Snowed in

It's still snowing!! This started yesterday around 4 pm and is still at it. We just might get that 10" they are predicting. There's quite a bit out there now. I had to take the youngest to work with hubby, since the oldest isn't really feeling all that well. The youngest cleared the steps and a path to the car. He also cleared the car, but he forgot to clear a path to the car, lol. Wet feet for me, lol!! I did wear my waterproof boots, because I know this kid. He tells me if I didn't want wet feet that I needed to move the car to where it's been plowed. But, I still have to walk in the snow to get to the car to move it to the plowed spot, lol. He missed the point. He's more than willing to move the car for me, but he's never driven in snow and I'm not about to let him start just yet. Hubby's uncle's car is still taking up space in our driveway, and I don't want to take any chances with someone hitting it. Especially not him. I've come close myself. It's parked in such a spot that makes it difficult to maneuver around. Of course, he can't find the keys for it................ Just don't know why he didn't take it with him, would have made things much easier for everyone.

Since there's no church today I listened to my radio shows message today. It was on tithing. I've been watching some of my preachers on tv and seems like that is a common theme lately. One thing I have decided to do was to tithe on a regular basis. I learned when I was a single parent that giving 10% worked. I always had just enough money when I needed it. But, you have to know how to look for it. At least I did. After moving to NY and getting settled, it took me a while to find a church. A lot of churches up here have the word reformed in their names. That's all new to me. There are a lot of independent churches up here to. That is a new thing to me to. I also knew that I had to be careful about where I went. There are a lot of different preaching styles out there. Some churches have changed with the times, some haven't. I knew what I was looking for, it was just finding it that was the problem. Anyway, a little off track here. The church I attend is an independent church, and they don't pass the offering plate. You give if you can. I have mixed feelings about this. But for myself, since I decided that I need to attend church and Bible study weekly, and I've been doing really well with that so far. In the past few months I've only missed bible study once, because by the time I found out there was bible study, it was to late. Missed church once because I just didn't have the energy to get out of the bed. But now, since I've been doing that, I find I really miss it when it's cancelled due to the weather.
Ok, back to the tithing. I know when I give back that 10% I will always have just enough. Enough for the necessities. Not necessarily for the wants. I think that's what makes it so hard. I have to many wants, lol. But, I've noticed that every week, I have enough money to pay the bills that need to be paid at that time. Since I'm working less, hubby is picking up more of the household bills to. I no longer have the monthly fuel bill I used to have. The phone and Internet are all on one bill, which is actually cheaper than if it was separate. I myself have cut back on buying magazines and books. I cancelled my monthly book service. I now only renew the magazines I really want. Not that I actually read them each month, but at least it's not so many. The electric bill I have on a budget plan. This plan ends the end of the year. That means either a huge bill in December, a normal bill, or nothing. My electric bill is paid ahead for about 4 months now. I'm hoping that it doesn't work to hurt me in the long run. Last year my payment in December was double. But, I honestly believe that if I wasn't giving back, things wouldn't be this way now. Things just feel much easier now. It's hard giving back, especially when, well as a woman, there's always something we think we need, lol. All the stores are having great sales and I'm one of those people who loves to update my winter wardrobe in January because I can get all that great stuff for half of what it was a few weeks ago. We always need new shoes and purses, lol.

Went food shopping yesterday. I can't believe how things are still going up. I spent more money yesterday, than I have on food in a long time. Hubby gave me more money that I asked for and I spent every penny of it. I still have to get a few other things. I went to 2 stores. My normal store and then to the local market since they are having a one dollar sale. I try to really stock up when they run those kinds of sales.

I've finally finished my antibiotic so now I can eat the fruit I've been missing. It's odd how when I can't have something that's when I miss it. I usually have grapefruit in the morning for breakfast. Can't have that with an antibiotic. I myself avoid all citrus fruits when I take that. Of course, I have grapefruit and tangerines in the house. My bananas went bad because when I eat a banana with an antibiotic, I get such heartburn from it.

The oldest has a cold and he's acting like a cripple, lol. He can't do anything because he has a sore throat. Even hubby's babying him! Ugh, not me. No one babied me when I was sick. Hubby took care of me one night, that was it. I was on my own after that. I even had to do my own ear drops. You know how difficult that was? The fridge is well stocked so I think I'm going to make a pot of veggie soup for tonight. I'll freeze the leftovers. I have no plans for today except to work on mom's gloves. I haven't touched them since knitting class ended. It should be starting with in the next few weeks again. It would be nice to have at least one done before then. Hubby's vest is still waiting. I have to be in the mood to do these things, because they really do take a lot of concentration. Sometimes, I just want a nice easy project. I take easy projects to work with me because of all the interruptions. It's very easy to get lost and there's nothing I dislike more than pulling stitches out of knitting. Crocheting I have no problem pulling stitches. Knitting, forget it.

My printer has decide to give me a hard time. It refuses to feed the paper through. I don't want to get another one, can't afford it now. It seems to me that I remember reading, long time ago, about something that you can put on or do to the rollers to make the paper feed through again. I think over time the rollers lose their grip or something. Anyway, going to have the oldest look at it today.

Not likin' this day

This has been one of those days where I've been taken out of my comfort zone, and I have to say I'm not likin' it, lol! The oldest has been contacting military recruiters. There has been one here a few months ago, but the oldest wasn't home and never really made any definite plans to talk to them again, so basically I forgot about it. Until today. This afternoon one shows up at the door. The oldest is home, by chance, because he is getting sick. I think he is starting with what hubby has. I heard him up a few times during the night so I thought he was sick. This kid never gets up during the night. He said he just couldn't sleep because his throat hurt and his whole body is achy. So, I took him to work to just make the chicken tenders for the lunch rush, and then told him he could come home. While he was working the youngest and I went food shopping. Yes, stupid me, braved the grocery stores right before a big snow storm. After we went shopping, I switched kids at the station. That's why the oldest is home now. At least I got away from the youngest for a few hours, he can make hubby crazy, lol. This kid just is never quiet and never still.

So, the recruiter shows up and the oldest is just jumping for joy that he can finally meet with this guy and get this process going. Mom on the other hand, not so much. But the oldest takes the practice test and me and this kid talk about how the military works. Because, I'm clueless. Not that I believe everything this kid told me, but they have to make it sound good. I have friends who have kids in the military. My first husband was in the Navy. Anyway, I'm trying to digest everything he told me, which wasn't much. This guy was still learning how to be a recruiter, so a lot of his responses were he would have to call his station commander for answers to my questions. Well, my thoughts at first were pretty much if he's still learning and doesn't have the answers, why is he here and not someone who can answer my questions. I think I really frustrated him because he was just like, look, I'm new at this, I don't have all your answers, but I can find out for you. I'm learning to. Once I got him to start explaining how the military process works, he was much more comfortable. Then he had answers to my questions. I'm not anymore at ease with this whole thing now than I was before his visit. While we were talking the oldest did a practice test to see kind of where his score is. He needs to practice more. I thought he did ok, considering he's never laid eyes on the test before. Not enough for the Army to accept him, but he could have done much worse. So when the recruiter left, I told the oldest that if he really wants this, then it is up to him to make the time to study and discipline himself to pass this test. No more playing the ps2 until all hours, no more movies all night. He has to put in the study time. We'll see what happens. He graduates in 5 months, so he has to have something in place by then. He's still fighting me on college, and I know I can't force the kid to go. Maybe this is something he really wants and will put the effort in to do it. As for myself, I'm leaving all of this in God's hands. I'm like any other mother, I don't want my son in the military, but maybe it's God's will that he goes there. And I'm trusting God to take care of him if he goes in. I've had quite a while to wrestle with myself on this, and things keep moving in that direction, so maybe it's meant to be. First he has to get accepted. I'm sure if he does, my first reaction will be to panic. I really think the whole reason the military appeals to him is because of the routine. He's the most comfortable with routine. We'll see what happens over the next few months.

I just found out today that hubby is going to be starting on nights on Monday. I don't like hubby working nights. We never see each other, but I don't like him working alone over night in the station. The last time they were robbed, hubby was the one working. That is always in the back of my mind when he's there alone. I would always call him before I went to bed, just so I knew I talked to him. The good part of hubby working nights, is I don't have to listen to him snore all night and me and the cat get the whole bed to ourselves, lol.

While I was out I hit Walmart. I'm not a frequent Walmart shopper, but I was looking for some warmer socks. I only have one pair that is heavy and warm and since my lady's daughter doesn't turn the heat on, and there is no basement under the house, I have cold feet a lot. Warmer socks just never occurred to me until I wore a heavier pair. Some days my head's just not attached. So, since I was out and had to get a new toothbrush, since having strep, I went searching for boot socks. For once, Walmart had what I was looking for. Took some searching, but I found them. Bought 3 pairs. That should be good for the really super cold days. I know I have some wool in my yarn stash, so going to dig that out and work on making some to. Nice easy projects I can work on in the summer.

Church has been cancelled for tomorrow because of the snow. No surprise. We are now supposed to get 10+. Well, if it's going to snow that much, may as well do it over the weekend so on Monday, everythings clear and the kids don't miss any school. These kids have just had way to many days off already, lol!

Why, why, why

Today was a decent day. Then I get home and find a message on my voice mail from the dentist's office. Again. I called yesterday morning and rescheduled my appt for late next week. Last night, the dentist himself calls to reschedule me for Tuesday, later than they normally give appts. Ok, fine. He must know what his schedule looks like that day. Today I get a message that my dentist, as of today, no longer takes my insurance. There are only 2 others out of the group that do. My whole problem with this is I have such a fear of dentists, that I finally find someone who I'm comfortable with working on my mouth, and then, oh well, sorry. You have to find someone else. Hubby went to one of the other dentists first, decided he really didn't like him, and went to mine instead. Don't think I want him. Hubby complained about being so sore after the guy did just a general cleaning for him. I wasn't sore and I didn't bleed after the dentist I went to did my cleaning. I know nothing about the other dentist. I guess I can't exactly call the office and ask the receptionist to schedule me with the dentist who's the most compassionate, that takes my insurance. It took about 4 visits for me to finally relax with my dentist and not feel like I was going to have an anxiety attack just going into the office. Now I have to find someone else. Why is it that these companies just can't leave well enough alone?? It seems like there are always changes being made. I'm sure I'm not the only person who feels this way. I always take my car to the same mechanic shop, and have the same mechanic work on it, even for a simple oil change. Why wouldn't I do that with myself? Why do these companies not realize this? Hubby's due for a cleaning to, he's not going to be happy when I tell him this news either. It was hard enough convincing him he had to have this done.
My work day was rather rough to. My lady was not having a good day at all. She has Alzheimer's. Her daughter called and when she answered the phone, she's yelling at her telling her she had to come home and if not she would not be allowed to leave the house for a week, lol. I had to take my cell phone into another room and call her daughter back to see what she wanted. At least, she should be fine by the time I walk back in there on Tuesday. It normally lasts for about 3 days, and then she will spend about 4 days or so just sleeping, because she doesn't sleep at night either. I can just imagine what the nights are like, especially since when she gets that way, it seems like the grand daughter just trys to irritate her even more.
Really don't have much planned for the weekend. Should go food shopping, since we are low on everything. Might do that since it's not supposed to snow until later in the afternoon tomorrow. Since it's supposed to go into Sunday, probably no church either.
I made hubby a doc appt. Of course it's for Monday afternoon. Looks like I'll be in that office twice in one day. Exactly what I didn't want. Think I'm going to go curl up with my book and read for a while. Dinners all done, left over chili. Been reading the Twilight series. I'm hooked, what can I say. I just started the last book. My oldest is still on the second book. Last night, the youngest comes out and is looking at the second book that the oldest is reading. Now, the youngest avoids reading, at all costs. I've tried and tried to get this kid to sit down and read and he just won't do it. He askes me if we have the first book in that series. Of course we do. Then he says he wants to read it to because everyone, all his friends are reading this series. I was glad I was sitting. I've tried to get him to read the Left Behind series, nothing. Harry Potter series, nothing. Well, if he chooses a vampire series, then, at least he's reading. I know I probably shouldn't be reading these types of books, but I view them as just works of total fiction and a very active imagination on the writers part. And I do explain to the boys that if we aren't strong in our faith, these kinds of books could possibly make us question our faith. My faith is strong enough that I just find it pure entertainment and so does the oldest. The youngest says he just wants to read it to have something to talk about with his friends. I hope so because he's the one I question.
It seems time has gotten away from me yet again. Hubby's home.

Short day

Work was a short day because I had a dentist appt this afternoon. Unfortunately, the dentist won't be there this afternoon, so it was cancelled. Rescheduled for a late appt next week. Now I remember why when I made an appt I took the whole day off. Because of this. This is the second time this has happened to me. They always offer an morning appt, but I'm working then!
Didn't get as much ice yesterday as was predicted, so glad. Getting to work yesterday morning was rough. None of the roads were plowed and they were slippery. My 10 minute ride to work became 40. But I got there in one piece, just late. By the afternoon, the roads were plowed, finally. More snow coming this weekend, so I'm going to do the errands that need to be done tomorrow, and then that's it. Not going out over the weekend except to take the oldest to work.
Hubby's still feeling bad. Asked me to make him an appt for this afternoon with doc. Problem is, she's closed today. Hopefully, I'll be able to get him in tomorrow afternoon or Monday afternoon. I have an appt Monday morning with her. Really don't want to end up in the waiting room twice in one day, lol!
Feel like my body's trying to catch up on all the lost sleep I've been missing. Went to bed last night at 9:30. I was just so tired. Slept until 7:30 this morning, without waking up once. Now that's tired, lol! Came home after work and made hubby homemade chicken noodle soup. You know the man feels bad if he's requesting that. So my afternoon was spend in the kitchen at the stove. Made a huge pot of soup, and all that's left is the small container I put aside for my lunch today. Growing boys, what can I say!
Tonight I'm making chili because that's what I want and it really isn't to time consuming. I was planning on leftovers for tonight, but that just wasn't to be.
Well, that's about it for now. I need to use my free time wisely.

Yet another snow day!

Kids are home yet again today. The ground is snow covered, but I think it's sleeting. I hear something hitting the windows. Since there' no school the oldest has to go to work. I put him to work scraping the car, lol. I know there's lots of ice under all that snow.

Hubby's still sick and refusing to let me make an appt for him with the doc. He's had a sore throat for more than a week now. I do think he has a cold, you can hear it in his voice, but I still think he should be seen, just in case.

Wow, it's time for me to leave for work. I thought I had more time than that. Guess I'll write later.

This and that

As of this afternoon, we are supposed to get more ice, as much as up to 1/2" along with 2 to 4" of snow. I'm hoping for more snow than ice, but I'm prepared. After last time I think everyone is thinking along the same lines. The supermarket was packed. Lots of people buying bottled water and easy to prepare stuff. Hubby said there were a lot of people coming in and filling gas cans today to. Even though we weren't hit with the worst of the last storm, nobody seems to want to get caught like last time. They still have crews out mulching up the tree branches that broke. I'll be doing a lot of praying for less ice and more snow.
I went buy a friends house and noticed her husband must be away again, so I called her to make sure she is prepared for the storm to. Last time they had no power for 2 days. Her mom, who lives with them, is away visiting her sister so shes totally alone with the kids. I told her not to hesitate this time if they lose power and we have to just come here. Since I know now that her husband goes away to work, I make sure to keep in contact with her in case she needs anything. I know how hard it is when you hubby goes away for a while. It seems like everything goes wrong then, lol.
Hubby has been talking about going to India again this year, maybe next month. He'll go if they can find someone to work for him. I, personally, don't want him to go. I know that sounds selfish, but I had so many problems while he was away last year, I'm just not ready to face that again. He said if he doesn't get to got his year, he'll go for sure next year. That sounds better to me. The oldest will be out of school and can go with him. He wants in the worst way to go with hubby. That would be a nice thing for the 2 of them to do. We'll see what happens.
I was listening to a program on the radio and they were talking about new years resolutions. I don't make resolutions. I never stick to it for more than a few months, at the most. This program was talking about spiritual resolutions. That gave me something to think about. Making a spiritual resolution will just serve as a reminder to do something that I should already be doing anyway. And it will make my faith stronger. So, I decided to do that. I haven't really thought of something I can/should do, but as soon as I do, I'll write that down and post it everywhere as a reminder.
Woke up this morning in "one of those moods." Nothing suited me, felt bored and just out of sorts. I didn't sleep well, had a lot of strange dreams. I really think it was because the house was just to hot. I only put the heat back to 60 before I went to bed. I haven't been putting it any lower since it is really cold outside and one morning last week I got up to no hot water. I had been turning the hot water heater off to. I see such a huge change in the electric bill, that I thought why not. Why heat water all day and night when we only really use it when we are home for a few hours. Anyway, guess the combination of single digit temps, and turning the heat back to 58 was enough to make the pipe freeze a little. It dethawed after a few hours. Hubby swore it wasn't a frozen pipe. Since I had cold water he said it couldn't be. Now, I know the hot and cold water run in 2 separate lines. It makes sense to me that one could be frozen and not the other. But, what do I know. At least that's all it was and not something else, like the water heater itself. I've been leaving everything on, and letting both the hot and cold water drip over night and there's been no problems. I still think it was a frozen line.

Feeling better

It's Monday morning and the kids are finally back to school, even though they had a 2 hour delay, and I'm ready to start my week.

Finally starting to feel like myself again. My throat is still sore, but only when I cough. I can finally talk and not have my throat hurt. Saturday night was the first night I slept through the entire night for the past probably 2 weeks. Don't feel the need for as many naps, lol. Did a few errands over the weekend, but not to many. Fought with hubby so I didn't have to go into town to get the groceries for the station. Kept telling him just because I'm up and moving around doesn't mean I feel that much better. I still need to take care of myself because I don't want this back again. He grumped, but I got my way, lol. Little does he know, but all this running for them is going to stop.

My house is in desperate need of a really good cleaning, but I keep telling myself I'll get to it when I get to it. And keep closing my eyes, lol. Looking at a messy house just makes me crazy. I can't stand it, lol!!

The kids had a late start because we got ice over night. Nothing like what we had about a month ago, but enough that I can look outside and see frozen ice drops hanging off the railing of the deck. I had to put slippers on and go deice the steps before I have to leave today. You would think one of the boys would have done this since they had to go down the steps first and they know mom has to leave the house to. While I was out there, I started the car, hoping some of the ice will melt off of it before I have to leave. I just love the remote start! I've heard that it's supposed to get up into the mid 30's today, so maybe, just maybe , some of this will melt. I know that sounds cold, but compared to lower to mid 20's, it's not, lol. Then another snow storm is moving in Tuesday night into Wednesday. Oh, joy!

Work called this morning and left 2 messages for me to work today. Haven't called them, back and don't intend to. This is the only semi free Monday I have this month. I'm getting my hair trimmed later. I've been putting that off since Thanksgiving. I'm in desperate need of a trim right now. The rest of the Mondays for this month will be spent in the docs office. I had some blood work and tests that needed to be done to finish my physical, and I cancelled my appts and never rescheduled. Since I had to see her last week, I got caught, and well, I really should go. I just hate all that waiting around. She asked me why I haven't been back and I told her I could only handle one doc at a time, and right now, the dentist has all my attention. She just laughed and said she understood. But, I need to have this done to, it's important.

Dentist is on Thursday. I think I have just one more appt with him and then I'll be done, for 6 months anyway. Hubby just got his reminder for his 6 month cleaning and is telling me it's to early. I think he doesn't want to have the cleaning done because he hasn't forgotten the last cleaning he had with the other guy, lol. He wants to avoid sore gums at all costs, lol.

I haven't been around to any journals lately, but hopefully I'll get there some time this week.