Adieu 2012....

'tis the annual turning of the calendar...and much has changed.

No need to review the year; plenty of others will do just that.

No need to preview the next; I make no predictions because our world is now too volatile and unpredictable.

I make no resolutions; they are too easy to break or forget.

We simply continue along on the path we've been traveling...making adjustments to the navigation as needed.

I hope that 2013 finds you, my readers and friends, in a place that you are happy and comfortable...the whole year through.

Christmas Eve Ramblings....

for me tonight.

Tonight I think on all that has happened, in just the past few months.  These things...things I was (and still am) wholly unprepared for...taunt me.  The fact I am a perpetual researcher only makes these things worse.

Youngest screamer was recently diagnosed with a heart defect...nothing overly serious, yet.  It has the potential to become serious, therefore requires monitoring for the rest of his life.  This, though I found myself not prepared for it, has not been the worst news handed down lately.

My father, not the world's best parent but certainly the better of the two I have, was diagnosed last week with small cell lung cancer.  Talk about a blow.  Pops is normally a healthy guy but has been battling a "lung infection" since the beginning of November.  Doc finally got worried enough about it to order extra tests when Pops presented with a 27lb (17%) weigh loss in a 3 week time period.

Sometimes, knowing too much is a bad thing.  The siblings are blissfully unaware as of yet as to the seriousness of the situation because they aren't like me...they don't research and they aren't here to see the VERY prominent changes in Pops (they've not seen him since August).  I know I should wait until Pops' appointment with the oncologist in January before I start getting gung-ho...but it's not in my nature.  So now I sit, with researched and firsthand knowledge, and wonder...when do I tell them that January 9th may not be a rosy day?

Pops stayed here at the 'Stead this past weekend to mind pups, kittahs and chickens for us while we visited the siblings and in-laws in KY.  I took him home today...the 1.5 hour drive was not in any way, shape or form comfortable for him as he has been having rather sharp pains in the area the main tumor is located for a couple of weeks but has not said anything to anyone until I (being the alien child) blasted him with questions last night upon our arrival home.  You see, we were in KY when he got the news...Mom called to tell me, then proceeded to have me inform my siblings.  Coward.

And so I sit, with the knowledge that next year has the potential to be the most life changing year of my 35 years, and I try to make myself embrace the holiday cheer that my children are oozing.  Maybe after I finally have that good, long cry that has been building since last Thursday.  Maybe.

Hadn't Really Talked About It....

with you lot yet at least.

The 'Stead, though we do like it a lot and adore our neighbors, is likely not to be ours.  The VA requires certain things for loans, the 'Stead does not have these things and they are mighty pricey to be getting.  Top those matters off with Tanker's ever decreasing ability to navigate parts of the house (i.e. stairs) and you have us in a position of "should we or no."

We're leaning to the no.  We have until early August of next year to decide for absolute certain.  However, the decision is pretty well made in every way.  It's beginning to look a lot like KY will again become home.  I'm sad only at the thought of leaving the school the screamers are in...they are the most fantastic people in the teaching profession I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  I can only hope wherever we settle has a school half as good.

So now the search for new jobs for me has taken on a different dimension.  A multi-State search now.

I suppose, barring the Mayan Apocalypse, that next year will be interesting in more ways than I had originally thought now.

What a Crazy Idea....

a friend and I were privately chatting on FB (she's still mostly sheeple...just to set the scene) and she asks me about this whole fiscal cliff mess (her knowing I am of the tin hat wearing sort) and how the annual Holiday break those folks in D.C. take might work out.

"It won't," says me.
"Aren't they supposed to stay and finish this kind of stuff?" says she.
"LMAO...seriously ROTFLMFAO," says me.
"I'm serious," says she.
"Oh...well, they really should but let's be honest: THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN OPERATING WITHOUT A BUDGET FOR NEARLY 4 YEARS...why worry about it now, I mean...what's a little fiscal cliff at this point, right?" says me, full on interwebz shouting. "It was a nice thought though."
"Really?  I didn't know," she admits.

Guess which team she voted for.

Le Sigh.

At any rate, the convo continued with her wondering why we Americans don't do something about the lack of cooperation between everyone in D.C. and me telling her the problem IS everyone in D.C.  Blah, blah, blahditty, blah.  You know how it goes from there...I become that crazy, paranoid, tin foil wearing nutjob that she still adores even though I'm not all there.  Thanks for the talk, Cindy Lou Who...here's your water and a pat on the head.  Have a candy cane and celebrate the downfall of our country.

Moving on.

The good news of the month (thus far) is that Tanker finally got himself a little Marlin .22 he's been wanting and mostly got his 20 gauge in working order.  Also picked up a compound bow at a local pawn shop completely decked out with bells and whistles.  I got jealous, so went and found me a nice little PSE at BassPro.    Note to self:  Need more arrows.  Yeah, and not the fiberglass kind that shatter on impact when you're retooling your sights and aim too high (oh, hello oak tree).  Second note to self:  Next time just use those damned annoying roosters as targets.  Two birds, one arrow.

Speaking of roosters...the flock isn't as rooster full as previously thought.  Though I am feeding more than I need.  They aren't big enough for eating yet, so have to wait on that pleasure.  Not that it matters...the two causing the biggest ruckus in the flock are bantams...not even worth the time it would take to pluck.  I've been trying to get rid of them but no takers as of yet.  I've also been toying with the idea of adding to the flock now, instead of next spring. Have to get the coop moved first and find a little solar light to go out in it (stupid chickens won't go back in if there's not light but do just fine without it once they're in).

And the final bit o' news from the 'Stead....we've added another family member....of the 4 legged variety.  A deaf white cat that was originally named Fiona.  Now named Finn.  Poor Finn, called him Fiona for a couple of days...guess it's a good thing he couldn't hear us, right?

That's about it for now...back to work tomorrow night at McD's...still hoping to find something either better paying or closer to home.  Both would be a bonus.