The Horror

I finished up our taxes just a little bit ago. As I worked on them, I had Apocalypse Now on in the background. I thought it was very fitting, especially since I put both sets of taxes into their respective federal and state envelopes just in time to see the beatings at the end, complete with Brando's "The horror...the horror." On a side note, when Martin Sheen was young, he was way hotter than either of his goofy sons.

Oh my gosh, Dexter is running around the backyard with a plastic bag in his mouth. And now he's barking at it....

So it was definitely the bag that's been in the very top of the tree in our backyard for God knows how long. Must have finally blown out. I got it away from Dex and realized there was a big brown spider in one of the bottom corners of it. I was trying to get the thing off of the bag so I could put it (the bag) in my recycling, but the spider was stuck...on its egg sack. I scraped it off its sack using the bottom of our fence gate. The spider absolutely did not want to get off. I was impressed by this mother's resolve, wishing all human mothers were so driven in their role. Alas, though, I had to do what I had to do. With the spider went the sack, and all these half alive half translucent baby spiders spilled out. It was so Charlotte's web out there. Crazy. But, since my bug man sprayed recently, they should all be dead very soon.

Yes, so spiders aside it's been busy. I've worked a bit, had a Katie day, got CPR certified again, went to an air show, oh, and got offered (and accepted) another job. It's a part-time job at the mental health hospital three minutes from my house. Hell yeah. They want me to work as close as I can to 29 hours/week, and after I tallied it up, what I'll make part-time at this job is more than what I made full time back at my job (which shall remain nameless) in MO. Of course I don't get benefits, but I can start an IRA or something on my own in the meantime (through the very trusted and stable USAA), and the Army will continue to be my medical savior. Orientation for new job starts April 1. In the meantime, I'm continuing old job, which I thought I was going to quit, but instead am just going to turn over my case and stay on should something come available at a time that doesn't conflict with new job. Double bang for my resume buck. Also, new job is evenings and every other weekend. Kinda blows, but they're very flexible, and this is really the only way to get my foot in the door right now. I was assured that this would be a good move for me, as I'd be considered for internal transfer for full time positions in the future. We shall see. I'm going to start pursuing my license soon as well. The world loves a licensed clinical social worker.

This new job thing has been a very good stroke of luck. At the very least, we have the financial security (at least for now, right?) of the Army, and now I'll finally be really working (not just the contract BS). It really makes me feel thankful now that I can see the light amidst such a dark time for this country. And we're not going to be idiots about the new income. The plan is to take a couple years to pay off all our debt completely (hello, grad school loans!!). That means we'll primarily live off of one income, while using the other to take care of said debt. Additionally, we'll live within or under our means - no flashy new shit, no shopping sprees, and same old ass cars. It's good, and I'm looking forward to getting our money stuff all squared away. The only non-Dave Ramsey part of the plan will be to possibly put money away for a nice trip. :-)

To top off my winning streak here, I got to ride in a helicopter yesterday. I was most looking forward to seeing the F/A 18 at the air show...and then I found out they were doing helicopter rides. My friend and I strapped on our big girl pants and with our husbands away, decided to go for it. For $45 bucks, I got to ride in a UH-1 Huey helicopter (they flew mostly in Vietnam - and were neat to see in a new light as I watched them again in Apocalypse Now earlier today). The ride was amazing. I got to sit in one of the gunner seats, which faces out of the side. Basically, just a seatbelt kept me from falling out of the side of it. It was so cool, though. The pilots - mostly Vietnam vets, etc - flew each group around Columbus for about ten minutes before returning to the airport. I laughed and squeeled and looked out and around as much as I could. It was wonderful. If you ever get the chance, spend the money - it's SO worth it!!!