Red Knicker Day

So, yesterday I was proven right in my predictions regarding my future with the TGC.

In order to do Special Projects for TGC I will have to submit a Request Proposal Form, in other words; I have to bid. When this decision was made and presented to me at the end of September 2009, I thought of this immediately... as an Independent Contractor I'd have no 'sway' or 'special relationship' with the organization, and who was to say that there would be a time when the Powers That Be would want to go outside of me for jobs they'd want done. And I was completely up front in saying that there are people out there who do these things (PR/Marketing plans, website design & upkeep, forms & fliers) who do it for a real living... it is all they do and they are professionals and will do a better job, at likely a higher price but in less time.

I smelled the dog, I knew this was coming -- as I think more about it this morning I'm so very very glad it came faster than later. When I was getting dressed yesterday I put on my red knickers.

Back in Scotland, some of the best training I have ever had was with a woman who had been contracted by Creative Memories to do Direct Sales training, Barbara Sharples. And she once said, "Women who wear Red Knickers rule the world." So, whenever I have a day coming that I know will hold special and unique challenges, I put on my red knickers. Yes, yesterday was a Red Knicker Day. (Translation: Knickers = Underwear, panties, lingerie)

I'm actually relieved. I feel free to say no. I still have a slightly bitter aftertaste in my mouth about how this whole thing came about... but now this meal is over, and I can truly move on. My prediction is that in 6 - 9 months things will be very different in the organization, not for the better.

In Other News:
I've picked up a second craft class (YAY) which is more money... And I now have a voice student who insists on paying me as well. (YAY YAY!!). So, I know that God is out there ~ and I just have to continue to Wait on Him, Trust Him, have Faith that where I am is where I'm supposed to be, and continue pursuing playing with the gifts and blessings He's given me. YEAH!

eta: correct spelling

Work out, then chocolate ice cream - nothing incongruous there, is there?

It's hot. When its hot I eat a lot of ice cream. I tried to do frozen yogurt one summer with a cheap freezer thing-a-ma-bob, but it broke and wasn't all that great... and took way-hay too long to freeze up the yogurt.

Yes, my second workout with weights today... yi-yi-yi!!! I was really in pain last Friday and Saturday... and I know it is a good pain, so I was enthusiastic when I groaned and moaned... ;-)

I need to get in the habit of going every day - and tomorrow my goal is to go after work and just do 20 minutes on the treadmill. I also want to take advantage of the food plan that the personal training program gives me. I've resisted for so long being told what to eat... and that hasn't worked spectacularly for me... eating when I'm hungry and eating what I want to eat works for me, when I focus on actually doing it.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

So... on my way to the fitness center after work, I'm heading south and turning left to get to my gym. In my town our green arrows in most intersections come after the main green light... so I was in a line of left-turning cars and as it got to my turn to actually make the left, I saw what had been hidden infront of the tall SUV in front of me... a blind man was crossing the street in the middle of the intersection!

I saw a man who had obviously seen what was going on and was running to him to let him know that he was *standing in the middle of 12 lanes of opposing traffic.*

It looked like the blind man thought he had crossed the entire intersection (West to East) when indeed he'd only crossed 4 lanes, came to the island that separates the dual road, so he turned to then cross North to South. Holy Crap!!!

I said a prayer of thanks for the guy who was running to help him out. I said a prayer of thanks that everyone so far had seen him and wasn't honking obnoxiously at him (which only would have confused him, I'm pretty sure). Then I said a prayer of thanks for my health and my sight. How easy it would be to make that mistake, especially if my mind was on something other than crossing 6 lanes of traffic.

So... if you're reading this, give thanks.

Merry Christmas

Things are better. L actually did not go to jail, or see a judge. The deputies just drove around with him in the car I think, and brought him back around 2 or 3 am Sunday morning. So that was a good thing.

I got our tree up with help from my pal T, and himself hung lights in the front of the house and how festive it is. The house is still mostly a huge mess, but that's okay. Himself and I had our Christmas, per our tradition, at 12:15 am midnight, after watching "Pirates of the Caribbean: Three" -- himself got the surround sound set up and so we had movie night.

I'm thankful for my friends who have listened to the story of 'the drama that is my life' and let me eat cookies, and roll my eyes countless times as the situations that we find ourselves in; for a great new house and roof over my head, for my amazing husband who spoils me more and more.

I'm so thankful for so many things, and while I ask that we keep the prayers, good vibes and energy coming... I know this is just a normal 'blip' in the road of life, that we'll all adjust and life will go on -- just as it is supposed to be.

We had a lovely time at friends for Christmas dinner -- played games and sang carols around the piano -- a very lovely lovely evening.

Again, I have so very much to be thankful for :D

Thank you my friends for the words of encouragement!!