Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Summer... almost over

Just a few random thoughts...

It's nearly time to go back to work. For me, that means secretary at a local elementary school (5th and 6th graders). I have enjoyed this time with Isaiah and being able to get a lot done in the new house. My yard is still a mess (I'm really not a gardener!) and there are still things I want to do in here, but I've run out of time.

My foreign exchange student arrives August 12. I'm excited. Her bedroom is nearly put together and I'm working on a welcome basket for her. I've started with some art supplies (her mom said she'd love them) and will include a t-shirt and items with the school's mascot on them. I'm also adding some toiletries and monogrammed washcloth and hand towel. I got her a special Scentsy warmer (the cutest ice cream cone - https://scentedjoy.scentsy.us/Buy/ProductDetails/37823) for her room, added a pink lava lamp, and some other decorative touches. I hope she likes it. I think she will. Her mom was thrilled with it.

I just got back from a fun-filled weekend with an old friend. LOL - she's only a couple of months older than me but we've been friends for 50 years!!! That is an "old" friend! We saw Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. It was pretty good and very clean entertainment. The food was OK - not great, but not too bad, either. I thought the scenery and the story line was decent. We saw the son of Erich Brenn, who was the original "plate spinner" on the Ed Sullivan Show. He said his dad is now 98 and in good health. The son did some juggling acts and also did the plate spinning act. It was well-done and we enjoyed it.

I'm still working on getting myself healthier. I want to live as long as God intends for me to live, and not a second less. That means I have to get in control of the things that I CAN control and quit letting things slide. I'm sure there are times He just shakes his head and marks off my timeline. :)

Tonight, Amy signed us up for an Arbonne party. Not too sure about that, but I'll listen. Supposedly, she's going to concentrate on the stuff to help flush our systems of junk and help us get healthier. We shall see. I already know I don't like the taste of their meal replacement shakes. Not. at. all. I've tried vanilla and chocolate. I HAVE to have something that I can mix with coffee. I don't like the cold shakes and I always start my day with coffee. Always.

Saturday, we're having an Agnes & Dora party. My sister and my niece both sell (and, I'm going to sign up as well - just not sure when) and I fell in love with the clothes. Since Velata is going out of business in August, and since Scentsy really isn't my thing, A&D just might be the next step for me.

I'm fixing Stouffer's lasagna for supper tonight. I know it's cheating a bit, but since the Arbonne lady will be here at 6:30, I needed something fast. This works. We're also having garlic bread and salad. Anna doesn't like lasagna so she'll get something else. Not sure what but something.

Off to do what I need to do today...


Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Here I am - AGAIN!

Well, life has certainly taken its share of twists and turns in the past couple of years. After leaving Hospira last year, I thought I'd be doing just fine with substitute teaching. Then, my son's life got turned upside down by his (not-so-lovely) soon-to-be ex-wife. Needless to say, she was not what she portrayed to us and she has done a lot of things that shocked us and left us very sad. I feel very sorry for my poor grandchildren and can only pray they come out unscathed. It's a struggle.

After needing to help out my son, I ended up going back to work as a school secretary. It's pretty laid-back, low stress, and helps make ends meet. I'm good with that. I started that job in January and worked the rest of the school year. We get seven weeks off and resume on July 25.

During the time off, I moved. I didn't think I'd ever move from my little duplex. But, my daughter and her husband bought a large house on 7.5 acres and asked me if I wanted to move out here. We call it a "farm-ette" because of the size and it has room for animals. In fact, we have 25 chickens and two goats. The chickens are for the eggs and the goats are for the grass. There are also four guinea hens in residence and three rabbits (I think it's the same three - I see them all the time). I have about 1500 sq feet of space (two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room, kitchen, dining, room), a one-car garage, and share the full basement. Amy's side of the house (about 2,000 sq ft) has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room, bonus room, kitchen, dining room, and garage. In the basement, we have another bedroom (Isaiah's), a bathroom, a very large family room area (it's currently unfinished except for walls and ceiling), two mechanical rooms, a "utility" room for the freezers, and two other finished rooms. One of these is a guest bedroom and the other will be the craft room. We're all very excited and loving it. I've been here two weeks and Amy's family has been here since Memorial Day. My Murphy bed was going there but it won't make the turn to go down the stairs, so my youngest son (who also just bought a house) will take it for his second bedroom.

Also, this spring was the arrival of a great-granddaughter, Koralyne (pronounced Cora-line) Leigh Hick. Faith is her mom and the daughter of Ron's oldest, Stacey. I know that Ron would be beyond thrilled to see and hold this little baby. Faith has an older daughter, too.

On another note, someone told me one time that babies and animals can sense or see angels. I set up an end table in my new living room with a picture of my parents on it (I've never had this picture out before). Seth walked right up and started talking to it. He has said "hi" to the picture every time he has come into my living room. Anna said, "Seth is talking to those people we don't know." I laughed and told her they were my parents and she knew GiGi (the kids' name for my mom) before she died. I told Amy about it and she asked him where GiGi was. He pointed right to my mom's picture. She's been gone since September 2012 and my dad since September 2005.





















I'd seen a cardinal around here a couple of times while I was moving in. That pretty much solidified the thought that I was doing what I was supposed to be doing.

My goal is to get back into the blogging routine while I work on doing what I need to be doing for me. I need to get back into writing so I don't lose my touch. LOL - as if I ever had one!

Ciao for now!