Sigh

I really dislike handling collections. I have a customer who had us do work but it was handled by his realtor. Now he refuses to pay. Our mistake was we didn't sign a contract or get a deposit because we have a working relationship with the realtor. But today his realtor call and he told her he didn't have to pay because he didn't sign a contract even though verbally and by email he told Brian and I both he would pay.

Now I have to call the sheriff's department to file theft of service charges. I'm fine with turning it over to the sheriff but I have to be careful not to do things with a hateful heart. We also have a $425 hot check to deal with.

Actually this seldom happens but it almost ALWAYS happens during Christmas when people want work and they don't want to pay. If people were struggling or had unforseen circumstances come up - that's one thing.

Currently...

I was checking out some blogs on google reader and saw this on my Kathleen's so I figured I'd copy! :) Wanna play? If so post what's on your “Currently” list and be sure to leave me a comment and I'll come visit.

Current Wishlist: A tummy tuck. Seriously.

Current Color: Various shades of pink and purple.

Current Drink: Water. Unsweet tea sweetened with truvia

Current Food: Protein Bars - Yeah Seriously. I eat pretty healthy these days and this is my usual indulgence.

Current Favorite Shows: Biggest Loser

Current Shame: Not bathing til noon

Current Needs: To get my house clean

Current Triumphs: I made it under 145 and now I have a healthy BMI!

Current Bane(s) of my Existence: My neck pain

Current Indulgence: Facebook, planning to go see Twilight and getting a massage Friday. I think my neck sees that as a necessity though.

Current #1 Blessing: My husband and girls.

Current Outfit: Sweatpants and a tshirt. I looked good yesterday in skinny jeans, a teal top and Ugg style boots.

Current Excitement: Going to Kohl's with my 15% off coupon & planning to see Twilight

Current Mood: Sleepy. Peaceful

In an awful posting phase

Right now I am really focused on my 90 Days of Solitude blog. If you haven't read it yet I'd love to have some feedback. Actually, it I would love some feedback. It is being read but I would simply love the feedback regardless of if you're currently reading it or checking it out for the first time.

So I feel like I am neglecting this space but it's so important but I don't know how to do both regularly. So this is going to be a "drive by" don't even proof read post just to give an update. :)

My back and neck is still hurting from my wreck. I started week 5 of my 8 week treatment this week. The pain when he adjusted my neck was intense. They did the probe after and it helped loosen the muscles and I went back 3 hours later to do it again. I go back on Thursday and Friday I am going to get a deep tissue massage. It hurts so much I am tempted to take a muscle relaxer but I TRULY hate those things.

Salem is doing great. She's very sweet and empathic in nature. Her emotional side tends to drive me nuts at times but I practicing being grateful for her emotional side. God created her that way for a reason and I feel like it's part of my job to help her cultivate that into service to God.

Raina is growing by leaps and bounds socially and speech wise. I am almost to the point where I see less and less autistic signs. I wonder if her speech and social anxiety were so intense that some of the autistic characteristics were simply a part of the behavior that stemmed from the intense social anxiety and the inability to communicate? I don't know. Either way - her behavior improves greatly most days.

Brian is swamped with Christmas light installations which is a good thing. But we miss him. He's gone a lot right now.

Well that's all for now. I have some great pics of the girls to share and hopefully will get to that tomorrow for Wordless Wednesday! :)

Salem's 1st Violin Recital

Salem had her first violin recital this past Saturday. She started at the end of August. She missed three lessons due to Nannie dying and being sick with the flu. She's actually only played the bow on the violin for 3 weeks now - 2 weeks before the recital. She loves the violin. We are working on rhythm and she got her first song yesterday. It will play the open E, F# and A. It's precious watching her learn.

Salem is in the front row in the black dress. :)

Delayed Halloween Picture Post

WOW has it already been 10 days since Halloween? I haven't had a lot of time to blog in the past week so I hope to catch up some this week. I've spent what blogging time I've had at my 90 Days of Solitude Blog.

But I did want to pop in a share this Halloween pic of me and the girls. Raina was going to be a cat with Salem. This is the first time I have ever dressed up and when she saw me dressed up as Snow White she decided to become Snow White with me. It was PRECIOUS!!! I don't think I will miss another year. :)

Are you a bucket filler?

Today 1st grade (Salem's class) was in charge of chapel. They did a program based on the book Have You Filled A Bucket Today.

Bucket fillers are people who without being asked give compliments, reach out to people in need, help others, and spread love to everyone around them. The metaphor of the bucket helps the kids visualize filling someone's bucket with love. Salem's teacher has a small bucket and colored fuzzy balls that go in them when she sees the class being bucket fillers. And she uses the same visual imagery to remove one when someone is a bucket dipper.

In contrast, bucket dippers rob of us of happy feelings. This tends to be things like bullying, mean words, selfishness, etc. But the added lesson is we are all the same - and even bucket dippers need their buckets filled.

The book's concept is simple:

* Make bucket filling and other-centeredness a daily habit
* Preempt and reduce mean, bullying, bucket-dipping behaviors
* Empower children to deal with bucket dippers
* Help children learn about choices and consequences
* Create safe, positive, nurturing schools
* Strengthen families and build better relationships

It's a Godly concept and a precious book! And it's amazing how something so simple can really teach the love of Christ to our kiddos. And to ourselves.

Have you been a bucket filler today?

There is a lot of info on being a bucket filler here! I think there is even a place to sign up for a newsletter.

Wordless Wednesday

A picture is worth a thousand words....