Well, you all must have thought that I fell off a bridge or a mountain or a ski lift, but I did not!  I took a sabbatical...my computer didn't cooperate, and it's tough using my kids' computers because I am just "borrowing" from them, nothing is mine.  It is still that way.  I have vowed until I have stripped the floor and refinished it in my computer room (aka my "Sanctum Sanctorum") I will not buy a new computer.  Let me tell you, I have found other things to do -- yes, there IS a life OFFLINE (time to get out the xanax or ativan).

 

So, my idyllic version of Christmas was quickly spoiled, the kids went ahead and opened ALL their presents without me, announcing that they didn't open my one present under the tree.  It hurt sooooooo deeply that they felt it was ok to go ahead and open their presents (I was upstairs waiting for Colin to wake up folding laundry).  I had no idea whatsoever that they had decided to just go ahead.  This is the FIRST (and prayerfully ONLY) year that I missed them opening their gifts.

 

I have done a lot of work on my house, some days doing a lot, but many days doing nothing at all.  There are up and down days, but all of them are spent with Christ, I assure you!  We have cleared out a lot of the junk in my house.  It took many years for items to become junk. 

 

Junk doesn't happen overnight.   Junk is like cheese:  it needs to age.  In 1994 it was that beautiful dish we put the cranberry sauce in at Christmas...in 2007, with a chip in it, and not having been used since 94, it becomes junk.  My youngest is now 11...the baby toys that were not salvageable are now -- you got it--- JUNK.  My town has a quaint habit...if you don't want it, don't want to throw it out, and too lazy to have a yard sale -- put it out by the street and offer it up.  If you find the item still there a few days later, put a sign out that says "Free" -- it will be gone in 20 minutes.  I came home today from work and found a gentleman scooping up all the stuffed animals I had put out there.  Best wishes to ya, buddy.  Enjoy!

 

Work is wonderful but my hours are long.  Today I was able to escape early and got some sanity time.  I am now "DSL Support" for New England.  I truly love my job.  Very few can say that and I know I am just blessed ooooodles by God for this opportunity.  I enjoy each day because who knows what the next day may bring?  Companies come and companies go...as do positions and "regimes"...I may be back on the phones in November...but for now I will praise Him for this opportunity -- and if I am on the phones again?  I will praise Him for blessing me with a job!  I can't lose for the winning!

 

Must tell all -- I was blessed last month to take a road trip, first one as a single mom.  My daughter was on a town trip to Washington DC so I packed up Cuyler and off we went -- 1st to see G in her beautiful state and home -- got to attend her church with her.  May I say?  Her church made me feel as if I had always attended...God's love mightily in action!  But then again, G and Himself didn't make me feel like a visitor -- I felt like I BELONGED.  What a gift they gave us!  Yummy roast beef, awesome potatoes, good conversation and no awkwardness in the quiet times.  It was AWESOME!  We then proceeded to visit my beloved friend James in West Virginia (oh so good to see him again, words cannot describe!) and we also met up with some people that I consider dear friends but have never met in person!  What a great visit!

Cuy and I then went to Hershey, PA and did the chocolate world thing -- then on to Mystic CT where we had a great time but NEVER EVER STAY at the Howard Johnson's, Mystic, CT !!!!!!  It was atrocious!  Mildew in the bathroom, non-working bathroom light, no coffee, a big tornado blower put in our room in error, and when the front desk said in her perky sit-com voice, "A call to the front desk would have taken care of it!" I reminded her that our phone also didnt work!  I am not sure which was more irritating -- the room or Heidi at the front desk.  Well, here is a prayer that God's Holy Spirit moves in her one day and shows her the real world and shows her what compassion is. 

 

Then we came home!  It was wonderful -- just the two of us on a road trip we will never forget!  We are hoping to head down to WV on Memorial Day Weekend -- we'll see what happens!

 

It is hard to condense the first part of 2007 into one entry...as I think of things, you may find me commenting on events in Feb or April, what-have-you. 

 

May you all stay blessed.  Remember, with God, failure is never final -- His grace and mercy have proven that to me this year.

 

LOLS