Do I count?

Usually a question for the work world, but now at my home! Sniff, sniff...I think my kids have forgotten me! They don't always do their chores (I bet that's a shocker) and now they don't always read about themselves and our lives here. I'm crushed! Of course I'm writing this as I am being watched closely and they can't believe I'm putting this in here. After all this is really just about what I find interesting...man, my life sounds so boring, even with as many crazy things that go on! Work is busy, hopefully calming down soon, but we'll see. Been stressed and now not going to let myself worry about it. Life is too short. I think I have either e-mailed or spoken to all of my siblings and my best buds within the last 24 hours (except a certain someone who I am having trouble getting on HER blog and want to know why). Kids schedules are exploding, school programs are calling, and demands for $$$ are rolling in. Gee, what else can be happening? Life is good, weather is winter, family is dear, friends are precious and we can hope that are dreams and prayers come true! G'nite world...

Stress, Sleep and Endless Resources...

Remember I said work was really stressing me? I didn't even realize the half of it! I just lost a week of my life to a REALLY bad case of ulcers as a result of stress. Monday was to be a day to celebrate the life of one I respect and admire so much, instead I don't recall the day...I did spend it on my knees, but I was paying homage to the porcelain god...As I did on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Finally to the hospital. Surprise! I was dehydrated. I don't think I have ever felt that weak before. I'm on the mend and working hard at trying to figure out how to make things less stressful. I was pleasantly surprised upon becoming conscious of the real world (that would be last night) that I was actually missed and needed. The house wasn't in too bad of shape, but that could have been because the kids wanted to go to the game and the dance and were having friends over. They knew what would hit the fan if I found out the house was trashed and they still went ahead and did it! Jeff wouldn't have even realized it was a mess, he is so oblivious--well maybe he would have and HE kept it up, excuse me, I'm sorry but I had to break for laughter!! He was so good to me this week, it all fell on his shoulders and he didn't complain or anything. What a great guy! Kids had a blast last night and actually told me about the rest of the week so I guess all is good. Joaners called and is still having a blast, she was calling to check on me, isn't that sweet? I'm really pooped and ready for a nap...I'm telling you, I could get used to sleeping all of the time. If I only had the money to do what I wanted to do then I would feel it was all worth it. See, I don't think I could just hang out and be focused on just the kids (I know, I'm a terrible mom)but I would want to do so much...Oh well, I'll only dream of it. Gotta pay the bills first and then maybe when I win the lottery I'll be able to do the things I want to. What would you do with endless resources...how would you leave your mark on the world (it can be fun or serious or both). Just curious folks... Jtine

RANGER. Must be going.

Ups and downs...writing like I think...

Man, I can't believe this much of the year is gone...It's day 11 of the year. Weren't we just celebrating with friends? Have 3 kids playing basketball (and for a certain someone, that REALLY is an inside sport and no it was NOT cold at the game tonight). Ok, it was really funny at the time. Kids grades were excellent, the house is still a wreck. The game schedule is crazy this week and a tourney this weekend. I'll have to make the games though 'cause I might miss the tourney this weekend...Poor hubby, he'll have to do it himself! Can you hear me crying (or was that me doing the victory dance for the break???). The room is almost done, have the finishing touches left to do and most of the bedroom is back in the girls room. I am soooo excited, and can hardly wait to take the back house! The fam is miserable, but a little more whip cracking and we'll be done! I'm enjoying listening to my friends stories about work, I used to enjoy telling them. Can you tell, work's still stressing me. Next week should be fairly slow as I have no out of town days and maybe I can figure something out. Seems like I'm in a rut. I love the folks I work with, I love my job, I hate being broke and I hate lots of stress. Something has got to give soon! My friend is still really miserable about her break-up, really down. Who wouldn't be? I'm pretty worried about her and considering a road trip this weekend. Hope the weather is good! The way I think is scary, isn't it! Met a blog buddy last week...her mom introduced me to her site last year. Really cool. Think I'll ask if I can post a link.

2005...Beyond the Cliche

Happy New Year folks! It's been a whirlwind of activity around here. Fortunately, I can honestly say the good outweighs the bad! Suffice it to say that we are all well, happy and safe...What more could we want! We had a delightful holiday with family, including wonderful visits from family and to family (d/t a lovely snow storm, we did our traveling AFTER Christmas). Kind of makes us want to have more time spent with our extended family! Who would have thunk that was going to be the comment (in my field, I usually hear about and all the yucky stuff--here, it was just the opposite). Ok, so it was a bit stressful, but that was mostly trying to figure out what time to put the food in, how not to disturb company when sleeping (we can be a loud bunch), etc. Moving on, this is the New Year after all! I think there will be a lot of new and exciting things happening. My friend is starting to move forward, my uncle and aunt and friends who have experienced loss have been through the toughest holiday and found some good and all though there was a horrible world tragedy, we can see good all around us as offers of and actual assistance start to trickle in. Many groups started this year out with mission trips to do good for others...What a wonderful thing and a beautiful example for those of us (ok, I mean me)who like to sit back because we're afraid to get out of our comfort zones. I'm really afraid about how bad my house will look if I go some place that long (really!)--not to mention I would rather my husband go with me (I'm a weany at heart), this may be the real clue here, and our kids aren't quite old enough for that (ok, maybe they are, with our support system). If we could afford it, all of us would go, hmmmm, where is my faith...So I have issues. Lot's of them. Guess that would go under goals for the new year. I'm almost off of vacation, tomorrows the last day. I definitely do not want to go back, ever. Too bad we have to pay bills, huh. If it were a perfect world, I wouldn't have to work and could spend all my time waiving my wand so that I can make others lives perfect (the wand would be cash and I would be paying others to do the work) but I wouldn't want anyone to know I was doing it. So, I would be kind of good but not really because my laziness would take away from any points earned! Ok, again with the faith thingy, apparently I don't have much because if I did, I would be less concerned with points and more concerned with others welfare. Guess I have a lot of work to do in this new year...Better get cracking! Just wanted to say hello out there and hope that all of you have the BEST year ever, may you be healthy, happy and safe...After all, really, what more could we ask for? God Bless, J