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