A late one...

I know this is a very late update.  I blogged almost daily for a while there.  I guess life just has a way of intruding sometimes!

Not really a lot has been going on.  I'm working fast and furiously at work.  So many things to get done before year end.  I have a huge deadline looming over me. A year-long project that must be finished and doesn't seem to be going anywhere. 

Jenna got her progress report from school last week.  She's doing well.  Es in Bible, Social Studies, Science and something else...S+ or S in everything else (handwriting, math, reading, etc.)  We are very proud. She's been struggling with her behavior lately and so we've had a "coming to Jesus" talk with her which has resulted in her being without TV privileges for the past 3 days.  I can already see an improvement in her behavior at home, so I hope it's working.

Steve's still working at the church about 3 days a week.  He finally signed back up for unemployment (he was ineligible for a while when he was working 2 PT/temp jobs) and that will help fill the financial gap.  We are beginning to really feel the pinch of him being out of a job.  God has provided more than I can tell you through the last few months.  Perhaps a post on that soon.  Anyway, thankfully, for the last 10+ years, I have had a Christmas Club account where money is automatically deducted from my check and sent to a special account at the credit union.  They transfer it into my savings in October and then we have that money for Christmas.  It is the BEST thing I have ever done financially speaking (or close to it).  Each Christmas, we have more than enough money to make our family's Christmas a good one.  This year, it will come in extremely handy.  I can't imagine the stress this year if we hadn't saved all year.  We do give back also...we are helping with the church's Christmas baskets this year and I have to say, I'm pretty excited about it.  I hear it's a fabulous time!

What's on tap this weekend?  Not much.  I am leaving shortly to go to the VERY EARLY matinee of New Moon with my friend Marcia!  It's the 10 AM showing.  We figured it would be best to beat the crowds.  I'm pretty excited about it.  After that, I have absolutely no plans whatsoever.  Laundry of course, but other than that, just relaxing at home. 

Does anyone out there shop on Black Friday? I've always wanted to do it, but never have.  I couldn't do it alone or with Steve because I would be too easily irritated.  But I think if I could ride with an experienced friend, that would be fine.  I have shopped occasionally on BF if I was looking for a high dollar item like a PC.  But it's been years since I've needed something like that.  A few years ago, I laid down and took a nap on the Friday after Thanksgiving and when I woke up about 5pm, I decided I wasn't going to stay in the house all day and so I got up and went Black Friday NIGHT shopping.  Y'all, let me tell you...best thing EVER.  The crowds are nearly gone, parking is better and for the most part, the deals are still going, not to mention the stores are usually open late.  I do the majority of my shopping then.  It's fun and I look forward to it.  The first year Steve was bowling in a league, so I took JG with me.  The last few years, I've left them both at home...that way I can do her shopping at the same time.  If you are interested in tagging along, HOLLA.  My bestie, Rachel is going to be in OK for the holidays and that totally means I'll be alone and depressed.  :)

OK, that's it.  It's about time for me to head out.  I have to meet Marcia in about an hour and I need to check email before I go.

Happy before-Thanksgiving weekend!