Catching Up

It's been awhile! Life has been a little overwhelming lately. Here's what's been happening:

-Relative is leaving us! We knew it was coming, we just got a feeling about it. He was calling home a lot more, deleting the history on the computer after he was done, and just generally being more quite. I am disappointed in how it has come about, it seems sneaky. Man is pretty mad, he feels that Relative used us for a year long vacation. Maybe he did, lesson learned on our part. If he wants to go home then he can go home, just be honest! I do not think he gave 100% into getting a full time job. There was no calling or visiting potential jobs. He did everything over the computer-very impersonal when you want to get a job in this economy. He only worked 3 days a week and on his days off he slept till noon, played video games, and watched TV. Last week we had a feeling he was going to leave, so we asked him. He said he was thinking about it. I made it perfectly clear that he needed to go on his own terms, not by his parents. I wanted him to understand that he needs to work towards a career and going back home will limit that. We are from a College town, so job opportunities are limited. He was planning on going home for Christmas and I told him when he got back that he had to work 40 hours a week. This meant speaking to he employer to get more hours or getting a part-time job. Five days later he tells us he's leaving! Imagine that... I don't want to be mad at him since he is family, but I am a little bit. I have said my peace and gave my opinion,wanted or not, I need to let it go. Relative will make his own decisions, good or bad, and I hope this was a learning experience for him. Good Luck Relative! We will miss you! Now I get my home back! (kidding!)

-Cooper is down to 101 lbs.!! He has lost 6 pounds since June! Good job Cooper and us-for portion control and more walks. The walks don't hurt Man and I either!

-We got our boat repaired and ready to sell, finally. We haven't used it in 2 years. It needed several things repaired totalling $1200.00-ouch! One of the repairs was $600 and we decided not to fix it, just to cut the price down. Man told the repair person not to fix that item because we didn't have the extra money right now! Well, the guy fixed it!! He and Man kind of yelled at each other a little bit. We didn't have the money to pay for it and the guy wouldn't give us our boat without payment. No boat-no selling it!! I was pissed to say the least! The guy ended up taking a couple hundred off and we paid and got our boat back. I think it was very sneaky of the repairman and it put a big dent in our savings.

-Money has been tight! It has been tight since August. We are trying to pay down some debit, so we limit our "play money" each month. Once we are on a limited budget, things start coming up that need taken care of! It never ends! Our automatic drive way gate broke, the boat repair, Man needed work pants, vet appointments, the printer broke, the wireless mouse broke, and TV broke. When will it end!!! Someone please buy our boat!!

-My Mom is not going to visit for Christmas. She is afraid to fly by herself. A pretty lame reason to turn down a chance to see your daughter (who was buying the plane ticket!). Whatever! My family is very selfish. Do I sound bitter??

-I haven't been doing too much cooking lately. I mean I am cooking dinner, but nothing blog worthy. The holidays will inspire me, I hope!

-I am on the quest for the perfect Christmas Card. I think I have found it at www.snapfish.com. It is a 4x8, 4 picture green snowflake design. I wanted one that I could use more than one picture. You see, as much as my family disappoints me, I still feel the need to keep the lines of communication open. I want them to see how we are doing. When family is concerned, it is ALWAYS better to be the bigger person. I was thinking of doing a holiday letter too, but I don't want to come across as bragging. Does anyone else do Holiday letters??

-I am very late starting my Christmas shopping this year due to the money situation. Hopefully I can start next weekend. It is going to be very scaled back this year. Man and I do gifts for each other because it's fun and we love Christmas. I have a very short Christmas list this year. There is just nothing I really want or need. Of course, Man had a long expensive list!

-We are going to the in-laws for Thanksgiving. Yeah-no major cooking for me! I will bring desserts, Pumpkin Pie and Apple Pie, yummy! I also got a four day weekend for Thanksgiving! Extra sleep here I come!

-I have been challenged at the gym lately. The weights seem heavier and the cardio longer!! I think I am not getting enough sleep. Tonight is the stair climber and power pump (weight lifting class). Wish me luck!