Moving Right Along

Hello and Welcome to the Weekend! I had the day off work today for my first foster care home visit. Two of the social workers came just to check out the house and give me an overview of what I still need to do to prepare and to become a certified foster parent!

It's a bit overwhelming to think about but this is something that I have been wanting to do for a long time. :)  I know that I need to get the foster care room set up properly but at least the middle of the floor was cleaned up. (Sue M. you would be proud!)  I am just about ready to get the crib from my friend Tiana (in case I get a call to take an infant).  I turned in the background check from Sue and her mom.  I still need to turn mine in!  I gave a form to my brother to fill out (as a back-up caregiver).  It should be pretty easy for him to fill out since he has lived at the same address for the past 25 years.  Much easier than mine will be! LOL.  I also have my friend Stacia filling out her form as a back-up too.  I need to get the other forms out to some friends as well.  I called the people who were sent reference forms and 3 out of 4 people received theirs and are filling them out! Yay!  I also have a few items of paperwork that I need to fill out myself (I finished one of the lengthy questionnaires today).  I have my next visit on February 8th, where I will actually go to the office so that I can be interviewed in depth.  We thought this would be easier without my mom around because they may want to ask me some questions regarding the living situation with her.

As far as the things I need to get ready, the list is as follows (I will try to remember it all):

• Clean out the basement so that the paint cans and other materials are separated (Apparently the way I have them stored now is a fire hazard. Oops!)
• Purchase a fire extinguisher and post directions on how to use it (Everyone in the household is required to know how to use it).
• Purchase and install smoke detectors in each of the bedrooms
• Purchase and install a carbon monoxide detector
• Make sure all outlets have outlet covers (Took them off when painting)
• Prepare the foster care room.  I need to clean out the rest of my junk, get a bed etc.

I think there may be a few more, but I don't have my list in front of me at the moment.  

There are also other things that I would like completed that are not necessarily required but that I feel will make the living space more comfortable for all of us.  I am planning on having a painting/work party for any of my friends who are available to help on February 2nd and 3rd to help finish up some painting projects mostly.  I have to finish painting the kitchen.  Not too much left to do but a little.  I need to finish painting the hallway.  I would like to repaint the room that I will use for foster care and I would like to paint  my mom's room as well.  They are all in need of painting as they have not been painted in a while!  I will provide snacks as well as bagels for breakfast and pizza for dinner on both days.  I'm hoping that even if people can just show up for an hour or two on either Saturday or Sunday that I will get a bunch of stuff done!  Wish me luck! :)

In other news today, I had a great day with my niece Taylor.  I picked her up from school and we took a trip to the bookstore to use her gift certificate that I got her for Christmas.  Then we went to Panera where we had macaroni and cheese and clam chowder. When we were halfway through with our chosen "snack" we "switched." It was the best of both worlds.  At Panera, I was able to use the gift certificate generously given to me by Stacia's parents for my 40th birthday.  When I brought Taylor home, I spent the evening with the kids and Jamie and had a wonderful time.  The kids danced to music from a CD that Taylor played on her "Hello Kitty" CD/Tape player.  It was definitely entertaining to watch.  I also learned what a pro Cameron is at completing 24-piece puzzles.  It was amazing to see how quickly and easily he put them together. :)  I really love those kids.  They all have such great personalities and they make me smile! :)

Tomorrow morning I'll be headed to Turning Stone casino with my friend Kim on a bus trip through her work.  Hope I win some $$$.  That's all for now! Have a great day/night depending on when you read this! LOL

Slacker!

Ok - So here I am at week 2 of the New Year and I'm already slacking! Ugh! It's OK though; I will continue to work at it! I haven't run or gone to the gym since Sunday.  It's so hard to get motivated during the winter and I'm so tired when I get home from work.  I know that this is even more reason for me to get going.

On a more positive note, I have the day off work tomorrow. :)  I had a personal day to use and took tomorrow.  The main reason I took it off tomorrow is that I have my first home visit to begin the foster care process.  I am feeling pretty unprepared, however.  I did move my room into the room next to the bathroom and it was somewhat clean but now is a mess again. I have quite a mess in the soon to be foster care room but am working on it.  I came downstairs to take a break because it can get pretty overwhelming at times.  I have so much stuff and I continue to work on weeding stuff out but there is just so much! It is a very slow process for me but I'm getting there.  I need a day with Susan Matthews to come help me do some more organizing. :)  She is my motivator in that category. :)

I also had a great dinner last night with my brother Kevin and sister-in-law Robin.  :) This is on my resolution list so I'm doing good there. :)  I can't remember if I wrote about this, but I signed up for a ballet class for myself and my friend Christine. :)  The class starts on January 14th and I can't wait!  It also counts as my fun and different thing for January (even though its a 10-week class).  My February fun thing is my painting class at Saratoga Paint and Sip Studio with Stacia.  I'm also going to Turning Stone Casino for a day trip with my friend Kim on Saturday. I hope I win some $$$!  That would be a bonus!  It should be a fun day anyway.

I spent 2 evenings reading a book that I got (with my birthday gift card from Belynda). :)  The book was Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell.  It's one of those light reads that I really enjoy.  It's about a woman who meets this guy who she thinks is great and finds out that he left his wife because she was pregnant and that he's still married.  Anyway, it was fun to read and unlike my life, she actually ends up finding a great guy at the end.  This can only happen in books and movies, huh? LOL.  Oh well, lucky for me I have many other things going on and can still have fun and be happy without a man. :)  Don't know how I got on that tangent except to say that this book reading, although it was entertaining, kept me from doing all the other things that I was supposed to do! LOL! I guess I need that from time to time anyway.  Back on the wagon next week!  Since I will be taking Ballet class on Monday, I know I'll be off to a good start.  In case you are wondering, this ballet class is an adult beginner class and no experience is necessary so I should be fine! Ha ha! I do need to purchase some ballet slippers though.  I guess I'll be making a trip to the Costumer tomorrow!

That's it for now! I'll try not to be such a slacker!

Moving Forward

Good Afternoon! Today has been great so far! I began my day at the Scotia Diner with my friend Stacia. :) Today we got to celebrate her birthday and during our breakfast I got more and more motivated to continue with my goals for 2013! Thanks Stacia! :)

After breakfast I came home and researched some 5K's for the month of May/June, I registered Stacia and I for her birthday gift and my "Fun February" activity. We are going to Saratoga Paint and Sip Studio to create our Sunflower masterpieces. I can't wait! :)  I am waiting to hear from my friend Christine to find out if we are going to be able to take our Ballet class on Monday nights which will count as my "Fun January" activity. Then it will be 2 months down and 10 to go for my goal of 1 fun and different activity per month (Even though Ballet class is 10 weeks long. Hee hee).

I started my exercise goal on January 1st and as you know I ran that day, which was a Tuesday. I wimped out on Wednesday because of the cold, which motivated me to check out a local gym on Thursday.  I worked out on the gym equipment for 35 minutes and took Friday off. On Saturday I met my friend Terri for a run, which ended up being 2.8 miles long and no exercise so far on Sunday (Not sure it will happen. LOL! But I will plan on going to the gym on Monday).  So the final verdict is 3 out of 6 days of exercise for 2013 so far! :) I'll take 50% as a start!

I am having my brother and sister-in-law over for dinner on Wednesday evening, have my first visit from the foster care case worker, and am getting together with my friend Jess after work. :) I have invited Jess and her fiance over for dinner some night in January I think and Stacia and Andrew in February or March I hope. :)  I have many people on the list and hope to have many wonderful meals together!  I still need to send out my invite to have a game night on the 18th I'm thinking. If you're reading this and would like to come, let me know! Our book club will start back up again on February 1st and I'm looking forward to that! I guess that's it for now! Have a great day!!

NOTE: I changed my main photo to the picture of my night out with Wanda and Stacia for my 40th birthday, but I still want to document the wonderful photo from the 40th birthday celebration with Belynda in Hershey, so I'm including it here. I may change the pictures periodically to keep it fresh and to highlight things occurring in my life but I will always keep the pictures in my blog! Love you all! :)

Cross Training

Good Morning! This is going to be a quick post today just to stay in the habit.  I would have written last night but I fell asleep! LOL.  Anyway, I did go to the gym last night. This cold is just getting the best of me and I don't want it to keep me from exercising so I'm exploring the gym option again.  It's about $30 a month if I decide to go with the option of classes, which is what I want.  There are cheaper gyms in the area ($9.99 month) but every one of them requires an enrollment fee.  This gym also has a $9.99 option but it does not include classes and it's a $50 enrollment fee.  The place I used to go to has a $129 enrollment fee for the $9.99 a month and I feel like they are used car salesmen so while I enjoy the convenience of them, I'd rather not give them my business.  While I was at the gym, I ran into my friend Shelley who is also a member there and we talked about taking some classes together so that's a definite bonus!  She also told me that our friend Ashley is a member so that's another bonus! I have a 7-day pass to try it out so I will keep you posted!  Although I just did the elliptical last night, my main purpose for joining (besides getting out of the cold!) is so that I can cross-train and avoid another stress-fracture or injury of any type.  That's it for now! Will try to write later tonight! :)

BRRR!

Hello My Friends - Today was my first day back to work after a week and a half off and boy was it cold! I woke up a little later than I wanted to because I was so cold that I didn't want to get out of bed! That brings me to a little addition to my New Years Resolutions: Get to work earlier! I really really try but I really really hate mornings; especially in the winter.  Anyway, I did eat my lunch that I packed and I had my first cup of coffee at home, then forgot to fill my travel mug to take with me. :( I had a cranberry English muffin for breakfast. :)  Eating breakfast is important so that is also a goal I am going to work hard on each day.

I did "pack" my running gear and had every intention of running at 4:00 and doing about 2 miles, which would give me time to get to the running trail and be done before sunset. In theory the plan was great! In theory that is. ;)  I unfortunately wimped out because it was so cold outside. It was just one of those days. I know it was just as cold, if not colder yesterday but I just didn't have the motivation. Yikes! Gotta get back into that groove.  I will get there slowly but surely.  This is a short blog post today, but I am at least trying to write more often. Yes, it's only been 3 days but I am working on developing a habit. Wish me luck! LOL!

Oh, I almost forgot, I invited my brother and sister-in-law over for dinner next week and my brother is going to get back to me on which day works best. :) Check another item off my resolution list. :)

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year! Last night was lots of fun with my friend Sue. :) We went to see a comedy show, then to Friday's and then to her house to watch the ball drop.  It was calm but a great way to ring in the New Year!  The comedy show was pretty good but the 4th and last comedian was really raunchy and not very funny.  The funniest part was how many people he offended who left before his act was over.  I think that's when Sue and I laughed the hardest! It was like a mass exodus! LOL. Thanks to all who texted to wish me a Happy New Year!  :)

As far as the day goes today, I got a good start on some of my New Years Resolutions. :)  I woke up a little late and was slow moving to begin so I missed my intended Winter Series Run.  I probably could have made it but it would have been cutting it very close.  I decided that rather than try to run to the start and risk missing it altogether that I would just run on my own instead.  I ended up running 2.25 miles on the Niskayuna bike path. It was at a slow pace; about 12:30 mile, but it felt good to get out there. My goal is to just get out there consistently 3-5 days a week for the next few weeks and not worry about pace.  If I can do 2 miles a night for the next two weeks, I'd be happy. As the weeks progress, sunset times will also get later so it works well with my mileage increase.  :)

I also got rid of some boxes by bringing them to my friend Sandy's house.  She will go through and take what she can use and then donate the rest. :)  I took out the garbage too! Both of these things help with my organization goal. I've been making lunch and dinner for my mom and using up leftovers as I go along. This helps with finances and with taking better care of my mom.  :)  I was able to get my room together and moved my bed into my new "bedroom" and was therefore able to sleep in my bed for the first time in quite a while. That's a whole different story.  Let's just say it's progress! :)  I read a few pages in my Chi Running book.  I decided I would read a few pages a day to help with my running and hopefully gain strategies for avoiding future injury. I placed my "positive or happy" event of today in my 2013 jar. Finally, I made my lunch for tomorrow and got the coffee maker all set up! Should make the morning easier!!

Now it's late and I'm tired so I'm going to cut it off here! Oh, and I blogged today! Let's hope I do it again tomorrow! Night!

                                               Before the run in the bitter cold!!

                                               The path I just ran!!

                                           2.25 miles done! First run since my injury!
                                           

Reflection

Good Morning to the few of you that may read my blog.  :) With 2012 coming to an end, it's now a time for me to reflect on the year that has gone by and think about my goals for the upcoming year.  I have heard people say, "I don't make resolutions" or have heard people talk about the silliness of resolutions.  I personally don't think that there is anything wrong with it.  For me, it gives me hopes and plans for the future and it gives me some sort of road map to help me to be better and do better. It's not an end all to be all, just a guide. :)  I'm going to make my list here on line to help me to be more accountable.  Granted, not many people read this blog and I do it more for myself anyway, but once I publish it, it will be out there in cyber world. LOL

Resolutions for 2013 (I reserve the right to modify or add to this in the upcoming days)

1) Organize my finances (This one is huge and requires many steps. Ugh!)
     - Call Consumer Credit Counseling Agency
2) Make running a habit again. :)
3) Complete a marathon for Maddie, Ila-Jean, and many other child angels.
4) Organize the Fall Festival/Pumpkin Carving Contest
5) Eat healthier
    - Pack lunches for work
    - Make smoothies in the morning
6) Invite friends of mine and my mom's over for dinner once or twice a month
7) Invite Robin, Kevin, and Erin & Garrett to something at least monthly for a year to try to establish a family relationship
8) Cross-training activity once per week
9) Learn to play guitar
10) Take an actual vacation - preferably somewhere with a beach!
11) Continue once a month book club
12) Write down a positive thought each day and put it in my New Year's Jar
13) Organize and keep rooms organized
14) Complete foster care process
15) Participate in at least one fun/out-of-the ordinary activity a month (i.e. Painting class, cooking class, hike)
16) Blog more frequently
17) Have more patience and take better care of my mom

OK - I will stop my list for now, but I'm sure there is more. If I think of anything, I will add it as I go along.

P.S. I forgot the reflection part, which is the title of this entry so I will take a moment to do so now. :)

This past year has been difficult for many families locally and throughout the world with so many children dying senseless deaths.  I have been overwhelmed by the strength and the courage I have seen from local families that I have come to know who have done such positive things to remember these angels.  In February, Matt and Erin Musto lost their beautiful 5-year old daughter to a rare-inoperable brain tumor.  While they grieve, they have also done so much through their organization Maddie's Mark to help other children as well as the community.  I never had the privilege of knowing Maddie in person, but her spirit lives on through the memories of her.  Another family, the Rathbone's lost their daughter Ila Jean in April after a long fight with Neuroblastoma.  I went to elementary school with Ila Jean's mom Jennifer.  I followed her story through Jen's facebook and caringbridge posts and was constantly amazed by her strength and faith in God.  Online videos of Ila Jean showed her spunk and spirit and although I did not meet her either, I was able to see what an amazing child she was.  Finally, just before Christmas, Devon LaPrade lost his 19-month battle with the same type of tumor that took Maddie Musto just 5-days after her diagnosis.  This was another warrior that I never got to meet but I followed his story and prayed for him and his family as I did for all the others.  I don't think I ever actually knew his mom Michelle personally, but my friend Sandy was friends with her throughout high school and told me some wonderful things about her.  Even though I hadn't known Devon, I could see through everything that Michelle was an amazing mom, as were all of these other parents dealing with such tragedies.  Michelle was there for her son Devon every step of the way as he fought this horrendous battle.  Each one of these parents has taken tragedy and used it to help others.  Even though Michelle is grieving, I see that she often takes time out to think of others in her facebook posts and she is so thankful for the support of the community.

In 2013, I hope to focus on the positives and become a better person.  All of the families I have described above have been faced with unthinkable tragedies but have chosen to do something positive in the face of those tragedies. Let's hope for good things for all of us in 2013!

Prayers to the families in Newtown, CT as well as they are facing a difficult road ahead. And prayers to the family and friends of the teens that were killed or injured in Clifton Park.  I am thankful for all that I have!

If I don't get a chance to write before next year, Happy New Year!! :)