I have this thing with dates. I remember almost everything related to milestone dates, and there are many dates that are "anniversaries of the heart" for me. As they approach, I remember the events and feelings associated with them, and I ponder them and commemorate them in turn, depending on what they are. Some dates as they approach I dread, because they were so hard, so painful, and even though they are long past, the ache of them remains and I don't know how to let that go.
Today is one such date, because it is the day my dad died. I am not going to turn this into an ode to him, or a long drawn out rememberance. I just want to say that I loved him, that I miss him still, and that I am so grateful he was given the opportunity by God to be sure all his loose ends were tied off before he left us. My dad's death is the middle of the trilogy of dates that make up my personal season of darkness. They start with Carol the end of August, peak with my Dad the beginning of November, then culminate with Christmas day, which is when Jim walked out on the kids and I. As the days then move towards spring, I feel myself lighten and breathe easier. I am not sure why these dates hold such power over me! They are all long passed, and I now have some happier moments which can replace these hurtful memories. Still, it is something almost totally visceral. I feel it deep inside me as those days approach, even when I am not consciously remembering the dates... They were major losses to me that changed the direction of my life irrevokably, but it confuses me as to why they still affect me so profoundly, given it is now 12 and 15 years after the fact.
Having said that, my goal is to have a good day today. I am taking the boys, and possibly Brie, to the bowling alley this morning; I am taking my school books with me as well (but leaving the laptop home--trying to write there didn't work so well); I will get some writing done when I get home and post what I can. Then it is time to go to work. Eric will be sleeping the better part of the day (I hope anyway); and when I get home from work tonight I think I am going to cross stitch for a while, just to handle my fibers and threads for a bit. The sun is shining, it's going to be in the low 70's, and I pray it will be a good day.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Friday's musings.
It has been a long week. I work all weekend, as does Eric, and I have accomplished a lot on my days off, but I am behind on my homework assignments for the week and that is really bothering me. I have gotten bogged down in the details of homelife and I have allowed my stressors to overpower my common sense. I need to buckle down tonight and play catchup, which sucks, because I really like my Friday night TV--especially Ghost Whisperer and Medium. Numbers, I have heard, have numbered days and they may be bringing back Flashpoint, which I really like and was sad they had dropped. Oh well, I have to do what I have to do!
I worked today and it was so slow at first, then got wild. Not sure what everyone is buying, but they were shopping! I worked 8-1, then I had to run to the mall; one of my pairs of glasses was in, and I am happy to have them. They are wonderful! I see things so clearly now, and I am just in awe at how nice it is to see clearly. The other pair I ordered had the lenses come in, but one lens was pitted/flawed so they had to return it and have it remade. Still, one pair is better than none, and I am satisfied. Then I had to make a run to T-mobile to get a new phone, as Rei closed Cliff's car door on his and broke the screen. Not being able to see text messages or phone numbers is the end of the world for a 15 year old, so I gave in and got the phone I really wanted and gave him my 2 month old one. It hurt to have to pay full price for a phone (he didn't qualify for an upgrade until May, and I used mine in August) but we both have something we want, and I am grateful I was able to do it. Now I am done with spending for awhile (a good long while) and while I had hoped to buy an Asian Ball Jointed Doll (there is one I have fallen in love with) a phone was a priority whereas a doll isn't. I will get the doll eventually I hope.
The shooting at Fort Hood yesterday hit really close to home for all of us. Liisa's friend Tesa and her husband are stationed there. Fortunately, Hunter had the day off and was home with her (they live off-post, sharing an apartment with some friends). We don't know if anyone close to them was affected or not, but being part of a military community things like this are scary for all of us because they could happen anywhere, at any time. We are keeping the folks down there in our prayers. We have a bunch of family members "up north" headed out for deer hunting this weekend as well, so I hope everyone pays attention and stays safe.
Aurora did go to her mother's for the weekend. We had initially said she couldn't go when return transportation was not arranged (it had been suggested we arrange to fly her back from Chicago's O'Hare if we couldn't drive up to get her) but after many heated discussions we were told that she would be brought home Sunday night, and Aurora was told she needed to go. Aurora was very upset she had to miss being a delegate to the Model UN event that was held at Southeastern Missouri University yesterday, as her mom called the school and excused her from attending without consulting with Aurora or any of us. That too had been a sticking point, especially for Aurora, as she had worked really hard to gain her place on the team and she didn't want to miss out on this obligation. Today is her 16th birthday, and I hope she has a happy one. She has been text-messaging with us off and on throughout the day, and is happy that the phone is now hers alone (Patrick bought his own cell phone now that he has a regular pay check and he has is own "bill" on Eric's plan). I truly hope she had a good day today, and that the weekend goes smoothly for her. She really wanted to spend it here at home with friends and family.
Eric is off to work for the night, and is on all weekend 6 pm to 6 am. I too work all weekend: 3-8 tomorrow afternoon/evening, and 1-6 on Sunday. Then I work Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, and I am teaching a class for 3 hours on Saturday morning. Gotta love the girl scouts! I think that will be a lot of fun! 12 scouts, 3 adult helpers, and the troop leader. They are making some things out of polar fleece. Patrick too is working all weekend, and from what I just heard, Brie has plans to go out tonight. Sounds like it's gonna be just Rei and I home tonight for the most part!
Eric and I had a meeting with Rei's case manager at the high school on Thursday afternoon. I felt it went very well and it really helped to reassure me that I am on the right track with things. It also let the school know that Eric and I ARE invested in Rei's education and meeting his needs there at the school. She is going to put in place a meeting for me to set up a behavioral intervention plan for Rei so that he stops being punished for his ADHD (in other words so that there is a process and we are all on the same page). I do NOT have a problem with his being called on the carpet and having consequences for behaviors that are out of line or inappropriate, but being told he cannot draw as a coping mechanism is just not fair--especially if he has nothing else available to him to do in it's stead. I felt the meeting was productive, I voiced my concerns, and I was able to be an advocate for my son. And they too followed through to be sure they are in compliance with his IEP stuff, which is really important to me! As I said at the start, it has been a productive week but it has also been a stressful one.
Pekeiko is in heat again, oh joy... So tired of the yowling! And Midnight is being protective of the bedroom as she stalks it for Batman... Gonna be an interesting night from what I can see! I hope everyone has a good weekend! I know mine is going to continue to be hard on a few levels, but I hope it will continue to be productive...
I worked today and it was so slow at first, then got wild. Not sure what everyone is buying, but they were shopping! I worked 8-1, then I had to run to the mall; one of my pairs of glasses was in, and I am happy to have them. They are wonderful! I see things so clearly now, and I am just in awe at how nice it is to see clearly. The other pair I ordered had the lenses come in, but one lens was pitted/flawed so they had to return it and have it remade. Still, one pair is better than none, and I am satisfied. Then I had to make a run to T-mobile to get a new phone, as Rei closed Cliff's car door on his and broke the screen. Not being able to see text messages or phone numbers is the end of the world for a 15 year old, so I gave in and got the phone I really wanted and gave him my 2 month old one. It hurt to have to pay full price for a phone (he didn't qualify for an upgrade until May, and I used mine in August) but we both have something we want, and I am grateful I was able to do it. Now I am done with spending for awhile (a good long while) and while I had hoped to buy an Asian Ball Jointed Doll (there is one I have fallen in love with) a phone was a priority whereas a doll isn't. I will get the doll eventually I hope.
The shooting at Fort Hood yesterday hit really close to home for all of us. Liisa's friend Tesa and her husband are stationed there. Fortunately, Hunter had the day off and was home with her (they live off-post, sharing an apartment with some friends). We don't know if anyone close to them was affected or not, but being part of a military community things like this are scary for all of us because they could happen anywhere, at any time. We are keeping the folks down there in our prayers. We have a bunch of family members "up north" headed out for deer hunting this weekend as well, so I hope everyone pays attention and stays safe.
Aurora did go to her mother's for the weekend. We had initially said she couldn't go when return transportation was not arranged (it had been suggested we arrange to fly her back from Chicago's O'Hare if we couldn't drive up to get her) but after many heated discussions we were told that she would be brought home Sunday night, and Aurora was told she needed to go. Aurora was very upset she had to miss being a delegate to the Model UN event that was held at Southeastern Missouri University yesterday, as her mom called the school and excused her from attending without consulting with Aurora or any of us. That too had been a sticking point, especially for Aurora, as she had worked really hard to gain her place on the team and she didn't want to miss out on this obligation. Today is her 16th birthday, and I hope she has a happy one. She has been text-messaging with us off and on throughout the day, and is happy that the phone is now hers alone (Patrick bought his own cell phone now that he has a regular pay check and he has is own "bill" on Eric's plan). I truly hope she had a good day today, and that the weekend goes smoothly for her. She really wanted to spend it here at home with friends and family.
Eric is off to work for the night, and is on all weekend 6 pm to 6 am. I too work all weekend: 3-8 tomorrow afternoon/evening, and 1-6 on Sunday. Then I work Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, and I am teaching a class for 3 hours on Saturday morning. Gotta love the girl scouts! I think that will be a lot of fun! 12 scouts, 3 adult helpers, and the troop leader. They are making some things out of polar fleece. Patrick too is working all weekend, and from what I just heard, Brie has plans to go out tonight. Sounds like it's gonna be just Rei and I home tonight for the most part!
Eric and I had a meeting with Rei's case manager at the high school on Thursday afternoon. I felt it went very well and it really helped to reassure me that I am on the right track with things. It also let the school know that Eric and I ARE invested in Rei's education and meeting his needs there at the school. She is going to put in place a meeting for me to set up a behavioral intervention plan for Rei so that he stops being punished for his ADHD (in other words so that there is a process and we are all on the same page). I do NOT have a problem with his being called on the carpet and having consequences for behaviors that are out of line or inappropriate, but being told he cannot draw as a coping mechanism is just not fair--especially if he has nothing else available to him to do in it's stead. I felt the meeting was productive, I voiced my concerns, and I was able to be an advocate for my son. And they too followed through to be sure they are in compliance with his IEP stuff, which is really important to me! As I said at the start, it has been a productive week but it has also been a stressful one.
Pekeiko is in heat again, oh joy... So tired of the yowling! And Midnight is being protective of the bedroom as she stalks it for Batman... Gonna be an interesting night from what I can see! I hope everyone has a good weekend! I know mine is going to continue to be hard on a few levels, but I hope it will continue to be productive...
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Consideration...
Why is consideration such a hard concept to grasp? Consideration for others, consideration for ones-self, consideration for the community, the household, one's neighbors...
I am writing in the abstract today, and being very general, because I need to. But I also need to "think aloud," in print. Life would move along so much more peacefully if people took the concept of consideration to heart. It doesn't mean being a martyr, nor does it mean being totally selfless; it just means taking a look at how one's choices and behaviors affect or impact on the world around you and doing what is necessary to prevent it from being hugely negative. It's the little things in life, like picking up after ones-self, or making a phone call when plans change. It's making a determination about who's needs are more important, and understanding why they should even be taken into consideration! It's communication, and taking the extra step. Sometimes it's just being responsible and following through with one's obligations instead of procrastinating, justifying, or excusing... A little consideration goes a long way towards smoothing rough situations, and it generally takes so little effort to do...
I have been told I am a very considerate person, and I have been called inconsiderate on more than one occasion. I try to follow through with what I say, and I try to be thoughtful of other's and their needs/wants/property or beliefs. I am not always successful, but I do try my best, and I would hope that counts for something in the long run. I try to set a good example for the kids, and I try hard to practice what I preach. It would be so nice to see others take a similar stance. (Although, as I use the word "try" over and over, it makes me think of the quote by Yoda from Star Wars: "There is only do or do not; there is no 'try'"). It might make me an odd duck, but I do take people's intentions into account as I view something, and whether or not they mean things the way they come out (another quote comes to mind, this time of my husband's: "you didn't mean to ______________; however, you didn't 'mean not' to do it either"--in otherwords, done is done, regardless of intentions...).
I realize this is all as clear as mud, but it stems from things that have been going on since last night (multiple phone calls, negotiations, emails) as well as today, and my cleaning up after the kids and pets this morning because it hadn't been done; (note, it was not as bad as it has been at times--I do see random improvement!), on top of the stuff that I NEED to get done that is staring at me reproachfully (yes homework, I do see you sitting next to me...). Worst of all, I NEED a nap! And I have the munchies--a side effect of stress. I am not hungry per se, but man some potato chips would hit the spot, or some lemon custard; yeah... It's just that kind of day.
I am writing in the abstract today, and being very general, because I need to. But I also need to "think aloud," in print. Life would move along so much more peacefully if people took the concept of consideration to heart. It doesn't mean being a martyr, nor does it mean being totally selfless; it just means taking a look at how one's choices and behaviors affect or impact on the world around you and doing what is necessary to prevent it from being hugely negative. It's the little things in life, like picking up after ones-self, or making a phone call when plans change. It's making a determination about who's needs are more important, and understanding why they should even be taken into consideration! It's communication, and taking the extra step. Sometimes it's just being responsible and following through with one's obligations instead of procrastinating, justifying, or excusing... A little consideration goes a long way towards smoothing rough situations, and it generally takes so little effort to do...
I have been told I am a very considerate person, and I have been called inconsiderate on more than one occasion. I try to follow through with what I say, and I try to be thoughtful of other's and their needs/wants/property or beliefs. I am not always successful, but I do try my best, and I would hope that counts for something in the long run. I try to set a good example for the kids, and I try hard to practice what I preach. It would be so nice to see others take a similar stance. (Although, as I use the word "try" over and over, it makes me think of the quote by Yoda from Star Wars: "There is only do or do not; there is no 'try'"). It might make me an odd duck, but I do take people's intentions into account as I view something, and whether or not they mean things the way they come out (another quote comes to mind, this time of my husband's: "you didn't mean to ______________; however, you didn't 'mean not' to do it either"--in otherwords, done is done, regardless of intentions...).
I realize this is all as clear as mud, but it stems from things that have been going on since last night (multiple phone calls, negotiations, emails) as well as today, and my cleaning up after the kids and pets this morning because it hadn't been done; (note, it was not as bad as it has been at times--I do see random improvement!), on top of the stuff that I NEED to get done that is staring at me reproachfully (yes homework, I do see you sitting next to me...). Worst of all, I NEED a nap! And I have the munchies--a side effect of stress. I am not hungry per se, but man some potato chips would hit the spot, or some lemon custard; yeah... It's just that kind of day.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Another sunny day!
It is so nice to finally see the sunshine again. Someone commented on my last entry asking if I had seen Noah around at all recently--sure felt that way as the heavens poured down on us! I hope to get lots of my in the house chores done this morning so I can spend the early afternoon basking like a cat on my swing in front of the house with some stitchery or a book. The sunshine is helping my moods and energy levels to a small degree, although they still fluctuate far too easily and I feel myself withdrawing...
Things are feeling a bit unsettled around here as Miss Aurora's birthday plans are not coming together as she had hoped. Her mom made arrangements with the school to excuse her from her model UN team commitment, which she is very upset about (and has worked hard to earn her place on--it's being held at a local college on Thursday), and she had really wanted to spend her 16th birthday celebrating with friends (it's on a Friday and there is no school). She also was hoping to practice her bowling with the youth league on Saturday (home lanes and all that) in preparation for High School bowling try-outs next week. None of that has carried any weight and she is expected to go out of town on Wednesday after school. The still unresolved issue right now is how she will get home; Eric cannot pick her up on Sunday--he is working overnights all weekend, and he can't get out of it. They are so short-staffed as it is he has been picking up some "mandatory overtime" so that they have coverage. I am also scheduled to work, and in retail, we are headed into our busy season: holiday outfits, Christmas gift making, and decorating accessories. I don't have the option to call off work any easier than Eric does. This has been all laid out and fighting about it isn't going to change anything. I do stand by my belief that it is important and necessary that the kids spend quality time with their mom. As a mother I understand her wishes completely, and while I do see where the kids (and I do mean all three of them) are coming from in their feelings, things won't improve unless everyone makes an effort to reconcile, forgive, and move forward. It would be nice to see the effort being made this way too on their behalf once in a while. Participating in their world, and showing interest and commitment goes so far toward mending bridges. And I am not speaking from a position of inexperience. I have my own situation to draw on, and that too colors my perspective. It's just really hard (uncomfortable) sitting where I sit right now, because it is not my place to get in the middle of any of it, and while I see things one way or another, I don't have the right to interfere. The dynamics of their old family structure are coloring all of it, and I am not a part of any of that. So I listen, I offer my suggestions where I think they might be helpful, I comfort as I can, and I try to offer as unbiased an opinion as I am able to. Blended families are hard!!!!
Patrick is working most of the weekend (what a shock!~heeheehee), and Brianne is doing stuff with the Nat'l Guard all weekend, so that just leaves Rei to fend for himself much of this long weekend off. I will probably be running him back and forth to the skatepark in Belleville between work shifts... He has been going there after bowling the last couple of Saturdays and has had a wonderful time, returning home proud but scraped and bruised as he masters new skills.
Tony is talking about possibly coming down for a visit in a couple of weeks, and I so hope he does. Alexis and Justin called me yesterday and Alexis was adamant (wouldn't let me even get a word in edgewise!) that "you need to come HOME Gramma Reina, you NEED to come home now! I need you Gramma Reina, I need you come home NOW!" I just had to smile. Then Justin told me I should just pack 2 suitcases and come visit for "a really long long time" cuz he loves me and misses me... I grinned from ear to ear, even as a couple of tears snuck down my cheeks. Those little ones mean the world to me and I am so glad they haven't forgotten me. As much as I loved my grandparents, they were mostly strangers to me because they were on the east coast while we were in MN. I only saw them once a year for a few weeks and the rest of the time it was just random phone calls, letters, gifts in the mail, and exchanging pictures now and again. I want to have the relationship with my grandkids that my mom has with my kids--active, involved knowledge and love. It does my heart good to know that they love me and remember me.
Well, I think it is time I get headed downstairs for the rest of my morning. The boys picked up all fabric related items off their bedroom floor, and these got deposited in the laundry room this morning. I cannot see the floor (or the washing machine!) so I guess I should get started on marathon laundry. I will take my laptop and my books down with me so that I can study between loads, and maybe run the vaccuum too before Eric gets home from class and needs to go to bed. His working nights with morning classes makes sleep a challenge for him; another reason why it is so important he sleep when he is able to!
Things are feeling a bit unsettled around here as Miss Aurora's birthday plans are not coming together as she had hoped. Her mom made arrangements with the school to excuse her from her model UN team commitment, which she is very upset about (and has worked hard to earn her place on--it's being held at a local college on Thursday), and she had really wanted to spend her 16th birthday celebrating with friends (it's on a Friday and there is no school). She also was hoping to practice her bowling with the youth league on Saturday (home lanes and all that) in preparation for High School bowling try-outs next week. None of that has carried any weight and she is expected to go out of town on Wednesday after school. The still unresolved issue right now is how she will get home; Eric cannot pick her up on Sunday--he is working overnights all weekend, and he can't get out of it. They are so short-staffed as it is he has been picking up some "mandatory overtime" so that they have coverage. I am also scheduled to work, and in retail, we are headed into our busy season: holiday outfits, Christmas gift making, and decorating accessories. I don't have the option to call off work any easier than Eric does. This has been all laid out and fighting about it isn't going to change anything. I do stand by my belief that it is important and necessary that the kids spend quality time with their mom. As a mother I understand her wishes completely, and while I do see where the kids (and I do mean all three of them) are coming from in their feelings, things won't improve unless everyone makes an effort to reconcile, forgive, and move forward. It would be nice to see the effort being made this way too on their behalf once in a while. Participating in their world, and showing interest and commitment goes so far toward mending bridges. And I am not speaking from a position of inexperience. I have my own situation to draw on, and that too colors my perspective. It's just really hard (uncomfortable) sitting where I sit right now, because it is not my place to get in the middle of any of it, and while I see things one way or another, I don't have the right to interfere. The dynamics of their old family structure are coloring all of it, and I am not a part of any of that. So I listen, I offer my suggestions where I think they might be helpful, I comfort as I can, and I try to offer as unbiased an opinion as I am able to. Blended families are hard!!!!
Patrick is working most of the weekend (what a shock!~heeheehee), and Brianne is doing stuff with the Nat'l Guard all weekend, so that just leaves Rei to fend for himself much of this long weekend off. I will probably be running him back and forth to the skatepark in Belleville between work shifts... He has been going there after bowling the last couple of Saturdays and has had a wonderful time, returning home proud but scraped and bruised as he masters new skills.
Tony is talking about possibly coming down for a visit in a couple of weeks, and I so hope he does. Alexis and Justin called me yesterday and Alexis was adamant (wouldn't let me even get a word in edgewise!) that "you need to come HOME Gramma Reina, you NEED to come home now! I need you Gramma Reina, I need you come home NOW!" I just had to smile. Then Justin told me I should just pack 2 suitcases and come visit for "a really long long time" cuz he loves me and misses me... I grinned from ear to ear, even as a couple of tears snuck down my cheeks. Those little ones mean the world to me and I am so glad they haven't forgotten me. As much as I loved my grandparents, they were mostly strangers to me because they were on the east coast while we were in MN. I only saw them once a year for a few weeks and the rest of the time it was just random phone calls, letters, gifts in the mail, and exchanging pictures now and again. I want to have the relationship with my grandkids that my mom has with my kids--active, involved knowledge and love. It does my heart good to know that they love me and remember me.
Well, I think it is time I get headed downstairs for the rest of my morning. The boys picked up all fabric related items off their bedroom floor, and these got deposited in the laundry room this morning. I cannot see the floor (or the washing machine!) so I guess I should get started on marathon laundry. I will take my laptop and my books down with me so that I can study between loads, and maybe run the vaccuum too before Eric gets home from class and needs to go to bed. His working nights with morning classes makes sleep a challenge for him; another reason why it is so important he sleep when he is able to!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Pics from the back yard and walking path...
The water has broken free of the creek, flooded the marshy woods, and is almost up to the walking path...
It is really cool looking, and has actually gone down quite a bit in the last two dry days we have had... It is still really wet outside though and our back yard feels like walking on a sponge. You feel the ground squelch under your feet!
On a separate subject, I took my sewing machine in again to be looked at. Once again it has jammed up, sounded bound, and blew the fuse. I took it to a different place to get it looked at and I will hopefully hear something back by Friday at the earliest. I did browse a little to see if there were new models that looked good to me (there is a nice selection of machines at Jackman's), but I am not even gonna think about buying new until I know what is wrong with what I have (it has sentimental value to me). I have a back up machine I can use til mine is fixed. I am just glad to have it somewhere that comes with high recommendations.
Now back to watching the Viking's game....
The start of a new month, and hopefully a new attitude as well...
I love it when daylight's savings time ends... I feel so much more rested, and I love waking with the sun coming in the bedroom window. Having sunshine again has been balm to my battered moods. My doctor's appointment for the meds is on the 12th, but just something as simple as being able to be outside for a bit, and basking in sunlight helps my mood and spirits to bounce back. I also really like my readers! It is so nice to see the page without shifting the book or my glasses to see the words clearly, and to have things no longer doubled over or fuzzy on the left is amazing!
We had a huge turnout of kids here for trick or treating, Eric had bought a ton of candy and I actually ran out after the first hour! Brie ran to walmart for more, and that too was gone shortly before 8 p.m. when the "town sanctioned" event ended... I took a little time before the kids started coming and decorated the table in front of the house with Halloween paraphenalia, and I sat with my crocheting next to the table to hand out the treats. We had a nice selection of wee ones through teens--lots of star wars and ninjas this year, along with the requisite princesses, fairies and witches; the scary movie contingent was here, and there were NOT too many teens wearing street clothes with a hint of face makeup out just looking for handouts (although I did get one mom, in full getup, say to me "I look 12 don't I?" and giggled... I gave her one miniature candy bar because I wasn't gonna get into it with her...) There were a few middle school girls who looked "whore-ish" and I wondered what their mothers were thinking in letting them go out like that, and there were a few kids that should have had jackets or sweatshirts on for warmth (it was a chilly night--maybe upper 40's/low 50's?) But overall I really enjoyed it and was so glad to be home handing out treats! The picture above is Justin and Alexis at Liisa's. He was Peter Pan and had a "really big sword" (I have a pic on my cell phone showing the sword), and she was Tinkerbell... I had bought them treat bags--which sat in the car filled with toys apparently--because the pumpkin buckets were for candy! (and no, my feelings weren't hurt--I found it amusing that they have their own ideas about things!)
Rei got home from the skate park in Belleville in time to go to a few houses for treats; generally I don't approve of older teens trick or treating, but around here (as in most places) some of them still go. Brie put on her fairy costume from last year but quickly changed as she was too chilly, and Patrick and Aurora were at a marching band competition and parade. They got home around 11:30 last night and they took a 2nd and a 3rd place in the competitions. Eric and I played a little Everquest, and it was a low-key night for us. He and I are probably headed to church for 10, and then today is going to be focused on chores. (I had left a list for yesterday when I was at work, and NOTHING got done on it!)
I am so excited to start a new quilt I am going to be making. I got a few more fabrics for it yesterday when I was at work, and I bought a new rotary cutting mat--my old one was so chewed up that the lines were grooved into it. Got a 24"x 36" one (by fiskars, not Olfa) for $11.99--the Olfa ones run $40 for that size! I still need one or two more fabrics for it (borders and such), but those are not necessary to the body of the work, so I can start it when I am ready to. I just need to get my sewing machine in to the repair shop again (and perhaps just trade it in for a newer model) because it bound up on me again, then blew the safety fuse, so now it won't turn on at all! I have a spare machine I can use, but it is like driving a Yugo after having used a cadillac for the last 15 years... It works, but..... My head is full of ideas for things I want to make and I really need to start dedicating specific blocks of time to different things--like setting up an office planner with appointments. I can do this and it will make me happy! (I am trying to be realistic too about what I can or cannot accomplish before the holidays).
So the plan for today is school work for an hour or so, church, then setting up the sewing room to be user-friendly so I can start cutting stuff out and using it, working on mine and Eric's laundry (his uniforms need washing, lol), and cracking the whip on the kids to help with the floors and their messes in the living room... Gonna be a full day today!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween!
I really have not done any decorating for the day/night/season as yet, because of all the rain we have had, but since it is supposedly done, I will tidy the front and put out some decorations when I get home from work. I am doing a demo from 11 - 1 pm on making a "hairpin lace" scarf (looks like a loopy boa). Our area got hit fairly hard from flash flooding and the rains--both entrances to our neighborhood from the air force base were closed due to water on the road from the creek(s) flooding, and Eric watched one car floating off the road who tried to run it; he ended up going back out onto the freeway and around the airport to get back to our house after grocery shopping! So glad he decided to drive me to work yesterday and pick me up: we saw one car in the ditch in the treeline who had apparently hydroplaned off the interstate and into the water (this was in the rain on my way to work). The water levels are starting to drop around here, but there still is very little place for the water to really go.
Eric did go with me yesterday to pick out some new glasses. I actually bought 3 pair. One pair is a dedicated reader (single presription) and I am dumbfounded at how clearly I can again see things to read close up--may not even need my maginfier for cross stitching for awhile! The other 2 were clearance pairs (50% off) as well, so I did buy 2 for daily wear--a pair and a spare! The woman who helped us agreed that with the strengths of my prescriptions it's better I not be without a backup pair, and given I wear them 16-18 hours each and every day, it's nice to have a backup so I can change them at up at whim. I did get the anti-reflective coating put on them too, so I am excited to see how that will impact my night driving. They should be ready in a week or so. Part of me felt guilty for spending the money (I had it in my savings) but as Eric said, it is my vision, and I need to be able to see clearly to do all that I do (reading, school work, handwork). As much as I feel a bit self-indulgent (there is a time not-so-long-ago I would have bought just one pair, at the cheapest possible rate I could get away with, no bells or whistles to them), and that side of me is pinching a bit, I am so excited to have them. I have already made use of the readers and I like them a lot. (The only drawback is they do close work only and the distance is blurred if I look up to check out the tv or something... But once I have the bifocals, that won't be an issue if I want to multi-task!).
Eric is off with the boys to the bowling alley, and I am going to finish up this week's assignments for class. Then I am off to work as well. I am sure hoping we see some peeks of sunlight today. They say it's supposed to be dry, but I really need sunlight too! Then it will be home for chores and to ready for the trick or treaters!
Happy Halloween!
Eric did go with me yesterday to pick out some new glasses. I actually bought 3 pair. One pair is a dedicated reader (single presription) and I am dumbfounded at how clearly I can again see things to read close up--may not even need my maginfier for cross stitching for awhile! The other 2 were clearance pairs (50% off) as well, so I did buy 2 for daily wear--a pair and a spare! The woman who helped us agreed that with the strengths of my prescriptions it's better I not be without a backup pair, and given I wear them 16-18 hours each and every day, it's nice to have a backup so I can change them at up at whim. I did get the anti-reflective coating put on them too, so I am excited to see how that will impact my night driving. They should be ready in a week or so. Part of me felt guilty for spending the money (I had it in my savings) but as Eric said, it is my vision, and I need to be able to see clearly to do all that I do (reading, school work, handwork). As much as I feel a bit self-indulgent (there is a time not-so-long-ago I would have bought just one pair, at the cheapest possible rate I could get away with, no bells or whistles to them), and that side of me is pinching a bit, I am so excited to have them. I have already made use of the readers and I like them a lot. (The only drawback is they do close work only and the distance is blurred if I look up to check out the tv or something... But once I have the bifocals, that won't be an issue if I want to multi-task!).
Eric is off with the boys to the bowling alley, and I am going to finish up this week's assignments for class. Then I am off to work as well. I am sure hoping we see some peeks of sunlight today. They say it's supposed to be dry, but I really need sunlight too! Then it will be home for chores and to ready for the trick or treaters!
Happy Halloween!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)