First to go

In the interest of cutting expenses due to Michael's anticipated pay cut, I gave my housekeeper notice today. I'm fine with it, really. It's certainly been nice to have the help for the last two years (it was the first thing I splurged on when Michael started his new job), but I'm not above scrubbing my own toilets and whatnot. It was hard, though, and my stomach was in knots beforehand, just because I hate confrontations - even when they're not adversarial. So I thanked her for all the help she's been and told her straight out that we're not going to be able to afford her anymore (and why), so I have to let her go as of mid-April. And I teared up, which I HATE. I didn't want to be all emotional. I feel bad because I'm sure she's having as tough a time as anyone else making ends meet in this crappy economy, and her husband walked out on her last year leaving her to raise a teenage daughter on her own. I'm sure she'll find other work. I hope. She was very understanding and said that she would be praying for us.