Tentative plan regarding the last post…

We are putting our house on the market. This is a huge step for us, but one we know we need to take in order to get fiscally healthy. This week, I will be doing a lot of cleaning around the house to set things up for those who will want to see the house.

The next steps aren’t fully clear yet, but they go something like this. The in-laws hire architect to draw up plans for adding on to their home (we’re hoping to create a huge two-family home or to create an apartment for us, depending on what zoning will allow). When our house sells we have the option of moving in with brother-in-law and wife or living in in-laws basement (which has been flooding this summer) until addition is complete.

My emotions along with my mother-in-laws emotions played a huge role in the decision, though logic had some part. The in-laws house is already paid for, so it would be easier to add on and allow us to pay for that than to incur a new LARGE mortgage for duplex in New Hampshire. Plus the two working parties of our families love their jobs and want to stay there.

So, that’s the plan. I feel overwhelmed, but I know we are making the best decision we can (if we don’t sell, it’s likely that in a few months we would incur more credit card debt to live or loose our home).

Pray for us!

A big hug to Paws! Aren't I adorable?
Ryan, two months, with Pooh who will track how big he grows each month... look for more similar photos to come.

Ever have those times where you feel you are just getting things together and then it all goes south?

On Saturday I was driving from Rochester back to Sanford (I had to get guinea pig food and the only kind they will eat is sold only at a place in Rochester) when car decided to not work properly. Am mad at car because we just purchased it seven months ago. However, we knew car was not wonderful since we purchased it for $1,200. I still felt it could last a year. Now, transmission is kaput! So, as we were steadily climbing our way out of debt acquired after I lost my job in November, we are wondering how to purchase a new car. While I am a stay-at-home mom, I did need a car to go to well-baby-check ups and for sanity. The sanity part could have been done without for a while, but with Adam working two jobs I would be stuck at home ALL the time and relying on one vehicle doesn't seem practical (I was trying to figure out a way to not spend money we really don't have on another car, but husband says impossible).

I know I'm not the only one feeling overwhelmed by money issues lately. Our friends Steve and Sarah had a baby last year and then moved in with Sarah's parents because they were drowing in debt. They were just getting it all together, considering a possible move when Sarah finds out she's six months pregnant! While they are excited for Trevor to have a baby sisiter (Madison) they aren't excited about having to continue to live with their parents and do the money juggle again.

Then to add to all of the thoughts about the car money issue, father-in-law dearest has proposed we sell our homes and buy a duplex in New Hampshire... something we wanted to do when we were first looking for a house. I'm a little unsure about the whole idea, mostly for emotional reasons. We have friends here now, we have a church we love, I know how to get to everywhere, I love my doctor and want to have more children at the local hospital, like current house, don't want to pack up and move.

Husband understanding I think through things with emotions brings his logic to the discussion last night. "Would save LOTS of money sharing a mortgage, new job (wherever that is) would not be taxed at 8 percent like Maine, possibly make more money (Maine has low wages), not as many taxes in New Hampshire as in taxation land. If we purchase a triplex (also something being discussed) we can rent third part out and make money helping with the fact that I don't want to work, but stay home with baby. Parents always nearby to help when needed. All of these things help us get out of debt faster, have stress-free life."

Me: see above on emotional aspects.

Husband: sending out resumes, leaving in God's hands. If a job offer is made, duplex idea meant to be.

Me: We have to pack all this stuff up again? Okay, so nothing has been decided yet, but still not fully sold on idea. And now to find out how late local car dealership is open (where we purchased husband's VERY reliable car. The place I purchased dead car not even in existance anymore).

Our beloved Sir Harry Oakes has passed away. It happened last night. He hadn't been feeling well for a few days and we figured he would go. Harry was an old piggy, though we aren't sure how old. We think he was between five and six years old and that's about the life span of a piggy. It was as if he had been waiting for us to come get him and hold him one last time so he could die. I'd been checking in on him all day and was glad each time that he was still alive. Then Adam came home from work and we were going to force feed him again, but he was going and we knew it, so we just sat with him. He did one last snuggle and run up my shoulders before breathing his last. Then, we buried him in our backyard at 9:30 at night. I felt like I should have been on an episode of Soporanos and hoped our neighbors weren't watching.

We purchased Harry along with Moxie and Malty from a pet store near Fairview Heights. They were our one year wedding anniversary gift to each other. Harry's name was to remind us of that... Oak is a tree and paper comes from trees and paper's what you're supposed to give on that first anniversary. Anyway, Sir Harry Oakes was a famous Bahamian baronet and he was originally from Maine. Harry was OUR piggy, while Moxie was Adam's (named after a horrible Maine drink) and Malty was mine (named after a yummy Bahamian drink).

The remaining pigs are divided among us. My Moose died last year. We still have OUR Chesterand Goldie, Adam's Bear and Moxie are still around and I have my Malty. I considered Harry MINE, though I knew he was OURS. He was my buddy and I will really miss him.

When Moose died a year ago, we wrote an obituary that we posted on the Cavy Forums. I have posted one there for Harry also. We tried to make them fun, as if they were human. They were both part of the family. Anyway, I am putting Harry's here so you can read that too. It gives a sense of who he was and what he was like.

Sir Harry Oakes, Maine

Sir Harry Oakes died on Sunday, July 9, 2006, at 7 Piggy Lane, McGee Residence, Maine.

Sir Harry Oakes’ birth date and place of birth are unknown, but to us he was born into our family shortly after June 8, 2003, when we rescued him from a local pet shop. Harry was the husband of Moxie and he remained faithful to her for the three years we owned him. Sir Harry Oakes was employed as a psychologist, often listening to the problems and good events that took place in his human parent’s lives. Harry first lived with Moxie and Malty until the discovery that he was a boy and he was moved to his own apartment. He later lived with his two sons, Moose and Bear. After the boys grew up, they moved to their own place and Harry once again lived alone, though his house was just next door to Moose, Bear, Moxie and Malty’s homes. He spent a short time living with Bear and Chester, but decided he liked living alone and moved back to his house where he could see all of his family, but still live in peace. Harry loved floor time, cuddling, and nipping human face parts as a sign of affection. As a younger pig, he did lots of popcorning and as an older pig he did a lot of running to show his enjoyment of time on the floor. Harry loved food. Some of his favorites included parsley, carrots, apples, strawberries, grapes, oranges and green peppers. On warm days he enjoyed lying in his hammock. And on cold nights he enjoyed snuggling in his pigloo.

Harry was preceded in death by his son, Moose.

He is survived by his wife, Moxie; son, Bear; daughter, Goldie; sister-in-law, Malty; and adopted son, Chester, all of 7 Piggy Lane, McGee Residence, Maine; two human parents, Adam and Kris; and a newly acquired human brother Ryan.