Student Loan Consolidation Part 103945701560742

There's some good news and bad news on the seemingly never-ending battle to get my loan consolidation application through. Bad news, I'm STILL lacking all the correct information. I actually got a rather kind letter from the government about it and asking me to reapply again. I don't know how, or why, I just don't have all of the info despite trying to keep every piece of mail in regards to my loans. So I galavanted off to my lender's website, the one they said on a statement should help me. Annnnnnd after going back and forth on my lender's website getting nowhere (I'll spare you the gory details) I finally submitted a request for information. We'll see how long that takes, but, at least the ball is rolling- I think... and hope.... and pray.... and drink more wine.

The good news is that tomorrow, July 1st, new laws in regards to paying back student loans go into effect and I should benefit from them. The most important statute is that my monthly payment will be based on.... wait for it.... what I'm making per annum! Gasp!!! That actually makes sense. Holy moly. I know we all like to complain about what the government isn't doing, or what it is doing incorrectly, but, I would like to tip my hat to the US government for finally getting some common sense in this arena. There still is a long way to go, but, from the bottom of my heart I thank you for this. Two months ago I was ready to cry hearing stories of those who have struggled to pay back their loans. Now I'm actually feeling, dare I say it.... hopeful.

Proud 'Mama'

Louie's been with me for one month now!

Louie rolling around on my lap after deciding that he had enough picture posing for one day.

Rainbows and Sunshine

The temperatures have been near the hundred mark with the heat index above a hundred. It has been sweltering and nearly unbearable. People are drained and tired from this relentless two week long heatwave and there is no immediate end in sight. Despite how miserable this sounds, and it is miserable, there was a welcomed small thunderstorm that brought rain and [brief] relief from the heat. This is what I saw when the rain ended:

A beautiful rainbow on one side of the house.

And a gorgeous sunset on the other.


Sometimes during the harshest of times the most beautiful moments can appear. Try to keep your eyes open so you won't miss them.

Book Recommendation

Hey all! Been hot and busy this week. Despite all the heat and stuff to do, I've been spending quite a bit of time watching the news and surfing the internet about the situation in Iran. I'm not going to go on a whole rant here I promise! Buuuuut, I would like to recommend a book to anyone who would like a little learn a little more about Iran, especially the women.

"Reading Lolita in Tehran" is a memoir about a college professor's, Azar Nafisi, bold move to invite some of her female university students to her home in Tehran to read forbidden litrature. I actually met the lovely and interesting author when she came to TU at the end of last year. Ms. Nafisi came to my alma matar, originally, for a lecture. One of my professors, however, asked her to also give a talk about her book to a select group of female students studying various social sciences at the college. She gladly agreed and I've was really lucky to be invited. During this hour long meeting she discussed her book reflecting upon its content and also sharing her thoughts on Iran today. I was enlightened by this talk and thus my interest in the region increased. Please if you get a chance read her book. It is beautifully written and offers a peek of who Iranian women and the struggles they face as women in Iran. You will also learn something about the Persian culture, the women, the politics, and hopefully gain some insight into the current affairs of Iran.

Hope you all are staying cool!

What About Kitty?

As you can see poor Mina is suffering this weekend having to be here.

Poor little thing. She's just so lonely... no friends* at all.

It's as if she's saying, "Get me the hell outta here."

No worries Mina we'll be back home in no time. And then you'll hate me from ripping you from cat paradise.

*This is Simba one of Faith's kitties.

The Tough Life

I'm watching Jon's sister's house for the weekend and taking care of the pets while they are out at the lake. Let me tell ya, I was SO sad to see them go! ;-)

The hardest thing I've done today. See that pool? Yeah, I just HAD to take a dip in it. So, difficult to do.

Louie's here playing with Daisy (see below). Poor dog having to run around in the heat with another dog. As you can see, the adjustment to a bigger house and yard has been rather 'traumatizing'.

House-sitting. The hardest job to do. It's just so tough. In fact I wish I could do it all the time. What can I say? I like a challenge.

Bon week-end a tous!

Lessons Learned

Lessons learned this past week:

1) Having no a/c in a car during a heat wave sucks. However, electric tape and a small miracle from God work wonders. Knock on wood things keep working.

2) Never intervene in an argument between a cat and a puppy. You'll loose and the puppy won't learn his much needed lesson when it comes to cat harassment.

3) Watch what's on the floor when you have a teething puppy. Because things like your boyfriend's new expensive sunglasses or your laptop's battery charger chord look like chew toys to said puppy.

This has been a public service announcement.

Treasures

Jon's adopted grandfather, Homer, passed away a few weeks back. He was 93 and lived a full and wonderful life. Yesterday the children and grandchildren went through the storage unit that contained items from Homer and his wife Margo's life together. Jon found some pretty cool items and dug through the boxes last night.

Crystal from who knows where. There were a few different glasses and we have about four of each. We're pretty sure there's more in the unit, and later we'll go back and take a look.

I LOVE the green bottle! Not entirely sure what its use is. Matters not- it is beautiful!!

Speaking of having no clue... do you know what this four chamber decanter is for?

Do you know what the do-hicky on top is? I do!

Crystal butter dish.

Old time pressure cooker! So cool. More to come!

Baby Boom

I was warned. Multitudes of people said that throughout my twenties and at least til my mid-thirties there would be years which it seems that everyone is getting married and/or having a baby. Late 2008-2009 has been a 'baby year'. Several of my friends and some relatives have had or will have babies. I'm talking like 15 people if not more! Yeah I'm sure that it could be a lot worse, but, when several in this I'm-having-a-baby group are younger than you and you remain unmarried*... not going to lie. Gets a little weird after awhile.

*Please note that this is not an 'anti-baby' type post. I love babies, kids, and will probably pop out one or two of my own someday. This is more of a feeling an odd sense of being 'left out' post!

Catchin' Up

I know, I've been so neglectful. Usually I try to post every other day, but, obviously that hasn't happened. So (drumroll please) here's an update on what's been going on in my world:

-Student loan consilidation. I recieved my first notice about paying some of my loans back and Citi (which I have a couple of private loans and all of my unsubsidized Staffords through) wants me to pay nearly $4,400 dollars/month starting next month. LOL!!! No worries though, I'm working on loan consilidation and apps are on hold until July 1st when new interest rates/laws take into effect. So we'll see what Citi has to say after that.

-Working nearly thirty hours a week has been interesting. A little bit tiring, but, I do feel productive. I actually used Saturday to run errands and clean house because I just had to do something! Today laundry is on the to-do list. I know, exciting- you totally wish you were me.

-Louie's doing great, growing and eating lots. He'll be starting obedience class a week from this Wednesday. Being part collie I think this will be be good for us.

-The a/c isn't working in my old car. And with temps getting into the 90's that hasn't been so fun. It's either the vaccum hose again or something more sinister. To be continued...

-Uncle Sam informed me that my tax forms were incorrect. However that's a good thing! I was told I qualified for the EIC rebate. All I had to do was send in one form and in few weeks I'll get a check! Yes, Uncle Sam told me that I needed to be given money!! Now that was unexpected.

-Teaching piano lessons so far this summer has been a pain. Students haven't been showing up. In fact I went to work Thursday to teach four lessons and NO ONE showed up! I like to teach 'my' kiddos! I hope next week will be better.

-I'm typing this post sans caffiene. I'm working on correcting that, however, if this post seems really scattered and full of typos. You now know why.

Happy Sunday!

Louie's Story

I've been a bit AWOL lately, it's been nothing personal I've been a wee bit tired and a wee bit busy with work and a wee bit consumed by this:

As you guys know, Jon and I drove out to Tuttle Saturday and brought Louie home. I was nervous, excited, and even was possessed to go out and buy a harness, treats, and chews for a dog I wasn't even certain I was going to adopt!

When we arrived at Rebekah's (his foster mom) I met her husband outside and he showed me into the kitchen. I walked in and saw Louie sprawled on the floor. My first thought was, "Oh my God he's even cuter in person!" As I started going down to the floor to pet him he came up on my lap and began licking my face. It was sealed at that point. I signed the papers, wrote the check, and profusely thanked Rebekah for waiting for me to see him. She had recieved a lot of calls about him, but, felt that we were the right fit for him.

Can you believe it? Louie was dumped in the middle of nowhere in western Oklahoma as a small puppy. He was taken to a shelter in Burn Flats and nearly forgotten. Somehow Best Friends of Pets in OKC discovered him and called Rebekah. They told her that he was going to be euthanized in 24 hours if he wasn't picked up. She drove some two hours away to pick him up and took care of him till he was healthy enough to be adopted. An email that she sent out somehow landed in Jon's inbox in Tulsa and events went from there. Such a random chain of events!

And here we are. Now he's with us, happily playing, chewing, and soaking up all the attention and love he can get. I'm currently in the process of spoiling him rotton. Writing out Louie's story brings tears to my eyes because I know he was the lucky one- not all animals, even puppies and kittens, are rescued and/or adopted in time. So if you are able to go and get a rescue please do. They know you are giving them a second chance. They understand that they are lucky and because of what you did, and the love you give them, they will provide you unconditional love everyday that they breathe.

But in the end... you will be the lucky one. Just like me.