Just a quick update because there are sooo many things going on right now in my life, and I think I need to sort things out one at a time. Never have that much time, so I'll do it one topic at a time. I'm going to list several now so that when I have time to sit down for just a little while I can just pick one and get on with it. Here's my list of things or people that I want to "talk" about. Michel, Mike, Mike (My son's friend), Danielle, Guests, Eve, Suzanne, Terry, Cindy, Ron, Office, Railroad, house, garden, car, clothes, exercise, cooking, money, time, pets, cruise, family (and "family"), improvements, changes, dreams, organization, decorating, and the list goes on and on... Unfortunately my time ends before I can even get started today. I have to find the letter that the RR sent me and I have no idea where I put it!

It's been awhile...

Well, this time my blog is called "It's been awhile"...because well...it's been awhile for quite a few things in my life. Some are good and some aren't but it certainly has "been awhile" and now I think I have to make some changes. Some of the good actually runs into the bad...so I have to be careful to figure out what really is important and what I want to change.

I think that I have to face facts financially first of all. Although I have been furloughed for 9 months now and I'm still doing alright (thanks to my savings account) I will not be able to continue spending more for my bills than I'm earning for much longer. I cannot ignore this fact anymore and have to figure out exactly how long I have before I'll have to sell my house, rent out a room, get a second job, or see if there are other options. I'm going to sit down today and see exactly how much I earn compared to my bills and see if there's any other ways I can cut back so I take less out of my savings each month. It's obvious that I need to do this, but I've been putting it off due to the fact that I just don't want to see it on paper...so I'm putting it in writing so that I can't ignore it any longer.

One very good thing that has "been awhile" now is dating Michel and living in my very own home! I have known Michel for about 17 months now, and been dating seriously for just over 1 year! He is the most wonderful man I have ever known and I cannot believe how lucky I am to have him in my life - I don't remember ever being this happy before! My home is amazing too! I have lived here for 9 months now and never dreamed it would be so much fun to make your own home become what you want to be surrounded by! I am doing better than I ever have in my life as far as cleaning and organizing are concerned but still not quite up to where I want to be. I really enjoy taking care of my house and it should shine! Not because I want other people to be impressed, but because it just deserves to shine and show how grateful I am to live here and appreciate this chance to have a place like this. That said, I think it's time to take the first couple steps and get my financial situation written down and get shining my house today! I can get those things done and be on the path to make things even better than they are right now. Still have lots of things to deal with...but I just need to take one step at a time and I'll get there.

Just about settled...but beginning to worry a bit!

Let me start by saying that "I just love my house!" I know that you shouldn't love things but I don't know what other word would decribe how wonderful it is to look at this house and land...and think that it's mine! (at least for a time) I had always wanted to own a home, but never imagined I would ever have one this amazing! I never would have dreamed of owning this wonderful a home. Would never have gotten here if it weren't for TJ believing in me and giving me to opportunity to follow my dreams and get a job that I just love doing and can make enough money to buy this house and invest in my future. She gave up alot for me and I hope she knows how much a appreciate it everyday....even though she's so far away from me now. DT does a great job of helping me and with MT help it looks beautiful. We have painted a couple rooms and put in a vegetable garden in the back. Have big plans for some improvements that I hope I'll have the opportunity to see in the future too! Going to try to post some pics...

OK, well the pictures worked...although I cannot find the pics of the inside of the house right now. I'll try to post those next time. LOL I sure hope they call me back to work soon, or I get another job, it's been too long and is making me nervous. Last year I was furloughed for just 3 months, but so far this year it's already been close to 6 months! I really don't want to lose my house but am not sure how much longer I can afford it. Trying to do things that will improve it, but it's not a good time to sell a house and I'm running out of time and money. I have an idea for another job that I hope will work out...fingers are crossed!

Well, better get a move on...lots to do today. DT got a front porch swing for us, we finished painting it last night and need some s-hooks to hang it on the front porch today. Man coming to fix the hot tub (or at least tell me how much) between 9 - 12 too. Have only had one cup of coffee but need to straighten up before he gets here. Oh yeah....(especially for KV) it's sooo much easier (meaning - that it's possible) to keep things neat when you have room to put things away and are living with people that help!!!! All those years of feeling like a failure for not being able to get organized...and it wasn't all my fault! Granted I'm still not really an organized person, but when you have time and places...your house can look like you are somewhat neat and organized and it makes you believe that you are...and so you begin to do things that people, who are organized, do...therefore making you an organized person! Does that make any sense? Hope so...

I own my very first house!!!

I am happier now than I ever thought I would be!!! The only thing that would make this time in my life better would be if TJ wasn't so far away and could be here to enjoy it with me. I miss her terribly and if it weren't for all her help and support for the last few years I never would have been able to do this. I also have to say that having MT in my life now has made this move less stressful and more enjoyable than any other move in my life! Having him to share in my life has been a wonderful surprise, never thought I'd feel like this again! DT is happy here and being a big help. MJ isn't as happy yet, but I'm still hoping that this is going to be the change he needs in his life to get back on track.



As far as details, I got the keys to the most wonderful house in the world on Dec 18th and have been moving things when possible since then. With MT, MJ, and DT's help it has gone very well, although with the holidays it has taken quite awhile. All that's needed now, is to go clean up the rooms at AA's and get the last few things out there. MT and his family are wonderful, I couldn't have done this without them. The time that we get to spend out there with his family is so much fun that it almost feels as good as when I'm with my own family.



Need to get out and find out what services that offer for DT here this week. MJ needs to get out and find a job. I need to go apply with a couple places this week myself because now that I have a house...I've been furloughed and I don't know how long it will last. Just my luck, but I'll figure out how to manage until they do call me back. I need to get in touch with my friend that blogs, but don't know how to reach her...sooooo KV Call me! *S*

Didn't work out...still lost and confused!

Well, the group home for DT didn't work out...and I had convinced myself that "this time" it would. As I understand, after all the waiting and paperwork that we have done...the group home isn't going to do all that is required to become an adult living facility and so DT doesn't qualify to live there. I'm so disappointed, I really had thought that this home was the "one" that we were waiting for...the one that was coming and all the other disappointments would be forgotten. This was the worst of all because it would have been great! I'm sooooo ready to live closer to work, and stop spending so much time and money driving back and forth to Richmond! Now I have to decide whether to move to Williamsburg and suck it up so that DT will be where she needs to be...or do I finally get to do what I want to do for me? I have such a headache right now I can't even think...I'll blog more later.

Still waiting

Well, it's been weeks since I blogged last and I have kept waiting to see if I'd have great news about Danielle and the group home, but no...still haven't gotten that straight. I'm in the process of doing all the paperwork again and it seems like they are making it as hard as possible. I just really think this would be the best possible thing that could happen, so it's frustrating. Everything I do after this will be dependent on what happens with Danielle...and I can't do anything until it's solved. Really is making me crazy! Looked at a couple houses in Williamsburg, townhouses to rent or to buy, and also up nearer to Richmond which would make things much easier for me. Well, we'll see what happens once I finally have the time to get everything sent in.

I'm off to get some ice cream with Danielle while I have a few minutes before they call me to work. I have been working alot...very physically demanding jobs and am in great pain. *L* I'm glad that it was my last night having to work that job last night and really truly hope I get an easy job tonight, and maybe that I'll even get to sleep a little more before they call me tonight! That would be great!!! Well, more news to come later but ice cream is calling us now.

It's August already???

I cannot believe that it is already Aug 2008! Where does the time go! I have been living in Claremont for a whole year! Amazing how long transition times can go on when you still have no idea what you should do. I'm thankful that I have such wonderful friends and had the opportunity to have this year to figure out what I'm going to do. Things are still up in the air for a little longer but soon I will decide and take my first steps toward home ownership! There is a new group home opening up in Williamsburg this month and it's very nice! The woman who will be the primary caregiver is very nice, and the set up and location would be perfect for Danie. I went to visit and get the tour last week now we are just waiting to see if Danie can get in there. Has to do with legalities, lables and stuff like that, but it would be a great start for us both if it works out. Danie hasn't seen it, because it's bad enough when I get my hopes up...no need for her to be disappointed too, so we'll wait and see what they say on Aug 10th. If she gets in there then I will be looking to buy a house closer to Richmond for work. There are less expensive areas to buy than Williamsburg and I wouldn't need to live there if Danie isn't with me. If she is staying with me then my options are to look for a townhouse, or rent for a year with the option to buy a beautiful house in Williamsburg. It's more expensive than I'd like, but it's a great house in an older, safe, and friendly neighborhood. Well, I've gone on and on without actually saying anything and now I'm feeling like I'd better get off the computer and get to work. I marked off sick last night because although I had just worked from 12:35AM to 11:00AM, they would have called me again last night to go to Rocky Mount. My brother and his wife were here in VA because they drove my daughter and my nieces' sons back home after letting them vacation with them all last month in NH, and we all decided to go to Busch Gardens to hear the Charlie Daniel's Band play. It was well worth it, but I also have to get a million things done today while I have the chance. Can't mark off sick often but sometimes it can't be helped.
Still can't believe it Aug of 2008 though!!!