Small Success Thursday Aug 7 Edition

This past week has been more crazy/busy than usual. My Son's Wedding is this weekend. My parents are in town for the festivities, Hubby's traveling, The 14 YO was trying out for the High school soccer team last Friday and tore his ACL. Then I shipped him off to Band camp with a bum kee. (Doctor approve, kid was ecstatic to go) So far I am holding it together, but there has been a benign event or two that has come close to reducing me to tears

I finished painting and decorating our old wagon as a means for my Grandson to ride up the aisle at his Parent's wedding,

Garter is in progress. Thanks to a product I found at JoAnn's I call garter on a role, I just have to sew the ends together and sew on a blue rhinestone button button.

I drove the  Band's extended van towing the 25 ft equipment trailer. I got lost and had an intimate encounter with a pole on a corner, taking out a tire, but the equipment got there, I called AAA to come out and change the tire, Hubby said the tires are in need of replacing anyways. Why was I driving, because Hubby was out of town and as of yet, no other Dad's have stepped up as willing to drive the thing.. This afternoon I get to go and bring it back. Say a prayer for me please.

Linking up with Catholic Mom.

Thursday Again? Small Successes..

Diving right in

1. We snuck away for a long weekend to the other side of the state for hiking in Hocking Hills. A Co-worker of Hubby's rented his place to us for cheaper than one night at a local hotel. It was quiet and peaceful and us city folks had a relaxing time.

2. We spent the money and went ziplining. We had a great time. The heights made me nervous, but as long as I was hanging on to "something".

3. I am maintaining a positive attitude that Hubby will go out of town for several day, come home for a day and then fly out of the country for 7 days.

Linking up with Catholic Mom 

Thursday again - Small Successes - Independence Day edition

Hello,
Happy Thursday/Fake Friday,

It has been a busy few weeks. I started a new contract job. I feel so blessed. The old job was 25 Miles North of home and the department is in massive cost-cutting mode. I was not sure my contract was extended. It was a not-quite the last minute, but a new opportunity located 6 mile from home appeared. This is significant because in August when my 14YO starts high school, we will need to get him to and from school. This job is between home and school.

Also this week, the same 14YO is attending conditioning and pre-season workouts for soccer. The 6-9 puts a crimp in planning dinnertime.

So, my successes:
1) 6:20 AM right now and I have chicken baking. The 14YO may or may not eat it, but I can throw it in the freezer for lunches or quick dinner.  I am cooking at odd times so we can grab and go.

2) I am trying to quit milk or cream in my coffee. I struggle with my weight and pre-diabetes. Every little calorie counts. I am striving for health. Now I need to make exercise a priority.

3) Getting my footing at the new job.

Maggie

Linking up at Catholic Mom.

Happy Thursday,
It has been a good week with my new job, other than the fact that this post is from my phone.
* started this new job. So far I am enjoying it. I have made an effort to introduce myself to others in the office. Most of the people I will be working with are in other locations. I tested this morning and I am able to access corporate systems remotely, meaning I can run Friday's migration job from home.

* My eldest son is getting married in August. It will be a small wedding, so our guest list was limited. My son was disappointed he could not invite extended family members such as my cousins and their families, so we are throwing a party a week later. I got invitation out this week and have table decorations planned out. Now it is a matter of stopping by Hobby Lobby frequently to get a pkg of battery-operated tea lights with my 40% off coupon.

*We've cooked dinner at home every night this week. The streak will be broken tonight as Hubby has golf league and the 14yo has both a bass guitar lesson and the band practice tonight.

linking up with Catholic Momwww.Catholicmom.com

Small Success Thursday - Well, here I am edition

Hello folks,

My parents went home Monday after staying here for 10 day. They are great to have around, Mom will cook dinner for me. (I try to have it planned), but I feel bad about sitting around on my laptop in the evenings. And then, even though school is out, The High School band is practicing 2 nights a week, toos in a meeting for Freshman, Hubby is the booster org president, I volunteered to assist with fitting marching uniforms and seem to have taken over as secretary... Evening last week were busy.

At work I am transitioning my responsibilities as tomorrow will be my last day at this position. i will be moving to another contract position that is closer to home and requesting a prayer or two that it leads to a permanent position, or at least longer than 3 months...

So my successes are revolving around taking care of me. This Mom who works outside the home has a ahrd time with that.
1. Made an appointment to redeem the gift certificate Hubby gave me for Mother's day for a Massage. That is tomorrow night.

2. I went and had a pedicure last night. My toes nails were getting long and I tend to tear rather than cut. And when I cut, they are not straight.

3. I am recognizing when I am stress-eating. I may not be stopping it as much as I should, but I am recognizing it when I am in the middle of it.

Linking up with Catholic Mom.

Small Success Thursday

Happy Thursday, I feel like it should be Friday already. I has been a busy week. I am looking forward to the long weekend in the US.

1. My work is currently on a contract basis. I work in IT and have been at the same company as a contractor since October 2012. All last year every three months my contract was renewed. In December, I was convinced I was not going to be renewed when 2 days before the end, I was notified that my manager was able to renew me, and for 6 months. Lately I have watched other contractors being terminated early as part of a massive cost-cutting effort. I am trying to put it all in God's hands. I am being contacted about other opportunities. So I do feel like I am being looked after. Fortunately Hubby's job is well-paying with benefits. My pay is used to pay DS14's high school tuition and extras.

2. I got myself out of bed M&W and did a quick workout on my rowing machine. A few weeks ago we moved out a couch that was simply a catch-all for the 14YO's stuff. I did not like going down there.  Now that it is a bit more organized, I am more willing to spend time down there.

3. Well.. I have been doing what is expected of me. Making dinner, going to work and focusing on what I am there for, looking after my family, did laundry over the weekend...

Linking up with Catholic Mom.

Small successes April 10

This week is a culminating week in our house. Hubby has been putting a lot of time and effort into studying for a certification test his company wants him to have. This is the second of 2 two test. The first test he passed in the Fall on his third sitting for it. This time we sprung for a preparation class.  This time around he also did a class. This was 5 weeks of having both Friday and Saturday ties up from 11 AM – 6:30 (with a 1.5 hour break 2:00-3:30).  I have been trying to hold down the fort at home. But this week, I have been feeling the stress of trying to help him as much as I can as well as stuff going on at the office. But so far I have done a pretty good job of keeping it together. I did snap Monday night that I had had a not-so-great day as we were lightly bickering about what “who does what” with dirty dishes in the kitchen.

I would really like to put out more of my Easter decorations, but I am trying to be mindful that it is still Lent.  But Spring is starting to make itself know outside and I am ready to bring it inside. But I am taking it slow…

I have managed to cook dinner for my family every night. I did not plan last night so I ended up with Breakfast for dinner.  Even though Hubby has been home, he has been heads down studying. He did call Tuesday to ask if I wanted him to do something with the chicken breasts thawing in the fridge. I was able to bring myself to say ‘Keep studying, I will make something when I get home.” Once home and cooking, the 14YO asked “what are you making”. I responded, “I don’t know, I am winging it”.  And no complaints were heard… 

Linking up with Catholic Mom 

Small Success Thursday - March Madness edition

My husband graduated from the University of Dayton in 2005. We were married with 2 kids, so I take credit for supporting him during that time. So I am proudly wearing one of his UD shirts in honor of their appearance in a Sweet 16 game tonight.

But this week has felt rather routine, even though it is a new routine. My 14YO's rec soccer league started practices. We got an email Sunday form the coach that practice would be Tuesday. Sunday was busy with his band concert, so Monday we went to buy new cleats, etc. We went to the Soccer store near us and brought home a pair of cleats that cost north of $160. One of those I did not realize until I was looking at the receipt since we also got a goalie jersey and gloves. Good grief, for Recreational soccer. So took my Lunch hour on Tuesday to the big-box sporting goods store near my office and found a reasonable-priced Men's sized  13 soccer cleats. My son declared them good and I returned the expensive ones.

I have been making my breakfast  this week and lunch 3 of the 4 day since lunch out was planned for Wednesday. Sometime sit is hard to do that. I am also trying ta eat an apple per day. I am not much of a fruit eater. Give me vegetables instead.

Actually made an appointment to have my hair cut on Saturday. I like to keep my hair short. But I hate making the stupid appointment. But it is done and scheduled for Saturday.

Why does this all seem so lame.. I guess I am getting up each day and going to work, the kitchen is stocked with food to keep us from starving, my son is getting to the places and activities he wants to. So I am accomplishing my mission as wife and Mom.

Linking up with Catholic Mom

Small Success Thursday

Back at it again this week. I am really hoping winter goes away soon. I was sad that I was unable to make a Mass for ashes, but my vocation of a Wife and Mom has me working full time, being at home to cook dinner and meetings the window salesman Hubby had made an appointment with.


1. I said "yes" to chaperoning a group of High School students (plus my 8th grader) to an overnight Jazz festival. Hubby has gone in the past with the older boy, but he is taking an online class for the next few weekends. I drove up and back with another Mom for company ans the "girl time", which sorely lacks in my life, was just what I needed.

2. I was able to elicit smiles form my 8 week old Grandson. How delightful!

3. Working from home today. I was on the fence since I made arrangements to WFH on Thursday's so I can get my 14YO to Jazz band practice at the High school. But no practice today. So I was going into the office. But the uber-healthy 14YO is miserable with a cold and decided to stay home. I find myself giggling because his behavior is so uncharacteristic. He just does not know what to do. I cheerfully filled his glass with water when I went down to get myself a glass of water.  

Joining up at Catholic Mom

Small Successes Thursday - Feburary Thaw edition

Hello,,
Well I missed last week and the week before I linked up to the previous week's post...

On Valentines day, we had a snowstorm and my favorite Valentine's flight home was cancelled. He came in Saturday afternoon where I fixed him a steak and potatoes dinner. But the night was not lost as I babysat my 6 week old Grandson.

Filed our taxes. I was waiting on one last statement. and realized we had sold some stock. Ugh, But it was finished and filed. With the refund I don;t think I will need to make any changes to account for losing a dependent for 2014.

I don't know if it is a pair of new shoes or Arnica Gel, but my chronically sore ankle is feeling better. I have flat feet that give me plantar fasciitis and a sore ankle. My orthotics and athletic shoes were not helping. But this si not an excuse to not call the podiatrist (And I need a new one... Yuck).

So after 2 days of tems above freezing, we still have snow on the ground. Here in Sw Ohio, we usually have several freeze-Thaw cycles. But this snow has been around for a few weeks and the pile had been growing. Here's praying we don't get flooding.

Oh My goodness - Monday - A Holiday (not that contractors get paid for Holidays..) But it was a very productive day at home. I actually used powertools and installed 2 sliding shelves in one of my kitchen cabinets. I also ran some errands that had been nagging at me, Took the 14 yo to get new shoes (size 13 people!) Made a pot of homemade Chicken noodle soup for the same son's lunches... Wow, I got a lot done! I needed that day...

Linking up with Catholic Mom

Small Successes - Jan 30

Hello everyone,

This week is a bit sad for me as I don't currently have a kid in Catholic schools for the first time since 2001. But that will change next year when my younger son moves on to the Catholic high school. Even though his public Junior High is a wonderful place, I am ready for him to go back to being immersed in Catholic values throughout his entire school day. (Gory details of how I yanked him from the Catholic school in 2010 can be found here.)

But anyways, My successes for this week:

- Went with Hubby to the gym twice, Sunday and Tuesday. We will go again tonight. Although my foot\Ankle hurts, I will go and ride the bike or use the rowing machine.

- I have all my paperwork together to do our taxes. I plan to install my software later today and get started.

- Got the scrapbook for My Grandson started. I orders prints form his Baptism, but all the pcitures take his first 2 weeks are nicely scrapbooked.

Joining up with Catholic Mom

Small Successes - Passing on the Faith Edition

1. This isn't so small, but we were passing on the faith to our children.
Saturday my grandson was baptized at the request of his young parents. They want to bring him up in the faith. Then Sunday my youngest son was Confirmed.

2. I made 2 Cross-shaped cakes for the events. And the first try stuck in the poorly-prepared pan. I did not freak out.

3. Had a made-ahead dinner ready for after the Confirmation and it was proclaimed delicious. I don;t think I hit full panic made at all.

(And I did not think I had much. Forgot the weekend is included.)

Linking up with Catholic Mom

Small Successes - Jan 16

1. Survived three meetings in 3 evenings at the High school where I don't currently have a son enrolled.

2. Asked for a received permission to work from home on Thursdays so I can get my 8th grader to the high school to practice with the high school Jazz band.

3. Got the registration and enrollment forms completed so Hubby can be at the High school for registration day tomorrow and make the tuition deposit.

Linking up with Catholic Mom

Favorite Five

 My grandson, born Tues, Jan 7. See this post for more of the story. But here are 5 of my favorite pictures of him.

Dad and Son

Looking at Grandma (Me)

Just like Daddy

With his Uncle/Godfather

After his first bath

 Linking up with Hallie

Small Sucesses - Grandma edition

Hello everyone,

So I became a Grandma this week. You can read about it in this post.

-Getting along with very excited family members who were not always thinking.. For exampy, the other Grandma, in her excitement put up a Facebook post tagging me about going to the hospital. I (nicely, I hope) asked her to untag me since her tag makes the news show up to my friends in the feed. She did apologetically.

- I got frustrated that Great Aunts were trying to hold the baby before all the Grandmas and Grandpas did. (Oh the little things)

- I did get to spend a about an hour and a half just me and the new little family. I worked hard to be supportive of every decision and to gently guide them away from the idea that they need to get pre-made formula bottles for babysitters...

-and woo-hoo, he will be Baptized in a week and a half. His uncle will be confirmed that weekend, so the baby's great-grandparents will be in town.

Scroll down to the previous 2 posts for pictures.

Joint the fun at Catholic Mom

Another Grandson picture...

He was 20.5 Inches long, 8 lb 14 OZ.
His Baptism is schedule for Jan 18. Yes, a whole 11 Days old, but his Uncle is being Confirmed on the 19th and My parents will be in town. We will have a very Holy Weekend.

This was sent to us last night as a text.

Just call me Grandma....

Today was a big day, my first Grandchild came in to the world, a health baby boy.  While I am thrilled with this little boy, there is still the feeling that he came in to the world way too early. you see his parents are only 18 and graduated from High School last spring. I have to fight the feeling that I did something wrong as a Mom, but then again I take comfort in a few facts:

My Son and his Girlfriend have been seeing each other for over three years.
They decided to give this unexpected baby life
They are staying together and planning a Summer 2015 Wedding.

So as parents whoa re pro-life, we are working to find a balance between helping out the kids and helping them to develop their independence.

Dad and Baby:

 Grandpa and Baby:

 Me and Baby:

 

Small Successes - Jan 2, 2013

So I really have not had a huge break. As a Contractor, I do not have vacation time and we do not visit out of town relatives, I have been going into the office and working on business days. We have snow this morning and my son's school was cancelled. So he gets another day of playing XBOX without Mom or Dad nagging him.

So my small successes:
1. yesterday I took down the live Christmas tree and swept and vacuumed up the fallen needles. The Faux tree is still up until after the Epiphany.
2. I have been conservative about my after-Christmas shopping. I don't really NEED new clothing. At my current job, anything that can be called "business casual" to just short of beach attire goes.
3. I did, however, get a new shelf for my hanging shelving until in the basement. Amazing how much better organized the storage corner of the basement looks with more stuff off of the floor.

Linking back to Catholic Mom

Small Success Thursday 12-19

4 days between now and Christmas Eve, 2 quilts to finish and I work 3 of those days. ..

1. Woke early this morning so I got up and made the guest room bed for my Mom and Dad who arrive later today.

2. Started over from scratch Tuesday on my nephew's quilt. In one day I managed to sketch a simple design, acquire the fabric from the fabric store on my lunch hour, then that evening piece the top, the back and got it mostly pin basted.

3. Managed to whip up 2 mug rugs and a batch of cookies as some teacher gifts.

Tune in next week. Will I finish the quilts? Will I have a melt down over my 18yo's lack of interest in his continuing education?
Linking up with Catholic Mom

Small Success Thursday

1. My employment contract (I work in IT) has been extended for another 3 months. The problem is there are 3 other contractors on my team that did not get extended. I am hoping I handled it with grace and compassion personally talking to each to tell them so they did not overhear the news. I am saying prayers they find another position by the first of the year.

2.  Hear I was thinking I would not get renewed and as of Monday would have a lot of time on my hands. So I made plans to make three (more) quilts as Christmas presents. I finished the first on Sunday. I have the second top about half done. They are going quickly but I need to work on them everyday.

3. I was being very conservative about my Christmas shopping. I was notified of the contract renewal Tuesday afternoon. I finished shopping for Hubby with a few online purchases.

Linking up with Catholic Mom.