Stress and Money: They Come and They Go

An hour later...

Suddenly, while I'm focused on doing the best job I can, and whistling while I work, I get a call that I don't want... My ex-husband, telling me that the kids are being refused from day care unless I go over and make a payment.

So I did.

Argh.

I don't have money for this. Yes, I got paid today and have money in my bank account to cover the check I had to write, but that severely impacts the other bills I have to pay. Rent (for February!), car insurance, food, gas for the car... Sigh... I NEED to find something else.

To top it off, the IRS website is no longer telling me the status of my (hefty) tax return. The site I used to file said I could receive my funds in as soon as 10 days. Today is day 10. So why, today, is the status of my return no longer showing up? Is my payment in process? Is it not coming? I'm not a fan of uncertainty.

And to say the least, I'm stressed.

Majorly, agonizingly, stressed.

I know what I need to do, but why is it so hard sometimes? Being a Christian I know I need to put my Faith in God to provide what I need, but I feel like I should be doing more.

Do Your Laundry

As I climbed into bed last night I could help but to think about how simple things, like crawling into my own bed each night, can be taken for granted.  From there I began to think about the other earthly pleasures I take for granted, most of them on a daily basis.

Why did I have such thoughts?

Here's why...

Pretty much unrecognizable, that's a clothes dryer in the middle of the picture, next to the chair.  Or should I say a charred dryer next to a charred chair?

Upon arriving home from church yesterday, Dave, the boys and I were welcomed by firetrucks and a Red Cross van in our driveway.  Three apartments down, a young mother had put her daughters down for a nap, and walked out of their room into a cloud of black smoke coming out of the dryer.  She opened the door and flames burst out at her.  From there, the fire spread around the apartment, and between the flames and the smoke, the possessions they held dear were destroyed.

No clothes.

No furniture.

No toys.

No... Anything...

Dave and I pulled together a couple bags of clothes for her and her fiance and I was able to find a few baby blankets left over from my boys for her 5 month old.  And Thing 2 brought tears to her eyes when he presented her with a stuffed elephant for her 2 year old.  But I went to bed wanting to be able to do more.

As I lay down to sleep, however, it truly hit me how much they lost.  Everything must be re-acquired.  From a cup to drink out of to toothbrushes and towels.  Baby clothes and diapers, and a chair to sit on.  Wow.

I seem to be full of pleas for my readers (if I have any) lately, but here's a couple more...

1.  Check out dryer vents and lint traps regularly.  Your lint trap should be emptied before EVERY load.  A clogged vent can not only cause clothes to not by dried in one cycle, but can burn out your heating element, or worse, start a fire.  If you rent, ask your landlord to clean your vent at least once a year.

2.  Invest in renter's insurance.  If you own your home, your home owner's insurance would cover a disaster such as this.  However if you rent, you need to cover yourself.  And in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't cost that much.  Geico, for instance, charges approximately $40/month.  Does that sound like a lot?  Think about EVERYTHING you'd need to replace if your apartment burnt down.  Yea...

The Roller Coaster Ride Continues

I started this post yesterday...

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Yesterday's roller coaster ride of life took us down a major decline and back up a surprising way.

The decline was the result of hearing the outcome of my medical tests.  While I wouldn't normally get (quite so) personal on here, I am sharing the following as encouragement to any/all female readers to get their annual pap smear, and accept the additional testing, despite any additional costs that may arise.  My pap smear this year came back abnormal, and my doctor's office did a further exam which I will spare you the details of.  Cells were removed from my cervix and a biopsy was performed on them.  The results returned yesterday and I received a call from the doctor's office during my lunch.

While my HPV test(s) came back negative, the removed cells are "moderate to severely bad cells with lesions" and are pre-cancerous.  In doctor talk, this is "Cervical Dysplasia."

What's next? 

That's a question that can be asked and answered in so many ways...

What's going to burden my life next?  What's going to make my life better next?  How do I take care of this medical issue?  In general...  What's next?

I can only answer the 3rd of these questions.  On Monday, February 27 I will be having a LEEP (?) procedure in which the bad cells will be burnt and scraped off my cervix.  In the end my cervix will be shortened, however there are positives.  1.  These cells are PRE-cancerous, not cancerous.  2.  This will not affect my ability to have children.  3.  Once removed, the doctor said these cells usually don't return.

Despite these positives, I couldn't/can't help but be scared and angry.  Scared that this won't be the end of it.  Scared that the cells will return and will be cancerous.  Angry that my life, which is finally as wonderful as I could ever have imagined, could be drastically changed and shortened.  Scared that I won't see my boys grow up.  Scared that I won't be able to grow old with Dave.  Scared in general...

But I have to interupt those thoughts.  Even Tony Robbins says you have to interupt negative thought patterns.  So I turn to God.

Isaiah 40:27-31
Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
   or, whine, Israel, saying,
"God has lost track of me.
   He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
   He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
   And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
   gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
   young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
   They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
   they walk and don't lag behind.

Keep on Keeping On

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.

Keep on seeking, and you will find.

Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

~Matthew 7:7

How can I say it any better than that?  My life feels like a roller coaster sometimes, with unimaginably awesome ascents and unforgiving descents.  When I remember to put faith in my Faith, however, my life plateaus for a bit, and more often or not the plateau is on an up, not on a down.

Last night was filled with all kinds of rushes in good ways.  Here are a few highlights:

• Thing 1 and Thing 2 came home after spending the last 5 nights with their dad.
• Thing 1 presented Dave with an awesome picture he drew, with the caption "The Best Dad Award"
• I did my taxes last night, and forecasted Dave's.  The good news...  Actually, GREAT news is that money is on it's way!
• My fingers were ready for knitting last night.  I divided my dress for the front and back over the weekend, and last night I started the neck and shoulder shaping, including binding off the neckline stitches.  I'm thinking I'll be able to finish at least the left shoulder tonight!

I hope you and your loved ones are either on the ascent or on a plateau at the top!  XO

Every Inch of Life...

More nights than not I can be found on my side of the couch, with Penny (the dog) in my lap, knitting.  Dave will be on the other side of the couch, his PS3 controller in his hands, playing the game of the moment.  Right now it's Skyrim.  We'll both have our legs stretched out down the couch, intertwined with each other, and we'll both look up occasionally to find the other one staring at us.  It's not a bad stare.  It's a fascinating, "I love that person, no matter what s/he is doing" stare.  Now that the wedding dress is getting longer, Dave has been picking it up, feeling it, and rubbing his face on it because it smells like me.  I think it's sweet.  Last night, however, he said something that really struck me.  He said, "You know, you have touched EVERY inch of this dress." 

Yea, I have.

While I'm not saying that a store-bought wedding dress doesn't mean as much as the one I'm knitting, and I'm not saying that I'm not going to buy one for the big wedding/reception next year, however I AM just really (don't know what word I want) that I have touched every 1/4 inch of this dress!  It makes it SO personal!

I can't say that I have touched as much of any other aspect of my life as I have my dress.  I've been reviewing my finances on a nearly-daily basis since last May, however I can't say I'm touching every piece of my finances when I can't afford to pay all my bills.  And by discussing my dress, I realize I need to be just as involved in my boys' lives as I am in the construction of this dress.  Am I a good mom (in my opinion)?  Yes, I believe I'm a GREAT mom.  However there are always ways a parent can improve.  And I'm going to find them.  And the same goes for being a mate for Dave. 

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Later...  I need a nap.  And I need to be at home.  The work week needs to end...  Fast...

DAY 359

Stepping away from typing up yesterday's post (a day late) I'm faced with a completely new set of feelings.  While I stand by yesteday's thoughts that I have learned how to live, and that every moment needs to be appreciated and cherished, it takes on a completely new meaning to me.

While there are no results yet, I received word from a doctor yesterday that the results from a routine exam came back abnormal and that further testing and a biopsy are necessary.  Without going into too much detail, the outcome from this (if negative) could impact Dave and my ability to have children of our own, which we very much would like to do.  And while I am trying to stay positive, the "What-if's" sometimes get the best of me.

A follow up exam was scheduled for February 15, however I decided to call today and see if the doctor had had any cancellations.  My favorite doctor in the office had a cancellation tomorrow at 2:15pm and I jumped on it.  With our wedding on the horizon, I would like to know the results sooner rather than later.  I don't like being on edge with the boys, and last night and this morning I was EXTREMELY irritable towards both of them, a fact which I am NOT proud of.  I have taken pride in my ability to keep a level head with them in most situations, and last night and this morning I most certainly did not.

On the flip side, this has certainly reinforced yesterday's post...  For me at least.  Cherish every moment.  Don't (or try not to) stress over the things you can't control.  And take time for hugs and kisses, no matter how late you're running.  It's these moments you will and want to remember.

I brought Dave's headphones to work today so that I can listen to K-Love and the first song I heard when I turned it on was "Hope Now" by Addison Road.  The chorus really got to me...

Everything rides on hope now
Everything runs on Faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free.

In the past year I have been given MANY blessings, including a wonderful man who loves me and a renewed relationship with God, who I can praise and give thanks to everyday, despite everything I may or may not be experiencing.  He has a path for me.  I just have to remember to be patient to find out what that path is and where it will take me.

DAY 358

This was yesterday's post, written in my Day Planner...

As I got ready for work this morning, I realized that in the past year I have learned how to live.  By live I don't mean perform the actions necessary in life.  I mean perform them and appreciate them, and remember the ones that matter don't stress about the ones that don't.

Thing 1 is a top-knotch diddle-dwadler in the morning.  It doesn't matter what time he wakes up and how little he has to do, he can still be the last one out the door in the morning.  Despite how late I may be running, however, I always have time for a hug and a kiss when dropping the boys off at school.  Do I use my "flex time" on days I have the boys?  You bet I do!  But those extra minutes for hugs and kisses are well worth it!

Don't forget how to live.  Fill your life with memories of meaningful moments, regardless of how late you're running every morning.

Day 323

I've come to the realization that I do NOT like slow days at work. While some people may enjoy the fact that they can theoretically do what they want, I find my eyes wanting to close, and myself endlessly daydreaming about what I'd rather be doing. I like being busy. No, I don't like getting down to the wire with tasks that need to be done, but I really enjoy having a stream of projects to work on.

The boys have been with their dad since Wednesday and do not come home to Dave and I until Christmas Day (Sunday) at 3pm. I miss them. We enjoy the quiet, don't get me wrong, however... After a day or so it's almost too quiet.

Dave can't wait to give me my Christmas presents, and I can't wait to see Dave and the boys open theirs. The materialistic aura around Christmas continues to trouble me, however I love to give. Honestly, I have everything I could possibly want. If there were no presents under the tree for me, I would be perfectly ok with that.

Alright, I am going to move on to pretending I'm working on something else...  In all reality, I'm probably listening to Tony Robbins and trying to develop a way to become financially successful.  :-)

Day 310

I'm out of the office on lunch and it occurred to me that I haven't updated the blog lately.


My silence has been the result of extreme happiness and hard work. Dave, the boys and I are all happy and healthy, and we are gearing up for Christmas. I've been trying to impress upon the boys this Christmas season what the true meaning of the holiday is. It's not about what we get, but about what we have and why we have it.


But I won't deny that's difficult. With a six-year-old (and nine-year-old) in the house, visions of Santa with a bag of presents are very prominent.


We have made K-Love, a national Christian radio station, a fixture in our lives, and I heard on it yesterday that the average PERSON (not couple, family, etc.) spends $700/year on Christmas presents.  I let out an audible "phooooooo."  $700/year...  That's essentially rent for a month for us.  So here I am trying to figure out how to make Christmas great on maybe $300, and I hear that the average person spends $700.  So if you're reading this, I challenge you to remember what Christmas is really about, and try to focus on that instead.


Dave asked me over the weekend what I want for Christmas and my response (after telling him - him), was a new coffee cup.  Yes, that's all I want.  A new travel mug that doesn't leak when I try to take a sip out of it.  But I guess I never cease to surprise him.  I know he knows I'm not materialistic, but at the time of the year when most people send out mile long Christmas-lists with hundreds of dollars of ideas that they'll probably never use, I choose to be real.  And even when I stretch my brain, I can't think of anything else I want for Christmas.


We found a new church in August that we've been attending, Grace Baptist, and we love how their focus in not on what the church needs financially, but when they do talk about money, it's about how we can help the missionaries or other organizations that need money.  Our family decided to help out Operation Christmas Child (I think that's what it's called), after we heard about what children on the other side of the world have to do without.  While I was able to buy my boys each a 24-box of Crayons for $.50, on the other side of the globe, children go without because crayons cost $5.00... and the average monthly income is $2.00.  Children in Africa need to follow a food truck once a week in order to get fed, and because they lack bowls or cups, they drop the hot oatmeal (or whatever they're served) out of their hands and onto the road...  And they end up eating it off the road.


So how can I ask for anything more than a coffee cup, when there are children living like this?

Day 226

Monday got my week off to a bumpy start but Tuesday seems to be starting much better.  The boys even got up before me this morning and were ready to leave for daycare by 7:30, which...  Got me to work EARLY!

This morning Dave sent me a quote request he got at his new job.  A customer requested multiples of certain items, and while my first response was "Oh my goodness!", at second glance I couldn't help but notice that the customer wrote (s)he "needed" a quote for these items.  It never ceases to amaze me what people think they need.  And when I think about it, "Need" is really such a strong word.  Think about it.  What do you REALLY need?  Food?  Water?  Clothing or some variation of?  And some type of shelter?  But isn't that it?

DH used to say "I need a #1..." when we went through the McDonalds drive through, and I found it obnoxious then.  I think now I realize that people saying "I need..." is one of my few pet peeves.  I challenge you, from here on out, to listen to yourself when you're asking for something.  Are you polite?  Do you say "please" and "thank you"?  Try it.  You might surprise yourself.

Day 221, Post 1

Wow, I can hardly believe it's been well over a month since I posted last.  Yes, I'm alive and VERY well, as are the boys and Dave.  We've been through some changes, however they appear to all be for the better and for that I'm very grateful.

Dave started a new job at the end of August which he really seems to enjoy.  While it's not physically exhausting, it challenges him mentally and keeps him interested.  It's further than his previous (still my current) 1/4 mile commute, but the roads are good and they will be well plowed in the winter. 

Thing 2 started Kindergarten and Thing 1 Third Grade several weeks ago.  Both are enjoying school very much, and are keeping themselves out of trouble.  Better yet, both are making friends in our neighborhood and enjoying playing outside.  Numerous Nerf battles have taken place, and the boys come home caked in mud but they LOVE it.  And I love seeing them happy.

We've started attending a new church, after our old church became too focused on money for our preferences.  And we really like it.  On the first day we attended, the door attendant recognized we were new and introduced himself, and the family sitting in front of us turned around and introduced themselves.  And better yet, I know people who go there.  Dave doesn't know them really, but he will.  I feel like, and I believe Dave does as well, that we've finally found a home church.  And it's a wonderful feeling.

And a more wonderful feeling is just being happy.  EXTREMELY happy.  No matter what happens in my day, in our day, I know/we know we can handle it.  And that feeling alone is amazing.

DAY 163, Post 1

It never ceases to amaze me how completely miserable some people are willing to be 24/7.  Whether they be friends, family, exes or co-workers, I just want to smack them into a state of contented bliss.  Even during my lowest times, I did not allow myself to walk around in a state where I allowed myself to be a bitch to everyone around me.

The other night DH started a line of bullying interoggation with Thing 1 while on the phone with him.  I heard the conversation and decided I needed to put an end to it.  DH is convinced he knows more about what goes on in my house than I do and has proceeded to tell the boys how things work at MY house.  To me, this is not acceptable.  When the boys are with me or on the phone with me I want them to be comfortable, not feel like they are on the witness stand.  They have no reason to be in the middle of a battle between their dad and I, and as far as I'm concerned, there shouldn't be a battle.  We would be able to co-exist peacefully for the sake of our boys.  But for him, that is not possible.

Today there is a co-worker (not in my office) who has decided to be rather testy via emails.  To give you background, inter-office mail lost an envelope that was mailed from me to her two weeks ago.  My dad taught me to never burn bridges, but apparently this woman has never heard of this strategy and it's rather unfortunate. 

Dave shared a story with me about how he blessed a former co-worker with niceties (is that spelled properly?) because she was such a sour woman.  The pissier she was, the nicer Dave would be to her.  And today and this week that is how I am trying to handle the sour people in my life.  Well, except with DH.  Dave said the best we can do is pray for him, and I agree.

Day 152, Post 1

Yes, I am at work.  I'm continuing to work on a special project with a couple of great co-workers, however today is review day and...  It gets a bit boring.  Except for when one of them starts tapping out sitcom theme songs on the table and a google search for the actual theme song follows.  That's what's happening now.

I talked to the boys last night (they are at their dad's), and I feel bad for their dad.  Why?  At the end of the conversation they wanted to know when they are coming back to my house and wanted to blow me kisses.  They don't do that during conversations with their dad, but that's because he hasn't earned the respect from them to receive that type of treatment.  And that sucks.

Dave and I are continuing to work wonderfully as a team.  Last night we relished in the fact that we paid the rent not only on-time, but a day early.  While this may seem like a small accomplishment to some, it's huge to us.  Although it will be slow-going, we see in our near future that all bills (well, all household bills, not my personal debt) will be caught up, on time, and paid on a timely basis.  And that's a WONDERFUL feeling.  While in the past I hated with a passion the necessary task of balancing my checkbook...  And refused to do it...  Now I have an Excel file that breaks down all my spending into categories and I check my bank account on a daily basis.  Plus, I have a yearly tab which shows the spending per category from one month to the next and is truly an eye-opener.  I have to remember that the month of May included a road-trip for the four of us back to New York, but the amount I/we spent eating out was ridiculous!

I can't figure out how to include my spreadsheet (my figures excluded) to this post, but if you would like the file to use for yourself, let me know!

DAY 137, Post 1

I think the hardest part of my job is knowing what to do when I have nothing to do.  Right now is obviously one of those moments.  At no previous job has my desk ever been cleaner than my desk is right now.  Is there clutter on it?  Yes.  But only of the kind that my co-workers need and I can't put in a drawer that may be locked when they go to get it.  So...  The Franklin Covey puncher for organizer pages stays on my desk, taking up a valuable two-square-feet..

A definite perk of this job is the plethora of K-Cup options for the Keurig machine in the break rooms.  With probably a minimum of 20 flavors, I've been able to try my tongue at them without having to buy a whole box at the grocery store.  At $7.99/box, I would hate to get a box home and discover upon the first sip that I detest the flavor.  Thanks to Dave and his sweet tooth, I've started putting sugar in my coffee again and have been able to stomach every flavor the break room has to offer.

And the highlights of my job?!  The continued ability to have lunch with Dave every day.  And today we carpooled.  (Can it be considered carpooling when we only drive a quarter-mile at most to work?)  Unfortunately the lunches and carpooling will stop next week when his schedule moves up an hour-and-a-half, but we'll still be able to see each other on breaks. 

This is the boys' weekend with their Dad, quite appropriately considering it's Father's Day weekend, and Dave and I are enjoying a little bit of quiet already.  Weekends begin Wednesday night and don't end until I pick them up after work on Monday.  I can't fully figure out what to do for Dave for Father's Day though.  K is across the ocean, and my bank account is suffering, but I still want to do something special for him.  He is an amazing father to his daughter, an amazing role-model for my boys, and an amazing person altogether.  I just want him to have an amazing day.

DAY 113, Post 1

When I was married to and lived with DH, I detested the weekends.  Well, let me revise that.  I couldn't stand knowing that he was going to be home for two full days with the boys and I, most likely making the three of us miserable.

But ever since I moved out and moved on, I love the weekend.  And the weekend I just had was absolutely perfect to the point that I would have called in today if I had the luxury of doing so.  This was the type of weekend that I wanted to last longer not because I'm exhausted and need more days, but because I would keep reliving each day over and over if I could...  Just because...

Sure, I look rather lobster-ish with my first sunburn of the summer, but I would take more than a little of the pink heat if it meant I could do it all again.

I have so many pictures I need to get up on here, and I will at some point, but in this post again I'll say I will post photos later...  Friday, Dave and I went to Springfield where we went to Best Buy (thank you, Mine!), Chinese Buffet (yum yum!) and the duck park.  I have never fed ducks and geese like I did there.  The geese were literally walking right up to us and taking the bread out of our fingers.  It was amazing!  Saturday both the boys had baseball games, and we enjoyed watching both of them play.  Thing 1 was pitcher for an inning and nearly caught a line drive to his face!  Luckily he got the ball with his glove.  Unfortunately, he dropped it.  But it's clear to me that the practice he (and Thing 2) have been doing with Dave has been helping their catching skills tremendously!  And yesterday...

Yesterday started with Breakfast with the Beatles until it was (in the most wonderful way possible) interupted by a call from Germany.  Tears came to my eyes, literally, when I heard Dave say who it was, as I know he's been waiting for communication for over two months.  After breakfast we went back out to Springfield and replanted his mom's flower garden while my newly repaired laptop was downloading WoW off his parent's turbo internet.  The garden looked FANTASTIC when we were through, and when we got home all tired and hot we were able to play WoW together for the first time.  As nerdy as it may sound, we were/are as excited about being able to play together as we can be.  :-)

Next weekend will be taking us to New York to see my family, and I can't wait!

DAY 109, Post 1

Last night Dave and I didn't have the boys so we took the opportunity, as horrible and selfish as it may sound, to eat out.  No, I will not deny that we don't eat out with them because of the extra cost associated with feeding two more mouths.  And...  It's just so much more enjoyable eating out when it's only the two of us.

Anyway...  When we arrived back home, DH was in the parking lot, kids in the car with him, and being a giant a**.  I won't disclose the details of his attitude, however neither Dave nor I appreciated the way that he spoke to me.  And Dave let him know it.  And DH's response?  Something along the lines of "Get out of my way you stupid jerk!"

Everyday I think more and more about getting a restraining order against him.  However I fear the consequences of performing such actions.  What would he/could he do to retaliate against me?  And the only reason I would get the order is because I am more than tired of him verbally accosting me, whereever and whenever he wants.  And his choice location lately seems to be at the boys' baseball games.  And that's bullshit.

DAY 101, Post 1

I love my new job.  LOVE it.  But the hours between 2 and 4pm seem to drag unmercilessly.  And even worse are the days (like today) when I have eaten a big lunch and my eyes just want to keep crossing.  Today the Mountain Dew and coffee don't seem to be helping either.  So...  I blog.

Yes, I know I shouldn't be doing this from work, but I have a dilemma as far as work is concerned.  I'm GREAT at my job.  And I'm quick to get my work done, which leaves me with a void in my To-Do pile.  Currently I have work to do, however I'm waiting for responses from my co-workers before I can continue on any of it.  And I've already cleaned my desk, including spraying it with cleaner, and my e-mail inbox.  And I've started on a Power Point presentation for the weekly Monday Morning meeting, even though my pre-decessors didn't normally work on it until Friday.  But, yes...  I get satisfaction out of surprising people with the news that my work is already finished...  Correctly...  And ahead of schedule.

Yesterday Dave and I bought a grill and last night he made DELICIOUS beef ribs for dinner.  I've never had beef ribs before, and even Mr. Picky Eater Thing 2 loved them!  I have to say however, that I had absolutely no clue how much buying a Propane tank cost!  Speedway charged over $50 for the tank (because we needed to buy a new tank, not just exchange an empty for a filled), but on a positive note, they give 1000 speedway points with a tank purchase.  Now if I only knew how to cash in Speedway points...  Hmmm...

Tonight is the first of our two much appreciated (regular) nights off from the boys of the week.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my boys.  However, the quiet in the house for those two nights is...  Welcomed with open arms...  And I will say that I know I like it even more because I know their dad won't be calling to talk to them, even though he already saw them earlier in the day.  Perhaps I'll come across as uncaring, but on the nights when he has them, I try to give him HIS time with them without interuptions from me.  But he doesn't look at it that way.  And I feel he intrudes on my time with the boys.  And unfortunately for the boys (and him I guess), they don't want to talk to him when he calls.  But he gives attitude to me and them if they don't talk to him, so I am forced to give them no option but to talk to him.  And that sucks.

Alright..  Back to work.

DAY 99, Post 1

It's been another amazing week.  Yesterday was Mother's Day and I do not hesitate to say it was the BEST Mother's Day I have celebrated.  It was DH's weekend to have the boys (although I had them from 11am - 7pm yesterday) and...  I got to sleep in!  At about 10am I was woken up by Dave with kisses and an invitation to the kitchen for breakfast.  And what a breakfast it was!  He had made me a HUMONGOUS omelet with shrimp scampi, onions, salsa, mushrooms (?) and lots of other deliciousness and I got to enjoy Breakfast with the Beatles with him. 

After we picked up the boys we went to church, and then home where the boys were blown away to see that Dave's TV has made it's way to Troy...  And the Wii and old TV are now set up in Jacob's room.  Dave has been VERY helpful in implementing discipline in the house, and not in a harsh manner.  Actually, his method of discipline is all about earning respect and rights by giving respect and contributing to the house.  So, the although the Wii and TV are now in Jacob's room, the remotes for all of the above are in our show organizer in the front hallway, out of reach in the top row of shoe holders.  The boys are now aware that in order to play/watch ANYTHING, they must have done all their chores and have been respectful all day.  There are no second chances on being respectful.

Later yesterday afternoon the four of us went to Brukner Nature Center.  We walked the path(s) for a while, but because of all the rain, we suddenly found ourselves without a path and surrounded by mud and water.  While at first we tried to stay dry and clean, it didn't work for two long.  I will add pictures to this post later tonight.  We almost had a pet snake, however (and thankfully) the thing escaped from Dave's pocket somewhere along the walk.  I can't say I'm disappointed, although I know the boys were.

When we got home I attempted to wash/dry all of our sneakers however I managed to break the dryer in the process.  Dave's been working on fixing it today (the belt came off the drum) and I'll be helping finish it up when I get home tonight.  (I'm very excited, as I (1) LOVE doing this type of thing and (2) know it's not an activity Dave would normally let me help with...  Especially considering he did my nails last night, haha.)

Pictures and more will come tonight...

DAY 76, Post 2

Take me out to the ballgame! Or 30 of them?!

Baseball season for the boys has officially begun. Right now I'm in a local school gymnasium for the team and individual player pictures. Thing 2 had his pictures at 8am, and Thing 1's are at 930. While I thought about leaving to get Tim Hortons for the boys, I'm tired, comfortable, and unwilling to spend the money on food we don't need.

The boys look so cute/handsome in their uniforms though. I want to see if I can get a quick picture of both of them together without having to pay for it. I doubt it, but it would be worth a shot (no pun intended!)

CT came by and we talked yesterday. He's struggling with me being out there dating other people and I feel really bad about it. I mean, I know where he's coming from... Sort of... Because I've wondered more than once if CL-WoW has been out there. While I enjoy my time with him immensely, I worry about committing especially after my date with JW Thursday night. I had a really great time, nevermind the fact that we closed more than one establishment in town, haha.

I suppose all I can do is pray. If no other day/week has shown me the power of prayer and putting my trust in Jesus, this week has. And I know I have to do it for ALL aspects of my life. And right now, relationships (or lack thereof) are one of the areas I need the most guidance in.

DAY 75, Post 3

The boys and I have watched this commercial about 10 times in the last five minutes.  We missed it during the Super Bowl (not surprising, considering our bad Super Bowl experience), but we love it!