Confusion...

Happy confusion none the less.

So while corporate is busy packing their bags at my husband's company, spending has also come to a complete halt. Not paying for any flights, moving expenses or extras unless absolutely needed.

So imagine our surprise when my husband went to work yesterday to find out he got a one thousand dollar bonus!

This is where the confusion comes in...they tell my husband that at some point (maybe 2 months, maybe 2 years) he quite possibly may be laid off, yet give him a bonus?

Either way, fine with us. I'm just glad his management finally recognized all of his hard work. We can only hope that this means his job is safe, for now.

We talked about it and I whole heartily think that he should take a hundred of it and buy himself something nice (he NEVER does) and save the rest. He deserves it. Ironically he has a birthday coming up :-)

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I'm ALMOST done with holiday shopping. Just a few more items. And guess what? I came in at budget!!

I'm waiting until black Friday to buy a few of the items. I'm NERVOUS lol. I've never done black friday shopping before at the mall. A friend of mine went to Sears a couple years ago, and she came back with nothing but horror stories. Haha. She said some lady tried to push her out of the way to get a small tool set...

Craziness.

If it is too crazy, I'm turning my car around and coming home. But I plan to hire a body guard (AKA my hubby) :-)

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I got registered with school on Monday. Two of my classes only had night classes open...so on Tuesday and Wed. I will be making two trips to campus. Joy. But if that's my only choice, then w/e.

Tuition without book cost came to 1,048.00, books will be about 400. Not too bad for full time. About what I expected.

Unfortunately, this means that our first anniversary (Hubby & I) will have to celebrated on the weekend...my first day for Wed. classes (a morning and evening class) lands on that day.

So many hoops :-)

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Oh! By the way, if anyone would like a nice christmas gift idea...

Snapfish.com is offering a 8x11 photobook for free.

http://www2.snapfish.com/info18?AID=10423416&PID=1225267&SID=u0t0f0fp15383c0s652&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.snapfish.com%2Ffreebook2008

It must be redeemed by 11/16, and you have to pay 7$ shipping.
If you are new to the site, and create a new account you can also get 20 free 4x6 prints.

I took advantage of this to make a wedding book, we didn't order one with the photographer (they wanted a hundred bucks....7 sounds better lol).

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My mom used to say that to me a lot when I was a kid (I'm a stresser! lol)

And today was just that...a better day.

Hubby & I discussed the job issue and feel better.

We're in a rather odd situation because while most people are applying for jobs and getting ready to be in the job market again (with the layoffs on the way), my hubby can't. He is unable to do this because the company not only paid our moving expenses but they bought our previous house when it didn't sell in 3 months. Hubby signed an agreement to stay with the company at least 2 years or he will have to pay back the moving expenses.

October 09 will be 2 years.

SOOOO....unless the company cans his position, he can't do anything. He is a sitting duck.

Anyways, we talked about it and we're just going to do all we can do. We're going to go on normally (being frugal and saving money) and be prepared for the worst. There is nothing else we can do.
Besides he might have his job for another year or more, and by then the moving cost wouldn't be an issue.

This doesn't mean that I don't think the whole situation is morally wrong, but what can you do about it? Pray and hope for the best :-)

By the way, thanks to everyone who left such nice comments, it honestly made me feel better. I appreciate it. :-)

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So I got the school ball rolling. I'm excited that so far (Knock on wood) it has gone so smoothly. In a 24 hour period I've been able to submit my membership application, apply for financial aide (FAFSA) (and have it finalized - usually this takes a week or two), fill out the student loan application, set up my student account, do the online orientation and set up appointments with the academic adviser and financial aide for Monday!

I really hope that my English and Math credits transfer, I really don't want to do these two over again. Blah.

Once I have my student loan processing going I can register for classes.

Crossing my fingers it all goes well.

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So who is a black Friday shopper? Or do you shop cyber Monday deals? Neither?

I have a few things on my list for xmas gifts but I'm debating holding out until that weekend to see if there will possibly be any deals for them. I just feel like I'm being a last minute shopper (usually my shopping is done by now lol). But oh well, I really don't want to go over budget this year. I manage to go over budget EVERY year ... every darn time lol.

It's been awhile since I've blogged. Been a bit stressful lately, with an extra helping of aggravation.

Let me say a few things about my husband. He is the hardest working person I know. He puts the effort towards always being dependable (He may get out of work on time 3x per month), keeping up with ever growing technology, and never complains to anyone. He has been with his current company since he was 18. He started out working weekends, night shifts, and doing all the crap no one else wants to do. He graduated college, and moved up to be a systems engineer. Since then (5 years now) he has been on call at the least once a month - getting woken up at all hours of the night to fix something, continues to work weekends and travel, MOVE for the company, and still never complains one bit. Did I mention that he doesn't get paid over time or get comp time?!?

Nope - what reward does he get? The threat of losing his job. Corporate is facing a MASS layoff here soon in his department, and were not sure how it's going to trickle down to other locations through out the country. Or maybe I should say when. All we know is the big guys have said "We're only keeping the experts." What the hell does that mean?! There only keeping the highest ranked Engineers, or are they keeping who they "consider" to be the expert?? Ugh.

I feel so much for him - he has done nothing but what he has been asked to do (and more).

The sad thing is, is that he isn't the only one in this position. I figure half the country is feeling this right about now. Explain to me again, why outsourcing & allowing other countries to come in and take over our companies is allowed? It's doing nothing but hurting the people who work hard to pay taxes (middle class). But I suppose if their family is sitting on millions and is taken care of, then it's not their problem (BS!).

But (I'm pulling the religion card, brace yourself) I have faith that God will provide and we will be fine. My husband is a VERY hard working, educated, self motivated person. A job CAN be replaced. How easily it can be replaced is another story.

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Ok, now that I have all of that out :-)

In an effort to save as much as possible I have cut our grocery budget down quit a bit. For the past couple weeks, we've been between 35-45 a week for groceries, households and pet items. I'm pretty excited, the last couple weeks I've saved more than I've spent! :-)

Thanks to coupons. Honestly, I didn't think I was going to be one of those wives that had the whole coupon binder bit, and strategically planned out her shopping trips on a weekly basis. But here I am. I must say...I'm enjoying it. Kind of takes the "boring errands" feel out of it.

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So the holiday season is finally here. I LOVE the holiday season. I love decorating, baking, gift giving, etc. Mostly I love spending time with everyone. Society in general just seems to treat each other in a nicer manner. Too bad it isn't like that all year around.

Hubby has vacation scheduled for Thanksgiving (Ahhh, vacation lol) so I'm planning a "frugal stay at home vacation". I figure we'll cook up a nice Thanksgiving day dinner (it will only be myself and my hubby so nothing to big), put up some holiday decorations, make a gingerbread house (I've never made one haha), SLEEP IN, watch movies, just ... be relaxed (knock on wood).

I quit eating meat so it should be a rather interesting Thanksgiving dinner. I think I will buy my hubby a small turkey though - I'm not going to force him out of meat just because I don't want it.

What are you cooking for Thanksgiving? I could use some ideas for something interesting.

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Tomorrow I am going to register for school. I'm praying that everything goes smoothly - no student loan - no school. I'm going to a community college though, and Hubby and I plan to pay for books out of pocket. So hopefully since I wont be requesting too much $, it will be ok.

We have good credit, but who knows in this economy.

I HAVE to go to school and finish my degree, so one way or another, we'll figure something out.

Maybe I'll come across a scholarship?

"Wanted: Scholarship. Stay at home wife, no children, husband possibly to be laid off, desperate for mercy."

What do you think?! lol, just playing.