JAN’S IDEAS

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone had a great day yesterday. Even with the things going on in my life, I can see how blessed I am and truly appreciated by the wonderful people in my life.

I have spent holidays with the boy’s dad and grandma’s before, they always invite me if I don’t have to work because I don’t have extended family here. Thanksgiving is a holiday that the boy’s grandma likes. She is very sick this year so I went there and cooked for everyone so my former mother-in-law could still have everyone at the house. She wasn’t able to get out of bed, but was still able to visit with everyone. I sure appreciated all help with the prep work (cutting, peeling, etc) while I got dinner ready.

It is different cooking a meal like that when it is not in my own kitchen. The boys’ dad made sure I had everything I needed and even ventured out in the Thanksgiving Day crowds, with my youngest daughter and got anything I needed that wasn’t in their house.

I made homemade rolls which is my youngest daughter’s favorite. My grand daughter takes after her aunt and loves them, too. I really enjoy cooking and I really enjoy doing for my family.

My grand daughter took this up-close picture of her grandma! She was SO cute taking pictures with my camera or her grandpa’s camera. Thank goodness for digital so we aren’t paying to have up-close pictures of the floor, jeans, tables, arms, etc. to be developed along with the good shots she got! She has loved my camera since she was little. She use to love looking through the view finder and see her mom and dad.

My grand daughter just loved playing with all her aunts and uncles. Here is Bob Schmuck with his niece.  She will be 2 years old soon and is growing so fast!

I can’t believe the year is almost over! It has been a challenging year and a year of growth and discovery. I look forward to the new year that is ahead and all that it will bring.

Today, I enjoyed writing for myself for a change, but now it’s time to get back to my paid writing. Well….first I think I will have a piece of pumpkin pie. I never did get any last night because I was SO full. I’m sure glad there were left overs to take home!

I can’t believe so much time has passed since I last wrote!

I’d love to say “My how time flies when we are having fun”, but it isn’t quite true. I’ve had some lows regarding the ongoing personal situation. That can always take the wind out of my sail and I feel like I just float aimlessly untill I make a recovery from the blow. I also got really behind on my writing due to allowing the situation get the best of me.

I cut back on new writing jobs and am focusing on current clients. That has helped a lot. My personal situation involves court (I am not in trouble). My court appointed lawyer was looking for an easy end to this. I want the right thing to be done. I was fortunate to have a good court appointed lawyer referal and the judge allowed me to change lawyers! This new lawyer is a fighter and seems fearless…..my kind of woman! Things are looking better now. It will be nice to walk into court and not feel alone. I’ve gone to court and didn’t even feel like my own lawyer was on my side! When this is all over I’m sure I can make some money on a website related to what I have been going through that will help others. Until then, it is best to keep the details private.

I’ve been enjoying having a horse. My (step) dad brought one out for my daughter to use for 4-H. She needs some training still, but we are enjoying taking care of her. We had a few rough times. She came up lame at the beginning a few times from fighting with a stall neighbor. She got moved next to a beautiful sweet horse, got to start training, and then this week had colic. She is OK now, but it meant some extra time at the barn. Last night I went to check on her after taking my daughter to her dad’s and sat out there for a little bit to relax before going back home to write. Our horse was still doing good which was a relief. I sat out there and watched the sunset and the full moon come up. I visited with a few of the other horse owners. I left refreshed and relaxed. I was much more productive when I got home than I would’ve been if I didn’t take the break.

Wal-Mart is going great. I’ve been there 1 year and 3 months and I got my second department transfer (both at a higher pay level). I have also received two raises after evaluations! I remember being so scared of change before I went to Wal-Mart. It is going really well for me. I am also the PSP (personal sustainability leader) and community contact. I really like both of those additional projects that I do in conjunction with my normal associate responsibilities.

The weather is changing and it is actually cold to us here. I’m trying to put off turning on my heater so I can put off the high gas bill that goes with the having it on.

Since my sites have been a little neglected and with the economy, my income from there has dropped drastically. I hope with my personal situation at a manageable point right now and a new schedule coming up at work I will be able to have time to focus on the sites more. Bob and I have plans to get together soon. It is always motivating for both of us when we get together for the purpose of working on internet projects. My new schedule should make it easier because I won’t be working as late.

My writing business is going well. I just love writing from home, it doesn’t even seem like work! I can’t help but wonder how well it would have been doing if I didn’t have the emotional distraction and the appointments related to my personal situation the past few months. I am thankful and happy that I have understanding clients and my writing business is doing as well as it is under these circumstances.

Well, I better get ready for an appointment.