Going forward

Sighhhh. Only one official evening left. Tomorrow morning, I report back to school to begin the new year.

I feel somewhat optimistic because I am determined to be more organized and have already planned a few of the units I need for the year, as well as gotten some supplies to help me keep myself together.

However, I am still disappointed that until now, I haven't really been inspired to finish the overhaul of the apartment and so I will still be in the midst of CHAOS (can't have anyone over syndrome, a la Flyladyese) as we start the year.

Even still, things are getting better, I am just realizing that it's going to take a little longer than I had hoped to get things done. I have also realized that it is much easier to build a routine when you simply HAVE to get up because you need to go to work. 15 minutes at a time, I am going to conquer my clutter-hoarding, and therefore, in essesence, conquer my childhood!

In other news, very special congratulations to my dear friend, Amy, who can now officially claim her title as a "film screenwriter." Her 15 page script won a writing competition sponsored by Austin's Reel Women, and will soon be made into a short film. Way to go, AMY!!!

Must go now, I am going out to spend my last day of freedom relaxing at the movies!

dreamscape

Sigh. Sometimes I have strange dreams. I don't know what they're trying to tell me, because I can't have what it is that they show me. I had it once, but it's gone now. Besides, I'm 99.9% sure that I don't even want it, anymore, either. It's just difficult to keep waking up with a feeling of loss.

What is even stranger is that the dreams are getting more intense as time goes on. I keep thinking that I'll get some explanation from the world, the universe, God, whatever...but it hasn't happened yet. I'm starting to wonder if I'm truly as alone as I feel or if everything is all in my mind.

Break time

Preparing to pack, which means doing tons of laundry. I also figured since I'll be home all day (the first time in a while, since we've had CC for almost a month straight) I'd try my best to get this place looking good before we leave. I'm doing some crisis cleaning, but I'm pacing myself and using a timer so I make sure to take breaks.

When Michael gets home from football practice at around 6 or 7, I'll help him get packed, too, so I want to make sure I'm well underway. We've tried packing at the same time, and there are too many places we need to be in at the same time for that to really work well.

The kitties are really enjoying the bit of free space I've created so far and are playing like little tornadoes! (Although Beckham has focused on my maribou feathered slipper--no kitty!)

Must go save my now-slobbery shoe...

Cultist!

Okay, I know I just posted, but this was so funny, I had to share:

http://www.slate.com/id/2145916

As it happens, my bestest girlfriends have ALL been Camp Counselors, but not necessarily at the camp where I myself spent 3 summers working. Go figure. (As it happens, we're also involved in some aspect of educational service. Again, go figure.)

Pink 'n then Some

This week is going to be a major preparation week. I have been working on future stepdaughter's room (from now, how 'bouts we just call her CC?) Michael has been at work and taking her to work with him, so I could figure things out. CC decided that Pink and Purple were the colors she wanted, so off we went. I have repainted a desk and dresser that were already in the room, and the rest of the furniture is being put out on the curb tomorrow. I started stripping the wallpaper and faux wood paneling off the walls (YEECH!) today and tomorrow will go back to strip the paint we found under all that and then repaint.

Michael is amazed at how handy I am. (Daddy would be proud that I now own my own belt sander in addition to my own power drill! And yes, I know how to use both, thank you very much.)

Furthermore, I am using the rest of my waking hours to finish cleaning my own apartment, in anticipation of school starting and going on our boat ride next week. I am also trying to get every stitch of clothing I own clean and hung up so I can pack for said trip.

All of this has been a work in progress, so naturally, something else would have to happen to throw a wrench in it, right? Michael's brother just called and has already arranged a trip to stay for a week at his Dad's. And he gets here Thursday, by the way. All of that means that we really have to try hard to get Dad's house more in order.

Again, that has also been a work in progress-we ordered living room furniture yesterday, as the only pieces of furniture in the living area are a corner section of a sectional, (someone explain THAT to me, please!) two put-it-together-yourself-and-even-left-the-assembly-stickers-on-tables (one coffee table and one end table, that goes on the end of WHAT? See above!) and a really, really trashed out chair. There wasn't even room for all of us to sit in the room and watch the TV together! Anyway, new stuff is coming, thank goodness, but, of course, won't be here until after Brother leaves.

Dad has a friend that he pays a coupla bucks to clean the house once a week, but I suspect he does it more for the company-the house really doesn't look clean even right after she's been there. But, I've met her, and she seems like a sweet lady. It's good for Dad to have an extra bit of conversation, but it's difficult trying to keep up with three extra people, a total of 5 cats and 3 dogs, all in 2 different living spaces.

Anyway, I'm doing the best I can, wishing there were 26 hours in a day and that I could keep going without getting as tired as I am. With luck, I'll be able to blog later in the week gushing about great results! Pray for me!