Career moves...food, dancing, and writing...all the major life groups. :)

I was hired by a company almost two months ago. I have yet to work for them. Big sigh. I believe that they are going to use me but it may take a few more weeks. I was hoping to use this job as Christmas money. Yeah, that's not happening. Good thing I had some money put back already. As a family of 5 with two sets of grandparents we don't spend more than $700 (for 9 people) on Christmas. That's because we don't usually have more than that. My hubby gets a bonus...a tiny one, but, hey, I guess free money is free money. My children are used to small Christmases. They are such great kids. They rarely ask for things and never throw fits in stores. They know going in that we are coming out with only what's on that list. I know that not having tons of excess money can be a challenge but it really is a blessing for your children. It's a lesson in what's important in life and what's unnecessary. We have all that we need. The love of our family, food on our table, a roof over our head, and clothes on their backs and that is all we need. Everything else is cake. Great now I want cake. :)

Speaking of cake, I make almost everything we eat from scratch. I don't make bread, crackers, and cereal. But, if I can make it from scratch I do. After watching Food, Inc one of the many things I took away from it was you can eat anything you want as long as you make it. Because when you make it you know what's in it. (Did you know margarine is one molecule away from being plastic? Your body knows what to do with butter it has no idea what to do with margarine) So, I made homemade stuffing for Thanksgiving. Then, we went with family to have another thanksgiving and there was stuffing there. It was sooooo good. It was frozen and sold at Walmart. I had actually forgotten about it. Anyway, I was speaking to my hubby about how good that stuffing was and how I had forgotten all about it. His exact words to me were, "yes, it was. But yours was better and we know what is in yours." Awww. He notices what I do for the family. Trying to be healthier can be hard!

I'm loving the dance class I take on Thurs nights. It's line dancing and it's a great 2 hour workout. It begins again this week. Let me know if anyone wants to go with me. It's a lot of fun. Today I worked out on the treadmill and the elliptical. I can tell the dancing is helping my stamina on both. It's increasing and that's great. I'm really going to try to kick up the weight loss a notch.

In addition to loving the dance class I'm loving writing again. I've been researching how to become a better writer. I love planning out new stories and seeing where they will go. Planning a story is a new thing for me. I was one of those who just did it on a whim. But I can definitely see where planning is a better way to go. It's like a map for your story. I have set a goal of writing five pages a day.

I would love to be contributing to the family income right now. But that's not happening. Maybe I need to look into volunteering for a food bank to give myself something to do. Hmm. I might need to make some calls.   This week on Thurs I have another mammogram at the Vanderbilt Breast Center. Hopefully nothing's changed and they will give my mind some rest from thinking too much.  My dad is doing great. He had another CT scan that showed he was still cancer free and they said his lungs sound great. What a nice change from this time last year! Life is good.

Facebook friends...stand up and be counted...

what is up with people and facebook? I have a certain amount of friends. That number varies daily. How can it go up 2 and back down 4? Are these so called friends unfriending me? Are they closing their accounts but then deciding they can't live without it? Facebook friends one of you is missing. Please number yourself and count it aloud. lol

PS I lost weight over thanksgiving. No reason to unfriend me or close your account over that though. haha~

I used to be snarky and funny.

Where did that person go? I'm going to try to work on finding her again. Heavy things have happened but it's time to move on! I want my snarkiness back.

Moving on...For the first time in 11 years I'm not working. I'm supposed to be. But my job hasn't started yet. There have been setbacks for me starting. I believe caused by the new 9 week report card delaying students getting referred. Here I sit. Waiting patiently. I'm loving my daughter being in school 4, count them 4 days per week. My house is clean and I'm cooking more than I ever have. Trying out new recipes has become a new hobby. I'm so sick of cooking the same things over and over again. I'm loving being the mom that's home when the kids need me. Today, we came into the house and I immediately began to make rice crispies. Now, we're patiently waiting for them to cool. I love days like today when I can just clean in the quiet of my thoughts. Next year my baby goes to kindergarden. I'm so excited. We, as a family, will get a raise when that happens. We'll have extra money! Yay! What must that be like?

Some people were born to be powerful working women. I believe that I was born to be a teacher to my children and a mom. Will I ever work outside the home again? Yes, but probably not until they are all grown and gone. I, so love getting up and making them breakfast while seeing them off to school. Do I get bored? Absolutely! But that's what God made books for. :)

Well time to cut the crispies. My daughter just told me that these were the best rice crispies ever! Love her!!

Thursday has become my new favorite day of the week. I get to go dancing. It's a wonderful way to get a workout in and  it lasts almost 2 hours. Tonight I get to dance. I must get off the computer now and go make dinner so I'm ready to go. Fun times will be had!