I'm not kidding, it's April...

Yes, I love April. Except for the incredible amount of pollen that coats everything like an evil miasma which smothers the secondary, disposable character in a horror movie-you know, the funny one who always dies. Seriously, I think the blanket of pollen on my car winked at me yesterday as I stepped in! It was an uncomfortable ride.

But the flowers are out and about. Well, all except my poor azaleas. They're dying, have been for several years, and I don't know why. Not that I've been taking care of them. I have a black thumb. I just don't 'get' gardening. Which is not to say that I don't like doing it, it's just that I don't know how. And as far as I can tell, there are no beginner gardening classes for dummies. I just can't learn from a book.

Ah well, I did go to Ace Hardware yesterday. I had to go to two Ace Hardware stores actually, because they didn't have a replacement knob for my outdoor spigot at the first. I had to wait for help at both stores, but I eventually got what I wanted. I think. I'm about to go out and see if I bought the right product or not. But I did get a little soil test while there, so hopefully I will find out if I can save my poor neglected azaleas. They truly are so pitiful. Especially compared to my neighbors' plants on either side of me. Yes, I'm the neighbor with the 'ugly' yard. Despite my occasional attempts to correct the situation.

I could really use some advice if anyone has any. As far as I can see, there are no pests attacking them.

My roses are dead too...I think. They're not blooming anyway. My brother says that not blooming is the universal sign of death.

He laughed when I said that I'm not so sure of that.

You're kiddin'...it's almost April

I looked at the calendar today and do you know what I noticed?? It's March 21st! Where has the time gone? Didn't we just celebrate New Years? Anyhow, as it IS March 21st, and I haven't posted in, like, forevah...I decided to give ya'll a little update. *cough-cough*

Well, Little Man is growing like a weed! He just cut through teeth # 13 & 14 and he's working on the next 2. He's just a teething monster! He's starting to eat like a monster too, which means a growth spurt. He's finally wearing some 18 months in pants...but more for the reason that 12 months are getting too tight. 18 months still ride really low on his hips. And because of his shoulders, he can wear an 18 month shirt, 24 months/2T shirts, as well as some 3T- depending on the cut. Oh, and can you believe that his tennis shoes are a 6! He can get away with a 5 1/2 in sandles. He loves his blocks and trucks and playing make-believe. He can play in his room by himself for 15 to 20 minutes! I'm so happy...because that gives me a little break to unload the dish washer or sort through bills or just have a glass of water.

With Easter almost here, we have been preparing his basket. He's getting a kite, for sure. He's got this obsession (sp) with birds (also his new word)...so he should really like watching a kite. At least, that's the plans.

Money is getting tight. DH's work is goin' on rolling layoffs and shutting down the plant one week in March and one week in April. We don't know about May and June yet. But the whole corparation shuts down for 2 weeks in July. A great time for a vacation...oh wait...that's right...we don't have enough money. *grumble*

As for me, I'm still lovin' being a SAHM. Never a dull day, that's for sure. We are also in the middle of Spring Cleaning. Oh, happy....not! But it needs to be done. We are planning a yard sale for later in April. My last one (which was planned in 2 days) made me $80.00 - not bad for a half days "work".

Little Man has his first photo/model session in April as well. That should be really fun. I can't wait to see how he acts. Or to see the photos. It's up to me as to what to dress him in, so I guess it depends on if it's 65 or 85 out there.

I'm moving up in the DAR...along with my chairmanships, I was offered an Office this up coming term...but I'll talk more about that if I get approved...in April ;-)

SIL is excited about counting down to her wedding...when? In April...and other SIL is excited about counting down to her due date...lets say it together now... "In April". Yeah, April is gonna be busy-busy!

That's about it for now. Hope to read some more updates soon.

signed ~~ Me

Hospital visits and other fun stuff

I know I havent been very attentive lately, I have been sick again.  I wound up in the hospital for a little while last week and now my hubby and I have decided that maybe the best thing is to take some time off work and get my health in order.  I have numerous appointment over the next week and even more numerous appointments in the lab for getting bloodwork done (freaking vampires they all are, I swear).

On another note, my brother called me tonigth wanting to open lines of communication back up.  I am a little confused, I still have a few hurt feelings, but it would be nice to talk to my brother again.  And I guess hurt feelings are meant to be mended.  It was nice, we talked for like an hour and half.  And I am looking forward to getting to know Little K-man  a little better, since all I know are pictures right now.  And Little Miss T talked to her Uncle for a little bit.  She said Hi alot and mostly giggled, but that is her way, and she tried to share her chicken noodle soup with him.  :)

I guess that is all for now, I dont what to start moaning and groaning about bad health, etc.  That would just be boring.  :)

When the gods wish to punish us....

They answer our prayers. Ok, so, I was unemployed for quite sometime after graduating from college last December. And I was not even getting to the interview (except for that one time when I absolutely bombed and slinked out of the room in shame, but that's another story.) And like any self-respecting desperate person, I found that prayer was a last resort. So, I prayed for a job, ANY job.

My mistake.

I was hired as a store associate in November. I now dread going to work. Not because of the work. Oh, no. And it's not even the people. I like the other associates, and even the managers are tolerable, even likeable.

No, my problem just HAD to be FOOT PAIN. Walking around on a concrete floor, even for a few hours a day, has absolutely killed my feet. I do believe that I may have suffered from stress fractures in my feet at the beginning of this month. I mean I was in tears.

I was even off for five days. (Not vacation, I just work part-time and the schedule is thin.) I got the flu for the ENTIRE stretch. So, of course I was on pain/fever reduction pills. And still, five days after working, my feet still hurt.

But I don't know what to do now. Like I said, I DREAD, with all my being, going into work. But there is a recession on, and in my town, unless you're a nurse or teacher, there are no jobs available. People are getting laid off right and left. In fact, my mother is a nurse who works for a private company and even they are being threatened with layoffs.

Ergo, the theme of this post is ... When the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers.


Ok, enough complaints.
It's New Year's Eve. A brand new beginning is at hand.

And you know what that means!!
Time to create those New Year's Resolutions that we are bound to fail to fufill!!

So, I've been thinking about what I wanted to resolve.

1. Clean up and out my bedroom. Donate stuff I never use.
2. Pay my bills off.
3. Find new job. (It would help if the economy would suddenly and drastically improve.)
4. Finally decide which direction in higher learning I want to pursue, and pursue it!
5. Lose weight. Walk 4 miles a week, at least. Eat healthier. Yeah, I know. Every year I make the resolution. But this year I am going to stick with it. (I've heard positive thinking helps!)
6. Feel less envious. (I am currently watching the doc on Envy on the History Channel. Fascinating.)
7. Spend more time with my pets. I sometimes take their affection and attention for granted.
8. Spend more time with my friends. I sometimes take their affection and attention for granted.
9. Be kinder to my family members. Stop taking my frustrations out on them. They rarely deserve it.
10. Finally, I resolve to accept my life as having value despite being unorthodox. Sometimes I look around at other people who have chosen more conventional lives, and I fear that because I am not where I want to be yet (and they are) that I have somehow failed. I haven't. I know that I haven't. After all, everyone is on a different life plan. Whoever said my life had to be like anybody else's life? Still, sometimes that dark shade lingers over my mind.
11. Find a way to marry what brings me joy and happiness with what I am required to do to live and pay my bills.
12. Expect the unexpected. Believe in the impossible.
13.

Anyway, this post was not funny. I apologize. I'm tired, and I have to work tomorrow which just sucks the funny out of me.

My last resolution? -- I will be funny for you next time.

Goodnight, and I wish you all a happy and joyous New Year!!!