I can not believe how early all the Christmas "hoopla" is starting this year! It is still over a week before Thanksgiving and there are carols playing on the radio, Santa's in malls, commercials on TV; we are just being bombarded with Christmas everywhere we go.
Now, normally I don't mind; I love Christmas. However, this year is going to be so tight for everybody. With the economy the way it is, everybody has to be careful and prudent in their spending.
I understand that this is probably the very reason that businesses are starting early, hoping to draw bigger crowds and entice consumers. I am just really not even close to feeling the Christmas spirit and the more I hear the worse it gets.
It doesn't help that it appears the consumer bug has hit the apartment complex where I work. We accept packages for people who are not home, and the huge amount of packages every day just depresses me, knowing I am cutting WAY back this year. I usually go into debt and then pay it off with my tax return. I'm not doing that this year. I am only going to spend what I have, which is extremely limited because of everything going on (see previous blog about ex...ugh.)
I wish the positive attitude that Dad has adopted would spill over to me. I have taken the role of extreme pessimist in the family. I really need to focus on the positive of everything and ignore the negative. I am just really struggling with the holiday spirit this year. I am looking forward to spending some time with the kids though. I have several days off and days I get to go home early coming up, so I will enjoy that extra time with the kids. I only pray that they understand and appreciate that time is the best gift I can give this year.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Drama, drama, drama
Amanda came over tonight to give the kids' their late birthday presents. She gave me the dish on all the new goings-on with the Smith family...
Randy and Matt were laid off from their jobs a few weeks back. Randy is living at Matt's house, along with Austin (not working), Kaitlyn (working), Michaela (baby), Matt's girlfriend Cassity (not working), Cassity's little boy (baby), and Austin's friend Dominick (working). So out of 6 adults, only 2 are working. Cynthia has been making the house payment but now can't make hers this month because of all the help she has given her kids.
Scott had texted me a few weeks back saying he was getting married. So I asked Amanda about that. Well, it appears that Samantha is expecting. But she is not sure which of 4 different guys is the father. Amanda thinks they are still together, but not sure about the getting married thing.
As far as Cassandra is concerned...it turns out that she wanted to move in with Josh but Jason didn't, so she said she was going anyways. Jason and her fought about it for a good long time and he finally conceded and said they could move in January when the lease was up on their apartment and he would go with. So, needless to say, marriage on shaky ground there... ~Big surprise~
Aleta is now living at Cynthia's with Devin, with the baby I presume.
Whew, it is exhausting hearing about what is going on with them. I told Amanda I couldn't keep up. I am so glad she is stable. She was talking about how she wanted 4 kids, but was so tired that they might wait for the next 2. Her baby is due on January 1st. Miley was with her and she is so cute and well behaved. Elden called while she was here, and I am just so happy that they have things together. Although his sister and her 4 year old are living with them, they seem so with it, especially compared to the rest of the group.
So, no child support for who knows how long. I will not allow my kids with their dad right now because of the things Amanda says goes on at that house. It's really sad when Matt's fridge is stocked with beer and they complain about not being able to buy milk. Amanda said there are empty/half empty cans all over the house, with the 2 babies walking all over. It's a shame. There is no way I will let my kids go over there, not that I see that as a problem. Randy is still hiding from me, so I don't have to really worry about him wanting to see them.
Amanda said Christmas will be at her house this year and she will tell me when they plan to get together. I am glad. I think I will try to make it there. It was really good to talk to her tonight. I only wish Annee hadn't heard most of what she said. Although she was trying to be careful with what she said, you can only hide so much from a mind as bright as Annee.
I am so grateful that I don't have to deal with all of that. I love my kids and the little family that we are. I know we are doing good and have great things in store for us. I am very grateful for the stability that comes with living the right way.
Randy and Matt were laid off from their jobs a few weeks back. Randy is living at Matt's house, along with Austin (not working), Kaitlyn (working), Michaela (baby), Matt's girlfriend Cassity (not working), Cassity's little boy (baby), and Austin's friend Dominick (working). So out of 6 adults, only 2 are working. Cynthia has been making the house payment but now can't make hers this month because of all the help she has given her kids.
Scott had texted me a few weeks back saying he was getting married. So I asked Amanda about that. Well, it appears that Samantha is expecting. But she is not sure which of 4 different guys is the father. Amanda thinks they are still together, but not sure about the getting married thing.
As far as Cassandra is concerned...it turns out that she wanted to move in with Josh but Jason didn't, so she said she was going anyways. Jason and her fought about it for a good long time and he finally conceded and said they could move in January when the lease was up on their apartment and he would go with. So, needless to say, marriage on shaky ground there... ~Big surprise~
Aleta is now living at Cynthia's with Devin, with the baby I presume.
Whew, it is exhausting hearing about what is going on with them. I told Amanda I couldn't keep up. I am so glad she is stable. She was talking about how she wanted 4 kids, but was so tired that they might wait for the next 2. Her baby is due on January 1st. Miley was with her and she is so cute and well behaved. Elden called while she was here, and I am just so happy that they have things together. Although his sister and her 4 year old are living with them, they seem so with it, especially compared to the rest of the group.
So, no child support for who knows how long. I will not allow my kids with their dad right now because of the things Amanda says goes on at that house. It's really sad when Matt's fridge is stocked with beer and they complain about not being able to buy milk. Amanda said there are empty/half empty cans all over the house, with the 2 babies walking all over. It's a shame. There is no way I will let my kids go over there, not that I see that as a problem. Randy is still hiding from me, so I don't have to really worry about him wanting to see them.
Amanda said Christmas will be at her house this year and she will tell me when they plan to get together. I am glad. I think I will try to make it there. It was really good to talk to her tonight. I only wish Annee hadn't heard most of what she said. Although she was trying to be careful with what she said, you can only hide so much from a mind as bright as Annee.
I am so grateful that I don't have to deal with all of that. I love my kids and the little family that we are. I know we are doing good and have great things in store for us. I am very grateful for the stability that comes with living the right way.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Obama Wins Presidency
As I sit here and listen/watch the election results, I am deeply saddened. I worry about the future of this great country when we elect such men. I fear for even more turbulent and volatile times ahead. Although we have been warned repeatedly, it is still alarming to think of what is to come.
My young children even fear the future. Tyler came home from scouts talking about the election and when he saw the preliminary results showing Obama winning, he stated, "here comes World War III." When a 10 year old child is fretting over this, you know there is something wrong. When I just informed Annee of the results, I could see her face just fall. They know that there is trouble ahead also. I have not spoken to them very much about the election, but I know they have focused a lot on it in school and now tonight at scouts. It's amazing how much children take in and comprehend. It's also very sad, knowing how much they worry.
I love this country that we live in. I love the freedoms we enjoy and the democratic process that allows the people a voice in the government. I am grateful for the choices we have. I am just very afraid the country has made a fatal choice today. I believe this is just bringing us one step closer to the Millennium. I pray for the safety and security of my family and will watch the new presidency with interest.
My young children even fear the future. Tyler came home from scouts talking about the election and when he saw the preliminary results showing Obama winning, he stated, "here comes World War III." When a 10 year old child is fretting over this, you know there is something wrong. When I just informed Annee of the results, I could see her face just fall. They know that there is trouble ahead also. I have not spoken to them very much about the election, but I know they have focused a lot on it in school and now tonight at scouts. It's amazing how much children take in and comprehend. It's also very sad, knowing how much they worry.
I love this country that we live in. I love the freedoms we enjoy and the democratic process that allows the people a voice in the government. I am grateful for the choices we have. I am just very afraid the country has made a fatal choice today. I believe this is just bringing us one step closer to the Millennium. I pray for the safety and security of my family and will watch the new presidency with interest.
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