Stuff...

So, here it is January 18, and I am writing my first post of the year. I could use the excuse that I am busy and stressed... but since my last post was in November, I am right on target for my blogging style...nonexistent.

What can I say though... it is 18 days into the new year and 2010 kind of sucks so far. Two major medical issues have happened with extended family members. I'll just do a rundown to catch up.

On Dec. 30, my father in law suffered a fall at work and now has what is termed a TBI (traumatic brain injury). He has lost most of his memory for people, places and things. He is home and able to do things like dress and feed himself. He can read and is accepting of what he is told for the most part, and little memories have come back. It is sad to see and have conversations with him sometimes... I just can't imagine the heartbreak that my mother in law felt when she walked into the ER and they had to tell him that she was his wife. He is in rehab though, and prognosis is good...and each day that passes brings more hope.

And 5 days ago, my 39 year old sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. Not many details are known yet, she is undergoing testing to find out exactly what type, stage and everything else that they need to know to begin treating it. It is aggressive and she has an 8 mm lump in her right breast. After the initial shock has worn off.. she has a great attitude about it.. no matter what has to happen in terms of treatment, "death is not an option". So they are finding out whatever they can that can be done, and putting everything in God's hands, as it should be.

So, prayers for my family and Jim's... it has left us all emotionally drained.

And, the normal stresses at work and all.... but that is nothing new.

On a positive note, I bought some material to make myself something... I will post about the details later.

I am going to make Jim a gift for his birthday... he has been complaining that I have not made him anything.

T got all her spelling words right last week. Yay!

J has been doing well sleeping in his bed all night..(hope I didn't just jinx it....)

And, I actually participated in one of the Smartypants Quizzes on The Pioneer Woman and am hoping that I am eligible to win one of the Amazon giftcards ... there are a ton of books that I want. I have been following her blog for a while and decided to try a quiz. I hope I got the answers right.. there were quite a few that I actually knew.

It's back to work tomorrow for me... my vacation in February can't come quick enough.

Highs and Lows

It has been such a busy week and since I am not the greatest blogger, I failed to even write about what all was going on. So I guess a rundown is in order....

Highs
1. Jim and I celebrated our 8th anniversary on Tuesday the 1st of September. It is hard to believe that we have been married 8 years.. it has gone by so fast. Come October, we will have been together 16 years. There have been ups and downs, but that happens in any relationship. I consider myself very blessed to be married to the love of my life.
2. After posting the above on Facebook I had lots of well wishes of course... but the best was from my Mother-In-Law who posted that 8 years ago she gained a wonderful Daughter-In-Law. She is the best MIL anyone could have.
3. I closed a case for a client who was turning 18 this week... she started with me 5 years ago and went from an actively suicidal, depressed cutter to a lovely young woman, who has goals and visions for her future. It was the very first case that I ever have worked with exclusively that has been successful. I wish her the best of luck for her future.
4. Jim received a promotion at work that he has been working toward for quite a long time, he is now the branch manager of the Redford Location of the Harry J. Will Funeral Home. I am so proud of him.

Lows
1. Some sleep issues with Jay this week, some nights getting him to go to bed is a struggle. Once he is asleep is it not so bad, he generally sleeps all night unless he has night terrors.
2. Money issues as always.... it sucks to be barely making it some weeks.... hopefully Jim's raise will help ease that a bit.... and allow us to save a little.
3. Work is crazy busy as always lately.... and they keep adding more stuff for us to do. I seem to be always behind and it is stressing me out.

But all in all, it has been a great week. :)

Work in Progress....

Got lots of things on my plate right now... but it is mainly work that is increasingly stressful. This is T's last week of school... I can't believe her Kindergarten year is almost over. I am working on a couple of tote bags for her teacher and her SLP... I have them cut (well...almost, I need to cut the straps tonight). and I will start sewing them tonight. They shouldn't take long.

I have some UFO's that I need to work on over the course of this week and a baby gift I need to cut out and start. I also have a post I am working on about my sewing machine... I just need to get a pic of my machine for it.

Tomorrow is Jay's 3rd birthday and I want to set up a post for that... including a pic of the shirt and cake I made him for his party.

Busy, busy, busy...that is me these days...