The Start of a New Year

Society says that the new year begins on January 1st. In my life with everyone in school (or most everyone), the new year begins at the end of August. New clothes, new books, new pens and pencils and folders and binders and backpacks and instruments and a host of other cool things. Actually, new clothes usually wait for the temperature to go down because what's the point of buying fall clothes when it's still 105 outside?

It's been a bit of a rough time, but we have somewhat of a promising outlook. Ok, not really, but I choose to see it as promising somehow. Richard has a job. He's working for Williams-Sonoma right here in town at their catalog call center. He works Monday-Friday either 8-4:30 or 8:30-5. The schedule is awesome. The "commute" (I put it in parentheses because he's still in town) is awesome. The lack of stress over the job is awesome. The pay and benefits? Not so awesome. Low pay and no benefits. But he's working. It's something. And we'll have to see how it works out.

We've made it through two weeks of school and now it's time for Labor Day weekend. I have a plan. Really - I do. Today I'm doing nothing and I'm not expecting anyone else to do any work either. Today is relax from the first two weeks of school day. It's nearly 1:00 and I'm still in my pajamas. But I paid the bills - so that's something. (As I hear the boys play and then yell at each other for playing "too hard," I'm thinking I might have to come up with a better plan for them, but maybe I'll just close my door instead.)

As I think about where we are in this life, I realize that, other than our financial woes, we are in a really good place. We have a roof over our head, even if it is too expensive and there's no way to sell it. And we like our roof over our head, so we'll deal. We have food in the pantry and the refrigerator - including Diet Coke. :-) We may not have the trendiest clothes in the world, but we are clothed appropriately for the weather. We have air conditioning - which is probably the hugest blessing right now with the heat we've had this summer. We have the basic necessities and quite a few of the wants. And we have friends. Oh do we have friends. We have a bishop who loves us and is there for us. We have family who help when needed - in many ways.

I look at the bills we have to pay and wonder how we're going to pay them with the money we're making. (Our insurance just went up $500/month (we have insurance - that's a blessing too) because Richard is no longer teaching. That's gonna be interesting.) But somehow, something works out. Today I tried to pay my emergency room bill from Texas City. I'd waited until after September 1st so that I could use our newly-minted medical flex card. When I typed in all the information, the website couldn't find a matching account. I checked, double-checked and triple-checked the information. Couldn't find it. So I called. Gave all the information to a computer voice. She couldn't find it either. I requested a customer service rep. The office is closed on weekends. Little blessings in the form of someone else's hands - most likely my daddy's.

So...that's where we are. Same song, same verse, 462nd time we've sung it. But...it's just a little bit different this time. The stress isn't there like it used to be. The worry and the loneliness of it isn't there. We'll get through this. (It's not like we're the only ones in the country who have been downsized in one form or another.) Chris will graduate this year and he will go to college this summer. James will get a violin. The orchestra fees will get paid. The bills will get paid. Cooler temperatures and fall colors will get here. The only constant is change. And sometimes the change isn't in the big picture. It's in how we perceive the big picture.

New Day

It's a new day. I printed off a 7-day free pass to 24 Hour Fitness and I'm going to check it out this morning. Beginning tomorrow, I will get back on my diet. Had my swimsuit on yesterday and looked in the mirror. Eww! Seriously, I look about 6 months pregnant. It's not pretty. I've got to do something.

I don't think there is anyway that I can afford to actually join the gym, but I'm looking at being 45 years old, really out of shape and really overweight. I know I would feel better if I lost the weight (again) and got stronger. I know that I would have a better "later-in-life" if I would up my strength and stamina. Knowing that my grandmother lost about 10-12 inches in her elderly years and my mom probably lost at least 3, I've got to start taking care of that.

So...introduction today and strength training the rest of the week. Then? I don't know. I guess if this is something that I'm supposed to do that a way will be provided, but how do I justify it when Chris needs his wisdom teeth out, James and John need braces and Richard's just in all kinds of issues. What could I give up? Eating out? Probably need to do that anyway. Pedicures? Hmmm...there's a thought. Especially as fall and winter come along. Hmmm...I just might be able to make this work! :-)

Ok...so...gym. I can do this. And I can keep it up. And I can eat better. Help me out people!

Holy Cow!

Has it really been three months since I last blogged? Whoops. Let me justify it by saying that spring and early summer has been a stressful and busy time. Richard quit his job - sorta. We had the bajillion end-of-year concerts/banquets/parties/etc. Chris was involved in the multi-stake youth Jubilee which ended with three performances the last weekend of June. Then scout camp for James the following Monday. Not to mention birthdays in there. And primary. PRIMARY! And the end of the school year for me - which meant getting John ready for middle school. Ack!

So...that's pretty much us in a nutshell. (Nut being the operative syllable there.)

Summer is flying by! We just celebrated John's 11th birthday. How the heck did that happen?!? He's 11! No more cub scouts! No more elementary school! He has a Facebook page and will be getting a phone! 'Scuse me - what? Where did my baby go? Oh wait...he's still here as he curls up and snuggles next to me. :-) Whew!

The fact that John's had his birthday means that it's already July. JULY! I have six weeks left until inservice. Man! I'd better get going on the relaxing and rejunvenating! Here's to July 4th pancake breakfasts and barbeques and fireworks (done by the professionals, of course.) And naps. Gotta throw those naps in. What else is summer for if not napping?

Happy 4th to all three people who even check back in to see if I've posted in forever. I'll try to do better. We'll see....

April 10, 1999

Twelve years ago today our middle child was born. We had waited a good two year to get him here. Many months of not getting pregnant, a miscarriage and finally he was ready to join our family. And we're blessed on a daily basis to have him.

He turns twelve today. Twelve is important. His father ordained him to the Aaronic priesthood today. His brother and his grandfather (who shares his birthday) were in the circle. When I asked him how he felt afterward he said, "AWESOME!" Of course you do, James. Because you are awesome. And we're blessed to have you.

He's been a smiler and a heart-on-his-sleeve kind of boy since he was born. He's been totally social since he was born. And he finds butterflies wherever he goes. And we're blessed to have him.

Happy birthday to my favorite 12-year-old, to the newest member of our deacons' quorum, to our newest priesthood holder. I now have three priesthood holders in my home. What a blessing!

Headaches...

suck. I don't use that word very often, but in this case it's absolutely appropriate. Today was our first day back at school. Overall, it went really well...except for that stupid songbook that I can't find. I have Book One and Book Three. I need Book Two and I can't find it. ARGH!

But other than that, it was a good day. Then I came home. I put the towels in the dryer and took a Facebook break. From there, it was all downhill. My shoulders and neck are so, sooo tight. My head has been pounding all night - off and on. It's all from my shoulders.

I wonder which of the children I should blame today.

Crazy week ahead: Tuesday - RS dinner; Wednesday - pinewood derby car weigh-in (the car which we haven't even built - don't know what we're doing about that); Thursday - Camey choir, Pinewood Derby; Friday - party; Saturday - Saturday school and hopefully some yard work.

Can I just hide in bed? Nah...it's gonna be fun! If my head quits hurting. On the positive side, we have free chair massages at school tomorrow. Think that's coincidence? I don't either. :-)

First of Many

Today was my first Sunday as the official Primary President. I am amazed at the ideas and thoughts that keep "popping" in my head at random moments. I'm amazed at how I'm not nearly as interested in my Facebook games as I used to be. (Oh...don't worry. I'm still playing them.)

I'm excited to be working with my awesome counselors and secretary! I think there will be lots of laughter, lots of lightness, and lots of spirit. I was told by a teacher today that she could really feel the Spirit in the room today. Well, that wasn't me. That was Suzanne. But, hopefully, we can foster a spirit in the room that invites the Spirit.

Of course we're constantly in need of callings and teachers. We're constantly in need of cub leaders. It's a program that is always in some state of flux. But that just might be a good thing. We're making a few changes in the way we're organizing everything and that will take some time to implement. There are some ideas that we came up with that we haven't been able to figure out how to do yet.

I think we need to have a teacher training - where we introduce these ideas and things to them and let them know how important they are to the success of the children. We, as a presidency, can give opportunities and ideas, but in the long run, it's the teachers themselves who interact the closest with each of the children.

I look forward to Sundays again. I look forward to going to primary. I look forward to working with my friends and sisters in the gospel. It's gonna be a great year in The Colony 2nd Ward Primary!

What Is Going On?

Seriously! Earthquakes, tsunamis, nuclear disasters - all horrendous. But they seem to pale in comparison to the heartaches being suffered by so many of my friends these days. Friends have lost parents (three off-hand in the last six months,) we lost our Webelos leader who was only 33 and left behind a wife and three children, a member of our ward and primary board lost her son this week (after losing her mother about six months ago) and now I find out that another friend's brother just died. He was 35 and leaves behind a wife, three children age 5 and under and one on the way.

If bad things come in threes, I think I've seen enough to last for a while. Although many of these tragedies has affected me because I know the people involved, none of them have affected me directly. I don't know whether to feel blessed or worried - or both.

I talked to Dad yesterday - just to check up on him. He's doing fine - especially for a 92-year-old. I was hoping to go see him this week (SPRING BREAK!) but I'm needed here for a presidency meeting (last night), dinner for a ward family (the one who lost their son), and as a chauffeur for my sil when she has her gall bladder out on Friday.

Suddenly, being called as the primary president isn't nearly so daunting. In the face of what everyone else is going through, I think I'll just shut up and be grateful for my blessings.