Things I've Been Up To In the Last 7 Days

• Lots of overtime
• Planning Caleb's Eagle Court of Honor
• Helping Caitlin with her school work
• Meeting with Caitlin's teacher, school psychologist, resource teacher, etc... (feeling better!)
• Work training
• General Conference
• Dinner with Caitlin during the Priesthood Session
• Pedicure
• Cleaning
• Halloween decorating
• Cancer Mom lunch
• Clint and I joining the ACCO Board of Directors (American Childhood Cancer Organization)
• Planning YW Personal Progress activity

Shortcomings

A while back, I applied for a different position within the company I currently work for. I have been interested in this position for quite some time and was excited by the chance for a change. I have since learned to even be considered for the job, I would need a "technical writing" background. So... I googled "technical writing" to see if I had any qualifications and then planned to update my resume. I personally hate resumes, I hate the whole- look how wonderful I am, part of trying to get a job. Imagine my humiliation as I looked over the resume I had submitted and realized I had misspelled a word! The whole job in centered around writing and not only do I NOT have technical writing skills, I didn't even correctly spell "excellent"- yep, only used one L. Oh, and to make matters worse- my resume is locked and is "under consideration," so no changes can be made. Ugh, I hope they have a sense of humor. My suggestion is this- if asked to apply and submit resumes online, spellcheck should be an option.

Today, Caitlin went back to school after being off track for three weeks. This morning she did her whole anxiety/sick routine and I have been worried about her all day. I got off work and made chocolate chip cookies to welcome her home. When she got home, she ran in, dropped her backpack, asked if she could go play, and was out the door before I could even offer her a cookie. So... she's fine and I have eaten 5 cookies.

Clint and I are going back for another session of Financial Peace University. We attended all the classes last year and graduated, but decided to go back to support friends who will be going through the program this year. Plus, the accountability and support is so helpful as we work to become debt-free. Problem? Can't find our book. Going to class unprepared tonight.

Shortcoming- the quality or state of being flawed or lacking

The Influence of a Positive Attitude

I admit it, I am freaking out. This weekend my job is changing, it's the same job, but done in a completely different way, on a new system. Emails of last minute changes and updates are flooding my inbox. Systems that are supposed to be up and working are not accepting my passwords. My brain is on overdrive and I'm sick of waking up in the night with that feeling of dread.

I attended training the first two weeks of November and have completed continuous training on a weekly basis since, but I am not prepared and have little hope of remembering all I've learned.

For me, this is huge. I am made up of equal parts perfectionism and OCD- a deadly combination on a good day. I resist change and I am not ready to give up being efficient, fast, and good at my job. I don't want to revert back to feeling like a newbie, making mistakes, and dealing with unhappy and impatient customers.

I have been in a negative downward spiral and have even considered quiting. Thanks to the financial goals we've made- I know this is not an option.

Today I went to lunch with my friends from work, we try to meet every couple of months to catch up and share work related stories (in this industry, there are always good stories). I am grateful to have met these women, they were supportive and kind as we learned our job together the first time, and have been good friends ever since. They are as nervous and frustrated as I am, and yet, they seem to possess a belief that in time they will learn and become adept in their positions. They are dealing with the unknowns, and the things they have no control over with patience and grace. They encouraged and reminded me they would be just an email or phone call away.

So... lunch became a therapy session, complete with Diet Coke and chicken tacos. I am blessed to have others around me who can see beyond the moment and have faith that in time, all will work out. I am blessed to have support, good friends, a husband who spends hours working on my new software, and if nothing else... a day off tomorrow. ;-)

Random Stuff

Around our house, things have been happening at lightning speed. Not a lot to report, just feeling busy.

• Caleb was asked to be a Patrol Leader for the Jamboree
• We made "Cowgirl Cookies"- yum! You can't go wrong making cookies with chocolate chips and M&M's
• We joined Pinching Your Pennies and are having tons of fun stocking up on sales and increasing our food storage- we now have enough cereal to feed a small army (or Caleb)
• We have been watching the news coming out of Haiti and I am sick over the homeless/parent less children. I imagine my kids or my nieces and nephews wandering around alone, hungry, afraid, and possibly hurt, and it about breaks my heart. If a need for foster parents arises for Haitian children in the US, I'm signing up.
• Clint and I have both been working a lot of hours lately and I think we're both worn out, but also motivated by our resolve to become debt-free this year
• Catilin and I have been making Valentine's
• We've seen the movies, Leap Year and A Spy Next Door- two clean, decent shows

That's about it...