The things I didn't say

I had a new beginning right before the Thanksgiving holidays this past year. It was not my choice. Looking back I know it was for the best and we are both better because of it. It hurt...I learned. Among those lessons --- I'm stronger than I could have ever imagined. I had not realized that I'd spent so much time trying to do what I thought was expected of me that I neglected to take time to cultivate and nourish friendships. So now my goals are this--Making a life for me and my daughter. Learning from life and loving each day because who knows when those days will cease to be. Being the best friend that I can be. Realizing that we are all human and imperfect and that it is okay.

More thoughts

If I could pick out a song that would be fitting for the past two months of my life it would be a tough choice between Martina McBride's Anyway and Kenny Roger's I Don't Need You Baby. Martina's song is probably more fitting. "God is great. But sometimes life ain't good and when I pray. It doesn't always turn out like I think it should. But I do it anyway. " Something good will come out of this I have no doubt. I've learned I'm alot stronger than I would have thought I could ever be. Letting go is hard.

Life goes on

Have been doing a lot of cleaning and chasing dust bunnies in the past week. Making lemonade from life's lemons. It's the best thing to do. I can hardly wait 'til our TN visit. I did a bit of my Christmas shopping for Brittany.

Holiday Plans

I'm getting ready to take a trip to TN to visit family and friends. Eva is going with us to TN. That should be a real adventure. It will be good to have some time away. Brittany is growing so fast. I noticed yesterday that I need to go through her closet again and get rid of clothes she's outgrown. Won't be long til Thanksgiving and Christmas. I really need to start in on my Christmas shopping.

Catching up

I did not realize until today that it had been so long since I'd posted to my general blog. I've been making an effort to post to my genealogy blog more but this blog and my gardening blog have kind of been neglected. Lot's of things have happened since July. I'm making great progress despite what at times seems like horrible odds. I'm going to make the most of the "lemons" I've been given. Lemonade anyone? I am happy that my life took the turn it did in 2005 and that I don't have to deal with that chapter of my life anymore. At the time things are happening we tend to be filled with great emotion. Now I can look back and say that I am soooo much better off. My relationship with my daughter is so much better now too. She's my best friend and I think we both have a better understanding each of the other. I've worked hard to get things for her without turning her into an ungrateful brat. This year we have been doing homeschooling and I have been learning a great deal myself. I had never pictured myself as a teacher but I've found that it's something I could do easily ...though with Brittany's AS at times it becomes a bit challenging. I've went back to school and finished(almost) two degrees. This I hope will help me to better support my daughter. The AAS in Business Mgt Entrepreneurship(finished in 2007) and my AAS in Computer Science Networking I will finish in a few months. I redid some of Brittany's room. Bought her a new pillow top mattress, HD TV DVR and media holders as well as redid her bookcases. It looks wonderful. I love the Purple, Turquoise and Green Bedding she chose too. Had to go through her closet and sort through the clothes....got rid of bunches that she's outgrown and then we went on a shopping trip to replace those with ones in her size. She has grown so much over the past year....she is over 5 ft tall now and wears a size 1in jeans. I think the next thing project is to select an elliptical machine...and then figure out where we have the space for it. I think she and I both would benefit from it. Jim enjoys his weights but that's not something Brit and I would like. I'm thankful for:

• My Daughter who is truly my best friend
• My Husband who supports me in all my endeavors even when he thinks I'm crazy.
• My Family-(Near & Far)
• My Friends-thank God for my unlimited nationwide calling plan & Facebook
• My Dog Eva who is truly a cat trapped in a dog's body.
• The life experiences I've been through which have made me the person I am today.

Song Lyrics to live by:

• Be careful what you wish for..cause you just might get it.
• Some of God's greatest gifts Are unanswered prayers

My Vacuum REALLY sucks

My old vacuum didn't suck....in fact it didn't pick up much of anything. I bought a Eureka Pet Pal Bagless Vacuum today for around $80 at Walmart and am so pleased. We have a small inside dog so I thought it might help to invest in a new vacuum since the older vacuum was better suited as a doorstop. While vacuuming our 2 Bedroom Apt. I emptied the canister(which is fairly large) twice. This model also comes with a Self-Cleaning Duster, Crevice Tool & Extension Wand, Dusting Brush and Power Paw Stair Hose. Product, Price & Performance---all Great.

Summertime

My sis, Becca and my niece & nephew visited me this past week. We had a great time. Was so great to see them. The kids enjoyed going to Heritage Park and playing and swimming in the pool at the hotel. It's very hard to find swimwear at a store when temps are this high. Kmart had a wonderful selection so I bought Brittany two :-)
Last week was also some kind of Bizzaro Death week. MJ, Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon. There was also a death in our extended family. My cousin's ex whom he has several children with passed away. She was only 51.
Mom is going to need surgery on her right arm/shoulder if it's to get any better. She's really dreading it because she's wondering how she will accomplish anything while recovering.
I've been wanting to totally redo Brittany's bedroom so that it is more up to date with her age group as well as trendy. She doesn't want a dresser & mirror and is opting for new bed, chest of drawers and nightstand. I'm also going to totally redo what is now her Entertainment Center. I'd like to get her a new TV(flatscreen) and a DVD recorder that also plays CDs. She still has my old 5 disc changer CD player but it might be hard getting her to part with that. Will probably have to sit down and talk that over with her ;-)