It's been awhile since my last blog. Lots to report so sit back and soak it all in!

George's wedding is off. He found sext messages between Breezy and a friend in his Pirate Band. He is very angry - however, he is incapable of taking control of his life and making whatever changes need to be made to help him resolve his anger. Breezy is still living at the house, George (and Breezy) are still touring with the Pirates... nothing like playing the martyr!

I've gone through a lot of training at work and am now processing from two queues and writing emails. On top of letters. With more training to come. Guess the training will help me hold on to my job but.... my brain is pretty much at it's maximum capacity. Work is work, nothing fun left about it.

Charlie and Tom both finally officially resigned as trustee so I am dealing with the whole trust. Figures, I have a job and now have to be trustee while the other two don't have jobs and refuse to be trustee. I've got things going but I have a feeling I'm going to have to drain the checking account to repay Charlie for covering last year's property tax and Dan's out-of-pocket to clean up the mess of a house, I'll have to visit an attorney to make sure there's nothing else I need to do with regard to taking over trusteeship and deal with getting appointed executor for the non-trust items (again, Charlie then Tom are suppose to be executor but neither have done anything to do so), and pay a CPA to file all the late taxes and pay any tax and penalties. And get the dang house sold. Lots to do.

Dan is leaving at the end of the month. We have to have George out of the house, too, because he and Breezy are incapable of maintaining the house so we can show it. Which means I will have to start making runs over there to ensure all is well, start paying the utility bills, get the lawn cut and bail out the basement every time it rains. More work for me. But of course no one will see that - all they will see is me kicking George out of the house and stalling on dissolving the trust and sending out checks.

Can life get any better? I think not.

Not Much To Report

So, Del and Gayle are taking Scott and family to Disney World on Thursday - without me. It's been driving me insane knowing family is going and I'm not included. I just need them to go and get it done with; then maybe I'll get past this obsession.

Shawn and I are in talks to go to New Orleans late April. I took the time off but he has not. Chances are very good he won't - he promised to take time off to go to Arizona but reneged. He said he would take time off to go to Disney with his family but didn't. He won't take April off, either. Maybe I'll find someone else to go with me. Don't know who, though.

Breezy is pregnant again. Looks like maybe another October baby. I'm thrilled for them of course, but what in God's name were they thinking? George can't support himself - and now he's going to be expected to support a family of four? They are going to be homeless in a few months (I think we've all agreed they need to be out of the house by the time Dan goes to D.C.) No idea what they are going to do - and I can't let it get to me. He's a big boy - he will have to figure it out.

Happy Valentine's Day

So, Shawn told me over dinner Friday night that it's his fault our love life is non-existent and he doesn't miss it. I was totally devastated - he doesn't miss it? Really?

This Sunday I'm making plans in my final attempt to reconnect with him before insisting we get some help. A nice lunch (haven't decided where), a concert of the Vienna Boys Club (at the Lansing High School - gotta get tickets tomorrow) and a chocolate-tasting at home in front of the fireplace with a bottle of Aste Spumonti. If we go to bed and to sleep after that, then I fear we might be heading in the direction of ending this relationship. I already have enough brothers - I want a husband.

He did come home tonight with a dozen roses and a heart-shaped box of Hershey's chocolates. That was nice. I had a heart-shaped box of turtle candies on his pillow - he found them when he went to change out of his work clothes. He seemed to appreciate that gesture as well.

But where has the romance gone? What happened to the passion? Please, no more granny kisses!

Around Round

We had a nasty surprise at work today - another round of layoffs. I don't know the exact number of folks losing their jobs, but Correspondence lost three - two writers and a processor. They were 'scheduled' for their 1x1's today and walked out unemployed. Some of the names I've heard are shocking and almost all of them had long tenures - 15 years, 20 years. They 'trimmed' the department by letting those with the highest paychecks go. I'm about $1,500 away from maxing out in my position so in another three years or so, my name will probably appear on the list. This was shocking and is hard to swallow. The department is NOT overstaffed; they are cutting down so they can give back to Corporate or to the Stowers Institute. They've gone from trimming to greedy. And now there will be even more work expectations on those of us left. We have to pick up the slack of two writers AND we're suppose to begin processing in a month or so.

Sometimes I think I should just find another job, even if it's lower pay and requires office attendance and get the suspense over with. I will again focus on paying off my debt so we could actually make it on a smaller paycheck.

Happy Birthday,Sweet 16

Ana had her 16th birthday party today - at my house. Not sure why she wanted it here but I suspect it was so she wouldn't have to do any prep work (aka housework). Can't say that I blame her there! I certainly didn't mind hosting it as I am pretty good at that and it forces me to do my own neglected chores to get the house ready! It all went off without a hitch and I think Ana had a good time. The house was full of teen-agers and that was kind of different - guess I should get used to it as the kids transition to that stage.

Tomorrow is my last Big Monday - I've been working 10-hour Mondays for 8 years but beginning next week, I switch over to a Big Thursday. I was so glad my manager agreed to let me keep a 'Big' day in exchange for a shortened Wednesday (and to work a split schedule on my Infusion Wednesdays). I didn't care too much which day was going to be my 10-hour one and Thursday is already a rotten day for me so why not add to the rottenness? This week is also my last flex week - next week we go to set schedules. Hate that but what can I do? I need the money!

Speaking of money, we were notified Friday that we are getting a SECOND surprise bonus on Tuesday! ACI has been in court with JPM for a few years (I think) as they separated partnership and I guess ACI was awarded money so the Execs decided to spread the good news (and cash) to us! Wow - I can always use a bonus!

I sent Susanna a letter Friday asking if I could take the girls to Disney late September/early October like I had promised Kristen I would. I don't expect them to say yes but at least when Krissy asks me in 20 years why I never took her (and I took her sisters), I can say I saved for it and I asked her parents and they said no.

Happy 2012

So the world is suppose to end this year - am I ready for such an event? Have I been all I can be for myself and for others? Would I be leaving anything undone or unsaid? Sadly, the answer would have to be YES. This year I hope to settle the air with my sister, make love to my husband and reconnect with my friends. This year.

So, I think I may take some beginning yoga classes. Six classes for $35, once a week. Unfortunately for me, the day of the week the class is offered is Thursday - soon to be my Big 10-Hour Thursday. Or I could try for the 8:30 a.m. Saturday class. Which is the lesser of the two evils? Thursday - I'm not giving up my Saturday mornings! I hope I can do at least most of the positions. I have a feeling I won't be able to and will be encouraged to attend the Yoga for Arthritic Folks class. Not going there.

I took Shawn to Chateau Avalon for New Year's Eve. We had a nice dinner at Louisiana Jazz (live music) and spent about 20 minutes in the two-man hot tub in the room. Then we curled up in bed and Shawn... yup, he fell asleep. I tried to wake him as the ball dropped but he would have none of it. I know he's tired and I get he needs to sleep but maybe he could have tried a little harder to stay awake. Sleeping on the last New Year's Eve we're suppose to get. Sad.

Year's End

As I sit here on the eve of New Year's Eve, I ponder the future. Will George really marry Breezy and live happily ever after? Will Tom and Charlie find jobs? Will Dan survive the divorce? Will my sister ever speak to me again? Will I see Fifi, Emmi and Krissy? Will Bailey come to live with me? Will my boys be OK?

Mo got a bad bite on his side that got infected. Wednesday I found him in the basement with a huge hole in his side from where the cyst burst. Shawn took him to the vet, who shaved my baby bald on his side and cleaned the wound. I'm sure it was Po' Boy - and I'm fairly certainly Mo started the fight. Thank goodness Mo is up to date on his shots. The vet said the wound looked good - I cried when I saw it. Horrible. Maybe Mo will stay away from Po' Boy now?

Well, this is the last entry for 2011 - may 2012 find us healthy, safe and happy in life.