Not counting chickens before they are hatched

Or, don't spend the money before you earn it.

I've always been pretty good about being financially conservative.  It is especially important now, as I have a job where I don't get paid if I don't go to work.  There are no vacation days or any other "paid days off".  I either show up and get a paycheck or I don't get paid.  I'm not upset or complaining, just making sure we all understand the reality.

Our first snow day in the middle of January I was supposed to work.  A day of pay gone.  At the end of January, I was scheduled for 1-1/2 of the three days we were off.  More pay lost.  Last Wednesday was another snow day, and another day of not being paid.  I was disappointed when I had a job for last Friday that was cancelled, but I was extremely grateful that I was able to pick up another job for that day.  I just received notification that a job for next week has been cancelled as well.  I was only scheduled for three days, and I'm disappointed that one of them would be cancelled.  As always though, there is absolutely nothing I can do about it, and if I have a few days off, hopefully I will get some things accomplished.

This is why it is super important that I don't spend money before I have actually earned it!

Our academic girl

Last night was the winter sports awards.  I am not a fan of awards ceremonies generally speaking, but I do appreciate that our students' achievements should be celebrated.  Part of the ceremony recognizes those students that earned a GPA of at least 3.5 during the season.  They receive a certificate for being on the Conference All-Academic roster.  Andrew and I were so very proud that Catherine was recognized for this achievement!  In many ways, she may have the least natural talent of all three of our kids, but there has never been any doubt she works the hardest.  She is amazing!

The days are long

We all know the saying about how "The days are long but the years are short."  It's a well known adage.  Here we are at the end of February, which means the first two months of the year have absolutely flown by.  At warp speed, as far as I'm concerned.  Counting today, there are only 54 days of school left this year.  I'm not ready to be facing Catherine's senior year.  I'm just not.

The days though?  Wow, some of these days are crazy long.  Tuesday, I left for work at 6:30, had a doctor appointment after school, then went straight to the church to work some more.  I finally walked in the door at 6:00 that evening.  Andrew had baseball practice until 7, and Catherine had been studying with a friend until 6, so we ate a late family dinner about 7:30.  I'm grateful we ate together though.  Yesterday, Andrew left for work at 6:30 and it was 8:30 (14 hours later) when he finally walked in the door again, and that's when we finally all ate dinner.  Definitely some long days.

I know this is the phase of our life, and I wouldn't take away any of the opportunities for my kids.  our weekend is going to be equally crazy, but I'm glad that Thomas is working on the set crew for the school musical, and I'm grateful that Catherine enjoys her job.  I'm grateful that I have the opportunity to earn income at both school and my church job, and I'm grateful that I enjoy them both.  I'm grateful that Andrew can make a difference with kids in all that he does.  At the same time, these years are flying by with all of this craziness!

I kind of wish I had chosen to stay home

Today I am working in elementary.  I had known for quite some time, that due to the high school schedule today, there would be no jobs available there.  When a fifth grade job popped up from a teacher who likes me in her room, I took it.  I didn't want to give up an entire day of pay if I didn't need to.

As it turns out, I wish I had stayed home.  Not because I'm having a miserable day here, but because Catherine has been home for over an hour.  Thomas and Andrew are on a freshman class field trip, but Catherine's grade was testing today.  They were allowed to leave after the testing was finished, and she is home all afternoon.  In retrospect, while we need the money, I wish I had allowed myself to spend the afternoon with her.  There just aren't going to be many of these days left!

Some sadness

Today is the day, nine years ago, that our friends lost their six-month-old son.  He died suddenly in his sleep.  I didn't learn until the next morning, but I'll never forget finding out, or fighting tears the entire day.  It was awful.

We also received word last night that a friend lost his step-father in a car accident.  He wasn't very old, and although a step-parent, our friend was close to him.  His twin six-year-old daughters are taking the news particularly hard.

There was also a young lady from the area who was at a cheerleading competition, started feeling poorly, and died.  No one really knows what happened, but she was only thirteen.  These things just aren't supposed to happen.

I try to remember to count my blessings and be so grateful that these things aren't happening to me.  Instead, I often feel sadness for those to whom it is happening, and then absolute terror that something like this will happen to those I love.

Sending up many prayers today!

Spring break reservations are made

Andrew and I decided that we wanted to take a small trip with his parents over spring break.  Realistically, we are down to only two spring breaks left with Catherine, and if Thomas chooses to attend the career school he may not have the same week off either.  And of course, Andrew's parents are not getting any younger.  The hard part was finding something entertaining to everyone, but with a level of relaxation for us, along with something that wasn't too physically taxing to his parents.  Not an easy task to accomplish!  We thought we had a plan, but then I decided that I wasn't sure it was really something that would work for his parents.  And of course it needed to be something fairly close to Andrew's hometown because we didn't want to be gone for the entire week.

I had a brain storm one afternoon...we could to the Pro Football Hall of Fame!  It is only a couple of hours from my in-laws house, and our family definitely loves football!  And as Steelers fans, there should be plenty of Steelers history to see.  We found a good deal on one of the apartment style hotel rooms with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and living room.  Catherine and Thomas can sleep on the pull out couch.  Honestly, I am so excited about just having the opportunity to get away.  We found out the hotel is also dog friendly, so even our sweet pooch can go along!  I think we are all looking forward to this!

A very selfish weekend

I'll be honest, this weekend was full of complete selfishness for me.  I guess, I shouldn't look at it that way, but honestly, I didn't do much except things I wanted to do.  I did cook dinner on Sunday and do some grocery shopping on my way home from lunch with my mom and grandmothers, but that was about it.  It was a weekend I very much needed.  I was able to get some scrapbooking done (I am still over nine years behind though) and I pretty much ate what I wanted and watched on TV what I wanted.

After Catherine got off work on Saturday, she and I hung out and watched a movie.  I loved my time with her.  She is becoming an absolutely fabulous young lady.  The thought of her finishing school and leaving home one day brings tears to my eyes.  I am so proud of the lady she is becoming, but I sure do miss my little girl.  I admire her in ways I can't even describe.

I am so grateful for my little family, and for each day we get to spend together.  I'm grateful for me time too though.  We are so blessed!