Work: I planted some Marigold seeds and put them in the window outside my office. I also trimmed and dead-headed the plants that needed it. I changed out all the winter decor from my own office and window sill, added a plant and a hand carved Robin that I love. I now have two monitors on my desk, the CPU (not sure what else to call it) is about the size of a box of butter and that is new to my desk top space as well. I also have a new internet phone which is a bit more bulky than the last one. Given that I need to be home some afternoons for Jeremiah, working with children poses a problem as many of them need to be seen after school hours so I have requested that my caseload on children be reduced and the adult caseload increased. In that light, I have also requested that the responsibility of being the trainer for the Children's Program be passed on to someone else. I've been doing it for 2 years and it's time for someone else to lead that horse. My caseload is larger than it's ever been and last week I received a 5% raise. YAY ME!

Home: My yard continue to be MUD. MUD. And MORE MUD. Ugh. I am looking forward to the day when the ground firms up, there is grass to mow, temperatures are warmer and leaves on the trees! Daily chores are being kept up with...dishes, laundry, clear table, someone decent floors (I'm allowing slack on this because it's MUD season plus we heat with wood and pellets...both are creators of dust. Jeremiah is in charge of sweeping almost daily and does a decent job. I'm thankful for the help. I cleaned out the fridge last night and emptied all the various Rubbermaid containers, washed them all by hand (they don't come out clean from the dishwasher) and today I had some family time and some me time. We all got haircuts this morning, I got some highlights and then went on to get my nails done. I don't do that often but I sure do love having them painted an all pretty! We went to the bookstore and then out to a place we've been wanting to try for a long time for our lunch....It's called Curly's Chicken House. It's a down home, straight forward family restaurant...a bit run down but the food was great! I had friend chicken which I don't think I've had in years...surely I will be paying for it later tonight...it was worth it! While we were there a woman came over and started hugging me...I didn't know who it was until she took a few steps back....turns out it was a friend that I used to work with in the 1990s....she's retired now...sure was great to see her though!

I have a huge undertaking that I'm hoping to get at least halfway done tomorrow. I have made the decision that I am going to get rid of 95% of the clothes that I don't wear or that don't fit. I'm keeping a few special pieces but the other stuff...all 8 sizes of it all is going to be GONE. I'm feeling ruthless and tomorrow is the day!   I might start tonight...we shall see.

I am headed to a college reunion in May and recently purchased some new clothes that I feel good in...including SHOES!!! Normally, I might get one or two pairs of new shoes per year and sometimes not even that. I recently picked up FOUR pairs...one new set of cute kick abouts, sandals and two pairs of Espadrille sandals, one black and the others are a sassy hot pink....*GRIN*....love it!

Oh...also taking my car into the shop for a tune up so I have no worries on my drive to Vermont for the reunion.   I have rented a cottage for myself a very close girlfriend who actually is the reason that I met Pete....I can't wait to see her...it's been *GASP* over 25 years!!!!

Michelle