Yearly Update

OK, no more promises to update posts more often, since I obviously stink at keeping it up. This past year includes a new (to us, and rented, so don't get too excited) house, new school for the kids, new football team, new enrollment in grad school (yikes!) and 10 year wedding anniversary. The kids are getting so big, and I'm learning new things at work, at home, and in life in general every day. I'm beginning to wonder where the collection of experiences and lessons is leading me. The random events that strike me as things to which I should take notice will come together someday and reveal their purpose, but for now, I'm in the dark. I've spent the last few months HATING my job, while at the same time being thankful that I had one to pay the bills. (It makes sense if you've ever been there.) In the last two weeks, I've been chosen for a special project team, got a new supervisor, and had the opportunity to have meetings with the bosses, and therefore observe what goes on behind the scenes. I don't exactly love my job, but certainly feel much better about it than I did two weeks ago. Today was election day. This deserves mention because the classes that I am taking for grad school are in policy (think politics). I do NOT want to be a politician, but my interest has grown by leaps and bounds since the last local elections. Only one of the candidates for whom I voted came out on top--and that one is so close that victory can't be claimed until absentee ballots are counted. So, I'm thinking that perhaps these classes are preparing me to be more involved in future campaigns. Could I make the difference? I'd like to think so, but who knows? I do know this: I have learned more about politics (the part that everyone hates about politics) from a particular personal acquaintance than I have from any of my classes. As this person is someone I have to deal with on a regular basis (the cost of cutting them out of my life is too great), I must become acustomed to dealing with egocentric people who schmooze to get what they want out of others and somehow take no responsibility for their mistakes, errors, or shortcomings. Yeah, I know I sound like a jerk. That's what I'm trying to learn and develop in my character these days. How to deal with people that get under my skin without sounding like a jerk. Maybe by next year's post, I'll be doing it better!

Catching Up with Myself

The following post was stuck in edit mode, and had been written in October, 2009:



Lately, instead of writing, I have been playing games on my computer. For hours upon hours, I sit in front of this screen and play the same games over and over, thinking of the things I could be writing instead of puting those thoughts in print. It's gotten to be too many thoughts to write about just one of them, and I don't have the energy to write more than one blog entry, so here it is, whatever it is...

It amazes me that I can remember distinct moments from 15 years ago, like they were yesterday. Two people with whom I was acquainted that long ago passed away within the last two weeks, and the memory of a certain moment spent with of them became so vivid...it's just weird.

Also, I've been in touch with a close friend from 10 years ago, who I will actually get to see this week, which has brought up memories of that whole group of friends. The time that I knew these folks was the beginnings of the stormy season of my life, to which I never want to return, but I would not be who I am today without those years. And like the deaths, knowing that I am about to see my friend again has brought back memories of that time--I've found it rather draining, really.

I went on my annual shopping trip this past weekend, leaving the boys home with my hubby for some guy time. Had some fun girl time with my mom and the other ladies on the trip, got some good buys, got all of the Christmas shopping for my hubby done, got the younger boys' next birthday gifts, got some clothes, got a new comforter (love the comforter--it matches the wood in my bedroom furniture beautifully), got appointed the official DVD go to person on the bus, and failed at fixing the DVD player in the middle of "The Devil Wears Prada", much to the dissapointment of all on board. Oh, well--successful trip anyway!

My hubby has been wonderful lately--ungrouchy, interested in the kids, more responsible, funny, caring, and more relaxed. It is a beautiful thing. I'm very happy about these changes he has been making for himself. The one downside: I can't get away with anything anymore! It's great!

Going back to school gets pushed further away from my current priorities almost every day. I found what would be a good fit: online courses for a graduate degree in Social Policy. Working in health care and with income tax credits has opened my eyes to some major flaws in the system. But now is not the time.