Toystoryduo’s Journal: Baby Steps are the Key... Celebrate Each Victory!

[CJK]

WELCOME HOME!!!!! Sounds like you had a wonderful time! How did you find MVMCP this year? We went 3yrs ago and really liked it and would like to go again sometime. Let us know when you get going on that trip report. I like the thought of relaxing in WDW! I've never tried it before!

I'm so sorry to hear about your uncle. He was young. Warm thoughts and prayers going out to your entire family.

I hope you have a terrific week as you prepare for Christmas. Wow, only a week away!

 

[toystoryduo]

Thanks CJK.

Well friends... I weighed myself this morning and I'm not too upset. I weighed in at 206 which isn't bad. That means I gained less than 5 pounds on vacation and I'm convinced that some of that is water weight as TOM is coming soon....

I had a lot of time to think while we were in Florida and I have some goals for 2007 that I would like to share:

* I want to lose 20-25 pounds before we leave for WDW in September. (more on that later!)

* I want to infuse some serious cash into our savings account.

* I want to pay off as much debt as possible.

* I want to become a better cook. I want to cook healthy, balanced meals for my family.

* I want to organize my time better.

That's it in a nutshell.... I haven't formulated plans or anything yet, just the goals.

I have a lot to do this week and I'm not sure that I am feeling up to the task. I'm trying to take things moment by moment and day by day, but I am still getting overwhelmed.

I did manage to almost finish Christmas shopping in two days and for under $200... Can you believe it?!?!? We have a lot of people to buy for so we try and keep it simple so the costs stay down. Plus, we shopped at Kohl's yesterday and most everything we bought was 60-75% off!

You may notice that I have a new ticker in my signature.... We stayed at BCV last week and they had a promotion where if you booked a vacation before you left, you got free dining. Since we have almost 9 months to go and we had to cancel free dining's trip last year, we figured we would go for it! That's our Christmas present to each other.

Today's Plan:

* Workout

* Homeschool

* laundry

* Christmas Cards

* Wrap Christmas Presents

* Help DH with work stuff

Whew! That's all for today! Have a great Monday!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Welcome back Tracy!!
It sounds like you had a great, relaxing vacation, which is jus what you need!

And its great you booked another trip!! WOOHOOOOOOO

 

[CACruisin']

Welcome Back! Sounds like your trip was just what you needed. I'm so glad you were able to get some good relaxing time with your family. And what a wonderful Christmas present - another trip to WDW - yea! Fantastic job on the minimal weight gain too! I like your goals. They all seem very reasonable and attainable.

Have a great week. Just try and remember to breathe and get through what has to get done, and don't worry about the rest!

 

[toystoryduo]

Thanks Jen and Anna.

I'm trying to take it easy this week.... The transition from Disney to reality has not been an easy one. I've seen my DH who was so full of energy and creative thinking last week to being discouraged and tired this week. His third shift job seems to suck the life right out of him.... I am glad that the plant is in shutdown mode for two weeks starting on Friday. That way, he can start looking for something else. The people he works with are negative and the work causes his back and shoulder to hurt quite badly. Sigh.....

Today, I am going to wing it...... The things that need to get done will get done, and the things that don't have to be done today will get done eventually. Hee hee... Sounds like a great bumper sticker!

I hope everyone has a great day!

P.S. I would appreciate some good thoughts/prayers regarding my job..... I was not scheduled at work this week as a "punishment" for being gone the first two weeks in December. (Which I told them about before they hired me.) Also, if you remember, I lost my paycheck a few weeks ago and they still haven't replaced it yet. I have been kind to these people and have come in to work when they were in a pinch and I can't understand why they are being less than cooperative/rude. It is very frustrating to me. I hope it's just a misunderstanding, but if not, I will put my two week notice in retroactive to last weekend..... Sigh...

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning friends,

Things are getting done slowly, but surely..... Laundry is almost finished, but is on a pile on my couch waiting to be folded..... The only two things I have to do today are homeschooling and grocery shopping. We may go with my DH on 2 of his service calls today and then see if there are any malls we can shop at while down there. I still have a few presents to get before I am completely finished. I still have to shop for stockings and two gifts each for my DDs.....

The work thing is still bugging me, but I may go into work tomorrow and have a conversation with my boss with my DH as a witness..... This could all be just a misunderstanding... I don't know.

I need to get some type of exercise in.... If we go to the mall, I will count that.

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning friends,

Well, I am up..... I didn't get "good" sleep last night. I woke up this morning feeling tired, zapped of energy, and not very hopeful. I know that things are not as they appear... rather, it is stress and pre TOM emotions that are causing things to seem not so good. I have much to be thankful for.... I just need to focus on that today.

I need to get a workout in.... I feel horrible! Even if it's just 15-20 minutes, I need to do something. I also need to get DD6 caught up with homeschooling, need to wrap presents, fold and put laundry away, go grocery shopping, and stop in at work today.

Lord, I am not ready for today.......

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi there!!

Just sending you some good vibes to get thru today...you can do it!!

I wanted to stop by and wish you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season. Thanks for your support and encouragement.

 

[kimwim8]

Hi Tracy! Congrats on the next trip being planned already! My kids have been asking non-stop "how many more days til Disney?". I guess it's the first time in a long time that we don't have a trip in mind. Better get that fixed!

Are you a DVC member? I'm just curious because you stayed at the Beach Club Villas, and I've never heard of the free dining for DVC members. That would be AWESOME!!!

You sound like a great shopper and you ARE an organized person! This time of year, we're all going a little nuts. I'm always amazed at how much you accomplish day-to-day!

I'm sorry about your job being such a pain. Hopefully you can get that all resolved soon. Sending some pixie dust your way for that....

Oh, and I love your list of plans for the new year. You've inspired me to come up with a list too.

Take care, and if I don't make it back over here before....have a GREAT Christmas!!

 

[CACruisin']

Hang in there Tracy! It will all calm down again in just a few days. Here's that your whole work thing works out. Have a very Merry Christmas, if I don't get back here before.

 

[traceycooper]

Hi Tracy
Sorry to hear about your uncle Dan
Glad you had a great trip
& well done for getting another one booked & getting such a great deal
Although i am a little jealous, i just wish we could get something booked so i can look forward to going 'home'
Hope the work 'stuff' gets sorted, it sounds like a good idea to talk to your boss...nothing ventured.....

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Hi Tracy-
Just stopping by to see if your work situation is fixed yet..THat has to be SO frustrating for you!

have a great day tracy!

 

[toystoryduo]

Merry Christmas everyone!

Things are hectic here, but a slowdown seems to be on the horizon. We've had a great time with our family and friends and we had a wonderful Christmas celebration in our church's new sanctuary yesterday.

I probably won't be able to get to journals today, but I want to WISH you all a very merry Christmas!

 

[traceycooper]

Merry Christmas Tracy from across 'the pond'
Hope Santa has looked after you all!

 

[toystoryduo]

Thank you Tracey!

Good morning WISH buddies,

The last two days have been wonderful! We are so blessed to have had a wonderful celebration with our family and friends. Of course, I ate way too much food and I am so not getting on the scale! I need to get back on track, but to be honest, that probably won't happen until next week.

Today, I will try and get some exercise in, get some shopping done, and stop at the library. No homeschooling, no laundry (DH can do that! Ha ha ha!), no chores, no cooking.... Just trying to relax and enjoy the week especially since DH is off from work.

Hope everyone has a great week!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Tracy-I am glad you had such a nice christmas with your family..
ENJOY the relaxing this wweek!

 

[DisDon]

Hi Tracy, glad you had a good Christmas. Thanks for the card, that was nice. Our house has been inundated with cousins most of the week, much mayhem. I'm really itchin' for a Pirates & Princesses Party around Prez. Day. We'll see.
Happy New Year!

 

[toystoryduo]

Thanks Jen and Don!

Yesterday was a good day here... We did a whole bunch of nothing, but go out to eat! Plus, my brother came over and we played Monopoly and Pictionary with the kids.... Fun, fun, fun!

Here are our plans for the next few days:

Today: Gift returns, shopping, eat out (can't let those gift cards burn a whole in our pockets! )

Thursday: Dinner with DH's uncle

Friday: Christmas lunch with DH's family

Saturday: My uncle Danny's memorial service

Sunday: New Year's Eve/ DH is deejaying... I may or may not go with him.

Monday: New Year's Day/ DH goes back to work that evening.

Speaking of work.... Two updates:

1. I got everything straightened out at work. I may be laid off until March because business slows way down...

2. My DH is going to be looking for a new job..... He hates his third shift job. He is making less money than he did upon graduating high school 16 years ago. The people he works with are very negative. This job is very repetitive and has caused problems with his lower back and shoulder and elbow. He is almost constantly in pain. This job is through a temp agency and the company he is working for has no intentions of increasing his wages or even hiring him despite the fact that he is more than qualified for a more technical, better paying job at the company that they haven't been able to fill. He is frustrated and looking for a change. Any good thoughts/prayers you can send for a new and better job would be much appreciated.

In any event, we are going to try and enjoy his week off (without dwelling on going back to work) and relax......

Have a great Wednesday!

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning friends,

Yesterday was a complete meltdown day. The stress of the holidays, the frustration my DH is experiencing with work, my weight gain, and my being overwhelmed by all of the changes I want to make in 2007 have me feeling very frazzled. (Yeah, the smilies are back! ) I guess you could say... "emotional overload".

I did manage to get a workout in yesterday and boy, I do feel it today. I'm glad I got the workout in because we had a late night run last night for some Taco Bell.

Today, we are having dinner with my in laws and my DH's uncle. I'm also going to call and see if I can get in to see the doctor today as well.....

Hope everyone has a great day!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi Tracy! I just got caught up with you, I am so sorry about your Uncle Danny. What a tragedy, he was so young. I hope his family is doing well and that the memorial service on Saturday brings some closure and comfort.

I don't know about you but I am having some WDW post trip blues! I still haven't unpacked all the way and the fact we came home to snow and now its snowing again isn't helping! I am so happy you booked another trip! I wish we could go then and do the free dining but no such luck with school. Don't worry about your gain, I think five pounds is very commendable after a trip and Christmas to boot. I wish I could say the same! Also, don't get too bogged down thinking about your resolutions (which incidentally are about the same as mine). We have 12 months to make it all happen! Look at how well you did this year, imagine what you can do this next year.

I am keeping your dh and his job stress in my thoughts and prayers. I am glad you got your job worked out, having some time off during this slow time might be a very good thing! Hang in there, the new year brings new possibilities and you can do it!!!