The last day of '08: We got up early (6am) and drove to Iowa City to the University Hospitals for a check up for both of my children. We see a doctor for some behavior issues caused by the kids' bio mom's drug and alcohol problems. It was a real test to get there without stopping at McD's or other fast food places at the insistence of my son. He is hooked on fast food and it's a challenge to take him anywhere. I only stop for occasional treats but I think his dad takes him out to eat most of the time. He's learning that that isn't acceptable with mom but he still tries. We approached one town with clearly visible Golden Arches. He meekly asked if we could stop. I said no we weren't, maybe AFTER the appointment. He held his breath until we got just passed the exit ramp and then let go with a kicking , screaming, crying fit. I pulled off onto the shoulder of the interstate and waited until he calmed down. Of course I also said if this continues there will be NO stopping for lunch ANYWHERE. A long trip to and from Iowa City without food. He finally calmed down and apologized. This was the start of a major headache that carried thru the day. The appointment went fairly well and we headed out to find a place for lunch. No Steak 'N Shake close by. Didn't want Applebees. Sonic looked good but we mistakenly followed a car into the storage units right next to the Sonic drive in and had to retrack into the correct driveway. We parked and walked in the near ZERO temperatures to the door only to find out they want everyone to call in from the drive up menus OUTSIDE. No thank you!! Besides my van windows don't work due to an ice build up and resulting bent interior parts. I was not in a real good mood towards fast food at that point! We went to HyVee and ate at their deli. Really good food at really good prices! Of course the kids only ate 1/3 of their plates but that made for more take home. I have to say if you are really hungry but don't know what you want, go to a HyVee deli! Lots of choices, FRIENDLY service, and good prices. We saw construction workers, families, "suits" all eating together. What does that tell you about the place? Positive feed back!!! So after using the CLEAN restrooms and viewing the cake department (really neat custom made cakes for all occasions!) we went down the street to the Salvation Army store. Found some good bargains and met a friendly woman who talked to me and the kids every time we got close to each other in the store. She said she had bought $100 worth of furniture there recently. While we were talking , she found a large stand up jewelry box (4' high?) priced at $90. We both thought that was high until I pointed out that it had a red sticker, which made it 75% off! $22.50-not bad for that size! We found new but damaged package toys for less than a third of normal price. Anyway, a fun place to shop and bargain hunt.
We got back to our home town and I stopped at the grocery store, post office, pharmacy(closed), then called the ex to see what his plans were. He said he's meet us for supper but he was planning to stay in town to party with his friends for New Years. Guess we're too boring for him. We told him" see ya next year" after supper and left him to his own destruction. Went home and fell asleep at 9PM with head colds and jut being tired after the long day of travel. Maybe we are boring!! He wanted us all to go to church together today. Sorry, we're not pretending to be a family at church anymore. He needs to decide what he wants and stay with it. I don't feel like it's THIS family at this point. He took my son to church with him and MIGHT watch the Hawkeyes in their bowl game here later. I think it's going to be "too noisy and cluttered" for him. The bar will probably be a better choice than the family room! We'll see....
I'm hoping this year is more positive than last. My fortune cookie from HyVee said "Your luck has changed today". Here's hoping... Happy New Year to all.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Sunday, December 28, 2008
I just figured out how to link to other blogs...
I want to make a list of blogs that I follow and would like others to read.
Right now I want to show those that deal with the country of Haiti.
I've been doing "copy" and "paste" of blog addresses to get them on my list.
I've added a few but I wish others would put the "Follow This Blog" item on their pages.
Just click on that item-- if it's there-- and you can leave your name on their blog and link to it so you can find it again.
Forgive me, I'm new at this and find new gadgets is just like Christmas to me!
Right now I want to show those that deal with the country of Haiti.
I've been doing "copy" and "paste" of blog addresses to get them on my list.
I've added a few but I wish others would put the "Follow This Blog" item on their pages.
Just click on that item-- if it's there-- and you can leave your name on their blog and link to it so you can find it again.
Forgive me, I'm new at this and find new gadgets is just like Christmas to me!
Another icy day
Yesterday we went to my sister's for my family's Christmas. Almost everyone was there. My niece, who is painfully shy, did not show up. We missed her! My parents, both in their 80's, all 6 of their children and spouses/friends, 8 of 9 grandchildren (and 5 spouses) and 5 great grandchildren filled the house. Lots of food, lots of pictures taken, lots of catching up. We went through my mom's photo albums and discussed different times and people in our family history. Younger members are now becoming interested in the stories which are told and retold for their benefit and ours.
The roads were pure ice but we all managed to slide into town and gather as a family. My brother was called out on his county road job to sand and salt. He took in a good meal and talked to everyone before he left. He missed the photo session of grand kids, great grands, family groups and candid shots but he made my trip home much safer. His route brings him along my stretch of "cement road". It's labeled as a "farm to market" road so it gets priority in maintenance. A now deceased neighbor fought for that many years ago when he was on the county board of supervisors. Thank you, D. F.!!!
Today, Sunday, the melted ice from yesterday has frozen and is covered with a light blanket of new snow. Clean, extremely cold and slippery. Many of the local churches are canceling services. Not mine but I'm not going to brave the roads to get there. I'm holed up in my slightly drafty but cozy house with my daughter. My son stayed overnight "in town" with his dad. I think I'll put a ham in the crock pot and fix mashed potatoes and a vegetable to graze on later today.
It's hard to believe another year is coming to an end! My "babies" are nearly teenagers and a few more lines are showing on my face. I think about plans I had for my life and then think about how they've changed. Some disappointments but for the most part, I like where I am.
I need to regain my momentum and finish college. A year or two left, depending how well I do this next semester. I actually flunked one course in the Fall semester. A painful first for me. I want to throw blame on someone but I know some of the problem was mine. Weather, family problems and some very strict course guidelines crashed and burned into a snowball effect. I find the "no excuses" policy as pretty harsh. In the working world, which is what college is supposed to prepare us for, I'd have family leave, vacation and sick days that would have covered at least some of my absences.
My resolution list for the coming year includes to become more organized and learn to communicate better and ask more questions. Say "thank you" more often, even for the little things. Do more for myself rather than what I think other people want me to do! And learn to say "no" more often to things that just won't work for me & my family.
Friday, I took the kids and went to the college campus to water the greenhouse. I volunteered to do this once a week and it's one of my favorite duties! To walk among growing plants when snow is piling up outside is a real boost to this nature mom's soul! Most of the racks on one side of the structure, hold assorted house plants, perennials waiting for spring or seedling that will become next years sale items. The other side holds four rows of some what tropical plants that are babysat for a small fee during the winter. I enjoy walking through these and imagining I'm in their native, WARM-HOT climate! Simple pleasures! A few ragged poinsettias remained on the racks. They almost look as though they know their time is limited. If they have a spirit in them, as some cultures believe, then they know they've made me happier just to look at them. Their existence is not a waste. An hour or two in this environment lifts my chilly gloom and I'm good for another few days.
I said I wouldn't water the greenhouse this coming semester but then I signed up for work study to get a little extra money, so maybe I will. It wouldn't bother me at all. One of my dreams is to someday own my own greenhouse/nursery. Better learn all I can when I have the chance!
Enough for today.
The roads were pure ice but we all managed to slide into town and gather as a family. My brother was called out on his county road job to sand and salt. He took in a good meal and talked to everyone before he left. He missed the photo session of grand kids, great grands, family groups and candid shots but he made my trip home much safer. His route brings him along my stretch of "cement road". It's labeled as a "farm to market" road so it gets priority in maintenance. A now deceased neighbor fought for that many years ago when he was on the county board of supervisors. Thank you, D. F.!!!
Today, Sunday, the melted ice from yesterday has frozen and is covered with a light blanket of new snow. Clean, extremely cold and slippery. Many of the local churches are canceling services. Not mine but I'm not going to brave the roads to get there. I'm holed up in my slightly drafty but cozy house with my daughter. My son stayed overnight "in town" with his dad. I think I'll put a ham in the crock pot and fix mashed potatoes and a vegetable to graze on later today.
It's hard to believe another year is coming to an end! My "babies" are nearly teenagers and a few more lines are showing on my face. I think about plans I had for my life and then think about how they've changed. Some disappointments but for the most part, I like where I am.
I need to regain my momentum and finish college. A year or two left, depending how well I do this next semester. I actually flunked one course in the Fall semester. A painful first for me. I want to throw blame on someone but I know some of the problem was mine. Weather, family problems and some very strict course guidelines crashed and burned into a snowball effect. I find the "no excuses" policy as pretty harsh. In the working world, which is what college is supposed to prepare us for, I'd have family leave, vacation and sick days that would have covered at least some of my absences.
My resolution list for the coming year includes to become more organized and learn to communicate better and ask more questions. Say "thank you" more often, even for the little things. Do more for myself rather than what I think other people want me to do! And learn to say "no" more often to things that just won't work for me & my family.
Friday, I took the kids and went to the college campus to water the greenhouse. I volunteered to do this once a week and it's one of my favorite duties! To walk among growing plants when snow is piling up outside is a real boost to this nature mom's soul! Most of the racks on one side of the structure, hold assorted house plants, perennials waiting for spring or seedling that will become next years sale items. The other side holds four rows of some what tropical plants that are babysat for a small fee during the winter. I enjoy walking through these and imagining I'm in their native, WARM-HOT climate! Simple pleasures! A few ragged poinsettias remained on the racks. They almost look as though they know their time is limited. If they have a spirit in them, as some cultures believe, then they know they've made me happier just to look at them. Their existence is not a waste. An hour or two in this environment lifts my chilly gloom and I'm good for another few days.
I said I wouldn't water the greenhouse this coming semester but then I signed up for work study to get a little extra money, so maybe I will. It wouldn't bother me at all. One of my dreams is to someday own my own greenhouse/nursery. Better learn all I can when I have the chance!
Enough for today.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Day thoughts
All of the presents have been opened, the food consumed and the wrappings and dishes wait for the big clean up.
I am looking for a nice place to sit or lie or collapse and relax. Let the belt out another notch and sleep like a bear!
Snow storm approaches bringing more cold weather and treacherous driving. I would like to just nail the "cabin door" shut and hibernate but the kids and dogs and goats will have none of that talk.
Still waiting for that REASONABLE job offer in a warmer climate.
Arturo, wing walking is not appealing to me at this stage of my life! I'd be more inclined to refuel the plane than to stand on the wing Way Up There!!!! I want to ask "Are you CRAZY???" but I already know the answer.
Thanks for offering a solution, though.
Off to the couch I go. More later.
I am looking for a nice place to sit or lie or collapse and relax. Let the belt out another notch and sleep like a bear!
Snow storm approaches bringing more cold weather and treacherous driving. I would like to just nail the "cabin door" shut and hibernate but the kids and dogs and goats will have none of that talk.
Still waiting for that REASONABLE job offer in a warmer climate.
Arturo, wing walking is not appealing to me at this stage of my life! I'd be more inclined to refuel the plane than to stand on the wing Way Up There!!!! I want to ask "Are you CRAZY???" but I already know the answer.
Thanks for offering a solution, though.
Off to the couch I go. More later.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
To any and all who might have stumbled onto this blog...
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you.
Thanks for reading and feel free to leave a comment.
Keep it clean and don't use your full name for security reasons.
Remember.....ANYONE can read this!!!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you.
Thanks for reading and feel free to leave a comment.
Keep it clean and don't use your full name for security reasons.
Remember.....ANYONE can read this!!!!
PreChristmas Yearnings
Today it is finally above zero degrees but still very frigid outside. My furnace is running nonstop, sucking up the latest propane fill. My kids are running a muck in my almost but never clean house. My two Jack Russels are bored and chewing up socks and toys like little garbage disposals. I am trying to find some escape from this daily rerun of frustration with perpetual bills, clutter and cold by starting my first blog, right here, right now. Does anyone have a nice outdoor job opening in Hawaii or some place WARM???? My brother works for the county and has just passed my frozen drive way with his big blue truck, nosing the latest snow drifts into the ditch and leaving an echoing sound trail of metal scraping on frozen pavement. I know when he is passing without looking out the window. The sounds is unmistakable and unforgettable. Two days until Christmas. I ran out of money on the tenth of this month but mangaed to find a few nice inexpensive items at the local Goodwill and WalMart stores to wrap for Christmas. As for myself, I asked my exhusband (and possible reunited future husband) to just pay off a few bills for me instead of buying anything else. He's been a good man to pay for what he has so far! The propane bill, my life insurance, groceries, little odds and ends. It's a really tough road to take care of everything alone--kids, bills, go back to school, keep the house and yard up. I'm exhausted but always find a little extra energy to keep going. But seriously...blog me with that job offer!!! I could do almost anything outside--gardening, farming, animal or yard care, commercial driver, clean your pool, paint your house, live in maintenance position for a family if 3-4 would be ideal in a WARM climate with a living wage. Please write NOW!!!!
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