New Year's Eve

Tonight New Year's Eve is being celebrated here in j'lynn's world with me & the munchkin. The munchkin labeled our "party" as lame since it was just going to be the two of us. This was within minutes of picking him up from chica's and driving to the grocery store. I was feeling the love...

Our menu consisted of:

Crackers, cheese ball, & sausage...a success

Chicken wings...a failure

Frozen cheese pizza for the munchkin...a success

Homemade pizza...semi failure

Chocolate marshmallow bark...a success

Jingle Bell cookie pizza...a success

Now I'm stuffed and we are ready to ring in the New Year.... Bring it on 2011 & Good-bye 2010!!!!!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23

Just getting started: 30, 31, 32, 34, 35

Needs attention: 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33

A Look Back At 2010!

What a year 2010 was!!

I graduated from law school (hopefully!! still waiting for those grades y'all!). I appeared on the record in several courtrooms during my Externship and basically became a lawyer this year! I found my passion during my Externship and over came my doubts of whether I have what it takes to be a litigator!! I'm so proud of myself!

I'm just amazed when I look back over these last 365 days... I've had a wonderful year regardless of all of the craziness that has happened. And I'm definitely happy to be ready to start another wonderful year... Here is to hoping that 2011 rocks even more than 2010 did!! Muah...

Last year on January 1st I listed several New Year's resolutions for 2010, so I would like to take a moment to reflect on the ones I accomplished and the ones that I didn't...

Get Healthier...

I made a resolution to continue to lose weight, eat better & healthier while working out more and drinking more water. For the most of this I accomplished this. Maybe not to the degree I would have hoped to, but I consider this one a success. I also made a resolution to test my blood sugar more regularly, which I failed at. I think I've gotten too comfortable in my belief that I have this under control and stopped testing even daily. I did get my skin much more under control for the majority of the year. I'm currently fighting a huge breakout on my left jaw line right now, but that is due to a switch my facial girl and I tried, which failed. So I consider this a success too. As for the sleep resolution to get on a better sleep pattern/schedule I think I was more successful on this than not. It was difficult sometimes though, but I think I got more sleep this year than the prior years, so that is great!

Get My Finances Together...

I did make a budget, but rarely stuck to it, but I was able to reduce my debt by about $3,500, stop using my credit cards and pay off BarBri & Kaplan. I consider this a total success and I accomplished this resolution!!

Get More Organized...

I definitely felt much more organized in 2010, so this too was a success in my book. Of course this is a constant struggle in my life. I love to be organized and I always think there is more that can be done to get better organized.

Better Communication...

I think this was a success too and an accomplished resolution in my book. There were times throughout the year where I faltered, but I think overall this was a success. I hope my family and friends would agree, especially my munchkin & my guy! How about my blogging buddies? Do you think this was a success?? :)

Enjoy Life...

This was definitely accomplished in 2010!! I definitely enjoyed life more this year. I laughed more than I can remember in years prior. I cried more, but usually in a good way...in a cleansing way. I definitely danced and sang more too! I hope I was a better mom this year and this will always be something I resolve to do better each and every year for the rest of my life...

My Last Friday To-Do List Of 2010

My Friday To-Do List:

1. Finish shopping

2. Finish making cookies with the munchkin

3. Celebrate New Year's Eve with the munchkin

4. Hang the munchkin's pictures

5. Pick up the house

6. Do laundry

7. Set up my study schedule/calendar

8. Study

9. Pick up my script

10. Pick up the munchkin's dry cleaning

11. Write out my bills

12. Balance my checkbook

13. Get my allergy shot

14. File my papers

15. Finish going through my papers that have piled up lately

16. Write my guy

17. Write my park management

18. Write my "bitch" letter about issues at my guy's faciity

19. Write a follow-up letter about my guy's classes

20. Work on my guy's next PB hearing letter

21. Make some follow up calls on my guy's behalf

22. Update my December budget

23. Update my January budget

24. Update my calendar

25. Workout

26. Finish cleaning out our drawers and closets

27. Finish my thank you notes

28. Reschedule my next hair appointment

29. Reschedule my OB/GYN appointment with the new doc

30. Get motivated

31. Get focused for next week

32. Plan out my week

33. Re-commit to my healthy living

34. Get organized

35. Get my shit together

Starting A Little Early With My NYE Celebrations

Due to the current circumstances of my guy's location we are unable to celebrate holidays on the days they actually occur, so we usually do them a day or two early. Tonight was our New Year's Eve celebration. :) Tomorrow night I will celebrate New Year's Eve with the munchkin. This way I have all of the important men in my life covered... ;) And I'm able to wish them both a Happy New Year!

Consider it done: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 13, 25, 26, 27

Just getting started: 2, 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 24, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35

Needs attention: 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 32

Productivity: Positive & Negative

Today was pretty productive, but probably not the right stuff. But I know as soon as I have my other crap together then I can focus better on the important stuff...i.e. The Bar. Of course if I don't stop coughing/congestion and the ringing in my head I may be committed soon. Blah...

Yes, this is how quickly my positivity can go to negativity folks...

Consider it done: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 13, 25, 26, 27

Just getting started: 2, 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 24, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35

Needs attention: 3, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 32

Yet Again

I have a sinus infection. I couldn't seem to get rid of the cold I had a couple of weeks ago completely and after practically falling asleep while taking my 2nd BarBri test today I started to know that I had another sinus infection. I had considered waiting a couple of days to see if maybe I was just really tired and getting some extra sleep would help, but when I got done at the dentist's office tonight I decided to just run next door to Urgent Care and pick up some antibiotics. I'm definitely glad I did, especially since my head hurts worse now than earlier. It would have just kept getting worse, but now I just wish the pills would work much quicker...

Since this was day #2 at BarBri I had hoped to be more "together" but between the mall run yesterday and the doctor office hopping I did tonight I haven't had a chance to get myself more together, so I'm hoping tomorrow I will feel much better and be able to get tons done... Eventually I have to get my life back on track, right?!

Consider it done: 1, 7, 13, 25, 26, 27

Just getting started: 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 24

Needs attention: 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35

It Has Been A Rough Day Here

It actually started after midnight last night. I couldn't sleep very well last night so I got up to print out the map to my first day of BarBri. And this is when the bottom started to fall out...my computer screen was black. Nothing was happening. The key board lit up, the little tell tale light showed it was on and you could hear the hum, but the screen was darker than night. I hoped that I had just ran into a moment of insanity and forgot how to turn my computer on correctly. So I shut it off and went back to bed. I finally fell asleep, but it was an up and down sort of night...

I got up this morning, showered, got dressed and then tried to turn my computer on again. All the while hoping and praying that it would work. But alas...nothing had changed. Same thing...one very black screen. I knew what this meant...a trip to the Apple store this afternoon was now on my list of things to do.

I made my way to BarBri, almost late, of course. I suffered through the almost 6 hours and was able to chat with my LSBFF and from there I headed to the craziest mall ever!! What mall has to have the local PD directing traffic two days after Christmas?!? Seriously?!? I made my way to the Apple Store and finally made my way to a technician who informed me that the central nervous system or something akin to it was toast and it would take a minimum of 7 days to fix it. WHAT?!? 7 days??? How the hell am I suppose to be without a computer for 7 days while I'm in the midst of BarBri?!? So after some window shopping waiting to talk to my aunt we decided that I had to have a computer, so I went back into the Apple Store and bought a new computer.

It really is a bitter sweet purchase. I have the computer I wanted, but this just wasn't the time to blow that kind of money on my credit card. Regardless I'm plugged back in and up and running. However, I didn't get much else done today with this entire snafu. Oh wait...mother nature made her appearance this morning too. Guess that was one thing I accomplished today too...my bad. ;)

Consider it done: 1, 7, 13, 25, 26, 27

Just getting started: 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 24

Needs attention: 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35

Christmas Aftermath

Well, first of all I want to report I did not shank anyone over Christmas. That is definitely a plus in my column. But of course I ran my mouth, several times, so here is a little recap of our Christmas...

Christmas Eve Day...

Well...after spending 5 hours of making homemade Italian meatballs I was up for nothing additional and was very much behind! The munchkin decorated the cut-out cookies and agreed to put off making our 3 other cookies to another day. Then we went to Christmas Eve mass, which took well over 2 hours... It was brutal.

Christmas Eve...

It is tradition in our family to go to my mom's to celebrate with the family. Of course we were late, because I still had to come home and finish getting the gifts together and wrapped after mass. At this point in life I basically just threw the stuff together, called it good enough and we made our way to my mom's. I pulled up, parked behind my parents' vehicles and I had a glimmer of hope that my bro & his family no-showed. But while we were getting out of the car he drove up and upon seeing me parked, apparently in the spot he was in prior, slammed his car in to reverse and rammed his car backwards to park further away. Then instead of helping either the munchkin or I with hauling stuff in he tried to make it a foot race to the door, without saying a word to me. Whatever! I'm glad to see his ol' lady's attitude is rubbing off on him. Once we were in the house my youngest aunt pulls me into the bathroom to tell me she suspects that my bro's wife is pregnant again. (Just as I predicted...a baby w/i 18 months of their fake wedding back in June,) We make our way through the presents then a huge spread of food. My bro & his family leave without announcing the pregnancy, which is their MO. I don't get why they never tell anyone that they are having a kid...hello this is her 3rd and his 5th...why hide it now?! At least this time they are both married...to one another this time. I confronted my mom in a stealth manner and she blurted out that my aunt was correct... I think it is funny that my mom gets pissed when I ask her if my brother has knocked someone up! Brahahahahahahaha Whatever....

Of course while the gifts were being passed out when I opened a gift from my mom I asked her if she was in need of a new ankle bracelet, because she bought me one and I don't wear jewelry. She didn't find it funny. I did!! What's the point of buying me jewelry?! I don't wear it. I haven't worn jewelry in years. The only jewelry I've worn in the past 15 years was my wedding rings. And the only jewelry I have plans to wear in the future is an engagement ring and wedding rings, but till someone drops to one knee I'll be jewelry free. It just isn't my "thang."

Then when I opened my bro's family's gift to me I stated I was getting a complex since all they've given me in the last 3 years for Christmas is stuff to make my house smell nicer.

Christmas Morning...

The munchkin did his usual ripping open of gifts and just kept saying he must be dreaming. Which I totally love!! He is so cute. I'm so happy that he still believed this year!! Santa even thanked him for still believing in him! ;)

Christmas Dinner...

As usual I had the family Christmas dinner and as I figured the bro's family didn't attend. This year though my ham got dry, which sucked. But outside of that everything went well. The turkey was picture perfect!! Then everyone left by 8:30pm and I was in the bed before 11pm. The munchkin however wanted to stay up all night, which I let him...I found him in my bed at 3:30am this morning. He slept till 11:30am this morning.

The Day After...

The munchkin and I spent the day at home today. I didn't get as much done today as I had hoped, but it was a nice relaxing day. And now it is on to BarBri tomorrow...

Consider it done: 1, 7, 25, 26, 27

Just getting started: 2, 4, 10, 15, 16, 24

Needs attention: 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 34

Two Gatherings On Christmas Day

Back in the day the second half of Christmas became a birthday party for my guy. So this evening I want to take the time to wish my honey a Happy Birthday!

Honey, I hope you had a wonderful birthday... love you...

Consider it done: 1, 7, 25, 26, 27

Just getting started: 2, 4, 10, 15, 16, 24

Needs attention: 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35

Wishing You All A Very Merry Christmas

I want to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas!! I hope Santa is good to everyone...

With Love,

j'lynn,

the munchkin, &

my man....

Christmas Eve Wishes To Everyone...

Christmas Eve is a big deal in our family. This is when we all come together and for years it was always at my grandparent's home. After they both passed away it moved to my mom's house because she was the only other grandma in our family. I hope you and yours have a Very Merry Christmas Eve!!

Okay...even though today is a holiday it is still a Friday and since I have so much to do I knew I couldn't leave the following off today's post...

My Friday To-Do List:

1. Celebrate Christmas Eve

2. Make cookies & meatballs with the munchkin

3. Go & see my guy

4. Wrap all of my gifts

5. Write out our Christmas cards

6. Write out the munchkin's pictures

7. Celebrate Christmas

8. Set up my study schedule/calendar

9. Study

10. Do laundry

11. Write out my bills

12. Balance my checkbook

13. Pick up my dry cleaning

14. Get my allergy shot

15. File my papers

16. Finish going through my papers that have piled up over the last few weeks

17. Write my guy

18. Update my December budget

19. Write my "bitch" letter about issues at my guy's facility

20. Work on my guy's next PB hearing letter

21. Write a follow-up letter about my guy's classes

22. Make some calls on my guy's behalf

23. Workout

24. Finish cleaning out our drawers and closets

25. Catch up on my emails

26. Catch up on my blog reading

27. Catch up on my TIVO backlog

28. Finish my thank you notes

29. Update my calendar

30. Get re-motivated

31. Get re-focused for next week

32. Re-commit to my healthy living

33. Plan out my week

34. Get organized

35. Get my shit together!!

Flabbergasted

I am flabbergasted. I'm just in complete and total shock still... This post will certify that I am a judgmental bitch, but I've always known this so here goes...

Scenario #1) My bro & his family...

After seeing my guy tonight and finishing my Christmas shopping I picked up today's mail. In it was our Christmas card from the bro's family. I opened it up and was shocked when I saw wedding pictures from their fake wedding back in June. WTF?!?

Um...hello?! Let it go already. First of all you've been sending Christmas cards out for 3 years as a married couple, have been legally married for over a year and your fake wedding was over 6 months ago. Can you say tacky?!?

Scenario #2) My friend Faye...

I've spoken of her before and some of the situations that I've witnessed from her. A little over a week ago she BBM'd me to tell me how her car was repo'd and how she had closed her door to her boyfriend because he had cussed at her 5 y.o. daughter while screaming at her. So when she told me tonight that she was going to the boyfriend's dad's house for Christmas day while her two kids spent it with her ex-in-laws I assumed that their dad was going to be in town for the day. Needless to say I was flabbergasted when she revealed that she didn't know whether her ex-husband (the kids' dad) was going to be in town or not. Double--WTF?!?

Um...hello, again?!? You are letting your kids go to their grandparents for Christmas day without you?! And possibly without their dad too? Any other day of the year...okay. But Christmas Day?!? WTF?

All I could think when she told me this was all of the parents who cannot spend the day with their kids either due to a custody arrangement/agreement or for some other reason...always not by choice...and who would do anything to spend Christmas Day with their kids. And here she is choosing to go be with the boyfriend who she was ready to be totally done with 8 days ago instead of her kids.

I'm sorry...I don't get it. I spend hours in agony over the hours and days I have to sacrifice with my son to work, go to school, and now to study for the bar. I question whether I'm making good choices when it comes to my son, but I would never give the next two days up with my munchkin for anything. I sure as hell wouldn't have voluntarily done it to spend time with a penis who yelled the "f" word at my child eight days prior....

So yes...I am a judgmental bitch. I think my bro & s.i.l. are tacky beyond words and I think my friend is making parenting decisions that qualify as bad mothering....... Don't get me wrong. I am not perfect and I make bad choices all the time, but seriously people!! WTF?!?

Consider it done: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 20, 25, 31, 33, 36, 40

Just getting started: 2, 12, 13, 18, 19, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 37, 38, 41, 42

Needs attention: 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 35, 39

Trying To Rebound

When I finally made my way to bed last night I was feeling horrible. I was so achy I was in actual pain. I took a shot of Nyquil, got in the bed with two ice backs (one for my wrist that is killing me and the other for the site of my allergy shot yesterday), and finally went to sleep. I definitely felt better when I got up this morning. I was relieved about that. I almost felt like I was back to normal, pre-illness, when I got to moving finally this morning. I was sort of excited that I was back but then by this afternoon I was exhausted and in need of a nap. I was definitely disappointed, because I had huge plans for today, which I failed.

I'm usually in no rush for Christmas to come and this year I just want it over. I have so much left to do, but I just want it over. I really thought I was pretty much done with my shopping and discovered tonight that I have several gifts yet to get. I'm not really sure when I'm going to get those purchased either...

If I could stay awake the next 72 hours I might get most of my stuff done in time, but since I can't even make it a full day without a nap I just don't see this happening! Needless to say I need a lot of energy & luck for coming days...

Consider it done: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16, 20, 25, 31

Just getting started: 2, 10, 12, 13, 18, 19, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42

Needs attention: 9, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 35, 39

Birthdays, Anniversaries, & Funerals

In the last week or so my family has had a lot going on. My Dad's birthday was the 12th, my youngest aunt's birthday was the 17th and my youngest nephew's birthday was yesterday. Today's my parents wedding anniversary. All of these things are positive things in my family. Things to be celebrated.

However, my grandfather passed away yesterday morning at 4:30am. This is sad news, but he was 96 years old and lived a good life. I think he was ready to go and was at peace with what was about to happen. He went peacefully in his sleep. God rest his soul...

Yes, my grandfather passed on my nephew's birthday. The ironic thing is that his dad's great-grandmother passed away on his birthday years ago and now my nephew's great-grandfather passed away on his. Weird, huh? I thought so...

Consider it done: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16, 20, 25

Just getting started: 2, 10, 12, 13, 18, 19, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42

Needs attention: 9, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31, 35, 39

Overwhelmed And It Is Only Monday! Yikes!!

I knew that this week was going to be a tough one with everything going on, but I think I under estimated how exhausting and overwhelming it was going to be. I have so much to do, so much I want to get done, and so little time to get it all done. I am just hopeful that I can keep it together. But I'm happy to report...no tears yet and I haven't knocked anyone out...yet. ;) How is your week shaping up?

Consider it done: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 20

Just getting started: 2, 8, 10, 12, 13, 18, 25, 28, 30, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42

Needs attention: 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31, 34, 35, 39

Against My Religion

Getting out of my PJ's, leaving my house, and doing anything real stressful on Sundays is against my religion and today I was required to go against my religious belief and actually get up early, take a shower, get dressed, drive for over an hour one way to complete day #2 of PMBR. It totally sucked and so did my practice test score.

By having to do this today I will be totally screwed up all week as to what day it actually is. Combine that with the fact that Christmas Eve is Friday and I'll be lucky if I keep it together this week...

Consider it done: 1, 20

Just getting started: 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 18, 28, 30, 33, 36, 37, 41, 42

Needs attention: 3, 4, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, 32, 34, 35, 38, 39, 40

PMBR

Today was day #1 of PMBR Bar Review. Wow...what a way to remind me how little I know about Torts in such a boring way. Of course I was late. Go figure. And yet again my LSBFF bailed me out of that mess. She is a life saver! After an hour and a half drive home I decided that instead of doing more questions (I already did 50 in my review this morning) I would try and get things a little more together here. Now I'm up way later than I should be and sucked into some lifetime movie. Guess the studying is slow to start over here....

Consider it done: 1, 20

Just getting started: 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 18, 28, 33, 36, 37, 41, 42

Needs attention: 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 38, 39, 40

This Wasn't Suppose To Go Down Like This

I would like to assure everyone that I am still alive.

I've accomplished nothing in the last 7 days other than finishing my externship, finishing work, starting my leave of absence, and being sick. It all started Monday night after dinner with my friends. On my way home I couldn't stop coughing. I had hoped that it was just my sinuses and my lack of my allergy pill, but I knew. Each mile I drove home, getting closer to home, I knew... And I knew it wasn't going to be pretty either...

This week of all weeks was not the time to get sick. The only other time that it could have been a worse week to get sick is the week I take The Bar. So I guess now is better than then. Even with my horribly nasty head cold I had to push through and show up every single day so I could finish my externship and finish my time at work before my leave started today. So I spent this week going in as needed, working late, coming home, eating chicken noodle soup, taking a shot of nyquil and sleeping. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less...

If you thought I had a lot to do last week, you would probably cry (like I want to) if you saw the pile of stuff and the long list I have that needs to be accomplished this week...especially when I was hoping to just have the necessary things to do, live & study! Opps...

My Friday To-Do List:

1. Start studying for the bar

2. Set up my study schedule/calendar

3. Drop off my final time sheet at my Externship

4. Pick up my book of 9's & 10's at school

5. Write out my shopping list

6. Go shopping

7. Plan Christmas Eve & Christmas Dinner

8. Pick up the house

9. Go & see my guy

10. Do laundry

11. Write my Externship paper

12. Write out my bills

13. Balance my checkbook

14. Drop off my dry cleaning

15. Pick up my dry cleaning

16. Get my allergy shot

17. File my papers

18. Go through my papers that have piled up for a few weeks now

19. Write my guy

20. Update my December budget

21. Write my "bitch" letter about some issues at my guy's facility

22. Work on my guy's next PB hearing letter

23. Write a follow-up letter about my guy's classes

24. Make some calls on my guy's behalf

25. Pick up the munchkin's pictures

26. Workout

27. Finish cleaning out our drawers and closets

28. Catch up on my emails

29. Catch up on my blog reading

30. Catch up on my TIVO backlog

31. Get my car looked at for the squealing sound it is making

32. Finish my thank you notes

33. Finish Christmas shopping

34. Write out our Christmas cards

35. Update my calendar

36. Get over my cold with some serious sleep

37. Get re-motivated

38. Get re-focused for next week

39. Re-commit to my healthy living

40. Plan out my week

41. Get organized

42. Definitely get my shit together!!

A Quick Review Of My To-Do List This Week...

& how little I've actually accomplished...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 13, 14, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42

Just getting started: 5, 9, 10, 15, 17, 21, 25, 26, 27, 29

Needs attention: 6, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 28, 31, 33, 35, 36, 37, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48

In Need Of An Uptick In My Productivity

This past week I didn't get much done on my to-do list. The only person that hurts here is me. Of course I didn't expect to get much done since I am apparently on the downward portion of a "moment" but I do expect to get lots more done this weekend. Lots... In the next week I have a lot of things ending and a lot of new things beginning, so hopefully I can get my mojo back and get a nice little uptick in my productivity. I know I certainly need it...

My Friday To-Do List:

1. Drop off my time sheet at my Externship

2. Drop off all of my research assignments at my Externship

3. Get Monday's Day Sheet for my Externship

4. Go & see my guy

5. Write out my shopping list

6. Go shopping

7. Get my house cleaned

8. Do laundry

9. Do all of my Externship homework

10. Write out my bills

11. Balance my checkbook

12. Pick up my dry cleaning

13. Get my referral paperwork

14. Get my allergy shot

15. File my papers

16. Go through my papers that have piled up this week

17. Write my guy

18. Update my December budget

19. Write my "bitch" letter about some issues at my guy's facility

20. Work on my guy's next PB hearing letter

21. Write a follow-up letter about my guy's classes

22. Make some calls on my guy's behalf

23. Workout

24. Finish cleaning out our closets and drawers

25. Catch up on my emails

26. Catch up on my blog reading

27. Catch up on my TIVO backlog

28. Get my car looked at for the squealing sound it is making

29. Write out all of my thank you notes

30. Finish preparing for the end to my Externship

31. Write out the list of Christmas presents purchased & who I have left to buy for

32. Finish decorating for Christmas

33. Start working on my Christmas cards

34. Finish preparing for my leave of absence

35. Update my calendar

36. Put my study schedule for the Bar Prep in place

37. Start studying for the bar

38. Get some serious pampering done with my aunt for our spa day

39. Get my hair "did"

40. Plan dinner with my LSBFF & our law school girls next week

41. Get me some serious sleep

42. Relax

43. Get re-motivated

44. Get re-focused for next week

45. Re-commit to my healthy living

46. Plan out my week

47. Get organized

48. Get my shit together

The Annual Work Christmas Bash

It is that time again folks! Time for our annual Christmas or Holiday Party at work. The last few years I've been able to get out of it, because it always fell during finals; however, this year was different. Not only did I have no finals happening this year around today, I also had an added incentive to attend...the party is in the restaurant in our building and work paid for us to park in the building. Who am I to turn down free parking that costs $17.50?! So yes, I paid my $10 to attend the party, eat munchies, and get free parking inside!!

I may call this a bash, but folks it is anything but a bash... It is actually pretty boring. Tonight sort of sucked since the place didn't have the ingredients to make my tootsie roll. Who doesn't have kahlua at a bar?!? Seriously people! The food was okay. Nothing great, nothing horrible. The room was choppy. The people were stuffy. You know...the usual affair. I had planned on leaving much earlier than I did. I apparently have a need to be one of the last people to leave. It must be my need for inter-office gossip...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 40

Just getting started: 5, 10, 11, 12, 15, 20, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39

Needs attention: 6, 7, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 38

A Child's Emotional Well-Being Is All That Matters

I was sort of hoping that this would be the day I got some of my mojo back. I've been in an unmotivated slump here of late. Things were going along and then I returned a voice mail from yesterday...from my munchkin's therapist. That's when things started to go down hill...

My munchkin has been saying things lately that are a cause for concern. I think some of it is normal, but that doesn't decrease the concern that we are all sharing together. Apparently some kids at school are telling my munchkin that he is weird, which has started to affect his self-esteem. In the past couple of weeks my munchkin has apologized for being a disgrace. Yikes!! He is not a disgrace and could never be a disgrace. I don't even know where he got such a word let alone that he knew what disgrace meant... Then a few times when he has gotten upset he has asked if I wanted him to murder himself. Sweet Jesus!! God, no!!!! His wonderful therapist, whom he loves and adores (& so do I!), gave us some pointers to change a couple of things. We will be trying these things to help him...

Of course after the munchkin was sleeping my aunt asked me what the therapist said today so I start telling her and what do I do while telling her? You guessed it...started crying. Blah! I hate crying. I do it more often now that I'm older, but I still hate it!! Nothing makes you feel like a failure or a flop then when your kid is dealing with some heavy duty emotional things...

So much for getting that mojo back today....

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 40

Just getting started: 5, 10, 11, 12, 15, 20, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39

Needs attention: 6, 7, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 38

The Little Details About Santa

Dear Parents,

Can we all please get on the same page? If you are going to tell your child a specific detail about who is picking up the tab for your kid's Christmas gifts, could you please provide the rest of us a note with said details? Maybe your kid won't question what others tell him or her, but my kid does. And unlike how your kid may set up the questions, my kid won't be forthcoming with the information he has already received before he interrogates me. Sorry...maybe it is because he is a born litigator or maybe it is because he is being raised by a future attorney, I don't know.

So I implore you, parents of my munchkin's class-mates, if you are going to tell your kid that you have to pay for the presents that Santa brings him or her please...I beg you...drop me a line! This will help others avoid the following conversation:

munchkin: Mommy, do you have to pay for the presents Santa is going to bring me?

j'lynn: Huh?

munchkin: Do you have to give Santa the money to buy my presents?

j'lynn: No...but I do give him money to help buy toys for kids whose families can't give him money. [yes...I was in a panic and totally reaching...]

munchkin: Okay. Who pays for mine then?

j'lynn: [obviously I had not thought ahead for his follow-up questions] The taxpayers....the taxes I pay goes to Santa but other moms and dads don't get that benefit, so I help Santa pay for those kids.

munchkin: Hmmmm....[thinking...pondering...]

Thank goodness he was distracted and didn't realize that my statements made no logical sense and really were totally backwards. Thank God he doesn't understand taxes yet either. So to the parents who told their child that they have to pay Santa for the gifts he or she gets I would have appreciated a little heads-up.

Thanks for making me sound like an idiot...

Sincerely,

j'lynn

PS: Yes, afterwards my aunt advised me of your tale to your kid, but she didn't give me a heads-up either. So you all suck...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 40

Just getting started: 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 20, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39

Needs attention: 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38

Just Another Day Behind the 8-Ball

Most Mondays I am fairly excited to go to court, but not today. I don't know exactly why. I think it may be my lack of motivation. Or it could be that I'm just ready to take that next step and move on to taking the bar. Maybe it is the cold weather or the impending holidays. I'm not really sure, but I definitely had no desire to get off my love-seat or to go on to my Externship. I hope my motivation returns soon or else the next week and a half is going to be very long for me...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 40

Just getting started: 4, 5, 10, 11, 20, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37

Needs attention: 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39

Busy Downloading

So you will be able to see below that I have not accomplished much this weekend. But I have been busy downloading Season 1 of Sons of Anarchy. And let me tell you...it is a very slow process. I've been downloading for over 24 hours. I'm not sure why it is taking so long, but it is.

So here is a quick update... The streak is holding steady. Today's stats...

Starting weight (7/8/09): 363lbs

Current weight: 316.6lbs

This week's results: -0.2lbs

Total weight lost: -46.4lbs

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24

Just getting started: 4, 5, 20, 31, 40

Needs attention: 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39

Angels Giving A Message About His Journey...

Thursday night my mom called to tell me that my grandfather (my step/adopted dad's dad) was in the hospital. They don't expect him to recover or come home from the hospital. He is 96 years old and lived a healthy life. My parents drove up to be with him this weekend, leaving Friday afternoon. As of the last update this afternoon he was doing okay, but not great. Of course the idiot doctor told the family that there is nothing wrong with him and they can take him home. I find this diagnosis a little off putting since the man is 96, not eating or drinking, has pneumonia, and his "stable" blood pressure is registering at 85/50. I could see discharging him if he was going back to a nursing home or some assisted living place, but he is not.

The morning that he was taken to the hospital he had gotten up, gotten dressed, fixed his breakfast, ate, and laced up his "walking" boots to go for his daily walk around his property. Of course that property is the acre he cleared himself 15 years ago and where he built his little house on 10 years ago. Yes, at the age of 86. He leaves in this home with his girlfriend and intended to live there until he couldn't keep the property up any longer. I guess that time is now...

Wednesday morning after lacing up his boots his girlfriend woke up and came out to the living room and asked him why he didn't wake her up so she could get the coffee over. He responded, "Hon, you were tired so I let you sleep a while longer plus you know I'm capable of making my own coffee." A few minutes later he asked her to call his niece to take him to the hospital as he wasn't feeling good. No one else was called until later that afternoon, because everyone just thought he had the flu or something, but they were wrong. It was the pneumonia and then it was discovered that he has a leaky valve in his heart.

After my parents arrived at the hospital my grandpa's girlfriend told them how he told her 6 weeks ago that an angel came to him to tell him not to be afraid when his time came, because he was going to a better place and then again 2 weeks ago he told her that he wouldn't be around for Christmas, but that he would be in her heart. He is now in the midst of his journey to that better place as we all sit back and wait and ponder those messages he passed to her from his angels...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 8, 9, 19, 21, 23, 24

Just getting started: 3, 4, 5, 20, 22, 40

Needs attention: 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39

Were You Expecting Something Less? I Know I Was...

My Friday To-Do List:

1. Write out my shopping list

2. Go shopping

3. Pick up the house

4. Do laundry

5. Do all of my Externship homework

6. Write out my bills

7. Balance my checkbook

8. Pick up the munchkin's dry cleaning

9. Get my allergy shot

10. File my papers

11. Go through my papers that have piled up this week

12. Write my guy

13. Update my December budget

14. Write my "bitch" letter about some issues at my guy's facility

15. Work on my guy's next PB hearing letter

16. Start making some calls on my guy's behalf

17. Workout

18. Continue cleaning out our closets and drawers

19. Confirm with my handyman about working on my porch

20. Catch up on my emails

21. Catch up on my blog reading

22. Catch up on my TIVO backlog

23. Make my munchkin's med check-up appointment

24. Follow up on my two outdated referrals

25. Get my car looked at for the squealing sound it is making

26. Write out all of my thank you notes

27. Start preparing for the ending of my externship

28. Write out the list of Christmas presents and who I have left to buy for

29. Finish decorating for Christmas

30. Start working on my Christmas cards

31. Get me some serious sleep

32. Get re-motivated

33. Get re-focused for next week

34. Re-commit to my healthy living

35. Plan out my week

36. Get organized

37. Get my shit together

38. Work on putting together a studying schedule for the Bar Prep

39. Start preparing for my leave of absence at work

40. Relax...

Watch Out For The Flying Wheel

This week at work the wheels aren't just coming off, they are flying around and bouncing off the walls when they come off!! Systems are crashing, people are freaking out, tears are on the verge of being spilled, and there was even a mention of a pool of blood!

Nothing like the end of the year to make everyone all lovey-dovey in the world of my office. I'm going to meetings like they are going out of style and even attending meetings I'm not originally invited to and meetings to discuss what will be discussed at a future meeting. Nothing like someone saying "it's the end of the year" to get people all up in arms.

And people wonder why I haven't washed my hair since Monday and was in the bed before 10pm last night... I say bring back the finals, because studying is sounding good right about now. Of course people freak out when I say that my last day there is in 2 weeks and then I'm off till February 28th... Yes, I sometimes enjoy adding to the mayhem.

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 35, 38, 39, 43

Just getting started: 14, 21, 36, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45

Needs attention: 17, 20, 25, 26, 33, 34, 37

December Cometh Around

I cannot believe that today is the first of December. It blows my mind to be honest. I just can't believe that this month has arrived. This year has went by so fast. I suspect that this next month is going to go by uber fast too.

One thing definitely felt like December arrived today...the weather. Between the snow flurries and the crazy cold temps (Hello...it is 27 degrees out right now.) you definitely knew that today was the start of December...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 38, 43

Just getting started: 14, 16, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45

Needs attention: 11, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37

Doing It 9 to 5

I returned to work today. It sucked. I now wish I would have started my leave for the bar over a week ago. My bank account thanks me though...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 27, 31, 32, 38, 43

Just getting started: 14, 16, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45

Needs attention: 11, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37

It Is Not Official Yet, But...

I am done with law school. Yes, please reread that again. I finished my classes, took my last two exams and am done with law school. I still have a few things that I have to finish up before it is really official (confirm passing those exams; finish getting my hours in at my externship; write 2 more weekly journals for my externship; & write my 5 page reflective paper for my externship), but come on people...for all intents and purposes I have finished law school. Woo-frickin-hoo...

It is such a special night with a twinge of sadness that even the heavens are spilling tears of mixed emotions (joy & sorrow)...or maybe it is just pouring down rain because that's how they roll...

Consider it done: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 22, 27, 31, 32, 38, 43

Just getting started: 2, 14, 16, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45

Needs attention: 11, 17, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37

My Mom Always Said My Mouth Would Get Me Into Trouble

Oh my, oh my...what a day!! I went to bed way too late last night and got up way too late this morning. Opps. I was up and out the door in less than an hour and off to pick up the munchkin. We went to the eye doctor, which ended up taking forever. Then I had to rush home, pick up one of his outfits for his pictures, and then rush off to get my allergy shot and then get his pictures done. This is where things started to go downhill...

We arrive in time for our 12:30pm appointment to learn the idiot who I spoke to earlier in the week scheduled us for 12/9...a Thursday. So they had to fit us in. By now I was beyond irritated. Most years we just wing it and wait forever and we are usually much later in the season. This year I attempt to do things by the book and it gets all screwed up. With extra time to kill that we really didn't have in our schedule my munchkin decides to con me into picking up a few things for him. I get him changed into his outfit and then we go back and wait. The couple who was ordering their little girl's pictures were odd. I couldn't put my finger on it. I kept getting weird looks from them and weird interactions with the dad/husband. I thought maybe I knew him, but couldn't recall him or something. Then it happened.

Apparently I'm the worst parental figure in the world and shouldn't be allowed around other people's children, because when the mom told the toddler that they had to get moving because dad was breaking out in hives because he was missing the Michigan/Ohio State game I say, "Just say 'Dad it is no big deal Michigan blows anyways'." Well you would have thought I told her to tell her Dad to F Off! Was it inappropriate? Probably. Was it detrimental? Maybe. Was it cause for the Dad to come out of his chair to threaten me? I don't think so. First of all the kid was too little to even know what I said and secondly if you don't make a big deal out of these things kids don't continue to repeat such things. It is when they get reactions do they carry it to the next level. So I apologized and I felt like crap afterwards. I suspect I've been black-marked at the studio not to be allowed around other people's children... That's okay, because I don't really like other people's kids.

By now it was well past the time that my munchkin needed another dose of his medicine so he was acting as boorishly as what his mom acts like while he was getting his pictures done. We finally get out of there and are off to find some CLR for the munchkin's bathroom and then to check out. From there we go to the dry cleaners, the grocery store and the salon to pick up a couple of things and to drop off my non-perishable foods for their food drive. Hey, at least I'm trying to help the unfortunate after I've damaged them with my mouth.

We had planned to meet up with my aunt and my mom for lunch, which I had not originally wanted to do due to my fear of not keeping my streak alive tomorrow, but after the morning and early afternoon I had experienced I could have used a drink and some high calorie foods. This is when the 2nd shoe dropped. Before we left the salon the munchkin announces he can't find his Nintendo DS. Excuse me?!? We rip the car apart and can't find it. I'm beyond livid at this point. Of course I was still mad at myself for my earlier transgression. I call the studio and they have it. We head back there and pick it up.

Finally we make it to "lunch" around 4pm and I order a jumbo strawberry margarita. Of course my statement of "the stronger the better" to the waiter was taken very seriously! Daym!! I could only drink 3/4ths of it and I was definitely a little more than buzzed. I scarfed down our favorite appetizer, a half of a huge shrimp-fajita-quesadilla, and then consumed Mexican fried ice cream. I probably should have ran a couple more errands after lunch, but I was ready to just come home and crash. I spent the rest of the night freezing, trying to consume as much of my water intake as I could in hopes of not totally blowing my weigh-in for tomorrow and trying to sober up a bit.

Now it is time to bring this not so great day to an end and hope that tomorrow is better and that I don't damage anyone else's children...

Consider it done: 1, 10, 12, 15, 18, 22

Just getting started: 2, 3, 7, 16, 27, 32

Needs attention: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45

I Love Long Holiday Weekends!!

When I planned out this holiday weekend I had huge plans to have accomplished so many things before today came upon me. I thought I would have a list of 10 things to do. Not so much, as you can probably tell. This is so typical of me and my life...

My Friday To-Do List:

1. Write out my shopping list

2. Go shopping

3. Pick up the house

4. Do laundry

5. Study for my SBM Essay final exam

6. Study for my MBE final exam

7. Do all of my Externship homework

8. Write out my bills

9. Balance my checkbook

10. Drop off my dry cleaning

11. Pick up my dry cleaning

12. Get my allergy shot

13. File my papers

14. Write my guy

15. Take the munchkin for his eye exam

16. Put my final order for my contacts in

17. Workout

18. Get the munchkin's birthday & Christmas pictures taken

19. Update my November budget

20. Continue cleaning out our closets and drawers

21. Confirm with my handyman to do work on my porch

22. Catch up on my emails

23. Pick up the munchkin's script

24. Get my flu shot

25. Get my car looked at for the squealing sound it is making

26. Write out my thank you notes (to some very nice ladies who were nice to me a while ago)

27. Continue getting things ready for studying & taking the bar

28. Do my class evaluations

29. Make my monthly facial/waxing appointments for the next few months

30. Make an appointment with a new OB/GYN

31. Update my calendar

32. Get some Christmas shopping done

33. Write out the list of Christmas presents and who I have left to buy for

34. Write my "bitch" letter about some issues at my guys' facility

35. Take the Turkey Day decorations down

36. Decorate for Christmas

37. Start working on my Christmas cards

38. Order my man's Christmas present

39. Get me some serious sleep

40. Get re-motivated

41. Get re-focused for next week

42. Re-commit to my healthy living

43. Plan out my week

44. Get organized

45. Get my shit together

Thanksgiving Aftermath...

Of course I was late getting to the family dinner. Opps. Luckily my aunt and uncle were even later... Hey, at least I called ahead of time and warned that I was going to be late!! Everyone finally arrived and then we sat down to dinner.

I was so proud of myself, because after it was all over and done I was the only person other than my munchkin who was not complaining how full and uncomfortable I was. Hehehehe Of course all I ate was a small piece of turkey, some stuffing, a couple olives, a couple of rolls (w/butter of course), some sweet potatoes w/marshmallows, and then a small piece of both pumpkin and apple pie. Yay me...

Of course since I've been home I've ate several handfuls of the Mud Puddles popcorn I ordered from the munchkin's cub scout popcorn fundraiser. Opps...

While I was helping serve dessert my Dad wanted to start shit with me. Ugh... Seriously?!? It started as funny and he had to take it to another level. Why must people do this?! When I showed up I had joked with everyone that I had a mouse that ate 6 of the rolls out of the packages I brought for dinner. And when I put them out and after they were passed around I told everyone that there were only 1, maybe 2, rolls left if someone wanted more. Still totally joking, because everyone knew there were like 12 rolls left in the kitchen. I had told everyone how yummy the rolls and everything. So when I was asking everyone what kind of pie they wanted I saw that my Dad had a roll still sitting by him on the table (he had taken 2), so I say, "No letting the rolls go to waste." Everyone chuckled. He tried to hand it back to me and I giggled, "No, you can have it. I'm just saying don't let it go to waste." That apparently opened the flood gates to my Dad's mouth...

Dad: "She is saying that because I used to make her clean her plate."

j'lynn: "No."

Dad: "Yes. I used to make her clean her plate. Well, not the first serving but whenever she asked for seconds. If you took more, you have to clean your plate."

j'lynn: "Pumpkin or apple?"

Dad: "Do you remember? I never made you clean your first serving."

j'lynn: "Let's not relive my childhood. Pumpkin or apple?"

Dad: "What I'm saying is true."

j'lynn: "Oh, okay. Pumpkin or apple?"

Dad: "We can relive your childhood."

j'lynn: "No. Trust me. We shouldn't."

Dad: "Why? You had a great childhood."

j'lynn: "You really don't want me to relive my childhood right now. Pumpkin or apple?"

Dad: "You had a great childhood."

j'lynn: "Pumpkin or apple?"

Dad: "What was wrong with your childhood?"

j'lynn: "Seriously. Pumpkin or apple? We aren't doing this now. One last chance, pumpkin or apple?"

Dad: "Apple."

j'lynn: "Good choice..."

Only a man who is no longer recovering would believe that I had a great childhood as I stood around and watched my parents abuse one another and drink themselves into oblivion. Fun times, but lets not try to relive them during Thanksgiving dinner, okay?! Family....need I say more?

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38

Just getting started: 5, 8, 9, 10, 17, 20, 25, 39, 40

Needs attention: 21, 23

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

I want to wish everyone a Happy & Healthy Thanksgiving!!

There is so much for me to be thankful for today...

My Munchkin...He is the light of my life! I love him more than I ever thought I could love anyone in my life! I am so proud of him and am so happy to see the little man he is set to become! I am thankful he came in to my life over 8 years ago and am thankful that I get to be his mommy!

My Man...my soulmate, the love of my life. I am so thankful that after knowing him for over 10 years that I am able to love him more today than I did yesterday. I am thankful that he is finally becoming the man I always knew he could. I am thankful that something so horribly tragic could bring him and I back into one another's lives and that each and every day he does something to help continue to improve his life and in turn our life together so one day we may be a family again. I am so proud of him for the changes he makes every day. I am thankful that he decided almost 3 years ago the changes he needed to make in his life in order to one day come home and be a real man, husband, father, and someone that others can respect as much as I have grown to respect in these last few years.

My aunt...I am thankful for all she does to allow me to do what I need to do to get through school, work, and to be me. I am eternally thankful that she is able to give me, my munchkin and my man so much of her time and her support. I am thankful to have such a wonderful aunt.

My family...without them I wouldn't be who I am today, so I am thankful for them even in the crazy times. I am thankful that I get to spend today with some of my family to remind me how fortunate I really am.

My LSBFF...I am thankful that over 4 years ago we met and eventually became fast friends and LSBFFs. She is my rock for school and life. She is always available for me and I am thankful for that. I am thankful that she won't BS me and when I'm being a total unreasonable bitch she will tell me how jacked up I really am.

My friends...I am thankful that I have them in my life...all of them. Even the annoying ones. ;) I am thankful that they make me laugh, think and are in my life today.

Prof. Arrogance...I am thankful I got past the first impression I had of him, because I thought he was a total asshole. I am thankful he has taught me so much and made me believe in myself more and more every day.

School...I am thankful that it is almost over! hehehehehehe

Work...I am thankful I have a job regardless of how annoying it is so much of the time. I am more than thankful that my bosses believe in me and allow me to do my "thang" so I can be successful beyond the 4 walls of my office!

My health...I am thankful for being as healthy as I am, because regardless of the blood checks, the need to lose weight and everything else I have going on with my healthy I am still very healthy and I am thankful for that.

My life...I am thankful for the life I lead every day regardless if it is a great day or a bad day...I still have my life and the ability to do what I want to do with it.

You...I am thankful for every single person who may read this. I may not know you, but I consider each and everyone of you a friend. I am thankful for all the people that this blog has brought into my life.

I hope each and every one of you are thankful for all that you have and all of the things in your life. I am not just thankful for the good in my life, but the bad too, because I learn from all of it...

Thank you & Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!!!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38

Just getting started: 5, 8, 9, 10, 17, 20, 25, 39, 40

Needs attention: 21, 23, 26

Friday & Saturday Came A Little Early This Week

Yesterday totally felt like a Friday with a twist. I took this week off work, but continued to do my Externship to work towards the hours I need to complete it. So I went to court in the morning, did my "thang" there and then I met my LSBFF for lunch. It was yummy and fun!! I just wish I had more time to spend at lunch. Oh well...next time! We celebrated her birthday! Yay her... :)

From there I went to see my guy for my weekly visit. We made it a little early this week due to the holiday, plus so I could use the rest of the week to study for my two finals Monday night. Well, that studying thing hasn't really happened yet...

Since yesterday I kept thinking it was Friday I apparently forgot that today wasn't Saturday and ended up accomplishing nothing. Or at the most, very little. But I do have a little happy news to spread...the skank (a/k/a my bro's wife) will not be at the family Thanksgiving tomorrow, so I am thankful for that. I'd hate to have to knock her out at a family dinner.

I've also been uber exhausted today. I'm not really sure why though. It could be that both Sunday and Monday night I didn't sleep worth a crap. After being up for 4 hours today all I wanted to do was take a nap. I didn't. Then almost 3 hours ago I wanted to go to bed for the night. I haven't.

My original plan was to do nothing other than study for these 5 days, but so far all I've done is eat and all I've wanted to do is sleep...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 24, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38

Just getting started: 5, 8, 9, 10, 17, 20, 25, 39, 40

Needs attention: 21, 23, 26, 30

The Streak Lives On...

This week's stats...

Starting weight (7/8/09): 363lbs

Current weight: 316.8lbs

This week's results: -2.8lbs

Total weight lost: -46.2lbs

I'm totally excited, because I have finally broke free from the 320's & my mental block. I am now at the lowest point I've been in this very, very long journey! I even surpassed where I was back in March and August! I am so happy and so proud of myself. So now that I have accomplished this goal I'm setting two more for myself. Since I've hit this accomplishment at a very precarious time with Thanksgiving just days away, finals a week from tomorrow, starting Bar prep, and Christmas all happening within the next month I know I have to be extra careful not to fall backwards. So my first goal is to keep my streak going through the next 6 weeks considering the holidays. My goal after that is getting below the 300's. I'm not going to push or concentrate on my second goal until I make it through the next 6 weeks. So on to goal #1...keeping my streak alive.

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 27, 28, 29, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37

Just getting started: 5, 8, 9, 10, 17, 20, 38, 39, 40

Needs attention: 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 32

Happy Birthday To My LSBFF!!!!!!!!

First and foremost, I have to give a shout out today to my LSBFF! She turned 30 today!! Happy Birthday LSBFF!! I hope you had a wonderful birthday & got everything you wished for plus some, because you deserve everything! I wouldn't be where I am today had I not met you 4 years ago. Love ya girl!!!

Switching gears & following with tradition, I too am a few days late, but I was tagged back on hump day by 2berrys over at Starting my life at 35... I don't remember how I found her blog or when, but I just adore her! I'm so proud of all that 2berrys has accomplished in the last several months!

2berrys laid out four questions for me to answer, so here goes...

1. What is the biggest change you've made in your life that you never thought you'd really be able to do?

OM...I have no clue! I guess I would have to say Law School while working full time and being a single mom. I would love to say 'lose weight' or 'quit smoking' but since I haven't really accomplished either of those things I'll have to rely on completing law school. Yes, I haven't completed it yet, but I'm awfully damn close! ;)

2. What's your one guilty pleasure you cannot live without?

Time alone! If I don't get time in my house at some point during the week all alone to myself I feel like I might snap. I don't care if it is only a few hours...I just have to have some time to myself. It keeps me sane!

3. What is your dream vacation? Money is not an issue. Time off of work is not an issue. Where do you go? Why?

Hawaii!! I've always wanted to go to Hawaii and often dream of going there. It was sort of a toss up between Hawaii and Italy, but with the cold weather having set in around here as of late the beautiful beaches of Hawaii call to me...

4. If you could pack up your things and move anywhere and you'd be provided with a job, house, etc. where would you live?

Dallas! I've always had a thing for Texas. I visited back in my late teens with some friends and I loved everything about it. And seriously who wouldn't want to live somewhere that it is a one name town?! You don't even have to follow up Dallas with the qualifier of what state it is in! Again this was a toss up, because I would also love to live in Hawaii or Arizona. With Hawaii...who wouldn't want to live in paradise everyday? Arizona has always been at the top of my list, but with the current turmoil I'll stick to Texas for today.

Alright folks...there you have it! I'm sure you were all dying to know this info...now you may resume your normal activities! LOL Swing on by Starting my life at 35 and tell 2berrys 'Hi!'

Oh wait...you are probably wondering who I'm tagging, so here you go:

Dani over at Riddle Me This,

Blaez over at These Are The Days of One Gemini, and

Jenny over at Surviving Law School as a Single Mom.

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, 15, 22, 29

Just getting started: 5, 20

Needs attention: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40

Another Step Closer...YIKES!!

Wednesday the UPS guy attempted to deliver my Bar/Bri materials, but apparently they are uber valuable and someone must be home to sign for the 25lb box. Opps! So last night I had to trek on out to the UPS shipping center to pick up my box. I would like to thank the employees there for being so helpful and offering to carry out the heavy box to my car, Not! I stood there forever before someone finally helped me and then the guy huffed when he picked up the box. Sorry to make you strain, buddy!

Oh well...just another step closer to the total freak-out of Bar prep...

Now on to the weekend, what I live for these days!

My Friday To-Do List:

1. Drop off my Externship time sheet

2. Pick up Monday's day sheet

3. Go & see my guy

4. Write out my shopping list

5. Go shopping

6. Pick up the house

7. Do laundry

8. Do all of my MBE homework

9. Do all of my SBM Essay homework

10. Do all of my Externship homework

11. Write out my bills

12. Balance my checkbook

13. Get my monthly facial

14. Get my uni-brow waxed

15. Get my allergy shot

16. File my papers

17. Write my guy

18. Catch up on my TIVO

19. Catch up on my emails

20. Put my final order for my contacts in

21. Workout

22. Pick up my dry cleaning

23. Continue cleaning out our closets and drawers

24. Follow up with my handyman to do some work on my porch

25. Get the munchkin's birthday & Christmas pictures taken

26. Write out the munchkin's school and soccer pictures

27. Update my calendar

28. Update my November budget

29. Pick up my script

30. Get ready to celebrate Turkey Day with the family

31. Get my house cleaned in anticipation for my long weekend starting Hump Day next week

32. Do lunch with my LSBFF to celebrate her 30th birthday

33. Get me some serious sleep

34. Get re-motivated

35. Get re-focused for next week

36. Re-commit to my healthy living

37. Plan out my week

38. Start getting things ready for studying & taking the bar

39. Get organized

40. Get my shit together

Totally Crushing On My Prof!

I seriously don't think I could be any exhausted or feeling off than I am this week. I am hoping that this is just a small little blip on my radar. I'm also hopeful that I don't screw up my streak, but I'm not betting any money on that. I don't think I've consumed all of my water one single day this week. But I do know that I have more than consumed all of my calories every single day plus some. I'm hoping this is just a result of my hormones and emotions. Yes Mother Nature, I'm laying a portion of the blame at your feet, but I will take the brunt of it, I promise!

When class started today Prof. Arrogance announced today was out last class. Woo-hoo!! This means that when I finish my last final a week from Monday at 7:50pm I will officially be done with law school. Well...officially done with attending classes and finals! I will have to finish the my Externship and the work that goes with it, but I'll be all done with classes! I cannot believe it! I've waited for this day to come for a very long time. Some times I think I've waited for this day for over 34 years. Then during class as we were all filing out a survey Prof. Arrogance gave me a present! Yes, me...a present!! :)

He said all Criminal Defense Attorneys need one! I heart Prof. Arrogance!! And to think that 4 years ago I hated Prof. Arrogance. I guess it goes to show that most people I end up loving in my life I start out hating... Thank You Prof. Arrogance!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 15 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28

Just getting started: 7, 9, 10, 14, 29, 30

Needs attention: 8, 13, 20, 22, 23, 24, 31, 32