TGIF

I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am that it is Friday! This week has been something else. Work is so busy and we are so short staffed. My paperwork is piling up as I can't get it done for all the walk-in people. I guess that's a good thing for the college but it really adds to my stress level. I will be working this weekend. However, I did have a kid today who my heart went out too. He was returning after being suspended (and serving his time out) and as I was explaining to him how important it is to focus on classes this time, he begins to tell me about his life. During his last semester with us his mother went to prison and he and his young sister stayed with a lady who basically stole from them. He's been working trying to support himself and his sister. They are free of this lady and their mother is now out of prison. His mother and sister are on SS disability but his mother is about to lose her benefits. So he now has responsibility to take care of them. But he knows he needs school to get a better job to do just that. So... he's trying to do both. And the things he said without realizing what he was revealing to me... his sister may not achieve all that she is capable due to the indifferent mother. I talked him into a fairly light schedule and tried my best to help him maintain balance and feel like he's achieving his goal. When he left, I felt like I had done a good deed today. I hope that he will be able to keep his grades up. I fear what he may have to face if he cannot. He was way too young to have to deal with such responsibility. He should be able to to just hang out with friends and find out who he is inside. But, he probably will not have the time or resources to just be a kid a while. My prayers are with him.

I got my sleep machine (CPAP) this week and have had it for 3 nights. The second night I just took it off in my sleep and last night I managed to keep it on. However, it woke me up many times. It will take some time getting used to it. Chance however, tells me he had a very quiet and peaceful night so I guess it's doing him some good. I can't wait to see how I feel after a couple of weeks. Supposedly, that's when I will be a new Brandee. Woo hoo! I feel like such a dork with it on. Maybe if I just get back to my ideal weight I will no longer need it. My cousin keeps talking about doing crunches every day. I wish I could force myself to do just that.

We had a rough night with Taylor last night. It all came about due to her not doing her chores as Chance had told her to do. She definitely needs to learn some respect and alot of that is our fault for not being consistent with her groundings. The whole step mom issues came out and I was really upset. She is with her mom this weekend and I'm sure her mom is gloating over the whole thing. Chalk one up for her. Well, my turn will come around again because you only get burned when you put yourself before your own children. I just have to learn to be more constrained when issues come up.

I guess tomorrow we are getting a new truck. Our new truck that I love simply cannot handle the loads Chance has to haul in his work. The transmission was smoking last week as he tried to haul a heavy load. Today was his appointment day and he had some time to shop. He found a 2004 Ford F250 3/4 ton truck and I guess we are going to get it tomorrow. The papers are all done except for our signatures. I am nervous as the payment is somewhat more than what we pay now. I will miss our truck as it has served us well. We almost have it paid off and here we go again. I hope we will be able handle it. But isn't that the way it goes?

We are getting ready for Easter. That means we will lose a day of our weekend to festivities. It's always nice to be with family; but after the week I've had, I just want to hibernate in my house. I have alot to do...getting the eggs ready for hunting, food for the cookout and presents for the kids. Why do I always wait till the weekend of????? Mom and Dad are coming over tomorrow after we get the truck and Sunday we have two celebrations/hunts to attend. Tristan will definitely be worn out. Last year he got sick right after I dressed him for the occasion. I hope this year he will be able to attend.

I hope everyone is well and has wonderful plans for Easter. It is getting late and I need to rest. Until next time...