A conundrum.

I can't believe Christmas is over. It came around too fast and then like a whirlwind, it was gone. Now it's just months and months of short, dark days with blustery wind, snow, ice and freezing rain. I did love our first real snow this year, but unless the next snow is on the weekend again, I won't be as happy about it! If I was a teacher, I'd enjoy it a little more, for sure.

Nothing going on on the foster care front. There are some cool things going on within my county and state...but I can't share them because they are too specific to my location. grrr. I've missed out on some great training opportunities because of scheduling conflicts, but they don't give enough notice. Obviously, things have been quiet since I've yet to get a call. I thought someone would at least call about respite. They are still trying to encourage parents to use it and are looking into options to make it more appealing. I know some of you would kill for respite while parents and my county are totally under utilizing it. I'm waiting to hear back from SW T regarding my hours. I'm 95% sure I don't have all my training in for this year, but she hasn't contacted me, so I just shot her an email.

School is starting up soon and I am NOT looking forward to it. The last class I took really tested me. This next class will be in a subject I struggle in and involves a big group project. I hate group projects. IMHO, group projects are only beneficial to slackers. The work is never distributed evenly. And yes, this is graduate school, but trust me, I had some people in my last class who were just trying to coast.

To make matters worse, a friend, Lisa, who I had a falling out with several years ago, has popped up in my life again. I have apparently entered my own personal hell. I don't want to share too much b/c I'm paranoid. Let's just say I would love to never see her again. Now I will likely run into her regularly. Nice.

Anyway, I wanted to post my new years resolutions and something about medications, but it is getting late and Lisa has put me in a bad mood. lol. Hopefully I'll get around to posting them soon. Happy New Year everyone!

**edited 1/7/10 ...made my conundrum a little more vague for several reasons...

just here.

I've been so tired lately, no particular reason, sleeping pretty much the same at night. But I'm taking advantage of weekend naps. Just not motivated, I guess. Maybe it's the weather? It is just dreary all the time and gets dark so early. I have my sleep study coming up—one at night and a day test [multiple sleep latency] following it. I know, I need to exercise and eat better. That would surely help, but you have to be motivated first. Anyway, I missed the last FPA meeting and then I missed the Christmas party. I was exhausted the night of the meeting, and I napped beyond the time of the party. I don't know how you all do it. If I'm tired now, I can't imagine what it would be like with kids. Is it normal to feel drained all the time?

School starts up again in January. I did my best to avoid the class that starts after 8pm. I would have preferred the teacher, but that time slot would have kept me at work until 7:30. I would go crazy. I'm looking forward to Christmas. I've spent way too much already. I still haven't bought anything for my dad, nephew or brother-in-law! I spent more money than I should have on the child I am sponsoring at X RTC. I didn't even get everything on her list. I also bought myself a few things! Including a set of Bath and Body Works goodies and a pair of jammies. I have to wait until Christmas to use them. I have the tree up, that's it. It's not decorated, just up. Finally put the Halloween decorations away. I cleaned the house but then filled half the living room with containers of Christmas decorations. Oh well!

I have a new kitten, he is adorable. Driving the other two nuts. I swear he things Charley is his mother! He can't jump yet so getting up high is Charley's only respite. Chubbs is finally not growling and hissing whenever she sees him. She does still get mad when he gets too close, but she is getting much better. He is so warm and fuzzy, a real snuggle-bug. He likes to sleep totally under the covers or on my face. He's always in my lap. I think he fits in just fine, but the others won't think so until he calms down a bit. At least Charley isn't clingy anymore! I still wish sometimes everything was back to the way it was and I still had Tylenol.

I noticed that according to my certificate, my foster care certification has expired. oops. I'm not even sure I have all the hours in. I'll have to call. I haven't received any phone calls about respite or placements. I had no idea when I started that it would be so quiet. Not that I'm rushing at the moment. With school starting up again and me being tired all the time, I'm not waiting by the phone.

*[this post edited 7/12/10 for public blog]