A Ticking Clock

I know we usually take this time to reflect back and take a good look at the past year.  It's New Year's Eve... that is what we do. 
These are the highlights & low points of the year...
Here is what I plan to do to improve the coming year, my New Years Resolutions...
Well, forget that.
I typically do my "New Year's Resolutions" on my Birthday in June.  I also prefer to keep it private.
Yes.. I do look back at 2011... the high's and low's, but the past is the past.  Can't change what has happened.  Had some really sad moments and some really glad ones too.

Today, I look forward to the future.  2012. What will we see? What will we do? What changes will we endure that are miniscule only effecting us personally.  And what huge changes that will make modifications for us all?

I have big plans for the coming year.

• I will be starting college classes... something I haven't done since the eighties.

• I will have a daughter graduating from college. And another that will be going abroad.

• I am turning 50... 50 years old... how odd is that in my head? I have plans for this old body to start being treated better so that it will serve me better. I will not take aging lightly. I will embrace it only if we cooperate.

• I plan on having a better financial year.  After the beating and change of the past couple years, we are facing the ole financial struggle and we will not let it get the best of us. We are stronger, we are smarter.

• I am going to have fun.  That's right, damn it, I am going to enjoy this year.  I am going to have belly laughs and turn frowns into smiles.

Life is full of surprises.
No one really knows what will happen.
The clock is ticking...
I need to start enjoying this life that God has chosen for me and stop trying to change the plan.  I do believe that my life was planned before I was even born. So I must trust, and appreciate what it is.  Only then can I truly get it.

Stupid FASFA Application

I finally finished the FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application. You have to use this to apply for student loans. Emily will be starting her Sophomore year at Ball State University in August.

I procrastinate and always seem to get it done at the last moment. A long time ago, I was one of those people that was always on time, even early for stuff like this. I don't know what happen.

Anyway, the application stresses you out like crazy. Thank you to Chris & Trina @ the FASFA hot line for your understanding and walking me through the scary parts. I will say they have the nicest people working for them. Very understanding and helpful. That alone is something to applaud. I wish all customer service was that nice.

After an hour online answering these financial questions (this is with a worksheet that I have been working on for a couple of days with all the data ready), I finally finished. In a few days, I will get an email telling us we do not qualify for financial aid, however will be processed for student loans. According to their calculations I should have $19,400 family contribution. HaHaHa. I wish I did have $19,000 to contribute then I wouldn't need to fill out these applications for Student loans. Besides letting me know I am a loser for not saving up for her college expense, it will inform us that Emily will qualify for a loan of around $3,000 at a low interest and will not have to repay till she finishes school. Then it will tell me that my Parent student loan, will be at a higher rate and I get to start paying that in about 6 months, on top of the one I am already paying for last year. :)

Trust me, if you have plans to have kids, start saving immediately. It will sneak up on you.

Annie has one more year of high school, then I will have two in college. Annie is at Butler this week for Yearbook camp. She will fall in love with this private university that cost 4 times what Ball State University cost and I will have a heart attack.