IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME..........

Hello, all!  It has been a long time since I have posted here, hasn't it?  I have been busy with my new job, but it isn't anything that I have to complain about.  The job is very easy to do, and it isn't stressful at all.  I thought that it was a crime to be paid for what I was doing at Wal-Mart, but this is almost criminal! LOL  I get bored often, and there is only so much internet shopping that you can do to pass the time......so I am picking up on my reading again, something I haven't had the time to do in a while.  I am reading "Approval Addiction" by Joyce Meyer right now, and I am almost finished with it.  Anyone out there have any suggestions? 

The kids are adjusting to my new schedule very, very well.  I guess they were better prepared for the changes than I had expected.  And I am off every Tuesday and Wednesday, so that gives everyone some sense of stability.  I continue to cook meals for them during the week, do the laundry, and clean when I feel that it is necessary, while my husband has become more efficient in helping around the house and with their homework.  Everyone seems to be pulling together to get things done, which lifts a tremendous burden off my shoulders.  Of course, getting to this place of balance wasn't easy at all, but I am so glad that we are arriving here, and maintaining that balance isn't such a struggle.  We are beginning to operate as a cohesive family unit, which is what I had been trying to establish.   I am able to relax more, and enjoy peace and rest, and so is everyone else in the family.  Home has now become a place of rest, as it should be.

Of course, extra money isn't bad, either! LOL  I have begun to update ALL our wardrobes, especially the girls, because they were severely lacking in winter clothes.  They now have jackets and long skirts, and I will purchase some long-sleeved shirts and sweaters this week.  My years of shopping thrift stores and discount clothing stores help me save a LOT of money, and I receive the added benefit of obtaining top-quality merchandise for less!  I usually buy skirts, jeans and pants new, and buy sweaters, jackets and coats from discount outlets or thrift stores.  I always inspect the clothes for wear and tear, or holes, and I always make sure that the clothes are durable and machine-washable.  The other great thing about buying from thrift stores is that when we have a wave of "vintage resurrection" in the fashion world, I am always able to find some seventies, eighties, or nineties must-have (like a baby-doll dress to go on top of leggings) for a really good price.  Many people don't believe or can't tell that I shop at a thrift store for clothes!  I don't always indulge my secrets, but will share some ideas only if I feel that someone is getting ready to spend entirely too much money for an item that they can probably find at a thrift store, and in good condition, for less than $10!  

Speaking of fashion..........

I lost a favorite dress of mine in New Orleans, a two-piece jersey knit number that fit my curves to a tee!  While browsing through a co-worker's Newport News catalog, I ran across a similar dress, that is available in the same color I had, khaki, beige, or what they call Oatmeal:

It's $50, though.  I will either wait until my next pay period, or wait for the price to go down before buying it.  I have a fur cape that was given to me, and some gold sandals to go with the dress.  The only thing is, "where the heck am I going to wear all of that?!?" 

Sometimes, I feel too "prissy" for the people that are in my life.  I always feel over dressed around them, but I hate feeling the way that I do when I don't wear what I like.  You know, I remember feeling that way once, and I told God about it.  That year, He wound up sending me to Chicago to represent my city and my police department, and I received awards and offers to go to dinners where the clothes I had in my closet were appropriate.  Perhaps He is preparing me for something in the near future?  Only time will tell...........

I have an Inspirational Blog that I update every Monday.  I am offering anyone who is interested the invitation to read it.  The entries are weekly devotions that I post to a women's group that I am a member of online.  Click HERE to access it, or click on "My Inspirational Blog" in my favorites section.

Finally, here's another one of those silly surveys from MyYearbook.Com.  Enjoy!

 

Adrian

 

                                          

How Old Is Your Soul?
Middle Age Soul You have a MIDDLE AGED SOUL! You're all responsibility and work. You're detail oriented and focused on the prize at the end of it. This can be good, but sometimes you miss things that are happening right now! Remember to slow down once in a while and enjoy the moment.
Take The Quiz Now!	Quizzes by myYearbook.com