Friday, December 28, 2012

Progress and Positive Attitudes

We’re improving! Both of us. Yesterday she got caught ‘sneaking’ candy from the pantry. She accepted responsibility for her actions rather than denying what she was doing. Then she accepted the consequences of her actions. First time! Then she was a very good girl the rest of the day, and today, too! We shall see how long this lasts. :) Positive attitudes!
I do have her weaned off of Disney channel, now she LOVES The Cosby Show! I’m so OK with that! I love that show – and it shows true family values and Bill Cosby is one of my all-time favorite role models! Not to mention funny as heck!!
So, tonight we’re watching The Cosby Show and enjoying some quiet time at home. It is nice. She’s not completely out of control today. I’m feeling confident that we will continue to improve!
Blessed Be!

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Settling In…

Well, we are settling in. Slowly, but, we’re getting there. We went to my company Holiday party today. She spent 4 hours jumping in the bouncy house. F-O-U-R – count them – 4 hours!! I was so hoping when we got home she would be worn out. NO! I had to tell her multiple times to use her ‘indoor voice’. Finally she calmed down a bit when we sat in front of the TV (Computer) to watch some crazy Bratz thing. We will wean her off these horrible TV choices. Time limits! She can watch Discovery, History, Science – all those good channels – all she wants! Disney – Nickelodeon – NO!!!
Then we read the rest of our book and went to sleep.
She is getting better….
I’m getting better….
We have a long road ahead of us, but we will be OK. It will all work out!
With a little time and a lot of love, all things can heal!!

Blessed be!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Goodbye Sleep, Hello Stress!!

So, every one of you out there that are moms are laughing at me. I know it, you know it. So, just laugh it up! :) I cannot wait to get into a routine so I can actually get something done!!!!!
This girl is a handful! She has more energy than any human could possibly have, it’s like the Energizer Bunny! We have had our challenges, but we’re getting there. Today was a good day. A very good day.
There was very little attitude, and almost no argument. We had dinner, she ate well (finally) and had her ice cream for dessert. She loves the way I make her ice cream cones. We in the Wells family do NOT just put a scoop of ice cream on top of a cone, oh no, we get a spoon and FILL that ice cream cone up, stuff it in there, and THEN put the scoop on top! That way, you have ice cream all through your cone! She loves it. Of course, what kid wouldn’t??
A friend from work gave us a big bag of clothes – Don’Shel was ecstatic! She wanted to play ‘Fashion Show’, but we just didn’t have time. There is so little time in a day. With moving out to East Mesa, the commute to work is longer, so there is less time in a day to do things. I’m out of the house by 6:20am, and back to the house by about 5:30-6pm. She loves the before and after school care, and was grumpy last night because she had to come home.
There has been a HUGE outpouring of advice from just about everyone – thank you all! Some works, some doesn’t. Don’Shel is a special girl – smart as a whip – and can figure you out to her best advantage very quickly.
The best part of my day:
On the way to school this morning –
Don’Shel – “What are those other two holes under there?”
Me – “Under where??”
Don’Shel – laughing hysterically – “You said UNDERWARE!!!!”
Such a perfect 8 year old moment – which is great for a child that hasn’t really been an 8 year old!

Friday, December 7, 2012

Serious Crazy New Beginings!!!!

Wow! I can't even express my overwhelming appreciation for, well, everything & everyone!!! I knew my friends & family were awesome, but these last few weeks have shown me a side of everyone that brings tears to my eyes!!

Don'Shel is asleep in the room next door, and I realized today how amazing she is! She is afraid of cats, but we talked and I showed her a book on cat behavior, she read the book (mostly) and is showing a real interest in learning & overcoming her fear.

She was very helpful with packing and loves to play the jokester.

Moving tomorrow is scary & sad, yet exciting & fun. She will miss her friends & her foster family, but is happy to be in her forever family. All normal stuff!!

It won't be long before she starts to really show her "true" self, and when that happens I will know she is comfortable!!!

So many people have offered help and support! When I started this, it was the most logical way for me to "have" a child. I didn't really think of it as anything special. After the way so many people have responded, it makes me pause and really THINK! It started as a selfish "I want a kid" thing and has morfed into a "I want to give THIS kid a real loving home!"

I realize that this isn't going to be sll sunshine and rainbows, but won't the immense positives outweigh the silly little negatives???

I think that is what life is all about!

Blessed be!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

A New Chapter…and a New Face…

Friday at about 2:30 pm, I received some very good news. As many of you know, I have been working with the foster care system to adopt a child. On Friday, I was chosen as the forever family for an 8 year old girl.

I am excited, yet terrified! We both have quite a few challenges ahead of us! I was hoping that she would be with me by Thanksgiving, but it looks more like it will be the new year. We will spend time together and get to know each other during that time. I will meet the adoptive mother of two of her siblings, as that relationship will definitely continue. I will learn her personality, her likes and dislikes, her specific challenges due to her past abuse, and most of all, learn how to be a mom! After years of not wanting to be a mom, and then believing that I’d never be a mom, here I am – I’m going to be a mom!! It feels a bit strange – and quite unreal.

On Friday I get to go meet her CPS case worker and ask any question I have about her. Then I have 48 hours to decide if I’d still like to adopt her. I can’t imagine a reason that I would say no, as she doesn’t have any challenges that cannot be overcome. With the loving family I have and the strong base that my parents gave me, I see no challenge that we can’t overcome together!

I know that there will be times that I will be frustrated and aggravated, as I’m sure she will be, too. But, isn’t that part of being a family???

Blessed Be!!

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Choosing Associates - How We Learned...

As many of you have noticed, I am very picky and choosy about who are my 'friends' on Face Book. I only choose those that are actually people I care about - friends and family. I don't let anyone and their mamma become my 'friend' on FB.

With that in mind, I was going through my friends and thinking on how I remember a few from way back when we were younger, and who they are today. I noticed that more than I realized are now in same sex marriages. And that got me to thinking (after a post from a friend about people speaking about gay lifestyles) about how it is that people choose their friends and associates.

Me in particular - how was I taught to choose? When I think of my childhood, the prominent teacher and disciplinarian was Mom with Da in the background. Then I think specifically of how we were taught to choose our friends and it becomes Da in the forefront and Mom in the background. These were things that Da taught us by example, not by lecturing which was Mom's chosen method! Da taught us that these are the most important and best ways to act:
• Always have integrity and honesty
• Your word is your bond - never break it
• Work hard - even if you don't like the job, always do your best
• Treat people fairly and with respect - never cheat a person
Then I realized that these qualities were ones that he not only taught us to have, but to look for in people. I believe in Da’s quiet way, he taught us that these were qualities that a person can choose to have, or choose not to have, therefore choosing your friends based on this is right and proper. The underlying message is that one shouldn’t choose their friends for things that the person cannot choose to have or be. You can’t choose, no matter how hard we may try, who you’re attracted to or who you love, you can’t choose the race you’re born into. With that in mind, why do people use those reasons to choose their friends?
One reason I’ve noticed is religion. Well, I say BULL SHIT on that! Jesus Christ accepted and loved everyone – whore and leper alike. He loved and forgave Judas; He loved and forgave the people that crucified Him. So – that example is that we love everyone. Didn’t He teach love, acceptance and tolerance? So, if you are using religion to hate, reject and shun anyone – no matter who they are – aren’t you just playing into the Devil’s hands???

Blessed Be!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

First Day on the Job...

So, today was my first day on the job. Yup, boring. Can anyone tell me of a first day they had that wasn't boring?? I only worked 6 hours. But, trust me, I'll make it up. They have OT there like crazy!! So, for the next few months I'm going to be working up a storm, and making plenty of money to go along with it! :)

It was wonderful to see people that I haven't seen in years. Things are different, but that is a challenge for me, and I like it!

So, I'm going to go watch a movie, eat dinner, talk to a few friends, and get ready to get up at 5:30 am to get to work at 7am.

I'm such a baby.

Blessed be!!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

New Job...

I got my offer letter officially today from Source Refrigeration and HVAC, and I start my new job tomorrow. I will first start out in their dispatch center helping get it all fixed up, and helping out during the hot season. Then I will move over to Customer Account Specialist, taking care of Safeway, I hope. With my experience and knowledge of Safeway, it would be a terrible waste if they didn't take full advantage of that! :)
So, tomorrow I start a new chapter in my career. Onwards and upwards. I'm very excited and can't wait. I was very stagnant at Safeway, was so afraid of change (which is strange for me) that I didn't bother to look around for options. I was there for 7 years 8 months - the longest job I've ever had in my life. I won't make the mistake again of not keeping options open. I will keep an eye on all kinds of things, keep my options open, keep networking with people that I not only genuinely like, but would love to work with. Loyalty to a company is all well and good, but if there is no chance of promotion, then it is not the place for me. I am still loyal to Safeway, and will continue to shop there, but I need to go further in my career. I love refrigeration and HVAC, supermarkets in particular, but staying at the same job doing the same thing for years on end is not where it’s at anymore. At least not for me. I have been making some big changes in my life, and this is just one more.

I’ve always been a late bloomer!!

Blessed be!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Junk

I've been trying to organize around this apartment during my week and half 'vacation'. I have boxes of stuff that I just have no where to put, but I just can't get rid of it. I hope to someday have a house where I can use/display it, but that is a little further in the future.
So, I'm getting all frustrated trying to find places for the stuff.
And trying to put up a ceiling fan. I just can't seem to find the stinking studs. Same problem I have in real life - studs are never to be found when you need them.

:)

Blessed be.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Career Changes...

So, I have officially resigned from Safeway. I am no longer an employee. Seems that was not a good fit for me. So, now I am currently working on another opportunity - and it is looking very good. I tried to get Safeway to allow me 2 weeks to train someone new, but they would have none of it. So, currently unemployed, but not for very long. Maybe a week or so.
I'm so excited - this new position (which I will give more info on when it is all said and done) is more money, the work is more suited for my strengths, and I know the people and the business. I'm very excited!!!
So, to help shed a little more light on my vagueness of yesterday - here it is.

More to follow...I promise!!

Blessed Be!!!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Sunday, July 15, 2012

New Beginings, again...

Sometimes events in one's life occur that cause one to be forced into actions and decisions that one has been very reluctant to make. I think it is the Universe telling you, or your subconscious, to move on - change - adapt. It is currently happening to me, at this very minute, and quite frankly, I am going to be happy about it.

So, onto other subjects:
Yesterday the family went to Mom's to celebrate my niece’s birthday. We did as usual and played games. We have been playing Balderdash for years. I bought it at the thrift store years ago, and we love it. After playing with three people - which is terrible by the way - we were putting it away and I took the stuff out of the box to organize it. Come to find out - there are directions and a game board that goes with it - we have been playing it (mostly) wrong and without the game board for YEARS! Definitely something to giggle about.

Oh, and will someone tell my sister that there are no Deer in Antarctica???

:)

Blessed Be!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Good Friends vs Friends...

So, I've been away from the computer for a few days. Decided to just take a break. Plus, the other day I went out with my friend David and didn't get home until very late. He is such a great guy, and a good friend.
Since I can't think of anything else plucky to say - here are some quotes I stole from others!

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. ~Albert Schweitzer


A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they're not so bad. ~Arnold H. Glasgow

If a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it. ~Edgar Watson Howe

You can always tell a real friend: when you've made a fool of yourself he doesn't feel you've done a permanent job. ~Laurence J. Peter

Blessed Be!

Monday, July 9, 2012

Monday...

People are always talking about how difficult Mondays are. How it is so hard to get back into work after the weekend. I disagree. I don't want to get back into work any other day, either.

:)

Blessed be.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Freedom of CHOICE.....

I realize that the topic I chose today is a very touchy and very personal topic. So, please note that I am writing what my personal opinions are – not what I think everyone else should think. I’m a firm believer that everyone should investigate a topic and come to their own conclusion.
Abortion is an extremely personal topic. It is something that should never be taken lightly, weather discussing or deciding on a course of action. I don’t want to get into the political, religious or cultural ideas of the subject.
Look around you – how many parents do you see where you say to yourself, “That person should never have had children!” Take that number and (in my opinion, conservatively) multiply that by three. If women did not have the option of abortion – then we would have that many more children that are being neglected or abused. On September 30th, 2010 there were 408,425 children in foster care in the US. (Foster Care Statistics, 2010 – Child Welfare Information Gateway Children’s Bureau/ACYF).
I disagree with abortion as a birth control – but I whole heartedly agree that it should also be a woman’s choice. If that choice is taken away, then how many more children will end up in our over worked, underfunded system? We need to spend more time and money trying to take care of the children that need our help now.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Story...

I didn't write anything yesterday because I have been working on a story. I wanted to post the beginning of it here, but I'm a bit apprehensive. It is a bit fluffy - as I've been reading books of fluff - but it is fun anyway. Plus, what if one of you realizes how awesome it is, steal it, publish it as your own and get loads of money and never share a dime with me??? :)
Anyway - tell me what you think about me posting a bit of it here - a little bit as I go along writing it. I'd love to know if you'd like to read a bit of fluff authored by yours truly.

Blessed be!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Social Media

I was thinking about how communication has changed so drastically over the last 20-odd years. I was seeing some of the things that the younger kids post on Facebook and thought, “Really? You’re posting that???” Then I got all upset thinking they shouldn’t be doing those things, yaddy, yaddy – old person thoughts! Then I remembered that I DID those things, and probably worse, but here’s the BIG difference – I didn’t tell the world (or my mother) about them. I did them, I got caught once in a while, but I didn’t tell the world. Or even my little part of the world.
So, I guess the motto today is this: Do it, don’t get caught and don’t tell the world!!!!

Blessed Be.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Uninspired

Well,even though it is the 4th of July – I am completely uninspired.  I read the Declaration of Independence to see if I could get inspired. Nope.
So, I’ll just say one thing today.  We are independent people, which mean that government should not dictate our personal choices. We have a right to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.  No one should dictate how that comes about, as long as in pursuing these rights we do not hurt ourselves or others.

"And it harm none, do as you will.”

Blessed be.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

The Beauty of Nature

Since I spent yesterday on my trip with Mom to the Petrified Forest, I didn’t get to write in my blog.  No biggie – I’ll cover it all today.
So – today’s topic will be nature, specifically the Petrified Forest.  The pictures I post on Facebook will not come close to what I see in my mind’s eye.  This is part of why photography sometimes frustrates me.  I want people to be able to see what I see, and the photos do not give what I saw justice.
The colors, the vastness, the absolute beauty of the area was breathtaking.  Imagine being the first person to ever set your eyes on such a site?  Imagine being the first person ever to stand on the edge of the canyon and look across and see for hundreds of miles.  The only sound is the wind and the ravens cawing to each other.  You see a lone hawk in pursuit of its pray; a darting sparrow. 
Standing on the edge of the canyon at the Agate Bridge area was like being the only person in the world.  The immenseness of the view and the wind enveloping me in a cocoon of isolation was peaceful and humbling.  I could have stood there for hours.  I had not felt that close to nature and a higher being in years.  I didn’t want to leave.  I wanted to sit on the edge of the rock, close my eyes and just listen.  Listen to the silence.  Yet, it wasn’t silent.  My ears filled with the sounds that only nature can produce.  The whistling of the wind through a small crack in the rocks, the baby ravens in their nest begging their parents for food, the wind – the constant wind. 
Obviously my favorite spot was the Agate Bridge!  While looking at the beauty of all the stops we made along that 30 mile road through the Petrified Forest, I thought about how nature created such sights.  How the wind and the rain caused the limestone to literally melt, while the hard shale and petrified wood stubbornly resisted such destruction.  The white sands of the limestone glowed in the sun, almost blinding me and in the middle of that, a petrified tree.  The contrast between the two a poetic description of life.  Will we just melt when rough weather beats upon our heads, or will we stubbornly refuse to be beaten? 
The colors I saw while looking across that vast expanse of land will never quite be captured in my photos – no matter how hard I try to photoShop them to match what I saw.   Maybe I just see life as more colorful than it really is???  What a beautiful thought.

Blessed Be

Sunday, July 1, 2012

In the Begining.....

I very much enjoy writing and talking, so I decided to take those two things and put them together and start a blog.  I'm not sure exactly what will be the subject most days, but I do plan on writing something every day.
Today I think the subject should be something about the beginning.  Beginning of what?  Beginning of life on Earth?  Nah, too deep...:)  How about the subject of the beginning of the changes I decided to make in my life?  Yea, a little less deep! 
In December of 2010, I turned 40.  It was a turning point in my life - a change in my attitude and what I wanted from my life.  I stopped thinking about what I didn't have, started thinking about the things I did have.  A great family, good friends, a job, home, car, food, animals....love.  I stopped constantly thinking about the money I didn't have, the man I didn't have, the kids I didn't have.  With that thought in mind, I changed how I decided to get those things.  I started working toward getting certified to adopt a child in the foster system.  I'm certified and waiting on a child that matches up to me.  Being a single woman, that is difficult, but that is another subject for another day.  I started thinking about what kind of person I wanted to be. Did I want to be a negative person always thinking about what I don't have, how other people bother me because they don't think the way I do?  No.  Absolutely not.  I pride myself on being open minded and accepting people for whom and what they are, so it was time to act on that pride.  Everyone has their strengths.  When I started to see the strengths in people, I started to forget what their weaknesses were.  Trust me, it's not always easy, especially when you have people that like to just THROW their weaknesses in your face - CONSTANTLY!  But, seeing my strengths and almost ignoring my weaknesses caused me to start to bring those strengths to the forefront.  I want people to see my strengths - my positivity - my joy of life.  I don't want people to see my insecurities and my uncertainty.  Yes, I'm sure the people close to me will always see that - as it should be.  But the world needs to see my joy...  So, I've decided to love myself - as I am.  This then caused a chain reaction in me - if I love myself so much, then why don't I do things that show myself how much I love myself?  (Say that 5 times fast!)  Weight loss.  First thing - do I love myself enough to WANT to get healthy?  To look healthy?  To stop putting food in my mouth that is bad for my body?  Do I love myself enough to start eating foods that will allow my body to heal itself, to function in the way it was designed to function?  Maybe I won't have so many migraines; maybe my menstrual cycle won't make me feel like ripping my ovaries out each month (sorry, personal there, but you get the drift).  Maybe I will generally feel BETTER.  Like getting up in the morning and doing some yoga?  Maybe like taking a trip to Flagstaff with Mom rather than sleep my entire 5 day vacation.  Maybe like keeping my apartment clean, and taking longer walks with the dog.  Maybe like looking outside in 110 degree weather and seeing things that are beautiful, rather than just seeing that it is hotter than a bitch out there.
So begins my journey to a better me.  I'd love to have a picture on Facebook that has me saying, "Wow, you look pretty good!" rather than one that has me saying, "OMG!  I'm such an ugly heifer!!!"  My goal is 160 by October.  I have 25lbs to go.  Since I've lost 19 in 7 weeks, I think I will have no problem.  But, I do not want to say, "OK, you have 9 weeks to lose 25lbs!"  I want to give myself a chance to enjoy myself while still losing weight. Like having an ice cream cone at Mom's yesterday.  I don't want to stop enjoying myself.  I must realize that veggies and fruit ALL the time can get boring and cause burn out, then I will fail.  An ice cream cone once in a while isn't going to cause me to fail.  And ice cream cone every day, yes that will cause me to fail!  Moderation - isn't that what our mother's always tried to teach us.

Blessed Be.