If you need to save money on relocation services, check out U-pack. ABF U-Pack has been in business for over 85 years. They offer several options for packing and moving, and charge you only for the storage space that you use. You can use their storage facilities prior to your move date to remove your belongings while selling your house. U-pack offers storage cubes, that are the size of a parking space, and tractor trailer containers.

These options save you time and money. You pack your items and they ship them. Not fussing with rented trucks and the hassle of driving the large vehicles across the country. ABF U-Pack’s “you pack, we drive” moving services are simple and efficient. They deliver the container to your home, you fill in up over three days time and they retrieve it. It works in reverse at your destination and you’re done!

I haven’t weighed myself this week. I stepped on the scale Monday night and it was dead. I did all I could to resuscitate her. My medical knowledge assures me that a couple of 3 volt lithium coin buttons will bring her back to life. When I can get to the store. I’m trying to save gas and money. I don’t think I’ll get to Target until Friday at the soonest.

I know I have lost a wee bit because all my pants are loose. My stress eating has turned into stress starving. I have to remind myself to eat breakfast and lunch. Then I take Healthy Curb as the afternoon wears on so I don’t get the munchies too strong.

I am glad the sun has been out today and yesterday. It’s helping my mood immensely. The girls are having a rough time adjusting to Mike’s absence. We talk to him on Skype video chat every few days but they really miss Daddy. They have been sleeping with me most nights.

In other news, I copied Velveteen Mind’s content parlor idea and created a Social Stream that aggregates my StumbleUpon and Posterous. I’ve been adding some of Mike’s photos from Japan. This category doesn’t go into my main feed. I try to keep that to blog posts only. You can subscribe to the Social Stream feed if you like. Click This. Does that make sense? If you are a subscriber now, you don’t need to change anything.

Did you know that first-time home buyers (or those who have not owned in the last three years) can receive up to an $8,000 tax credit? If you have been thinking about moving, now is the time to get looking. Don’t wait, this Real Estate Stimulus requires that contracts be signed by the end of April.

Note: This is intended to provide an overview only – for specific information or individual concerns, please contact your lawyer, accountant and/or financial advisor.

The federal income tax credit for homebuyers has been extended and expanded to now include homeowners who wish to “move on” after 5 years of living in their current property, as well as first-time homebuyers.

• First-time homebuyers, or those who have not owned in the last three years, can receive up to an $8,000 tax credit
• Homeowners who have lived in a current home consecutively for 5 of the past 8 years can receive up to a $6,500 tax credit
• There may be no future extensions, so all qualified homebuyers are urged to act and have a written, binding contract by April 30, 2010 (close by June 30, 2010)
• Income limits are now $125,000 for singles, $225,000 for married couples with a $20,000 phase-out of the credit for both.

According to The National Association of Realtors News Release, dated 11/5/09, an estimated $22 billion has already been added to the general economy resulting from the bill and approximately 2 million people will utilize the tax credit in 2009.

Watch this video for more information.

Back by popular mental health demand, I will be using this blog as my brain dump. so much going on in my head and home that I have to spill it out. Mike is going to be in Japan for awhile. I know I’m not supposed to announce that stuff on the interwebs but I must. I haven’t played single parent for a year. His flight to Tokyo is almost to the day when he returned home from San Diego last year.

I am not dealing with it well. Just as the Effexor XR 150 mg has begun to improve my mood, this stress is making my anxiety bloom in an ugly way. He has noticed my hundred yard stare. I have been spending more time doing nothing on the sofa. I have been raising my voice more often. I have hardly helped him pack. His clothes aren’t washed or fold or packed and I take him to the airport in 48 hours. I have been eating Xanax like candy. Candy that makes me drowsy.

This week I am not making a menu. We need to clean out the fridge. I need to grab what is closest each day and feed my family whatever works. It’s going to be one of those weeks. It may continue for more than one week. I know that for the next 8-12 weeks my menus are going to be different. I need to make meals that are easy to fix, kid-friendly and create the least amount of dirty dishes.