From an e-mail I recieved from Amy about January 23, 2006:
Today was the first day I woke up with the, "happiness is a choice, not a given" attitude. I have never been a morning person so I really have the hardest time getting up out of bed; most days if given the choice, I’d stay in bed all day if someone would let me.
This morning, on the other hand, still was hard. The alarm always seems to go off to early, but the day has to start and in order for me to do what my life demands I do must get out of my bed.
I got Leah ready for school, and stayed calm even when the bus showed up and she didn’t even have her boots on. I said to myself, worst case we drive. I got the boys motivated, they needed to clean their room and get dressed so we could run my errands. One of my goals was to remain calm – not to yell, stay positive and see what the day brought.
After they cleaned their room and got dressed we went to the YMCA. I wanted to get the paperwork and see how far it was. It’s 14 miles each way, btw. One of my possible attitude stumbling blocks was at the YMCA. I was told that the child care for kids 6 and up is only after 4 pm. :(
I was so sure I would be joining the YMCA today. Positive in fact because I had heard a commercial that said till the end of the month they were waving the registration fee. Save $100.00? Oh yeah! How can you beat it? Do something you want desperately to do and save $100.00 in the process. What a bonus! But, and this is a huge but, childcare and the times I can take them are crucial. So, unless I can be the exception to the rule about 6 years olds in the morning, the YMCA looks like it is out. We left with the paperwork and a little frustrated but still with a good attitude. :)
The boys were hungry so we went to McDonalds. I did good with what I ordered I think, even though I said I’d limit fast food, which I still plan on doing but there are much better choices than the ones I have been making. I had soup and a salad. How about that?
We went home and I was locked out. Another potentially depressing and frustrating situation, but instead I made a joke of daddy locking us out and we went to the dealer to get Chris’s key from them. We came back home to get the boys backpacks and couldn’t find Zachary’s gym shoes, <lol>. Another potential aggravation but I called Chris and he told me where to look and, by golly, they were there.
I got the boys to school. Yes, Thomas was a bit late, but we got there before Zach’s bus, so in my estimation we did pretty good. I took Thomas to his class, and got a smooch from Leah who was between classes.
Then I went to work. I had a good chat with Ms. Tina. She is so awesome! I just really love her. Chris had called her while I was in route and it turns he has to go back to Indiana for one week. Well, it’s not like we don’t need the money but I had just got done saying I was coming back to work. Timing is everything. Yet another potential frustration but we laughed it off.
Next I was off to Lifetime Fitness. It is gorgeous! But expensive. I must figure out a way to be able to join. It will be so awesome for all five of us, and the childcare facility is amazing. I went and got myself hummus because I LOVE it and was feeling a bit hungry. Then I came home and called Tasia to check in and tell her about my smurffie day. :)
All day I heard her advice running through my head "chose to be happy," and I did. What a huge difference it made in my day. The kids and Chris got home and we sat down and did homework, then I came in my bedroom and have been typing away, or working on typing away ever since.
Yes, I have to admit choosing to be happy, not only made my day a whole lot better but I thing it made a positive change in the tone of the day for the kids. Also, I only had to yell once today. How’s that for awesome? <lol>
Did my advice to Amy help you? Consider donating to the Evict My Alien Love Child project.