Hello Friends, yes I am still here! I do not seem to be able to get to my computer too much lately. It troubles me as I love to blog and write. I am home today from work as my little one has a cold. We have all had it and now it is her turn bless her heart. So this is my second sick day for 2008. That is right...I have taken only two sick days this whole year. I probably need to be "sick" more often as we don't get to cash our sick days out. I guess I am way too honest. I feel badly missing work. I guess I feel others are counting on me. Maybe I am naive. So I will poke around the house today. I do not mind at all!!

Work had some drama this week. We have a cleaning housekeeper diva and she broke a straw so to speak. Another gal reamed her out and made her cry. It was pretty intense...so intense she had to leave work and go home. I think this gal who is a diva has some mental imbalances or something....she is not acting right. I am praying she quits soon. She is a terrible team player and makes the department drag. All my co-workers except her went out on Saturday for dinner at Applebees. Boy did I have fun! I really needed to get out and be with some girls. I need to interact much more-- I am around my kids so much that after a time I need ot be with some fun adults. I spent $30 but it was cheap therapy. My boss was not around for the drama....she is back today...I am curious to find out what is happening with Miss Diva. Never a dull moment. Yesterday I got a new patient and he seemed nice. He told me he was not feeling too good and I dismissed it a bit as most old people never are feeling 100%. Well a few hours later he had a heart attack. Poor guy just moved all the way from the Flordia Keys! I wonder if the trip stressed him out and his heart gave out. Lesson re-learned....tomorrow is promised to no one. Sad for his family who seemed happy to have grandpa closer to them.

Bills are under control it seems for now.
I will cash out my CC cash back money on Thursday and slip that into my Christmas envelope. That is my amount to shop with. PERIOD!!! It should be an easier Holiday for me as the two older ones want cash and the little ones each want a larger type gift. So the budget is spent simply and quickly. I am cutting down on gifts for extra people this year. If I do gift someone it will be food and cheaper in price point. I have vowed to throw every catalog away that I get in the mail. So far I have received alot!! I only keep a few for me to browse thru.....none go in the children's hands.
I am collecting stocking stuffers as well.

I am keeping my heat low esp during the day. I am glad the cats do not mind....hey they have fur coats on!

I placed an "ad" on the bulletin board at work to sell my snow blower. The property mangager wants it for her son who just bought a house. $200 cash is my asking price. So that will be nice to get that money! Hopefully they like it and take it. I have two quilts going to a house sale as well to be sold...but that will take a while to sell those.

I am trying to use coupons at the store but find the store brand or generic is far cheaper..so many of my coupons go to waste. I also try when I am done shopping to look thru my cart and remove an item or two that I really DO not NEED. So much is impulse. I am doing well in eating up leftovers. They go to work or I eat them whenever. I am trying very hard to stay organized in the pantry and the fridge--so far so good.

On Sunday I raked and mowed by myself for 6 hours. At one point I was so tired I wanted to cry. I felt alone and cold and wet and depressed. My kids were with dad. When I finally got done I looked at how nice my yard looked and perked up. I wanted to give up and hire someone earlier in the day......when I saw how hard I worked and what I accomplished I really relished in the feeling and have all week long. I hope that more Americans can feel that feeling of doing something on their own and to not allow the gov't to do everything or much FOR them. The gov't is so messed up right now---people need to be resourceful in and upon themselves.

At times we all want to give up or throw in the towel. Don't. Keep moving one step at a time. Do the next thing. Plain and simple. Most of us have the power to accomplish so much and at times accomplish MUCH with sometimes very little. That is my prayer for this month. To be grateful for all I have and to not give up on what I might place my hands on to do.

Have a good week.