Hi Tracie,

I’m so happy that you are finally going to have a bit of a financial relief!  I cannot believe how long this has taken for you.  But at least you can now see the light at the end of the tunnel…still a long ways off, but I’m sure you can see it! 

I still can’t believe how your girls talk to you!  One day they will realize how much you have done for them and realize how bad their attitude was and is.  I know I did with my mom.  I think I was about 32 when I realized how much my mom did for our family and how much she gave up to be a stay at home mom; only to have her husband leave her after 22 years for a much older woman!  5 kids and no working skills and too proud to go on welfare!  Wow, she is my pillar of strength!  I know I got my strength and pride from her.

When we moved here in 2007, we made the decision to put our family first again; when we lived in the NWT the girls were grown up and we were very social and had various groups of friends.  So we had to put our family back together and put them first.  Because that was our decision, we didn’t make friends here in the city.  I have friends here from back home, but they are busy and live a quite a distance away.  Also, I can’t give as much as I would like to take, so I’ve decided I must do this on my own.  My own girls are going through their own difficulties so I also don’t ask them for any help.  I know I told you before, that it is very lonely, especially in the evenings.  I haven’t been able to take up my sewing again, and to exercise…hmmmm…well, I haven’t been keeping up with that either.  Usually by 9, hubby has finished watching his programs and is ready to start reading so he can fall asleep.  Whereas, I go down to the living room and start watching TV!   I usually fall asleep on the sofa; some nights he will come and get me and some nights I wake up in the middle of the night and just move to our bed. 

I know what you mean about “kick her butt out the door”; however, I will never say those words – some days I wish to say them.  But that would create such havoc on our relationship; with the chance of losing our granddaughter…like I said, I wish to say it, but when I’m so frustrated with our daughter and I’m tempted to say it, I just close my mouth, turn and walk away.  Knowing full well, that I’m doing the right thing!

We had our winter tires put on our car earlier this week – of course they found something else wrong with the vehicle so we now have an extra cost which we weren’t budgeted for.  Vehicles!!!!!! 

We will be heading to the mountains next weekend.  Our daughter has a concert to go to and we were supposed to watch our granddaughter.  Yikes; now she has to ask one of her sisters!  AND NO, they do not get along, but like your daughters, they band together when one of them is in trouble. 

I keep wanting to start my Christmas shopping; I’m not into it this year.  Our granddaughter wants to decorate 3 days before Christmas…LOL…too funny.  We usually decorate about 3 weeks before Christmas.  It’s going to be interesting this year, as she will now be able to help us and she is quite the helper.  I usually bake with her on Saturdays if she is home.  Muffins, pancakes or cookies.  I’m not too sure about Christmas dinner this year.  My mom wants to come down, but that is also around the time my daughter is due.  We shall see.  I’m going to firm up my plans this weekend and decide what I’m going to do.  If I go and see our daughter it will be shortly after Christmas I guess.  So many decisions!!!!!!!!!!

Well, your decision about getting a smaller home is best for you; which is what you need to do…think about yourself first and what your future entails! 

It’s finally Friday, and I’m so happy.  I don’t have any plans for the weekend – probably clean.  I was supposed to do that earlier this week, but I was too lazy.  I’m feeling kind of lost right now – I think I’m overwhelmed!  Also, being house bound is driving me crazy, but I really don’t like doing anything alone.  I haven’t taken myself out for dinner in a long time because I now feel guilty about going out and leaving hubby behind.  Geesh!!!!! 

It’s another gloomy gray day!  The clouds are low, so I’m not too sure if it is drizzling or fog.  It’s supposed to be cold this weekend…and snowing!  I don’t know if I told you, but we have a resident bunny in our back yard.  He/she was born there a few years ago, so our yard is its home.  It has now turned white, which is quite funny, because all our snow has melted.  So it stands out! 

Have a great weekend; sending you a great big hug, Deb

Hi Tracy,

It was great getting away from everything and rejuvenate.  When I came into work one of my colleagues looked at me and said I looked happy and energized.  Which of course, I haven’t been feeling for a long time, but the weekend did wonders for both hubby and I! 

I applied on the position about 2 days before they moved me to my new position; because I committed to the process, I wanted to follow through and attend the interview.  It went well…as well as it could go I guess!  At least my “life” isn’t dependent on the outcome of the process! 

I really don’t know what to say about your brother, except that, I’m here for you and WOWSERS!  I don’t know what he is going through and whatever it is, I hope he can get past it; along with his insensitivity towards you and your daughters!!!  How was your dog’s grooming????  Well, it seems slowly but surely you are moving ahead in your finances and home!  I’m sure this releases some stress from you!

Things around are home is “quiet”…strangely quiet.  My oldest daughter’s relationship has fallen apart; her spouse has moved out.  My second oldest is expecting in December, so we are all a little excited about that.  My 2^nd youngest, well, she’s now disowned all 3 of her sisters.  That’s going to be tough because she really depends on them for emotional support.  My youngest left her boyfriend of 2 or 3 years, yikes I don’t even know (that’s how much I thought of their relationship) and is now dating a someone else…and she is very happy.  The relationship is progressing quite quickly and they are even talking about moving in together.  She was a bit leery about telling me as she thought I would be quick to jump/judge.  I just told her I knew this was coming, based on the signs (her spending a lot of time with him).  They’ve been friends for over 3 years, so it’s not like they don’t know each other.  Hahaha, that was her statement to me.  It would be nice to have my home again.  I’m going to miss my granddaughter, the little pitter patter and constant talking heeheeheeheehee.  My youngest is going to have a rude awakening, as I do EVERYTHING for my granddaughter; I even make both their lunches in the morning.  She’s going to have to get up a little earlier and is also going to realize how good she’s had it.  Oh well, like I said, it’s going to be good to have my home back. 

I’m trying to get my mom to Edm for Christmas, but it just isn’t working.  Seats aren’t available with my points and the cost will be anywhere from $1500-2500…YIKES, who has that kind of money.  I could book a trip for hubby and me to go to Europe for that kind of chaching change!

My evenings are so busy right now.  I’ve wanted to do some visiting, but the chores are never ending.  Hubby is talking about clearing snow from our drive/walk way, so I get up early in the morning and do it.  I told him he needs to build up his strength before he can think of shovelling the snow…and there is more coming this week (sad face).

I haven’t picked up my sewing…I’m thinking I should get at least 3 of the slippers/moccasins done before Christmas.  I hope I have the energy to sew.  Well, we’ve had huge amount of snow dump on us; and then it warmed up to +1 for a few days; now it’s going to rain tonight.  I’m staying home because it will be freezing rain and the roads will be quite treacherous!  When we were driving to Banff last Thursday, we had a huge dump of snow; I think almost every 100 feet vehicles were in the ditch.  At one point we had to slow down as the vehicles in front of us were at a standstill.  Good thing we weren’t going fast, because there were vehicles behind us hitting the ditch because they were going too fast and if they didn’t hit the ditch, they would hit the vehicles in front of them!  It was a very slow and scary trip to the mountains.  The radios were saying that the tow trucks weren’t going out on the highway, as it was too dangerous for them (as they were getting into accidents too)!!!!!!!  However, on the way home was a totally different story!  Clear roads with no ice or snow!

Well, I’m hoping all is well with you!  Sending you sunshine, cause it sure isn’t here, and a great big hug.

Deb