7 more days 'til Christmas

I must apologize for my absence lately. I have no excuses, just lack of motivation.

The insurance thing isn't working out so much. Its not that it isn't worth doing, it is just a saturated market and I am really not a salesman. I have been looking for full time work with little results in this economy. Its not that I am not qualified - there just isn't a lot of open positions near me but I will keep looking and praying.

I have done a lot of baking while home and I am really enjoying it. I would advertise and sell my goodies but I cannot get a license for that because of my indoor pet. It is mainly for friends and family right now. My artistic side is trying to come out and I have plenty of ideas - I guess I just need a way to sell my wares.

Christmas is in 7 days and I am not even close to being ready. I am ready for the family and time together, but I have not finished with half of the things I wanted to get done. Its not about gifts, but activities to make memories for our family.

Christmas last year was such a bummer and I just want this one to be way better all the way around. Last year, my husband was in bed with a broken back and had just been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. As a matter of fact, he was officially diagnosed on December 18, 2008 exactly one year from today. Since then he has nursed a bad back, had a stem cell transplant and retired from being a policeman.

It has been a busy year, but not a great one. We are ALL looking to making 2010 much better and I hope your coming year brings you much greatness and love.

Limited Income

Ok....I am really having issues with all the hype about Social Security not getting a cost of living increase this year. On one hand, an extra couple of dollars each week is not going to give anyone a more comfortable budget. Even a 2% raise totaling an average of $20 each month is not going to move anyone into another tax bracket. On the other hand, the $250 lump sum payment that is being proposed for certain groups of individuals is $10 more per year than that 2% raise everyone is complaining about not getting.

Most individuals will blow $5 each week on things they do NOT need even when they live on the tightest of budgets. That payment of $250 in a lump sum could help someone repair an appliance or a car.

I fully understand the impact of a cost of living increase. My husband's military retirement increases happen every year. And every year we laugh at those extra pennies - not that we don't want them, they just seem so insignificant. Yet, over the years they really have added up.

I feel for those living under the thumb of Social Security but I also feel for the thousands of individuals who have lost their jobs and homes. I for one am extremely grateful for all that I have.

One must sit back and question the vast intelligence of our government when they passed the "Cash for Clunkers" program. Did they actually stop and think about who might pay for it in the long run? What about all these other "helpful" programs our government leaders are rushing to pass. If we had not had "Cash for Clunkers", we might be able to give Social Security the cash flow it needs.....HMMMMM. Just thinkin' out loud.

Hope

Everyone needs hope. If you look forward to any part of the future then you have hope. Hope is what gets us out of bed in the morning and keeps us moving. Hope comes from heaven above and is a free gift if you have Jesus in your heart. Hope does not come from man or his inner strength - it is an attribute of God and His life within us. I pray for those who do not feel that they have hope and I ask that anyone reading this do the same. Many of those who suffer from depression cannot see the hope in their future and are overwhelmed by the situations in the present. God's grace is sufficient for all your needs and He loves each and every one of us without ever having to earn that love. He gives it freely.

As I begin my new career in sales (insurance), I find that hope is what keeps me going everyday. Hope is what keeps me strong because I know that no matter how bad any day or situation can be, it will not stay that way. I can have an awful day and at the end simply say, "I can't wait to see what God has in store for me tomorrow!"

This past year has been a rough one but with God's grace and strength we can all still smile and know we are loved by Him and each other. Please remember that no matter how bad a situation may seem now, tomorrow holds much promise for greatness.

I love you all and pray for you all that God's plan and love are fulfilled in you.

Faith is simple - BELIEVE!

I am getting there!

I have figured out that when you have a child with a strong personality that its a constant battle to remain in control. It doesn't have to be a battle, it just needs to be a constant work in progress. My youngest is very independent, strong and out to prove she can do it all. (I have NOOOO earthly idea where she gets that from!) There was a time when she spent a lot of time with friends this summer and it did affect her attitude. When forced to spend more time with family, she is reluctant at first but quickly returns to the goofy girl we all know. As a parent I can see how the outside influences affected her and know better where that fine line is concerning time with friends. Our neighborhood is an open place where kids play freely and with all the "stuff" we have been through this summer we allowed her to play when she wanted as long as chores were done. In retrospect we see that it may have been just a bit too much time away from family influences. This is a lesson for us as parents and we are very happy to have it earlier in her teen years than later!

I am working on finding another cool recipe to post, I just have not been real creative in the kitchen lately. I did get a bread machine and have been playing with that....its kinda cheating but it sure makes the house smell good. I may never have to buy another candle with that thing cranking out its warm goodness!

Life with TEENS

Life with teens.......its amazing that any of us ever lived past it! Our youngest has been pushing limits and has just pushed too far. She is now feeling the effects of being pushed back and isn't liking it much. She had been warned and is now regretting her decision to be rebellious. I think she was more hurt that she made dad that mad and disappointed. That is a good thing but it really is a stinky way to spend Labor Day weekend! I was very proud of both of us - we didn't even raise our voices when we laid down the law. We had company and also had to deal with this.....oh well, cie la vie.

My hubby has been cleared to do pretty much whatever he wants as long as there aren't a bunch of people around. He went to the driving range at the golf course last week and did pretty well. The golf course gave him a free round of golf for his birthday so we are going tomorrow to chase the little white ball. His doctor is very happy with his decision to start swimming and golfing again. He also said there will be no need for physical therapy at this point but he will also always have to deal with the occasional stress fracture due to his weak bones. That is just one of the things you deal with when you have multiple myeloma.

I passed my state insurance exams and am just waiting for sales school to start later in the month. So for right now, I am in limbo and just dealing with life. I do have my hands full even with the lull in the new career but am also excited to get it started.

My thumbs are better!

Ok.....I read a funny blurb today about Megan Fox's thumbs! The girl is definitely blessed in the looks department but her thumbs are not as cute as mine! She has a genetic anomaly that makes her thumbs short and wide....and so do I!

It is actually a rare medical condition called brachydactyly. That's just a fancy word for "shortness of fingers and toes" and it is genetically passed as a dominant trait. This trait was once a dominant trait in European royalty and was considered a test of the purity of the bloodline. If you have one or more shortened fingers or toes you are truly special!

So......here is a picture of my thumbs and you can click on the link below to see Megan's. You be the judge on who has the cutest "fat" thumbs!

Megan's Thumbs or MY THUMBS

New Fiscal or Physical Year?

Today is my hubby's 56th birthday and he has deserved a celebration. As he so eloquently puts it, "55 was hell and I can't wait to get it over with!" So we have decided that his birthday should be the start of a new year for our family. He is still recovering from his stem cell transplant and doing very well (day +66). This morning he is joining a friend for a swim at the new recreation center we have nearby. I hope he has a good time with some 'new' physical activity. His back still bothers him but he is gaining more and more mobility.

We don't have any specific plans other than we all took him out for the all-you-can-eat shrimp special at Red Lobster on Saturday. We are starting to plan a getaway weekend sometime this fall to celebrate both our birthdays together. Still looking at destination ideas....more to come later.

The girls are getting used to being back in school. The hardest part is getting up at 5 am with my oldest to make sure she is getting around. She does pretty well but that is still VERY early for a teenager to catch the bus before 6am. I am starting to enjoy the quiet time in the mornings again and I am getting a lot done, including studying for my insurance exams tomorrow.

This week should be a lot cooler too so yard work is in my plans....the heat has kept me from doing some much needed weeding! We have so many trees that need to be removed and some bushes that need to be planted....It is going to be a busy fall. Fall is my favorite time of year and our new beginning offers a new start, a new career, and lots of hope.

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. -Romans 5:1-5

Bodie Island Lighthouse, North Carolina - October 2008