Crystal

Crystal
Alabama Angel

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

First Day

Today was a day. My new roommate Betty's baby boy Mikey (3 months) woke me up with screams this morn. He doesn't usually do that. As much as I needed to sleep, I went & got him. Heck I was up anyway by then. I don't sleep well & once I am awake, I can't go back to sleep.

I got up, got ready, went to my first job & worked. Had help today from Birmingham. Thanks Jan! Left in time to go through the drive thru, run home, eat a couple bites in the driveway. Got inside & had to clean up. It was a mess. Went to my second job (first day). By the time I left at 5, I was tuckered.

Came home, gathered laundry, sorted, started. Gathered stay dishes that found their way through the house, gathered lots and lots of trash. What do I collect? Trash.

Once I sat down for a minute I realized that I didn't want to get back up. I finished up the lunch plate I didn't eat for lunch (didn't do breakfast either). Now I have retired to my room for a little bit of solitude. The dog fed & watered, the ice trays emptied & refilled. I am done for tonight. Rod & his friend are hanging out. My roommate & her baby are unpacking some stuff they brought in today.

Tomorrow I have more work to do, just different work. I am trying to wrap my head around being organized enough to do these two jobs, homeschool, do everything necessary here. But you will be amazed at what you can do when it is a priority.

I am very blessed to have my jobs -- and thankful.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Friday Night

It is almost Saturday morning, but as I sit up here in bed, I know that I had a fun & fun-filled day, and only because I *told* myself I was going to. I chose. I chose to have a good day. I had a choice. I made the choice. I made it

Today was another Red Shirt Friday. If you don't know about Red Shirt Fridays, please visit www.redshirtfridays.org for more information. It is to support the troops (aka: My favorite Soldier/Hero, my wonderful husband who I am grateful for). I wore my Red T-shirt with our beautiful flag on it, and what hangs in front of it but his dog tags along with his wedding band. That way I feel like I carry a little bit of him with me wherever I go.

So, I had a lot to do today as I had stated before. I got a lot done, still got to hang out with two of my besties, but I feel rotten. I forgot about the Sundae Friday until it was too late. I mismanaged my time. I missed out on seeing a friend from church who recently joined & I had wanted to see her bad. I also missed out on seeing a bunch of my old friends that I so dearly love. In case you haven't heard, I have THE VERY BEST and MOST AMAZING friends. I am so blessed. I mean in a way that is hard to explain. When I look around me at all I have to be thankful for, it is just a very humbling thing.

While out running errands today, I got some potentially wonderful news. Yes, another blessing of course. I will tell more as time goes on. Let's just say, I have been waiting on this one and even though I have to work for it, it is like this particular blessing was hand picked just for me.

I can't remember the last time I was in such an *almost perfect" place in my adult life. My childhood was a complete dream. My adult life has been a struggle. Some of the struggles have been my own doings, of course. I was once young, I don't always make the right decisions, I am human, I am deeply flawed, I am a sinner. But some of the things that have fallen into my path were not any of my own fault. Maybe my way of dealing with them, using them as stumbling blocks instead of stepping stones is my fault. But anyway, back to the here and now. Here and now, my life is a blessing. I would only change having my husband home. That would make everything exactly perfect. I can't imagine a more perfect life at all.

I got to chat with my husband earlier (not too long ago) when he should have been sleeping. I think we got so close in the nine (+/-) months we had together this last time that neither of us are sleeping well since we got used to falling asleep touching each other. But getting to chat with him tonight was wonderful. He sent me a little smiley face kiss on chat & it made my night. I know, I know, simple mind, simple pleasure. But really, it takes so little from him to make me smile. We are always connected, but sometimes you just feel closer to each other than at other times, especially when everything is over the computer. But tonight, when he sent me the smiley face, it was ever so nice. It was almost like I could touch him, like I could feel his skin. It's a connection that is deep, no superficiality, and it isn't a physical thing. I almost felt his presence. Maybe it is wishful thinking. Maybe in the back of my mind I was trying to transport him here.

I also got other good news in the last 24 hrs. More news I can't share with you just yet. Well, not the details. I will say this. I have a countdown going now.

My life is a little crazy right now, but it is the good kind of crazy. The kind where everyone is healthy, fed, and loved.

Friday, August 27, 2010

T.G.I.F

Thankful for much, but to day si Friday and it is a good early morning for me. i haven't been sleeping late, or sleeping much at all really.

Today we have a Sundae Friday planned for the homeschoolers. No, I did not misspell Sundae. We are talking ice cream. Yummy. Let's hope it isn't so hot that we melt or the ice cream either. I wish my son would be able to be there, but he will have to work.

Today is errand running day. I am going to treat it like a Monday. Isn't that going to be fun? haha I am going to accomplish as much as I can. I don't have too mcuh to do anyway. I usually get more accomplished on a Monday than any other day of the week, but today I still have a few things that need to be taken care of.


Rodd comes in from work tired. He has completed a 3 month apprenticeship where he worked 5 hrs/day 3 days/week, but he has never worked an 8 hr shift days in a row before. I haven't had to tell him to go to sleep for sure.

I woke up to really good news. I hope the day just keeps getting better. I know it will. It is a Friday. It HAS to be good.

I may go to the free movie here on post tonight. it is Nightmareon Elm Street. Not really my kind of movie, but I will go anyway. rod has Improv class tonight right after work, so when he gets in he will be tired for sure.

One thing that got put into storage in GA that should've came with me: The Step Stool. Why I didn't think of it when we were packing I dunno. I don't need to go anywhere without one. Seriously. At 5 ft tall, I need to carry a portable one in a backpack every where I go. I could use it daily from when I have to go to a public restroom & the only open stall is the handicap one with the extra tall potty, to work having to reach the signs that are just out of reach for me even with 3 inch heels on.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Thursday, August 26

Today was my first "hands on" training with Hallmark. I think I am really going to like this job. I met some great people to work with & can't wait to really get my system set up & get going! It feels great to be employed again.

Rod started work this week also, but you will have to ask him about that since that is his news to tell. He is a great worker though. I am so proud of him.

Speaking of which, this morning, as I was driving to Hueytown for training, I had the radio on 88.1 WAY-FM (my fav). They were asking about the best person you know. I immediately thought of my son, his giving spirit, his willingness to help, his compassion, his fight for the underdog. Then I wondered just how many people could say that about their teenager. Still pondering that. So many teens, all you hear is bad stuff. I also am pondering if all the "bad stuff" teens do is because that is all they hear about is bad teens. Are teens really encouraged as individual persons? I am not talking academically. Are we really bringing out these values in them?

I am thinking if the job I am still hoping for comes through then I will be plenty busy with those two & homeschooling this year. I am trying to keep myself busy and it is definitely worth it.

It has definitely helped to be surrounded with the richness of my family & friends. They have been a huge support thus far & I have needed them this go round more than ever.

About my hubby: There isn't much to update. He is doing well. he seems to be in such great spirits for the most part! that helps me a lot to know he is in a good mood. He has been very sweet (I'm teling you like it's a secret) lately & it makes me smile to think about. I can't wait until he gets to come home at least for a visit. It is going to be great! He is getting to see first hand, history in the making. Since he is who he is, I know he is absorbing minute details even. Maybe I can convince him to write it all down for our future ancestors one day! I would love to have something like that from my ancestors.

It has been an exciting week. My friend Betty & her baby boy have gotten moved in & almost all the way unpacked. I have had sleepless nights, but I think I will be able to sleep tonight for sure! Let us pray!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Tuesday Aug 24

Today is my brother Scott's birthday! Scott is 41. Happy Birthday Scott! Also, today is my nephew Jame's birthday. He is 24. Happy Birthday Jame!

Since I have nothing to cook today, I will tell you what I cooked yesterday since it is "Tempt My Tummy Tuesday"

My thought was to use what I had here at the house, so this is another "cabinet" recipe, not something I had tried before.

Turkey Meatloaf

(since ground turkey has almost no flavor, you can use whatever to spice it the way you want it)

Ground Turkey
Rosemary
Stuffing mix (I had a little leftover dried in the bottom of a bag)
Eggs
2 slices stale bread that I toasted (broken up)
1 honey wheat English Muffin (toasted & broken up)
some cheap canned spaghetti sauce

I mixed all of that, sprayed a pan, stuck it in the oven @ 350 for about an hour, poured the rest of the cheap spaghetti sauce on top & it was really good. Don't ask for amounts of stuff because I just did it till it was a good consistency

I had a bag of instant potatoes that I did a serving according to directions, added in sour cream, extra butter, a lil salt & pepper, and some shredded cheddar cheese. After I got through, they were nice!

Love Dare- Day 2

Today's Love Dare is to not say anything negative about my honey & to do a good deed. I can do this. I really can. These are the easy parts, right?

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Love Dare Day 1

I thought about waiting until tomorrow. Fresh new day, fresh new week, right? But why put off until tomorrow what I can start today. So I am posting Monday's Dare Today. I am sure some of these will be harder than others.

This is going to be a little more difficult seeing as how my husband and I are geographically separated, but I am going to find a way.

Monday's DARE

Day 1



The first part of this dare is fairly simple. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose to not say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret.