peace

Hello everybody!

I hope all is well in your world!

The sun came out today, and it brightened my mood considerably! ;D

I will tackle my never-ending supply of dirty laundry while Jamil is at youth group. Have a good evening.

another update

I can't seem to keep up with blogging! Here's another update of what I've been up to lately:

1. I tried to move in my mother, but that didn't work at all. I was on vacation, so I thought I'd try taking care of her. Unfortunately, she was up at 11:00 p.m., midnight, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. The realization that she needed round-the-clock care was difficult to accept, but she is now in a nursing home for a month to get some extra physical therapy.

2. My brother, Eddie, has been awesome by going to see her twice daily, making sure she walks, and cracking jokes to make her laugh until she cries!

3. My job is fantastic! My students have such a positive attitude after the Christmas break, and they're working much more diligently than at the beginning of the year.

4. I began two women's Bible studies: one at a local mission and one at my church on Sunday mornings. Both are doing well, and I'm looking forward to what God has planned for us.

5. I am a chicken as far as dating is concerned. A friend has offered to set up some blind dates, but I'm not entirely comfortable with that. The one person I would love to spend time with doesn't find me attractive that way, and I've had some creepy dudes that have actually made me more cautious than ever. Single is better than the marriage I had, so I can't complain.

I hope all is well with you in this new year. May God bless you and yours!

Getting ready for Christmas!

I finished wrapping gifts last night, and the only job left to start is the cooking.

I want to get the cookies done tomorrow (or Wednesday at the latest).

If I don't get a chance to get back on the computer, please know that I wish you a very Merry Christmas! God bless!

** update on my life **

Wow...I haven't checked in for some time, eh?

Here's a little synopsis of life at Michelle's house:

1.) Work from 7:00-3:00 (which will change to 5:00 in January).

2.) Visit mom (who has had a second stroke since October)...do her laundry...bring it back to rehab center...try to make her laugh...go home and sleep...repeat process.

That's pretty much it.

Last night we had a concert at my church. I was tired and wasn't in the mood for really loud Christian hard rock, so I left and went to visit mom since I hadn't had a chance to do that after work.

When I got to the rehab center, mom was having a really hard time controlling her body. Man, it's hard to see her lose control, yet they're still sending her home on Tuesday. She can't even go to the bathroom by herself! She can't brush her teeth, get dressed, or do anything alone, so I'm worried about her.

My friend has been noticing that I'm running ragged and mentioned that I probably need to create some boundaries to avoid having a break down, so I told my mother that I would help her as much as I could but not at the expense of my own family. I'm trying not to feel guilty as I think about how impossible it would be to work my full-time teaching job in addition to two part-time jobs, keep my own home clean, cook, and give my boys the attention they deserve while committing to 4 hours of nursing my mother back to health.

That's not possible.

I'm really tired every single night that I go to bed, and I haven't even worked out in the last few days because it would have meant getting five hours instead of six hours of sleep.

Something's gotta give...

Don't worry; I don't expect solutions. I just needed to write through my thoughts and, hopefully, come up with some ways to keep my sanity while still trying to fulfill my obligations as her daughter. I'll let you know what I decide to do...

This is my niece, Lina, and my nephew, Leonard. They were in town to see my mom, who has been recovering nicely. We celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, and it was so much fun! I'm still recuperating from the work of hosting such a big celebration, but it was definitely worth it!

The guy on the left is my son, Shaq, who did a magnificent job in the drama club's production of three one-act plays. That's his buddy, who was also phenomenal (and one of my students too).

My life has been crazy, but I wanted to take a minute to share a little of what has been going on lately. Best wishes for a wonderful week!

God bless!

:o(

I love animals.

I do NOT like seeing deers that have been hit, and I just saw one on the way home from the hospital.

So sad.

no more cookies

I just finished making a double batch of peanut butter and a batch of chocolate chip cookies for Thanksgiving dessert. I'm going to freeze them so they'll be soft and yummy, but we're having the dinner a week early since my niece will be here on Saturday from Tennessee.

I'm planning on roasting a turkey, making a glazed ham, serving some stuffing and making homemade mashed potatoes (no gravy though). No one will suspect that this is a Weight Watchers holiday (aside from the cookies, which will be sent home with the relatives)! Why have the fatty stuff if they like the healthy versions????

I don't want to see another cookie though...

:o)