2012 Changes (I just can't call them resolutions!)

My daughter has posted her New Year's Resolutions so it made me decide I need to set some goals for 2012 too. So I used hers as a jumping off point (see howcouldyounott.blogspot.com).

1. Stop telling every random person/friend everything that happens in my life. (Some things are better not shared or possibly it could be really uninteresting to them.)

2. Invite others over for activity or dinner. (I just hate to cook, though.)

3. Kiss Dave every single day.

4. Try not to hold grudges.

5. Actively seek the spirit's guidance.

6. Work out at least 3 times per week. (This could mean lose 25 pounds......)

7. Don't yell at Dave. (Even though talking loud is not yelling.)

8. Visit or Skype out-of-state grandchildren/children often. (I miss them anyway, so this is a good idea.)

9. Read scriptures daily.

10. Say couple prayers daily.

Well, some of hers just didn't seem right for me, but I think this is a pretty good start.

Humph!

I resigned from my biggest client Friday. (I actually call it firing the client; that seems to make me happy inside.). When he got the letter, he called me and was actually very nice and ALMOST made me sad to leave. He said I had worked very hard for the company and they would miss me. That was the ONLY time in five years that he ever said I did a good job.

So today I look on Craig's list to see what he's advertising. And this is what it is: Full-time full-charge bookkepper; good communication skills, etc etc 10+ years of experience and 45 - 55,000 per year with benefits. I figured it out to be $22 - $27 per hour plus benefits. But he assured me that I would NEVER get a pay raise ar $21 per hour (no benefits). I assume he is expanding the scope of the job to make it full time because I did it in 10 hours per week. I am SUPER irritated by this whole thing even though yesterday I felt great after he called.

But I'm done with him. I did a good job for him and could probably have done this "new" job but he is difficult to work for . I'm moving on, but somehow this is grrrrrrrrrrr.

One of those weeks

Do you ever have weeks where you're just plain glad they're over? Such was last week for me. It started out with a busy work schedule (for me that's working every day) and then adding on too many things. I LOVE all my family activities, but why do they have to all come together?

Went to gym. Went to work Monday night Michael's car broke down in Galt and we had to tow it to Elk Grove where I then had to drive and pick him up and drop him back off in Carmichael and then back to Folsom.

Tuesday went to gym. Took Michael out to rent a car to get to work. Went to work. Go get car loan pre-approved at credit union. Look for car. Go to Braden's Three Piggy Opera. (see picture above - before he put on his pig nose).

Wednesday went to gym. Went to work. Got nails done (and ruined 1/2 of them before I got to my house). Picked up my mom to take her to lunch for her birthday. Picked up loan papers at dealership. Went to lunch. Took mom home., Went home to wait for U-verse repairman.

Thursday went to gym. Went to work. Went to Maren's Suisical (see picture above), McDonald's, took them home and then home late to Folsom.

Friday went to gym. Went to work. Went home to wait for another U-verse repairman.

Saturday went to gym. Got MASSAGE. Stayed in pj's the rest of the day until time for the movies where we saw The Adjusment Bureau. Interesting.

I'm just pooped for no good reason. This week weather will be wonderful and life will be better.

My baby

Well, Happy Birthday, Julie! I can't believe my "baby" is 25 years old Tuesday 11/8. Time hasn't flown, but it's just hard to believe. I have loved you since the day you were born and you will always be my baby. I have enjoyed watching you and first Maren and then Emma "fight" about being the baby. I have enjoyed watching you playing with the newest baby -- Carter. You are beautiful and talented woman. Never forget that (but don't brag either). Your whole family is here for you whenever you need us.

Love, Mom xoxoxoxox

Baby Carter

Just trying to get a little video up for everyone, since our family website needs to be replaced.

Apple Hill follow-up

I'm just going to have to blog about my grandson B. He says the funniest things. So when his mom picked him up from school this week he started asking her about making a jack-o-lantern from his pumpkin (the one he picked out at Apple Hill). She was telling him that would be fine when he said "I just didn't have a lucky day at Pie Hill." She said uh-huh and he said they ran out of cheese. hahahahahaha He was just stuck on the fact he couldn't get his grilled cheese sandwich. The rest of the day was just wasted I guess. And then to call it pie hill -- too funny. Maybe you had to be there.

Wow! Fall is here.

I'm loving this time of year. It's cooler here in Folsom (not that we had a particularly hot summer) and beautiful. I have been working way too much for my liking -- 4 and 5 days a week, until last week -- 3!!!!! Love those weeks. Not taking any new clients that require me to go to their workplace.

Anyway -- new babies on the way!!! Sherri is due in only 17 days and Joanna is due March 1st. Sherri is expecting Carter and Joanna is expecting Brynne/Jack. How exciting. Seriously. New babies to love and spoil a little. I have decided to visit Sherri/Graham/Julie/Carter? on 10/29. No pressure to have that baby on time!

Another great point of fall is Apple Hill. Joanna and I went with the kids (it's getting to be a tradition, although it was not Dave's fault he did not go). We had apple pie, polish dogs, caramel apples, and fudge. The kids rode the horse/pony, went through the hay maze, went on a little train (car kind of pulls it), and we shopped for crafts and pumpkins. We went kind of late in the day and by the time we went in to eat they were out of -- just about everything (chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, cheese sandwiches, and french fries). How distressing for B! He just kept saying (after he stopped crying when they didn't have a grilled cheese sandwich) that it was not his lucky day!

All in all, a great outing! These kids are great! I love them all. So M is in a recital in December and best of all (according to Craig) she gets to dance in the main parade Christmas parade at Disneyland. So off we go! We found a REALLY cheap flight if we start in Stockton and go to Long Beach ($110 for 2 people round trip) with Allegiant Air. Hope it's safe. Anyone familiar with this airline?

Jacob and Anna are celebrating 10 years of marriage by actually staying in OUR Waikiki condo. Can't wait to hear about it. They had a friend/couple come out to stay/watch all the kids. Anna has never been to Hawaii so hope she enjoyed it. I heard the weather was pretty nice.

Julie is becoming adjusted to actually working a real job. It's great to hear after all this schooling that she likes what she does. Although she is looking forward to planning and going on a big vacation to Europe next year. I'm going too. Dave is not complaining so far. Let's see how long that lasts.

I redecorated the guest bathroom this past month and that has kept me a little busy around the house. Nights can be boring watching TV. Love to change the house a little at a time. Other small changes coming up. I've now made the following plans: 1. Trip to Seattle 10/29. 2. Trip to Seattle 11/23. 3. Trip to Disneyland 12/11. 4. Trip to Utah 12/22. 5. Trip to Europe 5/20. 6. Trip to Greece (?) 9/11 sometime. 7. Trip with Dave's family next summer (not sure where).

Do we like to travel? Duh.