My family has a foot fetish. Not in the twisted “I get turned on by the sight of toes” fetish, but the kind of subconscious fascination with them. I was lying in bed (where my feet issues show up) and started thinking about how this was true for all of my family.

For instance, Ducky plays with one foot while she reads. We didn’t even realize she did this until she was like 11. One day she got up from the couch where she had been reading for several hours. As she walked in the kitchen I noticed she only had one sock on. I asked “what happened to your other sock”. In complete surprise she looked down to realize that she did indeed only have one sock on. (OK, let me interject a question here – how do you get up and walk around and not realize your not wearing two similar things on your feet?). After this incident we began to notice that whenever she was reading, she would get up with one bare foot, the other usually still encased in a sock, and often a shoe as well.

The other day LadyBug was on the couch reading — I looked up and realized while she was reading she was mindlessly stuffing the tip of her belt into the top of her boot. I’ve seen LadyBug get up with only one shoe too — but this was weird. I asked “What are you doing???” She looked up- completely unaware — pulled the belt out of the top of combat boot and defensively said “Nothing” while blushing. Five minutes later, she was engrossed back in her book, and the belt was working it’s way down to her ankle.

Hubby used to have a weird habit of putting  the back of my foot, right above my heel in between his big toe and the second toe. He would do it while we were going to sleep. I say used to, because I have my own foot issues and that was not at all comfortable for me, so I finally broke him of that. He may do it to his own feet now, I have no idea, and frankly, I think I’m better off that way.

For myself, as I’m drifting off to sleep, I often rub my feet together. I catch myself doing this all the time. I also will bend one knee and cup the other knee with the bottom of my foot, making a number 4 out of my legs, and maybe channeling my ballerina spirit – who knows. I also can NOT have anything on my feet while I sleep — I will subconsciously move away from the weight, which is how both the cat and the dog have learned to hog the bed. They know if they lay on my feet — I will move. I wake up crunched and twisted, while the animals stretch luxuriously at the end of the bed. My feet are working against me.

Question of the day:

What are your quirks?

It was so nice to catch up with everyone, well, a lot of everyones, but not EVERYone. But none the less, it was good to be home again. I do have a facebook, and a myspace, and a blogger account, but none of them feel as homey as xanga. It’s kind of like Cheers – you wanna go where everyone knows your name. So thanks everyone for stopping by and saying hello!

I’m still waiting to hear about the job in Sub Service. The manager called me at the beginning of the week to tell me about a long term sub job that might be more of what I wanted. I did follow up, but had already decided that the sub services job would be perfect. I let her know that today, and hopefully she will take that into account when she makes her final decision. Thanks for the good luck and the good job mojo you’ve been sending me – let’s see if it pays off.

Went to WW today — and sadly posted gains instead of loses. I knew that was a possibility, as I decided not to worry about it over the holidays. I’m back on track now and looking to make some significant improvements! It still doesn’t account for how my new jeans got so darn big — but since I’ve been pretty much on track the last week and 1/2 or so, maybe I’ve lost some of the weight I gained over the holidays. Who knows. I think I need to invest in a scale for home so I can monitor my progress here as well.

Those of you that have been with me for awhile know that I typically do not make New Year’s Resolutions. Actually I usually make one – and that is to not make any resolutions – ha ha ha. This year I decided I would set some goals for myself – they include:

• getting healthy (eating right, working out, developing good habits, breaking bad ones etc.)
• getting a full time job
• work on long term goal of getting a classroom
• and spending more time scrap-booking, painting, photography, writing and any other artistic pursuits that interest me.

So, if you see me veering off track on these things please knock me upside the head and tell me to snap out of it! LOL

All right, so question for the day…

What are your goals for the upcoming year?

And finally, I will leave you with some more snowman humor, to brighten the cold winter’s day (or for those of us in warmer climates — just for a laugh!)

 Well let’s see how many of my true Xanga friends are still hanging around these hallowed pages.

Needless to say, I have once again been sadly neglecting my poor beloved xanga. I do miss it, but it’s hard to get back into the habit of blogging regularly. Until just recently, I was completely swamped with life. Two jobs, Christmas, visiting family, Bible study, book club, Bunco, Confirmation and all the other extras just really caught up to me and it was hard to find a minute, much less 20 to myself. I was lucky if I checked my email! Things have slowed down some and that’s good and bad, I’ll fill you in about that later.

Christmas was fantastic. It was low key and fairly tightly budgeted, but very nice all the same. We stayed home this Christmas, since we went to my folks for Thanksgiving and skiied with Hubby’s mom and sis after New Year. A Christmas at home was about all I could handle!

I had a job interview before I left with Sub Services. It is one of the departments in the district office. I would still be a sub, getting sub pay and no benefits, but I would be working everyday, Mon -Fri 8:00 – 4:30. I also had an interview for a 5th grade short-term position, but I knew I wouldn’t get that one as two student teachers - from that school, for that grade – had applied. One of them was the student teacher with the teacher retiring. Yeah. So whatever. I will find out about the sub services position this week and I am really hoping I get it. I think I’d like to spend the next year taking some professional development, working on my TESOL, and exploring my artistic side and developing that as well. My secret wish is to write a children’s book and illustrate it myself. Maybe it’s time to focus on that goal.  I think the sub services job will be the perfect job for just that. I could put in a full day, and not have to plan, grade or do any prep work in the evenings. There is one other possibility I need to check out, but I’m really leaning towards the sub services job, if they’ll have me. I think I’ll also take the year (they asked for a 1 year commitment) and get all my stuff together for the Archdiocese so I can apply there as well. So much thinking to do, too deep and involved for sure.

Super Cuts has reduced the hours allotted for receptionists to 10 / week. That’s not apiece, that’s all together. So needless to say, 5 hours a week isn’t doing me that much good. They still have me come in and close – this week it’s 4 nights, but that’s not much more and it’s a real hassle to go in for just 45 minutes or so. I’m thinking even if I get this other job, I might stay at Super Cuts, just because I get free haircuts and 40% off all products and services, even if I just work 1 hour a week. That would be worth it in the money it would save me for having my hair colored alone.  

The kids and hubby are good. Getting into mischief and all the other stuff teenagers are apt to do. Hubby and I were talking about how hard it’s been raising teenagers. As I’ve said before, having kids is not for the faint at heart. We were also lamenting the fact that they’ve grown so much. It would be nice to see that sunny smile of the 4 year old again, rather than the angry glare of an unhappy teen or the disinterested glaze of know-it-all teen.  And honestly, we get more smiles and laughter than the rest, but some days, it sure doesn’t feel like it. I continually pray for guidance, and for God to help my daughters on their path. And we just keep pluggin’ away. Like my dad always says, do something - even if it’s wrong. So that what we do.

I haven’t been to WW since before Thanksgiving, but I must be still losing. My new jeans that I just bought 2 weeks ago, are now too big. Which thrills me and pisses me off all at the same time. I can literally take them off without unbuttoning them. I JUST bought them! And believe me they were NOT like that when I bought them.  And this was the first day wearing them after washing them, so it wasn’t that either. So — I’m happy, and bummed. Hubby said he’d happily buy me a pair of jeans every week if I continued to lose weight. Well, that’s something at least! LOL

I have high hopes for this year. I think this may be the year things come together for us. We have certainly worked diligently towards that end! OK so I’ll leave you with a picture of my favorite Christmas present (which they gave to me weeks early so I could put it to good use!)

Question of the day: What was your favorite gift this year? (to give or recieve?)

I can’t believe that Christmas is only a week away. It ran up and smacked me while I wasn’t looking. I’ve been trying to catch up, but catching up is never easy. I’m baking, cleaning, shopping and wrapping. When I’m not crazy doing those things I’m working, helping the girls get their graduation or college stuff done, or participating in more enjoyable events like bunco, and bible study.

Monday night a storm came in a provided the girls with a snow day. No, we didn’t get a lot, but hey, it’s New Mexico – technically a desert, so they freak if there’s more than a dusting. Actually, the roads iced over and that was the big concern. The girls all went with friends sledding, snowman building and for general frivolity in the snow. Unfortunately, both Ducky and LadyBug were already getting sick, so wet cold snow fun did not really help. Ducky was quite ill yesterday, complaining of ear pain. For those of you reading my blog for some time, you might remember, we have had ongoing drama, trauma and excitement via Ducky’s MUE. (Messed up Ears). Since it’s finals weeks, both girls went to school anyway, and we took Ducky in after school for the shocking diagnosis of a severe ear infection — *gasp*. So she’s on a bunch of meds, Ladybug is feeling better after some rest and cold medicines. Unfortunately again for them, finals continue and they both still have to go to school again today. Poor babies.

Meanwhile – the hectic pace of last minute Christmas preparations is beginning to slow. I’m glad as this year especially I didn’t feel like I was getting to really enjoy the holidays.

OHH – OH! Forgot to tell you. My sister ended up coming up here to ABQ to get an amnio. They were concerned about several things. The results of the amnio were great and it looks as if it going to be a healthy baby boy! Woot for them!

Alright, I have tons to do before heading in to work today. Some final shopping, wrapping and as always the unending house cleaning. But I wanted to let everyone know I was indeed still hanging around! I’m going to leave you with some snowman humor, hubby sent me a bunch of these I’ll share a couple a day – they crack me up. Course, I’m slightly demented myself, so that’s no real surprise.

I’ll be back to visit and comment later on – hopefully this evening. Until then,

Question of the day:

What is your favorite snow day activity?

So last night I took the daughters to the midnight release of Twilight. We went to the 12:02 showing. Luckily, I didn’t have to work today – as I am an old woman and don’t recover well from late nights like that! We got home just before 3:00 and in bed by about 3:30.

The movie was AWESOME! As usual for a movie that follows a book, there were some disappointments. One thing I loved was the inside humor they put in many scenes that only those who read the books would get! Loved that! Yay for book readers! And there was just too much eye candy to process. It was a touch on the emo side for my tastes, but other than that – fantastic!!!

In other good news, even though I haven’t been a “good” weight watcher, I continue to post losses — woot me. I’ve now lost just over 25 lbs.

Along those lines…

Last week a very nice lady (and my new best-est friend ha ha) told me she thought I was in my twenties. In the past 2-3 weeks a total of 4 people have told me I don’t look anywhere near old enough to have a 17 and 15 year old daughter. One lady commented “you must have started really young”, when I told her not really, I had my first child at 23 she was literally astounded! That’s what I like to hear!! What ever I’m doing must be working ~ right?

Alright, I’m off to get ready for work and finish watching Rent with Ducky – have a great day everyone and an even better weekend! Hubby finally comes home this week end, and I’m off to boot, so I know mine will be good!

Peace

Out.

Question of the day:

What’s happened good in your life lately?

 Hello my Peeps!

So I could do yet another bullet list of the reasons / excuses I have for my continued absence, but instead, I think I’ll sum it up in one long run-on sentence. Let’s see, there is working two jobs, hubby gone back to HI for business (uh-huh, sure), an interesting bout with the flu that started the day hubby left (naturally) and spread through most of the house, extracurricular activities (many of which were missed due to the previously mentioned flu) and the endless parade of household chores, cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping. So. That about covers that. Moving on.

There are some strange things going on at work — SC I mean, because of course I STILL don’t have a real teaching job. Never the less, back to SC — strange vibes around there these days. The main office is in our face 24 / 7. Not sure what that is about, but I do know it’s getting on every one’s last nerve. Everyone used to be chill — got along great, no real problems. Now there’s a bunch of little hen pecking stuff going on. I hope it passes and we get back to work like a cooperative team, but I’m afraid it just may get worse. We’ll just have to see.

In other news : Tolkien said “not all those who wander are lost”. I’m afraid that LadyBug is however getting there. Please keep her in your thoughts and if you pray, your prayers. I know I went through this with Ducky at about this age, and I am doing all I can to keep her feet pointed in the right direction, but she is very stubborn, and very confident that she knows everything. So I keep plugging away, and praying. My sister is also in need of some good thoughts and prayers, as she has a fibroid cyst that is causing her some pain and problems in her pregnancy, so please keep her, the baby and her family in your thoughts and prayers as well if you could.

OK, on that note, I think I’ll shock my Kween and actually participate in a challenge, especially as it is one of my favorites:

Here are my three little Thankfuls:

1. A programmable coffee maker.

As many of you know, mine died about a month ago. I’m still using my cheap back-up from the storage room and it DOES NOT have a timer. Very sad to have to wait every morning for the coffee to finish brewing!!!

2. Outside Activities

Bunco, Book Club, Bible Study and anything else I can do that includes me interacting with others and sharing fun, food, thoughts and, as always, laughter. Doesn’t get much better than that!

3. Contact lenses

After months and months of going without, I finally got my new contact lenses a couple of months ago. I forgot how much I love contacts! No glasses, easy eye make-up application and I can wear my sunglasses outside instead of having to squint! Ohhh I love that!

I would be thankful if you would stop by the Kween’s site and read some more little Thankfuls! Or better yet, join us and write your own! 

Alright, question of the day:

What little thing are you thankful?

 So I’ve continued to be busy! I’ve been subbing and working SuperCuts — Bible study, working with the Confirmation class, and keeping up with book study etc. It’s been hectic. I stayed up late several nights in a row, working on costumes and doing things like that.

Ducky went as Madonna, and since she left early for school and then went straight to work, no pictures of her.

LadyBug went as Calypso. Her costume turned out GREAT! Loved it! She looked awesome!

The rest of evening was spent carving pumpkins. Although I carved one earlier in the day, the piece de resistance was my “Tribute to Poe”. Ducky, LadyBug and friends carved pumpkins a few days earlier. So with out further ado — the jack o lantern patch!

And the “Tribute to Poe”…

Awesome right? Loved it! I think I’m going to do MadamZephyrus did and by some foam pumpkins next year. That way I won’t have to toss my favorite creations! This one is one I would definitely do for a keeper!

In other news:

Ducky, Adopted daughter and two of their friends had quite a fright. They were at a park hanging out. Some guys that Ducky’s boyfriend knew showed up drunk and began fighting. A shotgun appeared – Ducky and crew were across the park when it showed up and they ran the other way. Another guy pulled out a lead pipe and hit the shot gun kid over the head a couple of times. They were fighting by the kids cars. The other kids ran off, Ducky’s boyfriend called 911, the other friend is studying to be an EMT so he started administering first aid. The police showed up, questioned everyone and then released them. A few days later the police showed up at school and interviewed all the witnesses — and told them they would probably have to testify in court. The boy with the shotgun is being charged with possession of a firearm and the other kid for attempted murder. Pretty frightening stuff.

I’m so glad T and M ( the guys ) were there. They remained calm and did all the right things, first telling the drunk kids to get away from them, running and hiding when the shotgun appeared, calling the police, administering first aid — and even staying calm through it all. Ducky was quite terrified by the whole situation, and is nervous at the idea of going to court, but otherwise both her and Adopted daughter are fine!!

So it’s been an interesting Halloween!

Hope everyone’s Halloween was awesome!

Today hubby and I headed off for a scenic drive in the Jimenz mountains. It was so good to get out for a day. Just the two of us. No work, no kids, no household chores, no pets. Just hubby, myself, the radio and the cameras. Of course we started off later than we would have liked and by the time we got where we were going the sun was in the worst possible position, so most of my pictures are washed out, but still we got a few good ones. Mostly it was just nice to be out in the majesty of God’s creation, enjoying the weather and each other’s company.

I really needed today.

So here’s a brief visual recap of our day.

First: Jimenz Pueblo — gorgeous canyon formations!

Next stop – Soda Dam — a natural damn occurring from calcium deposits. It had this cool little cave with a natural mineral springs in it.

The mineral springs and a view looking out towards the river.

Final stop: Battleship rock in the Jimenz National Recreation Area — again too much light, but gorgeous none the less!

See?? We get fall here too ~ !

So that was our day — full of hiking, talking, music and photography. A pretty good way to spend the day. Ducky was unfortunately working, and LadyBug is at a church retreat all weekend, so it was just hubby and I. A harbinger of things to come I think! And not just the fall colors!

I loved this area and we are headed back next weekend when I am off on Sunday. We plan to head out early in the morning and hopefully the light will be right for some really great shots. We also plan to stop at some aspen stands and get some shots of the great colors that we drove past, we just have to find the right road!

Question of the day:

Which road do you like to take?

ahhhh…..so sad to see a xanga abused the way I have been abusing mine. No new entries. No visiting and commenting. No pictures added or anything entertaining or amusing.

I guess I should be sent to xanga jail.

Sadly, not that much is going on. I have been subbing, and working at SC – that has kept me busy. Hubby was out of town, and I was working and doing the household stuff (no cooking much to the girl’s dismay). LadyBug’s birthday party came and went and was a big success. It was followed by some drama, which I think is past, but still don’t know exactly what happened.

It’s funny the difference between the two girls. LadyBug has always been extremely independent. While we have a good relationship – we don’t talk about the big issues as much as I would like. I sometimes feel like I have to drag every morsel of information out of her. I think it feels that way because Ducky has always felt like she could talk to me, and although I have had to drag stuff from her, and I know she still keeps stuff from me, she is fairly open and honest. That’s what makes LadyBug’s reticence so difficult I think. But like I said, it’s really just who she is. When she was like 3 and in preschool (where I taught and was with them all the time) her little friends would try the “if you don’t do this… we won’t be your friends” ploy. For instance, one day the three girls were playing and two of them wanted to play on the swings. LadyBug wanted to play on the monkey bars. They said if you don’t come swing with us we won’t be your friends. She replied “OK”. They headed off to the swings, thinking that LadyBug was going to comply – instead she turned towards the monkey bars. She had meant “OK – don’t be my friend”.  She soon got into a conversation with the little girl on the monkey bars and was quite content playing by herself. That’s how she’s always been.

Stubborn? Whew — you know it!! I just hope that she knows she can always come to me, with anything. I try to make sure the girls know that.

Parenting is tough. It’s not for the light hearted.

Right now it’s also getting expensive. Graduation is just right around the corner and the price of graduation stuff, senior portraits and all the little extra stuff is starting to really add up. Luckily we have 3 years to recover before we have to do it again!

I do have all kinds of pictures to upload — from homecoming, parties, zoo trip and all kinds of other stuff. I hope to get to this weekend. This week end is hubby’s birthday, so we’ll see what happens. I also am on a mission this weekend – to find a coffee pot! My coffee pot dies (oh tragedy of tragedies) and we’ve been making do with my back up – which is not a high quality one, it’s the one we bought as cheap as possible to get us through till our furniture got here. It definitely is lacking. I’m trying to decide between a dispense type or a thermal carafe type. Any suggestions? And not from ThisIsBullDookie – as I know what kind of coffee maker you have and can’t afford that right now! You coffee elitist! LOL

Question of the day:

How do you take your coffee? (I was going to put how do you drink you coffee, but figured some smart alec would say “with my mouth” – that’s what I would have said…)

PS — Hello to all my xanga friends! I’ve missed you and thought of you often. I’ll come by as soon as possible (I have to go get ready for work now – but I’ll be back!)

OK – so here’s the latest news.

• Went to T or C – cancelled the boat due to possible inclement weather, but loved the hot springs and thoroughly enjoyed the picnic with the family.
• No job yet, still applying. Found out that APS had a must-hire list and that list just expired, so here’s hoping!
• Friend of Ducky’s moved in with us. She was having a tough time of it. She’s a great kid, good grades, works, cleans up, doesn’t make any trouble. Heck she even cooks. Why problems at home you might ask? Sadly, because her dad and step mom found out she’s gay. That’s it. What is wrong with people?
• Hubby in Kauai for a much needed working vacation. He’s surfed everyday and sounds more and more like his old cheerful self every time I talk to him.
• I was made a regular at Bunco! Which now I’m really excited about since I finally got some dang buncos!
• Had the Book Club at my house. Did Italian food. It turned out great and really enjoyed having them all over. Of course the teens swooped in like vultures to a fresh kill to polish off the leftover – all the teens! Ducky, Ladybug, Thespian, and three others. LOL – at least I didn’t have to find room for leftovers….
• Ladybug turns 15 this month. Holy Cow. My BABY is fifteen.
• She’s getting her braces off on her birthday. How’s that for a birthday gift?
• Ducky’s best friend from HI is coming next month during their fall break.
• My best friend from FL is supposed to come for Christmas. I’m so excited ~ I can’t wait!
• Did I mention Ducky has a new boyfriend? I really like him, from what I had the opportunity to see. Of course the big drawback – he has a motorcycle. We finally gave her the thumbs up to go for a ride (after several weeks of her bugging us) and she came home looking like she just ridden her first roller coaster. Years sparkling, grin from ear to ear. Oh yeah. I’m in for now.
• Perhaps the biggest headline of the day – my sister (who is 2 years older than I) just found out she’s pregnant. She is slowly get acclimatized to the idea. It was quite a shock for her. The father has had testicular cancer and the doctors said he probably wouldn’t ever be able to father children. What do the know right? He of course is THRILLED. He’s 48 and has no children of his own, although he looks at my niece and nephew as his, he doesn’t have any biological children. My sister is thrilled – and terrified — and shocked — and appalled at the though of starting over at her age — and excited. She basically just cycles through all those  and then starts again.  I don’t even want to think about having to start all over again. Although these days it seems like the girls are just growing up way to fast. Every day they seem to get a little farther away. Even with that thought and my reluctance to let them go, I still don’t want to have to do night time feedings, diaper changes and teething all over again. Although I wish my sister all the luck in the world! And — I will change a few diapers for her. And do a few feeding (but not night time one, I like my sleep too much these days!

Alright, that’s just about all the news I’ve got. I think everyone is caught up. I’ll be back to comment and visit.

Question of the day:

would  you be up for starting over?