car and it will cost $1300 to fix. Before your eyes fall out of your head (mine almost did) the price is so high because I'm not reporting it to my insurance. And before you ask why, I'm not reporting it to my insurance because I'm not telling my mother until after I get it fixed. Not just because I'm afraid that she'll kill me (which I am to an extent) but because she pays most of my car insurance and I don't want the insurance to go up. She's going to be getting a foster child very soon, they're laying people off left and right at her job, and she has to pay all of her bills herself. I don't want her to pay for my mistake, so I'm paying for it myself. I'm trying to do the adult thing and take responsibility for my actions.

So now I'm pinching pennies like no one's business and hoping to have it paid off as quickly as possible. I had an idea that being a grown up would be expensive, but this is ridiculous. Wish me luck at the job fair; I'll update you on how it went as soon as I can.