Small Success Thursday - Coping edition

Hi Friends, 

I don't feel at all successful. The unthinkable has occurred and my husband no longer wants to be married to me. We have had our differences, but I did not realize how deep they went. I am not sure he did either until he started to talk to a counselor about the severe stress he was under for the last 7 months. I am sad that he did not realize it and let me know until it was too late. He does not want to turn back now. Like he says, we were both at fault. There were things we wanted the other to do differently but for some reason neither of us were capable of making the requested change. I have moved out. I was looking forward to downsizing from the house when the 17 YO graduated. I have no interest in maintaining the yard. I worked really hard at being strategic with the things I took with me. My favorite Christmas decorations and craft & sewing supplies are the things overwhelming me right now.  

On top of all of this, my contract position is ending in a few weeks. The people I work directly with are unhappy, but HR is forcing this. I have to be away for 3 month before I can come back with another contracting firm and the department has no headcount to hire me. There might be opportunities for another project whit my current contract company. I am praying for continuous employment. I really do not want to ask for support from my estranged husband. 

So:
I found and attended a support group for newly single Catholics at the parish closest to my new apartment.

So far I am resisting the slide into anger and bitterness over it all. But the struggle is real.

I have things put away in the new apartment with the exception of the bedroom and large walk-in closet. I have purged a lot of things.

Linking up with Catholic Mom 

Small Success Thursday - Early voting edition

Good Morning folks,

I am taking another vacation day today. Last week I wrote about a hitch in my contract renewal. It is still ongoing. I went into the office for half the day on Monday. I left early came home and made a Firefighter costume for my grandson. We were unable to find a Toddler's firefighter's costume in the store. I even looked at the local costume place. Even the cashier there was flabbergasted that they did not have on in stock. I failed to take a picture.

I took advantage of my open morning and took advantage of early voting in my county. Now I can ignore the news and scroll past the Facebook posts liked by my Friends. (Those are the worst in my opinion).

Last week I was able to clean one of the craft corner's in my basement. Today I plan to tackle the other.

Linking up with Catholic Mom.com for Small Success Thursday.

Small Success Thursday- Turmoil edition

Welcome to another Thursday. I am off of work today so I can participate this week.

There is major turmoil in my life right now, and it really is not stuff to share on a public forum. In my work/Professional life, there is an administrative issue with the renewal/extension of my work contract. The last 2 days I was in the office of the consulting company that gives me my paycheck. I watched some training videos, surfed the net and twiddled my thumbs. Today and tomorrow I am taking PTO. Hopefully this will be resolved early next week. And life at home is very hard right now.

This weekend is the High School band's Fall fund raiser, an Antique show at the school where we charge admission and sell concessions. The Mom who has run the kitchen last year cannot be there full time this year, so I volunteered to take over. Tonight I will go over during band practice and take inventory of the paper goods and see what we need. Tomorrow I will meet with the kitchen crew for a crash course in running a few pieces of equipment.  Tomorrow evening we will make 200lbs of potatoes into potato soup.

So I am taking everything one step at a time. Trying hard not to get ahead of myself and not doing too much of my worst-case scenario planning.  I plan to step up my prayer game, go about my business and keep a low profile when possible.

Maggie
Linking up with Catholic Mom for Small Success Thursday.

Small Success Thursday - Sept 14

Hello everyone,
Time to join up with Catholic Mom to reflect on the small things we have been successful at this week.

The last few weeks have been really hard. Hubby has been on stress overload with ork and it has bubbled over. For a while it seems like everything I was doing was the last straw. ( I think I have been on his side before.) So I really tried to back off. I unscheduled myself working on the band truck crew as even on better days I try to help and end up doing something exactly the opposite of what he was planning. Me and my strong personality tend to take over.

But slowly it is getting better. He has gotten into playing Disk or Frisbee golf. We went the other night after supper and then we practiced throwing in the back yard Wed evening.

This weekend, the high school football game was postponed due to a bomb threat. The band was not there, but we were there with the equipment truck. About 50 minutes before game time, they called it off and quickly evacuated the stadium and tailgating areas. As we circled the campus we saw a lot of emergency vehicles gathered behind a building. I think the officials of the school and the community did a mince job handling the situation. The game was played Sunday afternoon. Instead of the whole band, only the drumline went. As parents of a percussionist as well as truck crew, we were there.

TheTeen was supposed to have his audition for the ensemble at the University. He called the director to reschedule and was told to show up early This Sunday afternoon for the audition and to plan to stay for rehearsal. So they reserved a spot for him. I think this was his saving grace with the academic trouble he had last year. So far for this year, he is starting out strong. He likes ll of his teacher and is no longer angry that we pulled him out of AP English. He ONLY has 3 AP classes.

Linking up with Catholic Mom. Join us, won't you?      

Small Success Thursday - Aug 11, 2016

Hello everyone, I have some time this morning before I head to the office. Hubby let me shower first.

Feels like my day to day life is the same, consistent, boring. Hubby heads back overseas for next week. TheTeen starts back to school Wednesday. I am happy to have the same job. As a contingent worker, continuous employment is a good thing. But life is not really that way.

• I am going to be a Grandma again. DDIL is meeting with her University advisers. She thinks she can take 2 weeks off and still graduate in June. It sounds like they want her to do her student teaching in the Fall. She also thinks she wants someone to come int he house to care for the kids (taking The Toddler to pre-school). I doubt they can afford that and housing at the same time. 
• We bought a new couch. I want to clean some carpets and move the existing couch into the formal living room that has a chair and TheToddler's toys.    
• We decided we do not need the daybed/Trundle in the Office. No that my parents have moved closer, our other guest room is not used often. That will give me more room. And I decided I can use the dresser int he guest room to store my table linens. 

It is all a matter of perspective. If I shift my veiw point to the positive, thinks look much better. 

Linking up with Catholic Mom. 

Small Success Thursday - Lives well lived

Hello, It is Thursday and I am linking up with Catholic Mom to review my week and find the small things I did to make my life run more smoothly.

The last 2 weeks have shown me examples of lives well-lived. Last week I attended the funeral of the mother of my Sister-in-law. She was a lovely lady devoted to her family and her family was devoted to her. There were all kinds of heartfelt tributes. I want to be remembered that way.

Then yesterday, I worked from my parents house to hold down the fort while they attended the memorial service of Dad's Childhood friend. After the service Mom and Dad hosted a luncheon. I got to hear storied of the antics of Bill, Bob, Chuck and John. One of those friends I know well as he and his wife are honorary Aunt and Uncle and Godparents to my Brother. Uncle B also told a story of having a conversation with his oldest child about how Uncle B & Aunt J are not "real" or blood Aunt and Uncle.

All this to remind me to cherish the love and friendships that I have, to keep the communications. The late friend and his wife had moved away. When my parents started to go to Florida every February, they made an effort to reconnect. The Widow told me that my parents were a great source of comfort to her as her husband's illness  (dementia) took hold and progressed.

May I remember these examples and take similar actions.

Small Success Thursday - Summer in Full swing

It is Thursday that time of the week when we pause to assess the little things we do that makes our lives go more smoothly.

Last weekend was a bit surreal, TheTeen left Friday for his trip to Sidney Australia while hubby was on a business trip to Switzerland. Felt weird to have each in different places on the planet. But Hubby made it home and TheTeen is sending texts, pictures and even a short, 2 minute Facetime session this week. His group played a concert in the Sidney Opera House yesterday. He used the word "Awesome"

Hubby and I are taking time to reconnect. I attended the funeral of my Sister-in-law's mother. It is nice seeing my nephews coming out of their shell and interacting. My Out-of-town brother came in and the entire family minus my youngest Son got together for a visit. A nice number of my Aunts, Uncles and cousins paid a visit tot he funeral home. I love my close extended family.

Enjoy the week ahead.
Linking up with Catholic Mom.

Small Success Thursday - School is out... or is it?

Small Success Thursday over at CatholicMom.com is a chance to share and reflect on the mostly un-noticed things we do that make our life hum along.

My Teen is going to have to take Math class over the summer. Frustrating since he was in Honors Math. He shut down because he has not figure out how to interact with his teacher's style. The course in Online, so this should be interesting. He has decided to set aside 9-noon to work on this daily.
I so dislike being this much of a Helicopter parent, but since I am paying a hefty tuition for his Parochial school, I am going to monitor his homework in the online grade book next year.

The new band (with the new Director) started off well with a purge of the band room. We found boxes of 1980-style uniforms stored away. As a "seasoned" band mom who has been handling emails for the last 6 years, I have been working with the new guy as we try to mesh the old way with the new way, figuring out what works, what doesn't and especially the forms needed.

We gave up on our 2 year dishwasher. It was a dud and we kept tearing the top piece of trim off. In order to replace that piece, you needed to replace the entire control module. If we had gotten water down down in there it could have shorted out the whole thing. I sacrificed my desired color for a top edge that would be less likely to get caught on someone's shoelace and get pulled off. So now I have a stainless dishwaser, black range, white over-the-range microwave and a white fridge. f and when we decide to sell, we will replace the microwave and maybe move our fridge out of the way and put in a new one intending to sell it with the house.

Linking up with Catholic Mom

Small Success Thursday - Mercy edition

Thursday again. Time to reflect on the small mostly un-noticed things we do to keep our lives going. I am linking up with Catholic Mom

What a week for me. I keep getting worked up over stuff. 

I live very near Cincinnati, where a boy made his way into a Gorilla enclosure and a magnificent animal was put down to save the boys life. I have spent the week getting pretty worked up by all the people condemning the Mom (Hey, the Dad was there too) Many other bloggers have doe a better job that I talking about this. I just need to stop watching the news and reading comboxes. But I could see my older son doing something like this if the notion struck him. I felt for the Mom. Of course the story is constantly in the news. Every angle has to explored. Today there was a story on the psychology of the outrage against the Mom. In hindsight, she should have taken the child comment that he wanted to play in the water more seriously. Yes she took her eye of that son to attend another child (and not to be on her phone like a lot of mean commenters have accused her of). The public wants a lynching in charges filed. The family stated they have no plans to sue the Zoo. People think it is a lie. Good Grief. 

The next question on my mind is about my teenager. I wrote a couple of week ago that this was a bad year academically. He has his last 2 exams this morning and then he is done until August. But a new crop of his math homework grades appeared online. He did not both to do them. This is a kid taking Honors level math classes. He signed up for 4 AP and 2 honors classes next year. At dinner I asked him "Why, we have talked about this". "I don;t have an answer" was his reply Does he deserve some Mercy? I think we have said all we can to him, but the behavior continued. He says he is gearing up for the load next year. I think I need to ramp up my prayer game and maybe get my Helicopter Mom's license. 

Finally, my poor husband has been under a lot of work stress. Friday he made a move that really ticked me off. He acknowledged that I had a reason but of course, once I got set off, I got upset about a lot of things that I had been able to overlook in the past. I finally told him that I think I had been absorbing a lot of is stress, trying to make home life easier on him, but I have reached my limit. 

Hubby had to take a short notice trip overseas, so maybe I can get back in front of my stress. I need to find a more effective was of dealing than eating and getting worked up about things I have no control. (Do I have at least influence over the Teenagers behavior?) I now I need to have Mercy on myself as well as the rest of the world so I don't let it all eat away at me. 

Small Success Thursday - Out with the old and in with the new

Hello everyone, That time of the week when I join up with Catholic Mom to remember the little things we accomplish as Wives and Moms.

This past couple of weeks has been busier with the finishing up of the school year, particularly in regards to the band. (My son is a Sophomore). It is a year of transition as the long time band director is leaving and a new one is taking over. As band booster president (hubby) and the most experience band parents (Our older son graduated in '13) we an integral in the transition.

Since the school instituted the change some of this has been a bit prickly, but the outgoing band director has done a great job of keeping his chin up and maintaining a professional demeanor in such a difficult situation. I am glad it is almost over for him.

The new guy is full of ideas to bring technology into the program and hopefully reverse the membership slump we have had.  He has been a teacher at the school for years, having been the assistant director about a dozen years ago, but had decided to concentrate on teaching religion.

So exciting things going on. We have been lucky to have the outgoing director be so gracious.

Small Success Thursday - May 12, 2016

Happy Thursday! At Catholic Mom, Thursday is a day to celebrate the small things we do to keep our lives running smoothly.

It feels like lots was going on this week. Hubby came back home from a 2 week business trip to Switzerland. It was very quite when he was gone as TheTeen was busy with rehearsing with the band for the school musical. I cooked and ate a lot of fish and no one complained.

But back to this week. Hubby endured some changes at work that surprised him. but in the end it is all good. But I took him out to dinner for food and drinks Monday night.

TheTeen has struggled with his school work\grades. I don't feel like he should be. I am wondering if he has stretched himself too thin. Trying to figure out how not to be a Helicopter parent but give him the push he needs to get it all done. Because he can get it all done.

I think I am all ready for my parent's 50th Wedding anniversary on Saturday. I prints a lot of Collage print pictures for decorations. I need to pick up last minute items such as coffee ground, milk, ice.

Linking up with Catholic Mom

Small Success Thursday - April 21

This is the day of the week where we take inventory of the little thinks we do each week as wives/Moms.

We have had a stretch of wonderful weather. Low Humidity, temps in the 70's and 80's. I bought a sandbox for TheToddler (my grandson) and he has been loving playing outside. Wee enjoyed Sunday dinner on the deck.

I finally bought myself a new laptop. Something that has been on my mind for a while.

Finally, I got good news last week, my contract is being renewed through the end of the year and while no promises, they hope to keep my around longer. Woo-hoo.

Linking up with Catholic Mom

Small Success Thursday - April 14

Hi Everyone, time for that day of the week when we reflect on the day to day minutia that we forget we accomplished this week.

#1. Writing this post on Wednesday because Thursdays are busy for me.

As I attempt to not get too worried that my current work contract expired June18th and I am not confident that the current IT services company to pays my paycheck has more work in my niche area. I have been blessed that I have only had 1 week without an assignment and recruiters regularly send me emails. Once again I think the current client would love to pick me up full time, but they don;t have the funds/position. But we will see. What an emotional roller coaster.

Last post I wrote about my bloodwork. My blood sugar is good, but my calcium is up and I am being sent for a parathyroid scan. I got that scheduled for a week from Friday. I also scheduled my annual Women's exam.

Have a wonderful week.

Linking up with Catholic Mom

Small Success Thursday - Easter Edition

Hello to both my readers, LOL!

I have not written a post in a while.My Thursdays got busy, so this week I am creating this Wednesday night. But I have been accomplishing all sorts of things:

Planning for Mom and Dad's 50th anniversary party is progressing. I got the last of the addresses I needed and starting to get some RSVPs. Plans are coming together for decorations, dessert and soft drinks.

Home: I got 2 bags of top soil in my pitiful garden plot. My list of vegetables to plant starts with bush beans and tomatoes. More to come

I completed a 9-week exercise program. I plan to start over form the beginning next week. I am trying to take walks when it is nice outside. I also made an appointment for my annual physical and med check. I was smart enough to ask for orders for bloodwork. I went Monday and the results have been posted to my online account. My A1C blood sugar is down from last time and I am still firmly in the pre-diabetes camp. I hope to keep moving backwards, thus the exercise program. I am pretty happy with the other numbers too.

Linking up with Catholic Mom.

Small Success Thursday - Ordinary days

Happy Thursday everyone,

I am feeling ordinary, numbered, one foot in front of the other these days. But that is part of the reason that SST exists over at Catholic Mom, A Mom's life can easily be wash, rinse, repeat and the objective here is to look at the ordinary to see the awesome things we have accomplished.

We have eaten at home for dinner this week. I currently have a pkg of frozen pork chops sitting under running water to thaw a bit so I can separate them and toss them in the crockpot.

I did get a start on my taxes. I have done a little bit of sewing on my quilt.

I just need to remember that this ordinary time is preparing me for the desert of lent that begins next week.

Linking u with Catholic Mom,

Small Success Thursday

Happy Thursday, the day of the week when we take time to reflect on the little things we do each week that we tend to forget about.

My city  was on the edge of last weekend's big snow storm. We got some flurries, Instead we spent a good part of Saturday with the 16YO and his fellow band members at the annual Solo and Ensemble contest. I think the freshman gorl percussionist was a bit overwhelmed when the six guys and their parents sat in on her session. LOL! It was fun even though I had a list of Things To Do.

I did finally get on my sewing machine. I am slowly working on a black and white quilt. My Flying geese blocks are now in pairs. My sewing machine is in the same space and the 16YO's XBOX. and we don;t work well together.

Lastly I had the grandson over last night while both of his parents were in class. He's tall enough to reach all of the light switches and takes advantage of it. We built and tore up the wooden train tracks, read some books and watched a little bit of TV. My son borrowed our vehicle since his is in the shop. He came home and said the oil light came on which is why the 16YO paid a visit to the Auto parts store and were adding 2 qts of oil at 9 PM last night. It will go in for an oil change this weekend.

Linking up with Catholic Mom.

Small Success Thursday - Jan 21 edition

Thursdays are the days we are encouraged to acknowledge the little things we do to make our lives and those of our families run more smoothly.

I am watching the weather report. It is looking as if the snowstorm that is predicted to hit the east coast tomorrow is going to bring the Ohio Valley, where I live, a small smattering of snow. My 16YO is of mixed opinions on this. He has a big music contest Saturday that he has been working hard for that he'd hate to miss. But he got a snow day yesterday courtesy of a little snow that fell at the wrong time and snarled local traffic.

I am trying to get back into working out. I hit my mark M & W.  So I workout tomorrow and I have nailed my goal.

I made a batch of grape jelly on my day off Monday from a jar of juice. It looks to have gelled firmer than my last batch.

I am hoping to have lunch with 2 girlfriends today. It was mentioned a couple of weeks ago and then I did not hear anything. I sent a text to both and got a reply "I was supposed to send an email and did not, Sorry." I am not very good at that sort of communication. but I did it.

Linking up with Catholic Mom.

Small Success Thursday - Back to ordinary

Hi everyone,

Well, first Thursday in weeks that I have had a normal Thursday, crazy as my normal Thursdays are. Last week I was still in Holiday mode as Hubby and i were lucky enough to sneak away for several days in the Caribbean. We had a great time and avoided sunburn.

I made dinner at home Tuesday, but last night to kitchen sink backed up as I was getting ready to cook. A few applications of industrial-strength Liquid Plummer did not get it flowing enough. So I ordered Chinese takeout. Just going with the flow here.

This evening, after remembering that Hubby and the 16YO would be away at dinner, I called my parents and visited them. Mom felt bad that she was not cooking. They planned to go out for pizza. fine by me. I had a very nice visit.

So That is my week of getting back to normal.

Linking up with Catholic Mom.