A really fun evening

This has been a crazy week at work. Having a short week, made everything a little nuts. We did make it through. We went ot a baseball game tonight. There ended up being 13 of us total - all from church. We had a lot of fun. It rained, but we still had fun. It is a nice cheap evening. Lots of fun, too.

Tomorrow Dean is going to go to the free clinic. Until we get insurance there is not much we can do besides that.

I was really sad today to find out the old camera shop in Shreveport closed down. It made me sad because it was a fun place to go. It made me really sad because I need my sensor cleaned on my camera. I was going to go have it done we go to Shreveport. Now I have to find someone else. There is no one in El Paso. I found someone in Las Cruces. I will call them and see if they are capable of doing it. I hope so.

wow offering to help surely makes one busy

I really like the job at church even if I do come home really, really tired. Today I did so many things. I certainly hope I did them right. The girl before me didn't do a lot for others. I offered to help the staff, and boy did they take me up on it today. It sure makes the day go quicker. I don't feel like I got some of my usual things to the point they should have been today. Tomorrow I will have to really rock and roll.

Eric finally got a call from walmart. He goes tomorrow for training. He'll be glad to have his own money.

It is windy tonight. One of those that shakes the house.

What a week

It has rained and rained- it is wonderful. That meant several very nice days. Today it was back to being hot. We have had a busy week.

On Friday night we had a very nice dinner with friends. We sat on their back patio and watched the sun set. It was a really nice evening visiting with friends. On Saturday, after the youth choir practice, we headed out to white sands again. We took the dogs and went in two cars. Eric drove Joy Anna, Lauren and Clay. We stayed until the sun set. It was so pretty. Right as we were about to head back to the cars, Ranger chased a little boy. Scared the boy, the dad yelled at the boy for running and acting a fool, the mom yelled at the dad for yelling at the boy. It was interesting.

Sunday was the youth service. The kids did an amazing job. They did all three services. After lunch JoyAnna just crashed. Sometime over the weekend I was surfing the web and accidentally got a virus in Dean's computer. He was so not happy with me. On Monday we went to Kelley's birthday party. Well, JoyAnna, Clay and I did. Eric and Dean stayed here and worked on the computer. After the party, Clay worked on it some more. Today it works better.

I am so very tired. This stupid yearbook is driving me crazy. I spend hours and hours. We still do not have a complete proof. Last night and today I got a few more confirmation numbers. Still waiting on one person who was doing some redos and finals for me.

Today was a long day at work. Hopefully tomorrow will go smoother.

Joy Anna is all upset tonight. The not knowing is really getting to her. She wants to make plans about college and such, but with us not knowing where we will go, it is just so hard on her. I guess I just didn't realize it was bothering her so bad.

monday on wednesday

Today was nuts. Work was fine it was just other things. I have been really frustrated with the yearbook company. I have sent several emails asking for proofs of what we have submitted. Took several weeks to get a response amd then it was not complete. I had asled the kids to resubmit all the pages. Today a board member called them all demanding they do it and send to her. The kids started calling saying she was rude. These kids have worked really hard and I don't appreciate them being treated poorly.

Very frustrating.

We are going to make some changes to the website at work. We also are ordering new software. They said I can't leave. If dean gets a job out of town he'll have to learn to cook for himself. It is nice to feel valuable.

Eric is home. He flew in last night. Ranger was really glad, but he is back to sleeping in my room tonight. He got his real approval, so now it is just a waiting game.

On a lighter and wetter note, it rained today. Not much, but it was nice to see. Of course, the rain makes the swamp cooler not put out as much cool. Oh well rain was nice.

Time flies when you work.

Seriously, it seems like the weeks are rushing by. In a way that is really bad. It just is hurrying up the fact that Dean's job is ending. We have had a really busy week. I spent a couple of nights just doing photo orders. I have had quite a few jobs lately. Unfortunately they are all homeschool kids, and I gave big discounts. Oh well. I sold a lot more than if I hadn't.

Last night, we had a big time. Dean, Joy Anna, Lauren and Clay met our friends Kim, Sidney and Bailey at the Diablos game. The teens had a good time even if they didn't sit in the the 3rd row seats we got for them. Next time, we will let them just sit in general admission and save a buck each.

Today, Lauren, JoyAnna and I went to graduation for the homeschoolers. It was very nice, but I am such a ditz. I was trying to get everyone's order ready and packaged. I grabbed my camera and didn't take a flash card- very dumb. One of the siblings was using a canon and was just using the on camera flash. I offered her my flash. She really had no idea how to use the camera, so she handed the whole thing over to me. I didn't realize how blind I was til I picked up a camera that was not adjusted to my eyesight. Wow what a difference.

After graduation, JA and Lauren had practice at church. Dean and I ran a few errands and then came home. I played around with Photoshop trying to learn to animate. I did it! It is so cool. Mark had asked me to try something for church. I have the better photoshop, so I played with here at home. It is so cool. I just need to figure out how to save a media file into a media that we can use at church. I will have to take it to church tomorrow afternoon and let Clay help me. It is crazy when I have to go ask a 16 year old to help me figure it out.

Tonight I was going to stay home by myself. I was actually looking forward to it. Dean had a ticket for the baseball game. He really wanted me to go, too. I decided to go ahead. It was so cold. I thought we were going to freeze. I finally went to Walmart to buy a blanket. The choices for blankets in El Paso in may are limited. I ended up with a disney one - fairies from the tinkerbell movie. Not a real manly blanket. The Diablos won, so that was cool. Now we are just trying to warm up.

good greif

For domeone uses and enjoys the web so much, I have failed miserably as the webmaster. I spent at least 4 hours - probably more on the website the last 2 days. Today was Wednesday and it slipped up on me. I didn't have the bulletins ready until late afternoon. Then I felt rushed.
We really need a new more user friendly website. I am researching. I am also researching how to animated type graphics in photoshop.

I am so tired. I am tired of fighting the bills. I don't have any idea how we are going to make it. The job is going to help, it is just going to take some time to catch up. I have to call some creditors this week. I hate asking for more time.I sold quite a few photos this month with minimal profit. At least some will be nice.

I didn't get to walk again tonight. Too many photo orders and other things. I have been trying so hard on my diet. I have been trying to make healthy choices. I have been doing the hot diet. You don't eat anything really cold or iced. Tonight I had a little bit of icecream. After nearly 4 weeks that was the first time. I haven't had a diet coke in that length of time. I think that is a record. I think my skin looks better. The scales don't say I have lost much, but my clothes are looser.I think I have more energy most days. I have to increase the exercise this week.

I really need for the house to sell or for us to find a renter. I really need for a bite on a job. Just a nibble would be awesome. Something.

Finally getting into the rhythm

Working has been different, but I think I am getting used to it. I am really tired by the end of the day. Thankfully, alot of the time, Dean gets home before me and starts supper. Tonight everything was ready when I got home.

I did make a couple of mistakes for Sunday- one was a doozey. I will do better this next week. Everything is set up for someone else's system. I have to make it mine. I have some perfectionist tendancies, and I don't like to screw up. Makes it hard to work some time.

With Eric gone, it has been hard to get JoyAnna to and from school. Last week her friend picked her up and took her. Today Anne and Jiggs were on this side of town, so they took her. She was so excited when she called me. She made a 97 in her English class. She was shocked. She really didn't think she had done that well. He dropped the lowest grades on quizzes and essays, but she would have still made an A. He told her he had enjoyed having her in his class. That was the shocker. She wrote all her liberal idea papers based on Christianity. She was surprised her grades were high because of that.

She has her final in dance on Wednesday. She and her friend have to dance a duet they choreographed. They had it down, but the teacher wanted them to use a prop. Now they have to redo using a hat. Tomorrow Janet is coming over to get it finalized. JoyAnna has a long long day tomorrow. She babysits from 7:30 to 5:45ish, play practice for youth Sunday from 6:30-7:30, and then dance practice.

Her friend is coming to spend the weekend. Dean is excited over the diablos season starting on Thursday. We are all going to go on Saturday night. Should be tons of fun. We are going to the homeschool graduation on Saturday, too.

Eric will be home in about a week. Then, he'll start his new job at Walmart stocking shelves over night. I feel bad for him, but it is all he has found.

We have started leaving the dogs in the house during the day. It is just too hot. They are doing really well. We just limit where they can go.

Sigh

I am tired. I am trying to conquer the housework. For so long there was just so much dirt coming in all the doors and windows, that I just got tired of fighting it. Last night and most of today I have worked on cleaning up. If we move, it will make packing easier. If we stay, it will just make life nicer.

Dean and I went out tonight. JoyAnna was having dinner and a movie with Clay. Kind of a bummer to be sitting there thinking that we really shouldn't spend the money. Maybe we shouldn't. Ok, we shouldn't. But sometimes we just need a break.

I have made it for three weeks with no diet coke. I keep thinking I am going to feel better. My skin looks better, but I still crave a diet coke every now and then.

Joy Anna and I went swim suit shopping for her yesterday. She is babysitting every week, so she has her own money to spend. She bought one on clearance at target, but we are going to take it back. We found a more modest one at old navy. She looks really cute. She says she is motivated to work out now. Swimsuits do that to you.

Dustin called tonight to tell me why Eric wanted to be there today. Dustin proposed to Kelsey. She said yes. Eric got to be there for today, but he won't get to be at the wedding. Just one a handfull of things he knows he will miss. He is officially going. He'll be gone for about 2 years. Ranger is doing ok. He loves us, so that is good. He does make every step I make.

He is so funny. Last night it was really cold in the night. That seems to be the only time the swamp cooler actually cools. When he gets cold, he comes and gets in bed with us, even though he is not supposed to do that. Last night, I put the down comforter down on the floor. He lay down, and I covered him with a beach towell. He snuggled in and went to sleep. Usually when I take a bath, he comes over and visits. Last night, he was just snuggling.

Dean needs to apply for some more jobs. I am getting nervous. Ok, I have been nervous. Trying to have faith. Joy Anna woudl like to stay until she graduates. I don't mind staying. I don't mind going. Just as long as Dean can find a good job.

Eric left today for about 12 days. I cried. Probably because I am selfish and hated for him to be gone. I know my time with him is short. With me working I don't get to see him as much. Once hbe starts working it will be less. It is only a little over 2 months before training for him.

Today was so hot. Even in the office. I so hope I am covering all the bases at work. I am really doubting myself right now. My self esteem is really low at the moment. I know I need to work. If I have to work anywhere church is a good place to be. Truth is I wish I had tried harder on photography. If I could do it as a job. Maybe this job is preparing me. If we move someplace I'll do it like a job. I'll make it productive.

We applied for some jobs that had good pay and a sign on bonus. A bonus would be nice.

I am not sre why we are going through all this. I'm ready to get passed it and be able to look back and say "ah ha".

Well now all 4 of us are gainfully employed. Eric is going to work graveyard shift at walmart as a night stocker. He will work 4 nights a week. There are a few things he wants before he leaves on his mission adventure. He would like a new day pack and a good camera. Those are things we can't afford to buy for him. Right now we can't afford much at all. Hopefully things will improve soon, but right now we are stretched so tight. I keep waiting for that pop like when a rubberband is stretched to tight.

I spent my entire lunch on the phone with the irs. That made for not a pleasant break today. Work is going ok, today I was a little scattered. I got a lot done, but just felt a little dicombobulated or something. Tomorrow is a new day. I am so afraid I will forget something important. I write everything down on a tablet and mark it off.

Tomorrow Eric is going to ride to Shreveport with Marie. He is going to stay a little over a week and get to talk at temple about his trip. He will come home on the 19th and then start to work.

Dean had a bad day today. He was accused of making a racial slur. He spent several hours trying to work it out. I felt bad for him.

time flies

I have worked a little over a week. We are making some changes, but I think it is going to work out fine. The pics from the weekend came in tonight. They ook great. I need to get them packaged and mailed.

JA had church tonight to get ready for the youth service. It is going to be really great. This is the performance they will do while on the mystery trip.

Eric is leaving on Thursday. He will get to see Nana B that night and spend the dauy with her on Friday. He is going to speak at Temple while he is gone. He needs churches committed to pray for him.

Joy Anna wants to surprise Megan for her birthday. She hasn't missed Megan's birthday since 1st grade. She doesn't want to start now. Too bad it is not a week later when we are there.

We are still looking for Dean a job. Time is running out on this one. JA would love to stay here, but nothing here has worked out. I wish we could stay long enough for her to graduate. She could get more time in at EPCC. No job means no stay. I hope $e working and the photo biz picking up woll help us catch up - at least make a dent. I think my stomach would feel better if so. It seems like every day or two something else comes up. Our renter is going to move out. Not sure how we are going to work that up, but we'll figure something.

Saturday

Today was more productive- I needed that. Friday was quite interesting. After work, I hurried down town to pick up the backdrop and stand for the spring formal. Got to the depot and started setting up. The backdrop was not solid black. One side had been painted and the paint bled through to the other side- great- a spotted back drop. It also had nothing to hold the backdrop onto the stand.

I had to go home and help JoyAnna get ready for the big night. I also had to change clothes. I left really early and missed Clay picking her up. I tried to salvage the backdrop, but there was no way. I was going to have to do a ton of post processing. Not fun. I got the lights set up and everything was ready to go- the lights worked great. Then, the lights decided not to work. Not good. I tried and tried. Finally, I decided it was not worth the effort especially with the backdrop not being right.

We moved outside and went on with the photos.

The kids had a lot of fun. I took a lot of photos and was really tired when I crawled into bed.

I had avoided cafeine for over 2 weeks. Last night I had real tea. Tonight I am paying for it with a horrible headache. It was so yummy at the time. Tonight it is miserable. Hopefully, I will wake up feeling much, much better tomorrow. After church tomorrow I have to roll out the rest of the yearbook in record time.