Spring semester begins soon

After all the mishaps and complications of this last fall that caused me to drop the semester, I am much relieved and very excited to begin again for the spring. Picking up where I left off in the curriculum and moving closer to school, I also will be able to attend full time. This will be an important stretch for me, and I have moved all my classes to a morning schedule in the hopes of having my afternoons and evenings open for getting work of some kind. Although this might be a challenge for me, I feel prepared to meet it head on as I pull myself out of my recent troubles to immerse myself into my schooling on a completely new level than I had anticipated before. School starts on the 19th of this month, a little over a week, and I still need to do a lot of things before that time, (mainly packing and moving) but I am very excited at the opportunities I will have this year with this new approach to my life. On a final note, GO COWBOYS! Looking forward to playing in Minnesota next sunday!

White winter Christmas

Snow on Christmas eve in Texas, A cowboys shutout in Washington, more snow tonight, and a great football game to look forward to this Sunday. My girls had a great Christmas this year, thanks to all the friends and family who pitched in, and especially the ward members from church. Between the Barbies, kitchen toys, and new clothes, it was great to see my daughters have so much fun this year. I really enjoyed being able to have them with me for the holiday, and visiting family that I haven't seen in a while. I am also excited to see the Cowboys getting into the playoffs this year, and playing great defence while doing so. Playing the last game at home, and a slim chance for a bye week if we win that game gives me some hope that we can get some post-season wins this time around. To put all things in perspective, none of that really matters when compared to what we should be remembering during this holiday season. Presents are fun, and sports are exciting, but Christmas was supposed to be about the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. It becomes easy to forget what he did for us when we become distracted by so much over-stimulation in our minds. As we creep towards this new year, may we remember that the spirit of God can be with us every day of the year if we but ask for it. So instead of thinking about how much money we can save by shopping early this new year, try to think about how we can all live a little wiser instead. My prayers go out to all my family and friends to be prosperous in their lives so long as they remember to keep the council of our living savior with them in all they do. That is my resolution for myself as well, and with faith in him, all things are possible.

still not workin

Its been about 4 months now since I lost my job, and I still haven't found any work. I had one day of working with a temp agency and nothing else from them yet, most of my cash has come from family members spotting me for gas, which I am extremely grateful for. Funny that when my children moved to their moms house so I could get my situation taken care of, I am still the one that is watching them each day. It's hard to find a job when you have a 4 year old with you all day, and it's just sort of funny that the last 2 weeks I have had to be the one to help out with that. I haven't given up on the job search by a long shot, but it has had many delays that are trying to drive me crazy. The good thing is that most of those delays are from my own children. I can handle that kind of madness and even enjoy it, but it does get frustrating when the landlord calls me to find out when he'll get rent. How can I tell him, "I don't have that, but you need to fix the heater"? It's pretty cold at my house, so there's another reason I don't mind staying with the kids at the ex's parents house sometimes. Blessings in disguise.

Hello December

After leaving this page in the background for all of November, I am finally back to write some more. The Dallas Cowboys are on a roll after a great game against Oakland on Thanksgiving, and can put the NY Giants out of the race this weekend with a win in NY. My fantasy team is also in desperate need of another win this week to have a chance at a playoff spot, and I have a tough opponent. As for me and My family, we all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with family and my kiddos really loved seeing their Mee-Maw and Great Grandma, and especially staying with their Auntie Heather, who took them shopping and tried on clothes and shoes. After returning from the holiday weekend, I continued spending most of this last week with them still, as I still have not found any work, and a sitter was needed for a little girl at their mothers house while she was at school this week. I was happy to help, and ended up helping out in a vehicle crisis as well when Uncle Tim needed a ride to work, and Wendy's tire and spare were flat. I was glad that my presence was well needed, and made me feel good about spending a few days away from home again. My utilities have all been turned on again there, and all is well, except for the heater broke right when it got cold outside. Funny how things like that happen, but at least the oven works! Go Cowboys!

new car total cost

Here's what I paid for my '93 Toyota Corolla, $400 for the car off of Craigslist, $181.26 for a new windshield, $58.11 to fix the exhaust, $14.07 for a new turn signal cover on the front, $63.49 to change the oil and brake pads, $15.89 for new wipers, $10.04 for the putty to fix a wobbly taillight, $39.75 for the inspection fee, and finally $137.50 for the registration, title transfer and new plates. Total cost, $920.11 for a running and legal ride that I now hold a clear title for.

Well, my phone is turned off now, and the water and electricity are still off, but that should be fixed soon. I had to get a new copy of my social security card so I can get a job, but now thats taken care of, and God willing, I should be able to find work soon. One foot in front of the other, thats all I can do for now. The girls are with their mom for a while, and that should help me get things back together over here. The weather is great right now, and I couldnt ask for a better time to be without power. I have been cooking on my propane stove in the evenings, and it feels kinda like camping, but in a house instead of a tent. Fun times all around!

shakey tail light

I almost got the car legal today, the emissions passed, the brake works, but my wipers were old, and apperently my tail light needs securing. Trying to be optimistic, but im getting a little frustrated. New wipers are on the car now, $16.00, and I paid for the inspection, $39.75. There is a little piece of metal trim missing on my light, a piece that was in the trunk,... oops, its for the other side! No worries, I flattened it out, flipped it around, and got it to where it should fit on the drivers side now. Ill find out tomorrow if I'm right. Too wet, too dark for now. Tomorrow is the day! (fingers crossed)