Daily Prayer

Well I will try........

Dear Heavenly Father, I am thankful that when we come to You, we can be set free of any character traits that are not like You. Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I do not allow any angry words to come out of my mouth. Lord, help me not to yield to a contentious attitude nor have an argumentative spirit. May I be a kind and loving person that is a peacemaker. Help me to speak gracious things and to be a good witness in all that I say and do. May I always love and do good to my husband all the days of my life. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen. -- Bible.com

You have no idea how much this prayer spoke directly to me. I beg God to change me into the person that he wants and needs me to be. I know that this is going to take some time and it begins with a change of heart.

Once Again

Once again God has provided for my family.

I am officially part-time employed.

I am not qualified and there is no reasonable explanation as to why they would hire a 40 year-old overweight woman who has not been employed outside the home business in over 20 years.

They were very impressed with my resume, so I must send many thank you's out to WB for her help. I never could have come up with a resume like that without her suggestions and template.

Today was my first day, and I work part-time for now but there will be the chance for more hours as time goes on.

I do have a dress code and spent a ton of money on new clothes last week. I will have to pick up a few more things.

I was so nervous that I emailed most of my work home so that I could work on it at my leisure. The only problem with that is, I have found myself working for over an hour already at home (not being paid).

I am in an office with many cubicles and it was so quite today. I dread the day that I actually have to start making phone calls. Everyone will be able to hear (and dissect) everything that I say.

Keep me in your prayers, I was sure that when I arrived today they were going to tell me there was a terrible mistake and I am not the person they wanted. I am also afraid that I am highly unqualified for the job.

In the News!

I have had a difficult time coming up with a blog post today. I am trying to stay positive, but seeing our country go down the tubes is nauseating to say the least.

Here is just a snippet of some of things that I found interesting today.

71 year-old Richard Roden is thought to be the oldest father of twins. His 25 year-old wife gave birth to girls. Now there is a 17 year difference between the hubby and myself, but I cannot imagine this situation. Click on the link for a picture of the babies. You won't be sorry.

Now on to the sicko's.

In the Father of the Year category, a Texas man will not be prosecuted after he forced his 8 and 9 year-old girls to watch hardcore online p0rn. The reason he will not face charges is because of a 1970's law that allows parents to show "harmful material" to their children. The law was "designed" to protect the privacy of parents who wanted to teach children about sex education. There is a huge difference between sex education and p0rn. This guy is scum and guess what, his name cannot be released because "he did nothing wrong".

Another candidate for Father of the Year is Faleh Almaleki who ran over his 20 year-old daughter because he was upset because she was becoming to "westernized". I am sure this "gentlemen" will be pushing for the "Idea" that is being proposed in the US as we speak. Muslims want a separate court system. They don't want to follow our laws only Islamic laws. What this could mean is that here in the US this man could not be arrested, because under Islamic laws women are trash and have no rights. I have a suggestion for all these dads that are intent on honor killing their children... Stay in the Middle East. That is one way to insure that your children will not become to "westernized".

There was a Mafia murder in Italy! Yes you read it here first. Italy has a Mafia and they murder people.

Obama signs the hate crime bill. When he sits down he taps the top of the bill and says something to the effect of "boy this is big". Are you serious. He signed another bill into law that he had NEVER seen before. In this bill it makes it a hate crime to violently attack a person because of sexual orientation........ and many other reasons. That is great but what they are not telling you is that it also states that you cannot harm another person with "words". This means that if you speak out against a person you could be charged with a hate crime. Just another way to chip away at our freedom of speech and religion. This leaves the door wide open to just about any interpretation imaginable.

The legislation has another "serious problem," the pro-family group says, because Congress has failed to define the term "sexual orientation." Consequently, says TVC, 30 sexual orientations (as defined by the American Psychiatric Association) will "arguably be protected" under the legislation. "Those 30 sexual orientations include behaviors that are felonies or misdemeanors in most states or can result in death," notes the group's website.

Great.......... I wonder when liberals are going to wake up and see that we are going down the tubes and the rest of the world is just waiting for the right time to attack. If our current President doesn't get us first......

So Disappointed.

Nothing upsets me more than to find out that an organization that I have given my hard earned money to, has misused the funds, and therefore, lost my trust.

The latest is a biggie. Susan G. Komen for the Cure. You know those little pink ribbons that most women will look for when buying almost anything.

What have they done, you ask?

"Susan G. Komen affiliates donated $711,485 to Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country during April '05 to March 2006," she points out. "And the very fact that Susan G. Komen would give money to Planned Parenthood does not make any sense since Planned Parenthood is not only the largest abortion chain in America, but the connection between breast cancer and abortion is very clear."

I will no longer be supporting this organization!

I have pink recycled grocery bags, they are officially in the trash can.

I will no longer support "charities", I will give direct support to people that I see in need.

This type of nonsense is why we have so much government control. They have created mistrust so that we don't willingly take care of our own people.

Alone time

There is one thing that I have noticed that my son craves from time to time. It is alone time with each parent individually. The hubby is a big family man and insists that everything be done as a family. If you should even suggest different he fights it tooth and nail.

Several years ago I noticed that Cal would request to spend time with me alone. The hubby had a hard time getting used to that (and still does). He still acts hurt if Cal should suggest to do something with just him and I.

I love these alone times. I have started craving them just as much as Cal. Starting next week Cal and I will start having some alone time each day, I feel bad for the hubby but it is just the way that it is working out. Today I suggested that hubby and Cal use the rest of the week (taking Cal to school) for their time. Now I get worried about their time together because the hubby usually takes this time to do something that he knows I am against.

For example the last time, I had told Cal that we didn't have the extra money to purchase a CD. Cal understood and I explained to both of them that we had many other more important things to worry about. The very next day the hubby took Cal and bought a CD. I was so mad I didn't talk to either of them for an entire day. I was upset that hubby would do that (but he has done it numerous times before) and I was upset that he is teaching Cal to behave that way.

Now when we behave like that God usually has something to say about it. The day after they bought the CD it was scratched (really bad) when it was inserted into the Jeep CD player. The player "sucks" the CD's in and when it did it scratched it the entire length. So they wasted $20.00.

Oh and by the way I looked up the CD online and I could have bought it for $12.99 at CBD with a little extra for shipping. I know that I really have to get over this and move on but it is not the first time. The hubby thinks he has to do these things in order to be the "favorite" parent. The thing he refuses to see is that Cal does not respect him because of this type of behavior.

The hubby is BIG on throwing the RESPECT word around.

I know that these alone times are numbered, Cal is getting older and it won't be long before he doesn't want to spend any time with us. I am holding on to these moments for dear life.

Soon enough life will be about cars, friends, acne treatments, and girls. Spending alone time with is parents won't even make the list.

Cal is very sheltered and at times I get a little worried because he is a little immature for his age. I see this more than his father, and I will remind him of his age quite often. The hubby would keep him at this age forever. Me, I am looking forward to the teenage years and a little more independence, but I hope that he still requires the alone time because I know that I will.

Tweens

OK I will not tell you how old I am but honestly when did the word "tweens" come into play?

I am so lame that I had to Google the word to find out that is term used to describe someone between the ages of 20 and 32. Really?

Just going by how I have heard it used, I thought it was to describe someone much younger. Sometimes I feel so lost not having cable, I feel like a senior citizen and just cannot keep up with these youngsters.

Christmas Shopping

Yes I have started my shopping. I don't like to start this early because I find that I spend more than I want to, and usually I end up giving the gift "just because" well before the intended holiday.

I am forced to start a little early this year because a few things that I want to get for Cal have to be ordered. I don't plan on giving any stores POS systems a work out this year, that is for sure, but we will have a great holiday.

I think the Christmases of limitless spending are long gone. Honestly I am thankful for that. We have had the best Christmases during these past few years when money has been difficult to come by. I don't ever want to return to the old way.

We appreciate so much more now!

What do you do when......

Your husband is a bigger child than your child?

We have been watching a lot of TV since we signed up with Netflix. Yesterday we sat down as a family and I stated that during the week we should not watch TV for a couple of reasons.

1. We have been watching too much.

2. CAL tends to misbehave more when we watch too much TV.

3. He will rush his homework or "hide" his homework if he thinks he might watch TV.

4. Really -- TV is garbage and rarely do we enjoy what we watch.

The husband just came down with CAL in toe to ask "Can we please watch TV?"

Now CAL has a history and bible test tomorrow, so I asked if he had studied. His response was he would do that during his reading time before bed.

I am sticking to my guns. No TV. Suddenly Cal remembered that he also had some Art homework.

Grrrr...... The hubby is going to drive me to drink.

Clothes Shopping...... ahhhhhh

I hate shopping for clothes. Really I would rather go to a dentist than shop for clothes.

But, that being said I no longer have a choice. I MUST force myself to purchase something other than jeans.

The last time I went shopping, I tried on almost everything in the store, including a tuxedo vest, and I finally give up and left the store without a thing.

The sizing is frustrating to say the least. I have some clothes at home that don't quite fit so I figured the next size up would be good. I get to the store, start trying on clothes and stop at four sizes bigger and give up.

Five Guys

Burger and Fries.

A Five Guys opened here a few days ago. Now I have heard many of you rave about how good it is, so today when we were running behind thanks to a late DHL delivery, we decided to give it a try.

During the few days that it has been opened the place has been packed, and I thought that it must be better than I had heard for it to be that packed.

Now in all fairness to the joint, my expectations were very high.

It was pretty good. Better than fast food. A little more expensive than what I would have spent at Mickey D's but more food with a much better quality.

I cannot say that it was good as everyone has been telling me, but I will definitely go back again.

The portion of fries was exceptional and I love all the toppings you could be on your burger. I guess I expected a little more from the burger itself. Two thin patties was not what I thought it would be, I thought it would be this huge (thick) burger.

Again it was good. Better than average. Just not as great as all the hype.

Ironing Fool

It seems that Sunday has turned into my ironing day. Cal's uniform (shirt and pants) need to be ironed and it is easier to just do them all at once.

He has enough shirts, thanks to the uniform swap at school, but he only has four pairs of pants, so it doesn't quite last the entire week.

This past Sunday I did enough ironing that I had to fill the iron twice with water from the Grohe faucets in the bathroom.

That my friends, is a lot of ironing.

I think it is only going to get worse. We have made a new "family rule" that we have to start dressing nicer for church.

Sugar Free = Yucky!

I have no idea why but I cannot eat or drink anything that is "sugar free". It leaves the worst taste in my mouth for hours later. It feels like my tongue is growing fur.

I have tried, honestly I have. I have purchased drink mixes, mints, sodas, and many other items hoping that eventually I will find a sugar free that is acceptable.

This Sunday I needed to stop and get mints. Trust me when I say that I really needed a mint. The only thing on the shelf was sugar free. I finally purchased a package thinking that just maybe they had always been sugar free and I didn't remember it.

The particular mint that I purchase claimed that it was the 3 hour mint. They definitely lived up to their claim. It took me three hours to get rid of that horrible furry tongue feeling.

What I want for Christmas

I would love to be able to go to NYC for Christmas this year. I have been looking into taking the train. I cannot believe what an unaffordable form of transportation the rails are.

Several years ago the hubby and I took a train from Syracuse to Canada. It was awesome but honestly it was long before I learned to appreciate the little things in life.

Now the train is just not an option.

It is a tradition for Cal's birthday that he spends it with his grandmother. We have a place in MA that we meet. I am so tired of this particular location. I would love to meet in NYC. It is closer for them, a little further for us but not terribly so.

I know this is a lavish weekend but I cannot help wanting it. I will be sending my prayers to heaven and see what God has to say about it. Of course during my prayers I will be trying to convince God that while it is lavish, it is not as lavish as say loose diamonds. That makes me think of that song "Santa Baby".

Oh no, now I will have that song on my brain for the rest of the day. HELP!

Love

Have I mentioned that I love our new church. Well, it was new back in March. I guess I should just start calling it our church.

They have so many events for the kids and adults alike. This is exactly what Cal needed, heck if I am honest this is what I needed too. I have made a couple new friends, no one really close yet but you don't make close friends overnight.

Cal is busier that he has ever been, and it is always on positive things. He missed out on a few events this week because he was so sick.

He is excited that it is Sunday because today he will find out what is taking place this week.

Crazy

Our company lists it's inventory on eBay for sale. In the past we have done quite well, recently it is hardly worth the effort. Most of the reasons center around eBays silly policies.

Several months ago we found out that in October our listings would end, unless we update them with a "return policy" and "handling time". Both items are ridiculous. First of all, I am not KMart and you cannot just return sometimes because you have buyers remorse. My items are very sensitive and they cannot be returned.

If you purchase an item from me and install it and then find out that is not your problem, I cannot take it back because it has been used.

Handling time is silly when everything that I sell is physically in my stock and I can touch it within seconds of an order.

So a few days ago things started ending. I was not able to update the items before hand because of a silly add-on that we put on the auctions when we listed them. They no longer offered this add-on so everything had to end.

The stress of my 1200 items ending (fifty to a hundred each day) is better than using
diet pills for weight loss. I am trying to get things fixed and relisted but it seems like no matter how many I do, I cannot keep up with the items ending.

The part that is most upsetting is that we were having a fairly decent month. We were well on our way to doubling our sales of last month. That has come to an end.

Trains

My husband loves trains. Over the years he has accumulated quite a collection. Last Saturday he made a very difficult decision and put several of the cars up for auction on eBay.

I am very happy to report that he sold them for more than what he paid three years ago. Yea! That does not happen often in this family. Usually we purchase something and within a few days the value has dropped.

School

I cannot even begin to tell you how much Cal loves school this year. Last year was a disaster that frankly I don't even want to relive in order to give you examples. I will just say that looking back on the situation I have no idea how my son was able to keep his cool and make it through the year.

This year is so much fun. I have a son that loves to do his homework, loves to get ready in the morning, and hates when the day ends.

The most difficult thing about school this year is all the "things" that he needs to take. Each day that he has gym he has to take his gym uniform because they do not have gym lockers. Then he is on the soccer team so he has to take a different uniform for that. Then of course, there are sneakers, dress shoes, his school uniform, honestly sometimes I think he might even have some copper kitchen sinks in his bags.

But it is all good and I would not have it any other way. This was the best move this family has ever made.

Rainy days and Saturdays

always make me sleepy.

Am I the only one that cannot seem to get motivated on rainy days? I can think of a million things that need to be done but I just cannot seem to get moving on rainy days.

I really need to get up to the attic and start sorting though our junk and get it listed on eBay. This is the time of the year that I sell the old junk in order to purchase new junk.

It is a vicious cycle that we live.