My Weblog

21 day challenge

Rhonna Farrer has a 21-day challenge on her blog.  Essentially, it is to challenge each of us to attempt to put a new habit into place or to break a bad habit.  I've been feeling like a failure in terms of keeping myself on track with what needs to be done.  Hey, like a lot of other ladies, I'd rather scrap!  But, I also love my husband and want him to have clean underwear, a decent home-cooked meal now and then, and a lovely home to come home to.  My first layout had to do with goals.  Hey I have them....see that last sentence.  But, making them happen has been the problem.  I concluded that I need to work my plan!  So, my sincere prayer was to find a way to work my plan.  I read through this blog yesterday and noticed how many times I was grateful that DH was outta here.  Though I love him dearly, he makes me crazy.  He sits at his computer behind me and mutters and mumbles all the time.  He doesn't hear well, so he jacks up the sound on the TV to what is absolutely deafening to me.  He yells at the dogs to be quiet, a real irony in my mind.  Then he teases the dogs til they bark!  Another irony, I don't mind saying.  All the turmoil just makes me nutso.  So, yesterday I came up with a new approach.  It consists of me going to bed late and not getting up until it is almost time for him to leave the house.  This way I don't sit here, frustrated, waiting for him to get out of the way so I can use the bathroom and get started on my day while he sits behind me playing Spider Solitaire on the computer.  PLEASE DO NOT come and take my blood pressure between 6AM and 7:45AM!  Well, back to the plan.  I stayed up last night til almost 1AM.  I popped out of bed this morning at 8AM.  I got my requisite 7 hours of sleep, at least an hour and a half of which were without him thrashing, moaning, kicking, snoring, etc, so it was, I'm sure, much more restful sleep.  I have colored my hair, worked out, bathed, and shaved my legs.  I smell wonderful and there was no one pacing, waiting for the bathroom!  I have sorted all the dirty clothes--thank heavens, the piles of dirty laundry are getting smaller.  I have washed one load and am drying it now, along with drying and folding the load left from yesterday.  I have cleaned up the master bath and when I finish here, I will attack the master bedroom.  I have fielded numerous phone calls and completed a tax return.  And I've done a scrapbook page!  This just might work!  Thank you, Lord! 

One of the other things that bothered me about the challenge was the topic of "dreams".  For years, I've wondered if I even had any.  As a child, whenever I did or said anything that had to do with imagination, I was mocked.  Need I tell you, imagining is not something I do well to this day.  I've wondered if dreams went when the imagination was stifled.  I've had any number of traumatic moments/days/weeks/months/years in my life.  I've discovered that when things settle down from the trauma, I more or less have to relearn all the things I've taught myself in the past.  The bigger the trauma, the more lost I become.  Sometimes I have to just stop and ask myself "Now how did I do this before?"  But, it's remembering to ask myself that question that is frequently the problem.  In the middle of those traumas, did I lose my dreams?  Well, I asked the Lord to help me identify my dreams.  And, in the course of less than two days, I have discovered I have two of them.  One is to acquire a DSLR.  I think I am a good scrapbooker.  I think my pages are pretty good and I know my family appreciates them.  But so often I am struggling to camouflage a not so good picture.....  I hate that.  I so want to take truly gorgeous photos like those I see on the scrapbooking websites.  So, I want a DSLR and all the goodies that go with it.  And, I want to travel.  No, not just the occasional "trip" to Southern Utah.  My first destination of choice is Greece.  Oh how I'd love to spend time just walking the streets of some of the villages and cities close to the Aegean Sea, taking photos of everything in sight--people, the ocean, sunsets and sunrises, architecture, etc.  I prowled around on Stock Exchange yesterday looking at 25 digital pages of photos.  Yes, this would be a dream worth dreaming.  Second destination strangely enough would be Washington, D.C.  It seems a shame that I live in such a wonderful country and have never made it to the nation's capital.  Again, I'd love to go prowling around, DSLR in hand, taking pictures of everything that either moves or doesn't move.  Another worthy dream.  So, another prayer answered by Dad in a very short time.

So, now, having celebrated those victories, I am off to tackle the master bedroom.  Have a great day, everyone.  I plan to!  Here are some catch up scrapbook pages.

Excitement!!!!!!

Well, I worked late last night so I laid down for a short afternoon snooze....a power nap, they call it in yuppie circles.  Anyway, I was awakened almost immediately by loud noises from my own patio.  I looked out to see two guys yanking on my garden hose!  Next one of them went over my back wall and took my hose with him.  Only then did I realize there were leaping flames and billowing smoke emanating from the empty lot behind us.  Next thing I know, my yard is full of firemen, hoses, ladders and all sorts of things like that.  Well, the fire is out now, though the firetruck is still out front.  My BIG dog, Indiana, never even went outside though he made an almighty noise from in here.  The puppy, Punkin, stayed right with Indiana and helped him fret a bit more.  It was Toby, supposedly the quiet one, who went outside to see what was going on and even went and did a bit of exploration in the front yard.  The front gate was open and when Indiana gets out, he goes everywhere he can think of before he comes home, so he and his good buddy and protege' Miss Punkin are in the crate.  Once the firemen leave and the gate is secured, I'll let my marauding mutt out again. 

Well, I can't stay on here long this afternoon.  I have so much to do.  Jen is pushing me for a list of folks to whom she should send graduation announcements and I haven't even had time to start it.  So, to work I go.  Here are a few more pages before I run off. 

Still can't seem to do this daily

I realized late last night that I had not updated the blog yesterday.  I can't seem to get this done daily which is a bad thing for a blogger.  Oh, well.  I guess we'll take what we can get! 

I didn't really get much done around the house yesterday.  I had company all morning and clients in the afternoon.  But I did manage to finish some tax returns.  I'll chew off a couple more today......  Still "suffering" because I can't quite finish several of them.  I hate that.  I'd like to get them done and out of here!  I guess I'll chase clients with phone calls today in my "spare" time. 

I'm still playing catch up with the laundry.  I've done so much I've about exhausted the supply of detergent.  Joe will be making a run through the grocery store today.  Good thing!

He left late this AM which I don't like.  It shortens my available time to think my own thoughts and do my own thing.  But, he was tired....he went to bed early and slept late.  Both are good things since he's been under a lot of stress job-wise lately.  He's had SO much to do and has had to really hustle to keep up with his own schedule.  Also, a good thing in many ways as his work provides the majority of this household's income.

Well, since I have a "short" morning, I'd better get to it.  I'll leave you with a few scrapbook pages.

an uninterrupted morning

I am having a WONDERFUL day.  I had scheduled it as a catch-up day.  I hate having stacks of returns sitting around me waiting to be finished.  It really raises my blood pressure.  So, I schedule open days here and there to catch up.  I've got 5 fairly heavy duty returns more or less in process.  It'll be a job if I can get through them today.  Of course, I won't get through them today...... I already know I'm going to have to call one client, get her e-mail address, and send her a long e-mail asking for additional information.  So that one, for sure, won't be done.....  Anyway, Monday is usually a heavy phone call day.  People work on their tax stuff over the weekend and then the phone rings all day Monday.  So far, though, I've only fielded 2 client phone calls and not a single telemarketer.  This has to be a record, but I'm loving it.

I have a MOUNTAIN of laundry to do today.  I don't know how that could be--I just did laundry on Friday.......  Well, part of it is I stripped the bed.  So, there's a load of sheets.  To make matters worse, I actually looked at the duvet and it is in dire need of a bath as is the comforter.  Well, that would make a mountain of laundry by itself, but there's 59 pairs of Joe's slacks.  I can't figure out why it is I have so many pairs of slacks to wash for him all the time.  He only wears one pair a day, doesn't he?  Maybe he's wearing layers of pants every day and I just don't notice? 

My other MUST DO for today is to schedule a doctor's appointment for myself.  I've put it off and put it off and I just can't put it off any more.  I am going to need prescription refills and I'm not going to get them without seeing him........  GOT to be done TODAY.

Well, momentarily, I have to head into the back of the house and check on the laundry, so I'd better post some pages and get out of here.  Still playing catch up and will be for a while....I'll be glad when I've overcome all my bad blogger days and gotten everything posted here...

Sunday

Well, the church thing is done and we've gone out to breakfast.  I'm about to take a muscle relaxer and go lie down for a while.  The last two days have been an adventure in aches and pains so to speak.  Last night was the Barrister's Ball and DD and DSIL went.  She looked absolutely gorgeous.  DH and I babysat.  We decided to have dinner at a famous seafood place.  I ordered fried oysters which I love.  I may love them, but I think I've had the last of them for minimum 5 years.  I got sick as a dog.  The last time I had oysters, I ended up with projectile vomiting.  I more or less dismissed it based on the fact that the oysters had been on a steam table and the restaurant wasn't that well known so maybe the oysters were old to start with.....  Well, last night's dinner was made to order and at a very well known restaurant.  I never actually upchucked, but I had stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nausea for about 6 hours.  SO, oysters are off MY menu. 

I have been faithfully wearing my lace up shoes.  However, with the big pedicure appointment yesterday, I screwed that up.  I wore their little "thong" thingies home and left my shoes and socks in the car.  When we ran out of the house to start our babysitting stint, I just slipped on a pair of Birks.  I had knee problems all evening.  I told Joe a little while ago, that he just may have bought me my last pair of Birks.....who need knee pain?  So, I'm back in the lace-up shoes today, and the knee is fine.

And, as if all that weren't enough, I've got some sort of weirdness going on in my neck.  I must have slept "wrong".  Anyway, I pretty much have a stiff neck and a fair amount of pain going on.  I'm going to finish this up, take a muscle relaxer and sleep for a while.  Hopefully when I get up, I'll be a whole new woman.

I've applied for another creative team.  THIS one would thrill me beyond words.  It's for Lynn Grieveson.  I LOVE her stuff, have since I saw the first of it on her blog.  She has such a soft hand with color and I lover her prints.  There's a certain sophistication.......I can't explain it.  I was ready to vote for Mindy Terasawa as the creator of the loveliest florals in the market, but I think Lynn rivals her.  Keep your fingers crossed for me, or better yet, say some heartfelt prayers.

Okay, I'm still playing catch up posting layouts, so here are a bunch more.  TFL...

24........

Only 24 days left.  I'm moving along, but there's a decent stack of work to be done on my desk.  It's coming in by fax, mail, overnight, and about any other way you can think of.  I was planning on putting in a full day tomorrow on the backlong.  BUT, first, I scheduled one appointment.  This particular client manages a local restaurant.  I will have to take a little extra time with her because I want to discuss the possibility of holding a party there for DD for her graduation from Law School.  Okay, so two hours gone.  No big deal.  Then DD called and talked me into going with her to get a manicure and pedicure--she is going to a big dance tomorrow night and wants to be all dolled up.  Since she offered to pay, I'd be really silly not to go, right?  AND, who do we think is babysitting DGS while DD dances the night away?  Right, Grandma!  There go a few more hours.  But, if nothing else comes in tomorrow, I'll still be caught up by Sunday, so, no harm, no foul.  Oh, I failed to mention that I have to sign one of Joe's loans Sunday afternoon, so that's another couple of hours gone but some extra money for our bank account.....

Got some GREAT news from DD yesterday.  She has been offered a job!  She will be clerking for Judge Mylie, a family court judge.  She's happy about the job, happy about the salary.  I'm thrilled.  It was only a few months ago she was trying to get a job clerking in Carson City.  Don't get me wrong, she'd have been clerking for a Supreme Court Justice, not a family court judge, and that would have been quite a feather in her cap.  I tried hard to be enthusiastic for her about that one, but I didn't want her back up in Northern Nevada and I thought there would be a lot of risk to her marriage.  She would have had a commuting marriage within just a little over 1 year of getting married.  This will definitely be better, I think.  I'm amazed at her starting salary.  She will be earning as much as a starting salary as I ever earned with my MBA.  Makes me think I should have gone to Law School.  One additional benefit will be excellent medical and dental coverage.  I DO envy her that.....

Well, that's about it here.  Have done some scrapping (of course I have--I'm still breathing!).  I'll post a few more pages here........

26 days and counting

That's the official count, ladies and gentlemen.  26 days left of tax season.  Still a lot of clients not heard from, but they'll surface sooner or later.  Stuff is starting to be dropped off, faxed in, and overnighted, so I'm getting fairly busy.  We've picked up quite a few new clients this year so that is a help.  I really should raise my prices, but.....I never had a desire to get rich off of any one client.  I just want to make a reasonable amount.  BUT, some of these clients really give me a workout.  Today I have to call my mother and tell her she owes.  She won't like that!  But, I'll remind her that I told her TWO YEARS AGO to increase her withholding and so far she hasn't done it.  What does she expect from me, miracles?  Just got a call from one client who has been with me for years.  He is going to fax "90%" of his stuff today.  I'm almost in need of mouth to mouth resuscitation--I don't usually get even part of his stuff til after 4/1.  That tends to make me cranky, KWIM?

It's supposed to be warmer here today.  I haven't seen a TV weather forecaster in a while, probably not since Friday night.  But, the last one I saw was saying we were 13 degrees colder than average for the date.  It's been chilly here for days.  It's not that it's really cold like it is in some places.  Rather, it's been windy and damp.  We don't do "damp" in the desert very often, so we just aren't used to it.  I think it is that that is bothering us more than the actual temperature.  But, today I can't see a cloud to the west or to the north and the sun is shining brightly from the east.  If the south is holding up, we'll have a better day!

Joe reminded me twice before he left this AM to call Cingular.  I HAVE to increase our plan minutes to try to avert another bill like last months.  I also need to call my DR (didn't get that done yesterday).  Time to get a haircut and my nails done would be a gift from God!  I'm about desperate for the haircut!  And, of course, the everpresent laundry and clean-up that goes on in this house will keep me out of trouble between clients. 

It took me forever to get Joe out of here this morning.  I think he was dawdling because he has an appointment tonight and worked late last night as well. But, much as I love him, it is always a relief when he takes his constant activity, noise, and stage-managing off to work.  In some ways, it is not so good that he has these evening appointments, but in others, it's a true blessing.  With all the activity and noise he stirs up, I become totally at a loss as to what to do next so I am way less productive.  I love, for example, that his way of dealing with the dogs barking and growling at each other as they play is to yell at them to be quiet!  Now, somehow, that just doesn't make sense to me.  I wonder what would happen if I turned around and yelled at him to be quiet?  Would he see the irony?  I doubt it.........testosterone impaired, you know.

Okay, some pages.  Then to work!  I may have posted some of these before, but I just don't have time to double check. 

 

Movin' Right Along

Well, it's March 21.  Twenty seven days til tax season ends.  I'll be glad to see the end though I hate to give up the money tax season brings in.  Joe's mortgage business took off like a shot in February, but has slowed for now.  Thank God we have the assurance our needs will be met--living on straight commission is an adventure in faith!!!!  We would really like this to be the year we make a significant dent in our debt load.  We were given the commandment to "owe no man anything save love" so we know that God must have the provision for us out there somewhere.  Actually, it's about the time of the month where we start to get calls for loan signings, so that should bring in some extra.  Of course, it will mean running around the valley on a moment's notice, but our pay rate is good and we enjoy the work so it's all good unless there's a schedule conflict or a traffic jam. 

It rained here last night.  The forecast was a 60% chance of rain, but in Vegas, that kind of forecast usually means nothing.  But, it seems we got a good soaking.  How do I know?  Because I'll be washing the quilt on our bed today.  The dogs got very exuberant this morning and jumped up there and now it is covered with muddy paw prints.  Maybe that will remind me to reset the sprinkler clock.  That's been on my Meaning-to-do list for several days.  I reset it last week in accordance with the water rationing plan in effect here, but somehow, it's coming on on the wrong days.  We don't want a ticket from the water police, so I'd better get that done.

Also on my Meaning-to-do list is a call to schedule an appointment with the doctor.  My new insurance is finally past the "pre-existing condition" period.  Dr. D has been great about working with me during this time, but I know he wants to do some tests.  I haven't had a thyroid test in a long time and it's usual to do them at least every year, maybe even every 6 months, depending on the doc.  And, I know he wants a bone scan.  I've been taking mega calcium daily (actually nightly so as not to interfere with the thyroid meds) and working out with weights.....should help.  I've also managed to drag myself back onto the treadmill.  I don't know why that is so hard for me.  I KNOW I feel better when I do it, but I put it off and put it off throughout the day and finally, it's late, I'm tired and tomorrow sounds better.  But, I'm making progress in that area now.  It even shows, or so I imagine, on my body, so it's well worth the effort.  It's actually amazing to me to see the difference in my body, given the small amount of time I've devoted to the treadmill since starting again.....got to work up to things when you re-start an exercise program. 

I know I am ADD and I know that despite my best efforts I am disorganized.  But, honestly.  I got a call at about 8AM yesterday from a client.  He wanted to come by THEN to pick up some stuff we'd finished last week and asked him to pick it up at that time.  Well, thank god we don't have video phone because I was stripped down and ready to jump into the shower when the call came in.  Of course, I set his time to pick up later in the day!  Didn't want to shock the poor boy! But, as always, he no-showed and no-called.  Hey, buddy......don't hurry.  By law, this stuff was supposed to be in the mail by 1/31, but you didn't get us the info til March, despite repeated telephone calls requesting it, so we all know the law doesn't apply to you, right? 

Yesterday went reasonably well.  Did one really NASTY return, but got paid well for it, so I am happy.  I'm also happy to have that one behind me. 

I finally got Will's karate pictures.  Originally, the school took pictures.  Those were lost.  Jennifer is of the opinion that Jason accidentally threw them out.  (He does that a lot.)  I begged and begged for photos.  Finally, in desperation, I even drove the 60 mile round trip to DGS's school, took him to karate and brought him home, all so I could get karate pictures.  That was the day Mom forgot to pack his Gee.  I really didn't want karate pictures in slacks and a sweater vest!  So, she finally took pity on me and took some photos in a low light situation with a throw away camera.  Then all I had to do was wait for them to be developed.  We went to their house Saturday evening, as planned, to pick up the photos but they weren't home.  SO, showing great mercy, Jason delivered them Sunday evening.  I'll post the layout along with some oldies--the photos took a lot of work, but they look reasonably decent if you don't look too close.  I'm trying to get at least the most recent layouts posted here.  Geez, that's the primary reason for this blog, so......

Well here are some layouts.  I've got to get them posted and move along with the day.  Too much to do to write a lot.

Very bad blogger

I I have allowed myself not to blog because it is tax season.  Yes, I'm busy, but I could chisel out a blog entry a day if I made it a priority.  I'm going to have to work on that.   

I've been doing tax returns and more tax returns.  I still have one really rough one and one fairly easy one stacked up, but I think I can finish them today between other stuff.  My most notable client today is Kim.  She is a sweetie, but she has no head for tax.  This results in my receiving a stack of stuff in her order (essentially NO order) instead of anything sensible.  So, I end up making an entry on this form and then on that form and then back to the first form.....it's very time consuming....but, she pays her bill and doesn't complain, so I'll be tolerant.  I had to take a trip to Roy's the other day.  I always go pick up his stuff because he doesn't seem all that organized.  If I'm there and go through the stuff with him and he's forgotten something, I can ask for it there with the hope he'll be able to find it before I leave.  I don't know why, but I really didn't want to go over there.  I felt ashamed of myself later.  He actually forgot I was coming and was asleep when I got there (been working some weird shift).  Even half asleep, he was very gracious so I felt bad that I didn't want to go.......

Joe and I have discussed my going to Florida after tax season.  Of course, he claims he can't get away, so I'll be going by myself.  But, Mom is there, alone, at age 85, and I need to check on her.  It would be a help if she volunteered to pay the fare, but we'll see.......

Fran and her husband are so much on my mind and in my prayers.  They are going through such a rough time.  I never cease to marvel at that family and the way they have stuck together through this whole mess.  Many families would have blown apart under the pressure, but this group has rallied round Mom and Dad and it's wonderful to see. 

I have the dryer going.  Lots of laundry to do today.  Having Erica here really knocked me off schedule.  I'm playing catch up and trying to get myself back on track with my daily routine.  I am SO ADD lately......The least little thing blows me out of the water.  Joe moved the stuff around on my desk and I lost track of the bills I'd paid versus those that needed to be paid because I'd had them in separate stacks.  He, being OCD, gathered them all up and clipped them together.  Gee, thanks, Joe.  We nearly missed a payment deadline because of his messin'.  He's been too busy to pay his own bills, so he was supposedly giving them all to me.  He didn't give me one of them so we missed a payment and they skyrocketed our interest rate from 6.99 to 31.XX%.  Holy mary!  We got them to roll that back, because of our payment history, but somehow, we've got to collectively get a better handle on all that. 

We had allowed a friend to have a cell phone on our family plan.  The Bible tells us not to be a surety for others, and I guess that's what we did.  Anyway, we're paying for it big time now.  She went off the deep end in January and started talking on the cell phone at billable times and ran the bill up over $120 more than usual.  That blew us away.  When we talked to her about it, she decided to pout and left the phone on our front porch with a check.  Now, wouldn't it have been great if someone other than us had found it.  Well, honestly, it might not have been all that bad.  Turns out the bill we got in March is worse than the one we got in Febroary--about 4 x worse!!!!  I have to pay that today.  We are trying so hard to work our way out of debt rather than doing a BK which we could easily qualify for.  We don't feel that for us, a BK is the right thing to do.  However, we sure don't need setbacks like this, particularly from trying to be kind to someone.  We met with her Tuesday night and discussed it all.  Joe had the idea that if we got her here in the house, she wouldn't be able to run away from dealing with what she'd done which was the most important part of this whole thing.  She kept telling us she didn't understand how the billing worked.  I really have a difficult time believing that because we've gone over it in detail with her several times.  One thing for sure, we can't afford another bill like this! 

Well, I'll post some scrapbook pages here, and then I have to get my tail in gear. 

my day to howl!!!!!!!!!

Oh, it's going to be a good day.  I can just tell.  DH has gone off to work.  The house is quiet.  Our company went home yesterday.  It's one of those "not a creature was stirring" kind of moments.  Quiet time to organize my thoughts and my time.  I'm SO grateful.  I don't even have a tax appointment today.  How special is that???????

Our company was Joe's daughter, Erica.  She's a sweet kid, but, these days, just having someone else walking around in the house causes my tiny bit of concentration to diminish even more.  It's just not so easy being me.

Let's see.  What do I have to do today?

1) Call MP, ask about vehicle registration, and finish, print and assemble her return.

2) Do 2004 amendment for Traci

3) Straighten house all around--have been distracted on that since Erica came.  Thank God we got most of the laundry finished last night--Joe helped.

4) Figure out something good for dinner.  It's the first evening in a long time that we won't have to swallow dinner whole to be ready for the next client. 

Funny thing happened yesterday......We had lunch last week with Fran.  Joe and I were doing our routine about cigarette lighters.  The Smoke Shop where he buys our cigarettes gives away a free lighter with purchase.  But they're those lousy Scripto-type lighters where the flint disappears in about two days.  You're left with a lighter that has plenty of fluid but won't light anything.  I hate 'em and refuse to use them.  Consequently I spend mucho time reminding him to buy me Bics.  He hates to buy me Bics because, after all, he has all these "free" lighters, and buying lighters when you have "free" lighters is just a waste of money.  Anyway, I finished Fran's son's return and Joe stopped by her house to drop it off.  On his way back, he called me to tell me she had sent me a gift, but he wouldn't tell me what it was.  He just told me I'd laugh when I saw it.  Now I know Fran doesn't have a nickel to spare, so I was wondering what in the world she could have for me.  Joe picked me up for dinner and as I was climbing into the car, I had to move a package of 4 Bic lighters!  Fran's gift!!!!  I laughed out loud.  I just love it!!!!!!  So, if Joe won't buy me Bics, Fran will.  Now THAT's a friend.

So, I've been doing a lot of scrapping, mostly for Bella Gypsy Designs.  Guess I should post some of that stuff here.  Most of it I'm darn proud of.  Particularly since I was supposed to do 4-6 pages a month and as of yesterday I'd turned out 24 pages since 1/23 for them.  I'm also working with Christy Sturm at Butternug Squash Designs.  Thankfully, she is not as productive as the girls at Bella Gypsy.  As I was uploading and organizing stuff in the BG gallery, I realized there that even though I've done 24 pages for them, there are still some kits for which I have not produced a layout.  Wahhhhh!  I want to be able to do some just for me!  Okay, enough whining.  Here are a few layouts for you to look at!  These are all for Christy Sturm at Butternug Squash Designs: