Saturday

Not a good day at all. Started out fine...enjoyed a leisurely morning and went to the cheap haircut place and got a short cut from a new lady. She was good, quick, and funloving! Then came home and worked on some stuff for my growth group starting Thursday. L took younger daughter to mow since youngest son had a sleepover and wanted to crawl into bed. Middle son came over and so older daughter came down and the 3 of us had a wonderful talk for an hour or so. The mowers came home and younger daughter was upset and went up to her room. We talked a bit and then D had to go meet somebody at 1:45. I got some stuff to work on and since it wasn't a super hot day, went out and sat outside and worked on it, while running inside every so often to check on the laundry I was doing. At one point I went to check on younger daughter and she was crying. I told her she needed to get up and get something done today since she had slept in until 10. She told me to go away but then she started getting up. So I went back to laundry.

Then about 3:30 or thereabouts I was putting some laundry away in my room when hubby came hollering in the house saying, "Get younger daughter! She just texted me that she took 60 tylenol." and then she came into my room and sat down. She looked ok... so I talked to her and checked her pulse and it seemed higher than usual. She admitted she took the pills and so I asked L if he was calling 9-1-1 and before I could go run and tell older sister to pray, I heard the sirens in the distance. Anyway, long story short.. she is in the hospital. She seems fine physically but now she's in the psych ward and we can't contact her or see her. She could be there up to 72 hours. I think she's ok, so now I am thinking, how on earth are we going to pay for this? With L out of work and my salary stretched thin paying for all of the other daughter's medication and younger daughter's wisdom teeth last month, and still paying on youngest son's braces.... oh God have mercy on us...

Friday night

I just went to a 60th ladies birthday dinner for our senior pastor's wife. It was such a time of encouragement. I need times like this at times to help me remember what is important. I was able to spend time with wonderful ladies that are investing in others. We all went around and shared what we have seen in her life and how she's impacted us personally. It's so easy to get sidetracked with the general business of life and all the necessary details and forget about why we are here.

I am so grateful for those that help me keep the vision alive. Keep my perspective.

Thursday evening

I'm sitting here listening to thunder and rain, helping my 15 year old with his geometry homework, hoping we can hurry up so I can get back to my quiltmaking this evening. I have phone calls to make and plenty of things to do, but to spend a few minutes doing something crafty is such a draw for me after working all day. I really want to finish up this quilt top so I can get it ready to quilt and then get back to the Christmas one, too. Oh, and work on the video I'm making for the 60th birthday party.

Today I am grateful for having a roof over my head!

Wednesday

Boy, I can't think of clever titles for my days.... not that my life is boring..

I was able to have lunch with an old church friend (younger than me by quite a few years!) that worked in junior high youth group with me a few years ago. Her husband is in the Navy and she is moving to San Diego in a couple of weeks. I have been so blessed with such great friends throughout the years. One thing I have learned, however, and that is if you don't stay involved with things, and live a self-centered life (with lots of TV!) you will not have lots of wonderful friends.

Tonight I am helping with tryouts at swimming. I have to gear myself up for it as it is really hot inside the pool area, and it involves a lot of standing and walking back and forth. I AM getting old...

Last night, without considering all the other things I have going on, I started a new baby quilt. We'll see if I get it done before the baby shower a week and a half away. I will try to load a picture.

Tuesday lunch

I'm tired today but it is my own fault. Stayed up too late. Sigh.

After work I had to go find a compass for youngest son. He's in geometry this year and forgot to get a compass when we went school supply shopping. So ended up spending over a hundred dollars.....

Took older daughter with me to Walmart and got some groceries and various stuff. I enjoy taking one of my children with me at a time as it is always more productive in finding out what is going on in his or her life. I love my kids, but it's hard finding time to get caught up with them with working all day.

Got home, thinking about this party for C we're having next month. Maybe I'll start a Christmas quilt to use as decoration and then give it to her...

So I went into the garage and found a bin with some Christmas fabric in it and brought it upstair to iron. Great! I can iron and cut some fabric all evening....but wait! Son is sitting on my bed with his geometry book. He has a test tomorrow and would I help him study? So, helped him awhile and ended up staying up way too late. Too many things I want to do and so little time. But my kids are more important than projects, right?

Monday Morning

Well, I got up a little earlier today since it is the first day of public school, and I thought the freeway might be more crowded than usual but it wasn't. Yesterday afternoon I sat outside to tan my legs, but it was so incredibly hot that I came back in after a short while to the smell of Larry's making some chocolate amish bread. Yum. He's become quite a cook!

Other than helping the youngest one with his homework a little, it was a rather quiet afternoon and evening. I am making a slideshow/video for my friend C's 60th birthday party next month, so decided to get it at least started. I went through all my digital pictures from 2001-2009 and put all pictures of her into a separate folder and picked out the Christmas music to have as the background playing. That took about 3 hours or so. I need to go through my photo albums for earlier pictures, scan them in, etc. and also get some pictures from her family in order to finish it up. I hope to work on it a little each day so that it will be completely done way before the date. I love working ahead if I possibly can.

Sunday

This weekend has gone by too quickly. Way too quickly in fact. With the birthday party Friday night and the garage sale all day yesterday, and church all morning, I am tired. I didn't get to go to the service even, as I welcomed people from 8-9:30, greeting them at the door and helping write out nametags, and then it was my regularly scheduled nursery duty. We had a lot of babies during the 10:00 service. Lots of under one year olds. There was a huge baby crop (LOL) this spring at our church and at that age we try to keep the ratio one on one or maybe two adults for 3 babies at the most. We were short handed, so called for volunteers. It was fun...I never mind holding a baby or two, rocking them is especially fun, but it does wear one out when they aren't used to it.

Then both girls missed church. Older daughter worked late last night and had to work again today due to the tax free weekend, so she just slept until right before time to go to work. Younger daughter woke up with a stomach ache so stayed home as well. I'm such a high commitment person I guess that I don't let myself miss unless I am throwing up or have a fever, so I have little patience with that sort of thing. But, oh well. So, yeah. Finally left the church around 1:15 and took youngest son to 7-11 for a slurpee and ended up getting a paper and a wrap for lunch. I sat out in the sun awhile when I got home but it got too hot and I felt gross. I'm too old to be sunbathing, I know, but a little color on my legs and arms makes me feel better about myself for some reason.

Well, need to take advantage of the rest of the afternoon to get a few things done before my week starts all over again!

Friends

OK, today I am so grateful for friends....and air conditioning. Yeah, the air conditioning part was a result of working a garage sale all day. And by all day I mean leaving the house before 8 and getting home after 6. So, yeah, it wasn't my garage...

Anyway, made over $200.00 on mainly outgrown clothes, toys, and some 70's CDs. It was fun talking with my friends and catching up with them. A and C have been my friends since my kids were little...so I guess that means about 20ish years. And back when we were all stay at home moms with young children, we spent more time together at places like Chuck E Cheese, birthday parties, parks, and McDonalds. But one tradition we had was doing garage sales about once a year and then camping in the fall. We haven't done the camping since two years ago, but we did start a new tradition of getting away in the fall. Two years ago it was A, C and I that went to go visit our old friend L who lives near Washington DC. That was so fun. Then last year A couldn't go, so C and I went to visit her daughter in Nashville for a long weekend. That was a lot of fun. I think I really value my old friends so much in this season of life as my kids are leaving the nest. I love my kids and enjoy my relationships with them, but it is sure nice to have other women in my life that know me, too.

Job

Today I am grateful for my job. To have a job for one thing. And to have a job that I mostly enjoy is another. And the flexibility that goes with it. And the people I work with...mostly that is. And the variety I have. I know, being an accountant probably doesn't sound interesting to most people, but it only a part of why I like my position. We buy and manage a variety of different companies and so I get to learn about a lot of different types of businesses. Property management, distribution, manufacturing, gas gathering, & radio broadcasting are a few of the different types of businesses we have.

Dealing with lots of different types of people is mostly interesting, too. However, lots of strong leaders that clash goes on as well. That part I cringe about. I think I bring a cohesiveness to our organization. Communication is something I can bring to the table. To me, communication is the key to success. Lots of people think they communicate well but do not. Most people can accept things, even hard things, if it is communicated properly. Particularly if it is communicated a little bit at a time. Enough said. Right now I am a little frustrated in this department.

Health

Why is it when I wake up earlier than my alarm I am filled with dread and fears? All the scary things out there descend upon my thoughts. That is when I need truth to cling to the most.

Today I am grateful that I am in very good health. I went to the chiropractor today for a regular adjustment and realized how I do have aches and pains, but they are all minor. Sitting at a desk has led to some shoulder and back issues, but really not bad at all. I am grateful that I've always kept rather agile and flexible throughout the years, even if I do need to lose weight. My achilles tendon has been bothering me, but I think it is from wearing flip flops too much this summer. All in all, I think of all the things that could be wrong with me and am exceedingly grateful. :-)

I've been setting some goals for this coming fall. I'd like to lose one pound a week by keeping up with walking 3-4 days and doing my Jane Fonda on the other days. Oh yeah, and eating better....that is the hard part for me with sitting at a desk all day.

Gratitude

I have been stressing out too much with hubby out of a job and the economy and a multitude of other things. I know "be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and petition..." and "do not worry about your life..." and I really am trying not to do so. However, it's still hard. Therefore, I need to focus on my blessings.

So today I am grateful for the fact that my sweet husband has been doing all the cooking for the past several months. It is nice to come home from work to his taking care of it. I can help kids with homework, take care of some project, work on other stuff, exercise (?) or just relax until dinner. Even though things aren't the way I would do them, at least I'm not having to do them. He seems to really enjoy the cooking process and finding new recipes to try. The kids are enjoying his cooking, too! So I am a fortunate lady!

Random thoughts

Well, it has been close to a month since I've written. It has been very busy. I know, I know, everybody feels busy. I guess I could have written even through busyness, but there were some things on my heart that I didn't really want to put down in the blog. Kind of sensitive stuff I guess. Anyway, went and helped out at 2 weddings in January, 2 wedding showers, a 50th birthday party, and crazy time at work. Most people are starting back up in January or it is a slow time for a lot of businesses, but for me, it is the busiest time with year end stuff for all the companies. I don't know why I am writing all that anyway. Nobody really wants to read about how busy things are this time of year....least of all me.

My oldest son J turned 23 a couple of weeks ago. The whole family went to Olive Garden to celebrate. It is getting hard to have all of us together anymore. With some of us working regular 8 to 5 kind of jobs, and others of us those weird hour type of jobs, it is just difficult. I have enjoyed this stage in some respects, getting to know my kids as adults, yet is hard when you don't agree with some of their decisions and choices. Knowing when to say something and when to shut your mouth sometimes is difficult. L and I are different in that I err on the side of saying too much typically, but he errs on the side of saying too little usually. I guess that is why we are good together. And trying to figure out how involved to be in their lives can be difficult as well. Anyway that is some of what has been going on in my life.

This week was just emotionally and mentally exhausting. I wasn't feeling the greatest and several things happened to make it hard. I really didn't feel like dealing with one of my kids tonight at all and yet I prayed that God would just give me the strength to love them unconditionally through me. And God is faithful to do just that.

My swim son has a big swim meet this weekend. Well today and tomorrow. We chose to skip Sunday since I'm trying to select very few Sundays for him to swim in order not to miss church. Not to be legalistic, but I hate to get in the habit of missing church and put sports ahead of church. Occasionally it is fine, especially when it is a very important meet, especially since we seldom go away for the weekend or are out of town visiting relatives. Anyway, I don't take it lightly as I want to communicate what is important. So anyway he did well in 2 of the 3 events he swam today and made it into the top 8 finals this evening. However, he added time in both the 100 free and fly in the finals, so he came home pretty disappointed. It is hard as a parent not to get all wrapped up in how well your child does at these things. Especially if they are working hard and then not doing well at the meet, and another kid who hasn't been working as hard does well. I keep trying to emphasize that he needs to worry about himself and not compare himself to others. Easier said than done I guess.

Day in the Life part 2

Found out yesterday that my already packed weekend was gonna be even more packed. For some reason I felt really overwhelmed. I count on the weekend to catch my breath. But not this coming one. Then I prayed. God was able to help me be focused on one day at a time. I do not have to worry about tomorrow for it will take care of itself...each day has enough trouble of its own. I have to rest in doing all I can do in the 24 hours I have right now.

So Wednesday started out with a bang. L got up and took swim son to practice and left about 5:15. I heard him and couldn't get back to sleep. I laid there and tried, but my mind kept racing. I should have just gotten up. Anyway, took shower, got dressed, brushed hair, put on makeup & earrings, got work stuff ready, woke up younger daughter, started the dishwasher, filled two bottles of orange juice, put ice in my big cup I take to work, had some time in my devotion booklet, took old dog out, fed cat, put water in dog bowl, locked bedroom door, started van as it was chilly, grabbed swim son's lunch and school backpack, my laptop, big cup, and purse and headed out the door with younger daughter at about 7:12. Stopped at Jack in Box and ordered a cup of ice water, and 5 breakfast sandwiches. Pulled up to swimming and waited less than 2 minutes (YAY!) and son got in van. I prayed while son ate 3 breakfast sandwiches and daughter ate 3/4 of one. Then they each prayed. Dropped them off at school and got to work by 8:15. Worked straight thru and ate my breakfast sandwich about 10 or so. Got text from son reminding me to drop off his swim stuff at home before I took daughter to doctor. Also he'd left his phone in my van...could I leave it as well? So, left work at 2:50 and texted daughter that I was on my way home. Put swim bags and phone in entryway and hollered up for older daughter that I was home. Dropped off my laptop in entryway. Got back in the van and got to the doctor appointment right before 3:30. Had a lovely time with daughter on the way. She was most pleasant and cooperative. I offered her a diet pepsi vanilla which she eagerly accepted. Signed in and filled out some evaluation paperwork.

Appointment took about 45 minutes from start and wait until finished, paid, and got prescriptions. Daughter would like to stop and get something quick to eat. So stopped at McDonalds and got a $1.00 yogurt parfait deal for her. Then we were next to Ross and Joann's and I knew they were having a yarn sale. So walked over to Ross but they wouldn't let her in with the yogurt. So we went over to JoAnn's and I got a couple of skeins of yarn for 25% off. Soft yarn for another afghan for the living room after I finish up my plastic bag crocheting.... Then over to Ross and just looked around but got nothing. Then I was exhausted and had a long evening yet...and it was already after 5, so headed home. Hubby had browned the ground beef and sausage for the lasagne before taking son to swimming. So we worked together putting the sauce together. Then he took younger daughter to youth group and stopped at grocery store while I made up one pan of lasagne. After he got back I added more spaghetti sauce as it was not quite juicy enough and made the next pan of lasagne. Put the first pan in the freezer in foil and then set aside the other. Got a pot filled with water to make corn on the cob. Hubby had made up the bread dough in the machine and so we shaped the dough to look like bread sticks. Yummy! Set that on the oven to rise.

So L left to get gas and pick up swim son while I got on the computer to check my work stuff since I left early. Older daughter was getting rid of some stuff in her room so I had her get a big trash bag to put it in. We will either take it to charity or else we may do a garage sale...we'll see how much there is to make it worth it or not. Back to check on food, had daughter put in a load of her bedding and set the table. Sat down to crochet for about 30 minutes before dinner. At 20 minutes until 8 I put the breadsticks in the oven with the lasagne. Heated up the water for the corn. 10 minutes before 8 I put in the corn as it was boiling, and put ice in the cups. Cleaned up some of the pans and middle son came over for dinner, arriving at the same time as the swimmer and hubby. Had one of them put water in the cups and daughter came down as she heard them come in. Ate a delicious, messy dinner and daughter cleaned up. Set aside rest of lasagne for middle son to take back to their apartment. Talked to son and crocheted. Hubby went to bed. Older daughter went to friend H's house to spend the night. Younger daughter and swim son went to bed. Middle son and I chatted until I was too tired so I sent him home. It was after 11. Went to bed. Yawn. Realized this morning that he forgot to take the lasagne. Sigh.

Day in the life of a working mom

Today was busy and interesting. My assistant had a meltdown at work, feeling very unvalued for various reasons. I was able to encourage her, but sometimes it is hard to be a loyal employee and a loyal boss, too. But I did the best I could. She felt somewhat better as I told her what I appreciated about her.

Had a lot to do, and kept getting emails adding to my tasks from my boss, so turned off my email! It's amazing how little one can get done with many interruptions and how much one can do without them. Older daughter had a dentist appointment so had her call when she was done so I could pay. So I took a late lunch and took her with me to Target to get some groceries and check out the Christmas clearance aisle. Ooh, good! There was still a bunch of wrapping paper left at 90% off. I got a couple of rolls of paper that was rather generic looking--could use for birthday paper as well as it was colorful but not specifically Christmasy. Also got a few stickers for 9 cents (the ones that say to: and from: that you put on Christmas presents) so that was cool. I was able to get some milk and juice and some frozen dinners as daughter was able to take them home and put things in the refrigerator. We had a good time--she was in a good mood and things have been going well lately, as long as I don't mention about her blood sugar...

After working late I went by Walmart to pick up some more groceries and see if they had any Christmas things really cheap. Theirs were 75% off, and had quite a bit left, but not much of anything I needed. I did pick up several packages of holiday envelopes to send out next year and some Christmas cards. Hopefully I just didn't buy a bunch of stuff that I'll never use. I didn't spend more than 10.00 for everything at both Target & Walmart, so I'm not out much anyway! Ha ha. I bought a bunch of ground beef so I can make a huge pot of spaghetti sauce tomorrow night and use some of it for lasagne and some for homemade pizza. We've eaten a lot of chicken and turkey lately, so that sounded very good to the kids.

After dinner I helped youngest son with his algebra. Then quizzed younger daughter on her chemistry equations. Fun stuff. I brought a bunch of work home to do, but ran out of time and energy. I am feeling kind of discouraged as a few minutes before I started writing this my older daughter made a poor choice. It's hard as a mother. I feel responsible for her wrong decisions as if it was my fault. But it is her choice, not mine. I don't always know how much of her bad decisions are the result of her decision to not take care of her blood sugar. I know she has a hard time thinking clearly when her blood sugar either very high or very low. It's a snowball effect. She makes the choice to not manage her diabetes well, which leads to making poor choices, which leads to not managing her diabetes even more, etc. etc. I am praying that she will make a decision to want help and change. But I can't MAKE her do it. Only SHE can take that step. And I need to be patient, yet firm until that time. I know God has a plan for her life...but how much of that plan is she turning her back on by not dealing with this? I dunno. But it makes me sad. Yet I choose to trust in midst of my sadness.

Rainy Days and Mondays

Back to work after the holidays. Accountants need their holidays as Januarys are usually pretty hectic trying to work on year end stuff. I had a meeting from 9 to 11:15, 12:30 to 3, and 4-5, so I didn't get much done other than that. I wish there were two of me some days. I am always torn between doing a good job at my job and taking care of things at home. Right now I spend more time trying to relate to the kids in my spare time than take care of the house, so it takes a long weekend in order to feel like I can get halfway caught up.

Yet I feel more responsible or important after getting my raise. Like they value me more, so I want to be careful to work harder and smarter and make them glad that they gave me a raise. Part of me feels like I deserve it and another part of me feels undeserving. I think there is a part of me that is insecure and feels like I really don't deserve anything good because I know how imperfect I am.

And I was fighting some mild depression all day. I guess the cloudy, rainy, chilly weather and being Monday and facing a long week with lots of work was part of it, yet I really couldn't pinpoint any reason to be depressed, so I was able to shake it off. Just had a feeling of dread. Those thoughts come in occasionally and sneak up on me, and I have to stay on my toes not to let it suck me in.

Well, youngest son needs help with his Algebra, so better help him out!

Sunday

Every other month hubby and I serve at our church all 3 services welcoming people. Our church has lots of new people and we want everybody to feel very welcome. On the odd months L is in charge of the welcome team. I really hate getting up and being ready to go before 8 am on Sundays, but once I am there, I do enjoy it. There is something in me that really likes greeting people and remembering random facts about people. I stand near the front door with another person and shake hands or greet folks as they come in. I try to look them in the eye, comment briefly on something (like the weather if I do not know them) and then let them go on by without much fuss.

Today was FREEZING for us Texans. Yesterday was actually rather hot as it hit around 80 degrees in the afternoon. We slept with our window open, but sometime in the night the cold north wind was blowing and BRRR! We were burrowed deep within the covers and it still was freezing, so got up and closed the window. L turned the heat on when he got up this morning.

After church L and I went by ourselves out for lunch with a giftcard we'd gotten to On the Border for Christmas. Yum! I always eat so many chips and salsa whenever I go out for Mexican food that I can't eat even half of the main dish. So it was today...I'd skipped breakfast and had a glass of juice at church and was really hungry. So when the chips and salsa came...mmm mmm! I had a big takeout box of leftovers to bring home so youngest son was able to have that for dinner. None of the rest of us were hungry. The girls had gone out for chicken with their friends and then older daughter headed off to work at 4. Younger daughter took a nap. Tomorrow is back to normal for both me and the non-college kids. I was fortunately this year with both Christmas and New Year's Day being on Thursdays as they decided to give us Friday off, too! So I had two weeks of only 2.5 days each. I did work a little from home, though, but not that much. There is a chance of icy streets tomorrow, so we'll see what happens!

Wedding & Stuff

OK, I have already ruined one of my goals for 2009...to write every day. However, last night I did try to write, but the computer was acting weird and by the time I finally got it to cooperate, it was after midnight anyway. So I am just gonna pretend that this is Saturday January 3.

Got up at 5:15 and headed to Dallas with Penny, my veggie coop partner. We got there at 6 and picked out the goodies and were home by 7. She is such a sweetie, so the time goes by really fast in the car. She drove again as she has a truck, which is much easier to deal with all those boxes, than a van and having to move stuff around, etc. I tried to split the gas with her, but with prices only 1.45/gallon, she said not to worry.

Had it all divided and extras divvied up by 8:30. But two people were late. The new gal and another gal that is always late. So I was unable to go back to bed and take a nap, so I waited around downstairs cleaning up and then working on my plastic bag crochet rug. Talk about your cheap craft projects...

Youngest son had a killer swim practice this morning from 7-11 am and was only one of 6 people to choose to swim the 14,000 yards. L picked him up and he was pretty wiped out. I was proud of him. He has way more perseverance than I ever did at age 14, that is for sure. At 15 I detassled corn for one day and was completely traumatized by that....I did have a lot of allergies, but I also was a wimp.

Finally everyone had their stuff picked up, but then it was too late to get a nap in before time to get ready for the wedding at 2. The dress I planned to wear just didn't look so good with the few pounds I've gained over the holidays, so had to completely replan what to wear. Youngest son left his nice shoes in his locker at school so was planning to wear tennis shoes. I'd told him to bring all his stuff home from his locker over Christmas break, and you would think that would include any footwear, but I guess not. "You didn't tell me to bring home my shoes, mom!" was the answer. Sheesh. So L let him borrow a pair of his old dress shoes that didn't fit him right.

Older daughter had to work so was unable to go to the wedding, so it was just the 4 of us. Oldest son joined us and sat with us, but middle son ended up coming to just the reception. It's so nice to see young people all dressed up. Because our church is more casual, I do not get to see many folks dressed up anymore. The wedding was the pastor's younger daughter and the son of a couple that lived here many years ago and is also a pastor. They played in the nursery together as babies, then when he was about 2 they moved away to California, and then connected here and there, but met again at the same college. They graduated in May and both live here in town now. It was a beautiful simple wedding. Simple as in not extravagent but very nice with 9 bridesmaids! And 2 flower girls! The reception was at the church and I had offered to help with the cleanup crew, so finished up about 7. I was pretty tired, but then youngest son was spending the night with the junior high boys at church, and the girls ended up spending the night at some friends after older daughter got off work, so it was just the 2 of us...which NEVER happens! So we sat and watched a movie together. My feet hurt like crazy, so I sat in the recliner with my feet up. Aaah, much better!

Happy Birthday SISTER

Today is my baby sister's 44th birthday! I do not get to see her as much as I'd like as we live over 1000 miles away from one another. However, due to text messaging and instant messaging and email, we get to communicate almost daily. I am so grateful to have such a great sister! Wa-hoo! I hope my girls stay close and communicate to each other, but hopefully not from 1000 miles apart...

I am so glad to have today off work. Jon the boss declared that since he was out of town for Christmas nobody should have to work the day after Christmas or New Years, since they are both on Fridays. This was unusual for him, but not complaining a bit. However, I worked about an hour yesterday, and will probably work a couple of hours today, just to get started on some things and so next week won't be too awful.

Today we got to get up real early to go to the doctor. Fun, fun. Flu shots...or er...flu mists! My kids only have 2 weeks off for Christmas, and then that Oklahoma deal and all, so really today or Wednesday were the only days I had to get this done. So I called the pediatrician's office and asked to set up a time to do the flu shots, as you have to call ahead. The receptionist must have been either new or incompetent, but she said that they are only done on Thursdays. Well, I said, are you going to be open on Christmas or New years's then, as they are both on Thursday. And my kids go back to school the Monday after New Year's. Well, no.... so she kept going back and forth with somebody else in the office while I pressed her to get me to get my kids flu shots at some point during the break. Finally they said we could come in at 8 am Friday January 2. I said, that is the ONLY time? Yes, that is all for this week. OK then....

Of course they were not happy, but I bribed them with going out for breakfast afterwards, so all was ok. I woke them up at like 7:20, then 7:25, and last 7:30 cuz I had to leave at 7:40. It usually takes about 15 minutes, but being right at rush hour I didn't know. However, a lot of folks must have taken today off as it wasn't busy on the freeway at all. But I didn't know.
So I am home at a 10:15 after:

1. getting 1 kid flu shot, 2 kids flu mist
2. having nice big breakfast at IHOP
3. picking up some paperwork at my office
4. filling up the van tank of gas
5. finding the place when you pay your traffic fines and paying them
6. picking up a few groceries

And all 3 kids went right back to bed and are sound asleep by 10:45. Before leaving I started the oven cleaning so it stinks in here. And I put a load of laundry in, fed the animals, and let them out. Also, when I got back I took the dog on a short walk and put more laundry in. So I may lie down now for a little while. This is nice. I could get used to not working again... but it's not in our near future...

New Years Day

Today was a fairly relaxing at home sort of day. Hubby and I went to a party last night and got home after 1 am, which is late for us old folks. We had fun with old friends. Played the pictionary/telephone game as well as chinese gift exchange/white elephant. Then sang some songs at midnight and ate plenty. Older daughter worked until 9 and then picked up younger sister and took her to the college party with the kids from church. Then she dropped off younger daughter and went off to visit somebody else. We asked her to be home by 2:30 am and she was, so then I could get to sleep. On New Year's Eve I am more nervous about my kids being out and about. Too many intoxicated people out on the roads, although they are cracking down like crazy around here.

Then we were invited to some old friends' home tonight at 5 a couple of days ago, but we'd already decided to spend the day at home, relaxing and getting a few things done. We got up about 10 and had a nice breakfast hubby made with sausage and eggs. The girls didn't want to get up until after noon, so it was just the two of us for a change! Quiet. I've been doing laundry all day and picked up youngest son at his sleepover last night about 1 pm. Daughter works from 2 to 11 today. Good news! She was one of the two that were hired for holiday help that are getting to continue working. She was pretty excited about that and I was really happy for her. Now if only she would take care of her blood sugar...it was over 500 this morning.

Of course I had way more on my list to do today than is humanly possible. Especially when you don't get up until 10 and watch two hours of TV with hubby and younger daughter. I did work on my crochet rug, so it wasn't totally a waste. I also spent about an hour working on some work stuff this morning as well. I swept and picked up the master bathroom and need to mop it. I've been going through piles in the master bedroom as well. With working fulltime and it being Christmas and all, I haven't spent as much time keeping the order around the house. I can't seem to do it all. Whatever it all is...

Goals for 2009:

1. Live one day at a time...spend quality time daily with the Lord, keeping my focus on what is really important.

2. Walk/jog 5 out of 7 days each week.

3. Do something for our 25th anniversary. Even if it is just an overnight in a nearby hotel.

4. Go to my sister's son's graduation in Minnesota in May/June

5. Take 30 minutes every evening after work and pick up house or clean something

6. Write in this every day for at least 5 minutes

7. Work harder and smarter at my job, but try to keep most weeks to 40-42 hrs.

8. Have lunch once a week with a friend or somebody from church to either encourage or be encouraged by.

9. Keep track of spending and spend intentionally, not frivolously

10. Be consistent in my prayer life: pray daily for family members, each day of the week for other people in my life

11. Lose 25 pounds. Eat intentionally, not out of stress/boredom/mindlessly

12. Write a note/email/letter weekly to somebody in my life

13. Review systematically all verses/chapters I've previously memorized

14. Get rid of stuff we don't use.

And I'm sure there are more...just off the top of my head.