7 Quick Takes-In the Middle of the Shutdown

1. Many people have asked us if we're affected by the government shutdown. Our answer...yes and no. Active duty military is still getting paid, but Will isn't active duty. He's in ROTC, Reserves, and he's receiving the GI Bill while he finishes college. So, here's what's happening for us.

a. We will receive the GI Bill this month (by today or tomorrow), but Will is almost positive we won't receive it in November. Which is unfortunate, because it's a substantial amount of $$ that gets us through every month.

b. He *should* have gotten paid by ROTC, but a few weeks ago, Will's paperwork was screwed up and we haven't gotten paid since. Someone accidentally wrote that Will had graduated in the Spring, so they stopped paying us. Nope, he's not graduating until December. So far, ROTC owes us $750, but it's unlikely that we will get that $$ anytime soon, because the person who can help us has been furloughed.

c. There's no $$ for Army Reserves to hold drill during a weekend this month, so he won't be getting paid from the Reserves.

So. As I'm sure you can imagine, we're a little stressed around here. I'm using my sweet budgeting skillz to get our bills paid, I'm grocery shopping as cheaply as possible, and fortunately we have very generous family members who understand the situation and they're helping us out. Still, it's incredibly frustrating.

2. Since we don't have any extra cash to splurge on the occasional pumpkin spice latte, I found a substitute. You know that super sugary, overly-sweet coffee creamer that's sold in grocery stores across the country? I found a pumpkin pie spice creamer, and I've been using it in my coffee every morning. Go on. Be impressed by my resourcefulness. ;)

3. Tony has the strangest food aversions I've ever seen in a toddler. I wouldn't exactly say he's a picky eater; he jumps for joy every time I make salad, and he will eat at least two bowls of it. So it's not the typical "I don't want to eat my veggies!" struggle with him. No, he just doesn't like trying anything new, or anything that I don't make frequently. When we tried to serve him black beans and yellow rice for dinner last night, Tony acted like we placed a plate of entrails in front of him. Goofy kid.

4. I'll be 32 at the end of the month, and people keep asking me how I feel about it. I wasn't really aware that I was supposed to feel a certain way (anticipation? dread? contemplation?), and all I can really muster up for an answer is, "meh." It's 32. Doesn't seem like a particularly scary age, nor can I pretend to feel any excitement. I'm a wife and mother in my early 30's. There! That sounds nice. Especially since I can still say "early 30's."

5. For those of you who don't know, season 9 of The Office is now available on Netflix instant streaming. I'm glad Dwight can still make me laugh after so many years!

6. I have absolutely no idea what my kids will be wearing, costume-wise, for Halloween. Tony was a lion-and an adorable one!-last year, but we quickly discovered that warm Halloween costume+sweltering hot "Fall" Louisiana weather+fussy toddler=very short trick or treating experience. I think we're going to have to find something a little lighter for Tony and Alessandra this year.

You can't tell me he isn't the cutest thing you've ever seen. The little lion isn't so bad, either! ;)

7. Pinterest is very inconsiderate. Every time I scroll through my news feed, I'm bombarded with delectable Fall treats (pumpkin cake pops, pumpkin bread pudding with bourbon whipped cream, apple dumplings, etc). DO YOU PEOPLE NOT REALIZE I'M ON A DIET AND HAVE VERY LITTLE WILLPOWER?