Thanksgiving Lessons and Blessings

I am truly feeling blessed today. Yesterday morning - not so much. Let me explain.

Yesterday was payday. Usually the day that people (like who me who live paycheck-to-paycheck) look forward to. Well, I'm grateful for payday, don't get me wrong. Without it..... well, I can't even go there. Anyways, I'm going through some major adjustments as I learn to live on one income. It is not easy, to put it mildly. I've cut back on almost every nonessential item and I've had to tell my kids No more times than I'd like. Christmas will be very light this year and I'll be one of those last-minute Christmas Eve shoppers for the first time in my life (I get paid on Christmas Eve).

Okay... back to the story. So yesterday morning I was feeling incredibly depressed. I've worked my budget a million ways and thankfully I would have been able to pay all of my bills.... BUT.... I'd then only have $10 to live on for the next two weeks. Well, we all know that is impossible. I need groceries and gas and lunch money for Paige and little things always pop up that are unexpected.

So after about an hour or so of stressing, I decided to tell myself "The Universe will take care of me." And it has. After making that mental adjustment I was able to rework my budget another time shifting some bills to next month and have some money to live on now! Whew! Great stress relief.

But now the good part... within an hour or so I get a surprise phone call from my sister, Lorie.
Me - What are you doing?
Lorie - Packing (sounding very sheepish)
Me - Packing for what? (sounding excited)
Lorie - to come to Kansas!

Hallelujah! I burst into tears. Lorie and her family (well part of them) are coming to Kansas for a surprise Thanksgiving visit. I haven't seen Lorie in a year and never met my baby nephew Jackson who is 9 months old now. I also haven't met my step-niece Brittany who is 13. I just cried on the phone with Lorie which of course meant she started crying... this is what we do to each other.

I just told her over and over what a blessing she gave me with that phone call.

So, I've had some amazing lessons and blessings for Thanksgiving and the day hasn't even started. I'm sure I'll be back with more.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Enjoy your day, enjoy your family, take time to relax and thank the world for your abundance.

An update of sorts

I've have a hard time blogging lately.  I want to get my thoughts out, but I've been overwhelmed with life in general, and I just can't get the words right.  But, I figured at least an update would do. 

1)  My Dad - He had a couple of scans last week, and the doctor came dancing in the room with the results.  His scans all appear clear of cancer.  The lumps he was feeling recently as the swelling in his legs decreased are just fluid pockets.  Speaking of the swelling.... he has been going to a lympadema clinic daily for weeks now, getting his legs wrapped with compression bandages from the foot to the hip.  Each toe even has to be wrapped separately.  It is a rather tedious process, but it is working!  His body is learning to flush itself of the extra fluids.  He has ordered compression stockings, which he'll wear daily for the rest of his life.  Hoping those arrive this week.   

2) Alaina - Alaina is pottying!  I haven't bought a pack of diapers in well over a week.  I declared this house to be diaper-free.  So, she can wear a diaper or pull up at bedtime and nap but all other times she wears panties.  She also spends quite a bit of nakie time.  I told her she could wear diapers/pullups at the babysitters and Daddy's house, but not here.  She transitioned well into that idea, and has begun using the potty at the other houses too. Yesterday she only needed one pullup at the babysitters because she used the potty all day.  I'm so proud of her and glad that we are making this transition.  

3)  Paige - What to say about Paige..... well she is in that tweendom stage that is so exasperating and energizing all at the same time.  We have those moments where we can't stand each other and have to be in separate rooms, and then the others where she can't wait to share with me all of the secrets and stories of her life, and just talks a mile a minute.  She brought home her progress report from school yesterday, and there are a few grades she could be working harder on.  I'm going to start requiring a little more effort on the school front.  

4) Chelcie - We talk to Chelcie every week, and I miss her dearly.  She is doing very well though - so I'm glad she is in the environment that she is.  Her grades are great - she is studying hard and really putting forth the effort it needs.  She will be turning 16 yrs old in a few weeks, and I just can't believe my baby is growing up so fast.  

5) My Mom - She is retiring!  December 31st is the official day.  I'm so happy for her to make this transition so she can enjoy traveling and all the crafts she loves.  My parents are planning to spend the entire month of February in Florida at my grandmother's house and are also crossing their fingers for tickets to the presidential inauguration in January.

6) The Economy - Wow... what to say.  It is taking its toll on so many, and the state government is no exception.  Work has been crazy as we look at ways to cut costs without hurting programs, a very difficult task.  And, for my personal economic issues... I'm planning on taking a second job very soon.  Still looking and trying to find one that will fit my schedule.  This paycheck-to-paycheck stuff is for the birds!

So, that is the general update on life!  Now that I've caught up, I might actually keep bloggin!