So, I guess you want the...

that I promised earlier this week. Well, I'm not telling.

Just kidding! I wanted to wait until we were 100% sure this was happening, as we have had our hopes up before, only to be sorely disappointed. Any suspense yet? The big news is this... after two years of unemployment--only one of which was covered by state unemployment insurance--culinary training, a couple of temp jobs, too many resumes sent out, any number of job interviews, etc., M has a job!!!! He starts tomorrow. He'll be working in the kitchen of a large, snazzy hotel, which has a full restaurant and room service. It is technically "part-time" but that's normal in the culinary industry, and they told him that if he is willing, they offer a good amount of overtime. The pay is a tad on the lower side, but IT IS EMPLOYMENT, so we are not complaining about that! We are simply relieved at this point... we both feel like we can breathe a little easier.

Truthfully, the last year has been incredibly hard financially. We barely scraped by in paying our mortgage (thanks in part to a loan from my generous brother), we had to delay paying the fencing instructor (who allowed The Boy to fence for two months on the promise we'd pay eventually, and we've already paid more than half of that), and we're on both Medi-Cal and food stamps. I do expect the food stamps benefit to be greatly reduced or even eliminated at this point, but it was incredibly helpful in restocking the pantry and freezer.

I've lain awake nights, worrying, calculating, re-calculating. How little could I pay on x to make sure y was covered? Last night's sleep was so much more restful.Yes, our budget will still be tight. I can manage tight, just not nonexistent. So...

In other news, The Girl will be skating in her first official bout this weekend! She found at at last night's practice that she made the roster--I haven't been hugged that tightly in a while! Her coaches told me, while both grinning from ear to ear, that she's totally earned this. She never misses practice (except when we had the flu and she literally couldn't stand for more than a few minutes without getting ill), did a summer derby boot camp, and tries really hard. I am smiling even as I type this! She is proud of herself, as she should be, and I am over the moon for her. It is so rewarding when hard work pays off.

I'll make sure to get some pictures at the bout!

I hope you all have a good weekend!