Over a year since I started this journey and I am sad to say that despite a few times the house got better, for the most part it stayed bad. Sorry to disappoint. MY HOUSE IS STILL BAD.

The knee injury in January and 9 months physical therapy didn't help much. Not to mention the nasal surgery in May. With the follow up appointments to remove more.  I feel great and can exercise again. No more sinusitis. But, it hampered anything outside of that. And I was not able to lift anything for awhile Then I cut my finger in July. That took about 6 weeks. And is still healing.

However, my biggest issue is my workload and terrible hours I have been working are taking their toll. When I say bad we are talking 60 - 70 hours a week. I even pulled some close to all-nighters. Can we say I am way too old for this?

I took a road trip with my mom in June that was very memorable. We went to spend a week with my 91 year old grandma. That was really special. I did a lot of laughing. I paid dearly for that at work. You do not want to know.

I also took a long weekend to see my cousin, his wife (cousin in-law?) her parent's, my aunt and uncle in the Austin area. It was too short. I killed myself again with a 50+ hour week I pulled before and another after just to not work the weekend. Ridiculous.

Now church events start back up, Toastmaster contest season has started and I am pooped out. Worn out seems to be my norm and not sleeping much. Stress. You guessed it -WORK. I am trying to find time to just be still and pray. Even that feels ackward sometimes because I am moving and going and doing so much.

It seems my life has other plans for me right now. But I am looking at seeing if I can find a way to like my house. I am realizing that I never moved in. I have boxes I never unpacked sitting in almost the same place the movers put them in 2006.

I felt like I settled for this house because I couldn't afford anything else. I had lost out on several bidding wars for other homes. I had to compete with people displaced by Hurricane Katrina and I was feeling like I needed to get anything after months of looking.

I have hated the look of the kitchen and the carpeting from day one. But, that money went to a new AC and I almost have that paid off now. But, hating it has kept it messy. It is almost like I don't care because I hate it. Then I hate it more cause it is messy.

This weekend I took the weekend off (I know, I know) and took a 3 hour nap today. I did do some laundry and got to the grocery though. I am so sick and tired of eating out.

My goal is to put this project back on the calendar. I want to make some slight improvements that might help me like my kitchen and floors a bit more. Heck, seeing the counters and floors again will be an improvement. It will take some doing, I spent a whole year doing other stuff and have run out of excuses.

Pray that I get this done and livable. Pray for a better work situation! Making change is hard - but worth it!

Christine

With the Christmas Season over I am sad to take down the decorations. It means we have another 11 months till we get all that festive stuff again. I am also taking this opportunity to clear out what didn't get used and not pack it again for another 12 months! Some items you buy on sale after the holiday at deep discount, but never use. I think if I haven't used them for two years it is time to pass on to someone who will use it. so I am trying to keep the holiday decor down to a dull roar.

Giving away the unwanted Christmas Decorations! Check!

I do love Christmas! But, boy it takes room I don't have to store the stuff! I think I need to really look at all the gift wrap stuff and organize it better. Boy does that take up some room! Maybe some better packing will condense down the 6 or 7 big containers of Christmas I have right now.

If you have suggestions on how to store Christmas decorations and wrapping please let me know!