Chaos in the family.... and other things....

It seems like some days the chaos in my family is overwhelming and crazy. I'm actually doing ok. Either that, or it hasn't soaked in, the things that have been happening.

I got word yesterday afternoon that my dearest adopted aunt, Aunt Sue, passed away. I didn't want my kids hearing it from others so got ahold of my daughter-in-law so that she could pass the news on to her family before they heard from others. I let my daughter and granddaughter know - they could pass it on. Still debating on passing the news on to the youngest son - of course he is in the right place to hear about it, so I may text him this morning. Aunt Sue is the last of the four sisters. I think there is one brother left back in Arkansas I think it is. Aunt Sue would have been 95 in July this year. One of my granddaughters immediately called me to see if I was ok, for they know how much I loved Aunt Sue.

The youngest son is in the VA hospital in Tucson getting much needed help for his alcohol addiction and then for PTSD. Now if 'life' would just leave him alone so that he can get better. I'm so glad he is there now for with what is going on, it would cause him to drink even more.

I received a hysterical call from his wife the other day that my granddaughter was 'cutting' herself. Then the conversation (on her side) turned to her emotions, etc. (like it was all about her) - and then I spoke with my granddaughter. I got her to promise she wouldn't do it again and I was going to pick her up this weekend so that we can have some time together. After talking with my son, she had done this real lightly about 3 weeks ago when he was home. He talked to her about it then. Then he was gone to the hospital. The granddaughter has been "alone" with the wicked stepmother. sigh. I understand that 3 nights ago now, she again cut on her wrists. Not real deep, but probably enough to get a trickle of blood - I really don't know. Anyway, that is what the daughter-in-law saw and went into hysterics about.

So the son suggested that his wife call the school and ask the counselor to talk with the granddaughter. Only the school doesn't have a counselor - they have a psychiatrist. Who asked the question: Do you ever feel like you don't want to be on this planet anymore? And of course the question was 'sometimes'. Even I could answer that question today that way! So they called in a crisis team who talked with her, then took her to a hospital nearby when they questioned her more. In the end, the granddaughter was released to her aunt's custody with the instructions she was not to be left alone with the wicked stepmother. Ok those are my words. The wicked stepmother part. She is the reason our granddaughter feels unwanted, humiliated, embarrassed. The stepmother puts her down and embarrasses her.

The daughter took her to get her clothes and the stepmother was very irate with her, demanding to know why the granddaughter couldn't be alone with her - that "I saved her life and you are being unfair. I need to know what she has said that she can't be with me alone. Those are your words, I want written proof." And so on. My daughter sent me a copy of some of the texts written after she left the house with my granddaughter. Even after my son told her 'it's not about you'.

I had to ask my son why he stayed with her when she causes such chaos in his family. She is always the victim and ridicules his children and puts them down all the time while building her son up. If anyone observed him, they would know he is going to have major obstacles as he grows up due to her parenting. My son responded, when the kids aren't around, they get along fine, and one day the kids will leave. The boys have already left; our granddaughter is only 14. To allow her 4 more years of this verbal and emotional abuse is unacceptable. Because of whom I'm married to, my hands are tied. I did tell him that if I was single - which I am not - if I was single, she would be able to come live with me. He just doesn't get it.

So after all this, the bottom line is, the granddaughter will be staying with my daughter until my son gets out of the hospital in about 4-5 months. Another granddaughter and son-in-law will make sure she gets to school every day. This granddaughter and I will split weekends having her stay at our places to give my daughter a break.

and you thought you had problems? But in all of this, it IS about my granddaughter feeling safe, loved, and wanted. And we will make sure she feels that way. It takes a village to raise a child.

Blessings!

First month - half over - already!

Is this a half full or half empty type of comment? The realization today that it is January 11th and come Tuesday we will nearly be at the 1/2 way mark for January - wow - it seems like it has gone by so fast - and I know it is only because I have been so busy. Funny, though, it isn't just me, one of my co-workers came by a bit ago and made the same comment! So what do you think?

New Years went well although not all showed up for the lunch - and that's ok. We had a good meal, then my daughter and I knitted for awhile before we went home. I think. I can't remember that far back - and yet, I'm sure that we knitted. We seem to do that a lot together anymore. I enjoy it. :)

It's 2:15 and yes, I'm at the office, and I need to be working on minutes, but I decided to take a few minutes break. I don't take a break often, and today I even skipped the lunch break so I guess by taking a few minutes to add to this is ok. I just happened to remember I hadn't written for awhile and my goal this year is try to do this at least every other week. I hope I remember! Maybe I should put that on my calendar!

Work has increased substantially. My one boss has ten-fold - seriously! - increased my work. I like being kept busy, so that's ok, but it has become overwhelming. I have so much to do that I'm taking my computer home this weekend and MAYBE will get on it Sunday and do a little work, just to sort things out that I need to do. I'd rather sit and knit, but that's the way it is.

Tomorrow the new Board that I am on is having a "dream day" - I'm not sure what all that involves - but I will be driving six of us to the meeting for the day. Got to get the car washed first thing in the morning and cleaned out - it's a mess! We were to take a spiritual gifts test prior to going and I completed mine this morning. My top three are not surprising. What is surprising is that they had shifted down to the middle a few years ago. But now, they are back at the top. And I like them being at the top. Of course this is a different test - and could probably get a little different result each time - but for this test, my top 3 are: (1) Faith (2) Intercession (3) Shepherd I have always had faith so am glad it has increased and jumped back on top again. I feel encouraged by what mine came out to be so I am anxious to see what we learn in our 'dream day' class tomorrow.

So stay tuned - I will have to share what I learn tomorrow!

Blessings!

Last of the year post....

I won't even begin to say 'where has this year gone?' for it is nearly over. And I'm glad. It's been a tough year in a lot of respects, and yet, it has been a good year. Just finished the last group of baking with the grandchildren before they were taken back to Showlow to be with their mother. It was a fun time.

I'm working from home again today. One of my bosses pushed last Thursday for me to work at home on Friday and today as it was very quiet in the office. She knows I drive a long ways - so she gave me back two hours a day by letting me work from home. I'm definitely glad to be working from home today as it is COLD and DREARY - and now it's raining! I don't do well with cold weather. My body shuts down and hibernates when it's cold out. Sitting here at my desk in this little alcove - the cool air is blowing in from around the wall air conditioner. We have never used it - although it did work years ago. But, to remove it will mean tearing out a good portion of the wall and then having to do siding on the outside as well as drywall on the inside. And I think I won't say anything else. sigh.

We had a good Christmas. I did a lot of cooking - but I do enjoy it. We started Sunday evening when a granddaughter and her boyfriend came over for dinner - and it went all the way through Christmas. I so much love being with my family. Our little great-princess is so precious! I just love her to pieces - and she gave us a gift that I will always treasure. It's a plaque to hang up and it calls us Oma and Opa - which is what I suggested she call us. I received so many nice gifts, some homemade, some bought but exactly what I was hoping for. Hubby got me a Kitchenaid mixer so now I will be requesting attachments for it. I priced them yesterday at Walmart and they were $39.96 each! I didn't buy any. There were only a couple that I would want anyway. I don't have time to do the baking and mixing like I would want - but I need to at least use it soon so maybe next weekend I can use it.

Tomorrow is January 1, 2019 and we will be heading over to my daughter's for New Years Day lunch. She even offered to do the ribs this year so I quickly said 'ok'. I'm bringing coleslaw and black eyed peas. Grateful I don't have to do it all. It is a lot of work but I have always done it willing for my children and grandchildren. I'm not that fond of ribs so it doesn't even matter to me. I suggested even going with a pork loin as it is just six of us. Both sons have other plans. And that's ok. It's a rest day for them as well.

Need to get back to work - just took a short break. It's different working from home versus from the office. At the office I can get up and move around - here at home I'm afraid to. I get up occasionally, but always stay close to the computer in case someone IMs me. Like right now.

Hope you have a good evening and please be safe out there. Happy New Year - I hope and pray 2019 will start and end exactly the way you want it to.

Blessings!

It's beginning to look a 'little' like Christmas....

I have been so busy at work and at home that I haven't taken the time to write a few lines here. Some days I wish I had a lot more time to ponder stories and other things. It would be nice to have alone time to do that. But, I don't so quit wishing for it. :-)

Our speaking times at the two RV parks has really gotten off in November and we have been busy. Hubby has another one this week, then we will be back at our church for the next two weeks before I have the first Sunday in January. Need to start working on that one because Christmas shopping and baking will take up a lot of my time the last two weeks of December!

I have so much shopping to do and I have no idea where to start for some. It really is more difficult this year as last year I took the theme of 't-rex-saurus' for my middle child and family - and I thought it was a lot of fun. I hope they enjoyed it anyway. This year I have no clue what to get them and I'm sure I will bore everyone to death with clothes. But what else is there!

I need to get out and get the cherries and almond slices to make our Christmas mice too. Then I need to get the grandchildren scheduled for doing their baking of cookies and making Christmas mice - yipes - 3 weeks from today is Christmas! Soooo much to do.... soooooo little time! Especially with me working Monday - Friday until then! Need to check and see if I have any time off for vacation days. I've taken several days off here and there, with a week off in August for our anniversary - and since I only earn two weeks a year, it sure cuts a hole in my vacation time.

We are drawing names today for Secret Santa here at work. There were about 15 of us that wanted to participate and that is ok. There are two people that I am close to whose names are still in the basket (out of about 6 names) and I haven't drawn yet... I'd love to get one of their names. I was going to take the last one that is left - but, maybe I just ought to draw it. Ok - I drew one. I know this person and it will be fun to buy for her.

My knitting is coming along slowly. I am about 3-5 inches away from finishing my first baby blanket. I can't wait to finish this project and learn a new stitch! I enjoy knitting so much - but in doing so, I have slacked off on a lot of other things I need to get done.

I did make a wall-hanging of a snowman for a co-worker in Tucson. She really enjoys making me look bad to my boss and to her boss - copies them on every email - especially if I don't follow up soon enough for her. Well, this past week she stepped over the line. Yes, I had missed something, but caught it before she sent her email...copying my boss and her boss.... and I had a meltdown. My boss laughed and gave me a hug. She knows how this person is. On the way home from work I'm thinking hard about the hours I put into this wall-hanging, thinking I was going to 'kill this person with kindness' and give to her - but it seemed that God clearly said to me that I didn't need to give it to her as it was nothing more than a bribe (which it was) to be respectful. This person would not care about the wall-hanging, and except for pointing out mistakes to make herself look better, she is totally rude and disrespectful to me (and others). So, I felt that I should not give it away. I think I'll send it to Indiana for a gift for someone. Maybe they would appreciate it. Afterall, when FAMILY gives you something, you usually hang on to it or pass it on, right?

I am looking forward to Christmas. I love the gathering of my children and grandchildren. No one understands all of that - but someday they will. I want so much to make memories that when I am gone, my grandchildren will say... remember when Grandma always had us over to bake cookies for Christmas... and then when they start their own families, they will want to start that tradition for themselves. That is my greatest joy, being with those I love.

I reckon I've written enough here so will hush. Maybe I ought to put this on my calendar once a week at least so that I can remember to take some time to write. Surely I have a life, right? :-)

Blessings!

A Season of "Thankfulness....

Even as that title is typed out, I wonder why I wanted to write that. Of course I AM thankful for so many things. My health, my family, my loved ones. I'm even thankful for my job. I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving season when I am able to see my children and their families.

I am working from home today, and I am thankful that I can do that on occasion. Again, though, I think it drives hubby crazy that I'm home.... for whatever reason. He cooked breakfast this morning. He is now back in "office" doing whatever it is he does everyday. He will stay there most of the day - not sure if that is because I am home working - or if that is what he always does.

I did scheduled a mani/pedi for today at 11:30 - I do get a lunch hour, anyway. I just felt I needed some pampering - and I didn't offer to pay for anyone else so I get to go alone. Then I will come back and work some more.

Not too far behind on my Christmas making stuff. I should get a batch of bread in the oven and just might do that after I finish this. If I can get a batch in this morning, and another batch this afternoon, I should be pretty well set for the Christmas giveaway season. I need to finish up a wall-hanging or two, and a small quilt that I hope to give as a gift, but hopefully can get to it sometime this weekend. Problem is, I enjoy knitting too and trying to decide whether to sew or to knit can sometimes present a problem.

Found out recently two men that I work with have been diagnosed with a form a cancer. One is my former boss at another company, and another is a man I have recently come to know and respect from meetings I've had to work with him in. He actually asked me to pray for him yesterday. And I told him I would.

Yes, I believe in prayer. In spite of life issues, in spite of answers not coming the way I want them to, in spite of disappointments in my own life, I still believe in prayer. I believe that God is Sovereign, He is Almighty, and He is more than able to do what I ask Him to, but He sees the big picture and knows that if He answers all my prayers, it may not be the right answer. So I just ask, and sometimes beg and plead, but trust Him to answer in His own timing and His own way.

Enough said. Need to get to work. Maybe I can start writing something interesting again soon. Perhaps I will make that my 2019 goal - to try to write more often - and to make it interesting. Hmmmm may have to pray about that. :-)

Blessings to you on and yours on this Thanksgiving week. May you be reminded of all that you have to be thankful for.

It's been awhile....

since I've taken the time to write anything. I still write in my journal, but even that has been sporadic at best. Work is keeping me far more busy than I want to be. But, it is a good job. I just don't want to do this anymore. I'm tired of trying to schedule meetings for which there is no time to be had on the calendars. With one of my bosses shifting from one area to another, she still works with both sides and has both meetings on her calendar and wants more. There is no time available and although she understands that, I am expected to figure it out. And I'm tired of trying.

I was hoping to work from home tomorrow. One boss will be heading to Tucson; another boss will be heading over to Phoenix for the day - but my third boss is coming to Mesa from Tucson so I need to be here for her. I even confirmed with her - and yes, she is coming up. Ok then. Guess I won't be working from home!

Been pretty busy at home - not accomplishing all that I want to, of course, but getting some things done. Mainly knitting, which is the fun part. And sewing. Afterall, Christmas is next month and I have so much I need to get done. I have no idea what to get for anyone and here it is already nearly the middle of November. I will have to figure it out, for sure. And buy it. or make it. I did get some cranberry pumpkin nut bread made last Sunday and got it put in the freezer, so I've at least got a start on things.

Thanksgiving is in about two weeks. I'm looking forward to a couple days off work and getting some knitting done. I don't do 'black friday'. Nope. That's too crazy for me. I do most of my shopping online anymore. Just don't like being out in the crowds.

Having a lot of trouble with my new computer at home. I need to find time and just call Dell support - I've paid for it for two years so I need to just do it and have them go in and fix whatever the problems are. Yes, I don't know much - if anything - about computers - but I want my computer to work when I get on it. Last Saturday I was trying to type in Word - and every ten seconds or so it would go into a 'not responding' freeze mode. Really irritating. In Word no less! Have no idea what that problem is. Maybe I can call this Saturday. And don't get me started about the 'One Drive' issues - whatever that is! I did email Dell Support about that - and in checking my emails the other day I see they responded to me three times - but I don't usually check my emails that often so missed the contact. This time I guess I need to contact and wait by the computer/emails to see what they can do to fix my issues.

I'm thinking of just downloading all my photos on a disc and just leaving them there. It seems that they take up a lot of space on my computer. I really want to get them all printed - at least if they are on a disc, it can be done easier too. Need to clean off my phone too! Soooooo many photos. But I can't help it! When I see a photo of our little great-munchkin, I have to save it. Well, most of the time. I tell myself I have to stop saving them all.... after all, I'm sure her mama and grandma have all of them if I wanted any. :-)

I need to get back to work - how I wish I could retire!!!!!!!!

Blessings!

Working from home accomplishes much....

Well, it does, usually. This morning I was up at my usual time and did my quiet time. Got to stay in it a bit longer since I didn't have to rush to get dressed and out the door for a 45 minutes drive to the office. After getting dressed, I ended up cooking breakfast for hubby and I. He offered, but it takes me a lot less time to pull it together than it does him. So bacon and eggs and toast it was. We ate and he went off to his room for his quiet time and I moved over to the 'office area' to bring up my work computer.

I've gotten some things done this morning so everyone knows I am working. I have some videos I need to watch for approving time cards, but I can do that this afternoon. Right now I am ready and waiting on the time to pass by so that I can meet a couple friends (and board members) for lunch at Olive Garden. They are treating me - how cool is that! I got a phone call last week that my name was ratified to join the board and was unanimous!

It was really crazy one day last week.... somehow the person they wanted me to replace found out I had been asked to join the board.... and that person started calling this person, who called this person, who called this person.... The president and direct of the board text'd me and asked if I had told anyone at the ChariTea about being asked to join the board. No, I hadn't. In fact, I had sat with the person they were thinking of replacing, but I didn't know that it was her. On the way to church Wednesday night I mentioned to hubby that this had happened, and we were trying to figure out how she found out.... and he goes, uh....it may have been me. This friend (I was sitting with and they were going to replace) happened to go into the lobby while hubby was there, and after greeting him, must have said something about the board sponsoring the ChariTea.... and he mentioned that I had been sent paperwork to review and join the board. He was the culprit, for sure. I'm also sure it caught her off guard - but since we didn't know who it was replacing, she must have known she was on shaky ground. Her term is nearly up anyway - it's usually just for a year, unless asked to stay on.

I reckon I will find out today how that went in letting her go and adding me in. That feels awkward, as that person was my friend too. In fact, I know everyone on the board. Oh well - they had to have a reason in wanting to let her resign. I didn't seek this nomination, but was asked, and am honored to be added to the board. I'm not sure what the reason is they chose me, but hopefully will find out today.

And now that I have rambled on for a bit, I will hush and finish getting ready to leave for lunch. Hope your day is amazing.

Blessings!