Michelle :: the one and only hawaiian momma

28 November 2004

the budget

Hi Meredith!
If you've read the 100 things about me you'd know that for the first time ever, I'm on a budget. I've created budgets many times in the past, but this is the first time I'm actually following one *L* It hasn't been easy, but I want to buy a house and a new (to me) car in 2005.
If you were to look at my monthly budget, you'd think I'm nuts *L* After rent, utilities, child care, groceries, gas, and loans, I have about $40 left over. Mind you, I'm doubling up on my loan payments, and if I follow my budget 'til April '05, I will have paid them all off. Just in time to get a mortgage and a car loan *L*
I don't mean to make light of anyone's drug/alcohol/other addictions, but to me, shopping was an addiction. They say it takes 30 days to make or break a habit. Well, this is Day 18. I'm almost there! You know, I would go to WalMart and spend $100 on a gallon of milk. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about - you go to WalMart to purchase a gallon of milk, but as you walk through the store, things mysteriously get added to your cart, so by the time you check out, the gallon of milk has cost you $100.
One of the best resources I've relied upon since starting my budget is my local public library. It's the best! You can borrow, for free, brand new releases on DVD or video. You can also borrow, for free, new releases on CDs. My library is connected to an online system will all the other libraries in my county, and the county to the north of us. I can request movies, CDs, and bestsellers all from the comfort of home and have it transferred to my local library. The wonderful librarians will give me a call when my request has arrived, and I just zip 3 minutes down the road to pick it up. I estimate the library is saving me $80 a month (cable + video rental fees). That's $960 a year! Whodathunkit?
Wow ... just had an overwhelming urge to clean my bathroom *LOL* Where did THAT come from?
posted by michelle at 8:08 am :: make me happy
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27 November 2004

this and that

Hi Kevin, ShaeSin, and Kat!
It's been a long day. Nick's friend Jacob slept over last night, and didn't go home 'til 5:30 this afternoon. There's nothing like having your kids' friends over to see how angelic your kids really are :)
Meghan and I did a little baking today, we made cupcakes ... I'm going to have to give some away to our neighbors, there's no reason why we should have two dozen cupcakes sitting around. Too much temptation!
The kids and I also made a few ornaments for our tree. We've got a ton more to make in order to replace the stolen ones, but we're on our way. I may make a trip to St. Vinnie's tomorrow to see what kind of selection they have. It's a hit or miss at St. Vinnie's - sometimes I can find a ton of great stuff, and other time, absolutely nothing.
Tomorrow is shaping up to be a great day. We're going to Trudy's house in Racine for lunch - she's going in for her hysterectomy on Monday, and won't be back at the Bureau until after the New Year. She's such a sweet co-worker, I'm gonna miss her! She's always helping or encouraging or supporting me in some way or another. She's the best!
Don't forget to check out today's photos before you go!
P.S. ShaeSin is looking for people all over the world to trade Christmas cards with her. Please visit her if interested!
posted by michelle at 9:23 pm :: make me happy
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Be a Hero ... Adopt a Soldier

Hi Stew, Kat, Tanya, and Vandamonium!
I don't care if you voted for John Kerry or George Bush ... it doesn't matter if you agree/disagree, like/don't like President Bush/the war in Iraq/donkeys or elephants ... please be a hero, and adopt a soldier!
Here are four websites where you can be a hero:
ATTN - Any Soldier This site currently lists 797 Contacts (671 Army, 4 Navy, 70 Air Force, and 52 Marine) helping approx 39,440 soldiers! You can read current messages from all 797 contacts, and if you so choose, you can fulfill their requests for certain items. These are men and women who have agreed to be a point of contact for other soldiers that do not regularly receive mail/care packages. Some don't get any mail at all.
Soldier Angels is the site where Nick adopted a Flight Medic with the 45th Med Co Air Ambulance currently stationed in Afghanistan. SoldierAngels.com supports all deployed and wounded military heros. Fill out a quick email form, and you will receive information on the hero assigned to you. If you adopt a soldier, you are asked to write a letter once a week, and to send at least two care packages a month. The site also has a gift shop, where you can purchase a "transitional backpack" for wounded soldiers - "a backpack which can be given to each wounded soldier as they arrive at the combat support hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan. When our wounded arrive at these hospitals they have only what they are wearing and it is often weeks before their belongings catch up to them. These backpacks will ensure that our wounded soldiers have a little love from home to comfort them until their return to the states."
Operation USO Care Package - this one is not quite as personal as the above two, but no less important. For a $25 donation, a care package will be made and sent to a soldier overseas.
Operation Dear Abby - doesn't cost anything but a few seconds of your time. You can write a quick (or not-so-quick) message to our soldiers with your thanks or other greetings. Again, not as personal as Soldier Angels or ATTN - Any Soldier, but another great idea.
Thanks to everyone that asked me to post this info. It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling to know there are great, caring and kind people in the blogosphere!
As you mail out your Christmas cards in the next week or so, consider sending one to a soldier ... whether its a photo greeting card, or one of those family newsletters, send one overseas ... tell them that you're thinking of them, and that you support them, and will say a prayer for their safe homecoming.
The US Post Office is recommending all packages for soldiers be mailed by December 3rd for delivery by Christmas. It's not necessary to send the package Express mail (aka overnite) because it doesn't get to the soldier any quicker than Priority Mail. The postage you pay gets your card/letter/package to Maryland/Virginia, then the military sorts it and ships it to where the soldier is. It still can take days/weeks from that point depending on where the soldier is in the field. These guys can move great distances several times a month. If you need any help or have any questions, please feel free to email me or post a comment.
posted by michelle at 8:24 am :: make me happy
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26 November 2004

Breaking with tradition

Hi Aidan, Joseph, the Cernohaus family, Aldon, and Andrew!
Well, I broke my usual day after thanksgiving tradition, and did not go shopping. It was not as hard as I thought it would be ... I haven't started shopping yet, I have to wait until my next paycheck, but I do have a list of things I've overheard the kids telling Santa about. It's a pretty good list, they were pretty easy this year *L* Usually there's 101 things on the list, but this time, just 5 each.
Instead of going shopping, the kids and I went to the Milwaukee Public Museum. I took a ton of photos. There were several artsy-crafty tables set up throughout the museum for the kids to make Christmas ornaments. Doh! Which brings me to a topic I wanted to blog about ...
Someone stole my Christmas ornaments!!! I moved into my condo in June, and stored my huge red and green rubbermaid container full of Christmas ornaments in my garage. Well, sometime between June and yesterday, some butthead came into my garage and took the entire container. I was so bummed! Fortunately, my keepsake and sentimental ornaments were in another container in my bedroom closet, so it could've been worse. However, my beautiful 8 ft pre-lit tree is naked. And it's definitely not in the budget to get more ornaments right now. Especially when they'll all be on clearance in 29 days!
The kids and I are doing it the old-fashioned way and are making our own ornaments. It'll be fun (or so I keep telling myself). I'm trying to stay on the positive side of this, but it's a little hard. Dang it, I had the cutest ornaments! *sigh*
P.S. True to his word, Nick went door-to-door yesterday collecting donations for the soldier he adopted. We have enough for our first care package, and will be sending it out on Monday. The Bureau is sponsoring the postage fees for Nick (thank you!)
posted by michelle at 4:02 pm :: make me happy
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25 November 2004

Happy Thanksgiving

On this holiday of thanks, we would like to share with you the blessings we hold dear ...

"My Packers, my princess dress, pink, my kitties, my momma and my brother." ... Meghan, 3
"My family and friends, books, the cubscouts, my computer, and hopefully a new gameboy for Christmas." ... Nicholas, 8
"My salvation, my children, my eyes to see the beauty of the world and my ears to hear my children laugh and the birds sing, my family, true friends that are always there for me, and the many blessings we have yet to receive." ... Michelle
May God richly bless you with good health, laughter and cheer, and abundance this Thanksgiving and always.
Love, Michelle, Nicholas & Meghan
[taken from our 2004 Thanksgiving card]
posted by michelle at 6:51 am :: make me happy
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24 November 2004

That's my boy!

I'm stuffy | Itzhak Perlman
It's another early morning! I hope this doesn't become a habit ... although there are worse habits to have ...
I'd like to say Aloha Kakakiaka (Good Morning) to Dave, Kitchen Network, Johnny the Horse, mamarant, and Greg.
I just wish I could serve y'all some macadamia pancakes and POG (passion-orange-guava juice).
My son has officially adopted a solider serving our country in Iraq. He came up with the idea all by himself. He said he wanted to help a soldier that is missing his family and friends, because he (Nick) knows what it's like to be away from your family.
He plans to support this soldier all by himself, using his allowance to send care packages. He's already starting a donation drive, and wants to go collecting door-to-door tomorrow, since most people will be home. He also plans to write at least one letter a week. I'm blown away by my son's desire to help this soldier ... I offered to help, but he's insistent that he can do it (although he did confide to me before his bedtime prayer that if he needs help, not that he will, but if he needs help, then he'll let me). *L*
I'm just so proud of him! Nick earns $5 a week for his allowance. In order to earn his allowance, he must meet 95% of his daily expectations in addition to doing certain chores around the house. Some of my friends feel I'm doing a good thing for Nick by making him earn his allowance. Some disagree. All I know is that my system works. Just forking over the $5 a week didn't work.
I have been supporting a few soldiers with letters and cards from anysoldier.com. We had friends that were in Iraq over the 2003 holiday season, but thankfully, they're all safe at home. My personal opinion on the war on Iraq? I don't have one. I'm not educated enough about the politics and facts of Iraq to say if it's right or wrong. I guess you could say my personal opinion is that whether you agree or disagree, our sailors, airmen, soldiers, and marines currrently serving overseas need our support. While they do need many basic necessities (soap, toothpaste, socks, lotions, etc), sending a simple thank you card will greatly boost morale. When you're writing out your Christmas cards, send one to a soldier. Trust me, they'll appreciate it!
If you would like to do something, I have posted the following links below. Please take the time and check them out. If you would like to send something for Christmas (many of them are asking for simple Christmas decorations), I believe you need to have it mailed by December 3rd.
Any Soldier
Soldier Angels
Operation USO Care Package
Operation Dear Abby

If you know of anyone serving overseas, and they have a website, please email me. I'd like to post links to soldier's websites on my blog. Thank you!
posted by michelle at 5:34 am :: make me happy
23 November 2004

top o' the morning to you!

Whoa. I'm up early! I normally lie in bed until the alarm goes off, but thought I'd get my butt outta bed and do something more productive. So here I am! :)
I would like to say a very chipper Good Morning to Kris, Kat, Becky, Dawn, and Stew.
Today, Potbelly's is partnering with the Hunger Task Force in a food drive. If you bring in three non-perishable food donations, you will receive a free Potbelly's sandwich. Guess where I'm having lunch today? :)
Seriously though, whether you get an instant reward or not, I sincerely ask that everyone donate to their local food pantry not just this holiday season, but throughout the year. Most groceries will have a collection barrel near the exit for donations. Just pick one or two extra items when you shop, and drop it in the collection barrel. It doesn't have to be extravagent or expensive - the best items to donate are with protein - peanut butter, beans, etc. I always take advantage of what's on sale and buy extra for the food pantry. Two or three times a month, Nick will add something to our shopping cart that he'll pay for with his allowance. He's very proud to be helping, and always picks out something "fun" to counter my healthy donations.
So, when you picking up your "Dang it, I forgot the ..." at the grocery 20 minutes before your guests arrive on Thanksgiving Day, please pick up something extra on the side, and donate it to a needy family in your area.
posted by michelle at 4:35 am :: make me happy
22 November 2004

piece of cake

I'm full | Ocean's Eleven
I am a worry wart. I just can't help myself. The conference went very well. Exactly as I thought that it would. Nick is very bright, very helpful and kind, and a great addition to the class. We need to work on his behavior - he goes through his work so quickly, then gets bored and makes mischief. His teacher is awesome, she's so willing to work with him and goes above and beyond to keep him focused and on track. We discussed ways to get correct his behavior, and how I can reinforce it at home.
*sigh* It's not easy being a parent!
posted by michelle at 8:05 pm :: make me happy
The butterflies are starting a riot

I'm a superstar | the radio
I don�t know why I�m so anxious about the conference after work. I pretty much know what his teacher is going to tell me. I think it�s just the whole stigma of a parent/teacher conference, you know, you�ve been bad, so your teacher is gonna squeal on you. It�s probably just me. It�s just a 1st quarter conference, all parents were asked/scheduled to come in. So why am I so anxious? Well, I do know my son better than anyone, and that�s probably enough of an answer as to why I�m anxious *L*
posted by michelle at 4:42 pm :: make me happy
a clean cube and thanksgiving potluck

I'm a superstar | The Great Thanksgiving
I came to work to a semi-clean cube (remember the pee water on Friday?) ... someone did come back to clean it this morning, and I cleaned it myself again, just to make sure all traces of pee water have been cleaned from my cube.
We're having a thanksgiving potluck at work for lunch today. I brought dinner rolls :) Hey, I'm on a budget remember? At least I brought something, which is more than I can say for some of my office buds.
Egads ... I have an ever-so-lovely 1st quarter conference at school tonite. I talk to Nick's teacher on a daily basis, so hopefully there won't be any surprises. Nick's a year ahead of his age, and while he's awesome academically, being a year younger than his classmates, his behavior at times is not the greatest. Nick has a really great teacher this year, which makes school so much easier.
Nick has a good friend, Jordan, that goes to the before school program with him, and they're also in the same class at school. I took the boys to see Shark Tale in October, and we're planning to see The Incredibles this weekend. Jordan asked me this morning if we can go to Build-A-Bear because you can build Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Jordan was quick to point out that Rudolph's really lights up! I'm just happy my son's not the only one that's into them.
posted by michelle at 9:39 am :: make me happy
21 November 2004

napping mama

I'm energized | Yummy Yummy | Hark!
It wasn't deliberate. Honest!
I thought I'd lie down for a "little" nap, and fell asleep for 2 hours. It's now 4:59 pm, and way too late to go to the birthday party.
Interestingly enough, Meghan doesn't seem too distraught about it. In fact, she hasn't said a single thing. So ... I'm off the hook!
posted by michelle at 5:00 pm :: make me happy
birthday parties

I'm still tired | Meghan singing | Hark!
Meghan was invited to a classmate's birthday party today. I RSVP'd yes, but now wish I didn't. I'm just a bit peeved by these moms that throw birthday parties and invite the entire class -- they throw invitations into each kid's cubby. The invitations aren't addressed to a specific person, the mom in question has never once spoken a single word to me (although we see each other nearly every day when we pick up our kids - I always say hi), and they want my child to go to their birthday party? Maybe it's just me. But I don't see the point. To me, birthday parties are filled with people that you know and care about. Sure, these kids know each other because they're in daycare together. But geez, this preschool. Give me a break!
To top it off, the birthday girl happens to be the one that always pinches, punches, and scratches Meghan. So why did I RSVP yes in the first place? Well, you had to be there to see the look on Meghan's face when she opened the invitation. She was so thrilled to get invited to a party. Birthday parties are really big this fall. Add to that the fact that the party's being held at the exact same pottery place that I want to hold L & B's wedding shower. Which brings me to another point ... these kids are turning 4 years old. What in the world is this woman thinking, having a 2-hour party in a do-it-yourself pottery studio? Hel-lo! *sigh* Then again, maybe it's just me.
So. We'll go to the party. I really did want to check out the pottery place, and this will be a pretty good time to check it out, in the midst of an actual party, no less. I always keep extra gifts on hand throughout the year anyway, so it's not like I have to run out and buy a present. Plus it'll give me fodder for my next entry, mwahahaha ...
By the way, I finally added photos here. Not alot yet, just a few I snapped yesterday. Not bad, really ...
posted by michelle at 11:37 am :: make me happy
20 November 2004

scrambled eggs, santa claus, and dementors, oh my!

Working for the Bureau definately has its perks - the kids and I had breakfast with the Mayor and Santa Claus. The breakfast buffet consisted on two types of scrambled eggs (plain and fiesta), two types of potatoes (one creamy, one broiled with rosemary), sausage, bacon, fresh fruit, a yogurt parfait, and assorted pastries. Santa came for a little while, the kids had their faces painted, and then the parade started. We started off in our "VIP" seating, on the second floor balcony of the Grand Avenue. That lasted about 10 minutes before the kids (a bunch of them, not just mine) started to complain about the cold. So we meandered back inside and found a great spot indoors to watch the parade. We eventually made our way downstairs - my kids are so awesome, they just squeezed and sidestepped their way to the very front, and managed to get spots right next to a camera man for TMJ4. Hilarious! (Yes, my kids did manage to get on tv, two friends called me to say they saw them on the news.)
We were home by noon and flew through the library to borrow books and videos for the upcoming holiday week. I'm glad we did, because Nick was featured on the bulletin board in the Children's Library.
Geez, it was a busy day! We had a quick lunch at home before picking up the new babysitter, Sabrina. She stayed home with Meghan while Nick and I went to see Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabahn at the IMAX. Apparently, us Milwaukeeans are the luckiest HP fans in the world, because we're the only ones that get to watch it on IMAX. It was a great movie, I'm a big fan of the books, but I don't think "movies" are ready for the IMAX just yet. It was like watching a tennis game, you kept having to move your head from left to right ... towards the end, Nick whispered he had a headache, and quite a few people said the same thing as we left the theaters. Good thing it's being released on DVD this week. We'll watch it again at home on the good ol' 20" tv. Heh heh ...
posted by michelle at 11:12 pm :: make me happy
oops, my bad

I'm tired | Appalachia Waltz | 8 minutes ...
I posted a comment on this website saying I completed the survey, then completely forgot to post the results here. So, here they are, a day late ...
1. What do you think is the perfect age to get married? 25 - 28 To have a first child? 25 - 30 To retire? 60.
2. If you could change occupations tomorrow, what would you want to do for a living? I do seriously love my job, but I'd love to be a teacher for the hearing impaired. I would love to be a sign language interpreter at concerts, etc.
3. What does the color green make you think of? Being that I'm sick, the color green currently makes me think of puke. Under normal conditions, I'd probably say Kermit the Frog.
4. What is something that has happened to you over the last year that you didn't expect? I was laid off from a job that I thought I'd be at forever, but then found my current job, which I currently think I'll be at forever, unless I get the nerve and become the answer for question #2. Which could happen. Really.
5. How old were you when you had your first kiss? 19. There I said it. Pretty sad, eh?
posted by michelle at 6:47 am :: make me happy
19 November 2004

It's raining, it's pouring ...

I'm stuffy | Vivaldi's Cello | the paper
I was raining this morning when I left for work. It was still raining when I got into the office. Literally. Directly above my cubicle, pee water was raining down onto my desk. Fortunately, it didn't get my computer, or various personal items (photos, cd player, toys, etc.) My printer is fried. And the smell. Ewwwww!
I work in a building that is part office space, part hotel. The 4 floors above me are all guest rooms. The first story given by the building engineers was that the roof has a leak. Okay. Sure. How big is this leak, if it goes through 5 floors? The latest and greatest, which I just overheard 5 minutes ago is that it's bathroom water. Bathroom water? Let's just call it what it smells like, people. Pee water.
The upside? I'm temporarily sitting in an empty office, with a nice view of the city, and part of the river. Also ... I get to play on the internet all day long and without worries of someone walking by and getting busted. :) I'm not moving back to my cube until everything has been deep cleaned, disinfected, and deordorized. Seriously!
I tweaked my site a little, added more sites to my daily reads section. Some are sites that I've been reading off and on for a couple of years now. It's kinda cool to see what they've been up to and what new and exciting things life has brought their way. It wonderful to see people now happily married, with new babies, moving on to bigger and better things. Kinda makes me wish I was a little more consistent with my blogging, but ...
Well, Trudyliscious just came back from lunch, so I'm gonna bug outta here for a bit. Tootles!
posted by michelle at 12:59 pm :: make me happy
18 November 2004

hanging tough

I'm sick. Meghan has a horrible, phlegm-y cough, and Nick has the flu. My littles were so kind to share their viruses with me. My body is achy all over, and I'm running a mild fever. But, ever the diehard, I'm still here at work. I didn't think I'd make it through the day, but I'm almost there.
Nick stayed home from school again, but he's starting to feel better. He wants tacos for dinner, so his tummy troubles have disappeared :) Meghan's cough is getting better, although I think it's more due to the Robitussin DM at nights and Triaminic cough strips during the day. Whatever works, right?
I have to stop by the resident manager's office on my way home - my garbage disposal isn't working. I think I need to reset it, but I can't figure out how. I'm pretty good when it comes to that kind of stuff, thanks to my dad. He was a hands-on kind of guy, and could fix or build just about anything. I miss him ...
Auwe ... my head hurts!
posted by michelle at 3:18 pm :: make me happy

17 November 2004

Potbelly's, sick kids, and more

Yummm � I just came back from lunch at Potbelly�s. My tummy is happy!!
Nick is home sick today � when Laurie picked him up from CLC, he was running a 101.9 fever. By the time I picked him up, he was lethargic and had a horrible headache. I gave him some Tylenol as soon as we got home, and the fever finally went down around 2 this morning. He was still achey this morning, so I let him stay home. I�ve called him every hour or so, and overall, he�s going okay. He still complains about his headache, but he said it�s not as bad as it was last night.
We wound up skipping his pack meeting, but there�s no way I would have taken him as badly as he was feeling. His den leader called us later last night, she was concerned because she knew how excited Nick was to get his badges. He�ll get them at the December pack meeting, which will be kinda cool because he�ll have earned even more badges/belt loops, so he�ll get a ton at the next meeting.
It was only a matter of time, and now I�ve picked up Meghan�s cough. There are so many viruses going around right now, it was inevitable. It�s not bad, and hopefully I can keep it under control. If Nick doesn�t get better by tomorrow, we�re all going to the doctor on Friday.
Well, back to the Potbelly�s lunch � we (me, Mary, Trudy, and Sue) met Angie, the girl whose position I replaced. She�s okay, it�s just amazing because I�ve heard the managers (and others) talk so badly about Angie, but when she walked into the office, it�s all �Angie, darling, how are you? We missed you so much!� Yikes! At least I know now who I can trust � which is basically no one *LOL* I�ve finally learned that if you really don�t want someone to know something, then simply say nothing at all! I�m also all about keeping my work and private life separate. Never the twain shall meet! That didn�t come out right, I probably screwed up the quote. Oh well �
Whoops, Paul�s coming, so I should go. Great, now he�s doing the �Angie, how are you?� routine. Someone gag me �
posted by michelle at 1:50 pm :: make me happy

16 November 2004

busy busy busy

It�s been a busy day so far. Trudy�s last day will be November 24th, and won�t return from medical leave until January 1st. I�ll take over taking minutes at the sales meetings, the reunion leads, and Chuck. Sue will get Maria. The sales manager that comes into the office just 3 days a week. I�m not going to waste my time ranting about it, I�d rather have Chuck than Maria anyway �
Laurie�s going to pick up the kids for me today because I have to go to a Membership Mixer in Oak Creek. It�s going to be lots of fun, over 100 members RSVP�d to come. Kim says I�m the belle of the ball today, it�s my big debut *L* She claims to have a half dozen guys she wants me to meet. Nothing wrong with that! *L* I have to admit, Josh has totally ruined it for any man I�ve yet to meet. Boy, do I love Josh �
Meghan�s got a really bad cough, there�s so much phlegm, poor baby sounds like she�s drowning when she coughs. I called her pediatrician, she said to give her Robitussin DM or Pedicare. I ran to Walgreens and bought the new Triaminic cough strips � similar to the Listerine Breath Strips � for the daytime, and Robitussin DM for nighttime. Wish me luck! It�s always a beast trying to get Meghan to take her medicine.
After the mixer, I have to run back to Port and take Nick to a pack meeting tonite. It�s going to be crazy, we don�t have time to eat dinner �til after the meeting. The kids are going to be starving! What fun! I thought about skipping the meeting, but he�s earning a few badges/belt loops that will be awarded tonite, so I really should go. So I will. Just doing my job as a mom!
I�ll try to put up a few more links tonite before I go to bed. I found a couple of really great blogs last night, I can�t wait to check back and see what today�s posts will bring!
posted by michelle at 3:16 pm :: make me happy

15 November 2004

yes!

Laurie just called - she has an interview at Extendicare tomorrow. I hope and pray she gets it! It will be so wonderful to have my best friend working right across the street! And Josh works a floor below me, what fun!!
posted by michelle at 4:02 pm :: make me happy

michelle's happy!

I can't believe it. I'm happy. Yes, happy.
It all started at work, on my way out for my lunchtime walk. Jill and Margaret started going on about how good I am - it was drizzling, and here I am going out for my walk. I replied that Meghan's going to be 4 next month, and I'm the same weight I was the day after I gave birth to her. Then Jill said "But now the weight will just come off because you're happy." It struck me then that today's the first time in more than 10 years that I'm honestly happy.
Wait, let me explain. Yes, I was happy on the days Nicholas and Meghan was born. Yes, I was happy when I was offered the great job that I currently have. Yes, I was happy when Josh rode on the skyliner with me at Summerfest and when he danced with me at the Jessica Simpson concert. But those are specific times that I was happy, and each event has a clear start and end time.
10 years is a long time to be unhappy. There were so many things I was going through, so many ideals I thought I had to become or live by. And it's funny. I've been in better situations that I'm currently in. I used to earn more money than I do now. I drove a much better car than I do now. I had cable television. I wore MAC makeup, and Ann Taylor clothes. But I wasn't happy.
Today, I am happy. I have two wonderful children. I have a challenging and fulfilling career. I have my salvation.
Some things haven't changed - I'm still about $25,000 in debt. BUT I have a budget and I'm actually sticking to it. Budget, schmudget. It's doesn't mean a thing if you don't follow it. I was pretty depressed last week when I made my budget, but I'm sticking to it, and you know what? It really isn't that hard. And the stress is gone. The anxiety and worrying about what bill to shortpay in order to pay another bill because I spent $100 at WalMart on milk. You know � you go to WalMart just to buy a gallon of milk, but wind up filling your cart with everything else, including the kitchen sink, because they've "rolled back" their prices. It's amazing. I know exactly how much I have, and exactly where it's going. There's no need to double check my online statement to see what cleared, to see if I can "float" a check for a couple of days. Never again!
I love my job. I do exactly what's needed and a little bit more. If I don't want someone to know something, I just keep my mouth shut. No one needs to know about Kevin. No one needs to know about the great people at LindenGrove. No one needs to know about Josh. What did you do this weekend? How's your kids? Smile, nod, and keep walking. I can have a great working relationship with everyone, but no longer feel the need to spill my guts and watch it spread around the office like wildfire.
My life is pretty simple. I take care of my children and I go to work. I don't need to be supermom and volunteer for every single activity at school or buy my children all the latest and the greatest in toys and clothes to feel like I'm a good mom. I do the best I can - and I'm happy.
posted by michelle at 1:50 pm :: make me happy