a good problem to have

I was pretty surprised to learn a week ago that I was getting the biggest tax refund that I have EVER received. I knew I was going to get some refund, but the magnitude was shocking.

So now I must decide what to spend it on. First of all, I am going to spend a majority of it on paying off my credit cards. That's more important than ever, because the prospect of getting overtime (OT) is more in doubt at the law firm. I have been getting OT at the law firm on a regular basis since June, 2007. So, if I am taking an income reduction through less OT, I need to make sure my expenses are less.

Also, I am definitely getting a new computer. It's about damn time, b/c our computer is currently 9 years old. Yes, that's 9 years as in 108 months old!! So yes, you're damn right we're due for a new computer.

But there's a part of me that knows that MB knows I'm getting a refund and will expect more help than I usually give financially (& that's even though the help I give NOW is substantial). So, I'm uneasy and really hope she doesn't expect too much. If she gets upset, it's going to be a difficult environment to live in during March. I know I will help her more, but the possible argument will be to what degree.

However, this is a very nice problem to have. There are months like December where I am scrambling to make every penny I can or cut every penny in cost I can. It's a very difficult month b/c there's more expenses than usual. So to have this big refund coming my way will be a great opportunity to make big improvements on my financial situation.

Ted's happy w/ the Super Bowl

(Top: my son, Ted; Bottom: MVP, Santonio Holmes kissing the Vincent Lombardi trophy awarded to the champion Pittsburgh Steelers)

My post today is the same as it was last year. If you click onto February, 2008, you will see my article about the SUPER BOWL and the NY Giants beating the heavily favored New England Patriots. & you'll read about how Ted's 2nd favorite team, the New England Patriots lost and he cried and cried.

This year's Super Bowl was between Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals. I wanted the Cardinals to win, b/c they hadn't won a championship since 1947 (the yr. my parents were married). With 2 minutes left to play and 80 yards to cover, my team, the Cardinals were up by 3 points. The Steelers marched right down the field as they knew that they could score on the Cardinals' defense. When they scored with a mere 40 seconds left, Ted was shouting, jumping up and down, jumping on the couch, absolutely jubilant. For the first time in the 3 yrs. he has watched the Super Bowl, his team finally won. He anxiously watched the last seconds of the game and the Steelers held on to win. He was so incredibly happy. Then he said something that really made me laugh, because it completely caught the moment of how he sincerely felt, "I wish the Super Bowl were everyday!!"

I went from wanting the AZ Cardinals to win to glad the Steelers won if only just to see my boy so absolutely gleeful.