My long post yesterday got eaten, lost, gone.
All that remained was the title. Glad that it brought humor to some (Petunia).

Cranky kids, stressed husband, lack of sleep, ineffective boundaries have left me frazzled. Today is a bit better, sun and sleep can have a positive effect, but I'm not sure that it will sustain me through the day.

Science fair is well underway. Oldest daughter got her grades up in the classes she was struggling in (C to a B in Spanish II, she's had some difficulty with indirect pronouns and past tense verbs), and Picture Day (today) is done (hair cuts, clothing selections, etc).

Money is auto-pilot. Found $125 in the checking account (really a check hadn't cleared the last time I looked and the balance was lower than it should have been). It was helpful for the $33 for pictures (3-$11 packages, the 8th grader has her pictures that we buy in Feb), $13 for haircut, $29.72 to Aldi's for groceries and produce to get us through to Saturday. The incoming funds on the 26th are all planned for and there isn't really much to fret about.

DH is stressed in a major way at work. This is the point where it is time to come up with the exit strategy. His plan is to become a Deacon and this means a return to school for a degree in pastoral counseling and theology. If we sell the rental property and have virtually no mortgage on the primary residence, and our income drops substantially, the financial aid (grants and scholarship) increase proportionately. I missed the boat on a job that I might really have liked with the Diocese.

He'll have to stay put or return to school part-time until the house sells, and I presume we'll put it on the market in the Spring.

I have to pay off the last $3,900 in credit card debt soon. I'm seeing what can go. Irish dance will most likely be leaving as my girls have sort of moved on to poms and lacrosse. My boys have always been low-cost activities (soccer through the park district, scouts and band).

Once the debt goes, I'll put 20% into retirement while we can. My girls are taking over more of their own expenses and I'm sure it will all be fine.

And my best friend is falling apart, completely disintegrating before my eyes. I've learned that she was suicidal with a plan, though she assures me she is much better now. I don't even care about her money situation (doesn't make enough at the second job - a hospital outpatient position - to cover her bills, needs a room-mate, $400 a month student loan payments are now due - she exhausted all forbearance and deferment opportunities). She's off the psychotropic meds and is desperately chasing after the man she pushed away. She didn't trust my promise to have her dog put down and then I'd make sure his ashes were with hers or at her grave. Her new plan included doing away with him, too.

I called this morning to make sure she was still alive. She was. (Last night was a difficult one with her pertaining to the man, and she sent him a $40 package of cookies and hand-dipped strawberries to celebrate Sweetest Day, before he was mean to her).

I guess it is a good day then?

Rant over. Thanks. This is really where I do most of my mind dumping, isn't it?