A New Leaf

Okay, so I'm going to turn over a new leaf and start blogging on a regular basis. Life has settled down now some. Greg began work today on a six week assignment in Wisconsin. He'll start travelling for the next three weeks, come home a few days and be gone another three weeks. I'm hoping it leaves me with more time, but I'm probably wrong.

Lipstick Wars has a press date: May 20!!!! That's exciting.

I'm also going to begin keeping up with author reviews, which I've been horrible about. I promise to blog once a week. Saturday morning is my deadline.

Cross fingers.

Oh, last thing. Marcus, my missionary son in Albania wants to play BYU football. Well, I contacted the recruiting coach, Paul Tidwell and he had a son that went to Albania and got home last week. His son knows Marcus and the coach said he could try out as soon as his GPA is up. The good and bad is that it looks like Marcus will have to leave a little over a week after getting home to go back to school, but if all goes well, he'll be able to try out by fall. Cross fingers-- again.

New Years, State Borders and Oprah

Happy New Year!

The whole concept of new years, new months and new weeks was a gift set up by God when he created the earth. If it wasn't for God choosing the seventh day as the day of rest, each day would simply follow another in an endless string of the same existence. Instead, with each Sabbath we begin anew. With each month we have something to look forward to and with the new year many have great desires to try to make internal changes to our lives.

The interesting thing to me is these lines of "new" are much like borders on a map. I remember how disappointed I was when I crossed the border from Texas into New Mexico on my way to BYU the first time. All there was to make me aware of the change was a little sign I almost missed. The land didn't know it was a different state. We created that and it's a good thing we did. Can you imagine if the federal government had to run everything? Now, that would be scary.

Just like with the land, it is important that we break our time into pieces so that we can manage it better. It is important to celebrate holidays, to keep the Sabbath day special, and even when you don't want to, to at least set one new year's resolution.

Now, I've read so many snippets that pull away from setting resolutions because so often we don't reach them. But I believe there is benefit in the trying. I love the fact that Oprah Winfrey's size keeps changing, because she is a perfect example of the benefit of trying. When she works at it she gets there but once she stops, she falls back. So do I. I've had moments of focus where my house stays clean and my waistline decreases but as soon as I lose focus, it all falls apart.

So do I give up and let everything go? Nope, I set another resolution and for maybe this week I'll lose my holiday weight and be caught up on laundry. Yeah for resolutions, new beginnings and moments of greatness.

New Beginnings

Last night was the first night I've spent in our new home. We only moved the beds over so the rooms are still sparkling clean and empty. It was wonderful to have that new carpet smell around you with every corner in perfect order. I got up this morning and did sit ups and stretched, showered, read scriptures and came downstairs to my shiny kitchen (empty) where I opened the cupboards to fresh grapes, ham and whole grain bread. I ate on the back porch as the birds sang around me.

As I sat there I had to be grateful for new beginnings. It is so awesome that Heavenly Father set up this earth so that every night we end the day and every morning we get a fresh start. There is something about our natures that thrives on subtle change- that relishes the new. Every new year I set goals that usually last until the doldrums of February. At the start of summer we have new focus on the family. With the autumn comes the start of more routine and with the Christmas season we awaken a sense of tradition.

So yesterday when we had finished unpacking the first load off the trailer I sat in a circle with my children and asked what new element they wanted to add to their lives with this new beginning. One was going to keep their room cleaner, another wanted to read more, Sarah wanted nobody to go in HER room. We'll see how we do but it is a wonderful thing. I'm going to plan my days and live my plan. At least for the month of June- well, what's left of it anyway.

Not Until The Taxes Are Done

I was born on Tax Day. Yup, my birthday is April 15th. You might think that as a result that I would have a found relationship with the event that shares my special day but you couldn't be more wrong- I hate doing taxes!!!

So you ask me why don't I just take them to the little tax kiosk in Wal-mart and have it done there. Well, the reason is because when you just bring in your W-2's, Mortgage statements and Tithing slips, your refund is next to nothing. But since I'm writing and actually made a little bit of money last year at it, I can add up my bills for the house and deduct a portion of that for my office expense, plus all my postage and other losses. Then there are two days of work on investments. Greg uses a broker who doesn't electronically download so I have mountains of data entry. Finally all the little signed receipts with notes of all the clothes I've donated to DI, Goodwill and Salvation Army get added up. Then we had a move so I have to go through all the same stuff for two different states. I hate it! But when I'm done, our refund is HUGE!

It usually takes me a week of complaining and probably about fifteen hours of real work, but the worst part is if I get interrupted and lose my place, then I never want to pick it up again. That is what happened this year. I started on the taxes, got out all my documentation and then got a rejection for copyright so I had to do a rewrite and send it back in if I hope to keep to my deadline. Meanwhile the kids have messed up all my neat piles and I so DON'T want to start again.

My husband has been bugging me about it for a few weeks now and when I got home from the YW's basketball game this morning he frowned at me and asked if I would get in the car with him. I was prepared to be nagged at but instead he went to the car dealership around the corner. The kids' car is on its last leg (or wheel would be more accurate) and it looked like our tax return might be enough to afford a little used beater car with good gas mileage.

He began by looking at full-size pickups (you can take the boy out of the ranch...) and then went to smaller SUV's that still didn't get that great of gas mileage and cost more than we ever could afford. Finally, I thought if my husband was looking at his dream cars, I'd look at mine. I walked over to the bright red mustang convertible and drooled but they wanted $36K. Near to it was this cute little seebring, white with a tan top. It was adorable but when I looked at the sticker, I was shocked- it was under $10k. After the test drive, I was in love and couldn't believe it when my husband was willing to go along with it. He actually bought the car!

As we were walking out of the dealership with the keys, I was itching to get behind the wheel with the top down and whizz through mountain roads. I couldn't wait. Then my husband turned to me and said seriously, "You can drive this car as soon as taxes are finished." I couldn't believe my ears but he was adamant- and I got to face my desk. So right after I take my daughter to the school dance, I'm going to plunge into the stacks and stacks of paper and drive that cute little convertible to church tomorrow morning- if it takes me all stinking night!

Wish me luck.