November's Post

You Are The Chariot

You represent a difficult battle, and a well-deserved victory. You tend to struggle to get what you want, both internally and externally. You excel at controlling opposing forces, getting down the same path. In the end, you bring glory and success - using pure will to move forward. Your fortune: There is great conflict in your life right now, either with yourself or others. You must find a solution to this conflict, which is likely to be a "middle road" between the two forces. You posses the skills to triumph over these struggles, as long as your will is strong. You are transforming your inner self, building a better foundation for future successes.

What Tarot Card Are You?

I have been rather behind in posting. Work is keeping me very busy, staying late almost every evening, then rushing to pick up the kids and make dinner. Sometimes not eating until nearly 7, which is tough on the little on the little ones. Then I get to spend the next hour nagging my 7 year old to finish his homework and do his mandatory 20 minutes of reading that must be logged and initialed by me. The tuck them all in bed by 8, so they can get enough sleep for school, since they need to get up at 6 a.m. I feel bad sometimes, that I don't really get to enjoy the only time I get to spend with my kids during the work week.

But they are all healthy, and don't seem too much worse for the wear right now. Today, while DH was at school studying for finals (which he has been doing for most of this weekend) and younger DS was napping, DD and older DS and I weeded out on the patio and found some snails and a small anole (lizard), which periodically would peek its head out and watch us. We had a good time.

We watched The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe numerous times this weekend, as well. That seems to be the favorite movie for November. At least it wasn't Sleeping Beauty, which was the previous flavor of the month.

I also managed to purge several bags worth of old paperwork and broken toys and torn books. That was only the beginning. Still need to finish the rest of the family room and move the table and couch to find out what has migrated under there, as well. Even did about 10 loads of laundry. Someday, I would love to have a housekeeper.

Oh yeah, and I also make the traditional turkey dinner. With sausage stuffing made from fresh bread crumbs, smashed garlic potatoes, green bean casserole, peas (for those who don't like green bean casserole, DH), rolls (OK, these were heat and serve), sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, and gravy from the drippings and roasted veggies that baked under the turkey. It was pretty good, although next year, I think I will stuff my bird, instead of cooking the turkey unstuffed. Although it cooks faster, it seems that the bird itself was a little drier, even though I started cooking it breast side down and make DH flip it over for the last hour of roasting. (It's easier to flip unstuffed). Still, older DS gave it a thumbs up, which is pretty good, since he's at the stage where he moans and groans over just about everything that I make.

Now, I get to find a cheap, yet experienced, babysitter for Saturday. We are having our office party that evening. Any volunteers? Try as I might, no one else in our office would go for a lunch hour. Seems most everyone wanted an "upscale" dinner with adults, which I had to coordinate. Of course, next year, I will be starting that in early October. It was quite a mistake to wait until November, since the only private dining rooms left had $2K+ minimums. We'll be close to that with gratuity, with 12 people (including spouses), but those minimums don't include tips, which are usually calculated around 20% (which I have found out since coordinating our Broker event for December).

Now it time to start getting ready for the holidays. Older DS's birthday and Christmas, all within a week of each other. Somewhere in there I need to take some vacation days, although part of me it tempted to wait until January so I can have some time alone in the house to get it cleaned from top to bottom, including the carpets. For some reason, I don't think that is what most people plan during time off, but it will never get done any other way. How do other women manage to keep everything coordinated? Gads.

On the lighter side, I have managed to make another necklace and a couple of pairs of earrings. The earrings will be Christmas gifts, I think. I'll have to post some pictures as soon as I find the batteries that I bought for our digital camera. (I even made a special trip, and for the life of me, can't remember where I put them.) I have had a couple of offers from people to buy some the items that I have made, a couple of the necklaces and a bracelet. One of these days I will have to take them up. I ought to start pricing everything while I'm making them, so I know what to say.

The kids are themselves as much as ever. DH posted about what DD was thankful for (for being a princess, for those who may have glossed over that), and older DS's list of 50 or so items was read over the intercom at school. He's even thankful for our cats, one of whom has his head resting on the back of my left hand, which is making typing a bit of a challenge. (I guess the drumming of my fingers on the keyboard is like a massage for him.) Younger DS is his chipper self, when he gets his way. He acts more and more like his older boy sibling at age 2, including the scowl when he is crossed, and his love of climbing out of his crib and dislike of going to bed. Although, he does look peaceful when he succumbs to slumber, unlike his sister who always looks P.O.'ed when she finally passes out. Younger DS is talking up storm now, although I'm still unsure of everything that he is talking about. I've probably sold my soul to the devil several times over during all of the yeses and mmm hmmms that I have done during his monologues.

Well, I guess it's time to take a break from the typing and join DH while he watches America's Next Top Model.