Grocery Shopping

Like most people I tend to loath grocery shopping and as I have gotten older, all shopping. Spent the better part of the day working on the grocery list and the menu plan for the month. I have finally finished my master grocery list for the things we would normally buy.

The kids help with making the menu so of course they also get to help with the cooking and occasionally the shopping.

We started off talking about what we like to eat and of course what we tend to eat the most of during a month. We ended up with roughly 18 different dinners which includes a 'Fend for Yourself Night'.

Here is what our list looks like:

• Homemade Mac & Cheese
• Pizza
• Lasagna
• Spaghetti
• Meatloaf
• Hamburgers
• Chicken Strips
• Salmon
• Cod
• Pork Chops
• Pork roast
• Pot Roast
• Steak
• Pork Ribs
• Tacos
• Fajitas
• Breakfast
• Steak Strips
• New Recipe

I realize these are all fairly general but when I start with a blank month we think in terms of beef, pork, chicken, meatless, seafood, pasta, Mexican, & new recipe. We then build the menu around those main ideas adding sides, salads, vegetables etc. Once I have the month started we will work on the week by week menu's the week before so we do not repeat the same foods over and over again.

I have noticed we are in a food rut...nothing sounds good and we have ended up having so much of the same things this past month. Just the thought of food is disgusting right now.

Here is a copy of my master grocery list to download...click here.

I am also going to attach a master copy of a monthly budget to check out...click here

101 in 1001 Days Life Challenge ~ Update

Update #1 1/26/2013

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past – frequently simple goals such as New Year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

The Start Date:
1/1/13

The End Date:
9/27/15

Goals in progress are italicized, goals completed are bold

1. Visit Pearl Harbor
2. Get My Bachelor's Degree
3. Lose Weight
4. Get a New Tattoo
5. Visit Graceland
6. Go to Disney Land or World, makes no difference
7. Drive an Expensive Car one time
8. Be in Four Places at Once = 4 Corners
9. Road trip with the family
10. Washington D.C.
11. Grand Canyon at Sunrise & Sunset
12. Visit the South
13. Save a Dollar for Every week it is - easier than I thought it would be
14. Start My Master's Degree
15. Let Go of the Past
16. Write a Piece of Legislation
17. Advocate for Those Who Cannot Advocate for Themselves
18. Our Own Home
19. Mount Rushmore
20. Blog More
21. Eat Healthier for a Whole Month
22. Continue with Genealogy
23. Knit a Sweater
24. Enjoy Life More
25. No Regrets
26. Do More with Family of a Vet
27. Attend a College Football Game
28. Teach Our Son to Drive
29. Learn to Relax
30. Decorate OUR home
31. Encourage someone else to make a list like this
32. Garden
33. Make 10 different things from Pinterest
34. Save Money for Christmas Shopping
35. Explore a New City
36. Spend One Month During School Traveling
37. Find a Church
38. Go to the movies at least 3 times a year
39. Take More Pictures
40. Read 3 Classics
41. Try 2 New Recipes a Month
42. Make my own Font
43. Project Life = continue and do not get side tracked
44. Do not let life get me down
45. Open an Etsy Shop for my Jewelry
46. Send cards or notes in the mail more often
47. Try to be more patient
48. Attend a Caregiver Retreat
49. List My Favorite Quotes or Sayings
50. Read 75 Books ~ 1 down
51. Go Camping twice a year
52. Take a vacation with the kids
53. Teach my daughter to knit
54. Be Thankful
55. De-clutter our life
56. Download all my favorite songs
57. Geo-caching with the kids
58. Go to a baseball game
59. Love my Family
60. Learn Photoshop Better
61. Try something new
62. Be encouraging to others
63. Give Back
64. Stress Less
65. Go to a National Park I have never been to
66. Enjoy the Rain
67. One weekend with no destination and GO!!
68. Be Positive
69. Organize our life
70. Make a New Friend
71. Get a Passport
72. Be Creative
73. Go Out to Dinner without the Kids
74. Paint a Room
75. Celebrate Debbie's Life with Honor
76. Weed out the Negative People in my Life
77. Telescope at night with the kids
78. Smile More
79. Watching for Shooting Stars
80. Visit Albuquerque once a year
81. Keep homeschooling the kids
82. Don't keep feelings all bottled in
83. Send treasures to niece and nephew in NM
84. Do something great for someone and not tell a soul
85. Drop 2 sizes
86. Be Happy
87. Art Museum Tour
88. 10 Year Anniversary
89. Laugh More
90. Write More
91. Visit the Cemeteries - Genealogy
92. Have Fun
93. 45th Birthday
94. Create an Outdoor Haven
95. Celebrate Life Often
96. Random Acts of Kindness
97. Stand on the Corner in Winslow Arizona again
98. Don't give up on myself
99. Relax
100. Pay $10 for every goal not completed to Charity or a Non-Profit Organization
101. Make a New List for the Next 1001 days

Free Your Mind Friday, Week One.

Welcome to Free Your Mind Friday! I hope that you all will join me as I take on this challenge. Every Friday from today, until 50 weeks from now, Fridays will be devoted to answering one of the 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind. You can add your link each week to my post so that you can connect with other bloggers, and challenge yourself to answer the questions as well.


Each Friday from today until I finish, Friday’s will be devoted to answering these questions. The List of Questions are under the Free Your Mind Friday Tab, take them, think about them, write up your answer, and then come back here to link-up, with others who will also be participating!

These questions have no right or wrong answers.

Because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer.

Week One, Question One:

 How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? 

There are days when I feel so very old, there are other days when I wonder where all the time went and how did I get to be 44 years old. After losing my sister this past summer I truly felt OLD. Not a number old mind you but spiritually old. I have always been older and more mature then others of my same age. In kindergarten I tried to 'mother' the other kids in the class. My reports would say things like, "Pam is so serious". Of course I am serious, it is just how I was made.

I am not sure there is a way to actually assign an age to how old I think I am since it can change depending on the circumstances. With my kids, I still feel young , at least younger than I am chronologically. There are times with my mom and I feel older with the dreaded responsibility. My husband on the other hand gives me a little of both world. When I can relax and we get to laughing, like things used to be, I feel like we are both 25-26 years old again. Other times when the weight of our challenges start to weigh me done, or I am fussing too much, I feel like I am in my 50's and so over this.

Age is more than a number, age is experience with a dash of fun, love, and challenge.

All About Me in 40 Questions

1. Where are you from?  Tacoma, WA
2. How long have you been married?  9.5 years together for 16.5
3. How many children do you have?  2  (a boy and a girl)
4. When’s your birthday?  Oct. 30th
5. Where did you get married? Ocean Shores, WA
6. What’s your favorite color?  Greens & Purples
7. What’s your favorite food? comfort foods
8. Do you cook? What’s your favorite dish to cook?  Love to cook anything
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what?  3 dachshunds
10. What type of movies do you like?  Action/Adventure, Comedy, Old Movies
11. Do you have a favorite movie?  Gone With The Wind and MANY more
12. Which is your favorite restaurant?  Mexican or Italian
13. What type of music do you like? All music
14. What’s your favorite artist or band?  So many to list...80's hair bands, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith...the list could really go on
15. Do you like reading? What type of books?  Love to read, crime thrillers, historical fiction
16. What are your hobbies?  knitting, sewing, jewelry making
17. Do you play any sports?  nope
18. How many languages do you speak? Which ones?  does sarcasm count as a language
19. Are you a nature person? Do you like ‘outdoorsy’ stuff?  Love the outdoors & camping
20. What’s your favorite place that you have visited? Albuquerque & The Grand Canyon
21. Where do you work?  At Home and all around me
22. Did you go to school, or were you homeschooled?  Went to school, homeschooling was not the thing when I was growing up
23. Did you go to college? What was your major?  College Student - Business Major
24. Where are you parents from?  Tacoma, WA
25. Do you have any brothers or sisters? 1 sister, 1 brother, 1 half sister & an Angel Sister plus step-siblings but still siblings
26. Have you ever been outside your state? How about outside of the USA? Been to 14 Western States and to Canada
27. Where would u go on vacation if money wasn't an issue?  Italy, of course
28. If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?  Every state in the US
29. List the top 5 places you’d like to travel to.  Italy, France, Germany, London, & Sweden
30. What are you passionate about?  Beliefs, God and my family
31. List the top 5 things you’d like to accomplish before you die.  That is a hard one for me right now
32. What is one thing on your bucket list?  Travel with my Love
33. Who is the most important person in the world to you?  Toss up between the Hubby and the Kids
34.  What’s your dream job and why?  Working as a consultant from home
35. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Do you have a plan?  Thinner?!?!
36. If you were marooned on a desert island, what 3 things would you take?  My Kindle, Power Cord, Diet Coke
37. Describe yourself using 5 words.  Determined, Dedicated, Organized, Loving, Caring
38. What’s the craziest thing you’ve done?  not sure
39. What’s the funniest thing you’ve done?  ??
40. What are 3 things you’ve never done, but you would like to try?  Sailing, a Cruise, and Hang gliding

Mid-Week

Hard to believe it is Wednesday. Monday was Martin Luther King Day as well as the inauguration and a lazy day here at home.

DH is finally feeling better and has been up and around again but I am trying to catch whatever he is sharing.

I am feeling very anxious lately between the VA, personal issues, and waiting for answers. We applied for a home through Operation Homefront in December and we have submitted all necessary documents. The case worker is now out of the office until mid-February due to surgery. I am trying to be patient but we are back to the waiting. Am I worried about this, not in the least. Things will fall together.

Worked on taxes last week and those have to wait for e-file until the 30th of January. Again, a wait.

I feel like there is so much to say I have no idea where to start. There has been a hint of snow in the air for two weeks now and nothing to show for it but a couple of pics of the 'snow dust'. We are in the midst of Girl Scout Cookie Pre-Sales, which makes me so glad DD did not set a ridiculous goal she could never achieve.

I have been working on my 101 in 1001 Days Life Challenge, I will work on an update this week.
But I can tell you that I have finished one book and have started on a second. I think I will update my Shelfari with this info as well.

I have picked up on my Project Life I started last March and never finished after Debbie was killed. I rounded out some of last year with some pictures and some bits on info and started fresh with 2013.

Finished another pair of socks and started another. I love knitting socks, they are so easy. Now I need to work on getting the correct sizing instead of winging it.

I have also completed another course, Statistics and Probability and now on to Literature, Art, Humanities.

          "Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway."
                                                                                                - Eleanor Roosevelt

Cheese

I have to say that grocery shopping is a pain. I feel like I have been shopping almost everyday for over a month. It really isn't true but it sure feels like it.

Today, mom and I went shopping. We were at the grocery store and the coupon was still available for the Tillamook Cheese 2 lb block for only $4.99, almost a $4 savings. Mind you I bought 2 earlier this week and then my mom bought 2...that would be 8 POUNDS of cheese.

I think I live with rats. The kids have already opened one brick, which is now 3/4 of the way gone. Of course it is, the rats know there is plenty more where that came from.

There is now 10+ pounds of cheese in my refrigerator...just tempting the rats to come after it.

 

Friday

Here we are we made it to another Friday, week 3 of 2013.

So far I have saved $6 this year using this thought process:

52 Week Money Challenge

I thought this was a great idea and certainly worth a try. The kids are finally feeling better and I really think that G'ma is on the mend as well but she is still coughing.

DH is feeling crappy today and congested, which is way too much fun.

I have been sneezing but I am sure I will be fine in a couple of days.

I finished another pair of socks and started a new pair. This week has been pretty boring but it did snow on Tuesday this week, unfortunately the snow did not stick around for very long. The kids were really bummed out but it was not like they would get a day off for snow.

DD gave us all a good laugh with her history the other day. She read it to be "A chicken in every pot and a car in every garbage" , I thought DS was going to fall off his chair at that one. I am not sure if these things just happen or if she is trying to make us all laugh at her. She is such a character though.

We have finished this week off with a more than normal number of calls to the VA. Some were about the competency claim and others were for appointments. We are at Day 101 of this claim. Their paperwork gives a quicker time frame but this is a government agency and I am not sure which planet they are getting their timing from.

I need to update my 101 in 1001 List since I have started a couple of tasks and I have completed 1 Random Act of Kindness.

This Is My Reality

Here is a link to a wonderful article, "Is PTSD Contagious?", featuring a Dear Friend and her family's struggle with PTSD/TBI.

Click Here to access the full article, it is long but it may shed some light.

While I titled this my reality, I do not hate my life but, yes, I do wish it were different. This is not the marriage I had envisioned when I committed my life to my Dear Husband in the beginning, when our children were born, and finally, when we married in 2003.

There are some that will read and think just because they THINK they know what his duties were does mean those same duties were only the tip of the ice berg. The article talks about how different people viewing the same event have a different perspective, which in turns alters their own thoughts on the events. This is normal and it happens all the time.

Thank you for taking the time to try to understand the changes in my life and why.

Life As I Know It

Happy Wednesday!!

Life, as seen through my eyes in my home, it not what would be considered normal in most house holds. There are days when it seems that life takes a hold and never wants to let go. There is an endless cycle of PTSD/OCD which rears its ugly head. The OCD cycle is so different, it starts with the kitchen, honestly it usually stays there, which has to be scrubbed from top to bottom and left for someone else to put back together. Like I have time for that.

I know there are those which think since I do not work outside of our home I have all the time in the world...oh how I wish. Between research, answering questions, schooling the kids, trying to learn, and taking care of DH, I am exhausted. In December my mom came up to spend some time in WA and she is staying with us, so now there is Me, DH, DD, DS, 3 Dachshunds and G'ma. At least we are not crowded. My mom is still a little under the weather so we might have to find her a good doctor for while she is up here.

I have been in a really melancholy mood and not really very interested in much. Mom and I have talked a lot about Debbie and that could be part of it. Maybe I need some deep sleep, seems to escape my search.

We have entered day #99 in the competency claim with the VA. I am wondering why they cannot come to a decision, I know that my DH back pay will not through us over the debt ceiling but the economics and how our government sees them are not the same thing. It is a good thing I don't run our finances the way the government does.

Well tonight is fend for yourself night since we are all in a food slump.

Looking Back on Our Life

It seems silly to post A Glimpse Into My Life without sharing some of the bits and pieces from a few years ago. So I will randomly be sharing some old blog posts from when I first started to Blog.

Hello World

Posted on September 14, 2010 by Pam

Well here we are on the web sharing the events that make up our crazy life. We have been here working on homework when Joey asked who invented homework and Veronica with a straight face said “Arnold Schwarzenegger”. We just looked at her and you just can’t help but laugh.
Enjoy!

What A Morning

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Pam

So I get up this morning and can’t access my email and neither can my hubby. Someone managed to change our passwords and our security questions. Needless to say we were not happy. Joe has all of his business contacts in his account. What a mess…and to top it off the individual sent out emails to all of our contacts on both accounts that we were on vacation in Europe, mugged and all money etc stolen then proceeded to ask our friends to send money…man did that piss me off, the least they could have done is put my PO Box in the email…HAHAHA


A Taste of My Life

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Pam

My darling 9 year old daughter, Veronica (Ronie), thinks that cute will get her through life. The first time this came out we were in the car and the kids were talking back and forth, she wanted something and Joey said no. She came back with “But I’m cute” Joey spouted off, “Cute will not get you through life.” I just about lost it.
Last week we were again in the car and she was starting in on her brother and came back again with the I’m cute bit. He told her again the it won’t get her through life. This time she had a comeback…”It will if I do it right.” She was so smug with her answer that we were speechless.
The problem is that she is cute and she knows it but I need to remind her that she shouldn’t brag about it. Gotta love what can come out of the mouths of our children.

Negativity

Posted on September 22, 2010 by Pam

Recently I, personally, have been subjected to a lot of negativity and I have noticed the drastic affect that it has on not only one person but everyone around them. I am working on maintaining a more positive outlook and staying away from the extreme negative influences in life.
As a result of some of this negativity I have “unfriended” an individual on Facebook. This person was not really a friend, but a friend of a friend. We all can complain out things in our own lives but rarely do we allow it to take over our lives…that is what needs to be avoided, the all consuming negative thoughts and feelings.

School & Homework

Posted on September 24, 2010 by Pam

Well there was an interesting discussion on Facebook today with some friends in regards to school, homework, and education in general. It all started because I posted that teachers don’t give homework to enhance our quality time with our kids. This was all prompted because my 4th Grader Veronica, was driving me crazy while doing her homework. “I hate cursive” is one of many comments that I have been hearing nightly. The funny thing is that this summer she wanted to learn cursive so bad but now that she “has” to, it’s a whole another story. She really isn’t lazy but she acts flaky at times and it drives me crazy. Does she do this with her father…oh heavens no only with mom. Finally she kept asking to do things other things or get a snack so I told her 3 more math problems then she could grab a snack…she came back with “fine I will do 4 problems”. Sounds like a win in my favor.

House

Posted on September 27, 2010 by Pam

No this is not about the ever popular show but about my house…which is messy. I have decided after our very busy weekend that I need to be cleaning house and not playing on the internet. I wonder how that is working for me?!?!?! Considering that I am currently writing this on the computer, my guess would be not so good. I have gotten a lot done already today and the laundry is going and getting folded out of the dryer, which in itself is a miracle among miracles. I am not sure why we all hate house work but it really is a necessary evil. Everyone of us loves a clean house but it is the process that we sure could do without. There are many times that I wish I was Samantha Stevens from Bewitched and could twitch my nose and the house would clean itself right up. I can wiggle my nose but nothing ever comes of it.

The Big City

Posted on September 29, 2010 by Pam

Yesterday we had to go to the “Big City” of Seattle. Usually takes 3 hours to get there and then about 4 hours to get home…gotta love traffic. Fortunately all is good, which always makes a trip like that worth while. But I have discovered that living in our small town with no traffic lights and the closest traffic light is 20 miles away in a different town. The drivers in the big city are rude at best. Turn signals are of course an option in all makes and models of cars…4 way stop turns into a mess. Driving on I-5 was fun as always. I usually forget that when the speed limit is posted at 60 mph that it really means 75 mph. Getting passed like you’re standing still.
There was an accident 3 cars behind me. The light turned green and it looked like this truck forgot there was a car in front of him. Never been so happy to get home to the quiet of a small town.

One Thousand Gifts

Finding the Joy in everyday life can be a challenge especially when dealing with the after affects of combat, PTSD, and mTBI. These are the things which can suck the life right out of us all. But I ran across a challenge to find 1000 gifts in a year, nothing special but those every day things we would take for granted.

What a wonderful idea to help brighten up everyday. This is been really easy to do. So here is some Joys from the last few days.

1/5/2013 - In My Bag, In the Fridge, In My Heart...yarn, chicken, love

1/6/2013 - 3 Graces from people I love...a hug, a kiss, time

1/7/2013 - Dusky Light, Reflection, Shadow...our bedroom light, my reflection, outside in January

1/8/2013 - Gift Held, Passed By, Sat With...DH's hand, missed opportunities, my mom

1/9/2013 - Gift Sour, Gift Sweet, Gift Just Right...Bite from a Pickle of DD, Chocolate from DH, hearing my DH laugh

I have not completed today's list since I did go a little out of order and would like to get back on track. These are all very basic but they have helped me to remember the Joy in life. Check out One Thousand Gifts for more information or to start your own list of Joy!

Home Management

So you have decided to get more organized? It really isn't as hard as it initially sounds. Start with something simple, put together a Home Management Binder.

A Home Management Binder is more than just a planner, it can be the most essential tool for the whole family. My Binder is in the office right next to the computer in my Organizing Utility Tote from Thirty-One. It goes with me to Girl Scouts and the VA. It contains all vital information. The Binder is actually pretty easy to set up and I will go through how I have set up mine.

In order to get started you will need a binder, I use a 2" binder with the clear sleeve for the cover, binding, and back, page dividers, I use 8 tab dividers without pockets, I also bought a pencil pouch to keep pens, highlighters and stickies in. I created my cover and decorated it with stickers to make it pretty. I made a binding end for when it is in the tote and I made a back page.

This is the Cover of our Binder

Tab #1 Family Profile
This is a basic sheet with our names, nicknames, DOB, Pets, address, and emergency contacts. Each family member then has their own sheet after that with medical conditions and medications. These I keep in individual sheet protectors. I have some additional sheets that I have placed here with misc information or inspirations for me. Downloadable forms ... click here.

Tab #2 Calendar
I created a single page to keep family birthdays and anniversaries organized. I keep all the school calendars here, sports schedules and an 2 page spread calendar to record what is going on. I have not found that I need a weekly calendar but I use Cozi for that. This is where the pens come in handy. I love color and since with Cozi the family is color coded I have carried that over to the calendar in my binder. It works great for me and I never have to write the names of who needs to be where.
I have made the Birthday and Special Events a download, click here
Here is the monthly calendar for download, click here

Tab #3 Contacts
I have not made my own contact sheets yet but am in the process, I will update when they are ready. I keep a separate sheet just for all of our VA Contacts, General Phone List of Family, Household Contacts for utilities, repairs, etc. Then finally an address book section for when the mood strikes me to actually send mail.

Tab #4 Internet Related
Next to the Calendar this is the second most used section of our Binder. I keep all the passwords and login information for the family.
Each child has their own sheet for their info. I have a list of all the household bills that are paid online, logins, account numbers, and passwords.
I also keep blog planning sheets here.

Tab #5 Home Management
I keep a master grocery list here as well as suggested items to always have on hand. There is copies of the household chore charts and a house schedule. This section is more for reference than actual use.

Tab #6 Finances
 I have an Excel file I use for our monthly budgeting but I use this section to note extra expenses which will be transferred to Excel later. Click here for a Sample Monthly Budget

Tab #7 Projects & Activities
Things I know are coming up, birthdays, holidays, dinners, travel, gift list...this is where it is kept.

Tab #8 Notes
Doctor notes I have taken, basically anything and everything

I keep the binder available for the whole family to go through but it must stay in the Office. This is a must keep when traveling and in the event of a 'bug out'.

I do not take complete credit...I found this on Pinterest and worked from there using different ideas and concepts from many others. Here is the link to my Pinterest Board.

Hope this helps.

101 in 1001 Days Life Challenge

The Bucket List is one that is talked about over and over again...I have one but I have never considered when I would get around to any of it so this sounds right up my alley. I have several friends who are also tackling this same challenge, check out their lists Torrey , Kristle and Brittney.

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past – frequently simple goals such as New Year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

The Start Date:
1/1/13

The End Date:
9/27/15

Goals in progress are italicized, goals completed are bold

1. Visit Pearl Harbor
2. Get My Bachelor's Degree
3. Lose Weight
4. Get a New Tattoo
5. Visit Graceland
6. Go to Disney Land or World, makes no difference
7. Drive an Expensive Car one time
8. Be in Four Places at Once = 4 Corners
9. Road trip with the family
10. Washington D.C.
11. Grand Canyon at Sunrise & Sunset
12. Visit the South
13. Save a Dollar for Every week it is
14. Start My Master's Degree
15. Let Go of the Past
16. Write a Piece of Legislation
17. Advocate for Those Who Cannot Advocate for Themselves
18. Our Own Home
19. Mount Rushmore
20. Blog More
21. Eat Healthier for a Whole Month
22. Continue with Genealogy
23.  Knit a Sweater
24. Enjoy Life More
25. No Regrets
26. Do More with Family of a Vet
27. Attend a College Football Game
28. Teach Our Son to Drive
29. Learn to Relax
30. Decorate OUR home
31. Encourage someone else to make a list like this
32. Garden
33. Make 10 different things from Pinterest
34. Save Money for Christmas Shopping
35. Explore a New City
36. Spend One Month During School Traveling
37. Find a Church
38. Go to the movies at least 3 times a year
39. Take More Pictures
40. Read 3 Classics
41. Try 2 New Recipes a Month
42. Make my own Font
43. Project Life = continue and do not get side tracked
44. Do not let life get me down
45. Open an Etsy Shop for my Jewelry
46. Send cards or notes in the mail more often
47. Try to be more patient
48. Attend a Caregiver Retreat
49. List My Favorite Quotes or Sayings
50. Read 75 Books
51. Go Camping twice a year
52. Take a vacation with the kids
53. Teach my daughter to knit
54. Be Thankful
55. De-clutter our life
56. Download all my favorite songs
57. Geo-caching with the kids
58. Go to a baseball game
59. Love my Family
60. Learn Photoshop Better
61. Try something new
62. Be encouraging to others
63. Give Back
64. Stress Less
65. Go to a National Park I have never been to
66. Enjoy the Rain
67. One weekend with no destination and GO!!
68. Be Positive
69. Organize our life
70. Make a New Friend
71. Get a Passport
72. Be Creative
73. Go Out to Dinner without the Kids
74. Paint a Room
75. Celebrate Debbie's Life with Honor
76. Weed out the Negative People in my Life
77. Telescope at night with the kids
78. Smile More
79. Watching for Shooting Stars
80. Visit Albuquerque once a year
81. Keep homeschooling the kids
82. Don't keep feelings all bottled in
83. Send treasures to niece and nephew in NM
84. Do something great for someone and not tell a soul
85. Drop 2 sizes
86. Be Happy
87. Art Museum Tour
88. 10 Year Anniversary
89. Laugh More
90. Write More
91. Visit the Cemeteries - Genealogy
92. Have Fun
93. 45th Birthday
94. Create an Outdoor Haven
95. Celebrate Life Often
96. Random Acts of Kindness
97. Stand on the Corner in Winslow Arizona again
98. Don't give up on myself
99. Relax
100. Pay $10 for every goal not completed to Charity or a Non-Profit Organization
101. Make a New List for the Next 1001 days

Links to others on this same challenge:
imnotsurewhattocallthis - will keep you laughing
Torrey @ Torrey Shannon Spilling the Beans
Kristle @ Pretend Like It's The Weekend
Brittney @ biddlebuzz

T.G.I.F. or Thank Goodness It's Friday

What a crazy week we have had with the kids being sick and now G'ma is sick. DD is on the mend though since she has started to drive me nuts with some of her antics. DS has been better for a couple of days but still a little stuffed up. Dad and I have started to feel like crud.

I would say I am happy tomorrow is Saturday, but I don't like Saturday's anymore. It was a Saturday that my Sister was killed. I will take 2 Friday's or 2 Sunday's but not any Saturday's. Might seem silly but Saturday's give me anxiety.

Kids started back to school on Wednesday. Sick kids and school does not result in a lot getting accomplished but thankfully they don't HAVE to take a whole day off.

DH is having some struggles with some of his medications again. This time instead of sleeping 20 hours a day he is not sleeping as many hours at night. Almost like reversing his schedule. He is getting a new MH Provider at the VA, our 3rd in 18 months, which always causes some concern since they want to make too many med adjustments at the same time.

The VA brings up another subject...military service. Keeping all service records together the best I can now and that always needed DD214. Crazy how important that one piece of paper is in the Military and Veteran Community. I just wish sometimes that it reflected ALL deployment activities that the service member went through and not just what the Unit was assigned to do. My DH spent the majority of his deployment with an entire different Unit from a different State but there was no final or official transfer so there is no paper trail for the additional duties or assignments he endured while deployed.

The best thing I can say about our journey is that we are continuing to take it together, we haven't given up on each other, trust me there are times when it has come close but we just keep trying, TOGETHER!!

Joydare Challenge for today: An old gift, a new gift, a blue gift
This took me a bit to think about but here it is:

• Old Gift - my huge yarn stash...like Christmas when I dig through it
• New Gift - the bright sock yarn I got for Christmas
• Blue Gift - the new denim bag I got for Christmas

3 / 365

Today I had a visit from the VA Mental Health Nurse.

Our visit was good and we talked about some of the changes that have taken place and some changes within the scope of the VA Visiting Nurse part of the program.

Had to take Mom to the doctor, she has been sick thanks to the kids. Fortunately it is a cold with cough and nothing more serious. Speaking of illness, if messiness is any indication of feeling better than my DD is really on the mend. She is still stuffed and coughing up she has been a busy child today.

I have accepted the Joydare Challenge to document 1000 Gifts or Blessings from God. I am rather enjoying keeping track of some of the little things I would normally overlook. So here is a brief look at the gifts so far this year.

• 1/1/2013     3 Gifts Heard - hubby making dinner, the kids laughing, mom laughing again

•  1/2/2013    Reading - The Fiery Cross, D. Gabaldon  Making - Socks   Seeing - Kids getting better

• 1/3/2013     Overheard - kids laughing with dad, dad having fun, a lady at Costco reading a devotion in the book aisle  

While this may not seem like much to some people it really has made a difference to me.

Catching Up With Life

I really hate when life takes over and all the best laid plans end up kicked to the curb. Sure seems what has happened to our family in 2012.

So much has happened to us all since that dreadful phone call on June 16th but it also seems like nothing really mattered since then. But life goes on, as my Dear Sister, Debbie, was fond of saying and that is how I have to live the rest of my life. I don't have to get everything right I just have to keep trying.

So to play some catch up with our life, DS turned 14 in July, so hard to believe he is 14 and taller than I am (not really that hard to do) and really reaching for his dad (6'). We never went camping this summer like we had planned to do but DD was able to take part in 3 different Girl Scout Camps including horseback riding and horsemanship skills. She had a wonderful time. One camp was iCamp...internet without the internet. Sadly she got sick and ended up coming home Saturday night instead of Sunday Afternoon.

September rolled around and we began our second year of schooling at home using WAVA. I love how great the kids are feeling about school and that even sick they never miss a day.

My mom is now a part-time Albuquerque resident to help my brother-in-law with the kids. She really enjoys it there but we miss her. One of her favorite things in NM is my nephew's football games. My sister used to take 1500+ pictures at every game, she was the team mom, mom has not gotten to the point of taking that many pictures but we have seen many pictures of a #53 Jersey which she claims is my nephew.

In October there was Debbie's birthday and her son had a football game on her birthday. Those kids played their hearts out and they didn't even know. Later that same month we had my birthday, I had no desire to celebrate, it just didn't seem right.

In November my mom came to visit and was able to be here for my other niece's 16th birthday. Mom was back in NM for Thanksgiving and had a nice time with BIL's family. We had a quiet Thanksgiving here with just the 4 of us and our dogs.

December came and with it was the opportunity to bury Debbie's remains next to her Dad in Tacoma, WA. BIL, mom and kids came up on December 5th. My little niece stayed the whole visit with us and I had a great time with her, we really bonded in June. On December 8th we had a graveside service that was small but gave some of the final closure we could all us. On the 10th BIL and kids went home to NM and mom stayed to have Christmas in WA and be able to see her doctors.

Update on our VA claims:
In October DH's final VA claim came through with 100% for PTSD but the VA is proposing to have him declared incompetent for VA Purposes, meaning he would not have ultimate control over his VA benefits. We are now on day 78 of the competency claim and so far there is nothing to report, good or bad. They say that no news is good news but only time will tell.

On the brighter side of life I have decided I needed to be doing something to I started knitting again. It feels so good to lose myself in some yarn and a pattern. So far I have made several scarves and I am on my 4th pair of socks in 8 weeks time. I have a few other projects I would like to tackle soon as well as some earrings I need to make.

So there is a quick catch up on our life for the last 6 months or so.

The Best of 2012

Hard to imagine a best moment of 2012 when there is the shadow of sad moments overhead, but I will give it a try:

The kids - they are doing fabulous schooling at home and have made great strides. The kids make me laugh and smile even when I have no desire to do either. In June when I was in New Mexico, DD asked me if I had a tan yet...how can you not laugh at that. I told her I wasn't sure but I would probably come home with more freckles, she said that would work since I have so many it will look like a tan. Can't really argue with 11 year old logic.

We were able to get a new to us car this year, which makes us all happy.

While we had to put Hailey, our beagle down, we have added 2 dachshunds to the family. What a blessing the dogs have been for all of us.

My oldest nephew graduated from High School...we are all so proud of the man he is becoming.

I did get to take my very first plane trip when I went to New Mexico after my sister passed. Hated the circumstances but loved flying. Spent a good/horrible week in New Mexico. I was glad to be there to help my mom, brother-in-law, and my niece and nephew. Horrible because of the circumstances. I can honestly say that while I have done more than my fair share of crying that week, I also was able to laugh and enjoy those around me.

Another positive would be the bond I have developed with my youngest niece. Even so far away we have a bond. When they were visiting in December she spent the week with us and we had fun. She was only 6 when mommy went to Heaven.

The Summer was kind of bad since I lost any desire to really do anything at all, but thank goodness for September and school starting for the kids. I was able to get motivated and out of the pity party.

The fall also brought DH's VA disability rating to 100% total and permanent, what a blessing that is for us.

Thanksgiving was quiet and then it was time for the family visit and my sister's burial. She was buried in Tacoma with her dad, which is what she would have wanted. Rough day but we have survived. While the kids were visiting we kept them busy and what a chore that can be sometimes.

Mom decided to spend Christmas in Washington instead of New Mexico this year. She is staying with us and the kids enjoy having Grandma here. Christmas was a lot of fun but we are all glad it is over.

As we closed out 2012 the kids are sick with congestion, fever, and aches. So far today is not looking much better.

And suddenly

you know. It is

time to start

something New and

trust the Magic of

Beginnings

Meister Eckhart

Happy New Year!!