1. We've been suffering from the "snots" these past few days. Aaron has been hit especially hard with this go-round of ickiness. I really don't think we're contagious, but the gross factor is enough to steer us clear of most folk because you know that's what they are going to think. Aaron has used his nebulizer machine for the past couple of days and that seemed to quell the cough (Thank you, Lord, for the blessings of modern medicine.)
2. Work has been a big old thorn in the side as of late. I really love my job. Generally it's a great work place. The job if fulfilling and I enjoy contributing positively to society. Well working here in Killeen has been an adventure that I never imagined and I feel the life being sucked out of me at a pretty rapid rate. It seems that ill content breeds more ill content. I keep witnessing bad attitudes turning others into miserable humbugs. So I decided that it was time for a change of heart for everyone and that I was going to lead by example. I jumped in and started doing work that was left over that everyone was compounding by ignoring. I made a huge dent in it and showed them that I was a part timer, who hadn't contributed to the mess at all, and I was going take pride in my workplace and get it cleaned up. By golly, it worked! Coworkers started asking "What can I do to help?" I need to remember this the next time I have a bad day. My attitude really does affect others. Positive attitude and hard work ellicit good workplace practices by all and a much more pleasant day even if I have to work hard.
3. Saying No. I used to always say Yes. This got me into quite a few pickles and I finally learned to say no. Well I guess I still need to work on how I say it. I always joke about my outloud voice being named Frank. I figure most people understand that about my personality, but I have found that written words don't often translate the same way spoken words do. This left a friend of mine upset with me and my tone toward her this week when she asked me to do a favor. I meant nothing by it. I just meant NO, I don't want to do something and I can't commit to it at this time. Her perception was that I was rude and nasty. This escalated to a text message that hurt my feelings and phone call that hurt hers. I did apologize for my behavior, but I don't really feel like I got one back. I've decided to be a bigger person and move on and things seem okay again. I just need to figure out how to say NO and mean it and yet not make anyone think that I am being mean.
4. 4 year old attitude problems. Ian has always been my sweet kid. He's the first to come find me and plant a kiss on my forehead every morning. He's the first to say "Good morning, Mommy. I love you." But he's driving me crazy with his attitude as of late. Being downright ornery and mean and nasty and saying no to spite me, etc. This evening ended for him by me taking all of his toys from his room and leaving him to go to bed with no stuffed animals, etc. I'm just not sure how to get through to him. :(
5. Under 60 days. Bill should start the process of coming home within the next 60 days. These 60 days can't pass quickly enough.
6. Custody case for our niece is scheduled for Wednesday morning. It's a dockett style case and will be heard by the judge sometime between 8am and 11am CST. Some things have changed with the birth parents and they have become partially compliant in their recovery plan. They have retained lawyers and the STATE says that our case will be a battle. Please keep Abby in your prayers that what is best for her is what is done. Please also pray for my mother in law who has been called to testify against her child and for her grandchild. No mother wants to say negative things about her children in such a public forum. Please pray that she can convey her message to the judge and that the judge will hear all that is said and will do the very best to place Abby where she needs to be. (The State really wants her transferred to us, but the judge that was selected is notorious for keeping birth families together if she can see an inkling of a chance that they will become compliant. The State doesn't believe full compliance is a possibility, but we have to wait to see how the judge rules on this.)
7. Thanks to everyone who responded to my last post. There were a couple of you that I didn't realize came around for a visit here or there! It's nice to have you in my small audience.