I took this picture so we could remind ourselves of what we're missing while we're lying on the beach in Maui. This is only the third snowfall of the season. Our local economy is really struggling right now. No snow = no tourists. Hopefully we'll have a snowy second half of winter...
Friday, February 23, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Counting down in my head...
Would you believe I actually have a running countdown in my head of how many days until we leave for Hawaii? Pretty sad, huh. People have been asking me how many days and I don't even have to look at the calendar. It's 10 by the way. I'm very focused. Although I think my focus may have a little more to do with my mom's situation, than excitement (but, that's there, too). By concentrating on my trip, I'm not constantly worrying about my mom. She may have to have more surgery. In case you didn't know, she had a heart attack a few weeks ago and is still having chest pains. She gets them whenever she exercises. They are waiting a few weeks to see if the medicines start helping, but then they may have to do bypass surgery. She has a doctor's appointment on the 28th. We'll know more then.
In the meantime, all we can do is wait and pray for her. And I can continue obsessing. My husband thinks I'm crazy because I pulled out the suitcases yesterday and started packing. What can I say, I like to be prepared. Especially when I have so much to do besides packing. My in-laws will be staying at my house so I want to get it nice and clean for them. *I finally did take down the Christmas tree this weekend. You're supposed to wait til after Valentine's day, right? Anyway, we got a big chunk done, but I still have some detail stuff. My kids will be home, so I want to write them little notes and seal them in envelopes marked "Monday", "Tuesday", etc. My mom did that once and I still remember it. And, of course I still have to work seven more days, get laundry done, and try not to get sick. Everyone, and I mean everyone, around me is sick. Phil, the boys, my co-workers, customers...
I may or may not post again before we leave, but I will definitely post some pictures afterwards.
In the meantime, all we can do is wait and pray for her. And I can continue obsessing. My husband thinks I'm crazy because I pulled out the suitcases yesterday and started packing. What can I say, I like to be prepared. Especially when I have so much to do besides packing. My in-laws will be staying at my house so I want to get it nice and clean for them. *I finally did take down the Christmas tree this weekend. You're supposed to wait til after Valentine's day, right? Anyway, we got a big chunk done, but I still have some detail stuff. My kids will be home, so I want to write them little notes and seal them in envelopes marked "Monday", "Tuesday", etc. My mom did that once and I still remember it. And, of course I still have to work seven more days, get laundry done, and try not to get sick. Everyone, and I mean everyone, around me is sick. Phil, the boys, my co-workers, customers...
I may or may not post again before we leave, but I will definitely post some pictures afterwards.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Taken For Granted
My mom wrote this since she had some recent time on her hands. Thought you might like to read it...
TAKEN FOR GRANTED
Have you ever felt taken for granted at work? I guess at times we all feel this way, and it is probably pretty common for any of us to take for granted those around us who help us with our jobs, but maybe my story will help readers be more aware of this growing problem in today’s work force.
I work for a woman named Peggy. For years Peggy has taken me for granted. At the beginning things weren’t bad like they are now. At least the work environment was clean and I didn’t have to work so hard. And, of course, I was younger and stronger then. So was Peggy, for that matter. We’ve both gotten a little gray over the years, I guess, but she refuses to admit it. In a way I feel sorry for her. She really pushes herself, and the saddest thing is that, because she has put so much importance on her work performance, she has begun to lose sight of the really important things, like family, vacations, giving to others, and her faith.
Peggy used to take time off for these things. Family vacations were great and restful for her. She and her husband would take time to have a “date night” once a week. She used to go to church every Sunday, enjoyed weekly bible studies, and once a year she would go to a resort area for a woman’s faith retreat and come back with renewed joy and vigor. She also volunteered for a women’s shelter and at her kid’s schools. She would always come back to work fresh and rested. I would too, because I had had some time off and rest as well. Things are very different now.
The changes came about so gradually that neither of us even noticed at first. Date nights with her husband stopped first, because he was getting busier at work, too. Then church going became less regular and bible studies were dropped completely. When the kids got older they no longer wanted mom at school, so that volunteer work ended, and then the women’s shelter moved to a new area and was too far away. Every time one of these activities came to an end, it gave Peggy more time for a particular work project and somehow, before we knew it, work was all that was left, and it took up all her time.
I wish she would once again take time off from work for these things because it would sure give me a break and some time to relax, too. Unfortunately, she just doesn’t see it that way. She’s older now and thinking toward retirement and wants to be sure that she will have enough money to retire comfortably. She thinks that if she works hard now, she will have the time for those things later in life. I may have to retire before she wants to because I just can’t keep up with her sometimes.
Even though I feel sorry for her, I need to find some way to shock her out of this situation, so that my job will get better. She just doesn’t see how hard it is for me to keep up with her. I may seem selfish to you, but I really don’t want much. I just want to be assured of the things most people expect on a job: regular breaks, a clean work environment, medical care, and some recognition and appreciation for the work that I do.
I do get my breaks and rest times, but they’re not very regular. Whenever Peggy works, I have to be right there, available for her and working right alongside her, which means that my breaks are always the same time as hers. I never know when those will be because Peggy has an unpredictable schedule, and she rarely even considers the fact that I may get tired. Even if I tell her that I need a break, she usually ignores me.
At first my work environment was nice and clean, but lately things have become really cluttered. The mess has built up over the years and Peggy has never done anything about it. You would think she would stop and notice and give this problem some of her attention, but she seems blind to it. It doesn’t really stop her work, but it makes mine much more difficult.
I also need medical care now and then, even if it’s just a preventive check-up, but the cost of medicine is so high nowadays. Peggy doesn’t provide enough for me, and it is very difficult to get on my own.
We all thrive on being recognized and appreciated for the job we do. Sometimes recognition is more important than money, and that’s true in my case. But Peggy rarely gives me any attention. Oh, she knows I’m there, of course, because she needs me on the job, but it’s as though I’m only as important as her desk, or her calculator, when I am far more vital to her success than some inanimate object.
I’ve saved Peggy’s “you-know-what” so many times. Little things that I do for her, like helping her remember things or get through embarrassing situations, go completely unnoticed. I can jump in there and help her think things through so that she remembers where she left something, or even someone’s name that she’s temporarily forgotten, but she never gives me credit. I’m always expected to jump up and perform “above and beyond” when she needs help without her even asking for it. And I do it every time!
Once, I had to really work hard for several months finding a way to replace a vital supplier that had closed down, and she wasn’t even aware of it. I had tried to tell her about it several times, but she had continually waved me off, and I just had to go to work and do it myself. I really saved her that time. In fact, what I did was almost miraculous, but she didn’t even notice. She couldn’t do her job without me! That supplier never was reopened, but I was able to build up and get more from our other two main suppliers. Taking up the slack was a lot of extra work that I did on my own and it would have been nice if I could have had help when I needed it.
I guess that’s what bothers me most. I just can’t do this job on my own without help now and then, but Peggy just won’t admit that. She just loads on more and more work without considering whether it’s more than I can handle, and then just expects me to find a way to do it all myself. Well, it is just getting to be too much and I am going to have to find a way to let her know. If this continues I’ll have to quit working for her. I don’t think she will survive without me. Oh yeah, I’m replaceable, but she can’t replace me overnight. It could take a while to find a replacement compatible to her at this late stage! But I don’t really want to quit. I’ll just keep working for as long as I can and give her the best that I am able to give. In the meantime I will keep trying to get her to pay attention and fix the things that need fixing before it’s too late.
Maybe I’m making you think that Peggy is a really heartless human being. She’s not. She’s warm and friendly, always willing to jump in and help where her skills are needed. She has lots of friends, her husband is still in love with her after all their years together, and she is well respected at work. Her having no heart is the farthest thing from the truth, and I am the best proof of that because, you see, I am Peggy’s heart.
Peggy’s note: My heart did finally get my attention. She gave me chest pains that I tried to ignore, but finally she forced me to go to the hospital where I found out that I had had a heart attack. I am 56 years old, and have known that my cholesterol is too high for years. I have not exercised for years, nor have I made enough effort to keep my weight down. I did not have a medical doctor giving me regular checkups. Fortunately, my heart muscle was not damaged, so she does not have to retire before I want to. As she told you, we are down to only two “suppliers” for the time being, and I am very grateful and amazed that she did jump in and compensate for the loss of one completely blocked artery. She will not have to quit because she will now have the help she needs through regular medical checkups. And, thanks to her, all my other “body workers” will begin to enjoy a better, cleaner, more relaxed work environment. My heart got my attention, and I hope she gets your attention too.
________________________________________
Mom gave us all a big scare and a wake up call this week. I've already been told my cholesterol is a little high and I don't make exercise a big priority. I'm going to try to change that before it becomes a problem. God really blessed us by not taking her. Feel free to pass this story on. I think it would be good for people to read. Just give her credit for it...
TAKEN FOR GRANTED
Have you ever felt taken for granted at work? I guess at times we all feel this way, and it is probably pretty common for any of us to take for granted those around us who help us with our jobs, but maybe my story will help readers be more aware of this growing problem in today’s work force.
I work for a woman named Peggy. For years Peggy has taken me for granted. At the beginning things weren’t bad like they are now. At least the work environment was clean and I didn’t have to work so hard. And, of course, I was younger and stronger then. So was Peggy, for that matter. We’ve both gotten a little gray over the years, I guess, but she refuses to admit it. In a way I feel sorry for her. She really pushes herself, and the saddest thing is that, because she has put so much importance on her work performance, she has begun to lose sight of the really important things, like family, vacations, giving to others, and her faith.
Peggy used to take time off for these things. Family vacations were great and restful for her. She and her husband would take time to have a “date night” once a week. She used to go to church every Sunday, enjoyed weekly bible studies, and once a year she would go to a resort area for a woman’s faith retreat and come back with renewed joy and vigor. She also volunteered for a women’s shelter and at her kid’s schools. She would always come back to work fresh and rested. I would too, because I had had some time off and rest as well. Things are very different now.
The changes came about so gradually that neither of us even noticed at first. Date nights with her husband stopped first, because he was getting busier at work, too. Then church going became less regular and bible studies were dropped completely. When the kids got older they no longer wanted mom at school, so that volunteer work ended, and then the women’s shelter moved to a new area and was too far away. Every time one of these activities came to an end, it gave Peggy more time for a particular work project and somehow, before we knew it, work was all that was left, and it took up all her time.
I wish she would once again take time off from work for these things because it would sure give me a break and some time to relax, too. Unfortunately, she just doesn’t see it that way. She’s older now and thinking toward retirement and wants to be sure that she will have enough money to retire comfortably. She thinks that if she works hard now, she will have the time for those things later in life. I may have to retire before she wants to because I just can’t keep up with her sometimes.
Even though I feel sorry for her, I need to find some way to shock her out of this situation, so that my job will get better. She just doesn’t see how hard it is for me to keep up with her. I may seem selfish to you, but I really don’t want much. I just want to be assured of the things most people expect on a job: regular breaks, a clean work environment, medical care, and some recognition and appreciation for the work that I do.
I do get my breaks and rest times, but they’re not very regular. Whenever Peggy works, I have to be right there, available for her and working right alongside her, which means that my breaks are always the same time as hers. I never know when those will be because Peggy has an unpredictable schedule, and she rarely even considers the fact that I may get tired. Even if I tell her that I need a break, she usually ignores me.
At first my work environment was nice and clean, but lately things have become really cluttered. The mess has built up over the years and Peggy has never done anything about it. You would think she would stop and notice and give this problem some of her attention, but she seems blind to it. It doesn’t really stop her work, but it makes mine much more difficult.
I also need medical care now and then, even if it’s just a preventive check-up, but the cost of medicine is so high nowadays. Peggy doesn’t provide enough for me, and it is very difficult to get on my own.
We all thrive on being recognized and appreciated for the job we do. Sometimes recognition is more important than money, and that’s true in my case. But Peggy rarely gives me any attention. Oh, she knows I’m there, of course, because she needs me on the job, but it’s as though I’m only as important as her desk, or her calculator, when I am far more vital to her success than some inanimate object.
I’ve saved Peggy’s “you-know-what” so many times. Little things that I do for her, like helping her remember things or get through embarrassing situations, go completely unnoticed. I can jump in there and help her think things through so that she remembers where she left something, or even someone’s name that she’s temporarily forgotten, but she never gives me credit. I’m always expected to jump up and perform “above and beyond” when she needs help without her even asking for it. And I do it every time!
Once, I had to really work hard for several months finding a way to replace a vital supplier that had closed down, and she wasn’t even aware of it. I had tried to tell her about it several times, but she had continually waved me off, and I just had to go to work and do it myself. I really saved her that time. In fact, what I did was almost miraculous, but she didn’t even notice. She couldn’t do her job without me! That supplier never was reopened, but I was able to build up and get more from our other two main suppliers. Taking up the slack was a lot of extra work that I did on my own and it would have been nice if I could have had help when I needed it.
I guess that’s what bothers me most. I just can’t do this job on my own without help now and then, but Peggy just won’t admit that. She just loads on more and more work without considering whether it’s more than I can handle, and then just expects me to find a way to do it all myself. Well, it is just getting to be too much and I am going to have to find a way to let her know. If this continues I’ll have to quit working for her. I don’t think she will survive without me. Oh yeah, I’m replaceable, but she can’t replace me overnight. It could take a while to find a replacement compatible to her at this late stage! But I don’t really want to quit. I’ll just keep working for as long as I can and give her the best that I am able to give. In the meantime I will keep trying to get her to pay attention and fix the things that need fixing before it’s too late.
Maybe I’m making you think that Peggy is a really heartless human being. She’s not. She’s warm and friendly, always willing to jump in and help where her skills are needed. She has lots of friends, her husband is still in love with her after all their years together, and she is well respected at work. Her having no heart is the farthest thing from the truth, and I am the best proof of that because, you see, I am Peggy’s heart.
Peggy’s note: My heart did finally get my attention. She gave me chest pains that I tried to ignore, but finally she forced me to go to the hospital where I found out that I had had a heart attack. I am 56 years old, and have known that my cholesterol is too high for years. I have not exercised for years, nor have I made enough effort to keep my weight down. I did not have a medical doctor giving me regular checkups. Fortunately, my heart muscle was not damaged, so she does not have to retire before I want to. As she told you, we are down to only two “suppliers” for the time being, and I am very grateful and amazed that she did jump in and compensate for the loss of one completely blocked artery. She will not have to quit because she will now have the help she needs through regular medical checkups. And, thanks to her, all my other “body workers” will begin to enjoy a better, cleaner, more relaxed work environment. My heart got my attention, and I hope she gets your attention too.
________________________________________
Mom gave us all a big scare and a wake up call this week. I've already been told my cholesterol is a little high and I don't make exercise a big priority. I'm going to try to change that before it becomes a problem. God really blessed us by not taking her. Feel free to pass this story on. I think it would be good for people to read. Just give her credit for it...
Thursday, January 04, 2007
New Cameras for Christmas
So the kids each got their own digital camera for Christmas. They are cute mini things made by Disney. They love them! Every time I turn around someone is handing me their camera to download the pictures. Of course, they're mostly dark or blurry, but the kids are learning and getting better. This is a typical picture. Kayla took this one. So, if they don't lose them, they can take their own pictures during vacations! Too cute...
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Only 10 more shopping days!!!!
I'm in trouble! I thought I was doing good with my Christmas shopping until I sat down with my list today! Yikes! I feel like time is slipping away so quickly! I have to work 6 of those days, so in reality I only have four more days! But, wait, I'm booked up this weekend with my mom's birthday and my mini youth group reunion, and next weekend I'm having everyone over Christmas eve! That leaves me ONE day to shop!!! Better settle down, I feel a blind panic coming on! I don't even want to think about the Christmas cards that still need to be done! Ok, here's your official notice: My Christmas cards will be late! There, I feel better. Thank you for listening to my ramble!
Kids
Look at my "demon" children! Sorry, I forgot to get rid of the red-eye before posting this and I don't feel like doing it over...
Aren't they cute?
Aren't they cute?
Sunday, December 03, 2006
What? No Posts?
Ok guys,
I didn't participate in the "NoPlo something or other" by posting every day, but I had gotten in the habit of reading them almost daily. And today I checked out all my favorite people and *sniff*, nothing new to read. Just wanted to let all of you that participated in posting daily know that it was appreciated, even when you thought you had nothing good to say. It definitely got me posting more often. I think I posted 6 or 7 times last month, even if it was just pictures. I think that's a record for me. Anyway, I love reading your blogs and feeling close to you even though we have hundreds of miles between us! Take care and thank you for letting us all know how you lives are going!!
I didn't participate in the "NoPlo something or other" by posting every day, but I had gotten in the habit of reading them almost daily. And today I checked out all my favorite people and *sniff*, nothing new to read. Just wanted to let all of you that participated in posting daily know that it was appreciated, even when you thought you had nothing good to say. It definitely got me posting more often. I think I posted 6 or 7 times last month, even if it was just pictures. I think that's a record for me. Anyway, I love reading your blogs and feeling close to you even though we have hundreds of miles between us! Take care and thank you for letting us all know how you lives are going!!
Friday, December 01, 2006
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Phil
My poor husband. I make fun of him because he always wears work logo stuff on his day off. He puts up with so much!
Finished Gingerbread Houses
Here's another shot of the houses. They're long gone by now so I'm glad I took pictures!
Troublemaker
Since it's the last day of the month, I figured I'd post some photos... This is my kitty. The epitome of curiousity killed the cat. She is trouble. We keep finding her on top of our kitchen cabinets, above our heads.
Pobby's Art
So, my brother has been perfecting his art lately. He does this work on metal with airbrushing and he's getting really good. He's taken classes and learned a lot of techniques. He definitely has some of the Thurston blood in him, even if he does like to draw scary skeletons! (He also does robots, space scenes, fire, and lots more...) He has recently been trying to get his name out there. He has painted people's tailgates, racing helmets, and has a job lined up to do an entire race car! We're pretty proud of him!
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Kids Thanksgiving 2006
The boys were with their mom for Thanksgiving, so we had a quiet group. Aren't Mason and Brittany getting big? Brittany is taller than Kayla!
Making Gingerbread Houses
Here's one picture of our fun. I have individual pictures of each kid with their house but I don't want to fill up my monthly limit. I guess I should just pay for the thing!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
A little taste of my childhood
Last week I committed to babysitting our friends two kids along with my own for last evening BY MYSELF. So, I figured I better plan something good for them to do so I wouldn't be chasing six kids around the house all night.
I decided that since I needed to make some cookies for Thanksgiving, I would make them gingerbread and then I could get the kids making gingerbread houses. I have fond memories of making our own gingerbread houses as kids, so I thought it would be fun.
I started Friday night making the batter. I doubled the recipe thinking that would probably be enough. I even cut out little forms for the individual pieces, so the cutting would go faster. I made them little so they could each have ALL the creative control. Something I've learned from having four kids: they all want to be in control, and make it well known loudly to me (and sometimes the neighbors I'm sure!).
After I got half way through the dough, (and realized I'd need another double batch, yuck!), I started wondering why I had committed to doing this for six kids, four houses would have been a little easier. And, I could have rented them a movie or something for Saturday evening. But, the kids had already been told so I soldiered on.
After I cooked all the house parts and made the incredibly sticky icing, I realized that the act of actually putting the houses together might be a little too hard for the kids. It was even tough for Phil and I to do it together (Yes, he got dragged into it). So, we assembled six houses on little plates. The I panicked because I was running out of powdered sugar and wasn't going to be able to make enough icing for the kids to decorate their houses. Poor Phil had to run to the store right before he had to be at his poker game to get me more sugar.
When the kids arrived, my kitchen looked like a sack of flour exploded in it. Dirty dishes everywhere! Do you remember in Sleeping Beauty, how the kitchen looked after Meriweather attempted to make a cake and they started fighting over the color of it with their magic wands? Mine looked worse! Anyway, at least the table looked nice. Six little houses set up with carefully organized candy dishes set around them. I also made the kids their own little sandwich baggies of frosting with the corners cut off. I thought the worst was over...
Actually they did very well, it was just incredibly messy. Most of the kids were able to decorate with just a little instruction from me. Jackson (who's three) and I shared a house and decorated it together. I was even able to step back a little and take a few pictures. I'll post them on here next weekend. I have to finish the roll in my camera, which I will do on Thanksgiving day, before I can develop it. Yes, I haven't made the jump to digital yet. But I'm waiting for the camera I want to come down in price.
I won't go into the clean up except to say, it's Sunday afternoon, and I still haven't finished. I told myself, next year, I'm buying the kits! Phil wrote me a sweet note, telling me he appreciated all the time I spent to share something special with the kids. Isn't he great? But I still never want to see another gingerbread house as long as I live. Maybe by next year, I'll be up for it again....
I decided that since I needed to make some cookies for Thanksgiving, I would make them gingerbread and then I could get the kids making gingerbread houses. I have fond memories of making our own gingerbread houses as kids, so I thought it would be fun.
I started Friday night making the batter. I doubled the recipe thinking that would probably be enough. I even cut out little forms for the individual pieces, so the cutting would go faster. I made them little so they could each have ALL the creative control. Something I've learned from having four kids: they all want to be in control, and make it well known loudly to me (and sometimes the neighbors I'm sure!).
After I got half way through the dough, (and realized I'd need another double batch, yuck!), I started wondering why I had committed to doing this for six kids, four houses would have been a little easier. And, I could have rented them a movie or something for Saturday evening. But, the kids had already been told so I soldiered on.
After I cooked all the house parts and made the incredibly sticky icing, I realized that the act of actually putting the houses together might be a little too hard for the kids. It was even tough for Phil and I to do it together (Yes, he got dragged into it). So, we assembled six houses on little plates. The I panicked because I was running out of powdered sugar and wasn't going to be able to make enough icing for the kids to decorate their houses. Poor Phil had to run to the store right before he had to be at his poker game to get me more sugar.
When the kids arrived, my kitchen looked like a sack of flour exploded in it. Dirty dishes everywhere! Do you remember in Sleeping Beauty, how the kitchen looked after Meriweather attempted to make a cake and they started fighting over the color of it with their magic wands? Mine looked worse! Anyway, at least the table looked nice. Six little houses set up with carefully organized candy dishes set around them. I also made the kids their own little sandwich baggies of frosting with the corners cut off. I thought the worst was over...
Actually they did very well, it was just incredibly messy. Most of the kids were able to decorate with just a little instruction from me. Jackson (who's three) and I shared a house and decorated it together. I was even able to step back a little and take a few pictures. I'll post them on here next weekend. I have to finish the roll in my camera, which I will do on Thanksgiving day, before I can develop it. Yes, I haven't made the jump to digital yet. But I'm waiting for the camera I want to come down in price.
I won't go into the clean up except to say, it's Sunday afternoon, and I still haven't finished. I told myself, next year, I'm buying the kits! Phil wrote me a sweet note, telling me he appreciated all the time I spent to share something special with the kids. Isn't he great? But I still never want to see another gingerbread house as long as I live. Maybe by next year, I'll be up for it again....
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