Update: Saturday

Today we received checks from the ARC-ERF loan we requested. They did give us grant money for our electric bill, so that part we don't have to pay back. The rest of it is an interest free loan. Last time we received this, we paid it back in full as soon as Michael got paid. This time, however, I think we'll pay it back in installments, though perhaps we'll send bigger payments than those required, because the sooner we pay it back, the sooner they can help out someone else.

So that will pay for the basics (electric, mortgage, child support, insurance, car payment) plus the home phone bill. We are still way behind on our cell phones, which will probably be shut off before we get Michael's check for September (which is supposed to be the 15th or the 22nd of December, hopefully). And as soon as we can get some paperwork from the VA on his PTSD, they will be able to submit the extension packet for his INCAP pay, which should be good for 180 days starting October 1st. That would be through March of 2009. Hopefully by then he will have had his second appointment at Fort Sill and be scheduled for his board examination/evaluation at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. I also hope to have all of his medical records gathered and put together by then!! That is probably going to be a grueling task, considering how apt the Army is at "losing" such things.

I, as usual, feel a little less stressed now that half of our bills will be paid. But I never get my hopes up too high. The saddest part of this is that Michael and I normally give people credit; we trust people, but now we've become quite jaded in that respect. Neither of us takes anyone working on this case at their word anymore. Basically, we have to see it to believe it. I just hope that doesn't overflow into other aspects of our lives.

Brie'Anne