summer and more

So it's almost the middle of June and I'm just figuring out my plans. Lauren and I reached a dilemma. I need to look for a real job, but she has one and it seems everyone else does as well...meaning if I stop watching the boys there isn't really anyone else around to take my place during the summer. There are plans coming together for September, but July and August need to be covered.

My Grandparents also need a little assistance (but are unwilling to let anyone assist them) and I'm hoping to pry myself into their home so I can at least clean the bathrooms and empty out the fridge.

I'll also be working with the ward employment specialist to try and find real life jobs for the fall. I have to decide if I want to go to England or stay here and work or go do something completely different. England would be amazing, I just don't think I want to nanny right now (which is really what's holding me back). I really wish I could just move there and get a job but it doesn't work that way...at least not in the legal sense. If I stay here (meaning Maryland) my goal will be to pay off my credit cards and save money to get a place of my own. I may move to my Grandparents (they REALLY need someone there and although it would be hard it's the right thing to do) and kind of split my time between here and there. I may not do any of these things, but at least there are some options.

I intend to start reading more again (I hit a slump after I Capture the Castle that I'm sure has everything to do with my lack of job) and to start working on creative things. I have plenty of fabric and yarn and such that I can make a lot of stuff if I just sit down and get into it. I'm going to donate two of my tutus to hospice for them to sell and I'm going to crochet a couple of blankets to donate as well. I have a whole bunch of yarn that needs to be used and donating to hospice seems like a good place to send it.

I'm going to get a tan. That seems like a much less worthy venture, but I am tired of my legs being transparent and I'm tired of rain. I want to sit out in the sun and let my skin bake to golden brown perfection. I have already had a couple of little sunburned patches so there's no dealing with sunburn.

I'm going to get a church calling and I'm going to fulfill it to the best of my ability. I'm pretty sure I can handle whatever I get because I know it won't be a primary or nursery calling. Whatever it is, I'm going to rock it.

I'm going to continue paying my tithing 100%. I am a slacker with tithing, but so far this year I have paid everything plus fast offerings (which, to be honest, I've never really paid). This is not meant to brag or anything like that, it's just my goal. This year I will get back into the habit of paying those things and I will not let myself get out of the habit again.

I'm going to buy a bookshelf as soon as I have my own space to put it in. Some of you may remember that I already purchased a very nice bookshelf when I lived in my old apartment, but that bookshelf is now happy in my sister's apartment and covered in her books and will probably stay with them until they move and I have a place to put that bookshelf. I do love it and will be reclaiming it someday I'm sure.

I'm going to see Monkey actually finish being potty trained. There will be a day (and I'm optimistic it will be this summer) that he will decide to just stop having "accidents" and that will be a glorious day indeed. The heavens will open and angels will sing...and we won't have to clean poopy underwear again!!

I'm going to try my hardest to break Monkey of his whining. I've just decided this today, but I'm going to do it. He's not the whiniest kid on the block, but I lose 90% of my patience with him the minute his voice gets whiny. It drives me crazy. I must tell him to stop whining 100 times every day. Just now I told him. JUST. NOW. TWICE. I don't know how I will do it or that it will work (in fact I will probably fail) but if I can get him to at least cut down on the whining then I will be happier. Maybe I'll just keep him so busy he won't have time to whine? Who knows, but I can dream.

I'm going to go to the beach. Even if it's just a long weekend by myself. I will drive to Cape Cod and I will work on my tan and I will read books and crochet blankets and sit in peace and quiet by myself. I've never been one to do things by myself. In fact, I think it's kind of weird...people at the movies or out to dinner by themselves are strange in my mind simply because there is no one with them. But if that's the only way I'll get an honest to goodness beach vacation then so be it. I will go and I will be happy going and I'll come home tan and happy.

There you go. Goals. Goals are good, right?