Signed Fiona for black belt contract

I am, of course, suffering agonies over the decision. Is it a mistake? Will she keep her enthusiasm through the end? Will she be able to balance it okay with homework? Can we really afford it? (If Delia signs, too, it is going to be a real financial stretch for us.) Can I really resign myself to driving Fiona, maybe both girls, to the dojo four days a week? For years?

kiramartin's daughter next door has just signed too, and although she is a bit behind Fiona, I devoutly hope that between our two families, we will manage some mutual carpooling, once O. advances enough that she is in the same class with my girl(s) and so the burden will be a bit lighter.

Delia is hovering on the brink of signing, but is not there yet. Sensei tried to pressure us, saying prices were going up in February, but I had promised her that she could finish ballet and then decide, so I refused to be railroaded. She will have the time she needs to decide. I am looking at my checkbook with appalled disbelief and trying to figure out where second down payment for a second contract could come from. I lost a lot of my savings this past month on car repairs.

And there is a small part of me, I will admit, that is feeling--well. With no more scholarship, I can no longer afford to go myself. I will be doing all of the chauffering, I will be watching their progress enviously and will be making the lion's share of the financial sacrifice--but not for myself. I will be doing it for them.

Books for January, 2006

1. An Infamous Army by Georgette Heyer. This was a first time read, one of the books I acquired from my holiday wish list.

2. Faro's Daughter by Georgette Heyer. Re-read.

3. Duplicate Death by Georgette Heyer. First time read. Acquired this copy from sraun, thanks, Scott!

4. By the Great Horn Spoon! by Sid Fleischman. This was the book I have been reading aloud to the girls; they enjoyed it greatly.

5. Jane and the Unpleasantness at the Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron. Re-read. I just introduced this series to Kij, and she likes them, which pleases me.

6. Jane and the Man of the Cloth by Stephanie Barron. Re-read.

I am reading the third in the series, and will probably gallop through till the end and so will report then next month.

Comfort reading this month, I see. Badly needed.