Positive thinking

I have begun to think in the positive realm. I will have a job. I will purchase a new car. I will have an income. I will lose weight. I have to focus on the positive and believe it will and can happen then it will. Don constantly thought about a new truck. The color, style, payments, etc and he was driving home from the doctor the other day and there it was-HIS TRUCK! He looked and brought me later and test drove. It was awesome-everything he wanted. He bought the truck.
SO I am thinking and believing the positive from now on. It will happen!




I hung this flower basket outside the back door. I watered it on my way out one morning. Came home to find the flowers dislodged and dirt on the ground. I of course put the flowers back and fixed the planter.

Later I again saw this disaster. I looked closer and there is a cute little nest. I finally saw the birds. Tiny little brown birds. I took some more picture today, I hope to be able to get pictures of the little birds.




I will post some pictures of the new truck when I post next. I have to remember to bring the camera in and download the pictures.

Rain rain go away

Of course it is a Wednesday, music in the park, and it is raining, hailing and thundering this morning. It is a wait and see. I emailed and called Sue to change our meet up to tomorrow before she goes to the library with the boys. That way we are not playing with weather and kids and dogs. If it clears up or not I figure I will go to the gym and then come home. What else can I do? I could clean the house, empty boxes, sign up for unemployment..ok that is another week to wait due to end of school, but I can bissell the messes that Smokey made yesterday.
Speaking of smokey, she really gave me a scare. She had her hackin cough and each time, brought up actual shit. yup the shit eatter couldn't keep it down. It really stunk-at first we thought harley used the box. that wouldhave been too easy...
I guess I will get the bissell ready and clean up the stains. Then I will move on with my day. Got reading to do for this week and I can even start on the discussions. I hope we keep the power all day. It would be hard to post without power.

June already!

WOW! It is June already. I have been here almost a whole year. And yet, i still am unemployed and we are still living with boxes. It is time to prioritize. I think being here a year, I should already have that under control, but yet I don't.
I know that getting a job is not easy and I accept that. I need to take care of the box dilemma. Hitting one room at a time and get rid of the "crap". To Don it may not be crap, but if we have not seen, used, missed in the full year plus, it is time to get rid of the junk. I was told to put the ventriloquist dummies on line for sale. That will happen this week hopefully. I just have to get pictures and get them uploaded.
We are going to be travelling in less than a month. I have to also get ahead for class, we are traveling the last week. I also need to get the dog food onto the RV, along with clothing and people food. I think I am going to pick something "alabama" for both Linda and Dianna. Linda will be meeting us at Dianna's house. So it would be nice. I think it is going to be something edible for D and something that can fly for Linda.
I don't know how I feel about this whole trip thing. I guess it is my anxiety staying in the back of my brain. that is something I have always had...the unknown. I figure that this is a trip to get the truck and visit. i don't for see spending too much money cause there is none to spend and I don't have any extra-at least until January when the yearly check comes in.

New Friend

Harley made a new friend the other night. He will sit at the sliding door and look out and watch the bugs. There will be times when he starts jumping and hitting the window. That is what he was doing the other night. I of course thought nothing of it, a normal sound from Harley. Don took the dogs out and watched Harley. He commented-He is a big one, isn't he? Intrigued, I had to look. There was Harley checking out the toad on the other side of the window.


Here is Harley trying to play with his new friend. He continued to roll around on the floor and paw at the window.

This is a great shot of the toad. He is literally "standing" on his tippy toads to look into the window and see what is going on. In order to this, he had to get up two steps and make it from the pond area.

Another view of the two checking each other out. It was like a stare down. Who is going to blink first? Me? You?

This is my favorite picture of them. Harley is nose to window while the toad is as close as he/she can get. It was fun to watch the interaction. Harley was not trying to attack (like when he goes after a bug) but rather intrigued by the "new" creature. He had never seen a toad before and was just checking out the interesting creature.

Davidson went over to investigate but did not get too close. He is a scaredy cat - yes literally. He is fearful of anything that is new the first one or two times he comes across something. If it happens again, he most likely will get a bit closer, but not as close as Harley. Such opposite cats. It the same with the dogs. Bandit waits for Smokey to do something, but he is the first one to continue to investigate. She is a bit pushy with people, he will patiently wait his turn.

Not an interview for me

I check my email like any other American who is obsessive and addicted to the Internet. There low and behold are 2 emails from the Alabama teacher job search site. Whoo who! the first one I read: Call by this time and date to set up an interview for the following positions. I call. Then asked my name, of course I give it. Then here is the best part: Oh, you received the email as a mistake. I ask, How did this occur? Oh we clicked on the wrong name. Followed by "click". So now here I am without a job interview and no explanation. Now that is depressing, upsetting and pisses me off. I don't know what is better, to have the interview and not get the job or just not having the information regarding the interview.

I have actually been trying to get to the gym. I have gone twice this week. I want to go tomorrow as well, but it depends on if Don is working or not. He needs to take a day of to register the RV in AL as well as do a few other things around the house. I was hoping he was going to take yesterday off so we could have had lunch at the park. Wilson park does music in the park every Wednesday from 11-1. I hope he takes a Wednesday off this summer so we can do lunch and enjoy music together.

It is so wonderful to be able to hang laundry outside in the sunshine. I did laundry today and then it began to cloud over as I am hanging it on the line. Oh well-bring it to the porch and put it on the drying rack. It still has not begun to rain, but it is dark out. I do know when it begins to rain-the frogs will start croaking. I wish I could post an example of their loud volume.

I sent the application to HR for fostering children. I hope they contact us soon. I think that will give me purpose and I won't have to open a child care/babysitting service. I know we have classes to take as well as CPR and first aide but that is part of the process. I just think I need a purpose that involves children and since it looks like I am not going to give birth to one at any time-this would be a great way to give to the next generation.

It is another Monday. the month of may is half way over. I have begun to accept that I won't have a teaching position in Alabama. It is sooo political and hard to find a job. I even went to a tutoring site. I did get a request and am working on finalizing the necessary things before I can accept the postion. I think one of us has to be vested. i think that is what i am looking for word wise. It would be tutoring a rising 6th grader in math. I am open to do anything. I do hope this leads to further income.
I had a yard sale over the weekend. Southerners are so southern. I was able to meet many of my neighbors. I am not going to remember any one's name or even where they live. Of course they told me both and gave specific directions. Then I was asked if we had found a church yet. That was the clincher to let me know they were my neighbors. I was invited to at least 5 different churches. It was even described to me the preaching that goes on and the times for bible study. I gave up saying I was goign to a synagouge in Florence after the 3rd blank stare I recieved. i think many of my neighbors (ok most of the south) has not met a Jewish person before.
the yard sale got rid of a lot of stuff. Of course there is still more to sell. That will wait for another month. I figure having a yard sale at least every other month would be a good thing. I think the next one will have to wait until August due to the impending heat that will happen in both June and July. I may not wait because June may be the best time to set up even for one day. I just found it was wierd that Friday brought in more money than Saturday. I only made $45 on Saturday while i brought in over $150 on Friday. I did not count the change that I was paid in, it was just an easier way to keep track-counting bills is so much easier.
I do know I need to create a time line and time management plan for myself. I think I will use the white board in the kitchen to help with this. Listing what I need to do, down to the dusting, vacuuming and laundry. I think that will help me with completing everything in the ohouse in a timely manner. that will with getting the house in order finally! now i just have to put it into motion and follow through.

It's a Monday

This morning as I type-Our whole sale company is on my crappy list. I had an order to be placed and they of course do not have the item. I made an executive decision and sent a replacement. I figured I would make the customer happy and screw the the overhead and the profit. I need to go into the site (eBay) and add the disclaimer and take what is gone/out of stock off the site. These are all new items. This is really getting old and tiresome.

I am still not working and this is becoming more frustrating! No income. No prospects of having an income. I am going to apply for unemployment but I have to wait until the middle of June. Then I can apply but i may not qualify. I hope I do qualify and can collect something. Even if it is just enough to cover the outstanding debt/bills I have. That way they are paid off and money can be put aside to pay the taxes on the money.

Another Mother's Day is over. Again I am still not a biological mother. I am a step mother and grandmother. I am becoming aware that we may not have our own children. It is disheartening and makes me a bit sad. OK it makes me a lot sad, but I am coming to accept it. between age and pcos, I know that it would be close to a miracle to have a child at this time. The reading and writing of that makes me a feel a bit more accepting about the issue. it is still sad, but I am able to better comprehend it.

Don and I talked about the money in my savings account. He was amazed how much was there, I was shocked that there isn't more. We discussed where the money went-taxes, blinds for the windows, glassware...we discussed how he will pick up the bills I still have outstanding once he puts them into his budget. That way I am not using the money from the savings account. I feel so crappy taking money like that, and not contributing any money into the house.

I am going to start to push the new web site. I have to put it on all correspondence and also put it on the ebay pages.

www.bugmainstore.com

Quick but lots to say

Today I went into Huntsville. I am not going to say how come, but I will say I brought all kinds of paper with me with details I need to fill out forms with. I do not want to jinx anything for employment so I am not saying anything.
I put some dirt into the garden today. Don put some in as well. He does not think we have enough dirt (in our pile) I think we do. We are just going to have to fill it to find out. I aim to put more wheel barrel fulls in tomorrow after I go to PT and the gym.
The weather people say we are going to get these BIG storms moving in this weekend. I want to get as much dirt/soil in before the rain. THat way the rain can help to flatten and move the soil to the various areas.
I am beginning to regret this course of study. It is more work than i thought and most of it does not pertain to anything I have ever done in the past. I just hope it helps me get a job. that is the big thing right now.
I had my anxiety moment-a bit more than a moment....all the what ifs
what if...
I don't get a job
the money in the savings account runs out
there is not a guarenteed income for me
i don't have any money
i can't pay the bills i need to pay

i know i am married and it is team work. but i don't think don needs to worry about my debt before we got married. i am hoping to bring in money from the web sites.
Lets keep our fingers crossed and hope!

Trip and Return

I survived the trip to RHode Island. I don't know if it was great or rotten. I saw so many friends that I have not seen since moving to Alabama and a few that I have not seen in years. Debbe's house looks amazing (ok it is the outside-since Hannah is not allowed to be around people or have people in the house - germs). Chemo, radiation, transplant-they really turn your world upside down. Hannah is in good spirits though. Debbe is desperate for a job -but she wants to stay near home. I don't blame her.
I saw Lucy who I have not seen since DOn and I started dating. We discussed the why and how come and came to the conclusion that SHiela was overbearing, rude and determined to keep everyone seperate so she could always be the center of attention. We both have not spoken to her in a number of years, me since Don and I started dating and Lucy since her wedding. Neither of us have spoken to her for over 8 years. That is totally amazing-Lucy and I went back to where it was with us before we parted.
The worst part was seeing Grandma. She laid into me about NOT visiting my aunt. I had enough and told her how I felt. It was not fair that she did not come to our wedding, only came to the reception. Gram was pushing it and brought in the fact that mom doesn't call her. MOm has no reason to call her. I realized that in all my years, I have never spoken up for myself to gram. It was about time. It was horrible and rotten. Shemade me feel really bad.
I saw the doll that gram gave me at the doll hospital in Newport. It was absolutely beautiful. the hair (human) is the same color as gram's and aunt bertha's. It was up in curlers, and the arms need to be reattached with leather supports. THey are also making period clothes for her. I hope she is done soon.
I am thinking of having my two dutch dolls fixed and updated with a cleaning there. THey have some amazing things in the store.
Don was at the airport-the plane was delayed for 45 minutes in D.C. We sat on the tarmac...oh joy. We finally made it home...
I will say the showcase went well. it was a bit long-5 hours! i think 3-4 hours would have worked a lot better. The raffle was fixed. the woman who made the quilt also won the raffle. so not fair!
there is so much i want to add but i need to get moving to P.T. for my elbow and wrist. THen off to the gym and picking up soda for lunches.

spring is in the air

Everything is totally green. It was almost like an overnight thing. The air quality is good and not too humid yet. The sun is shining. I am loving hanging laundry out in the line. Not only saving on the electric bill, but going green.

Flying to RI tomorrow. Still got a lot of work to do for class....conference call now! Great team so far. I am team leader for the video project and pulling the video project together.

I have lots to plant when our raised garden is ready. corn, beans, onion, radishes, carrots, broccoli, lettuce...yum yum


save big with bug.... www.tinyurl.com/shopBUG

Boy it has been a long time since I have posted. I need to make a big effort to post daily. It has been a busy few weeks. Between class, the house, taxes...

Well, I will begin with saying isn't he cute?


Don is ready for mowing the acreage-all 10 acres. It takes about 4-6 hours depending upon how anal he can be with the clippings. What you can't see are the sandals pre-boots.
Don went to a "conference" in Chicago over the weekend. He said it was basically a sales pitch but he did learn a few things. And made some connections/contacts.

I made it throught 2 classes on line. Only about a million to go! The second one really kicked ass with work and difficulty. Then I go to check my grade (which was a B-hey I actually passed!) and I am locked out of the site. Now keep in mind class begins on Wed. this is Mon. I spent at least 5 hours on the phone Mon to find out that no where in my file is it stated I am to be blocked or why. Yup 5 hours I cannot get back! Finally I was sent to the registrar and was told that I had to have Wheelock College send a transcript (official) to Kaplan. OK. Now comes the question: WHy was I not told this in the past THREE months!? No call or email from my academic advisor nothing! He in fact did not call unitl Tues. and told me that I may want to think about taking a leave of absence for the class. That is an option--BUT--the paperwork had to be signed and faxed and approved prior to class beginning. I did not get any forms until Wed. Cosmo called and was more concerned than my advisor...I went through a clearing house to have the transcript fedexed to Kaplan. I still could not get on line to start class....not until Thurs. night. Mary was concerned also-she sent me the assignments for the first week. Woo Hoo!

Alabama has not refunded tax refunds in over two years. That means we are not getting a check from AL this year and I am out $1500. Ok that means it is more of 2 months of salary and I have to really not spend anything extra only focus on the bills. I really need a job!

I will say I splurged. Yup I did it, spent money I don't have! I bought beautiful glasses and a pitcher from crate and barrel. I also bought window treatments for the great room. I am going to hang them later and take a picture. I do hope all the things we need are in the long box.

Check out: www.tinyurl.com/shopBUG save BIG with BUG

It is FRIDAY

There have been some signs of spring appearing slowly. Hopefuly the weekend will bring warmer weather. It is being forecast to be warmer. That mean it is time to sow the seeds for our garden. We need to set up the garden too. It is time to get ready to save some money on veggies!!
THis is called procrastination. I have a paper due and I have noooo desire to begin the research on it.
Just great simply marvelous. All this time and no desire to work on the important things to do. After PT I am going to work out and pick up yarn for a project I want to enter into a knitting contest. It is for a "shawl" I am going to create a "shawl" with cables. I want to make it for don. THen if i like it i willmake a few more to sell. I am also putting the mini christmas stockings on the site for sale also.

it is tuesday

Today is Tuesday, another day with out a job. I have decided to move on with the job thing. I have continued to apply on line with AL schools. I am also looking at Monster.com and have registered there as well.
I figure, I will continue to work on the business masters and try for business positions. I hope to have something before Don calls it quits at TVA. I know he is frustrated and does not want to continue to work for someone. He has been working on starting his internet business and getting it up and running. I know it is hard for him. He did not really want to go back to work when he retired from the navy.
I need to focus on finishing my final paper for the first masters class. I will finish this note and continue to work on that. I have to turn in the final copy this evening. I want to have a bit of time to reread what I wrote. I also have to do a final focus paper on why I chose a certain paper for my personal file.

BIG snow

We were predicted to have snow. The way meteorologists were talking-it would be inches of snow. Well, the big snow we had was not as big as predicted. In fact the snow barely covered the ground. It was pretty to look at though.

I wish we had as much snow as Vancouver! especially with the olympics.

It is Sunday

I figured I needed to add a few pictures of the updates to the house. These are pictures of the fireplace and the new screen. I of course had to make s'mores with the first fire. THe weather had gotten colder-but now it is almost in the high 50's.







Since these photos I have put many things away and there is some order to the space.

This is the design we have chosen for the store. the bug is justtoo cute-he is on business cards, post-it notes, and t-shirts. It took a bit of doing but we decided on a cute green guy-the store name can be BUG. We have a number of different ways to get there; easiest one is www.tinyurl.com/shopBUG I think it is easier than typing all the information for ebay THEN the name of the store. I can hardly remember all the different things I have to type in before getting to the site.

where has the time gone?

Today is going to be thoughts in random typing.
*went to orthopedist and found the need for surgery again...left shoulder small tear
*physical therapy stinks
*began graduate school in the middle of Jan. Master's of Management in Business with a focus on Health Care Services
*Bandit had a "vet" emergency He pulled a muscle in his back and was in need of muscle relaxants. He is also on a diet.
*Don put up new lights in the hall-yeah. One thing off the honey do list
*we have a new roof and new windows
*decided on a paint color for the hall-greeen light/dining room-pumpkinish/reading room green
*we have had some snow in a state that does not get snow we have had enough-not enough to make a snowman or snow angels but enough to close many schools or cause delays.
I have never seen people who can't drive at all when the roads are not perfectly dry!