2007 is coming to an end. I look back over the last 12 months. I try to think of accomplishments I may have done. But looking back, I've gone through some really trying times this year. Trying to make ends meet when your spouse still hasn't been able to get any type of employment. There are other things involved in this situation but I won't get into it at the moment. The struggles I've had at work, with an awful former supervisor whom I call the Dragon Lady. When she accepted another job at another university, my department and I rejoiced. The daily stress we lived with had left the building right with her.
Then moving back to my former department, and being more responsible for my current position, and acquiring a new supervisor. I've had my moments in that area, and getting a bad review, thanks to Dragon Lady bad-mouthing me. I have not had a chance to go over my review beforehand and have a chance to talk with my supervisor about the experiences I've had to deal with. And not giving me an opportunity to explain my working habits. I am not like many people who have a set routine. My job is little bit of a variety of different things I have to do. Because each day is unpredictable, I can't do it. When something does come in, I take care of it right away. Anyway, now that my supervisor and I have come to an understanding, I think everything will be just fine.
As for family...my kids are doing great. I am still amazed with my son being able to be more bold and more people-friendly. He has improved greatly in his sign language skills. Having a deaf stepfather helps a lot. And he always, always signs to me. I think it's great. Sometimes I don't have the patience and want him to just speak it. But knowing him, he'd make a great interpreter or a great leader for some type of deaf group or ministry. His love for the deaf is just so amazing.
My daughter is a tween---12 years old now. Treated her and her friends to Alvin and the Chipmunks. Great, fun, cutesy movie. Hard to lip read animation but the live people, not too bad. I pretty much am familiar with the storyline---I just have the ability to kind of know what the story is about.
Finally met my newest niece. 3 months old and she has big cheeks. She's gorgeous but I'm not too sure about the cheeks. Think of bulldog cheeks. LOL. But she was so adorable anyway. And one of the family friend saw my son and said, wow, he looks so much like your grandpa John! I just had to chuckle. I've taken up to teasing my son, Hey little Grandpa John! He'd just growl, HEY!
The family gathering at Christmas Eve was really great. The kids got what they wanted. We had a good time hanging out and for the first time in years that I can remember, we actually had a good time. I don't know what it is, but it was just right.
Coming home, my sister got pulled over...well, their second citation for the month of December. First one for having tinted windows on front windows. So that was taken down. This time, for expired plates. OOPS. Then my van started acting up. Luckily got home just in time for it to completely quit on me. Christmas Day we didn't go anywhere. I basically just made crock-pot dinner and we just took it easy.
Christmas morning, though, I have to share this: I was gently waking up my son, saying Merry Christmas. Do you know what today is? He was still asleep but waking up, and signing to me, celebrate Jesus' birth. I chuckled....why? because it's very unusual for a child to remember something like that when the majority of kids are more focused on presents under the tree. Amazing. So I just laughed. I said ok, what else? He shrugged his shoulders and turned over to go to sleep. I said, well, maybe I'll just open your gifts for you then. He woke right up and tripped his way out of bed....scrambling. It was so endearing to me to see that he really knows the real meaning of Christmas.
The next day, we had to call the mechanic and it turned out my alternator was shot. So they were able to fix it. So I'm very grateful I have the van back.
Earlier this year, I can't really recall much, but over the summer, I felt we were able to do a lot of family things together, and still had my ups and downs living on one salary, and making ends meet. Then the fall, opening with Deaf Cafe and school and other things.
2008 will be a new beginning for us. For me, I will be flying out to Arizona to see my grandma who is ailing from some lung problems. Her lungs are shot, but they're scrambling to find meds to help her---but we don't know how much time she has---2 months or 2 years? My youngest sister and I will fly out to Yuma to see her spend a week. We don't know when we'll see her again. In the same time, I will have an opportunity to visit with my brother-in-law there. He just recently moved there. I'm very excited to know that.
I also see some major improvements with our Deaf Cafe and I do pray that my husband will get the temporary position at U-M, and bringing in some income for a while. I see us having more camping trips over the summer.
I hope you have had a good 2007, and that 2008 will bring you nothing but more blessings and joy.
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