St. Patrick's Day

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's day. I sent an outfit to Jackson with green on it so he could wear it tomorrow. I hope he gets it. I also sent on that is red. If he wears red, I think he gets kisses. I cannot remember all the rules of St. Patrick's day. If you can believe it, I am still trying to think of something green to wear to work tomorrow. Seems silly . . .

Robb and I are doing well. We are both working, working, and working some more. The Idaho Human Rights Commission will still be funded contrary to the Governor's wishes. I am really excited about this. I can work for at least five more years and get retirement. AND, we are moving under the umbrella of the Idaho Department of Labor, which is a "plush" agency. We get all new state of the art computers and electronic equipment. I cannot believe our good fortune. We will be moving by July 1, 2010. The Dept. of Labor is also a big proponent of assisting its employees in pursuing educational goals. I may be able to get my Ph.D. after all. Our offices will be smaller than my current one so I will need to downsize. But that will be worth it to me. I am not sure where to put all my about twenty plants though. We will see. It is another few months but you know how time flies.

Sometimes I feel like I am being left behind. Irene and Dennis just returned from a trip to Vietnam. Tonie just returned from a trip to India. I just came back from Meridian (ten miles away) a few days ago. I do not know if I will ever be able to travel because when I think of traveling, I think of "family" trips, like going to Nauvoo with the family in a car caravan or following the Mormon Trail from New York. Robb and I have wanted to do something for our anniversary for several years now but we always seem to let go of our plans and do something as a family. If we went off by ourselves, we would think of what fun the family would have. I guess things change as one gets older, I don't know.

I remind myself of Mom Heaton more and more. I have my own chair to watch TV or read, I wish I could travel but don't, I wish my kitchen could be remodeled but it is not, and my bathroom has not been redone for years. I am fat and want to be skinny but I am not. All of these "wishes" and nothing done. I remember Mom saying one time that not a day goes by without pain. I identify with that now but I wish I did not. I wonder if hopes and dreams and pain are hereditary!! I remember Dad pinching pennies and limiting expenses - - all so he could have money to leave his kids -- is what it turned out to be, instead of redoing the kitchen for Mom. Yes, I do have some angst over that!! Now I am pinching pennies and do not want to spend money. I sometimes challenge myself to see how long I can go without spending money for food or how little we can get away with on food or how far we can drive without filling up the gas tank.

Well, Robb came home early. YEA!!!