Where is Jay?

Well, I intended to count this year all Jay...but where is Jay?

January and February have been brutal.  Just seemed like one crisis after another.  I guess my jay is that I'm still breathing...I survived. 

Work has been crazy (who said there is no crying during tax season?).  It was so bad that I swore at work!  That most definitely shocked my co-worker, who has known me for years!

Cletus started working weekend shift (Friday-Sunday 6a to 6p).  So getting used to him home more is a challenge.  I love him, but he has been a bear.  And since it has been too cold to ride the motorpickle, he has been cooped up and grumpy.

If that wasn't enough, Cletus was told that he's diabetic and needs to straighten up his little red wagon (eat healthy, exercise more).  It was a blow to him.  And he has been going through the five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and well....he hasn't quite made it to acceptance.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that I haven't felt creative.  My get up and go seems to have got up and went.  I even went so far as to clean the craft room.  And the only thing I have discovered is that I have a lot of supplies (and yet I still need more).

Snowbird is in a few weeks.  Maybe by then I'll catch fire and be amazing.  At least, that is what I'm hoping for.  Something to overcome this crappy weather and my blahs.  Maybe having someone else do the cooking, cleaning and thinking will unleash the creative juices. And I'll find Jay.

Thoughts about 2014 (and 2015)

I don't make New Year's Resolutions.  I find them boring and tedious.  They would look a lot like the beginning of Bridget Jones' Diary.  New Year.  Day one: pounds lost = none.  Resolutions kept = none. (by the way what in the world happened to Renee Zellweger? she used to be so cute)

So I will reflect upon my bucket list and such.  Traveling: went to Snowbird...twice! and to the beach!  Hope to do more traveling this year: I'd love to go see Mickey Mouse!  Although maybe I shouldn't do the driving.  So far I have managed to get lost in the "large" metropolitan areas of: Scottsboro, Ardmore, Athens, Fayetteville, and this year add Fort Payne to the list and well... Huntsville.

I must tell the Huntsville story (yes I've lived in the Huntsville area since 1988).  I was looking for a restaurant/bar called "Under the Radar".  I trusted Garmin to guide me downtown through the one way streets.  Oh no.  I ended up literally in the secured area under the gianormous satellite radar dishes at the local CBS television station.  That's me.  Probably couldn't beat my way out of a wet paper bag! Ugh!!  Must work on my sense of direction.  (probably a good thing that I don't hike much).

And I stepped out of my comfort zone a few times.  I rode the wheel of death at the county fair.  And petted a llama.  Thankfully the llama did not spit on me!  I'm not much of a country girl.  Up until a few years ago, I thought that all chickens were white.  And what do you know...so did my sister. :D

This year I hope to step further out of the box and go skydiving.  My partner in crime, Buddy's Sunday school teacher was going to go with me.  But her husband said absolutely not.  I think he is worried about raising three rambunctious boys (ages 4, 6, & 8) on his own.  But I'm sure Tdawg would love to go with me for his 21st birthday.  Now if I can just get Cletus on board with the plan.

And as for the rest of the year.  I'm counting it all jay.  I'm sure it will be a surprise...

Change of Season and more

Well, if the summer went fast...the fall went faster.  There was a change of season and a whole lot more.

Most of it started with a call from Dee.  I used to work with her.  She wondered if I was interested in going back to work.  Well, no...but just because of Buddy.  There are no adult daycare options.  And I would have to make quite a bit to make daycare worthwhile.  If you think baby daycare is expensive, try pricing adult daycare. 

But Dee's boss, the VP of Operations, insisted on talking to me.  He offered me a job, making more than when I left the last place, with flexible hours (I could work from home some) and a place for Buddy.  Well, that's an offer I couldn't refuse.  I, however, was quite fearful.  I hate to start something and have to bail out.  But Buddy has done wonderfully well.  He actually enjoys going to work!   He works puzzles and snacks.  Then we go to lunch.  He thinks it is grand. 

Work itself has its challenges.  The payroll tax in multiple states is seriously hosed up.  I have been working at least 20 hours a week just to get it all fixed and running well.  I have had to write up procedures as I go along.  So far I have not worked from home.  I have needed the personal interaction to determine what is wrong with payroll and the best way to fix it.  Eventually, I think my hours will diminish.  Although it may turn into a case of the more you can do, the more they give you to do.  The lone accountant would love to have me there on a full-time basis.

Before heading back to work.  We did go on the scarecrow trail.  This was my favorite...

And to Lyons Farm, where Buddy petted a chicken...

 And fall baseball...

2014 was an interesting year.  I'm kind of glad to see it disappearing into the rearview mirror.  Ready to move along...