$2.59 a gallon

So Friday Andrew woke up not feeling so well - sinus and stuff.  He asked to stay home (he usually doesn't) and the mean mom in me told him to take a Zyrtec and go to school.  The weather was cold and messy Friday morning, so I called him when I got to work to tell him to be safe (black ice and all) and he was still sounding pretty miserable, but had started up his car and was getting ready for school.  

Just a minute or two after I hung up with him I called him back and told him he could stay home.  After a quick heartfelt thank you from him and promises to rest we said good by.

A 10:30 there was a knock at the backdoor.  Our neighbor was wondering why Andrew's car was sitting there running.  

For the last 3 hours!

Downhere - HERE I AM

This is one of my all time favorite songs (hummm...this group plays TWO of my favorite songs!) - and it has been speaking to me since it came out.  I can't find a good video of it with the lyrics - so here is the song and they lyrics separate!  (Be sure to pause my music player at the bottom!)

Sometimes Your calling, comes in dream
Sometimes in comes in the Spirit's breeze
You reach for the deepest hope in me
And call out for the things of eternity

But I'm a man, of dust and stains,
You move in me, so I can say

Chorus
Here I am, Lord send me
All of my life, I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan,
Here I am

When setbacks and failures, and upset plans
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands
Are You not the closest when it's hardest to stand
I know that You will finish what You began

And these broken parts You will redeem
Become the song that I can sing

Chorus

Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness
And the fear that I'll fail You in the end
In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces,
I can't put this together but You can

Chorus

Here I Am, all my life an offering to You, to You
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan
Here I am

Seeking God's will...

For the last few weeks I've had something on my heart.  I haven't shared it with everyone yet because it is still in the works.  

But this weekend is decision weekend for us. 

I've wanted to go on a mission trip for some time now.  Recently it's been a stronger pull to do something that is going to make a difference for others.  Not sure if it has something to do with me turning 40 this year - is it a mid life crisis??  Is this something I want to do for me?  For others to see me do?  Or is it God's will?  How do I figure this out?

I'm not sure to some of the answers up there.  I wouldn't call it a mid life crisis by any means.  I know that turning 40 is a moment of crisis for some.  But I am truly the opposite.  I think that being here 40 years is a blessing!  God has something planned for me and I'm still working towards that!  Each day He is working something good in me - changing me.  

Am I doing this just for me?  I think it is clear from people who have gone on a missions trip that missions trips are about helping others - but typically it is the missionary that is blessed.  So in a sense, yes, this is for me - but not in a selfish all about me sense.  I sure hope that makes sense!

Am I doing this for others to see me do?  Sure people will know.  Sure I will share it with everyone.  I am expecting this to be a complete God thing and I'll never be the same.  BUT the purpose of a Christian is not to point to themselves but to point to Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made for each of us. I pray that as I experience this and afterwards I'll never be the same.  That the Holy Spirit will move deep within me and change me in every way. That when I talk to others about this and share  - they will see that it was the work of the Holy Spirit and I am just doing what God wants me to do.

Is this God's will?  I think this one is the hardest.  Learning to step aside my will, my thoughts and desires on this and truly seek if this is from God.  Hard to do.  I WANT to go.  But if this isn't from God then I want no part of it.  

So I've been praying and asking others to pray for a clear decision.  Michael isn't 100% on this yet - he is worried about my safety.  So I'll admit that I have asked others to pray to soften his heart.  BUT I've requested prayers that his heart is softened towards the idea - to consider it, not that I get to go.  Big difference there.  Michael and I have been discussing this for a month now - and he said that he is honestly considering it...he said that "If this is a God thing, who am I to step in the way."

I have a meeting to go to Sunday at after church.  To find out more information about the trip.  Maybe I'll get an answer there if this is the one for me.  Maybe I get some information that will give Michael some peace.  There is lots to consider, lots to discuss and lots to pray about.  

So I ask that you pray for God's will on this as well.  

I leave this in His hands.

Sitting at Nikie's

Well, the sink seems to be holding it's own.   I'll put stuff back under the cabinet tomorrow - so that makes it officially fixed!

It's been a busy week!  Bible Study Monday night was awesome. It's a study on Peter.  How he dropped everything to follow Jesus.  His family's living (fishing) two boats full of fish. He didn't make any excuses...he knew Jesus was the promised Messiah.  Unfortunately I am still holding onto excuses of why I struggle turning every aspect of my life over to Him. 

We had a few table discussion questions and the one I liked best was when we meet Peter, what one question would you like to ask him.  Most of the ladies said they want to ask him how he felt when he deined Jesus 3 times or how it felt when Jesus asked him 3 times if he loved Him.  I went a little different route.  I would thank Peter for being so human.  He was impulsive, he was passionate, he spoke before he thought, he was always offering what he thought best and he never really saw the big picture.  I'm just like Peter.  Yet Jesus loved him. Jesus saw past his faults.  Jesus forgave him. I see so much of myself in Peter - maybe that is why I am so geared up for this study!  I'll keep you posted on how it goes!

Last night was spent fixing two nights worth of dinners. I'm at Nikie's house tonight as I type this.  Her and Mike are out for a night out so I'm here with the kids.  So I fixed a big dinner for the boys last night to last two nights.  Nikie fixed chili for us and now I'm baking for the blood drive tomorrow at work.  Brownies and banana nut muffins.  The blood center provides snacks, but I usually get a turn out for goodies.  I'll be stitching in a bit - I almost have this project done.  More details to follow! 

Tomorrow night I'm going to the auction with Daddy.  That is our regular thing to do together.  I hardly buy stuff (except THIS experience) but I'm looking for that one item for my kitchen.  Kinda an stand alone island so I can store things. I have NO storage in my kitchen. And that I enjoy my time with daddy. I might try to see if I can work it out so I can leave early and he and I can go to dinner before hand!

Nothing planned this weekend.  Just the cleaning that I didn't do last weekend.  And laundry...and...and...and...

Well, I'm outta here tonight  - I'm gonna stitch and watch American Idol with the kids.  I only watch the beginning when the people can't sing...makes me laugh!  Nikie put the air mattress up for me tonight (and apparently the kitten as well) but I forgot my pillow at home.  I love my pillow.  It is a thin as a pancake...but I love my pillow.  Hopefully it's not a long night!!!

Insomnia sucks.

Day two with insomnia.

I was up about 3:30 this morning - unable to sleep.  I think it is part of PMS.  I used to get insomnia really bad (back when I was only having 3 or 4 cycles a year) and I kinda think it is coming  back.  Not being regular throws me off.  Either way, I'll be taking some Midol PM tonight!

It threw my day off yesterday.  I finally fell asleep on the couch at 7am and woke up at 10:30 - so much for church.  Drat.  It's nice to say I REALLY like going to church and Sunday school and I miss it when we don't go.  Andrew needed to type up a report for school so we went up to Schmidt so he could type it up.  We don't have the proper program at home on the iMAC.  We decided we'd get it with our tax check (as well as new flooring!)

We had a game day during the Colts game (Go Colts!) - we played electronic Monopoly. Since Monopoly is such a long game we set a time limit  - when the Colts game was over our game was over.  I'm proud to say that I won!  Well, I had the most money so that makes you a winner...right?

Michael was happy but sad when the Colts won.  They went to the Superbowl 3 years ago and that was our last happy memory with Nana.  She was released from the hospital on Saturday to go home for the weekend to start chemo on Wednesday.  A week and two days later she was dead.  It's gonna be a long couple of weeks...can you please keep him in your prayers?

I'm excited to go to Bible Study tonight.  We are starting a new study on Peter.  Oh wow...how cool is that!  It's every other week for the next 3 months.  I'm pretty excited!

OH OH OH!!!  I know a few of you are aware of something that I'm praying about for September!  I hope to have an update on that by next Sunday!  Keep the prayers coming!  I'll share it all as soon as it is official!  Whoot Whoot!

Today marks one official week with no coke.  Yup!  =)  The craving was worst on Friday and a little on Saturday.  It's not that I can NEVER have one again.  But until I feel like I am over the addiction part I'm staying away!!

That's it for this morning!  It's 5:43 and I'm gonna go get into the shower!

May you be blessed as you go about your day.  Take the time to listen for God speaking to you - May it be in the birds, your children or the sun on your face.  Be still and listen!

I think I can...I think I can...

I'm feeling a little tickled with myself.  I was out and about (if you call 3 trips to Lowes out and about) all day Saturday and I didn't get a coke.  Nope.  I even when to McDonalds for a sausage/egg/cheese McMuffin for breakfast and got a small coffee instead of a coke!  I ALMOST ordered a coke  - but that was more out of habit instead of desire.  Ok. That's a lie.  I wanted a coke really really bad!  And between my house and Lowes I pass 4 McDonalds.  One way...each trip.  So that was 24 chances to stop and get an icy cold, delicious McDonalds fountain coke....  =)

AND....

On my way to Lowes (the first time) I stopped at Hobby Lobby to get some floss for a cross stitching project.  I let Michael pick what I was making this time (pictures to follow soon) but I was missing 5 colors. So I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up my 5 colors.  And I looked at the clearance items....and I looked at the pattern books and I looked at more floss and I looked at stitching kits...and...and...and....   =)

BUT I DID GOOD!  I walked out with only my 5 colors!  See....  Here is the proof!! (and a small snippet of my newest project!)

It may not seem like much, but the sacrifice the boys made for me last week kept me determined to spend my gas money on gas which I will get on the way to church today (yes, it's 6am, been up since 4, can't sleep) since gas is usually at least 15 cents cheaper on the gallon at the Emerson exit.

Just wanted to share the good news.  A special thanks to Margie and my boys.  It's only baby steps now, but I'm doing it!  Thanks for being my cheerleaders!

Something "exciting"...

Not really exciting, but something!

Operation replace bathroom sink piping will shortly be underway.

The joys of being a homeowner.  Right?

What was once a small occasional drip turned into a complete mess today.  Our bathroom sink drain pipe wore through a hole.  A big hole.  See!! Honest - there was hardly a drip before Saturday morning!

Yup.  I took pictures of it.  And I took my camera to Lowes to show them what I needed.  They appreciated my pictures as I described under the sink and my problem. The only info I didn't have was the size of my pipes.  1 1/4 inch or 1 1/2 inch.  So I bought both.  Might as well - I can return the one I don't need.

Plumber Andrew was a huge help.

We worked so hard to get this fixed - looked like it was fixed in about 20 minutes.  Only to find  drip.  So we tried and tried again to no avail.  Upon further examination the PVC replacement J pipe was was more like "J" with a crick in the bottom and not like a smooth bottom like a "U" - so I went back to Lowes to return the PVC replacement parts we bought  - and I took our original pipe.  The plumbing lady took me back and handed me what I needed.  I questioned the size - it didn't look like the pipe that connected to the sink drain wasn't long enough compared to our old pipe.  Came home, tried to hook it up and this is the problem:

I just wanted to cry.  I just knew at the store it wasn't long enough.  So this time I took more pictures and took them with me.  Only to have the same plumbing lady tell me I was missing a part.

Ok...that was just a little too much.  I showed her again exactly what we took off and compared it to what she told me I needed and it was not the same.  I told her thanks anyhow and let her walk away (as I was mumbling under my breath about the lack of customer service and all that) - I spent another 15 minutes looking and finally I found  what I needed.  The exact part.

I hate bad customer service.  Please don't pretend that you know everything...it is ok to admit that you don't know or to think outside of the box to find a solution.  Grrrr.

Operation fix the piping under the bathroom sink is done.  3 trips to Greenwood Lowes, total time about 4 hours.

So I treated myself to a double dip Chocolate Chip icecream cone from Baskin Robbins. DELICIOUS!

What a great way to spend a Saturday.

Not.

It's finally Saturday!

Busy couple of days!

 

Papa called the other day and told us he had raccoons in the house.  He's fixed a hole above the sun porch at least 1/2 a dozen times, but they are in and were having a party in the subfloor between the two stories.  He could hear them running from the front porch to the back!

So I got some information for him and he called a Critter place.  They've already caught one male raccoon.  Since it is mating season for them, we need to get the female out of there or the males will continue to come visit her.  The critter guy found evidence of a previous nest as well as a bat infestation.  The bats are gone right now to warmer weather but they'll be back.  So they guy is going to clean up that mess and fix the air vents where the bats are getting in.   With the raccoons he has to catch them all and then clean up and then fix.  It's obvious in one place where they get in, but possibly 3 other places.  

Thursday night we went to Kenny's 18th birthday party!  We met at IHOP and had a nice time. Found out yesterday that Kenny plans on joining the Marines on Monday.  I don't like his decision, but I'll support and let him know I"m proud of him!  I just worry in this day and age about any of my loved ones joining the military.  =(  Joe's daughter Kristian will be leaving for the Navy in June.  It's just so hard with Kenny because he has literally been a part of my immediate family.  We love him like our own.  Andrew and Kenny have known each other since they were 3 & 4 and has spent many many nights here.  I just pray that God continues to make His path clear for Kenny.  

Day 6, no cokes.  

Well, as long as I make it through today no cokes!  Today will be the hardest - my first Saturday.  I did good at work - didn't even really crave them (well, yesterday I did!)  But it's not unusual for me to stop and get a coke while I am out and about.  So I'm determined to drive RIGHT BY McDonalds today.

Not much planned today.  Cleaning.  I might go to a friends house tonight to watch a movie with her but that is it for today. Church tomorrow and then the Colts game.  It's gonna be warm today but that makes it too muddy to go geocaching.  Rain tomorrow.  I can't tell you the last time we had sunshine.  Sigh...I love the sunshine.

That's it for about now...I'll post if anything exciting happens this weekend!

Gas Elves!!

So you know Michael and I are on a budget.  We get the same amount of $$ each week for gas/lunches/spending money.  I have a love/hate relationship with my budget.

Well, last Friday I spent most of my weekly budget at JoAnn's.  Tuesday we went to dinner with Papa and Michael noticed my gas guage was almost on empty.  He mentioned I needed gas and I confessed that I spent most of my money at JoAnn's and that I would be fine.  It is 3 miles one way to work.  I would make it to Friday - but it will be close.  I did put $5.00 of gas in on Tuesday morning, but wasn't enough to reset the gas guage. 

Remember this post?

Or this one?  =)

Staying on a buget is hard for me, and once I have to push my car to the gas station I think it'll be just what I need to NOT spend my gas money.

But have I told you lately my boys are amazing?

So last night, I came home from work and the boys had made dinner and they even did the dishes afterwards!  Then Andrew asked if he could take my car to take Cocoa to the park to run.  Both boys have leather seats in their cars so Cocoa is only allowed in my car.  They left and when they got back Cocoa was a very happy puppy. 

 

This morning I get in the car to come to work and Andrew (and Cocoa) are at the door like usual watching me go.  I reset my seat and mirrors and release the park break.  The next thing I know my display shows 101 miles till empty!  The gas elf came last night!  I rolled down my window and asked Andrew if the gas elf came last night.  He was all smiles and said "YUP!  It was dad's idea" - but it was their teamwork that pulled it off.

 
Feeling mightly loved by my boys!  Feeling blessed today.

New stitching project!

So I found a design in one of my cross-stitching books that I liked...bright and colorful.  I wanted to make a thank you card for someone here at work who did something very nice for me. I changed the wording in the original pattern from "Enjoy Life!" to "Thank You!" and then made it into a card.  Now it didn't come out exactly like I wanted (I'm not sure WHAT I wanted) - but I'm pleased with the results. 

The stitching has a backing on it - so she can remove it and use it as a bookmark, or post it somewhere or even put a magnet on the back as well.  The card itself was completely white - so I used some of my "crafting paper" (tee hee...that still cracks me up) from JoAnn's and made the card.  I don't have all the cool supplies that they have out there, so I used an exacto knife to cut my paper to size.  That is a LOT of work!

Anyhow - here it is!  I'll give it to her in a bit.  I wanted to put it on her desk before she got in - but that didn't happen! 

A Servants Heart....

Andrew came to me the other night and mentioned that he had bought the extra rotisserie chickens at work and given them to the homeless he passes on the way home.

Andrew and I have often talked about the homeless and how to help.  Giving money is usually a bad idea.  As God's children we are called to help those in need...but how?  I struggle with this as well.  My heart hurts but never knowing the right thing to do.  We have volunteered at Wheeler mission off and on since he was about 5. We spent many days there serving up food and hopefully smiles. We've had many talks about the homeless - the circumstances that possibly got them there (drugs, alcohol and other issues) and that there are some who actually chose to stay this way.   ButAndrew has always had a tender heart for others. He has always looked out for the underdog. He has always hurt for those who are hurting. I think helping the homeless is a great idea. But there are all kinds of issues. Safety is my number one concern. Desperate people do desperate things. Secondly, the chicken isn't very practical. Full of protein yes, but not easy to keep/transport for the homeless. It's expensive too. Three chickens would cost about $20.00. I told him it's a great idea, maybe we can tag team and then come up with something.

Now I don't believe in coincidence. I believe in Godincidence (or a God thing). I've been involved in the blog world for probably two years. Reading and following certain blogs. Clicking on blogs of other blogs...it's a neat world! But to come across exactly what I needed within two days of talking to Andrew. That is a God thing!

this is what I found:

Homemade care packages.  Water, peanut butter crackers, hand warmers, something sweet, tissues - anything that you think will work.  Something that says we care. 

Pleaese go to this link for the story behind it.  That is perfect - something we can keep in our cars and hand out quickly and eaisly.  And very doable!  So Andrew and I have agreed to get the stuff, split the cost, make bags and then hand them out together.  So that is our game plan!  I'll let you know how it goes!

Addictions...

They say the first part of recovery to an addiction is admission.

My name is Tricia Smith and I'm an addict.

I gave this some serious thought and I can pinpoint 3 addictions in my life. The first one is obvious. Coke. I love to drink cokes. I love fountain cokes. I love McDonalds fountain cokes. Enough said.

What makes this an addiction vs. a favorite? It was pointed out to me this weekend by my boys. I was cranky, a joke was made that I needed a coke. Andrew went and got me a coke and shortly afterwards my attitude changed. I've always enjoyed cokes...and I gave them up the whole time I was pregnant with Andrew and since then I've done it off and on since then for months at a time. I know they aren't good for me, the sugar, the caffeine, the sugar...but I love cokes anyhow.

So today is officially day THREE with no cokes. Been there/done this before - I know the HEADACHE will hit tomorrow. But I know life is about choices. I am choosing this moment to make a change - to get over this addiction to cokes and start a new healthier life - coke free. I'm increasing my water - it's not that I mind water...it's just not a coke. =) I'll keep you posted on how things go.

The second one is shopping. Not clothes or shoes or anything like that. Mostly I am a grocery shopper, but I can also so some damage at JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby and Michael's. I love to stock up on good deals. Compare prices. Have everything at my fingertips in the kitchen. I'm not sure where this stems from, but it MIGHT be from growing up. I remember when dad got paid once a month - we'd go shopping - two carts FULL. But come month end, the cabinets were always low. Now, don't get me wrong, my mom did an AMAZING job. 8 people - one income. She made meals on miracles I tell you! She could make something stretch to feed all of us and we were full. We never went without. But I think seeing the low cabinets, or being hungry for something certain and it wasn't there kinda stuck with me. So my cabinets are never empty - in fact, my cup cabinet over floweth. We have groceries stored in the old fridge downstairs. There is no reason I have 8 boxes of oatmeal down there (except that they were on sale for $1.50 a box - for Quaker Cinnamon and Spice! My favorite) - but EIGHT BOXES?? Anyhow, to make a long story short, I've found a blog which basically encourages you to eat from your pantry - well part of the blog anyhow. Learn to shop and cook on sales. Make due with what you have. I haven't read it all the way through yet, but she has some good thoughts and ideas for me to think about. And I've been honest before about how much I hate budgeting but I know it works. So this is an extension to that.

My third thing is wasting time. Be it stitching, FB games, RCT3...whatever. I heard someone point out recently that once time is gone - you never get it back. Ouch. What will Andrew remember from his childhood about me? I know he is not neglected. And we do stuff together all the time. But what kind of example am I setting for him for his future wife? Or what example are Michael and I setting as parents? Now this may be a little too deep here - but is something that is on my heart and I wanted to put it down in writing. I want Andrew to remember the moments we spent together as a family doing things. We do game nights a lot, and have a bunch of fun - that's what I want for him. A legacy to pass on to his kids. Andrew is a Junior (oh my gosh, that is hard to type!) and our time together as a family is short. I'm thankful for all the memories, pictures, video's we have to help us remember it all. I do wish I'd started a journal (or now a days a blog) to remember it all! I guess I'm just saying that I need to be conscience of my time and how it is directed.

So there it is. Three things I want to change about me. Three things that tend to control my life.  Three addictions. 

At the Great Banquet last spring I heard this quote:

"Whatever you spend your time, money and thoughts on are what is most important to you"

- so are my cravings for cokes (regardless of my health), my over shopping (regardless of our budget) and doing stuff (focusing on other things) most important to me?

Not anymore....

Just over 6 months...

Till I turn 40.  Wow!  And you know what, I can honestly say that it doesn't bother me!  There is the old saying like "Better to have birthday's than not have them anymore" and stuff like that, but to me I think it is a blessing that I have been here this long!  40 amazing years!  Life has been a roller coaster ride but you know what?  I love roller coasters!

So as my birthday approaches, I'm looking to do something to mark my 40th.  Something meaningful.  I have an idea that I would love to pursue, but at this time I haven't convinced Michael of it - Just for safety's sake.  We talked it out and at this point I choose to respect his wishes.  Will he change his mind, I don't know.  Do I wish he would... certainly!

If you think of something that you think I would enjoy - something that is "me" - be sure to let me know!

In the meantime, I'll pray that God opens Michael's heart to consider my idea.

And join me as I count down the days!!

Sick of the cold and snow!

I think that pretty much sums it up!  We've not had a day above freezing since the end of December sometime.  Today is January 11th.  Rumor is that we will be above freezing Wednesday or Thursday of this week.  Not soon enough!

It has given me the opportunity to do a lot of stitching this weekend!  A dear friend at work has a lot on her plate - so I made this one for her:

It didn't take me long, well, after I took out everything I did Friday night it didn't take me long.  I've got to stop stitching when I'm tired!  I made a home made card for her as well.   I forgot to take a picture of the back, but it is lined with a very delicate white pattern.

This bookmark:

I bought off of a stitcher in Canada.   She sold this one on the internet and I fell in love with it.  The one I bought for me I actually gave to a friend who helped me though a rough time.  So then I bought another one for me.  I used it as a template to make a few more just like this for friends as Christmas gifts this year.  And then I finally found the actual pattern on Ebay.  So now my bookmark is finally in my bible.  I'm looking forward to making more bookmarks for friends and family.  She is also the lady that makes the corner bookmarks that I stitch.   I bought a bunch from her so that I have a variety to pick from so I can pick just the right one to make for my friends. My goal is still to make a bunch for the Great Banquet!

Speaking of my bible - Dad gave me mom's bible.  Actually Tim and Dee bought mom her bible and when dad gave it to me I called and asked Tim & Dee if they minded.  I had the bible cover made for her so that is why dad thought I gave her the bible.  I'm SO TICKLED to have her bible.  I need to get it rebound - everything from Romans to Revelations is lose.  But it is such an honor to see what she highlighted, what notes she wrote and what was important to her.   So anyhow, my bookmark is with my bible now!

Michael is pretty blue again.  The 3 year anniversary for his mom's death is February 18th. His dad is pretty much in the same pattern so Michael is having trouble relating/talking/spending time with him.  Not sure what to do.  Not sure what I am supposed to do.  I do know I need to be there for Michael and support him.  And pray.  For both of them.

Speaking of dads....I spend Friday evening with Daddy.  We watching Changling.  GOOD MOVIE!  Now you know I don't watch "R" rated movies - and to be honest I didn't realize this was an R rated movie when I went to over to watch it.  Well, I have to eat my words.   That was an AWESOME movie.  And it was a true movie.  So then I got it for us to watch as a family last night.  Even the boys enjoyed it.  I wish the language was better in it, but it was still a very good movie.

That is it for tonight.  I'm the queen of laundry tonight.  I  could kick myself in the butt for falling behind but I'll be caught up tomorrow night!

In the meantime, may the Love of the Savior warm your heart and soul!  May His love for you surround you and comfort you each day!!

Promised Pictures

Here is one side of the bookmark I made for a friend. I'm just experimenting with this style of bookmark. The seam is on the side, so you can stitch on the back of the bookmark.

Like this:

Actually this was the front at first. Not sure it matters! And then I'm practicing on lining it. Usually I stitch the lining in place, but this time I used Heat Bond to get it to stay:

I did blue on the side with the letter and purple on the side with the star. It was hard to get an exact triangle shape, so I'll keep working on that.

I didn't get the small bookmark done last night (see previous post about wet hair and the library) so I'm going to work on it as I finish my lunch and hopefully get the backing on it tonight.

Wet hair and the library...

So last night I check with Andrew on the progress of his homework. His response was good but he needed to get on the computer - I told him to do that soon because dad wanted the computer.
I went and took a bath. A nice, hot relaxing bath. But a short, hot relaxing bath. About the time I turn the water off I can hear Michael and Andrew in the living room discussing his homework. It went something like this:

"How's it going buddy"

"Good" (yes, we have a teenager in the house. Conversations are dwindling down to one word answers)

"Got all the answers you need?"

"Ummm....not yet"

This went on for about 5 minutes and then the tone changed:

"So you need to go to the library?"

"Ummmm...think so"

"When did you get this assignment?"

"Monday"

"When is it due?"

"Tomorrow"

"And you just now realized you need to go to the library?"

"Yea"

So at this point I look at the clock - 8:15. Crap. I get out of the bath and get dressed. This needs some mom intervention.

I get out there and look at Andrew's assignment. They specifically wanted him to go use the library catalog to find some answers. We jumped on the library website and get all but one section. This does requires a trip to the library. The central library downtown since all the branches are closed by now.

It's 8:25 now. The central library closes at 9. We live less than 10 minutes from the library. I said, "let's go" to Andrew and out the door we go. I would usually have Andrew just go by himself - but he's in a rush, going downtown where he is unfamiliar and well, downtown. Our downtown is usually a safe place to go - but the mom sense kicked in and I tell him I was driving.
Mind you, I just got out of the bath. Hair is wet and to be honest, my clothes are sticking to my body. I run a brush through my wet hair and out the door we go. We get there, go right to the information desk and ask where to go. Our library is new...and big:



Yea, that whole thing is our library. The old part in front and the new glass part in back. Hence the visit to the information desk. We are directed to the 3rd floor to the right - to another information desk. Very friendly people help us to the right section - to the right book. He grabs it, gets his information and we are out in 10 minutes. 10 minutes to get home and we are home by 9pm. A great big thank you from Andrew and a promise to buy me breakfast one morning.

Deal!

Laughing again

Sometimes you never realize how blue you are until you finally laugh again. I noticed this once before, years and years ago. I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) - one of the symptoms is the lack of cycles. Andrew was probably 7 or so - I hadn't had a cycle in about 3 months. With that comes a build up of PMS. And for me that also means insomnia. Anyhow, I didn't realize how depressed I was until I laughed. It was over watermelon seeds, but I laughed. I laughed until I was in tears. It was a blessing to laugh!

Today was one of those days for me! I was a lunch with a friend and she told me a story that had me ready to choke on my lunch! In fact, as I was retelling the story I had trouble getting it out because I was laughing again! It's amazing the difference I feel having just laughed! Life seems simpler, a little less grey. Again, I didn't realize (or was in denial) about how down I was. I was attributing it to the lack of stuff I got done around the house while I was on vacation last week, but in my heart I think I was just blue.

Maybe laughter should be my a New Years resolution for me. Allowing the feel good to come out and well, feel good!

As far as my resolutions...well, I think I know the changes I want to make. And thanks to a special friend today (Thanks Margie!) I feel encouraged and positive on at least one of them! So that is my first step. I also want to get back to the gym in the mornings, but by golly...it's COLD out there! It's really hard to get out of bed in the mornings when it is so close to zero out there! Even though we keep our bedroom cold (yes, COLD) - it's really hard to get out of the house to the gym! So I was thinking about going after work. Or just wait for the weather to break!

I still can't get my camera to upload. I think it is my SD card. I'll take it into work tomorrow and try to get the pictures to upload on my lunch. Especially since I pack my lunch now I have plenty of time to work on it! I have a few pictures of bookmarks to upload and hopefully I'll have my next small bookmark done tonight! Keep your eye out!

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009! With Tanner the kitty guarding the gifts! At our house, only the gifts wrapped in Santa paper are from Santa - all the other gifts are from us to each other. In fact, Michael got one gift this year that was "To Michael From Best Buy" - Nana used to always put fun things like that on the tags. My favorite gift was my Express 1, 2, 3 that I got! It was from an infomercial that I watched one night when I couldn't sleep! It was a surprise from Michael! Andrew got me my new alarm clock since I kinda broke mine. I couldn't adjust the volume and none of the stations came in well. Could be due to the fact is was a wedding gift, but probably more due to the fact that I smacked it at least once a day for my snooze button! It was rather abused that is for sure! I also got my Casting Crowns CD that I'd been wanting! I must have been a good girl this year! Who knew!?

Christmas was kinda quiet. Usually the afternoon is spent with Andrew building all kinds of Lego's. This year I couldn't find the ones he wanted so there weren't any being put together during the day. He had a nice enough Christmas, but it kinda hit home with Michael and I that our boy is growing up!

Well, my goals/New Year's Resolution aren't done yet. Didn't touch them. But I will...I'm sure. Can you make it a goal to do your goals??? =) It's more of just sitting down to do them. I will...soon.

It's Saturday night, Andrew is at work, Michael is playing poker. Just me and Cocoa. Gave me time to finish up my bookmark for my friend. Hummm.....for some reason my camera won't connect to the computer - I'll have to upload them tomorrow night!

The boys have me hooked on Dr. Who. BBCA has been running a marathon for 48 hours now and I'm rather hooked. They've explained it to me at parts but for the most part I've got it. The season finale is on now - I'm taping it for the boys.

Got the tree down last night. And Andrew and I went to the pawn shop and got us a new TV. Andrew's TV died about the same time we got an entertainment center (finally! We got rid of ours 3 years ago in the almost move) - but our TV didn't fit in the entertainment center. Long story short, the living room TV is going in Andrew's room (games and video's only - no cable) and we put the TV we got today in the entertainment center. Unfortunately it didn't come with a remote. AND...Direct TV doesn't recognize this TV so we have to physically turn in on/off and adjust the volume. Gosh, it feels like it did 30 years ago when WE were the remote!!! But for now it is good. We'll just have to go get a universal remote.

Tomorrow is the last day for me and my vacation. Michael's started today. He couldn't get the same week off as us this year. But that is ok...I know he'll enjoy some time to himself.

That's about it for tonight. I'm gonna curl up on the couch with Cocoa and do another bookmark. I'm working on the same time, just made differently (the seam is down the back instead of the side) - I want to see which one holds better. I'll get this one finished and pictures taken soon. Oh yea...I'm gonna work on my goals too.... =)

Till tomorrow.

Be Blessed!

New Year's Resolutions

One of the things we do at Schmidt is make goals each year during our Career Pathing. They just can't be anything...they have to be S.M.A.R.T goals with action plans:

S - Specific

M - Measurable

A - Action plans

R - Realistic

T - Time Table

So each of our goals has to have the plan above included in them. I've found that it works. If a goal isn't specific enough you'll never reach it. You need to have measurable steps to reach that goal. Having an action plan - things that have to be done to reach that goal. It has to be realistic. Saying I'm going to be back to my wedding weight by September isn't really realistic. And then those steps broken down by a time table. Here it is in action:

Goal - lose my weight by September.

SMART Goal -

S - I want to weight XXX lbs by September (sorry - not sharing)

M - Each Month I need to lose XX lbs

A -

1. Going to the gym 5 days a week for an hour each (mornings)
2. Being coke free by the end of January (this triggers another action plan - how am I going to accomplish this?)
3. Cutting each portion size down to standard recommended measured amounts (research needed to find those amounts and use measuring tools for this
4. Choosing healthy foods - Change my habits in every way
5. Cooking healthy foods - Change my shopping habits

R - Check those goals. Are they realistic? Can I really be coke free by the end of January? YES!

T - Set each step to a timetable. Not just coke free by the end of January, but to have the research done by Sunday so that I start off right this year!

See how it works? It's not hard, just takes time to get it all thought out. As you can see, sometimes one goal triggers another SMART plan.

Sooo....I'm working on some SMART goals and plan to have them done today/tomorrow. Keep your eye out!