And now a few works from Leo Moo . . .

I have slowly been working on my place. Since the accident I have had to stop big projects. I really want to finish the painting of the kitchen and entry hall but I'm just not up to it yet. The snow and holiday put things on hold too. My days seem to be Doc Bones before or after work and work. I'm working on small things but have less time since I am going towards work going to Doc a hour and a half before work three days a week.

Things are going very slowly with Doc Bones. He says my muscles are ridiculously tight and wont relax. That in turn pulls everything out of place. The good news is my pain level has come way down. I don't walk so stiff but the massage therapy is killing me! I have actual bruises from Wednesdays session. I really want it to go away. I'm amazed that such a small accident has done this to me!

I got an e-mail from the "Boss" at work yesterday. The heads of the hospital are trying to keep us in the loop of their decisions. While the hospital is in a good position an will be okay during this economic down turn they have made the decision to freeze all raises and hiring. I was not pleased to read this statement. I am so grateful to have a job when I know lots of people are losing jobs. At the same time I am discouraged that I am still in temporary limbo. That feels very selfish to say. I will keep looking for a permanent position but it will be elusive.

I would like to say thank you all that have sent me invites for Face book. I appreciate you thinking of me but I don't do any computer group things anymore. I don't have time to be on the computer much and have chosen not to. I would rather read, spend time with a friend, knit or work on a house project. Also I seem to attract creepy stalkers so I'm done.

Awesome loves art too!

Olga (aka Awesome) has the love of art too. Her dad is a wonderful artist but no longer puts his pieces up for sale. Too bad because I would love to own one or two. I will have to find out his first name and see if I can find some of his art on the internets. She sent me a link to a an artist named Miriam Moshinsky. She is a Russian artist living in Isreal. I find her work delightful. Check it out. I have some wallpapers on my computer now. Enjoy! Klukeart

And so it begins . . the Year of Leo Moo

As you might remember I am not a resolution maker. I feel those are a way to make up for your faults. I think that you should do your best to live right-do the right thing everyday. People make the same resolutions every new year and by the second or third month give up or forget. It makes you feel better for a short time but then when you don't achieve your resolutions you feel bad about yourself. What I do instead is make realistic goals for the year and promise myself to achieve these goals. The Year of Marta is a perfect example of my goals and fulfilling them. This years goals are still refining in my head. I have been super busy with the snow, car accident, holidays and work the last three weeks but I will get them into words and post them. They aren't real if you don't share them. Enjoy the Year of the Leo Moo! I know I will. I am Still Standing-quite solidly thank you. .

The Year of Leo Moo Goals

This year (the Year of Leo Moo) will be a productive and (hopefully) prosperous one. My goals for the year (so far) are;

~Get a permanent position in my new field
~pay off as much debt possible with tax refund
~Get Wil back on track toward a life of independence
~Save more money each month toward a down payment
~work on Me (by that I mean spend time on my personal appearance that makes me happy. Menopause has not been kind nor has lack of time.The goal is to feel good and proud)

Now to explain these goals further.
At the job I am currently working I am "scheduled on call". That means they put me on the schedule to fill the gaps after the regular staffing is done. I typically work full time but not always-especially recently. Also I do not get any bene's. There is a hiring freeze at most hospitals (everywhere) but it is important to me to achieve this goal. (I am grateful to have a job in this economy!). I would like it to be a place I will be at for a long time. Thus the word permanent. It would give me the more permanent life I have been working towards.

I have an awesome tax guy. He always comes through for me. He waits for the new laws and amendments to come out in January, learns them and proceeds. I highly recommend him if you need a tax man.

Wil needs to get back into school but in order to do that I need to pay off his student loan. Once I do that he can proceed. That is a big part of his stall out. I want to support him in his goals and dreams. He has matured a bit of recent and is taking more responsibility for his person. He dealt with the changes this year well. He does not like change and usually fights it. I think he rolled with better than he ever has.

I have been saving money in a retirement account as well as a savings account. There are money people who say you should focus on one financial goal at a time. I get that but I am way behind in where I should be as far as retirement. I am really ready to be a homeowner again. I want to have my rent money be a house payment instead. While that is a short term goal I don't see it happening this year. It would be awesome but not in this years goals.

As for the work on Me. With the fun weight gain of menopause and not needing "real" clothes for work I have ignored Me! (can you say "frumpy"?) I have not taken the time to look new for clothes. I don't take real time for my "girlie" side. I miss dressing the way I enjoy and I really miss shoes! I want to make the time to feel good about me for me. If I enjoy how I look you can tell and then others will enjoy Me. I want to feel good about myself and my body. I also want to feel good about the possibility of dating again. The permanent job (and hours?) would sure help with the grand plan.

I have accomplished a lot in the Year of Marta but was very focused (rightfully so) on school and the career change. I also enjoyed being able to furnish our place in a style I like. Wil has come around now that he is over all the change. (it was good for him) Now that I have replaced furniture and purchased Carly art I need to work on the above goals. It was very heady to finally have money that I could do things with! I'm mostly done with household purchases so I will focus on the above goals.

That's it, the YoLM!
Pride Prosperity Patience

New Year=New Year (in Marta's World)

I have enjoyed all that has been "The Year of Marta - Courage Perseverance Commitment" Much like the Chinese New Year mine will change as well. The Chinese Zodic is always interesting. I am the year of the Tiger. (thank you Canton Grill for the info!) Anyway, I realized today that I had to know what the next "Year" in Marta's World would be. I thought about (and had some help from a co-worker I call "Awesome". 2009 is the Year of Leo Moo - Pride Prosperity Patience.