siblings - business - kids

Sooo... what's been happening? I am unsure of what i am gonna write about today so, bear with me as I babble along until I come up with something interesting...
My hubby's brother, his wife and 3 yr old boy are coming to visit today. I am surprised and excited. Surprised because I am always inviting them to come down and leave the inlaws behind, not that I don't love them, it would just be nice to hang out as siblings but never have in 6 yrs. Well, they called up and said "how about this weekend?" and we said "Great!"
I have about 15 different ideas on things we could do... I'll just have to wait until they get here to decide... my ideas are :
Take the whole family on a train ride through the mountians
Head out to Cade's Cove
Take the sister in law painting, or all 4 of us and let my girls babysit!
Have a cookout and invite a bunch of people...
Ok, so really 4 ideas...
Teen A is starting cheerleading which I think is great!
Preteen P (formally known as Little P) is going to play the flute in band... (I loved band, so excited)
And I am considering on venturing into a new business, I am fact gathering about a couple of them right now... soo no hints. But when I decide... it will be a grand anouncement.

Teen A

Did you catch that? "TEEN A" no more pre-teen A???
Now your with me, my precious little pre-teen A is now officially 13 and no longer a pre-teen...
Excuse me while I go cry for a minute...

tick, tock....

*sniffle* Ok I am back and somewhat composed... As composed as a mother of a real live teenage girl can be at least!

Anyways... the in laws came, broke a camp chair, and my bank account and then left on their merry way... I mean seriously, you KNOW that hubby won't accept your money for groceries... So you wait until he is home and in your path of conversation to offer me a few bucks for groceries? I on the other hand will say "thank you" and then go to the store... to shop.

Teen A had a roller skating party, which a few of her girl friends showed up for and her boyfriend! Brave boys to show up, in her daddy's presence and roller skate for 4 hours with his daughter... nice boy though, as nice as a hormonal boy that likes my well developed daughter can be.

Sunday the in-laws drug me out shopping, I say drug me because I was having an allergy attack, felt like poop, bought nothing and then got stuck with the tab for dinner...

Monday, I actually called off work, that's how poopy I felt... althought in between moments of feeling better and poopyness I did manage to clean/dust the living room (yikes! has that been neglected!)
Tuesday, I called off work again! YEA! I has a fever of 100.6! I only dragged my hiney off the couch long enough to go pee and heat water for tea...
Wednesday I am at work, actually working? not so much, but I am here in presence trying to recoup... If I talk for more than 20 seconds it strains my throat and I have a coughing fit, so I can't talk, and hubby thinks it's Christmas.

Well, that should catch everyone up... Talk to you soon!

Wardrobe Malfunction

Ever have one of those days?

Yesterday morning as I was attempting to dress for work, I came to the horrifying realization that I actually had nothing to wear... I haven't done laundry in.. uh.. forever and a half... leaving me with that one pair of crumpled panties in the back corner of your underware drawer... You know the ones, the ones that you pull out, think *gee, these are cute, wonder why they are shoved clear back in the corner of my drawer* So, like an unsuspecting victim of a horror film, you walk outside to find the noise, I mean you decide to wear the panties, instead of... what do girls call it when they go with out panties? We don't exactaly "freeball" it... Anyways, you get my drift...
Then the LAST pair of dress pant you own are hanging there, laughing because they know you are about to be forced to wear them. Why is this so bad? These are the pants that Preteen A put in the dryer, shrunk up, and now I roll up to create the illusion of cuffed capris. Not that I think I am fooling anyone... which is why they were the last pair of pants hanging there.

So as it is pouring down rain, I throw on my heals and run off to work.

About an hour after I arrive, I realize the errors of my ways... The reason the panties are clear in the back of the drawer... NO ELASTIC! Every step I take, every move it make, they are falling down around my hips, which is leaving the oddest bunched up ring around my body. Oh and lucky me, guess what else, the zipper of my pants seems to be faulty and has a new phobia of heights! Yes, I was in a constant XYZ situation ALL DAY!

But, I have a moment of light... I have to go to the store to get water, and tape for work. While I am in there, I am gonna buy a pair of panties and little sock peds to wear with my heels, as my feet are freezing!

I bought the wrong size panties, in a thong, and the socks were too big.

I COULD NOT WAIT to get home and strip! My nightgowns was on at 6:15pm

what a week so far...

Monday, had to cater and do a huge presestation to about 20 people... and then we completely tore down the office aquarium. Then Little P had her "crossing over"ceremony from a Junior Girl Scout, to a Cadet.
Tuesday, At 7am (5 minutes before I leave the house) I realized that I never washed the cleaning ladys rags and towels. Yes, I know it's odd, but one of my assumed duties... In my feeble attempt to wash them, then throw them in the dryer, drop the kids off at thier schools, then swing back around to get the dried towels... well they weren't dry at all and the ONLY thing i accomplished was being late for work. That day was crazy, only to rush home to go straight to PTO fall festival planning meeting...
Today, I am driving hubby's truck because I am buying 2 more hens today... Which means I need to get ready, get a container for food and water, grab some straw... Stop by a friends to borrow a dog crate... and I have NO obligation after work!!!!!

ps. Hubby found the battery charger for the camera... which means pictures for you!

I miss my blog life...

I do, I really miss it, yet as I went from part time employement to full time, and became the treasurer of the PTO, and run a kid to Girl Scouts once a week... That thing I once took for granted, free-time, is now greatly missed.

I miss my outlet of story telling, I have no outlet for this at work because my office consists of me and my boss... Who is male and doesn't care about my totally awesome new hot pink purse.

He doesn't care about my crafty paint project, or manicures, or the stupid things my kids do.

This leaves me with a pent up over abundence of words that I can't get out on a daily basis...

I may need to tweek my schedule, which would mostly consist of limiting facebook...

Then maybe there would be time to resume blogging...

I mean, my oldest daughter is about to turn 13, I need reinforcements, I just discovered TWO secret facebook accounts... and can I just say... it is gonna sound horribly inappropiate but... the girl has passed me up, in ahh... her... oh heck, she has bigger boobs than me!!!!

Oh and did I tell you??? We were robbed a 3rd time this year!

Full Pout Mode.

I am feeling pouty today… I believe this could be HIGHLY induced by the roller coasters of hormones raging through my body my "cycle". If you don't care to read along and listen to me whine like a spoiled snot nosed snob, then here is your warning to get out.

So Hubby and I cleaned out our closet Saturday, we have a huge closet that also doubles as the "catch all". In this cleaning out process, I also ditched any clothing that I hadn't worn in the past year (ok I maybe kept 3 things that I couldn't part with yet, but you get the picture) So there is currently a pile about 4x4 ft square and at least 4 ft high of clothes and shoes that were discarded by me and hubby.

On to the pouty part, I own exactly 3 pairs of dress pants (I work in an office 5 days a week, do the math) Only one dress shirt does not have either a stain or hole in it. The holes are from my idiot dog precious canine greeting me when I come home, poking an unnoticeable claw through my shirt only to be fully exposed after it has been washed and dried. Yes I scolded, the dog for jumping up on me only to have hubby come home 30 min later in his grungy work clothes and encourage the dog to jump up on him. Ugh.

Then I found the offer letter to Hubby from the company that he works for, the one offering him a nice comfortable salary to up and move to Tennessee… the same one that they retracted 10 minutes after we pulled into the driveway of our new home (IN TENNESSEE). It makes me angry that hubby feels like he isn't providing, when at the same time out of 1000 employees only 120 are left, 120 that include him. I am grateful for employment, period. So I guess I should quit pouting, huh.

What else? Well my 12 yr old car needs fixed, shocking, right? There is NO money for that, but instead I spend a few dollars every couple days putting more oil in… yea, oil leak. And I leaky tire, and I broke the cup holder this morning, my seat doesn't move forward anymore.

Have I mentioned lately that I'm fat? Fatter? More plump than my body has been used to other than two pregnancies, 10 and 12 years ago? Every night I lie in bed and think, Tomorrow I am just gonna get dressed and go outside and walk up and down the drive way a couple times. (It's really long and down a hill…) Then the next morning I wake, and drag my lifeless (fat) body to the kitchen for that cup of joe and then the thought of lugging my body outside, in the cold… well that thought just dissipates into thin air.

I will have the exact same thought tonight when I am lying in bed.

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Why have you picked me to be Job?

Dear Jesus,
I read somewhere that you don't hear, or acknowledge or answer our prayers until we confess out sins. Have I missed something? I thought I got it ALL out that day, you know? I'm not sure if I understand all this so just in case I forgot something...
I'm sorry for spelling S-w-i-m-m-i-n-g in front of my little sister so I didn't have to drag her along.
I'm sorry for letting everyone believe that billy farted in 5th grade gym during sit ups when it was really me.
I'm sorry for dumping my good friends in a faint hope of being popular and liked by the cool kids.
I'm sorry I rejected you when my step dad died.
I'm sorry for being an all around teenage putz.
I'm sorry for ignoring you for my own self gratification for the past 10 years.
I'm sorry it took me SO long to get my head out of my (you know what) and finally give it all up to you.

So now, when I feel like I am learning your word, and understanding your message, and promoting my belief in you, and truly feel like one of your children, why do I feel like... Why have you picked me to be Job?
I went back to work, because I prayed about it and you opened that door for me, now hubby's work is only working every other week! I suppose this job was so we could meet our needs, not our wants.

I know you won't give me more than I can handle, but come on already... Does it always have to be pushed to the brim? I have only had 2 months of reprieve, out of the 2 years of ridiculous stress. I'm tired. I'm tired of this. It's too much. My plate of full. What more do you want from me?

Still praying and trusting in the Lord.
Lucky

Crazy stinkin realitives

So yesterday I went and picked up a cousin and Aunt from the airport. They are going to be staying with me while Howard recovers. Crazy Aunt Barb, as we affectionately call her, is a chronic smoker. So yesterday I showed her the acceptable smoking areas at my home, One was OUTSIDE on the side porch and the other was OUTSIDE on the back porch... Do you see the reoccurring theme here? You know that OUT FLIPPING SIDE part of it?

So this morning i left to take the kids to school, when I returned she said to me, "It's raining so I smoked in your bathroom"

Oh. cuz that makes it better... Would it be ok if I pee only in the shallow end of your pool?

If she smokes in here again... We will have words.

p.s. Hubby got a job! I think he starts on Monday!!! Did you hear that huge gust of wind? It was my sigh of relief.

Multiple Choice Title - You choose

The options are:

1. Emotional Eating Again
2. Deja Vu
3. 3D - Devastation, depression and despair

Do you remember (if you've read my previous blog from spaces) about a year ago when hubby's work announced that they were closing his plant?

Well a couple months ago, we got the same announcement. Only they had a position in place for hubby at the plant right next door to his current one... So everything's ok, right? Wrong.

Yesterday hubby was told that in 4 weeks he no longer has a job.

I don't exactly have a bountiful position, bookkeeping one day a week for 4 hrs and subbing when ever I can, interviewing with anyone and everyone who will give me 5 minutes...

This blows

Spring has sprung! and other random thoughts

Ok ok ok

FIRST - Day two of subbing was uneventful, Praise God!

Second, there is a little boy in my Little P's class that teases her for her name... I found this note in her backpack, I think it was intended for him.

Stupid boys...

Now for the fun part... We moved into our current home in the summer, everything was already in bloom, now I get to watch as things come to life...

and again...

Subbing again today...

I actually hope it isn't a blog worthy day...

The single most exciting thing about being a parent

I am the substitute tomorrow for my daughters' 5th grade class.

(insert evil laugh here)

Professional job interviewer

Professional job interviewer - yep, that is what I am. Next time someone asks. On that note I have a job interview at 9 am this morning. One in which I will have to take yet another skill test.

Ugh...

I just have to many balls up in the air, I just wish they would fall already so I know which one to catch.

So here is my prayer request, that God closes the door to the wrong opportunities and leaves the right ones open for me. I am so conflicted with my possible options, I need a clear well marked path.

So can I share something with you? Every week I send out a newsletter to the ladies in my small group. I include prayer requests, what we will be discussing, events and then usually a commentary or inspiring story... This week I wrote my own... Here ya go.

Path to Jesus
I read this sentence on coffeecupfriends.com and it reminded me of the discussion we had last week about judgment…

Always be mindful that even though we’re all on the same path as believers in Christ Jesus (John 14:6), we’re not always at the same place on that path, or journey, to spiritual growth and understanding. 1 Timothy 1:5 Always share with love and grace.

I thought that was a great lesson and reminder to ourselves when we feel righteous or superior. Christians begin crawling on the path before we walk, and even if we are all on the same path we have all joined that path at different times. Isn’t it reassuring that there are others on the same path to help us up when we stumble, or call for us out of the forest when we’ve lost our way?
When you decide to walk on the path to Jesus, you will never be alone. There will always be someone a step behind you and a step ahead encouraging you along the way.

At the risk of making this entry too long I am going to end it with pictures... The following pictures are a very cheap way to entertain yourself for HOURS. Put a dog, and a hamster in a ball together in the same room...

Kindergardeners - Tiny people

I subbed today. My very first day in a class room, I get kindergartners of all things! Now I have been a very self righteous parent for years... and very good at I must tell you.

How does the saying go? Walk a mile in someone else's shoes? Something like that? I think every parent should have to teach a class for one day, that event alone would increase the respect for teachers and pass every tax to up teachers salaries.

We did a work sheet that had math problems 1+2 or 4+4 nothing higher than 4+5, there were some kids that knew the answers on the spot, there were some who worked diligently to figure them out, and then there were some that even when you held up the fingers for them to count, skipped a finger and then triple counted the ones that were hidden. Such a range of need and comprehension.

Sorry this is short, but I wasn't prepared for today, I am trying to get dinner going, homework done, and as BFF said "Even dooce updated her blog and she's pregnant and on vacation"

I think those little sponges sucked the creativeness out of me!

Molding Young Minds

It's unofficial. I am about to be a substitute teacher... You know because life wasn't miserable enough as it is, so i thought how can I make things even worse... hmmmm (fingers drumming on desk...) What could possibly be the lowest of low in careers...

Ditch digger? Naw they have back hoes and unions... easy.
Garbage truck picker uper? Riding on the back of a truck... wind in my hair... awesome.
Hmmm what person do all people hate and loathe... tax collector? naw. repo man? I don't know how to break into cars...

Oh I KNOW!!!! Substitute teaching!

Figures

A little over a month ago I decided to sign up to be a substitute teacher. In Tennesse you only need a high school diploma, clean drug test and finger printed to qualify. Hey I'm not teaching phsyics, I'm a sub. So I scheduled my training, for february 17th, which is tomorrow, which is a teacher in-service day. Great. So my girls are home, I have to find a sitter. I really hate asking anyone.

Why? Even though they are dear friends, they are new friends. All they know is what they have seen in only 6 months, or should I say allowed them to see. They haven't know me for years, seen the ugly side of me and decided to be stick around and be my friend anyways.
Do they know that I am SO competitive that I push in a game of twister, or get a little ugly when I lose? Do they know that I am not a long stable mature christian? That I was only saved 2 years ago and I still feel really lost most of the time? How about the fact that I never talk to my brother and sister, mom or dad. Typically I don't care, and am glad that I don't ever have to deal the family drama that most people endure, but sometimes I grieve for the relationships that I wish we had. What would they think of me if they knew Hubby and I divorced several years ago, or worse yet, why we divorced... Would they still want to be my friend then? What about when I get upset? I get the mouth of a sailor... (I know I know)

Thing is, when I lived in Florida... I had lots of different friends, People I could talk to about my faith, friends I could cuss in front of, friends I could (gasp) have a drink in front of, friends to talk business, friends who I could cry with etc. The only people I know here are the few ladies from my small group at church and since they are church ladies and new friends I feel very restricted, as though I can't let me hair down and just be myself. (I feel very much like a toddler learning to walk with my faith, every time I get up to walk, I fall flat on my face again and again)

I know one person here in TN that I have known for over 5 years, sadly right now she is making some stupid choices, and honestly I can't hardly stand to be around her, at the same time I miss her so much I cry about it. I don't have to filter anything about me when I am with her.

Making new friends stinks.

deja vu

I have known this "unofficially" since before Christmas, but today it will be announced officially that the plant in which my husband works will be closing in March. It was March 08 that his plant closed in Florida we up and moved to Tennessee. Unofficially he will be transferred to another plant near by, which is really good news. Don't get me wrong I am truly thankful that he will remain employed, it's just the uncertainty that seems to loom over us that it wearing me thin.
This sucks. I know how distraught I am, my husband has to switch jobs again. Yes it is the same company, same job, but new facility, new people and new personalities he has to learn all over again.
And here come the water works. As my BFF says "STINK"