Monday, December 18, 2006

Long Time - No Post

Sorry, It's been a while since my last post. Life is good here - I have a sense of fulfillment and contentment. I'm cherishing the feeling. Life around me is good and thus I am good. The rain can come, the winds can blow, the waves can crash and yet I will stand! I am strong and I am determined!

Geesh, upon further reviewing my self analysis I sound like a lighthouse, lol. Come on in Sailor :)

Ok, so enough of that gibberish. Life is seriously good and not for any one reason.

- My sis-in-law just got there first house! It is SOOOOOOO cute; it makes me want to burn mine to the ground and buy a new one :) No seriously it is adorable and so perfect for them. I'm so happy and hope they enjoy every square inch of it.

- My families Christmas went well this weekend. I cooked bunches and we are still eating on it! I think everyone had an ok time... no one ever has a GREAT time at these family things, but hopefully it wasn't completely boring. April came and joined us; she is a friend of mine from Athens. She is one of the nicest people I've ever met; and she is so adorable with her little VW Bug. I've never met such an independent person! You go girl! **P.S. We're trying to bring her into the knitting family -- Future Knitter She Shall Be :) **

- School is well ... BEHIND but I'm dedicated and will be caught up before the last day on Thursday! Ok so realistically it maybe Saturday before I'm completely caught up but dang it I will get'er done! After which classes are over until 1-7 and then on 2-13 I GRADUATE!!!! Yep you saw it the big G! I can't wait.

- Knitting is really on a stand still right now and for some reason I feel like that is something I should feel guilty about - why? It's just a hobby.... Who knows where my psychy comes up with shit.

Work is going well. I'm learning alot of new procedures and getting to know my team. One of the people that directs work my way is almost deaf... I'm trying to figure out how to communicate with her well. She is so sweet, I just need to learn to slow down when I talk and enuciate so she can read my lips.... I'll get it! But really things are going well. I got my first pay check on Friday :)

That's all my updates for tonight! I really hope all of you in blogland are enjoying your Christmas season! May you have dreams of snowmen and gingerbread :)

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Lucky Me

Where does time go? One day it's Nov 1 and you have plenty of time for the Christmas rush and the next thing you know you have a gift exchange the upcoming weekend and you have zero, yep zero gifts prepared and a schedule that won't bend. It gets me every year; hell it's almost laughable.

This weekend my mother, one of my brothers, my God-mother and my friend I grew up with are at my house for dinner (yep full smeal w/ ham, dressing and deserts) and I have none of their gifts! NONE. My nieces/nephew are going to their grandmother's for Christmas and we are having a mini exchange for them tomorrow (I found out today), luckely I had both scarfs for them done and I'm only giving my nephew cash. It's funny I thought I had one done and hadn't started the other but when I opened my knitting bag the 2nd scarf was 75% done... lucky I tell ya, lucky. I'll take pics of them wearing them tomorrow and share :)

The new job is going well... It's only the 2nd day so I can't say much yet - the first week is always hell. Getting into a routine, meeting new people, always being 'on' ... But I'm excited and think I can learn alot!

My week is pretty slammed so if I don't blog you know why:

Tomorrow Night - Gift exchange in Dahlonega (1 1/2 hour away) w/ nieces & nephew
Thursday - NAIW dinner (must have $15 gift that I haven't bought and donation for family)
Friday - Assignment due, get ready for dinner party (no groceries in house and I have a huge Christmas dinner to cook)
Saturday - Cook, Cook & Cook some more then have fun w/ friends and family.

Sometime in this schedule I have to shop for Mama, Donald, Jean & Amanda......

Don't get me wrong though - I'm in high spirits! Things are going well and I'm content with my life. We are still discussing financing for all the home stuff we want to do and I'm waiting on a couple of quotes. Jack is enjoying his new position - he's stressing but enjoying the challenge - I just wish he got home a little sooner. Hey, I even cooked tonight - yes it was Hamburger Helper but it was something :)

Sleep well blogland - may you dream of happy moments and candy canes.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Amazing: The Boost

You know it's amazing how one night can turn your outlook around. I started working on homework around 2 pm this afternoon -yes much later than I should have, but all through this class I've been looking at my assignments and the first thing that popped into my mind whas "What the F__K" so I've really dragged my feet in the class. Well tonight my portion of the group assignment was due and I'm one to drag my feet when it only concerns me but when others are involved I do what I say I'm going to do! So here I go trying to figure out how to do a work breakdown structure on a project I know nothing about and I'm frustrated, I'm crying, and I'm stressed...

So I call my hubby at 4:30 and beg him to come home and help as he has expertise in the IT arena where this fictious project we are doing is focused, I email 2 or 3 of my group mates begging for a phone call and I begin to really sort thru the mess I have in front of me. Hubby then gets home at 6 and helps me to lay out the steps said process would take and the time lines - at this time I'm beginning to see hope. Then a group member calls and we talk for an hour or so; another group member calls and we talk for an hour or so. Now my time estimates are almost done and while I still need to do my individual write up I'm confident that I can pass this class. I'm confident that I can get caught up and pass and thus graduate in Feb. It's amazing what talking stuff out can do.

I know that to you this may not be a big deal but I was lost in this class and I still have no doubt it will be hard, but this was the kick in the ass I needed. I'm feel like a weight has be lifted and that I can breathe again! Wow! I just can't explain it....

Well, bed time for me as I have to get up in the morning and keep the ball rolling! WOOT! Maybe I'll get done in time to rocover my kitchen chairs :)

Lots to Do

Well, my feeling of doom and gloom is gone - thankfully! I still have a ton to do though! The dinner party for this weekend was cancelled so that's a good thing! I did manage to get the house (minus master bedroom/bath and office) cleaned, the tree is up and I've met with more contractors than Carter has liver pills. But things are coming together.

Now it's time to get serious on school. I have a portion of my group assignment due... well now, and several assignments that are late. Have no fear... If I can ever get started I'll have it done in no time.

Knitting is at a stand still and so are all other things crafty. I'm taking my hat to Melanies this weekend to get help with it (have to get in double pointed needles - horror).

Christmas shopping is partially done; I need to take inventory.

Other than that life is good. I start my new job on Monday and I'm a little nervous but that's to be expected. The pricing for the contractors is coming in and it's an ordeal but I think we're going to manage to get most everything we want :)

Well, I guess I better get started on school. I think I need to clean my desk off first though - bah!

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Sigh

As i sit here and prepare to write this blog I find my self sighing. I'm not sure if it's a sign of relief, regret, or just a sigh. I do feel a little bit better from my last post but I'm not back to my normal giddy self. I still have a ton to do with little to no desire to do it and now Mama is here visiting for a couple of days so I have an excuse not to do it; good she's visiting but I need to get off my ass. I did get the living room and the upstairs cleaned. I need to straighten the office still but the floor has been vacuumed. What else neeeds to be done? Not that you really care but I'm going to list it out here for my own benefit as much as for your own boredom:

- Clean Dining Room
- Clean Kitchen
- Clean bedroom
- Clean bathroom
- 2 Discussion boards (3 if you include one due tomorrow)
- 1 project
- Put tree up
- Make menu for next weekend
- Shop for next weekend (food)
- Christmas shopping (make sure we at least have all the presents for those coming next week)
- Recover dining room chairs before next weekend
- I have several more appts w/ contractors next week: We are having alot of work done to house and I'm getting prices. Some of the work includes landscaping, new roof, exterior paint, gutters, deck, sunroom... I think that's all. Oh yea we have to have the fireplace fixed (stucco damage).

Well, I should work on school and I may or I may go downstairs and veg. Not sure yet. Have a good night everyone.

Maine - Day 9

It rained today; if it was going to rain today was really the best day for it as we needed to travel so I'm grateful.  We've really ...