Wednesday Whining

OK, not really WHINING, but still....

Got a rejection today for my Egyptian short story. I was really expecting that story to sell. So, I am kind of frustrated about that. I know it's part of being a writer, but it's discouraging all the same. More so, because I have a time limit here.

And no, we still have not heard anything about Bob's disability hearing. So much hinges on that.

James was sick yesterday, but never did throw up - just stomach cramps and gas. Today he seems fine. David has been moping about, but he didn't really get sick either. So maybe the bug has weakened as it moves along. I haven't felt right since Sunday, but I never had any real symptoms, just general ickiness.

Bob went tonight to an alternative pain relief seminar with his mom and brother. It's quite a drive, so he won't be back til later. I will be going to church tonight without him.

Went to the grocery store and saw about 7 people I knew! Odd! LOL Got brown and serve rolls for 25 cents a pack! You can freeze them, you know. Stocked up on a few other things too. Pantry is full to the top. Nice feeling!

We should be getting the check for our totaled car soon, so we've been browsing Craigslist for just the right vehicle.

Thanksgiving was an awesome time! I really enjoyed the time with my siblings especially. I didn't get to spend too much time with Mom and Dad despite staying at their house! What time we did have was nice, though. Seeing my kids playing so well with their cousins is also such a blessing! And being at Sarah's dedication was awesome! If you want specifics of what went on, click on Denise's blog - she did a great recap. My other sisters also wrote some about it.

A Little Update

Took the girls to their meeting tonight. Brought James along so we could get him some pants at the thrift store. He tells me he has no pants. I find that hard to believe, but .. hey, the kid needs something more than soccer shorts (his fav!) to wear. It's COLD out there!

Got James 3 pairs of pants. Also got a pair of khakis for David, an outfit for me and several shirts, a skirt for Emily's costume, and a dress for Suzy. James used his own money to buy a couple toys.

On the way home, I hit an opossum. THUNK. The kids were adjusting to that idea when.... THUNK again! Less than a minute passed and I hit a raccoon! Yikes! What in the world??

We brought the bunny into the back room today - fixed him up a little cage back there. He'd be happier in something bigger, but it's either outside - cold in a bigger cage or inside - warm in a smaller cage. That's all we've got.

I'm giving some thought to the suggestions of a divider of some kind and noise-cancelling headphones. I can't move into another room here because of the internet connection. The main problem is the noise. I can't take calls or make calls with the loudness in the background, so I do need a separate room if I am going to try to run my business the traditional way. I may try to scrape up some business on the internet instead - and be totally an online company. I haven't gone to a lot of effort promoting the business or trying to get assignments because of the work environment here. It's worse now that the weather is cooler. And I had higher hopes of Bob corralling the children upstairs. That's not going to work out. Anyway, rest assured I am thinking about the ideas! Thanks for sharing!

I haven't forgotten to share about Bob's disability hearing results. We are still waiting.

We are trying to make some decisions on health insurance. We have also been doing our assignments for Financial Peace University, although it is hard to do a "budget" when you have no real income. lol

Whew - Can I relax yet?

I know lots are waiting for good news, and I wish I had some. But there's no bad news either. There's only this - the judge wants more time to look over Bob's file. He doesn't understand how a college-educated person under age 50 could possibly need disability payments. So, he has however much time he wants to make a determination; lawyer thought it would maybe be 60 days. So, keep up the prayers.

So, it's been one heck of a busy day.

Up at 6, get ready, leave by 7.
Arrive at the hearing office at 7:45. Meet with the lawyer in preparation for the 8:30 hearing.
Find out the video conferencing connection is not working properly and wait.
Find out the judge we thought was on our case isn't; it's been re-assigned.... to a judge who isn't in today. Wait some more to get the original judge in for a hearing. Thus the hearing started late, around 9:30 or so.
Done just after 10, maybe 10:15. Talked more with the lawyer and drove out of there before 11.

Picked up pizza and headed to Maryann's for lunch. We had a couple hours before Emily's eye doctor appointment.
Left David and Suzy at Maryann's and brought one of her kids with us. Got to Em's appt just 7 minutes late. Waited for a while, then went in the exam room with Emily for her indepth exam with the nurse-person. Then she dilated her eyes. Waited some more. Then a different guy measured her glasses. Then we saw the doctor for like 4 minutes. All is well with her eyes. One eye's prescription changed slightly, but he said no need to rush out for new glasses. Made an appt for 1 year.

Finally on the way home and now it's past 3. Arrive home FINALLY and want to drop from exhaustion. But have to clean up house, order RenFest tickets, keep James busy because he's bored without S & D. Find out we have soccer pictures THIS Saturday, find out James' game (wait, GAME? Thought it was practice) for tonight is cancelled - fields are too wet still. They want to have it Thursday. Oh no, Thursday? Then I have to switch Suzy's practice because this is one of only TWO of James' games I could actually watch.
Now I need to make dinner and then take the girls up to their Keepers at Home meeting and trade back kids. I will grocery shop during the meeting so I need to make a list.

See how my mind is racing?? I need another Diet Coke!

The good news is? I wrote more than seven handwritten pages today. Whee!

Take this job and ......

I quit my job today.

Yep. No longer employed. No longer collecting unemployment.

I am now self-employed! Quite soon I will announce my new business with fanfare.

This week, I am writing query letters (yes, more) and working on my novel. I also hope to get a couple of non-profit writing projects done as samples.

Prayers for my writing are appreciated!

Also, Bob's disability hearing is next Tuesday.

The Happenings Here

So, what's been keeping us busy?

• Our half-day lessons each day. (Full days next week!)
  
• Park Day on Thursday afternoon - lots of people were there!
• Suzy and James both had soccer practice on Thursday.
• Rain. Rain. More rain.
  
• David has not been feeling well. (He's still asleep! But he had a rough night.... Oh! he just woke up!)
• Phone calls to doctors and lawyers re: Bob's hearing coming up in another week and a half.
• Planning co-op classes and Sunday School lessons.

Oh, yeah - I am not laid off anymore as of Monday. So, I have to decide once and for all what to do about that job. (The decision is all but made, but.... well, you know. The finality of it all...) I was really praying that the layoff would continue until after Bob's hearing. But I guess God wants us to still walk in faith, instead of by sight.

First soccer games are tomorrow! Then I've got to go grocery shopping!

Firthday

The layoff continues for another week. Good thing, since we're going camping!

Today we visited a friend (along with 3 other families) and had a FIRTH-athon. That would be COLIN FIRTH, for those not in the know. We started the day with a matinee of Nim's Island (not part of the Firth-athon) - my review is up at Mirkwood. Then we headed back to Marla's with seven pizzas for the about 20 hungry children and mamas. The kids all wandered off to play and we moms stuck in The Importance of Being Earnest - one of my favorite movies. After that we watched Bridget Jones's Diary. Then everyone else left and Marla and I watched Bridget Jones 2: The Edge of Reason. The kids all played nicely and we had a lovely day together.

So, that was Firthday Friday!

Bob's disability hearing is SCHEDULED! It will be mid-September.