It's been a busy week with work and school. I am an expert folder at Old Navy. So far I haven't used my employee discount but that will probably change this week.
I have several tests this week in school so I'll spend loads of time studying. This is the last week of High School soccer for Chelsea so we should have a little more time together which will be nice.
This time of year is Stewardship season at our church, and many other churches as well. As I pray about how much I will be giving this year I decided to look at other options. I already give 10% of my retirement and disability to my church, and now that I have a job I will have some of that money to give as well. So I am giving via a website called www.kiva.org. It is a micro-loan site. It is designed to provide small loans to people in third world countries to start or expand a business. The smallest loan amount is $25. If you think about it, that isn't much money, but combined with loans from other people throughout the world it can add up quickly. The recipients pay back the loan, usually in 12 months. Then you get your $25 back so you can help someone else. You can loan to just one person, or to as many as you want at a minimum of $25 each. So I've decided that I will take one day's pay each month to help out people via Kiva, and then I will take one day's pay and help out a local organization. October will be for the Christmas Box house. My friend, Kelly, shared this quote in church this morning: Don't count your blessings, share them. So that's what I am going to do.
Yes, I am working at a low paying job, but it's to send my kid to Disneyland, not to pay the rent or put food on the table. My family is truly blessed with so many good things and great people. If I spend a few hours folding t-shirts or jeans in order to share my blessings with others, then I will do it with a joyful heart! I feel great already! And isn't that the funny thing about giving? Who actually feels better about it, the person who receives, or is it really the person who gives? Try it and see for yourself!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
I have a job!
I just got hired to work at Old Navy. I will work 10-15 hours a week, probably Mon, Wed. and Friday afternoons. That works out perfect for me and will give me some extra $ to pay for the extra expenses of having another teenager in the house and to pay for Chelsea's band trip to Disneyland and soccer trip to Hawaii. Plus I get a discount and they have some cute clothes right now.
This is me coming in for the finish at the Standard Examiner 10K. I am smiling but that is just because I knew my friend was taking the photo!
This is Eline with her date for the Homecoming dance. She got ready at a friends house and they came by just so I could take photos.
I wanted to upload some photos of Chelsea but for some reason this site won't let me right now, so I'll try to do that this evening or tomorrow. Now I'm off to school!
This is me coming in for the finish at the Standard Examiner 10K. I am smiling but that is just because I knew my friend was taking the photo!
This is Eline with her date for the Homecoming dance. She got ready at a friends house and they came by just so I could take photos.
I wanted to upload some photos of Chelsea but for some reason this site won't let me right now, so I'll try to do that this evening or tomorrow. Now I'm off to school!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
My 10K race!
I am so proud of myself for running my 10K race today! I exceeded all my expectations! I wanted to run an average 11 min/mile and actually ran 10:04 min/mile!! I also didn't want to finish last. I not only did not finish last, I wasn't even last in my age group! Today I am officially a runner, and NOT a jogger! I am just so happy it's hard to explain. I guess when you exceed one of your life goals it's a big day!
I'll upload a photo of the big finish when my friends email it to me. And speaking of my friends, I want to thank Bob and Carol for encouraging me, especially Carol. She told me over and over I could do it, said it like she meant it and kept on saying it until I believed it. She even told me I'd run faster than 11:00 min/mile and predicted I'd run at least 10:20. So thanks, Carol, for all your encouragement.
Another thing that was encouraging to me this week was yesterday when I saw my shit-head ex-boyfriend (I tried to think of a family friendly term for him but was unsuccessful) at a friend's retirement ceremony. He came up and said "Man you look good!" (I've lost about 12 lbs since he dumped me and my hair is longer, and I do look good! LOL!) Anyway, I said "thanks" and walked away with a smile on my face. I just ignored him the rest of the time. It was especially rewarding since he's been starting to email me again, which might mean he wants to get back together. Now that is not going to happen unless I suffer from a major brain injury, so it was all the more satisfying that I look so much better than I used to and that I could just give him a small taste of what he did to me. :) Okay, enough of that, I have lots to do today (2 papers to write) and a party to go to this evening, so I'd better get into the shower!
I'll upload a photo of the big finish when my friends email it to me. And speaking of my friends, I want to thank Bob and Carol for encouraging me, especially Carol. She told me over and over I could do it, said it like she meant it and kept on saying it until I believed it. She even told me I'd run faster than 11:00 min/mile and predicted I'd run at least 10:20. So thanks, Carol, for all your encouragement.
Another thing that was encouraging to me this week was yesterday when I saw my shit-head ex-boyfriend (I tried to think of a family friendly term for him but was unsuccessful) at a friend's retirement ceremony. He came up and said "Man you look good!" (I've lost about 12 lbs since he dumped me and my hair is longer, and I do look good! LOL!) Anyway, I said "thanks" and walked away with a smile on my face. I just ignored him the rest of the time. It was especially rewarding since he's been starting to email me again, which might mean he wants to get back together. Now that is not going to happen unless I suffer from a major brain injury, so it was all the more satisfying that I look so much better than I used to and that I could just give him a small taste of what he did to me. :) Okay, enough of that, I have lots to do today (2 papers to write) and a party to go to this evening, so I'd better get into the shower!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Busy, busy, busy
Oh, life has been so busy. We've been going through some growing pains with Eline. She has tried to push the rules somewhat and is now very unhappy because I won't let her do whatever she wants. To be fair, I think she could do whatever she wanted at home, but I've been very clear on the rules so she shouldn't be surprised.
Last Saturday she spent the night at a friends house and then on Sunday afternoon I couldn't get a hold of her. She wouldn't answer her cell phone, which was the only phone number I had (I've since remedied that situation). I went over to her friend's house around 4:00 and told her she had to come home. She wanted to go to the church youth group and hadn't done some of her chores, which were supposed to be done on Saturday. So I brought her home and she did her chores and then I talked her again about my expectations.
Then again last night she went to a Powder Puff football game. Before I dropped her off I asked if she had a ride home and she assured me she did. She is supposed to be home by 9:30 on school nights. Well 9:30 came and went and she didn't come home. At 9:40 she calls and says she needs a ride home, but she can't tell me where she is at. She was at a friends house but couldn't give me directions, and said she would walk to another friends house. I found her and picked her up and needless to say I wasn't too happy. I told her that she should called before 9:30 to tell me she didn't have a ride. Her explanation was that she thought she would have a ride at 9:40 but that fell through. I told her that even if she'd have gotten a ride at 9:40 she would still be late coming home and she didn't call to let me know. I told her that from now on, if she doesn't have a ride home at least 20 minutes prior to her curfew she needs to call me so I can pick her up. I don't mind giving her a ride, but part of the reason for the curfew is so I can go to sleep without worrying where my girls are. When we got home she went to her room, slammed the door and wouldn't come out. So we'll talk after school today.
Am I being too tough? Feel free to comment, since this is my first try at parenting a 17 year old. So far I haven't punished her or restricted her because I think she's still learning but I do think I will have to do something if she doesn't start following the rules more closely. Her curfew on the weekends is 12:00 which is the curfew for Roy City. For special events, such as prom I'll probably go with 1:00. So tell me what you think?
Okay, now for the rest of the news: I have applied for several jobs because I want to earn an extra $300 per month to pay for Chelsea's band trip to Disneyland and our trip to Hawaii this summer for the AYSO National Soccer Championships. I do save money each month, but the recent renovations on my basement took up a big chunk of my savings account and I don't want to have to dip into my investments (for my real retirement and Chelsea's college) if I don't have to. So a little part time job seems like the answer. The good thing for me is that there are tons of job openings and just not enough people to fill them. Of course they are all part-time, $10 an hour jobs, not enough to support a family, and of course no benefits. Lucky for me I don't need any of that. So wish me luck today.
Chelsea is doing well in school except for one subject, surprising it's not math this time! We are working on that, though so hopefully it will be better soon. She made a goal at Thursday's JV game and of course I was at school so I didn't get to see it. :( Isn't that the way it always goes? Well, speaking of school, I need to get there!
Last Saturday she spent the night at a friends house and then on Sunday afternoon I couldn't get a hold of her. She wouldn't answer her cell phone, which was the only phone number I had (I've since remedied that situation). I went over to her friend's house around 4:00 and told her she had to come home. She wanted to go to the church youth group and hadn't done some of her chores, which were supposed to be done on Saturday. So I brought her home and she did her chores and then I talked her again about my expectations.
Then again last night she went to a Powder Puff football game. Before I dropped her off I asked if she had a ride home and she assured me she did. She is supposed to be home by 9:30 on school nights. Well 9:30 came and went and she didn't come home. At 9:40 she calls and says she needs a ride home, but she can't tell me where she is at. She was at a friends house but couldn't give me directions, and said she would walk to another friends house. I found her and picked her up and needless to say I wasn't too happy. I told her that she should called before 9:30 to tell me she didn't have a ride. Her explanation was that she thought she would have a ride at 9:40 but that fell through. I told her that even if she'd have gotten a ride at 9:40 she would still be late coming home and she didn't call to let me know. I told her that from now on, if she doesn't have a ride home at least 20 minutes prior to her curfew she needs to call me so I can pick her up. I don't mind giving her a ride, but part of the reason for the curfew is so I can go to sleep without worrying where my girls are. When we got home she went to her room, slammed the door and wouldn't come out. So we'll talk after school today.
Am I being too tough? Feel free to comment, since this is my first try at parenting a 17 year old. So far I haven't punished her or restricted her because I think she's still learning but I do think I will have to do something if she doesn't start following the rules more closely. Her curfew on the weekends is 12:00 which is the curfew for Roy City. For special events, such as prom I'll probably go with 1:00. So tell me what you think?
Okay, now for the rest of the news: I have applied for several jobs because I want to earn an extra $300 per month to pay for Chelsea's band trip to Disneyland and our trip to Hawaii this summer for the AYSO National Soccer Championships. I do save money each month, but the recent renovations on my basement took up a big chunk of my savings account and I don't want to have to dip into my investments (for my real retirement and Chelsea's college) if I don't have to. So a little part time job seems like the answer. The good thing for me is that there are tons of job openings and just not enough people to fill them. Of course they are all part-time, $10 an hour jobs, not enough to support a family, and of course no benefits. Lucky for me I don't need any of that. So wish me luck today.
Chelsea is doing well in school except for one subject, surprising it's not math this time! We are working on that, though so hopefully it will be better soon. She made a goal at Thursday's JV game and of course I was at school so I didn't get to see it. :( Isn't that the way it always goes? Well, speaking of school, I need to get there!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Soccer and Softball
This morning we got up early and went to watch Eline play soccer. She got the first goal of the game, but her team eventually lost 4-2, I believe. Oh well, at least the weather was nice and she had fun. Then Chelsea and I went to play softball with a group from church. It was so much fun! My team got creamed! I think the score was 12-3! But everyone seemed to have fun and that's what counts.
Now I need to get busy and get some homework done, so off I go!
Now I need to get busy and get some homework done, so off I go!
Friday, September 14, 2007
Another week gone by!
I have been meaning to blog more often, but school and two teenagers are kicking my butt! But I love it all! School is going well, but I have tons of homework to do this weekend. Eline played her first soccer game last Saturday and made two goals! Yay! It was so fun to watch her reaction, and the reaction of her teammates!
Saturday night some of my friends helped celebrate Eline's birthday. She had fun and was surprised to receive gifts! Thanks so much to those of you who were able to come and help make her American birthday something to remember!
I'm back taking guitar lessons again. This time they are free and my pastor is teaching. We are learning simple cords and have already been given our first 3 songs to learn! Hopefully I'll actually learn some of them!
Chelsea is still busy with high school soccer. Sad to say her team isn't doing too well. But as long as she's having fun, that's what counts.
Eline has a best friend now, Melissa. She seems to be a really nice girl. She was actually born in the Netherlands, about 5 miles from Eline's home town. Her parents were in the military at the time. Melissa doesn't know much about the Netherlands but I won't be surprised if she goes over to visit Eline some day!
I know there is tons more to report but it's Friday, so I'm going to try to give my brain a break for a little while and even cook some dinner.
Oh, tomorrow I am playing softball (or maybe it's baseball) with a bunch of 30-40 year olds. Just a game for fun, not for any particular reason, except Carol wants to play once in her life so she organized this "play date". And I have been training to run the Standard-Examiner 10K and have actually run the 6.2 miles twice already. In fact, today was the 2nd time. The third, and probably last time will be next Saturday for the race! I am hoping to run at least an average 11 minute mile. Now don't all you runners start laughing. I'm short so my legs don't carry me as fast as your long legs. Actually I just don't want to be last, but if I run my best race and I'm still last, that's okay. I'll have accomplished a major goal!
Okay, now to do some cleaning of the kitchen and get dinner started.
Saturday night some of my friends helped celebrate Eline's birthday. She had fun and was surprised to receive gifts! Thanks so much to those of you who were able to come and help make her American birthday something to remember!
I'm back taking guitar lessons again. This time they are free and my pastor is teaching. We are learning simple cords and have already been given our first 3 songs to learn! Hopefully I'll actually learn some of them!
Chelsea is still busy with high school soccer. Sad to say her team isn't doing too well. But as long as she's having fun, that's what counts.
Eline has a best friend now, Melissa. She seems to be a really nice girl. She was actually born in the Netherlands, about 5 miles from Eline's home town. Her parents were in the military at the time. Melissa doesn't know much about the Netherlands but I won't be surprised if she goes over to visit Eline some day!
I know there is tons more to report but it's Friday, so I'm going to try to give my brain a break for a little while and even cook some dinner.
Oh, tomorrow I am playing softball (or maybe it's baseball) with a bunch of 30-40 year olds. Just a game for fun, not for any particular reason, except Carol wants to play once in her life so she organized this "play date". And I have been training to run the Standard-Examiner 10K and have actually run the 6.2 miles twice already. In fact, today was the 2nd time. The third, and probably last time will be next Saturday for the race! I am hoping to run at least an average 11 minute mile. Now don't all you runners start laughing. I'm short so my legs don't carry me as fast as your long legs. Actually I just don't want to be last, but if I run my best race and I'm still last, that's okay. I'll have accomplished a major goal!
Okay, now to do some cleaning of the kitchen and get dinner started.
Friday, September 07, 2007
I'm back!
It has come to my attention that I've been neglecting my blog! :) To say I've been a little busy is an understatement!
So, since I blogged last I've turned 46. Not a bad age really. I am living a life I could never have imagined and it is wonderful. I'm healthy, financially secure, getting a great education, have a healthy, wonderful child and a great foreign exchange student. Who could ask for more??!!
Okay, let's see, what to talk about first? How about Eline? She just turned 17 yesterday. She got a great big package from her mother and a few days ago she got one from her father. Her room is filled with wrapping paper and boxes! Chelsea and I got her some clothes and will be having a party for her on Saturday. Some of our friends will be there and hopefully some of Eline's friends will also come as well. She has made several new friends in the past week, which is nice. One of them asked if Eline wants to go to the football game tonight so hopefully that works out. Eline has her first soccer game tomorrow morning, so that should be fun.
Speaking of soccer, Chelsea has been busy on the Roy High team. Unfortunately they haven't won any games and have only tied once. But she loves being on the team and playing so that's what is most important. Today Chelsea is going to get 4 fillings. AARRGGHH! This doesn't make me happy. She was told at her last check up that she had a pin head cavity and she needed to pay special attention to flossing. Obviously that didn't happen. But I think after today she'll learn her lesson!
The Roy High band is going to Disneyland in March. I've told Chelsea that she has to raise at least $100 on her own in order for me to come up with the other $400. She hates fund raising and doesn't get enough babysitting jobs to earn any real money, but I think it's completely fair to ask her to contribute. Some of the kids in the band have already raised all of the $500 it is going to cost, just by selling cookie dough.
School is going well for all of us I think. I am way busy with my 6 classes. (What was I thinking!) I took my first test yesterday and got a 90% and my second today and got an 85%. That's not going to help me keep my 4.0! I guess it takes at least one test to see how the professor is going to do his/her tests. So now I know for these two classes. So far Chelsea is enjoying all of her classes. For biology she has had to collect bugs. She has to get 5 more, I think to finish. I can't wait for her to take them out of our house! Eline seems to enjoy school as well, now that she has people to eat lunch with. She especially enjoys her American sign language and peer tutoring classes. Peer tutoring is working with students with disabilities. In Holland they have separate schools for disabled students so this is her first exposure to these kids. She wants to change her schedule for next semester so she can continue working with them. Who knows, maybe she will work with handicapped people when she returns home.
Well, I need to head off to class so better go for now.
So, since I blogged last I've turned 46. Not a bad age really. I am living a life I could never have imagined and it is wonderful. I'm healthy, financially secure, getting a great education, have a healthy, wonderful child and a great foreign exchange student. Who could ask for more??!!
Okay, let's see, what to talk about first? How about Eline? She just turned 17 yesterday. She got a great big package from her mother and a few days ago she got one from her father. Her room is filled with wrapping paper and boxes! Chelsea and I got her some clothes and will be having a party for her on Saturday. Some of our friends will be there and hopefully some of Eline's friends will also come as well. She has made several new friends in the past week, which is nice. One of them asked if Eline wants to go to the football game tonight so hopefully that works out. Eline has her first soccer game tomorrow morning, so that should be fun.
Speaking of soccer, Chelsea has been busy on the Roy High team. Unfortunately they haven't won any games and have only tied once. But she loves being on the team and playing so that's what is most important. Today Chelsea is going to get 4 fillings. AARRGGHH! This doesn't make me happy. She was told at her last check up that she had a pin head cavity and she needed to pay special attention to flossing. Obviously that didn't happen. But I think after today she'll learn her lesson!
The Roy High band is going to Disneyland in March. I've told Chelsea that she has to raise at least $100 on her own in order for me to come up with the other $400. She hates fund raising and doesn't get enough babysitting jobs to earn any real money, but I think it's completely fair to ask her to contribute. Some of the kids in the band have already raised all of the $500 it is going to cost, just by selling cookie dough.
School is going well for all of us I think. I am way busy with my 6 classes. (What was I thinking!) I took my first test yesterday and got a 90% and my second today and got an 85%. That's not going to help me keep my 4.0! I guess it takes at least one test to see how the professor is going to do his/her tests. So now I know for these two classes. So far Chelsea is enjoying all of her classes. For biology she has had to collect bugs. She has to get 5 more, I think to finish. I can't wait for her to take them out of our house! Eline seems to enjoy school as well, now that she has people to eat lunch with. She especially enjoys her American sign language and peer tutoring classes. Peer tutoring is working with students with disabilities. In Holland they have separate schools for disabled students so this is her first exposure to these kids. She wants to change her schedule for next semester so she can continue working with them. Who knows, maybe she will work with handicapped people when she returns home.
Well, I need to head off to class so better go for now.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
I ran 6.21 miles today!
I am very proud of myself for running 6.21 miles today! I am running a 10K race (I'm not actually racing, just want to finish) on Sept. 22nd and I have been running pretty faithfully since May.
Chelsea and Eline, along with some of Chelsea's friends, went to the Roy vs. Weber football game. It's a rivalry game and Roy beat the pants off of Weber, so to speak. Chelsea had a blast, but Eline didn't really enjoy herself. In fact, she really wanted to stay home and watch MTV but I strongly encouraged her to go. If she sits at home she'll not only miss the whole American high school experience, she'll have a tough time making friends. Chelsea is babysitting tonight, so Eline is upstairs right now watching MTV!
We didn't really plan anything for this weekend because Chelsea was supposed to have a soccer tournament. That didn't happen so we are left without anything in particular to do. Oh well, I have loads of homework anyway!
Chelsea and Eline, along with some of Chelsea's friends, went to the Roy vs. Weber football game. It's a rivalry game and Roy beat the pants off of Weber, so to speak. Chelsea had a blast, but Eline didn't really enjoy herself. In fact, she really wanted to stay home and watch MTV but I strongly encouraged her to go. If she sits at home she'll not only miss the whole American high school experience, she'll have a tough time making friends. Chelsea is babysitting tonight, so Eline is upstairs right now watching MTV!
We didn't really plan anything for this weekend because Chelsea was supposed to have a soccer tournament. That didn't happen so we are left without anything in particular to do. Oh well, I have loads of homework anyway!
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