A Day of Rest...?

the girls...pining away for the days they could roam the yard, free as a...bird

It is pouring down rain today! (And you know I love it.) On the one hand, it's a good excuse to lay low, take some quiet time and relax. On the other hand...it's putting a damper on our backyard progress. Although, since Chris and the boys installed our sod last weekend, maybe that endeavor can count as TWO work Saturdays!

Although...the day isn't a total bust as far as home improvements go. So far we've:

• watched 3 landscape shows on HGTV
• looked through 4 or 5 library books to get some inspiration for a trellis and a walkway
• drew out some plans for both
• designed a small bathroom cabinet to store things like towels and tp so we can finally get rid of the "chrome" rack we bought way too long ago that is now slightly rusty...and not so slightly UGLY.

I have to work at the bookstore tonight...the closing shift. So it seems my day is almost being spent just waiting to go to work. But...I'm going to make the best of it and get some more stuff done...laundry, beds, emptying the dishwasher and maybe a trip to the library. Or Old Navy. Or both. We'll see if I actually get motivated to get out of the house on this rainy day before I actually have to.

For now I'm going to enjoy the rain and be thankful for the free water it's providing for the garden and our new beautiful sod. (I'll share more pics later this week!)

messy.

A little corner of the garden...next to the cold frame turned compost bin...the piles happen outside, too. Dangit. I'm continuing to learn to just go with it.

I'm working two jobs today...this morning I'll be subbing at a local elementary school in the nurses office. Then this evening I'll close at the book store. Tomorrow, the same schedule. How I went from no jobs to two...? Not sure. But I'm grateful...the extra money is helpful. We've got a lot of extras this month...camps, sports, clothes for kids that grew overnight again. Skinny jeans that look more like capris aren't cute...on boys.

I work the first job at 10:30...I'll be done at 2:15. Then I have to make that stop at Costco that I still haven't done yet this week. I'll come home...figure out something for the guys to make themselves for dinner, maybe watch a little Oprah (yes...I will. I don't always agree with what she says. Matter of fact...I get so irritated with her more often than not, lately. But I've watched her since the beginning...will miss her when she's gone...so yes, I'm watching her until the end. Judge if you must.)...then head to the other job at 5:30.

I don't know how women who have to work two jobs do it. I really feel for them. And having to leave their kids home in the process? I know they're old enough...I know they can handle it...but just because you can ________, doesn't always mean you should __________. Fill in your own blanks.

I'm really distracted lately with work schedules...finances...time...life. I feel like my mind must look like that pile of gardening supplies. Messy. Probably worse as the things in my mind don't all make sense...or have a common theme. It's a big jumble...so I continue to remind myself to do one thing at a time. And I continue to break my days up into small manageable slots...one thing at a time. So far it's working out!

OK...off to start those "manageable slots"...don't want to be late!

nothing in particular, really...

herbs in the garden...survived the winter...and the chickens.

I have a nice list of to-dos today...Costco, pay bills, plant succulents that I didn't plant yesterday, wash bedding and make beds. (Or maybe just my own bed and the boys can make their own! I like that idea better.)

I want to make a stop by the thrift store later this afternoon...drop off a small box of donations...then drive around, park my car, go inside and see what treasures I can't live without. What? I figure as long as I donate more than I buy then I'm still ahead of the clutter game. Don't worry...I watch Hoarders...I am leaving a path. (Kidding!)

I am eating an English muffin with peanut butter and jelly for breakfast. I thought I'd have an egg and toast...but there was one, teensy little serving of jam in the bottom of the jar...a teensy serving I couldn't see putting back in the fridge, and a serving I couldn't see wasting. So...I changed my breakfast plans to include that teensy little bit of jam...and it was quite tasty.

Um...what else? Hmm...Seth has his last baseball game of the season this afternoon. That'll keep us busy until after 6pm. I think we'll have biscuits and gravy for dinner again...that is one of the quickest meals to cook ever. No...not the healthiest. But it's good...it's quick...it's ready in about 15 minutes...and my family likes it.

I am on the sub list for our school district...not as a teacher but to fill in for clerical positions. One of those positions is the Health Clerk...aka school nurse. I got a call yesterday to sub tomorrow, Wednesday, through Monday at an elementary school. I subbed last Friday as the Health Clerk at another elementary school and it was hilarious. Little kids are a riot. I never saw so many bumped heads. Luckily none of them needed surgery. ;)

Anyway...it's not a bad gig...the hours are great...10:30-2:15. The only bummer is that I'm scheduled to work at the book store Thursday and Friday night at 5:30 until closing...so I'll be doubling up on those days. But that's OK...work is work. I am grateful for the bit of income.

I got up a bit early this morning for some quiet time with God and some prayer journaling.
God gave me Colossians 3:12-15...

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Alrighty...better get going on that list of to-do's...

What's on your to-do list today?

Taking care of business...making changes and a GIVEAWAY!

OK...so I am doing some work around this blog...making some changes, adding some items, removing some others. It sure is time consuming! Thank you for your patience with the layout and wacky colors while I fix things up!

Hey...speaking of that, can you do me a favor and tell me how it's all looking from YOUR computer so far? I know how it looks on mine...but not sure if it's looking OK from someone else's point of view. Not to mention, I'm messing with the HTML which is SO not my forte'! {edit: maybe I DO know a teensy bit about HTML after all! I love it when things work out like you want them to!}Thank you in advance...

And don't forget the GIVEAWAY!!

The drawing is tomorrow! I'm giving away a lovely  new testament
devotional bible and a booklet I wrote for Belgium. 

Want a chance to win? Go sign up!

As far as the booklet I wrote for Belgium, I do have more. It's quarter-page in size and contains 18 pages of hope and truth as to what God can do with depression...if you let Him.

If you don't win, but still want a copy of Desperation and Hope; a journey through depression, I have some available for $3 (to help offset the cost of postage and materials).

Alrighty then...back to work for me! Until tomorrow...I pray you all have a beautiful day!

Monday, Monday...

Did everyone but me know that it was a 3-day weekend? I had no idea until last night at around 8pm when Seth informed me. Talk about being in my own little world!

These are not my photos...they are some of my Flickr Favorites that I made into a Mosaic. These are fun to make every now and then...especially when one hasn't taken any pictures of her own as of late. Ahem.

My poor camera...she is neglected. Cast aside. Lonely. And because of that...she mocks me. Not really. I just like to say that. It cracks me up. Isn't it nice that I can amuse myself so easily? I think it has something to do with delirium...

* * * * * * * * * * *

So, it's Monday. And my boys are off of school. And I am starting my new work schedule today, officially. I trained a bit last week then got thrown into the fire to fend for myself on Thursday and it was totally fine! I like it. And I'm telling you, the time flies when I'm in that back room ripping boxes open and frantically entering stock into the computer. I get there...clock in...put on my handy-dandy purple apron and next thing I know it is 5 minutes past the time I am supposed to clock out! It's nice. Except that there really isn't enough time to actually receive the entire UPS delivery on a daily basis. Between getting called to the front register to cover for breaks, lunches, bank runs and long lines...it's all I can do to receive 10 boxes per shift.

Anyway...enough about boring stock rooms! What has my life come to?! That is the LAST time you will hear about stock rooms on this blog. Stock rooms are not pretty...self-sustaining...eco-friendly...oh if you only knew the bubble wrap, plastic, cardboard and wasteful packaging I throw away on a daily basis...it actually makes me feel a slight bit nauseated. It goes against my recycling nature. Completely. But...it's how they do it and I've been told to "let it go" and "get over it". So...I will. For now. Until I get settled in and can maybe figure out some way to lessen that waste. I don't know how exactly...but...I'll figure out some small way to make it better.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

One day at a time...right? When I think about everything I've got on my plate...and that every evening this week has something going on...I get so anxious I can hardly breathe. So, what I have to do is focus on the issue at hand. And right now, at this moment, it is getting ready for work. I can't think about school tomorrow night and the chapter that needs to be read in preparation for my quiz. I can't think about Seth's band concert Wednesday night and bible study Thursday night and Seth's traveling game Thursday after school and Ian's practices Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Or the fact that Chris and I are double-booked tonight and Thursday night. I can only think about this morning. And getting ready to go to work today.

One day at a time. One obligation at a time. Focus on what's in front of me and do that as best I can. Then...move on to the next thing...do it as best I can and move on. Before I know it I will have made it to the end of my day, having done all that I needed to do, without freaking out or hyperventilating.

What I need to remember is that this situation is temporary. Going back to college is not a lifelong thing (trust me...contrary to my school history...I'm getting it DONE this time!). It is a year and a half out of my life. Once I have my bachelor's degree in my hot little hand I will get a job (hopefully) and then I will only have one thing to focus on. I won't have to focus on work and school. I will just focus on work.

I will still be running around with the boys...but really, that is temporary, too. before I know it they will be grown and gone. And I will long for the days that we ran to meetings and games and concerts and youth groups.

Yes. This is a busy time. But it can be done as long as I keep my head straight and keep things in perspective. And with God's help, I can do that.

Matthew 19:26

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

thinking out loud...with *after-thoughts.

It's Friday. And I'm glad. I think I mentioned once or twice or 18 times, Friday is my favorite day of the week.

And even though this weekend is turning out to be a bit busy...I know that I can still enjoy today.

I work at the book store today from 10-1. I was offered a new position earlier in the week! Starting today I am going to be our stores ICS person. And do you know...I don't even know what those letters stand for?!! (That makes me laugh at myself...so like me...jump first, check for water later...sheesh)

I do know what I'll be doing, though. Inventory. Shipping and receiving. Keeping the backroom stocked and organized. And I am pretty excited about it.

The good things about this job are...an 8% pay increase. (*Add that up from minimum wage...what is it? Like 4 cents? Hey...it's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick as my mama says! Hi Mom!)

Predictable hours!!! THIS one is HUGE. I have been wanting something that I could do while the boys are in school. Something that would allow me to drop off...pick up...be there after school...and this is it. 10-1 Monday through Thursday. Ideal, if you ask me. Especially for my schedule...and my boys' schedules...and my husband's schedule. It's ideal...for us. (*We're still working on how this will work out during the summer...but it'll work out.)

I told them I'd have to leave Friday's open so that I can go to our business and do payroll and payables and such. (*Although, yesterday while at the elementary school there was talk of a 12 week gig...one day a week...possibly Fridays. So...we'll see what that's about when the gal calls me.) I will also be able to go to our office after work on some days, if necessary. (*If the Friday thing works out...then I WILL be going to the office after the book store. But a coule of afternoons a week should be enough.)

A lot going on, eh? A little overwhelming? Yep. But...BUT...I know that if I take it all one day at a time...I can do it. I can work a few hours a day. I can get all my office work done in one day a week. I can have plenty of time for my own school work. I can have time to hang with my kids...and cook good dinners...and even some time to do something crafty here and there. I can. It's just going to mean that I need to be a better steward of my time. I'm going to have to make my time count. No more wasting time on the computer. I will not stop blogging...or reading my favorite blogs. I don't consider this a waste of time. I consider this an outlet...a conversation..."me" time. I consider it spending time with friends...even if I've never met some of you in real life!

What I mean by wasting time on the computer is that, once I'm done reading favorite blogs...and sending emails...I'm talking about what I do once I'm done with all of that. And what I do is search and search...and look and look...and click on link after link...in search of...of....what? What more am I looking for? I don't really know. And then...before I know it...too much time has gone by doing nothing. Finding nothing. Learning nothing.

So. No more of that. Yes...I'll click a link now and then if one of YOU has recommended that I do so. But I won't go out searching for...I don't even know what. I will do what I need to do on the computer...then I will log off. And I will pick up a book instead. (Sociology, anyone?) Or a garden planner. Or Mother Earth News. Or hey...maybe I'll gather that pile of fabric and start cutting squares for the quilt I'm going to make! Basically, I need to be more productive. And it's totally doable. As long as I am careful and mindful of my time.

Speaking of which...gotta go!!