Busy, busy, busy...

Not even sure where to start???


Turning worries into prayers:
Over the last 2 weeks, 4 people I know have been going through cancer treatments.  Prayer warriors are really working for these 4 gals.  One has 1 chemo remaining and all signs are pointing to remissions.  Another is still in the midst of chemo, but test to determine effectiveness are showing amazing results. The third got amazing test results back this week as well.  Finally, my SIL's mom had a  mastectomy last week.  The lab results showed only a small percent of the mass removed was cancerous and the lymph nodes were clear.   PRAISE GOD!!!

Slow and steady wins the race:
You may or may not know that I hit a wall the end of October 2010 and just had to do something to get me out of my slump.  What I did was join a fitness club and hire a personal trainer.  As you can see by the ticker on this blog, I am seeing success.  The weight loss faster earlier on, but I am still dropping.  Adam is very good at pushing me beyond what I would do on my own, but still actually hurting me.  I joke that I cannot believe I am paying someone to torture me!

Aging - Changing places with your parents:
My in-laws are older than my dad.  Pat's personality is not one to want to take on tough task/roles, or until recently even admit they exist.  He has been amazing me daily as he is stepping up to get things done regarding his dad's  memory care and his mother's inability to act on what needs to occur.  He is dealing with tons of emotions, learning that his mom might lie or omit when talking to him, his sister (older by 10 years) doesn't want to do the icky stuff, and his dad just isn't "with-it" enough to help himself.  Last week Pat brought in a lawyer to get all the different paper work completed and toured some facilities with his mom.  This week, after learning that there WAS an opening at the favored facility (another long painfully emotion ridden story), he contacted the center and started the ball rolling for Jack to be assessed and place.  His mom has been threatening to "leave him" which at this point he is no condition to be left alone at home even for a short time.  The assessor has talked to Pat today, his mom and will be contacting the doctor.  Praying that this will come to resolution soon.

Career, work and carpooling:
So, last week the rumors were flying about layoffs.  People were really tense and the atmosphere was pretty depressing. Add to that all of the above prayer needs - UGH!  In the mean time other opportunities are slow in coming to fruition.  A positive note is that I started carpooling a couple/few times a week.  Well, the stress of the week finally got to me on Friday. I was lucky enough to get out of my last Friday meeting early.  I text my carpool buddy I would be ready about 4:05pm.  I pulled my stuff together and headed to the employee entrance.  After waiting 15 minutes outside, I walked back into the building.  I ended up chatting with the security guard and a co-worker.  I didn't realize my phone volume was turned low.  Because it was now 4:30pm, I was now getting worried about being in Champlin for my 5:30pm trainer appointment, I pulled out my phone to check on my ride and noticed a message from carpool buddy.  He wrote, "Just checking to see if you drove home without me, give me a call!"  Embarrassingly enough, I realized I was the one who drove after 35 minutes of waiting for someone to pick me up.  All I could say at that point was TGIF.

Positive mish-mash:
Marissa has completed her ACT.  Gunnar is a ski machine. Laundry room is getting remodeled.  Owe Uncle Sam less than last year.  Typing this all out was cathartic. Now I am off to my knitting group which is always a great reliever of stress!

Struggling for motivation...

I have a fairly long list of things to do today.  However, I cannot seem to get motivated to get moving.  I have started the laundry, worked with the budget a bit and payed bills.  Now all I want is a nap!  I think I am going to take one.... NOW.

Maybe more later.

Friday - Freezing - Free of Kids...

TGIF...

The lowest in MN today was -40.  That was without windchill.  I guess it isn't really surprising, we always have 1 week of hideous cold. 

G is up at Timber Ridge camp, near Pine City, MN.  It is with the church (Grace Fellowship) junior high group.  I hope they have a wonderful time, but I am praying that the frigid weather overrides the teenage fashion mindfulness and that full winter gear is worn for the outdoor activities.

M is overnight with a friend who is kid sitting for the weekend.

I have found a new, hot drink... Chai Tea Latte from Caribou.   YUM

Well, I am off to warm up under an electric blanket with my knitting and watch some TV.

Getter Done

Well, if I have any followers, you will note that I am completing construction.  I have my FPU baby step 3 tracker, weight loss monitor, etc.

Please feel free to check up on me to see if I am sticking to my 2011 goals.

Teenagers...

First I will start with the thought that I have some pretty great kids.

However, it seems like they go into hiding somewhere in their teens and are replaced with a selfish, self centered, snotty monster.  I know I wasn't the perfect daughter, but when I was young, there were certain things you knew never to do.  Here they are:

• Don't sass if you are asking for a favor.
• F's are just not acceptable - avoid or be VERY scared if you come home with one.
• Stomping and slamming = grounded - period.
• When the answer is "no", and you have dared to ask for a clarification and get "no" again - stop asking or you will get a previous "yes" turned to "no" as well.
• Having a car, paid insurance, designer wardrobe and a paid membership to a club are not necessities and are not expectations of your parents - get a job!
• You go to school unless you are throwing up, fever over 101 or are dead.  If it happens to be canceled - thank God - it doesn't usually happen more than once in your educational career.
• All toys (even expensive electronic ones) can & will be taken away if they are being abused, you are not meeting your grades or if they are causing distraction of any kind - parent's determine what is distracting (like not listening to "no" the first time).
• Just because you "want" something, be it clothes, a ride, money, etc. does not mean you are entitled to it.
• Carpooling - learn it, do it.  Parents didn't sign up for a 2nd job of your personal taxi.
• Never come home pregnant.  Don't even consider putting yourself in a position to become pregnant - it is not socially acceptable in your household no matter what the media advocates.

Thankfully, my kids haven't really pushed the envelope on all of these, but there just seems to be a different attitude among today's teenagers.  I wasn't perfect, far from it, but I understood the basic ground rules and respected the fact that the consequences wouldn't be pretty if I stepped out of line on these basics.