On Daffodils and Goals

See those daffodils? We took this picture last Spring, when I had convinced myself that I had totally ruined all the hard efforts that my mother in law had put into dividing daffodils and I had skipped dividing them the first two years we were in the home. I was grieving the loss of my oldest son and the yard and flower beds were the least of my concerns during my self-absorbed sad period. I'm thankful that they survived and thrived this past Spring. This picture is my reminder that we need to plan ahead for the upcoming year, be more engaged in our lives, and set our goals so that we aren't just spinning our wheels in 2013. I goal-set this year, but it was due to overwhelming stresses, and my goals have caused me to bury myself in work instead of enjoying life as I pass through it. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do for a living, I'm a teacher, and I tutor as a 2nd business, and a friend of mine started her Mary Kay business this summer, so I joined in that too, but not as fervently as she has with her own business adventure. I'm writing this to make myself more accountable, not only to myself, but to anyone who reads this post. I've discovered that if I make my goals known, and define them clearly for myself, that I accomplish much more than I do if I don't have clear set goals. Without them, I find myself putting out fires, so to speak, instead of working on something to completion. So this is my way of remembering the daffodils, and the other things that I want to see grow and multiply as well. I will be spending the next few weeks re-evaluating my goals in life, and specifically, those things that I can set goals to accomplish throughout the next year. We all know my first goal that I am setting, to remember to divide the daffodils this Spring so that they can flourish and we can reach the 10K daffodils that Mother wants to have in memory of Lee. Laurence has already committed to sitting down together and working on our goals for next year (although we were discussing financial goals at the time, but he'll be in with me, we're a lot alike in that respect) So, there is my rant to basically myself about daffodils and goal-setting. Are you doing something similar with your own life at this time of year?

It's not even 7 a.m. yet, and I am alone with a cup of coffee, the computer, and the peace and tranquility of a home not yet alive with the buzz of the other adults and children. It was nice to get up and meditate, have my alone time with myself and God, and to release the pent up anxiety of the week and weekend to start refreshed today. Wendy is coming home today to get a dress for her awards banquet next weekend. I like driving into Charlotte, but I don't like skipping Church on Sunday to do it. We tried to fit it in at a different time, but the schedule I have been working is ridiculous and we couldn't sync together until today. I have decided to dissolve the business partnership I made in February. Friday was the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak. She doesn't mean to be insensitive, but she is a "typical" local and the things she says to me via text and the passive-aggressive way she handles conflict are just not working for me. She is supposed to pay me my portion of what she owes me for March and April tomorrow, so I will work with my students, but I will not give her notice, because she is a vindictive soul and I just can't take any negativity in my life any longer. There is a part of me that feels torn about it, because I do not think it is "right" to leave the children in a bind that way, and I know that she won't be able to teach them the way I can to prepare them for their EOG, but my own peace and knowing that I am surrounded by the right energies is more important than staying there dealing with the whims of her attitude on a daily and weekly basis. I will probably chill out for a few weeks and then start advertising for students to tutor this summer from my home, or I might rent space in another area and start alone with my own business, but I can't work in a partnership with her. But enough of the negativity and regrets. The greatest news EVER!!!! My son, Caleb, is back on his Strattera and is loving life right now. He should be leveled out by the time his class is scheduled to take their end of grade tests, but I'm not going to sweat the small stuff at this point, just hope that he can focus and do his best with the knowledge he has. Dissolving my partnership with the tutoring company will be good, because it will give me the time I need with him to help him learn what he has missed this year. Yesterday he went to the festival they were having downtown, and he had a blast. He won a stuffed tiger by shooting a cork gun, and it only took him two shots to win it. He brought it home and gave it to me. He also won a lobster, and he was going all around the house last night saying "Say hello to Mr. Snappers!" and then poking me in the arm with the lobsters pincher. He's a trip!! I never planted my lettuce yet *sigh* so that is my task for the morning while I wait on Miss Wendy to get up and come home. She has requested breakfast, so we will all eat and then she and I will head out to Charlotte dress shopping. I'll probably go ahead and get her some new sandals too while we're out, it's been a while since I have shopped for shoes with Ms. Amazon a.k.a. Wendy. It should be a fun day :)

Searching...

I promised myself that even though I wasn't able to do some of the things that I wanted to start this 2012 when the insanity hit our lives in January, that I would at least focus on being the wife and friend that I want and need to be, not the self-serving heart and mind of the people involved in this "insane episode of life." As usual, I tried to control everything around my decision instead of following the simple route. As usual, I struggled. Then, I talked with my cousin on Facebook. Something as simple as our brief typed words to one another from here in North Carolina to there in Mississippi, something that took about 10 minutes of my "down time," and I had an epiphany. She doesn't try to control it, she allows God to control it.

So, this morning I woke up, and I searched online for a bible study to follow, and I found the Proverbs31.org website. Talk about a wow moment! Guess what today's topic was about? Just guess!! Yep, it was about choosing NOT to be offended by other people's words, and focusing on God's wishes to not be offended by the words of others, to not allow anger to guide us and to treat others as he would want us to, as we would like to be treated.

"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)

That was the verse that Wendy Blight started the devotion with, and wow, what a devotion. You can read it here
I hope you get as much WOW as I did when I read it. I followed the post to another website here. This is Wendy Blight's Living Truth website. I read further and was floored. I was so worried about how to help my husband deal with what others thought, and I have cried countless tears and tamped down such an abundance of anger all because I was upset at what others thought. I would think "Well, so-and-so will get hers, who does she think she is" and "They need to hear about the different kinds of man today" instead of listening and taking in the sermon and the scriptures, just as she said she did when her daughter would talk to her or she would sit in the pew hearing the sermon, but not really listening as she should.

I prayed for help with this, and I feel that I am doing the right thing, starting my day on the right foot, because I asked HIM for guidance and help in how to proceed. I might not be able to read 52 books in 52 weeks or start the 12 sewing projects I'd like to start in 2012, or even increase my student's test scores more than 20 percent this year on the EOG test. I can't control the "insanity" that has hit us. I can follow God's word though, and allow him to speak to me, and hear the words of others and not take in the negativity and hatred. I can choose to not be offended and be the wife and mother and friend that God commands me to be.

I'm really happy that I stumbled across Wendy Blight's posts today. I truly believe that things happen for a reason, and this is just more evidence to support that belief. I hope you all find support and affirmation for positive reinforcements in your own lives today and everyday.

Now...I'm going back to bookmark her site and sign up for a few things, then to organize my to-do list for today and get moving! Has God led you to a new discovery lately?

Blessings,

Trixie :)

Tuesday Twitter Pated Hop

I'm joining Rebecca and some others over at Learning to Limit for her Tuesday Twitter Hop.



It's week #2, but I just joined too, so just go on over and join us all. It should be great fun for 2012!!

Observe Oosouji

Oosouji is a Japanese tradition where the home is given a special cleaning from top to bottom in preparation for the New Year. In Japan, each year is seen as separate and distinct.

For my celebration of Oosouji, I will be cleaning and organizing our home in preparation for our New Year here in an effort to invite a fresher and more orderly upcoming year. Won't you join me?

Today's Tasks:
1. Entry
2. Donation Station
3. Purging and putting away Christmas decorations.
4. Windows and Curtains/Blinds

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. ~Dr Seuss


My children are here with us for the holiday, cookies are baking, presents are wrapped. The only thing left now is to watch our Christmas favorites like "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and enjoy being together.

While it does feel a little empty to be having another holiday without Wil, I am thankful and joyful that we have the other children and that we are all together right now.

May you find your little bit more and revel in it this weekend. Merry Christmas from the Huss Family.

School Party - What to bring? - Bourbon Balls of course

I totally forgot about the school food thing tomorrow during our planning time! Trying to think of something simple yet good to take, I ran across this recipe for Bourbon Balls that we took to a Christmas party last year. I'm going to make them tonight. Simple, good, elegant enough to seem special.

Chocolate Bourbon balls

1 pkg semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup bourbon
3 tbsp. light corn syrup
2 1/2 c. crushed vanilla wafers
1/2 c. sifted powdered sugar
Sugar to roll balls in
Pecans (1 c. if you like to add nuts, I'm not since I am not sure of all of my coworkers preferences tomorrow)

Directions:
1. Melt chocolate chip pieces by placing in a microwave save bowl and microwaving for 1 min, then additional 30 s until all chips are melted.
2. Add corn syrup and bourbon and mix well.
3. Combine crushed vanilla wafers and powdered sugar in a separate bowl.
4. Let stand for 20-30 minutes.
5. Shape into balls (about 1 inch). Roll in sugar.
6. Store in refrigerator until served.

How easy is this? I'll post pictures of the finished product tonight.