And... I Lied

January started out well, but it's going downhill fast.

I apologize in advance for this negative post.  But I need to vent.

Some days, I really really hate being the Referee.  Sometimes I hate that I care so much about other people and their feelings.  People tell me things because they feel comfortable talking to me. I'm always trying to help people and maybe I shouldn't. I end up hearing two sides to the stories, and while I usually understand both of them, I always try to help the left side see the right, and vice versa.  Or maybe it's trying to get the wrong side to see the right side, or vice versa.  Tonight, I really don't know.

People I care about are disappointed in each other. Neither one wants to see the other person's side.  They both think they are right.  They are, but they aren't.  I honestly believe there is a middle ground, if only they would stop being so stubborn and try to meet in the middle. It tears me up to see them arguing over something that is important, but not so important as to ruin their relationship over.  Why can't they open their eyes and see the other side?  Because they're both too busy being "right"!

I don't think either one has considered what they are doing to me by putting me in the middle. Ugh. Can I just knock their heads together?

In addition to that stress, I neglected to mention that my brother was able to get some credit and buy a new-to-him car. I realize at some point, he needs to try to reestablish his credit that was ruined, but I don't think getting a loan for a 2 year old vehicle is the way to do it!  No, nobody asked me. But if you can't afford a high payment, don't you get as decent a car as you can for the least amount, so you CAN reestablish your credit without failing again? I hope he proves me wrong, I really do.  But I have a hard time being excited for him that he got a "new" car when I'm not at all sure he can afford what he got.

Money is a necessary evil. Both of these situations involve money. Money is the opposite of being on a diet. You have to burn more calories than you take in, in order to diet.  You have to earn more money than you spend to stay afloat financially. Both situations can be extremely frustrating.

I'm done venting.  Now I'm going to eat some chocolate.

January Off To A Good Start!

My parents are hanging in there. Mom has been having some trouble with pain in her hip and the doctor thinks it may be sciatica. He has recommended an MRI but she is waiting on insurance approval to have it. I'm really not sure what the treatment is - or even if there is one - for sciatica. I just hope it doesn't mean more pills.  I've been concerned because she has gradually been adding stuff back in. Her shaky hands are back. She seems relatively clear-thinking, though, so that's good. Dad is up and down, moody as usual. I think he is depressed, but he will never admit it.  Luckily, his baseball cards arrived last week so that seems to help cheer him up.

Hubby's dad has been having seizures and mini-strokes. We think one is causing the other. But when we've been there to visit him, he's been looking good - smiling and laughing at or with us. We have no idea what he is thinking, but he looks for a moment like he recognizes us.  Hubby's mom is recuperating slowly but surely from her two surgeries this past fall. Her incision from her breast removal is finally healing, and she seems to be feeling much better since her hernia surgery. 

Son has decided not to return to college this semester, and honestly, I'm sick about it.  But he is 18 and I can't force him to go - it wouldn't be good for any of us. The doctor finally released him to do whatever he wants with his arm. Son quickly figured out how out of shape he is when he went with a friend and played basketball - not real basketball but the table-top type game they have at indoor facilities and at fairs. He came home surprised at how much his arms hurt. I don't think he realized how little he has done with his upper body since April of last year! Next up, we're sending him out job hunting. He can't stay in his room forever!

Daughter is working hard to get ready for the 2015 racing season. I like her new car design much better than last years. She's been busy recruiting sponsors, stripping the car down and putting it back together. She's been busy with work and the gym too. She's been stressing over money and not sleeping well, and I worry about her wearing herself down. She's "talked" to a couple different guys but isn't dating. She prefers to stick with "Bruce" (the racecar). I hope someday she will meet a guy who can accept her for who she is. I just want her to be happy. Isn't that what every mother wants for her kids?

Hubby has cabin fever. We ventured out to the park last weekend and it wasn't terribly cold. It was nice to get out and relax and enjoy nature. We've decided to hold off on sending him job hunting because of some retirement paperwork from his former job. Maybe next year!

I've resolved to work hard on my writing in 2015. I WANT to be published. So I've been editing and reading, and I'm hopefully figuring out some things so I can improve. Wish me luck!

I also have a number of friends who've been on my mind - I keep you all in my prayers. I miss those of you I don't see very often, but I do think about you! 

Until next time, hopefully things will stay peaceful!