NOW is the time! It's MINE & I AM WORTH IT! (friends welcome to tag along!!)

[lovinaz]

Wow, that is a lot of junk in DS's room! But that is what us moms have to do - take the bull by the horns and git 'er done, because no one else is going to do it! Hang in there!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi Julie, just stopping by to say hi and hope things are going well. Merry Christmas!

 

[DisDee]

Hi Julie,

Hope all is well with you and your family! I'm Wishingyou a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Please enjoy the holidays and do a little something just for Julie!

See you next year!
Denise

 

[toystoryduo]

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Julie! I'm praying for you, my friend!

 

[traceycooper]

merry christmas julie

 

[inkkognito]

Whew, that room cleaning sounds ambitious. Good for you to tackle it! It is so ironic that some of the people with the highest levels of genius have that total lack of common sense. I have a friend with a son who is that way. He lives on his own higher intelligence plane and is oblivious to things in the world around him.

You didn't hit 180 so that is something to feel good about...sometimes just maintaining is a good enough goal in rough or busy times.

 

[goldcupmom]

Happy, Healthy New Year, everyone!

Special to all my Wish friends......I don't know how I would have survived this last year without you!!

Having computer problems....again! On our 5th motherboard & arguing with them as their 'lemon law' states 3 same repairs & they replace the computer. But, not yet & with 5 of us & DH home for another 10 days+, I"m not getting much computer time. Unfortunately, I'm getting plenty of 'eating junk' time. UGH!!!

But, a new start is upon us!

Thanks for being there for me. I will update when I can! I miss you all!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Julie, I hear you on not getting enough computer time! When my kids are home, particularly when its cold, I seem to never get on like I want to.

Happy New Year, this year will be a great year for you!! Just keep on, keeping on. You have so much strength, determination and faith. You are strong Julie and you are worth it!

Happy New Year Wish Sis.

 

[toystoryduo]

Happy New Year, Julie!!!

I hope everything gets fixed on your computer or that they just give you a brand new one. Sending some your way.

You're in my thoughts and prayers, my friend.

 

[traceycooper]

Happy New Year Julie - hoping its a really good one for you

 

[lovinaz]

Maybe Santa can bring you a late gift of a new computer!

You did really good last year with the Bugg, I know you can get back into the groove!

 

[inkkognito]

Depending on what you do with your computer, you may want to look into a cheapie netbook as a spare. I won one last year and love it! I saw 'em around $250 at Christmas (paid $299 for mine). They don't have a CD drive but they are great for the internet and running basic programs. The netbook is my spare and I run my businesses on my full sized laptop.

 

[goldcupmom]

Monday.......that kind of says it all! But ok, things are SLOWLY getting back to whatever normal is. This begins the week that DH is home w/o pay....fun, fun....and week 6 of him being home out of the last 8. Yes, I am about to go BONKERS!!

DD went back to school today. DS20 finally has a schedule...if they don't move class times.....again....for this semester. DS23 is still employed! Maybe he will make it to the 2 yr mark this time!

I'll start with the new, then catch up. I may be getting an addition to the family...NO, not a baby or another dog. But DD's 17 yr old boyfriend. Since summer, his mother has now kicked him out twice, removed his bedroom door & furniture, left him home for 4 days to care for 7yo step bro w/o running water while she & stepdad went on vacation b/c in order to take the vacation to NYC she couldn't pay the water bill & it got shut off, periodically charges him 'living expenses' on the spot when she needs money, took all his birthday money + made him pay for his school enrollment costs & ap tests, had him pay her RN license renewal, etc., I could go on & on. The latest incident was NYE when he called stepdad to make sure it was ok to stay past new years playing Wii w/ DD & I. Said fine, just not past 2 a.m. or when I said if before. Got home just after 1 & SDad called mom @ work who went nuts. 7 a.m. NYD when she got home she woke him, started punching him, threw his stuff down the stairs, pulled his hair & tried to throw him down the stairs, called his dad & told him to come get the F^&*%r because he hit her....he blocked her punches once... So dad got him, but stepMOM says if his own mother threw him out, she won't let him live there, either....he must be violent. If this kid wanted to he could take them all and he has bruises from his mom on his face & chest. He has several black belts & is training for the ring to be a fighter. Grandma would take him, but she lives almost an hour south in the 'war zone' and he wouldn't be able to keep up the commute to finish his SR year. She has said he can live with her thru college ...and she works there which may help w/ tuition. So...... as I told my DSis in describing him he is a 'gentle giant'. Very emo & soft hearted....and this is the one that looks like a cross between antonio banderas & orlando bloom. Yesterday DH had me go get the 5th line w/ verizon activated so DBF has a cell phone if needed. Mom didn't bother to pay that either & she is a CCU RN & stepD is also an RN.

Never totally finished DS23s room as I had to quit for Christmas. I am going to try to get done this week while DH is still home.

DS20 is officially unemployed, but between the church 'school' and college, he won't have time this semester anyway. His car still isn't back & no word on it. I feel certain we will have to sue them to get money back. They've had it longer than we have since he bought it & $5000 later the custom new engine won't make the car run & the idiots can't figure it out.

DD18....hard to believe.....is looking for another job. Her hours keep getting cut (Dairy queen in winter) and now she is down to 1 day/week + going in one night for 45 MINUTES just to clean/close. ridiculous & not worth the gas! But she will keep that until she finds something new....hopefully soon!

With DH home, I'm not getting much computer time, or time to get 'me' stuff done. It has been a rough last 6 weeks. Hopefully the 1 wk furlough won't happen too often this year as my finances just can't take it. What little savings we had is quickly dwindling between paying for DS20 college, car & everything else.

But, God is good & life goes on! I never made it to the breast specialist in Oct & I am just going to skip it til next fall. My mammo is in Feb then GYN in May. I'm still debating on keeping my appt. w/ the vein specialist Friday for my 1 huge vein behind my rt knee. Ins won't pay to fix it & I'm not sure I really want to fork out the $$ right now.

I'm doing a bit better than horrid on food & am trying to wear the bugg again. Still have some hives daily, but NOTHING close to what they were. I hope they are almost done. I've cut back on the benadryl so I"m not quite so spacey. But, I hesitate to say they are better because each time I do they get worse. However, I do still believe their appearance was my hormones last hurrah as TOM hasn't appeared since July 15 & the hives started on July 29.

Sadly, I have no trips even remotely planned. I turn 50 the end of July and desperately want a trip to help celebrate. But, DH likely will forget it altogether until the day before & with job/economy, I'm not sure it is feasible anyway. DD graduated 5/17 & a combined trip would be nice! My DSis really wants us all to cruise again which would be fine with me....but for $$.

Off to Sam's before I have to pick DD up at 11, run her to UNM to drop off a transcript that somehow never made it, then back to pick the DBF up at 2:20 since he parked his car here because parking permits for the HS are $200 even if you get one for just a semester or even a week. STUPID!!! He could walk here, but I'm sure DD will want to get him since he carries his backpack, a guitar & all his lacrosse gear....kind of a pack mule!

I am making time to go to my fav thrift store today & hopefully will walk Musashi(sashi) the husky....so far we've done 7.09 miles this year....my goal w/ her is 750 miles.

Hope all is well with everyone! If you've read this far you are truly a MARVELOUS friend... I am BLESSED!!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Julie,

You have had a lot going on. I can't believe all of the stuff going on with your DD's BF! That is wonderful of you to open up your home to him. It sounds like he needs lots of TLC.

Sending for all of your kids' employment situations. I hope everything works out for them!

I'm glad to hear that the hives are manageable...Hopefully they'll go away on their own and soon!

Good for you for doing the BUGG again!

I am sending truckloads of your way...I hope you're able to take a vacation this year!

Hope you have a great Monday!

 

[lovinaz]

That is wonderful that you are giving DBF a cell phone and a hope at escaping the abuse of his parents. It is amazing that he has grown into a decent young man given those circumstances. I'm sure he will always remember your kindness.

I'm sure you will make your walking goal with the doggie this year, you are off to a good start.

 

[traceycooper]

poor DD's DBF, its good that at least you guys are there for him!
I hope the job situation improves for DD, they are really taking the £"%* expecting her to drive in for 45 mins work!!!
I wont mention the hives as they might hear me

 

[inkkognito]

Good for you to help DBF! It's great he has someone to count on...that can make such a huge difference in their life. My SIL had a similar situation; one of her son's friends lived with them throughout high school (she has 8 kids so one more wasn't really a biggie). Sometimes a kid just needs a break with a good family.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Good job Julie with DBF. That sounds so awful. I have a cousin in Texas and his son's girlfriend had a very similar situation with her wacko parents. She (girlfriend) ended up living with them for awhile and then they eventually got married (and now divorced sadly enough). I cannot understand why good kids with bad parents are the ones that pay so dearly for their parents craziness! He is lucky to have you guys and with all you have going on, you guys are saints!

I hope you get to take a trip for your 50th. You so deserve it! I am going to say a prayer and cross my fingers and toes it happens.

Good luck with ds23s room. I am thankful he stil has his job. That is something! And the other two kids sound like they are doing well and keeping their lives in order.

We are all blessed to have you Wish Sis! 2010 will be better. You are getting back on track and I am so thankful you are feeling better. That really makes me wonder if it was hormones all along give the dates of your last TOM and when this all started. Makes me think of that Tammy Wynette song "Oh Lord, its hard to be a woman"! Ain't it the truth. Never heard of a man that had to go through menopause and hives (not to mention TOM, childbirth and all the rest of it!).

Keep on keeping on!!!

 

[goldcupmom]

Thought I'd better get on here & update before I get any further behind. Thanks for keeping me on page one!

Today is a GIANT sigh of relief!! DH is FINALLY back at work, so only DS20 is still off on break. I have been about going crazy as truly DH spent most of the 6 weeks off lying across our bed, watching TV while reading and surfing on his laptop. Wearing a hat, jacket & w/ the electric blanket on. All whilst turning up the thermostat when he walked by on the way to the kitchen. I am really DREADING my utility bill next month considering all the extra stuff running, heat up & Christmas lights. Oh well.....

Things are evening out with the DBF....his father, stepmom & grandmother/stepgrandfather decided that he would move in with grandma - who I've met & who seems strangely normal. Unfortunately they live very near the 'war zone' in Albuquerque, and it is a 35-45 min drive to school. On the positive, he will be fed regularly, and grandma works for the university, so with her guardianship, he can go 8 semesters totally free...as long as he keeps a passing cumulative GPA.

So, he drives here & parks his car, eats a 2nd breakfast, I drive DD & he to school(less than a mile) at 6:45a, then I pick DD up at 11:08, then she picks DBF up at 5:00 after Lacrosse practice. He eats something here & either goes to training, or stays til about 9:30. It works.

DDs job is horrid, but if she can't get another soon, at least it will pick up when it gets warmer....DQ does that. Still not good.

Computer was 'fixed' again last Thursday & it worked about 6 hours. DH is waiting to call it in again to make sure that this last work order is closed out so they really will either replace w/ a new one or refund my purchase price....I'm SO thankful I took out the 3 yr warranty!

I've managed to cut back to just Benadryl this last week. Hopefully the Hives are gone....but I won't bet on it. And hopefully my hormones aren't about to swing into gear again....almost 6 months since it all started.

Weight/food is still bad. I did manage to lose .4 last week, but not sure how. Weather is warming daytime so I should be able to get out more. My desktop computer was what I used for my exercise DVDs so I haven't been able to do them for awhile. I can't in my bedroom or TV room as DS23 sleeps when I would exercise and can't deal w/ the noise. GRRRR!!!!!!!

The head/chest cold got worse last week so I only walked Sashi yesterday, so my mileage is only at 11.88 ytd.

I have taken a bit of time to think thru the year & come up with some goals:
1. Lose 40 lbs by 7/30/10 - my 50th birthday
2. Get my concealed carry permit so I can walk whenever/wherever I want
& still feel relatively safe
3. Walk 750 miles w/ Sashi
4. Take a cruise or decent trip for my birthday
5. Do at least 1- 1/2 marathon or the 2 or 3 day breast cancer walks
6. Read thru the entire bible...again
7. score for Pearson, get a job or both
8. Make sure I get a physical this year, get my varicose veins checked & try
to get a baseline cardio workup if ins. will pay.
9. Go to FL to visit at least 1x (not including vacation if to FL)
10. redo 1 room, incl. flooring
11. pay off 2 cc
12. become more involved at church
13. Fit comfortable in single digit sizes

So, will I reach all of those.....I hope so & I am going to work at it, but if I don't, it's not the end.

Off to get some more done & visit a few journals.

Have a wonderful week, everyone!!

 

[lovinaz]

I think those are great, and obtainable goals! And I know you will get them accomplished, even with all the chaos in your life.