Blogging Away Debt

I know that I have so many unfinished topics and stories on the blog. You all know from my first 5 months as the blogger that I don’t usually leave a story untold. I write today to express my frustration about not being able to be a completely open book. It is really a terrible feeling for me to experience. I know none of my readers are angry because of the many unfinished stories but it is really tough for me. My nature is to just be an open book so to hold back is very stressful for me.

All of that said, I am also smart enough to know that no one is going to protect me but me and I cannot disclose everything at this time. Although it is a silent battle, I cannot forget that I am indeed in the middle of a battle with a man who I do not recognize and I cannot predict.

The tax issue was addressed this weekend and it isn’t pretty. I got a single line, typed letter from Steve saying he will pay the IRS directly. That’s it. That is all he said. I have no idea what that means but will not concern myself with trying to decipher his code. I called in a favor to a dear friend who is a CPA (and one I’ve helped several times through the years with free legal advice–and isn’t that another great life lesson? Pay it forward people b/c it will come back to you tenfold. I could have been charged thousands for what my friend had to dig through this weekend and I was not charged) and while I certainly don’t like what I learned, knowledge is power. I know now what I am dealing with and will act accordingly. Forgive me for not being able to share details but I will eventually.

Even with this heaviness, it was a great weekend. Church was all about the fear we all have of “letting go.” Sometimes from basic material things and also the big stuff that holds us back. I was there in my marriage. I was so afraid of losing what I thought I had, what I had created as my reality that I actually ignored reality! The message is that letting go always leads to bigger and better blessings.

Happy Monday!

GREAT weekend!

by Claire

The kids and I had a blast this weekend with very little spending. Love those weekends! And the potential for spending was big with our church festival yesterday. I’m all about supporting the church, but church festivals can suck some serious money out of the pockets! We went in with a budget and a plan. $20 per child and don’t ask for another penny. It turns out that they each came back with money after playing a few games and eating tasty festival food. Then they spent the majority of their time out on a soccer field with a group of friends playing (free) soccer and football. 🙂

As for me, God was doing great work again. The short version is I had time to visit with DD’s volleyball coach and learned that we have much in common. At first as I was listening and reacting, she stopped herself thinking that I was alarmed by her story in a judgmental way. I quickly shared that I was alarmed by her story because it was my own. She loved a man who wasn’t able to be loved and gave up years of her life trying to fix what she had not broken. She’s getting to a better place now but I was moved to tears as I saw in her story what could have been my story had my marriage continued. I walked away from that church festival filled with joy and hope and, most importantly, a new friend to help and be helped by on this journey. What are the odds of that happening? God doesn’t play odds of course but I’m human and the rational brain continues to be amazed.

Oh and I also wanted to share for those of you that are familiar with the Catholic Church festivals, our church had a great new idea that was a huge hit. Now, for those of you non-catholics, please remember that as a whole, our community likes its alcohol. I know this can be a hot button issue for folks and I don’t want to start any drama here, but the reality is Catholics like to drink. So this year the womens’ group added something to their “cake walk.” The “wine walk” was a HUGE hit and raised a lot of money for the many good works the church does. I just wanted to share because I had not seen that before and found it pretty ingenius.

And so it is time to tackle another week. I’m energized and enthusiastic about doing so. I hope you are too!

Blogging Away Debt Blogging Away Debt follows real people on their journey to debt freedom — with tips on the debt snowball, budgeting, cutting expenses, and staying motivated.

Incomplete stories…

GREAT weekend!