ENJOY!

What a word! Just in a matter of a few minutes this word has changed my mood. It is my word for 2009. I think the last two years I've had focus as my word. I still need to focus, but I may be doing it too much.

The last year has been a rough one. My dad died at the beginning of January from lung cancer at age 69, I turned 40, my nearly 17 yr old dog died, our basement got water in it after a huge amount of rain, and my maternal grandmother died at age 88. I didn't think I would be someone who dwelled on milestone birthdays. Turning 40 was just going to be another birthday, no big deal. With all these devastating events though, it has been hard for me not to associate it with turning 40.

I'm looking forward to a new year. I intend to enjoy it. I'm going to enjoy being a wife, mother, aunt, daughter, child of God, and friend. I'm going to enjoy going to work, doing my work, going places with my family, going places with my friends, and being in good health. I have so much to be thankful for and so many blessings in my life. I know what they are, but now I want to enjoy them and I will.

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

I can't believe it's December 4th already. Actually I can! Things are incredibly hectic right now as they are for most of us this time of year. Brody has had chamber choir practice early every day this week. Then add in his daily basketball, confirmation class last night, basketball game tonight and his choir concert on Saturday. Whew! Josie has her program tonight as well.

Last night I wrapped and wrapped presents. It's going quite well. I only have a few more things to wrap and a few more things to buy and wrap :) I think I'm ahead of the game this year. How odd is that!

Oh and has anyone seen my cord to my camera so I can get pictures off of it?

PANIC! and 3 a.m.

I'll try to right a little, but it seems the more I focus on my anxiety the worse it gets at the moment. Yep, I'm just going to drop it at the moment.

I'm trying to meditate (or at least read over and over) on the Bible verse "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 Over and over....I'm hoping it will help. It's so hard when your body doesn't follow your mind. Sharing this spiritual side of me is a bit unnerving. Religion has always been such a private subject with me. Now I find great comfort from revealing this side of myself.

Ok, even though my mind races a mile a minute, I can't even come close to typing that fast. Mostly I'm just trying to calm my body.

Ahhhhh......silence

Just wanted to post one of my favorite things in this world. The utter quietness when everyone in my family has gone to bed. I've been tightly wound the past few days, so this moment is just what I need. I'm watching my tivo'd Desperate Housewives, enjoying a bud light lime, and unwinding before bed. Nothing like a little blogging to unload my brain as well.

ta ta

Hmmmm....

can't seem to come up with any catchy titles today. I've been busy taking my mom to doctors appointments. She's had five nosebleeds in the 2 weeks. Hopefully they have come to an end since she was taken off plavix, a blood thinner. She's also having to deal with her elderly mother. I'm trying to be someone she can lean on.

Today I sold a few rubberstamp sets at a friend's garage sale. I hung out there all morning. This evening I did a bit of sorting of junk in our basement. I made a little headway and am trying to convince myself I made progress. There's still plenty more to do down there. Maybe if I put in 20 minutes each day, I'll be able to see more progress.

That's all folks!

what to do...

Wow! I didn't post for all of September. I know there are things to do around here. So far today, I've accomplished going to church, eating breakfast, and napping. My nap lasted as long as 1/2 a night's sleep for me. I guess having two late nights wore me out.

Friday night was my group therapy session of scrapbooking. I made a couple of Halloween cards for something. On Saturday, I hung out at Mary's house with Mary and Trish. We had an awesome crafting session. We made a couple of albums and a Halloween garland that says boo. The entire time we had movies on to entertain us. It was such a nice time and a break for me that couldn't have come at a better time. I'll have to post a picture of the garland when I get it put up. I have high hopes of making Thanksgiving and Christmas garlands as well. It would make fun gifts too.

I discovered yesterday that I'm in love with glimmer mist! I guess that's a good thing since I have about 7 bottles!! It was funny this weekend as I was going through my scrapbooking totes. I discovered 3 bottles of glimmer mist tucked away, a couple of jars of crackle paint, and some cute embellishments for Halloween. Unfortunately, I also discovered that I bought a stamp set that I already owned. That's what happens when you overbuy and don't know what you already own. Ok, I'm off to accomplish something. Maybe I'll finish marking garage sale stuff for a friend's garage sale next weekend. I'm sure I could find more to put in the sale also. TTFN

productivity!

Yes! The garage is getting there. I can get my car pulled in. I'd still like to purge some more things. We got a good start, and it looks good. Part of the time I just didn't have anything I could do. Jamie was a little touchy when I asked him if I could do something. For instance, I asked if I could empty three Cella wine boxes of the cassette tapes they held. I didn't get a very nice look, so I'm sure they're still out there.

Anyway, yesterday I pulled together some recipes to make ahead for future use. I stopped at the grocery store on the way home and spent nearly $150 on groceries. Yikes! I don't think I've done that much grocery shopping in a long time. Today I finished shopping for the meat and spent another $50. Since I couldn't help in the garage, I came inside and put the meals together. Two of the recipes were as easy as putting chicken breasts in a bag with a marinade I mixed up. The other chicken recipe was a Mexican casserole. I also made a Mexican beef casserole and a pizza pasta casserole which actually made two! I still have one more chicken marinade recipe to do, but we had to get one more package of chicken, and one more beef recipe. I am tired from all my hard work in the kitchen. Do you know how many dishes need to be done after a cooking marathon such as this? Too many! It will be nice to have a few things ready as the kids' schedules get busier.

I'm not sure what is on the agenda for productivity tomorrow, but I need to come up with something. For now, I rest :)