Social Security office

My brother is mentally handicap and on SSI. We recently moved so we have to pay a visit to SSA office to change the address. Did you know that if SSA gets return mail on you, they stop your monthly payments?! Yeah, that happened to us last year. It took over a month to get the checks Rollin again! We were late on rent (late fee) and that screw up caused several NSF checks. His payment is direct deposit. Why do they stop payment on direct deposit???

Oh, that reminds me: gotta get address change on drivers license and vehicle registration. Fun.  Not in FL!

Elf on a Shelf

Does the end justify the means?

Yes? We want our children to learn to listen, be good, etc..  But do we really want to promote LIES? We are supposed to be modeling good moral character. It was bad enough with the Santa thing. Now, we are emphasizing the Santa lies with "the creepy elf is watching your every move" lie.

Nice. Really?

A year to remember

OMG where does the time go!? I just remembered I haven't been here "in a while" and now I see it's been 11 months, y'all. So much has happened.

• Put an end to Jamal games January 2
• Finally got Jamal to give me Islamic divorce in April 
• Grand ma "mama-san" passed in April after 3 yr battle with mesothelioma 
• Busch gardens field trip in May with the older kids middle school classes. Ugh
• Kids got another sis in June
• Kids first little sis turned ONE in July
• Finally approved for disability July 3
• First disability ck came in August. No problem figuring out how to spend it! Yes, I did get credit report addressed. 
• Sept my oldest started high school!
• Oct brought another check and a trip to Universal Studios AND Islands of Adventure
• New 2011 van October 31
• Lease on 59th street ended nov 30 so all of nov was about house hunting, credit approval, movers, packing, and movin on up to Pasco county!  Country. Cows in pastures across the street country. No Golden Corral for like 10 miles country. But: NO WELL WATER!!!
• Now here we are in December. Kids are finally happy at my house. Moms happy. I'm so happy that I finally feel like cooking ! Bought Rachel Ray 15 PC cookware set. And 50 miles (give or take) from st Petersburg :-)