So, an attitude adjustment does help the long drive across town to work. It helps me to deal with all the unpleasant things at the other property; the backstabbing, the stoopid questions, the being yelled at, and my personal favorite, the being set up.
It helps.
In reality, this reality, this real life that I am living, there will be no parties.
No good time Charlie.
No BBQ.
Who on earth has time for all that?
But my hair is super cute.
And we are having the house re-plumbed - this is what you get when you purchase a 40+ year old house.
OOHHHHH but I do love my little green house on the corner!
But it's so quiet with Girl gone.
Attitude is everything.
It helps you to not off yourself when the boredom starts to eat your brain in the hours between driving to your job.
Hey, I didn't say I had a good attitude!
I do.
For the most part.
Kinda.
Showing posts with label buried under the pile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label buried under the pile. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Sunday, June 05, 2011
If I Could Make it all Fall in Line
I wake up every morning of the work week at 4:30am, but don't crawl out of bed until 5:15am.
I leave the house at 7:15am.
I return home at 5:40pm-ish.
Most mornings I get in some Bible time.
Some mornings I don't.
The gym has been hit and miss for the last four weeks, with a little more miss than hit.
The housework is UNENDING.
I just want to pull it together and make everything run smoothly, but I'm failing in just about every department except my employment.
Suggestions?
I leave the house at 7:15am.
I return home at 5:40pm-ish.
Most mornings I get in some Bible time.
Some mornings I don't.
The gym has been hit and miss for the last four weeks, with a little more miss than hit.
The housework is UNENDING.
I just want to pull it together and make everything run smoothly, but I'm failing in just about every department except my employment.
Suggestions?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Glenda? Is That You?
Today consisted of:
A broken lunch date, sorry friend.
Coughing, coughing, coughing.
A crazy ride in a golf cart. Honestly. It was a scary ride.
Sniffle, sniffle. sniffle.
Wicked witch of the West shoes (not worn by yours truly). Seriously, black and wickedly pointy toes. They had a small, tight black heel that made a loud clicking sound on the black top and demanded your attention. The fact that they made the wearers feet look incredibly long made them attractive, but my eyes were still drawn to that sharp toe. I thought about Dorothy and more than once, I glanced heavenward...you know, just in case.
A restraining order. It was all drama and tragedy and the most poignant part was the police officer telling me how she didn't want to make the arrest. It just broke my heart when the gentleman in question turned around and said, "See you sweetheart."
A box of doughnuts. No, I did not buy them. Beloved did. I'll make him pay for bringing me a maple bar later...after I finish eating it.
And my telling my daughter that she is not allowed to marry any of the foreign pilots in her aviation class because he will take her out of the country and I will never see her again!
Cough,sniffle, cough, achoo!
And how was your day?
A broken lunch date, sorry friend.
Coughing, coughing, coughing.
A crazy ride in a golf cart. Honestly. It was a scary ride.
Sniffle, sniffle. sniffle.
Wicked witch of the West shoes (not worn by yours truly). Seriously, black and wickedly pointy toes. They had a small, tight black heel that made a loud clicking sound on the black top and demanded your attention. The fact that they made the wearers feet look incredibly long made them attractive, but my eyes were still drawn to that sharp toe. I thought about Dorothy and more than once, I glanced heavenward...you know, just in case.
A restraining order. It was all drama and tragedy and the most poignant part was the police officer telling me how she didn't want to make the arrest. It just broke my heart when the gentleman in question turned around and said, "See you sweetheart."
A box of doughnuts. No, I did not buy them. Beloved did. I'll make him pay for bringing me a maple bar later...after I finish eating it.
And my telling my daughter that she is not allowed to marry any of the foreign pilots in her aviation class because he will take her out of the country and I will never see her again!
Cough,sniffle, cough, achoo!
And how was your day?
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Mini Vacation -Not So Much
Today is the final day....the final day of my mini vacation. Which stinks because with the exception of a few hours at the beach, everything has been normal. As in, I cleaned the house and watered the plants, normal. As in I got up at five-flippin-am to get beloved out the door to work.
Mini vacations stink. We shouldn't even call them vacations. Not really. Not if everything is the same and everyone still wonders what you are going to make for dinner.
Isn't vacation supposed to involve menus and someone else cleaning up?
Yeah, that's what I thought.
I had my hair done yesterday. In order tobe cheap make my hair cut last longer, I opted for a shorter cut. It was super cute yesterday. But today, I'm not sure I can replicate what the hair wizard did and I may end up looking like I'm wearing a football helmet.
And I totally hate that.
One other bright spot in my oh so sunny mini vacation, was returning the soda cans for recycling. For those of you who live in states that do not recycle you cannot image the awesomeness of it all. If you don't recycle you miss out on the sticky floor in the recycling area. Seriously. I nearly lost a flip flop.
Hey, remember when we use to call them thongs? Of course now a thong is considered a flimsy piece of women's undergarment. But in my little black heart, a flip-flop will always be a thong. Just don't tell my children.
After prying my flip-flop from the sticky residue of soda, beer, and other beverages I began to wade through the oodles of cans and bottles in my five (yes, I said five) garbage bags. The funny thing is, we haven't been drinking much soda. In fact, I rarely drink soda at all. So, there you have it. I have been storing five bags of recycling for months. That's just disgusting.
What's even more disgusting is how the unrinsed cans and bottles formed a protective barrier around themselves to avoid being recycled. Sticky, unrelenting, goo greeted my fingers. That's just gross.
All this work. All this labor. And what was my reward? About eleven bucks....
So worth it...
I told you. This mini vacation is just rockin' with excitement and thrills. The only thing missing is a nice paper cut, which I'm certain can be arranged.
Alright, there are a couple of good things about today. Today, July 28th, is the birthday of the Singer. If she lived here (ah, another sucky thing to add to my list) we would so do birthday fun.
Manicures, only I don't want them massaging my arms cause it hurts!
Shopping! The singer is about 89 lbs dripping wet so we could shop in all those chic boutiques where fat girls like me are snickered and laughed at.
Lunch. You know, she really needs to eat more. One good burst of wind and we'll lose her!
Cocktails. Doesn't cocktail hour begin at 3:00?
We'd get her a new tattoo, because she doesn't have enough (ha ha haha hahahha) Sorry, inside joke.
Cocktails, cause I'd need one after watching her get another tattoo.
Cake because I do loves me some cake and I haven't eaten cake since graduation. I'll even offer to eat the Singers cake, because I know she's watching that girlish figure.
We'd see a movie if there was anything girlie worth seeing.
Dinner, again, this is hard work and I've got to keep up my strength. I can just feel the pounds melting off with all the laughter we'd share.
There wouldn't be anymore cocktails, because I'm a cheap date and the Singer can drink me under the table. That wouldn't be very fun and besides, do you know how many calories are in liquor? Seriously! It boggles the mind.
So, there you have it. On my final day of my mini vacation, I would spend it doing fun and embarrassing things with the Singer. If. She. Lived. Here.
Instead, I've been invited to lunch at the Giver's house. Lunch there is always good and considering that I missed her sons baptism on Sunday, I think I owe her. In all fairness, my mind has been occupied with all sorts of other things. Remembering an important event like a baptism simply didn't happen. Imagine how great it was to receive a text message asking me if we were "coming today".
Huh? Coming to what?
Then image rushing home from the grocery store, changing clothes, and driving like speed racer to the church...only to find the parking lot empty. That's right boys and girls, Annie didn't read the entire text. Nope, she just skimmed. Which is why she didn't know that the baptism was taking place at a different location rather than at the Giver's church.
I suck. I really do.
Maybe I just need to go back to work.
Mini vacations stink. We shouldn't even call them vacations. Not really. Not if everything is the same and everyone still wonders what you are going to make for dinner.
Isn't vacation supposed to involve menus and someone else cleaning up?
Yeah, that's what I thought.
I had my hair done yesterday. In order to
And I totally hate that.
One other bright spot in my oh so sunny mini vacation, was returning the soda cans for recycling. For those of you who live in states that do not recycle you cannot image the awesomeness of it all. If you don't recycle you miss out on the sticky floor in the recycling area. Seriously. I nearly lost a flip flop.
Hey, remember when we use to call them thongs? Of course now a thong is considered a flimsy piece of women's undergarment. But in my little black heart, a flip-flop will always be a thong. Just don't tell my children.
After prying my flip-flop from the sticky residue of soda, beer, and other beverages I began to wade through the oodles of cans and bottles in my five (yes, I said five) garbage bags. The funny thing is, we haven't been drinking much soda. In fact, I rarely drink soda at all. So, there you have it. I have been storing five bags of recycling for months. That's just disgusting.
What's even more disgusting is how the unrinsed cans and bottles formed a protective barrier around themselves to avoid being recycled. Sticky, unrelenting, goo greeted my fingers. That's just gross.
All this work. All this labor. And what was my reward? About eleven bucks....
So worth it...
I told you. This mini vacation is just rockin' with excitement and thrills. The only thing missing is a nice paper cut, which I'm certain can be arranged.
Alright, there are a couple of good things about today. Today, July 28th, is the birthday of the Singer. If she lived here (ah, another sucky thing to add to my list) we would so do birthday fun.
Manicures, only I don't want them massaging my arms cause it hurts!
Shopping! The singer is about 89 lbs dripping wet so we could shop in all those chic boutiques where fat girls like me are snickered and laughed at.
Lunch. You know, she really needs to eat more. One good burst of wind and we'll lose her!
Cocktails. Doesn't cocktail hour begin at 3:00?
We'd get her a new tattoo, because she doesn't have enough (ha ha haha hahahha) Sorry, inside joke.
Cocktails, cause I'd need one after watching her get another tattoo.
Cake because I do loves me some cake and I haven't eaten cake since graduation. I'll even offer to eat the Singers cake, because I know she's watching that girlish figure.
We'd see a movie if there was anything girlie worth seeing.
Dinner, again, this is hard work and I've got to keep up my strength. I can just feel the pounds melting off with all the laughter we'd share.
There wouldn't be anymore cocktails, because I'm a cheap date and the Singer can drink me under the table. That wouldn't be very fun and besides, do you know how many calories are in liquor? Seriously! It boggles the mind.
So, there you have it. On my final day of my mini vacation, I would spend it doing fun and embarrassing things with the Singer. If. She. Lived. Here.
Instead, I've been invited to lunch at the Giver's house. Lunch there is always good and considering that I missed her sons baptism on Sunday, I think I owe her. In all fairness, my mind has been occupied with all sorts of other things. Remembering an important event like a baptism simply didn't happen. Imagine how great it was to receive a text message asking me if we were "coming today".
Huh? Coming to what?
Then image rushing home from the grocery store, changing clothes, and driving like speed racer to the church...only to find the parking lot empty. That's right boys and girls, Annie didn't read the entire text. Nope, she just skimmed. Which is why she didn't know that the baptism was taking place at a different location rather than at the Giver's church.
I suck. I really do.
Maybe I just need to go back to work.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Vanity
Well, all the hype about my losing an eye and my face turning into a red, swollen, ugly troll like vision has passed. I didn't develop so much as a single blister. This is all due to the fast action of Dr. Goodnews and my willing obedience to do exactly what she told me to do.
Other than being a little scaly, I look pretty darn normal. Just ask anyone who has seen me in the last day and they'll say I marvelous dahling!
Aww shucks, it's nothing that a thick coat of moisturizer and Bare Minerals couldn't handle.
Oh vanity of vanities!
In other non-vanity news; I've finished training two new employees. Okay, I've pretty much finished training one of them, and let me just say for the record that she is the bomb baby! The other one, well, not so much. Which makes me sad.
The second trainee didn't finish her homework. She struggled from day one with some of the material. There were times it seemed as if she wasn't paying attention. I started to wonder if it was me. Then I noticed a couple of minor details.
She's easily distracted.
Sometimes, if she doesn't know what to do, she'll kinda wander off.
She, very occasionally, claps when stressed.
Wait! I've seen this behavior before.
I'm no doctor, but I would be willing to bet she's ADD.
Eureka!
Knowing this gives me a new approach to helping her be all that she can be. It means that I need to be a little more patient. More understanding. I'll need to keep her focused and minimize distractions.
The problem with all this, is that I have a job to do and, frankly, so does she. How do I help her when she doesn't finish assignments? I've given her extra time, I've offered extra help, and when I didn't know what else to do I pushed her a little.
I know you might be thinking that the training couldn't be that intense. After all, I work at a gym, right? Let me just say, there is way more than you could ever imagine. Way more! More anatomy. More psychology. There is more to sales and service than you know.
It's a lot to take in. A lot to memorize. I get it. I've been there and I remember feeling like I couldn't/wouldn't make the cut. It was rough, but I did it.
I just don't know if this trainee will make it and I'm not sure I can do any more for her. That makes me sad for both of us and in a weird way, wounds my ego.
This is my first assignment as Staff Trainer and I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted my trainee's to be two of the best that my club had ever seen. Yeah, cause it's all about me...
Oh vanity of vanities!
Other than being a little scaly, I look pretty darn normal. Just ask anyone who has seen me in the last day and they'll say I marvelous dahling!
Aww shucks, it's nothing that a thick coat of moisturizer and Bare Minerals couldn't handle.
Oh vanity of vanities!
In other non-vanity news; I've finished training two new employees. Okay, I've pretty much finished training one of them, and let me just say for the record that she is the bomb baby! The other one, well, not so much. Which makes me sad.
The second trainee didn't finish her homework. She struggled from day one with some of the material. There were times it seemed as if she wasn't paying attention. I started to wonder if it was me. Then I noticed a couple of minor details.
She's easily distracted.
Sometimes, if she doesn't know what to do, she'll kinda wander off.
She, very occasionally, claps when stressed.
Wait! I've seen this behavior before.
I'm no doctor, but I would be willing to bet she's ADD.
Eureka!
Knowing this gives me a new approach to helping her be all that she can be. It means that I need to be a little more patient. More understanding. I'll need to keep her focused and minimize distractions.
The problem with all this, is that I have a job to do and, frankly, so does she. How do I help her when she doesn't finish assignments? I've given her extra time, I've offered extra help, and when I didn't know what else to do I pushed her a little.
I know you might be thinking that the training couldn't be that intense. After all, I work at a gym, right? Let me just say, there is way more than you could ever imagine. Way more! More anatomy. More psychology. There is more to sales and service than you know.
It's a lot to take in. A lot to memorize. I get it. I've been there and I remember feeling like I couldn't/wouldn't make the cut. It was rough, but I did it.
I just don't know if this trainee will make it and I'm not sure I can do any more for her. That makes me sad for both of us and in a weird way, wounds my ego.
This is my first assignment as Staff Trainer and I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted my trainee's to be two of the best that my club had ever seen. Yeah, cause it's all about me...
Oh vanity of vanities!
Thursday, April 01, 2010
On My Mind
The big news is that I didn't quit my job. Well, I did quit, but then I had a long chat with the owner and didn't quit. It's complicated...or maybe it isn't. Maybe it was just a misunderstanding regarding a very strange duck whose made my life uncomfortable. Today, it's all water under the bridge and I learned a little bit more about myself.
I'm a pretty big coward when it comes right down to it. But, you probably already know that. It's not easy being cheesy. I'm just sayin'.
Anyway, since I didn't quit my job and I am a great employee (am too!), I was offered a promotion of sorts. I am honored and just a little bit nervous about it.
Another thought crossing my mind today is the thankful thought that Girl finally made a decision regarding what she'll be doing this summer. The application has been filled out and is on it's way.
We've designed and ordered Girls graduation announcements.
We may have a date for her party.
And speaking of party! Soldier Mommy may arrive home sometime within the next month or so. Or not. It's so hard to tell for sure because we are dealing with the United States Army and while they seem to be pretty free with the media, they are not so quick to offer information regarding troop movement once our troops are actually headed for home.
Am I the only one who thinks that isn't quiet right?
Easter brings the anniversary of the last time I spoke to my mother. It's been three years and I cannot help but wonder if I will always mark this date in my mind.
Lastly the yard is weighing heavily on my mind. The tall grass, the unweeded flowerbeds, the hillside that is once again my tormentor. To plant a garden or not. To put more money into FIL house or not. To remodel the kitchen...
But it all seems just a little silly when you consider Haiti, Healthcare Reform, and Phoebe Prince.
So, what's on your mind today?
I'm a pretty big coward when it comes right down to it. But, you probably already know that. It's not easy being cheesy. I'm just sayin'.
Anyway, since I didn't quit my job and I am a great employee (am too!), I was offered a promotion of sorts. I am honored and just a little bit nervous about it.
Another thought crossing my mind today is the thankful thought that Girl finally made a decision regarding what she'll be doing this summer. The application has been filled out and is on it's way.
We've designed and ordered Girls graduation announcements.
We may have a date for her party.
And speaking of party! Soldier Mommy may arrive home sometime within the next month or so. Or not. It's so hard to tell for sure because we are dealing with the United States Army and while they seem to be pretty free with the media, they are not so quick to offer information regarding troop movement once our troops are actually headed for home.
Am I the only one who thinks that isn't quiet right?
Easter brings the anniversary of the last time I spoke to my mother. It's been three years and I cannot help but wonder if I will always mark this date in my mind.
Lastly the yard is weighing heavily on my mind. The tall grass, the unweeded flowerbeds, the hillside that is once again my tormentor. To plant a garden or not. To put more money into FIL house or not. To remodel the kitchen...
But it all seems just a little silly when you consider Haiti, Healthcare Reform, and Phoebe Prince.
So, what's on your mind today?
Thursday, March 18, 2010
A Clean Sweep
Girl and I started cleaning her room yesterday. I say started because it was really, really, really in need of a cleaning, and we haven't actually finished yet.
Girl was happy for the help, but she hadn't expected spring cleaning.
"You're serious about this, aren't you?"
She had piles of papers.
Old assignments
Stories
Letters
Cards
Pictures drawn for her by wee, tiny children
Pictures she drew herself
Scripts
Old BSF homework (she hasn't been in BSF for years!)
While trolling through the piles of stuff I found MONEY. Seriously. Every time I clean her room, I find money. Of course, I don't get to keep it...
We took down her Christmas tree. Shocking, I know. A tinsel Christmas tree in March. Mercy.
While she sorted through all those papers I rearranged her books, wiped down the surfaces, vacuumed up the spiders. Yes, spiders.
SPIDER!
SPIDER IN THE BATHROOM!
(sorry, inside joke for Girl and I)
Girl found a note I'd written to her when she was ill with Scarlett Fever and Beloved was in ICU. I wasn't able to be here to take care of her, because I was taking care of her Daddy. I felt horrible about it. Soldier Mommy was here and took care of my baby while I was away.
The note made me a little teary. Those were rough times.
She also found a card from her grandparents (aka my parents) and a card from her adopted Grandma. The two couldn't have more different.
My mother wrote a single line of text.
Grandma Sheila wrote paragraphs.
I don't know why, but that pretty much sums up my daughters relationship with her biological grandparents.
I'm so glad we found replacements.
I like spring cleaning. It's nice to get rid of stuff you no longer need and really clean things up.
I just wish we could keep it that way!
Girl was happy for the help, but she hadn't expected spring cleaning.
She had piles of papers.
Old assignments
Stories
Letters
Cards
Pictures drawn for her by wee, tiny children
Pictures she drew herself
Scripts
Old BSF homework (she hasn't been in BSF for years!)
While trolling through the piles of stuff I found MONEY. Seriously. Every time I clean her room, I find money. Of course, I don't get to keep it...
We took down her Christmas tree. Shocking, I know. A tinsel Christmas tree in March. Mercy.
While she sorted through all those papers I rearranged her books, wiped down the surfaces, vacuumed up the spiders. Yes, spiders.
SPIDER IN THE BATHROOM!
(sorry, inside joke for Girl and I)
Girl found a note I'd written to her when she was ill with Scarlett Fever and Beloved was in ICU. I wasn't able to be here to take care of her, because I was taking care of her Daddy. I felt horrible about it. Soldier Mommy was here and took care of my baby while I was away.
The note made me a little teary. Those were rough times.
She also found a card from her grandparents (aka my parents) and a card from her adopted Grandma. The two couldn't have more different.
My mother wrote a single line of text.
Grandma Sheila wrote paragraphs.
I don't know why, but that pretty much sums up my daughters relationship with her biological grandparents.
I'm so glad we found replacements.
I like spring cleaning. It's nice to get rid of stuff you no longer need and really clean things up.
I just wish we could keep it that way!
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Fast Times at the Farm
You know, like Fast Time at Ridgemont High, only... Not.
Sure there are teenagers here, but nobody's high. It's too cold for a bikini and Girl wouldn't wear one anyway.
Nope, I guess fast time on the farm are a little bit different than some 80's teen movie. For one thing, Sean Penn hasn't shown up lately to help rebuild a feeder. Jennifer Jason Leigh did not help clean up the kitchen after the Thanksgiving feast. She's just lazy that way.
Our fast times have more to do with NORMAL life.
There's work of course. Beloved worked on Thanksgiving day and who could blame him. At $48.00 per hour - PER HOUR - it was hard to refuse those extra hours.
For my part, I did not work. Or at least I didn't work outside my little brown home. I worked on the turkey, the taters, spoon bread.
What do you mean, "What's spoon bread?"
Why it's a lovely, delicious corn souffle of course.
I've made it every year for the past nine years. My FIL loves it. I'll post the recipe later.
There was family that kept us busy. Family like this guy:
And this one:
She was here too:
As were all the usual characters.
I've had business meetings, dentist appointments, anniversaries, banquets, and the friend requests from certain young MEN who suddenly want to friend my Girl on Facebook.
Men - not boys
Men - as in over twenty years old (by a hair, that is)
Men - with facial hair
Men - who are very nice young men and who completely understand that in order to be her friend they have to be mine.
Mama bear alert!
Dingo, our bi-polar kitty, kept us busy watching him get high on catnip. It's the funniest thing I've ever seen. The frenzied, face rubbing, drooling, loving of that little catnip pouch. Followed by the blank look in his big yellow eyes as he zones out. Crazy.
Yet, one thing stands out among all this, and not that this hasn't all been fun, but my Girl wrote a book.
50,000 words
in
one
month
She joined the ranks of thousands who signed up for NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month. Beginning November first, these crazy lunatics, write, write, write. They write an entire novel in thirty days.
And it isn't easy.
But my girl accomplished this task one day early and I'm so proud.
I did not.
I'm too busy for that.
Maybe...Next year...
Sure there are teenagers here, but nobody's high. It's too cold for a bikini and Girl wouldn't wear one anyway.
Nope, I guess fast time on the farm are a little bit different than some 80's teen movie. For one thing, Sean Penn hasn't shown up lately to help rebuild a feeder. Jennifer Jason Leigh did not help clean up the kitchen after the Thanksgiving feast. She's just lazy that way.
Our fast times have more to do with NORMAL life.
There's work of course. Beloved worked on Thanksgiving day and who could blame him. At $48.00 per hour - PER HOUR - it was hard to refuse those extra hours.
For my part, I did not work. Or at least I didn't work outside my little brown home. I worked on the turkey, the taters, spoon bread.
What do you mean, "What's spoon bread?"
Why it's a lovely, delicious corn souffle of course.
I've made it every year for the past nine years. My FIL loves it. I'll post the recipe later.
There was family that kept us busy. Family like this guy:
And this one:
She was here too:
As were all the usual characters.
I've had business meetings, dentist appointments, anniversaries, banquets, and the friend requests from certain young MEN who suddenly want to friend my Girl on Facebook.
Men - not boys
Men - as in over twenty years old (by a hair, that is)
Men - with facial hair
Men - who are very nice young men and who completely understand that in order to be her friend they have to be mine.
Mama bear alert!
Dingo, our bi-polar kitty, kept us busy watching him get high on catnip. It's the funniest thing I've ever seen. The frenzied, face rubbing, drooling, loving of that little catnip pouch. Followed by the blank look in his big yellow eyes as he zones out. Crazy.
Yet, one thing stands out among all this, and not that this hasn't all been fun, but my Girl wrote a book.
50,000 words
in
one
month
She joined the ranks of thousands who signed up for NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month. Beginning November first, these crazy lunatics, write, write, write. They write an entire novel in thirty days.
And it isn't easy.
But my girl accomplished this task one day early and I'm so proud.
I did not.
I'm too busy for that.
Maybe...Next year...
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Busy in November
I hate it when a month just zooms by. A month where you simply hop from one event to another.
November is THAT month for me.
We have plans for every single weekend of the month. That does not include all the little things, like work & school, that usually keep us occupied. Uggh. I hate busy, busy, busy.
Yet, sometimes the busy can be good.
For instance we attended our son's church service last week. Just between us, I've been waiting a L O N G time for an invitation to his little church home. It isn't that I don't trust his judgement, cause I totally do, but I'm so curious. He says things like, "They are so friendly" and "It's a great community of believers".
Wonderful! So invite your mother to VISIT!
Essh! What's a mom gotta do!
Yes, I know I could have just attended or forced the issue, but as I've said before, I'm trying (really hard) to let him be a man.
And he was right. It is a great church. This tiny little church feeds anyone who shows up on Monday night. They have worked hard to be a part of the community, not a closed off, unwelcoming bunch. Pretty much, they just love you where you are.
That's beautiful.
Among all the crazy busy of November, we've made time for the impromptu dessert for a missionary from Moldova. Yes, Moldova. Right there between Romania and Ukraine.
She's a tiny little woman with a great accent. She speaks four languages (she learned English for this trip). In a country which is still trapped in Communism, corruption and Orthodoxy, she's found a better way: Jesus. Her story is amazing and it was my pleasure to have her in my home.
This week will be filled with work, school, a birthday, THE banquet, and a meeting with work.
I'm tired just thinking about it.
Yet, when I look back over the month and see all these wonderful events (our 22nd wedding anniversary for instance) I am thankful and blessed.
Busy can be good!
November is THAT month for me.
We have plans for every single weekend of the month. That does not include all the little things, like work & school, that usually keep us occupied. Uggh. I hate busy, busy, busy.
Yet, sometimes the busy can be good.
For instance we attended our son's church service last week. Just between us, I've been waiting a L O N G time for an invitation to his little church home. It isn't that I don't trust his judgement, cause I totally do, but I'm so curious. He says things like, "They are so friendly" and "It's a great community of believers".
Wonderful! So invite your mother to VISIT!
Essh! What's a mom gotta do!
Yes, I know I could have just attended or forced the issue, but as I've said before, I'm trying (really hard) to let him be a man.
And he was right. It is a great church. This tiny little church feeds anyone who shows up on Monday night. They have worked hard to be a part of the community, not a closed off, unwelcoming bunch. Pretty much, they just love you where you are.
That's beautiful.
Among all the crazy busy of November, we've made time for the impromptu dessert for a missionary from Moldova. Yes, Moldova. Right there between Romania and Ukraine.
She's a tiny little woman with a great accent. She speaks four languages (she learned English for this trip). In a country which is still trapped in Communism, corruption and Orthodoxy, she's found a better way: Jesus. Her story is amazing and it was my pleasure to have her in my home.
This week will be filled with work, school, a birthday, THE banquet, and a meeting with work.
I'm tired just thinking about it.
Yet, when I look back over the month and see all these wonderful events (our 22nd wedding anniversary for instance) I am thankful and blessed.
Busy can be good!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Sweet Sleep, How do I Love Thee?
The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath
Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course,
Chief nourisher in life's feast.
~William Shakespeare, Macbeth
Is it just me, or is there simply not enough sleeping taking place?
I've heard from women who are currently suffering hot flashes, violent mood swings, and the need to shave twice daily (and I don't mean their legs!), that sleep is a fickle bed fellow. It scares me. It truly does. I mean, one of my very favorite things to do at night is sleep. If sleep somehow escapes me...what will I do?
I suppose I could go up and walk the hallway with FIL who gets up at any given time during the deepest, darkest of night to walk (on my head) off his leg cramps. He's been known to scrub his shower in pre-dawn hours. Maybe I could join him in his living room and we could watch an old black and white western movie that he has seen 2,356,902 times. Sadly, watching a film, any film, with FIL involves less actual watching and more of his rambling, griping, complaining voice as he bemoans the state of his life and personal affairs.
If only FIL would sleep like a normal person. Than perhaps I would slumber through the midnight hours without a care in the world.
Not to say that I haven't had trouble holding sleep to his end of the bargain from time to time. It isn't always FIL who keeps me awake. I recall many, many a night when I would lie awake and listen to Beloved snore or listen to the cat stalk whatever it was that he was stalking.
Sometimes on a lark, the cat would regurgitate a hairball or plastic that he had digested earlier. I assure you that no call to action could spur me on like the sound of Dingo the wonder kitty puking somewhere in the dark. Visions of cat vomit oozing between my toes always gave speed to my feet as I went in search of his watery trap.
There were other times when the cat (who would be king...I'm just sayin') would get busy in his cat box and dig as if there was no tomorrow. I would lay in my warm little bed and listen as he excavated his way to China. Minutes, literal minutes, would tick by, as he scratched and dug. Finally, all would be quiet and then my nose would be assaulted by a stench so foul that I'm certain I have lung cancer from one mere whiff.
For you see, although my little kitty poo was busily digging his way to Asia, he somehow forgot to bury the deposit he made. Once again, I would fly from my bed and deal with business that was not my own.
From time to time I will lay awake and listen to the coyotes. Nights when they howl and cry remind me of Little House on the Prairie, when Laura and family stayed awake listening to those furry scavengers circle around their shanty on the prairies of Oklahoma (or Kansas or wherever they were). I hear my dog growl outside my window and wonder if he growls in warning or if he's just ticked because they are keeping him awake.
Many times, I lay in bed and talk to God. I admit to Him that I'm not all I should be and that I'm sorry for those wicked words/thoughts/actions of the day. I pray for those I love and for those who hate me. I ask Him questions about this or that and sometimes laugh when He reminds me of my own foolishness.
Then my thoughts spread out to engulf cares and worries of this life. My mind plays a slide show of pictures of Soldier Mommy, my Omi, and the days busyness. I ponder the coming day and realize that time is short and the hour late. The little voice in my head (whom I seldom listen to, just so you know) reminds me that I'll be crabby in the morning if I don't get to sleep.
And indeed I will.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Good Things
*Boy is home again to continue his recovery.
*I wore a top last night that I haven't been able to fit into. Yay me.
*I've caught up on all my review materials.
*I bit my tongue off instead of telling someone that her husband is a butt head.
*The yard is winter ready.
*My grading and planning are up to date.
*Met nice people at church last night.
*Got a raise!
*Haven't had to deal with any family drama all month.
*Finally figured out why we still live on the farm - see below.
This my friends is a Kyocera tape deck which was manufactured in the 1980's. My beloved is addicted to ancient stereo equipment. When this little beauty became available...well, let's just say there was a near stampede to get to it before it sold.
Sigh.
And here he is checking out his newgirlfriend toy. I know he'll never leave me for another woman...unless she has better stereo equipment...
The man is going to nickle and dime me to death.
What good things are happening in your life?
*I wore a top last night that I haven't been able to fit into. Yay me.
*I've caught up on all my review materials.
*I bit my tongue off instead of telling someone that her husband is a butt head.
*The yard is winter ready.
*My grading and planning are up to date.
*Met nice people at church last night.
*Got a raise!
*Haven't had to deal with any family drama all month.
*Finally figured out why we still live on the farm - see below.
This my friends is a Kyocera tape deck which was manufactured in the 1980's. My beloved is addicted to ancient stereo equipment. When this little beauty became available...well, let's just say there was a near stampede to get to it before it sold.
Sigh.
And here he is checking out his new
The man is going to nickle and dime me to death.
What good things are happening in your life?
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Health Care and the Bitter Side of Adulthood
Yesterday's mail brought the BILL.
Boy came home sick in early September. Really sick. I took him to the urgent care where boy forked over $140.00 and learned that he had strep throat.
Antibiotics at Walmart: $11.00
Priceless
Except...
Four days later, in the wee hours of the morning he was pale, shaking, and sick, sick, sick. He wasn't getting better. If anything he was getting worse.
Beloved took him the ER.
Boy is nineteen and just completed his internship with Bible Teaching Inc. Boy has no insurance. Boy is not eligible for government funded health care. Boy is screwed.
At the ER they pumped him full of fluids. They ran a bunch of tests and declared to him that he has Mono and strep. Fabulous.
Then the bill came.
IV Solutions $136.50
Lab Chemical $43.00
Lab Immunology $45.00
Lab Hematology $57.00
Lab Bacteriology/Microbiology $200.00
Lab Urology $32.00
ER Services $1228.50
Other therapeutic services $381.15
Professional fee ER $803.00
Grand total $2926.15
Oh, but wait, I forgot! They also gave him an "uninsured discount".
Whew!
Uninsured discount and other adjustments -$351.14
Total balance due $2575.01
Boy is just sick over it. He really is.
He'll have to apply for financial aid, but we all know that unless you are a welfare recipient you are just out of luck.
Boy is still home sick and not working because he has MONO! Hello!
It's the bitter side of adulthood; the hoop jumping. The cold hard facts of being uninsured and not having the funds to cover the bill.
Been there. Done that.
I feel so sorry for him. Adulthood is no picnic. Once he enrolls in school, it won't be a big deal, our insurance will cover him. It's this in between time that stinks.
And it's the one thing I was most worried about: Being uninsured.
Thank God he didn't break something!
Oh, and just so you know, we are not in favor of Obamacare. I've seen the way the government takes care of business and I don't want them taking care of me.
Not to mention, and this isn't a political blog but, I thought the Dems were into less government....
I'm just sayin'
Boy came home sick in early September. Really sick. I took him to the urgent care where boy forked over $140.00 and learned that he had strep throat.
Antibiotics at Walmart: $11.00
Priceless
Except...
Four days later, in the wee hours of the morning he was pale, shaking, and sick, sick, sick. He wasn't getting better. If anything he was getting worse.
Beloved took him the ER.
Boy is nineteen and just completed his internship with Bible Teaching Inc. Boy has no insurance. Boy is not eligible for government funded health care. Boy is screwed.
At the ER they pumped him full of fluids. They ran a bunch of tests and declared to him that he has Mono and strep. Fabulous.
Then the bill came.
IV Solutions $136.50
Lab Chemical $43.00
Lab Immunology $45.00
Lab Hematology $57.00
Lab Bacteriology/Microbiology $200.00
Lab Urology $32.00
ER Services $1228.50
Other therapeutic services $381.15
Professional fee ER $803.00
Grand total $2926.15
Oh, but wait, I forgot! They also gave him an "uninsured discount".
Whew!
Uninsured discount and other adjustments -$351.14
Total balance due $2575.01
Boy is just sick over it. He really is.
He'll have to apply for financial aid, but we all know that unless you are a welfare recipient you are just out of luck.
Boy is still home sick and not working because he has MONO! Hello!
It's the bitter side of adulthood; the hoop jumping. The cold hard facts of being uninsured and not having the funds to cover the bill.
Been there. Done that.
I feel so sorry for him. Adulthood is no picnic. Once he enrolls in school, it won't be a big deal, our insurance will cover him. It's this in between time that stinks.
And it's the one thing I was most worried about: Being uninsured.
Thank God he didn't break something!
Oh, and just so you know, we are not in favor of Obamacare. I've seen the way the government takes care of business and I don't want them taking care of me.
Not to mention, and this isn't a political blog but, I thought the Dems were into less government....
I'm just sayin'
Friday, July 24, 2009
Two Places at Once
I've been working the early shift at work. This means I'm up at 3:45 and out the door by 4:30. That's in the morning folks. The very early morning.
Couple that with the fact that I am still house sitting and NOT sleeping in my own bed and dealing with other peoples pets...I'm tired.
Let's not mention that I'm now keeping two houses.
Or all the watering that needs to be done at both places.
But even in my bleary eyed state I'm a mean cook. On the menu tonight? Enchiladas with Chunky avocado salsa.
Oh baby! I'll post the link to PW's uber easy enchiladas and the actually recipe for the avocado salsa.
Right now, I gotta go to bed.
Couple that with the fact that I am still house sitting and NOT sleeping in my own bed and dealing with other peoples pets...I'm tired.
Let's not mention that I'm now keeping two houses.
Or all the watering that needs to be done at both places.
But even in my bleary eyed state I'm a mean cook. On the menu tonight? Enchiladas with Chunky avocado salsa.
Oh baby! I'll post the link to PW's uber easy enchiladas and the actually recipe for the avocado salsa.
Right now, I gotta go to bed.
Friday, July 17, 2009
It Ain't No Picnic
Boy and Girl are learning hard lessons. Difficult lessons about life. It was bound to happen, especially since we let them both know in no uncertain terms that we expected them to grow-up, work hard, and become productive adults.
Okay, we weren't harsh, but they knew that growing up meant standing up all by themselves, earning their own money, and gettin' on with life.
They both know they wouldn't be spending their twenties firmly planted on our sofa, eating our food, and playing video games.
We don't own any video games.
Anywho, Boy has been in a position of leadership this week. He's the man. The Big kahuna. The alpha dog. The boss.
(My little boy! In charge! I'm so proud! Gush!!!)
Oh, and he's sick.
sick
sick
sick
This week he's learned that being in charge is a difficult thing. He doesn't know the answers to some questions. He is responsible for everyone and every thing. He has to go to work even when he's sick.
Yeah, being an adult stinks sometimes.
Girl has worked for the last two weeks at VBS at church. She's also been in a leadership position. However, because she's only sixteen (going on seventeen) there are some adults who dismiss her authority. It steams her. It really does.
(My Girl! She's a giver and a hard worker. Do NOT trample her enthusiasm!)
Today is the last day of camp and then she'll be babysitting until the late hours of the night. Tomorrow she'll be up at the crack o' dawn to go blueberry picking with me (something she is not really looking forward to). After that, I'll drive her into the BIG city so that she can attend the Highland Games with her friend.
She will have to use her own funds to do this because the bank of mom and dad is currently closed - we were not part of the stimulus plan. Snicker.
In short, this week my children have learned that being an adult, well, it ain't no picnic. And it's expensive. And there will always be someone to throw tacks in your path. And that often times you work when you are sick, or tired, or just plain don't want to.
It ain't no picnic. No sir.
Okay, we weren't harsh, but they knew that growing up meant standing up all by themselves, earning their own money, and gettin' on with life.
They both know they wouldn't be spending their twenties firmly planted on our sofa, eating our food, and playing video games.
We don't own any video games.
Anywho, Boy has been in a position of leadership this week. He's the man. The Big kahuna. The alpha dog. The boss.
(My little boy! In charge! I'm so proud! Gush!!!)
Oh, and he's sick.
sick
sick
sick
This week he's learned that being in charge is a difficult thing. He doesn't know the answers to some questions. He is responsible for everyone and every thing. He has to go to work even when he's sick.
Yeah, being an adult stinks sometimes.
Girl has worked for the last two weeks at VBS at church. She's also been in a leadership position. However, because she's only sixteen (going on seventeen) there are some adults who dismiss her authority. It steams her. It really does.
(My Girl! She's a giver and a hard worker. Do NOT trample her enthusiasm!)
Today is the last day of camp and then she'll be babysitting until the late hours of the night. Tomorrow she'll be up at the crack o' dawn to go blueberry picking with me (something she is not really looking forward to). After that, I'll drive her into the BIG city so that she can attend the Highland Games with her friend.
She will have to use her own funds to do this because the bank of mom and dad is currently closed - we were not part of the stimulus plan. Snicker.
In short, this week my children have learned that being an adult, well, it ain't no picnic. And it's expensive. And there will always be someone to throw tacks in your path. And that often times you work when you are sick, or tired, or just plain don't want to.
It ain't no picnic. No sir.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Taming the Jungle
The yard may kill me.
Beloved and I walked up to the upper yard last night. I haven't been up there in two years. My neglecting the yard was all a part of my plan to force FIL to take care of business.
He didn't.
I can not BELIEVE how over grown everything is. Blackberries are everywhere. The raspberries are out of control. The grape vines are snaking their way into everything from the berries to the Rhodie's to winding way up into a fir tree.
Yikes.
The grass is almost as tall as I am. Okay, maybe not that tall. It's disgusting and I'm not sure I'll ever get it under control.
I'd need an army.
If I had the money...
but I don't.
This is what I get for trying to make a man do something he didn't want to do.
Now I have a jungle to tame.
Me Tarzan?
Whose Jane?
Beloved and I walked up to the upper yard last night. I haven't been up there in two years. My neglecting the yard was all a part of my plan to force FIL to take care of business.
He didn't.
I can not BELIEVE how over grown everything is. Blackberries are everywhere. The raspberries are out of control. The grape vines are snaking their way into everything from the berries to the Rhodie's to winding way up into a fir tree.
Yikes.
The grass is almost as tall as I am. Okay, maybe not that tall. It's disgusting and I'm not sure I'll ever get it under control.
I'd need an army.
If I had the money...
but I don't.
This is what I get for trying to make a man do something he didn't want to do.
Now I have a jungle to tame.
Me Tarzan?
Whose Jane?
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
And the Beat Goes On
Girl is leaving tomorrow for a few fun filled days with her adopted grandma and auntie. She'll frolic in the sand, watch movies, sleep in, and in general she'll have a darn good time.
I, on the other hand, will attempt to get this house company ready, inside and out. The Singer will be arriving via PDX on Sunday and I'm no where ready for company. No where near. Boy brought most of his stuff home, which is now jammed into his room. The room where Girl will be sleeping...maybe...it depends on whether I find a home for his two amps, two HUGE bags of clothes, a sword, boxes of books, and an ancient typewriter.
I also have to make a daily appearance at my place of employment.
Drat.
There are not enough hours in my day!
I, on the other hand, will attempt to get this house company ready, inside and out. The Singer will be arriving via PDX on Sunday and I'm no where ready for company. No where near. Boy brought most of his stuff home, which is now jammed into his room. The room where Girl will be sleeping...maybe...it depends on whether I find a home for his two amps, two HUGE bags of clothes, a sword, boxes of books, and an ancient typewriter.
I also have to make a daily appearance at my place of employment.
Drat.
There are not enough hours in my day!
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