The last day of 2008!!! This is been by far the best year of my life - one of my biggest dreams came true when I married my best friend. He truly is my other half, my soulmate, my biggest encourager, best friend, and sometimes the only person who really understands me in all my weirdness. I'm a little sad to see this year go, but am also excited to see what next year brings. Maybe by the end of next year I'll be writing from a new(er) home, on new land, in a new town, hopefully able to work from home. Maybe a mini-Miller, maybe not. While I do have a touch of baby fever lately, I'm not totally prepared to give up all my freedom just yet. Plus there's that money issue - we have none, lol. But if it happens, it happens, and we will both be super excited. God always provides!
Tonight I have to babysit.....I might as well, b/c Jay has to work so there's nothing we can do to celebrate New Year's Eve anyway.....might as well make a few bucks, eh? So I'm leaving here around 3:15 or so (yay!) and have to be back around 8pm; hopefully I'll be outta here by 10:30 or so. I love how they originally say, "Oh, we won't be any later than 10:00, for sure. We don't like to be out late." Then it changes over time, to, "We should be back by 11:00 or so. If it's later, we'll let you know." Great. This reminds me of why I do not babysit anymore - I always hated being out so late and not getting to bed until midnight or after and most of the time still having to get up at the crack of dawn. But - I have tomorrow off and I plan to sleep in. =)
Tomorrow night we are having our annual Christmas dinner (better late than never) at my aunt's house. Which reminds me I need to find a recipe for broccoli casserole.... I think we're going to go early so Jay can hunt on the last day of deer season. Can't say I'm sorry to see that go. It will be nice to have him home on a Saturday for more than ten minutes before dinner. =) Too bad rabbit season goes through March. Then it's turkey month in April. My only reason to love summer is that there is no hunting. Sigh.
Better sign off for now. Almost time to go and I still feel like I need to puke. I would feel a lot better if I COULD puke. =(
Hope you all have a HAPPY NEW YEAR and make it great!! Count your blessings - I'm still learning just how many I've been given. =)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
December 30, 2008
Today has been SOOOOOOO boring. I had a perfect day planned and it was carrying out so gracefully......until 10am when I realized there was no baby carseat anywhere to be found in this house. It must be in one of the parents' cars. Joy. So now we're stuck here. Hope we don't have any kind of emergency. This is why I really wish they would get another seat that can just stay in my car and we don't have to keep juggling one seat for three cars. This is not the first time this has happened. It is extemely difficult to stay in the house all day long, especially with a whiny baby and a wide-open kiddo. This day isn't even half-over. It hasn't been a bad day, it's just getting really boring. I already gave them both lunch and it's too early to go down for nap, plus there's no longer a white-noise machine for the baby, b/c it was left at grandma's house and apparantly isn't deemed necessary. I find it very necessary, but what do I know.....I just stay here 50 hrs a week with her.
I had the hardest time sleeping last night. On Sunday night/Monday morning and also Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, Jay now goes in at midnight until 6am. It's hard to get to sleep knowing he has to leave in just a couple hours and then if I do fall asleep, I wake up when he gets up, so I know these are going to be long evenings where I don't sleep well. Plus I didn't feel too good, but that seems to be past now.
I have another job possibility, but I will NOT be holding my breath for this again. It's another nanny job, for one little girl, 14 wks old. I still have to talk details so it may not turn out to be anything, but we'll see. If it would pay more per hour and be less hours during the week, I'll probably take it.
I had the hardest time sleeping last night. On Sunday night/Monday morning and also Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, Jay now goes in at midnight until 6am. It's hard to get to sleep knowing he has to leave in just a couple hours and then if I do fall asleep, I wake up when he gets up, so I know these are going to be long evenings where I don't sleep well. Plus I didn't feel too good, but that seems to be past now.
I have another job possibility, but I will NOT be holding my breath for this again. It's another nanny job, for one little girl, 14 wks old. I still have to talk details so it may not turn out to be anything, but we'll see. If it would pay more per hour and be less hours during the week, I'll probably take it.
Monday, December 29, 2008
December 29, 2008
I have just not felt like blogging lately. Been so tired and trying to catch up and.....yeah, it's no excuse, but anyway, here it is.
Christmas went well. I was just not in a Christmas spirit this year - I dont know what it was, but neither Jay nor I really felt Christmas-y. We did enjoy the visit with his family and we had a great time, but it's always nice to get the house back in shape and time together again. I always feel like I havent seen him in weeks when we have company, even though he's right there the whole time. They got in about 3am on Thursday morning and we sat around for a few minutes, getting food put away and all, then everyone went back to bed until about 8am. We went to my parents for breakfast and stayed until noon or so, they went back to our house, where I honestly cant remember right now what we even did, lol. We had a good Christmas dinner and opened presents that night. Then on Friday we went to breakfast and Walmart for some stuff, then Chad and Jay went hunting for the afternoon. Turns out if they had gotten in the usual hunting spot, they would have a monster buck......but an ex-friend got to that spot first and he got it. Figures.....Jay was mad about that for awhile, lol. On Friday night we got pizza and rented a movie - "Fred Claus" - pretty funny. On Saturday morning I made egg/cheese biscuits while the guys were smoking a hog leg that Chad brought up. We had that for lunch and then went to my parents for dinner and games before they left for Florida that evening.
The biggest part of my week was - the beagles are now outside. I had an inner meltdown (no wild tantums or anything, just lots of tears of frustration) on Thursday afternoon. I'm SO tired of waking up at 2am smelling poop and then having to clean up tons of it every time I walk by the playpen.....I just couldn't do it anymore. So - we put Bishop back in his little cage and brought him back to the living room, and the beagles went in the outdoor pen. They have a red-light for warmth as needed and they're okay out there. They're a lot bigger than they were when we first got them, so I feel better about it. They eat 3x a day now (instead of 4-5 and during the night). We burned the playpen - it was beyond repair at this point. It's been through 3 litters of kittens, at least 3 puppies not including this litter, and various baby parrots......it's served its purpose and had a great life - we laid it to rest and I was not too sad to see it go.
Today I have the day off (I asked for it two months ago) and I'm glad I did - I was up really late last night getting the house back in the order I prefer it to be and I got up when Jay came in at 6:30am so we could go to breakfast. He had a rought night at work and was feeling down, so it's nice to spend some time together before he goes to sleep. He should be getting up pretty soon, though he doesnt have to go in until midnight tonight. I'm making steaks for dinner - yum!!
Guess that's it. I don't dread going to work tomorrow, b/c I *supposedly* only have to work tomorrow, half a day Wednesday, and Friday was optional. We'll see what the money situation looks like before I decide on Friday. After this week, there won't be any time off for a long time, plus the grandma is coming back to town soon and I HATE that, so I might as well take it while I have it, eh?
Christmas went well. I was just not in a Christmas spirit this year - I dont know what it was, but neither Jay nor I really felt Christmas-y. We did enjoy the visit with his family and we had a great time, but it's always nice to get the house back in shape and time together again. I always feel like I havent seen him in weeks when we have company, even though he's right there the whole time. They got in about 3am on Thursday morning and we sat around for a few minutes, getting food put away and all, then everyone went back to bed until about 8am. We went to my parents for breakfast and stayed until noon or so, they went back to our house, where I honestly cant remember right now what we even did, lol. We had a good Christmas dinner and opened presents that night. Then on Friday we went to breakfast and Walmart for some stuff, then Chad and Jay went hunting for the afternoon. Turns out if they had gotten in the usual hunting spot, they would have a monster buck......but an ex-friend got to that spot first and he got it. Figures.....Jay was mad about that for awhile, lol. On Friday night we got pizza and rented a movie - "Fred Claus" - pretty funny. On Saturday morning I made egg/cheese biscuits while the guys were smoking a hog leg that Chad brought up. We had that for lunch and then went to my parents for dinner and games before they left for Florida that evening.
The biggest part of my week was - the beagles are now outside. I had an inner meltdown (no wild tantums or anything, just lots of tears of frustration) on Thursday afternoon. I'm SO tired of waking up at 2am smelling poop and then having to clean up tons of it every time I walk by the playpen.....I just couldn't do it anymore. So - we put Bishop back in his little cage and brought him back to the living room, and the beagles went in the outdoor pen. They have a red-light for warmth as needed and they're okay out there. They're a lot bigger than they were when we first got them, so I feel better about it. They eat 3x a day now (instead of 4-5 and during the night). We burned the playpen - it was beyond repair at this point. It's been through 3 litters of kittens, at least 3 puppies not including this litter, and various baby parrots......it's served its purpose and had a great life - we laid it to rest and I was not too sad to see it go.
Today I have the day off (I asked for it two months ago) and I'm glad I did - I was up really late last night getting the house back in the order I prefer it to be and I got up when Jay came in at 6:30am so we could go to breakfast. He had a rought night at work and was feeling down, so it's nice to spend some time together before he goes to sleep. He should be getting up pretty soon, though he doesnt have to go in until midnight tonight. I'm making steaks for dinner - yum!!
Guess that's it. I don't dread going to work tomorrow, b/c I *supposedly* only have to work tomorrow, half a day Wednesday, and Friday was optional. We'll see what the money situation looks like before I decide on Friday. After this week, there won't be any time off for a long time, plus the grandma is coming back to town soon and I HATE that, so I might as well take it while I have it, eh?
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
December 23, 2008
It's hard to believe Christmas is only 2 days away......I still just don't feel "Christmas-y." I'm very happy it's here (more so b/c I do not have to work for 5 whole days!) and I'm really excited to see Jay's family. I worked from 6p-11p last night doing some last minute cleaning and sprucing. I tried to finish shampooing/rinsing the carpet, but I think that old lady at the Rainbow store sold me the wrong shampoo. I TOLD her three times it was orange shampoo but she swore the green was the same stuff and she didn't have anything orange, so I bought green. The one section in the living room that I had left was shampooed/rinsed about 4 times and it's clearly a different shade than the rest of the carpet. It's still a little damp, but if it dries and still looks that way, I'm going back and the old lady and I are going to have a talk. :) That house is already crappy enough as it is; I don't want to have to deal with a living carpet in two completely different shades. On another note, I cleaned the master bedroom carpet with it and it looks fantastic! It's not the shampoo that's bad, it's just that I'm pretty sure it's not the same concoction that I started with and that's why the living room looks the way it does. It's very important to me that the house is spotless and clean. For the 3 yrs that Jay lived there before we met, he never once cleaned it and the ppl who lived there previously didn't do much cleaning, so I feel like I never got a fair chance to have a perfectly clean house like I'm so anal about. I'm stuck with stained carpet and stained bathtubs that can't/won't come clean, and there's nothing I can do about it except be embarassed when company comes over. I've worked so hard to clean it and when I turn around, it looks like it hasn't been touched. Anyway, I did the best I could. The bathrooms are scrubbed and smell nice, the bedrooms are vacuumed and clean, and the kitchen is swept/mopped/scrubbed. There's nothing else I can do. I love having company come and I really LOVE when his family is here, but the prep of getting a house ready for company gives me so much stress and makes me so overwhelmed that I get to the point where I'm ready to have a nervous breakdown. I couldn't stop cleaning things last night, even when I hadn't had dinner by 9:30pm, the puppies were yelling to be fed (I hadn't even cleaned the crib out yet), the older dogs were hungry and Stinky was freezing outside, the laundry hadn't even been started, etc......I just can't do it all. I can't imagine what life will be like if we have kids in that house. Sigh.
Hopefully luck will be on our side and we'll get that crap-trap sold by next summer and get the heck out of there.
I'm sitting at the kitchen table with Zack, watching SpongeBob and waiting for his dad to get back from the sudden "errands" he had to run this morning before leaving for Charleston. He's taking the kiddo (great for me!) but I am always the last to know anything here and who knows when they will leave. It could be after lunch for all I know.......I just get stuck with whatever they decide to do - I'm expected to just deal with it and that SUCKS. So far the morning is not too bad, but I hate not knowing what's going on. I'm such a detail-oriented person and I thrive on a schedule and consistency. When my schedule is thrown off, it takes effect over my entire attitude. I desperately need some time off. I'm glad I asked for Monday off as well, even though it's one less paid day for us and we badly need it.........I need my sanity more. I mentioned giving up my day off but Jay was adamant that I keep it - for the sake of my sanity, lol. I don't know yet if I'm getting off for New Year's Day. I don't need it off for anything personal, but she mentioned something about it being a paid day, and that's a moot point unless she's planning on giving me the day off. Not likely.
I meant to write over the weekend about the bargains I found at several grocery stores - I've been collecting coupons, something I rarely do but want to do more of, and I was able to stock up over the weekend on some things we use a lot of and things we will need this week (foodwise) while his family is here. At RiteAid, they had paper towels and laundry detergent on sale. We have been going through a TON of paper towels these last few weeks with the puppies litter box. Laundry detergent is always used - I do 2-3 loads of laundry every day, usually.
At Bloom, they had Spring brand water on sale - three 24-packs for $10. We go through a lot of bottled water, too - that's pretty much all I drink anymore, and Jay usually takes one or two in his lunch to work. They also had Kraft mac & cheese on sale, and that's one of his favorites. We are now the proud owners of about ten boxes of mac & cheese, lol. They also had turkey breast on sale, but I didn't get any b/c I didn't like the way it looked after it had been picked through - I wasn't able to get to the sale before the final days, so not much left of that.
Ingles had some great sales on soda - four 12-packs for under $10 - Jay goes through Mt. Dew like it's nobody's business, so I got some of that and one of Diet Coke (for me, lol). They also had good deals on frozen steam-veggies, which we eat a lot of, so I got about 10 of those.
There is a ghetto grocery store off N. Main in Greer called Quality Foods - not a place I would want to go into at night, but twice a year they have FANTASTIC sales, especially on their meats. I got about $40 worth of meats (ground chuck, steaks, pork chops, roasts, etc) that would have cost me about $100 in any other grocery store. I freeze them and they last us a long time.
So between all that and the deer meat we still have in the freezer, hopefully I will not have to go to the grocery store for at least a month. I dont hate grocery shopping but money is so tight it's always a burden to go b/c I don't know what to get that will last us......nothing lasts as long as it should.
I had to take a break there between paragraphs b/c kiddo just left with his dad for Charleston. They might be back tonight or they might drive back in the morning (would be GREAT for me b/c I'm leaving at noon tomorrow) but either way - my afternoon is kosher today. =)
Hopefully luck will be on our side and we'll get that crap-trap sold by next summer and get the heck out of there.
I'm sitting at the kitchen table with Zack, watching SpongeBob and waiting for his dad to get back from the sudden "errands" he had to run this morning before leaving for Charleston. He's taking the kiddo (great for me!) but I am always the last to know anything here and who knows when they will leave. It could be after lunch for all I know.......I just get stuck with whatever they decide to do - I'm expected to just deal with it and that SUCKS. So far the morning is not too bad, but I hate not knowing what's going on. I'm such a detail-oriented person and I thrive on a schedule and consistency. When my schedule is thrown off, it takes effect over my entire attitude. I desperately need some time off. I'm glad I asked for Monday off as well, even though it's one less paid day for us and we badly need it.........I need my sanity more. I mentioned giving up my day off but Jay was adamant that I keep it - for the sake of my sanity, lol. I don't know yet if I'm getting off for New Year's Day. I don't need it off for anything personal, but she mentioned something about it being a paid day, and that's a moot point unless she's planning on giving me the day off. Not likely.
I meant to write over the weekend about the bargains I found at several grocery stores - I've been collecting coupons, something I rarely do but want to do more of, and I was able to stock up over the weekend on some things we use a lot of and things we will need this week (foodwise) while his family is here. At RiteAid, they had paper towels and laundry detergent on sale. We have been going through a TON of paper towels these last few weeks with the puppies litter box. Laundry detergent is always used - I do 2-3 loads of laundry every day, usually.
At Bloom, they had Spring brand water on sale - three 24-packs for $10. We go through a lot of bottled water, too - that's pretty much all I drink anymore, and Jay usually takes one or two in his lunch to work. They also had Kraft mac & cheese on sale, and that's one of his favorites. We are now the proud owners of about ten boxes of mac & cheese, lol. They also had turkey breast on sale, but I didn't get any b/c I didn't like the way it looked after it had been picked through - I wasn't able to get to the sale before the final days, so not much left of that.
Ingles had some great sales on soda - four 12-packs for under $10 - Jay goes through Mt. Dew like it's nobody's business, so I got some of that and one of Diet Coke (for me, lol). They also had good deals on frozen steam-veggies, which we eat a lot of, so I got about 10 of those.
There is a ghetto grocery store off N. Main in Greer called Quality Foods - not a place I would want to go into at night, but twice a year they have FANTASTIC sales, especially on their meats. I got about $40 worth of meats (ground chuck, steaks, pork chops, roasts, etc) that would have cost me about $100 in any other grocery store. I freeze them and they last us a long time.
So between all that and the deer meat we still have in the freezer, hopefully I will not have to go to the grocery store for at least a month. I dont hate grocery shopping but money is so tight it's always a burden to go b/c I don't know what to get that will last us......nothing lasts as long as it should.
I had to take a break there between paragraphs b/c kiddo just left with his dad for Charleston. They might be back tonight or they might drive back in the morning (would be GREAT for me b/c I'm leaving at noon tomorrow) but either way - my afternoon is kosher today. =)
Monday, December 22, 2008
December 22, 2008
So today I had no idea what to expect when I walked into this house. Will I be responsible for 2 kids all day or just 1? Will 1 child be in/out all day so I am confined to the house awaiting his return? Will I be pulling out my hair all day waiting on said child to go on said outing with unsaid but obvious parent whenever said parent decides to leave?
Alas, I have been responsible for 2 kids today but it has not been near the dramatic experience I feared it might be. We went to Monkey Joe's and lunch, and now it is naptime and the only debacle I've faced is when in the world is it my turn to pee? Not easy when you're tugging 2 kids around.....again, I am grateful for naptime. :)
Tomorrow will be interesting......kiddo is supposed to be going with said parent on all-day or most-of-the-day outing. Hope he sticks to it. We'll find out. Otherwise, I dont know what we're going to be doing tomorrow, b/c it's cold and MJ's 2 days in a row isn't really an option.
This weekend we had our "personal" Christmas - just Jay and me. We went to dinner at City Range (I will never recommend it - it was mediocre, at best....more on that later.) Then we went home and unwrapped presents and stocking gifts. I already knew what I was getting since we ordered it together, but I still love it! I got a medium-sized stand-up jewelry armoire - it's what I really wanted. My little plastic box isn't doing the job anymore for all the earrings I keep collecting, plus we really need the counter space in the bathroom for more important things like makeup and deodorant, lol. We had a great time! I wish our dinner experience had been better - I've heard such wonderful things about this restaurant, but the highlight of our dinner was the free bread, lol. We both ordered steak and a baked potato, but both steaks turned out to be pretty much 90% fat. The 10% we were able to eat was delicious - very well seasoned, but a big disappointment that this was all there was to it. The potatoes were okay, and we both got salads b/c we were led to believe by our waiter that this was part of the entree. It wasn't. We didn't know that until we got the bill and saw we were charged extra for it, and felt quite misled afterward. We did not stay for dessert - we went elsewhere. So, all in all, I wouldn't recommend it. It's a fancy little place for mediocre (at best) food for a very expensive price. We'll know better next year! :)
This weekend I borrowed my uncle's carpet cleaner. I started in the guest room and by the time I finished that room, I finally got the hang of how to work it. It does an amazing job! The guest room and the "pink room" (what we call it b/c it has that color carpet, ugh) are now cleaned and deodorized. The dogs (okay, just Stinky and Gavin) sleep in the pink room and all of Jay's hunting/fishing stuff is in there so it sees a lot of foot traffic and mud from Jay's shoes. Her Majesty refuses to sleep in there and sleeps on a down comforter on the floor on my side of the bed. I can't blame her - she's almost 8 years old and NEVER had to sleep either in a crate or w/o me, so trying to get her to do either of those is just impossible now in her old(er) age. Unless we want to hear her bark all night, we just let her bed down in her comforter beside the bed.
Anyway, back to the carpet cleaner - I started on the living room carpet and was APPALLED at how much dirt it was pulling up. I knew that carpet was dirty, but good grief - now I'm imposed to making a "no shoes in the house" rule which we all know will not be followed. I got about 80% of the living room done before I ran out of shampoo, so I had to wait until today to pick up some more. Expensive crap, too - $20 for a bottle of it. Sheesh. I still have to do the remaining section of the living room and then do the master bedroom and I'm finished. I might move the couch and shampoo underneath it, but I'm undecided about that at the moment. For that matter, I might as well just wait until the Christmas tree is out so I can do that section, too, and have Jay move the gun cabinet so I can shampoo under that. Might as well do it right. Only problem is - I have no TIME to do this unless it's on a Saturday.
One day down here (almost), one day to go......and a half-day. I wish I hadn't said I was free that morning, but we DO need the money. Lots of ideas/things going on in the Miller household that are going to require more money than we make, lol. If all goes well, we will be moving next summer. Praise the Lord - I hate that house.
=)
Alas, I have been responsible for 2 kids today but it has not been near the dramatic experience I feared it might be. We went to Monkey Joe's and lunch, and now it is naptime and the only debacle I've faced is when in the world is it my turn to pee? Not easy when you're tugging 2 kids around.....again, I am grateful for naptime. :)
Tomorrow will be interesting......kiddo is supposed to be going with said parent on all-day or most-of-the-day outing. Hope he sticks to it. We'll find out. Otherwise, I dont know what we're going to be doing tomorrow, b/c it's cold and MJ's 2 days in a row isn't really an option.
This weekend we had our "personal" Christmas - just Jay and me. We went to dinner at City Range (I will never recommend it - it was mediocre, at best....more on that later.) Then we went home and unwrapped presents and stocking gifts. I already knew what I was getting since we ordered it together, but I still love it! I got a medium-sized stand-up jewelry armoire - it's what I really wanted. My little plastic box isn't doing the job anymore for all the earrings I keep collecting, plus we really need the counter space in the bathroom for more important things like makeup and deodorant, lol. We had a great time! I wish our dinner experience had been better - I've heard such wonderful things about this restaurant, but the highlight of our dinner was the free bread, lol. We both ordered steak and a baked potato, but both steaks turned out to be pretty much 90% fat. The 10% we were able to eat was delicious - very well seasoned, but a big disappointment that this was all there was to it. The potatoes were okay, and we both got salads b/c we were led to believe by our waiter that this was part of the entree. It wasn't. We didn't know that until we got the bill and saw we were charged extra for it, and felt quite misled afterward. We did not stay for dessert - we went elsewhere. So, all in all, I wouldn't recommend it. It's a fancy little place for mediocre (at best) food for a very expensive price. We'll know better next year! :)
This weekend I borrowed my uncle's carpet cleaner. I started in the guest room and by the time I finished that room, I finally got the hang of how to work it. It does an amazing job! The guest room and the "pink room" (what we call it b/c it has that color carpet, ugh) are now cleaned and deodorized. The dogs (okay, just Stinky and Gavin) sleep in the pink room and all of Jay's hunting/fishing stuff is in there so it sees a lot of foot traffic and mud from Jay's shoes. Her Majesty refuses to sleep in there and sleeps on a down comforter on the floor on my side of the bed. I can't blame her - she's almost 8 years old and NEVER had to sleep either in a crate or w/o me, so trying to get her to do either of those is just impossible now in her old(er) age. Unless we want to hear her bark all night, we just let her bed down in her comforter beside the bed.
Anyway, back to the carpet cleaner - I started on the living room carpet and was APPALLED at how much dirt it was pulling up. I knew that carpet was dirty, but good grief - now I'm imposed to making a "no shoes in the house" rule which we all know will not be followed. I got about 80% of the living room done before I ran out of shampoo, so I had to wait until today to pick up some more. Expensive crap, too - $20 for a bottle of it. Sheesh. I still have to do the remaining section of the living room and then do the master bedroom and I'm finished. I might move the couch and shampoo underneath it, but I'm undecided about that at the moment. For that matter, I might as well just wait until the Christmas tree is out so I can do that section, too, and have Jay move the gun cabinet so I can shampoo under that. Might as well do it right. Only problem is - I have no TIME to do this unless it's on a Saturday.
One day down here (almost), one day to go......and a half-day. I wish I hadn't said I was free that morning, but we DO need the money. Lots of ideas/things going on in the Miller household that are going to require more money than we make, lol. If all goes well, we will be moving next summer. Praise the Lord - I hate that house.
=)
Thursday, December 18, 2008
December 18, 2008
Well, I woke up saying this and I'm going to continue saying it throughout the day as necessary - I am determined to make this a good day. (Okay, I started out saying "great day" but I'll settle for "good day.") So far, so good. I'm on my own with Allie here and that's always the best - I hate it when one of them is here - it just bugs me in a way I can't explain. I never feel totally free. I did get up the nerve to ask her this morning if the two holidays next week are paid holidays for me.....she kinda bumped around the answer but I think she settled on Christmas day is paid but I'm still not sure about Christmas Eve day. It should be but.....we all know how that goes. I'm trying to remember the holidays I've had here and whether or not they were paid. I know Memorial Day was paid and I think 4th of July was and I dont remember about Labor Day. I am dead-positive she did NOT pay me for Thanksgiving day. I worked that Monday, Tuesday and Friday but I was only paid for 3 days that week. So technically that leaves me at least 2 more paid holidays before the year is over......it will probably be Christmas day and New Years day.....she did mention that but I wasn't aware I was getting New Years day off. That would be nice as long as it's a paid day. We don't all have thousands in our checking account that we can just draw off of when necessary.....some of us live paycheck to paycheck pretty much and I'm not usually too depressed about that, b/c we ARE getting a lot of debt paid off as well as paying monthly bills and still having a little to put in savings each month so it's working.
Jay found out last night that he has to work Tuesday night as well as Monday next week. We knew about Monday but had already planned a family Christmas dinner at my aunt's since we weren't able to make any other time work before his family got here......so now we're switching it all up again.....trying to see if Sunday afternoon might work or perhaps even Saturday evening. I really don't like having to do it further away from Christmas b/c then it just doesn't seem as real, but it is very important to me to have him there so I'll go along with whatever day works. This is our first married Christmas and it would not be at all the same to go to a family Christmas dinner without him. He's come to the last TWO Christmas dinners that my family has had and we weren't even married then.....shoot, at the first one we weren't even officially dating yet, just good friends.
Anyway, I digress so easily....must be that attention-deficit problem I have. Seems to run in our family - we can go from one point to another to yet another and never even realize we made the switch......then (at least for me) I have no idea what I was even talking about when the conversation started.
Sometime between now and Sunday I have to do some serious grocery shopping. I clipped a bunch of coupons for some things at Rite-Aid and there are some good sales going on at Bloom, Ingles, and some other place I can't remember right now (see? that ADD thing again....) I may try to do some of it today if Allie wakes up early enough from morning nap. I did do all my house-cleaning last night so I don't have too much to do Saturday except maintain it and probably dust furniture. It would be nice to get some of it out of the way. I want to stock up on a lot of things we use often so I don't have to make a grocery trip every week or twice during the week. When I get off work, all I want to do is go home - I don't like having to stop here or there if I don't have to. Hence, I usually do my grocery shopping on Monday mornings with Allie and then take it all back to my house and unload it. She's not a big fan of my house b/c all the dogs usually bark at her for a minute or two and she doesn't really know what to think. Her dog never barks unless FedEx is here (in the middle of naptime ALWAYS and he feels he has to ring the doorbell at least 3 times.....thanks, dude).
I never plan to write so much in this blog, especially in the mornings when I first open it up. It just kinda flows out. There's nobody here to talk to (that knows how to carry a conversation, anyay) so it gets really lonely sometimes, so I talk through the blog. That's okay, right? Don't tell me if it's not. I like to live in my own reality sometimes - it's a happier place.
Jay found out last night that he has to work Tuesday night as well as Monday next week. We knew about Monday but had already planned a family Christmas dinner at my aunt's since we weren't able to make any other time work before his family got here......so now we're switching it all up again.....trying to see if Sunday afternoon might work or perhaps even Saturday evening. I really don't like having to do it further away from Christmas b/c then it just doesn't seem as real, but it is very important to me to have him there so I'll go along with whatever day works. This is our first married Christmas and it would not be at all the same to go to a family Christmas dinner without him. He's come to the last TWO Christmas dinners that my family has had and we weren't even married then.....shoot, at the first one we weren't even officially dating yet, just good friends.
Anyway, I digress so easily....must be that attention-deficit problem I have. Seems to run in our family - we can go from one point to another to yet another and never even realize we made the switch......then (at least for me) I have no idea what I was even talking about when the conversation started.
Sometime between now and Sunday I have to do some serious grocery shopping. I clipped a bunch of coupons for some things at Rite-Aid and there are some good sales going on at Bloom, Ingles, and some other place I can't remember right now (see? that ADD thing again....) I may try to do some of it today if Allie wakes up early enough from morning nap. I did do all my house-cleaning last night so I don't have too much to do Saturday except maintain it and probably dust furniture. It would be nice to get some of it out of the way. I want to stock up on a lot of things we use often so I don't have to make a grocery trip every week or twice during the week. When I get off work, all I want to do is go home - I don't like having to stop here or there if I don't have to. Hence, I usually do my grocery shopping on Monday mornings with Allie and then take it all back to my house and unload it. She's not a big fan of my house b/c all the dogs usually bark at her for a minute or two and she doesn't really know what to think. Her dog never barks unless FedEx is here (in the middle of naptime ALWAYS and he feels he has to ring the doorbell at least 3 times.....thanks, dude).
I never plan to write so much in this blog, especially in the mornings when I first open it up. It just kinda flows out. There's nobody here to talk to (that knows how to carry a conversation, anyay) so it gets really lonely sometimes, so I talk through the blog. That's okay, right? Don't tell me if it's not. I like to live in my own reality sometimes - it's a happier place.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
December 17, 2008
This has day has been horrible from the get-go. I didn't sleep very well last night and it always sucks having to get out of a warm bed when my hubby doesnt have to work that day.....I just want to stay there! Anyway, cleaned up puppy poo and started a load of poop/pee sheets, fed the puppies, let other dogs out to pee, fed them, dressed myself, got ready (hair, makeup, etc), ate breakfast, kissed my babe goodbye, and left. (In the midst of all, dropped four things on the same big toe, spilled a glass of water everywhere, and broke up a dog fight. Bad day already.
Got to work - kiddo is sick again. Great. Big decision on whether or not he goes to school. His dr appt is not until 3:20 and if he has strep again, then he is CONTAGIOUS. So.....he went to school! Wow. Good for me, not good for all those kids. He had a Christmas play so the dad picked him up, I was told he wouldn't be back until after his appt - he just rolled in (at 2:15) so dad can "do some paperwork" (that means hide in his office so he doesnt have to deal with his kids) for an hour until they leave (they'll leave late, I'm sure). So I'm left to deal with a sick and WILD kid who isn't going to take a nap and guess what? When he gets back from his appt, I'll be stuck with a kid who has not had a nap and we will both be in tears by 5:30, since I'm sure I won't get to leave early. He just will NOT take his kids earlier than he absolutely has to.
Anyway, backing up. Got an email this morning from the guy I interviewed with last Friday - turns out his wife doesnt want to pay for more than 15 hours a week, and the absolute least I can do is 25 hrs. So that made my day ten times worse. Now I feel so totally stuck here. I was counting on that job and on being out of here by New Years and now I'm so disappointed. I tried to keep the attitude that if it didn't work out, then I'm meant to be here, but it just feels so AWFUL to know I have to stay here longer than planned. I'm so tired of feeling like somebody's hired hand to just catch all the crap they dont want to deal with.
**Edited to say** He left for the dr appt at 3:05 and I finally got Allie to nap about 30 minutes ago. I feel more rested now and just ready to go home and clean something (my stress-relief.) Jay has to work tonight (sigh) so I'm on my own. Maybe I'll just cuddle puppies for awhile.....that's a proven pick-me-up, isn't it? Jay's been working with them on tracking a rabbiy hide - they do well until Bella knocks the boys out of the way and grabs the hide and takes off with it and Jay has to chase her.....she doesnt listen to him....its pretty funny. She's a true-blue Momma's girl but she is WICKED when she wants to be. Still the prettiest of them all though. :)
I hope its sunny tomorrow.....maybe that's why I feel so blue (okay, grouchy) lately. It doesnt help that we aren't able to get out of the house after naptime to go to the park or anything. That and Christmas is coming up and the excitement of it all easily gets to kids. It just dawned on me that Monday and Tuesday there is no school for him.........sigh. Hope she refills the money box so we can go to Monkey Joes. :) Who's with me?? Soooo worth it - ten bucks and turn 'em loose for hours upon hours. Take a few snacks and drinks in the diaper bag, a few bottles and graham crackers for Allie, the laptop for me, and I'm set! He will play there for HOURS and it's great come nap-time ---- 1 exhausted kid, 1 exhausted baby b/c she refuses to nap there = easy and quiet afternoon for me.
They just came back in the door downstairs so I better go. No chance he'll actually let me leave 45 minutes early though........heaven forbid he play with his own kids.
Sigh.
Got to work - kiddo is sick again. Great. Big decision on whether or not he goes to school. His dr appt is not until 3:20 and if he has strep again, then he is CONTAGIOUS. So.....he went to school! Wow. Good for me, not good for all those kids. He had a Christmas play so the dad picked him up, I was told he wouldn't be back until after his appt - he just rolled in (at 2:15) so dad can "do some paperwork" (that means hide in his office so he doesnt have to deal with his kids) for an hour until they leave (they'll leave late, I'm sure). So I'm left to deal with a sick and WILD kid who isn't going to take a nap and guess what? When he gets back from his appt, I'll be stuck with a kid who has not had a nap and we will both be in tears by 5:30, since I'm sure I won't get to leave early. He just will NOT take his kids earlier than he absolutely has to.
Anyway, backing up. Got an email this morning from the guy I interviewed with last Friday - turns out his wife doesnt want to pay for more than 15 hours a week, and the absolute least I can do is 25 hrs. So that made my day ten times worse. Now I feel so totally stuck here. I was counting on that job and on being out of here by New Years and now I'm so disappointed. I tried to keep the attitude that if it didn't work out, then I'm meant to be here, but it just feels so AWFUL to know I have to stay here longer than planned. I'm so tired of feeling like somebody's hired hand to just catch all the crap they dont want to deal with.
**Edited to say** He left for the dr appt at 3:05 and I finally got Allie to nap about 30 minutes ago. I feel more rested now and just ready to go home and clean something (my stress-relief.) Jay has to work tonight (sigh) so I'm on my own. Maybe I'll just cuddle puppies for awhile.....that's a proven pick-me-up, isn't it? Jay's been working with them on tracking a rabbiy hide - they do well until Bella knocks the boys out of the way and grabs the hide and takes off with it and Jay has to chase her.....she doesnt listen to him....its pretty funny. She's a true-blue Momma's girl but she is WICKED when she wants to be. Still the prettiest of them all though. :)
I hope its sunny tomorrow.....maybe that's why I feel so blue (okay, grouchy) lately. It doesnt help that we aren't able to get out of the house after naptime to go to the park or anything. That and Christmas is coming up and the excitement of it all easily gets to kids. It just dawned on me that Monday and Tuesday there is no school for him.........sigh. Hope she refills the money box so we can go to Monkey Joes. :) Who's with me?? Soooo worth it - ten bucks and turn 'em loose for hours upon hours. Take a few snacks and drinks in the diaper bag, a few bottles and graham crackers for Allie, the laptop for me, and I'm set! He will play there for HOURS and it's great come nap-time ---- 1 exhausted kid, 1 exhausted baby b/c she refuses to nap there = easy and quiet afternoon for me.
They just came back in the door downstairs so I better go. No chance he'll actually let me leave 45 minutes early though........heaven forbid he play with his own kids.
Sigh.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
December 16, 2008
Today has been pretty uneventful. The highlight of my day was lunch with Jessica (thanks, girl, for coming out when I was so bored!!) Right now I just got the kiddo out of bed from his nap (dangit) - he's already slept for 2.5 hrs and he's only supposed to have a 1-hr nap. **yeah right, haha** This is usually the hardest time of day for me - the time between the end of nap and when I go home....partially b/c I NEVER know how long that time frame will be. Might be 5:30, might be 6:30, I never know. (For instance, the dad just walked in the door [its 430] and I still will not be able to leave early....it will be every bit of 5:30 or after before he "realizes" what time it is.) Sigh. Again, that is just one of many reasons why I'm quitting (WOOOHOOO!!!)
I'm getting so excited for Christmas! I can't wait to give Jay his gifts - I got him some fishing and hunting stuff. I wish I could have gotten one big gift like he got me, but none of the things he wants/needs were within our spending budget, so I just took our budget and got him a bunch of littler things, so he has lots of things to open! We're going to dinner on Christmas Eve and opening gifts after that - I can't wait!
I'm looking forward to our annual Christmas breakfast at my parents' house - this will be the first year I haven't woken up at their house on Christmas morning and I love it - I loved all the childhood memories but this is still so much better, to be starting our own memories and traditions. His family will be here in time for this breakfast and it's always fun getting both families together. I think there are some other aunts/uncles and family friends coming for breakfast, so the more the merrier. If you are without tradition on Christmas morning, come join the fun!
I'm getting so excited for Christmas! I can't wait to give Jay his gifts - I got him some fishing and hunting stuff. I wish I could have gotten one big gift like he got me, but none of the things he wants/needs were within our spending budget, so I just took our budget and got him a bunch of littler things, so he has lots of things to open! We're going to dinner on Christmas Eve and opening gifts after that - I can't wait!
I'm looking forward to our annual Christmas breakfast at my parents' house - this will be the first year I haven't woken up at their house on Christmas morning and I love it - I loved all the childhood memories but this is still so much better, to be starting our own memories and traditions. His family will be here in time for this breakfast and it's always fun getting both families together. I think there are some other aunts/uncles and family friends coming for breakfast, so the more the merrier. If you are without tradition on Christmas morning, come join the fun!
Monday, December 15, 2008
December 15, 2008
Today has been such a bore. I guess it's the typical Monday here. It's gloomy outside and I know that usually makes us all just kinda.....blah. I'm happy that my day is half-over and this is the last full week I have here for the next couple weeks (maybe total!!!!) I'm working only Monday and Tuesday next week.....reminds me to ask her to make sure I'm getting paid those holidays, b/c I'm supposed to be, but of course, that's no guarantee. I did not get paid for Thanksgiving.......plus I had to deal with the granny which made it ten times worse.
Anyway, no digressing. More later. I dont have anything else to say now.
Anyway, no digressing. More later. I dont have anything else to say now.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
December 14, 2008
Today has been super boring. Jay got home from work about 6:30 and fed the pups while I cleaned their playpen, then we both went to bed. I got up to whiny puppies at 9:30 and tried to keep them quiet while Jay slept, since he has to be at work tonight. They woke him up anyway and he moved to the guest room at 10:00, and ended up getting up at 10:30. I made us breakfast and he went back to bed again at noon and so far, is still asleep. :)
I've had puppy duty all day and have taken them outside to play a couple of times - they are hilarious to watch when they run through the leaves and fall over things. Bella chased Baylee around for a long time and when Baylee can climb the hill, Bella tries to and just ends up falling and rolling all the way down. I did find they are all three terrified of Gavin's "warning bark." He barks when he and Baylee are playing fetch and when he's excited, but his warning bark is very different. A car stopped right outside our driveway and he started the warning bark. All three puppies came HAULING butt toward me and started trying to crawl up my legs, crying and begging to be picked up. I sat down with them and they were all crawling up to be held and whimpering, and kept looking back at Gavin like they didn't know what was going on. I took them up to the porch to play and Sam made a bad choice - he went after a piece of dog food that was in Stinky's bowl, at the same time Baylee was going after it..........Sam got bitten in the face - not too bad, but enough to make him howl and cry all over again. So we just went inside to try to be quiet again. Bella and Henry are in the playpen asleep now, but Sam is still in my lap, shaking. Poor thing - he's been through a lot more than the other two and it takes him a long time to calm down enough to be put down.
We run such a freakin' spoiled zoo, lol.
I've had puppy duty all day and have taken them outside to play a couple of times - they are hilarious to watch when they run through the leaves and fall over things. Bella chased Baylee around for a long time and when Baylee can climb the hill, Bella tries to and just ends up falling and rolling all the way down. I did find they are all three terrified of Gavin's "warning bark." He barks when he and Baylee are playing fetch and when he's excited, but his warning bark is very different. A car stopped right outside our driveway and he started the warning bark. All three puppies came HAULING butt toward me and started trying to crawl up my legs, crying and begging to be picked up. I sat down with them and they were all crawling up to be held and whimpering, and kept looking back at Gavin like they didn't know what was going on. I took them up to the porch to play and Sam made a bad choice - he went after a piece of dog food that was in Stinky's bowl, at the same time Baylee was going after it..........Sam got bitten in the face - not too bad, but enough to make him howl and cry all over again. So we just went inside to try to be quiet again. Bella and Henry are in the playpen asleep now, but Sam is still in my lap, shaking. Poor thing - he's been through a lot more than the other two and it takes him a long time to calm down enough to be put down.
We run such a freakin' spoiled zoo, lol.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
December 13, 2008
So far this day has been pretty boring. Jay left around 6am for rabbit hunting and I got up about 6:30 b/c the puppies were pretty hungry. They've been doing really well about sleeping all night. I fed them and cleaned their playpen, fed the rest of the dogs and let everyone out to potty, then got started on all the cleaning I wanted to do.
I washed all of the blinds in the kitchen and living room, washed all the windows in those rooms, dusted and wiped Pledge on all of the ceiling fans and furniture throughout the house, vacuumed all the carpets, swept and mopped all the floors, changed the sheets on our bed, and spruced up the guest room for when Jay's parents come. That took four hours and I was exhausted, lol. It was time for the pups to eat again, then I took them outside to play for awhile.
I went to Great Clips to get my hair trimmed.....ended up getting a stylist who looked like she didnt even own a brush -- that's always reassuring. But she did an okay job - I wish she had trimmed more off the back but it'll do.
Jay got home about 4:00 and we ate an early dinner at 5:30. He just went to bed about a half hour ago to sleep for a few hours before he has to be at work at midnight. He's bummed about having to go to work again .....it discourages me b/c I certainly understand how he feels.
On that note - yesterday we both went to meet with the guy who is offering me the new job. He was really nice and funny and it seems like a PERFECT job fit for me. I remember saying that about the nanny job about a year ago, and while it is a good job for my personality, the hours are not. I still have to meet with his wife on the Monday after Christmas and talk through all the other details, but we pretty much laid it all out yesterday and talked about what he/they were looking for, what I am looking for, etc. It was a great time and I am really looking forward to this new opportunity. I can't wait to get back to a decent work schedule and not feel like I'm constantly tied down to my job. I will be working 25-30 hours a week for the same money I make now.......wonderful!
I washed all of the blinds in the kitchen and living room, washed all the windows in those rooms, dusted and wiped Pledge on all of the ceiling fans and furniture throughout the house, vacuumed all the carpets, swept and mopped all the floors, changed the sheets on our bed, and spruced up the guest room for when Jay's parents come. That took four hours and I was exhausted, lol. It was time for the pups to eat again, then I took them outside to play for awhile.
I went to Great Clips to get my hair trimmed.....ended up getting a stylist who looked like she didnt even own a brush -- that's always reassuring. But she did an okay job - I wish she had trimmed more off the back but it'll do.
Jay got home about 4:00 and we ate an early dinner at 5:30. He just went to bed about a half hour ago to sleep for a few hours before he has to be at work at midnight. He's bummed about having to go to work again .....it discourages me b/c I certainly understand how he feels.
On that note - yesterday we both went to meet with the guy who is offering me the new job. He was really nice and funny and it seems like a PERFECT job fit for me. I remember saying that about the nanny job about a year ago, and while it is a good job for my personality, the hours are not. I still have to meet with his wife on the Monday after Christmas and talk through all the other details, but we pretty much laid it all out yesterday and talked about what he/they were looking for, what I am looking for, etc. It was a great time and I am really looking forward to this new opportunity. I can't wait to get back to a decent work schedule and not feel like I'm constantly tied down to my job. I will be working 25-30 hours a week for the same money I make now.......wonderful!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
December 11, 2008
I slept SO good last night - I forgot how wonderful it feels to sleep the whole night through. I fed the puppies when I got home at 6:30 and they usually wake up for another feeding around 11:30-12:00.....not last night! They slept all night long - I dont even remember hearing them whimper. There was a gigantic mess in their playpen this morning, but that's okay. Nothing can render (Joe?? I used your word!) my good mood today - I have tomorrow off and I just have to get through this day. I asked this morning to please be sure I was off on time --- let's just say I got a less than satisfactory answer. I was thinking this morning -- I know I mentioned that last Thursday I didn't get off until after 6:30 b/c that was when the parent rolled in -- how much grief would I catch if I decided to be an hour late and show up at 8:30 instead of 7:30? It would put them in a bind, right? My point exactly. When they dont show up on time and I'm late leaving, it puts ME in a bind. And tonight is Jingle Jazz and I do NOT want to be late again for something.
Jay works a half day on Thursdays and has a lot to do when he gets home - hopefully he will be able to get the air vent fixed under the house where the dog(s) (I'm not sure who did it - one of the fellas) chewed it up. Then we can run the heat/air conditioner again. Though the last couple of days have been great - the weather has been so nice, we haven't needed it.
I think he's also going to try to finish his brother's Christmas present.....a large shadow box for a team jersey. It's technically a work in progress for the last 18 months. It was originally going to be a wedding present but it never got finished in time for his brother's wedding, then they ended up divorcing anyway (good riddance) so it's a good thing it wasn't finished. So far it looks awesome - the only thing left to do is put the glass in in - not an easy task. He's already gone through three pieces of glass trying to make it work. He gets it cut down to size and 3 corners put in, but as soon as he gets that 4th corner fitted, the whole sheet breaks. So I dont really know how he's going to remedy that, but he always amazes me at the creative ways he finds to do/fix things. He's so smart like that. =)
Sometime this weekend, I think he's also going to start working on the outdoor beagle kennel. He's going to put them out beside the barn where Bishop stays - it will be a lot cheaper than building a new kennel elsewhere on the property. Poor Bishop - now he'll never sleep at night with all the noise they make, lol. In a way I'm ready for them to move outside, but in another way it makes me kinda sad. I like taking care of them and they are SO cute and cuddly, but they poop a LOT and then walk in it and it makes a ginormous mess in the playpen and I wash at least one load of their laundry a day, as well as giving them baths when they get so messy. They're getting better at going just in the potty box, but then somebody will walk in it and track little footprints everywhere, so the whole sheet set has to be changed out. They're so funny in the mornings though - I get them out and wash their feet, then let them run around the house while I change their bedding. They follow me everywhere b/c they know its time for breakfast and they think they're starving to death. They sit at my feet by the kitchen sink while I get their food ready and Bella always puts up a huge commotion b/c I don't feed her first. I have an order - Sam, Bella, Henry. It takes about 2 minutes per puppy to feed them, and since we've been giving them dry food, I have to hold them in one arm and the bowl in the other, or they just knock over the whole bowl in anticipation of getting to the food. Sam is always the hungriest (little runt won't grow!) so he eats first, while Bella screams at my feet and Henry tries to climb me. He never cries unless he's hungry - such a good dog. =) Then I put Sam back in the playpen and feed Bella, who takes her sweet time licking the food first then deciding to actually eat it. Then she gets run of the house (she behaves for the most part) while Henry eats. Watching Henry eat is hilarious - he is the biggest chowhound I've ever seen. You have to really have a grip on the bowl b/c he chows down and just can't get enough. And you can NEVER take his bowl away until he's eaten every last piece or he'll keep pushing at you with his feet to follow the bowl wherever it's going. I dont even think he chews his food, he just inhales it. Funny little boy. Then he goes back into the playpen with Sam and I have to chase down Bella to put her back in, too. This morning she and Baylee were playing chase in the living room and Baylee was acting so offended when Bella got close, but if Bella stopped playing, Baylee would come after her and get her riled up again. What a zoo we run.
I'm meeting tomorrow with the guy who offered me the new job - I dont think any decisions will be made tomorrow, b/c I still have to meet his wife, but hopefully we can arrange that soon. I've really been praying about this - that the door will either be wide open or obviously shut, for whatever reason. As desperate as I am to be free of this time-consuming job, I still want to do the right thing for me and for us and for our future. It sounds like a the truly perfect job for me, but if there is something obvious that stands out, I will not take it. It would be wonderful hours and even more wonderful money, but I really do want to do the right thing. So I'll update you more on that tomorrow afternoon.
I think I'm headed to the bank and the grocery store after Allie wakes up. I have a few more things to get for the Lilyea boxes and then they will be finished! I'm looking forward to getting our living room back - at least half of it (literally) is full of boxes for them. I don't know where in the world she's going to put it all - that house is packed from floor to ceiling and wall to wall with stuff as it is. I'm looking forward to seeing the little ones tomorrow - the older half will be at school but I can spend some time with my littler friends while the boxes are unpacked. =)
Jay works a half day on Thursdays and has a lot to do when he gets home - hopefully he will be able to get the air vent fixed under the house where the dog(s) (I'm not sure who did it - one of the fellas) chewed it up. Then we can run the heat/air conditioner again. Though the last couple of days have been great - the weather has been so nice, we haven't needed it.
I think he's also going to try to finish his brother's Christmas present.....a large shadow box for a team jersey. It's technically a work in progress for the last 18 months. It was originally going to be a wedding present but it never got finished in time for his brother's wedding, then they ended up divorcing anyway (good riddance) so it's a good thing it wasn't finished. So far it looks awesome - the only thing left to do is put the glass in in - not an easy task. He's already gone through three pieces of glass trying to make it work. He gets it cut down to size and 3 corners put in, but as soon as he gets that 4th corner fitted, the whole sheet breaks. So I dont really know how he's going to remedy that, but he always amazes me at the creative ways he finds to do/fix things. He's so smart like that. =)
Sometime this weekend, I think he's also going to start working on the outdoor beagle kennel. He's going to put them out beside the barn where Bishop stays - it will be a lot cheaper than building a new kennel elsewhere on the property. Poor Bishop - now he'll never sleep at night with all the noise they make, lol. In a way I'm ready for them to move outside, but in another way it makes me kinda sad. I like taking care of them and they are SO cute and cuddly, but they poop a LOT and then walk in it and it makes a ginormous mess in the playpen and I wash at least one load of their laundry a day, as well as giving them baths when they get so messy. They're getting better at going just in the potty box, but then somebody will walk in it and track little footprints everywhere, so the whole sheet set has to be changed out. They're so funny in the mornings though - I get them out and wash their feet, then let them run around the house while I change their bedding. They follow me everywhere b/c they know its time for breakfast and they think they're starving to death. They sit at my feet by the kitchen sink while I get their food ready and Bella always puts up a huge commotion b/c I don't feed her first. I have an order - Sam, Bella, Henry. It takes about 2 minutes per puppy to feed them, and since we've been giving them dry food, I have to hold them in one arm and the bowl in the other, or they just knock over the whole bowl in anticipation of getting to the food. Sam is always the hungriest (little runt won't grow!) so he eats first, while Bella screams at my feet and Henry tries to climb me. He never cries unless he's hungry - such a good dog. =) Then I put Sam back in the playpen and feed Bella, who takes her sweet time licking the food first then deciding to actually eat it. Then she gets run of the house (she behaves for the most part) while Henry eats. Watching Henry eat is hilarious - he is the biggest chowhound I've ever seen. You have to really have a grip on the bowl b/c he chows down and just can't get enough. And you can NEVER take his bowl away until he's eaten every last piece or he'll keep pushing at you with his feet to follow the bowl wherever it's going. I dont even think he chews his food, he just inhales it. Funny little boy. Then he goes back into the playpen with Sam and I have to chase down Bella to put her back in, too. This morning she and Baylee were playing chase in the living room and Baylee was acting so offended when Bella got close, but if Bella stopped playing, Baylee would come after her and get her riled up again. What a zoo we run.
I'm meeting tomorrow with the guy who offered me the new job - I dont think any decisions will be made tomorrow, b/c I still have to meet his wife, but hopefully we can arrange that soon. I've really been praying about this - that the door will either be wide open or obviously shut, for whatever reason. As desperate as I am to be free of this time-consuming job, I still want to do the right thing for me and for us and for our future. It sounds like a the truly perfect job for me, but if there is something obvious that stands out, I will not take it. It would be wonderful hours and even more wonderful money, but I really do want to do the right thing. So I'll update you more on that tomorrow afternoon.
I think I'm headed to the bank and the grocery store after Allie wakes up. I have a few more things to get for the Lilyea boxes and then they will be finished! I'm looking forward to getting our living room back - at least half of it (literally) is full of boxes for them. I don't know where in the world she's going to put it all - that house is packed from floor to ceiling and wall to wall with stuff as it is. I'm looking forward to seeing the little ones tomorrow - the older half will be at school but I can spend some time with my littler friends while the boxes are unpacked. =)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
December 10, 2008
It's speech day. That means it's going to be a long afternoon. Kiddo has a field trip where he will eat lunch, so that does help a lot - one less thing I have to cram in to the afternoon. It the rain holds off long enough, we're going to the park for an hour or so before his speech therapy appt at 2:00. This time, Allie and I will be waiting in the car. It is near impossible to entertain her for an hour when she's so exhausted. So maybe she'll sleep in the car. Or maybe she'll just scream in the car.....either way, we're waiting in the car until he's finished.
I don't know why I am so exhausted this week. The last two nights I've gotten at least 7-8 hours sleep, pretty much non-interrupted. I dont know if the lack of sleep from last week is just now catching up to me or what, but yesterday and today, I can hardly keep my eyes open. It's a weird feeling - not just sleepy or tired, but that word "fatigued." Jay was so sweet last night and got up to feed the puppies at 10:30 when they fussed, then cleaned their playpen at 4:00 when he got up. I have been getting up between 4:30-5:00 in the mornings though - I wonder if that has much to do with why I'm more tired than usual? It's nice though to be able to get a couple loads of laundry done and the dishes washed/put away and the bed made and other miscellaneous things, in the couple of hours before I have to leave for work. It makes me not feel so rushed than I do when I get up at 6:30. When I get home in the evenings I'm so tired I dont feel like doing all those things and I dont want them to get piled up.
I'll be glad to get all those boxes out of the living room, too - we're delivering those Friday morning. There are about 12 boxes piled up in our living room - most of them wrapped gifts, 3 of them filled with food items, that we're taking. We're also giving them our old desktop computer and the big computer desk, b/c I am desperate to get that thing out of the house so we can have more room in the guest room. We just flat out have too much stuff in this house and it (the house) is too small to keep putting more things in. The "pink" room (dubbed that title b/c of the carpet color) is where the dog crates are and all of Jay's hunting/fishing stuff - we had to designate an actual room for it b/c there is so much of it and I got tired of constantly picking up things from the bedroom or living room, and he got tired of not being able to find things after I put them somewhere. So the designated room has worked out really well. I get a little panicky when I think about the possibility of putting a baby in that house - where would we put it?? The hunting/fishing stuff would all have to be moved to the garage (he said so, not me, lol) and the guest bed moved into the pink room......I dont even know what we'd do with the dog crates. They could probably stay in there - there's room for it all if it's rearranged the right way. I dont have to think about that right now.
Tomorrow night is Jingle Jazz - I'm looking forward to it! I know a lot of work/prep goes into this every year, for everyone, and it's always a fun night. I'm super excited about having the day off on Friday - I dont even care that it's sans pay - I just need some time to SLEEP and be free of kids. Jay is rabbit-hunting on Saturday morning so I will be sleeping in as long as possible and then doing my usual Saturday deep-clean. I do love cleaning - I just have to be in the mood for it. I'm trying to keep everything "kept up" after the deep clean, so it's not as much to do the next Saturday. Then I wont have so much to do to get ready for holiday company. Shoot, two weeks from today is Christmas Eve! Time flies when you're an adult.
**Edited to add** Today as I was leaving CDS, my car battery died and it wouldn't start. Of all people, my mom happened to have stopped CDS to say hello since her last appt didn't go as long as it did. She had jumper cables in her car. :) If she hadn't come by, I would have been stuck downtown in a tiny parking lot with a bunch of ppl who dont speak English, with two very tired children, and no way to get my car started. God is good. :)
I don't know why I am so exhausted this week. The last two nights I've gotten at least 7-8 hours sleep, pretty much non-interrupted. I dont know if the lack of sleep from last week is just now catching up to me or what, but yesterday and today, I can hardly keep my eyes open. It's a weird feeling - not just sleepy or tired, but that word "fatigued." Jay was so sweet last night and got up to feed the puppies at 10:30 when they fussed, then cleaned their playpen at 4:00 when he got up. I have been getting up between 4:30-5:00 in the mornings though - I wonder if that has much to do with why I'm more tired than usual? It's nice though to be able to get a couple loads of laundry done and the dishes washed/put away and the bed made and other miscellaneous things, in the couple of hours before I have to leave for work. It makes me not feel so rushed than I do when I get up at 6:30. When I get home in the evenings I'm so tired I dont feel like doing all those things and I dont want them to get piled up.
I'll be glad to get all those boxes out of the living room, too - we're delivering those Friday morning. There are about 12 boxes piled up in our living room - most of them wrapped gifts, 3 of them filled with food items, that we're taking. We're also giving them our old desktop computer and the big computer desk, b/c I am desperate to get that thing out of the house so we can have more room in the guest room. We just flat out have too much stuff in this house and it (the house) is too small to keep putting more things in. The "pink" room (dubbed that title b/c of the carpet color) is where the dog crates are and all of Jay's hunting/fishing stuff - we had to designate an actual room for it b/c there is so much of it and I got tired of constantly picking up things from the bedroom or living room, and he got tired of not being able to find things after I put them somewhere. So the designated room has worked out really well. I get a little panicky when I think about the possibility of putting a baby in that house - where would we put it?? The hunting/fishing stuff would all have to be moved to the garage (he said so, not me, lol) and the guest bed moved into the pink room......I dont even know what we'd do with the dog crates. They could probably stay in there - there's room for it all if it's rearranged the right way. I dont have to think about that right now.
Tomorrow night is Jingle Jazz - I'm looking forward to it! I know a lot of work/prep goes into this every year, for everyone, and it's always a fun night. I'm super excited about having the day off on Friday - I dont even care that it's sans pay - I just need some time to SLEEP and be free of kids. Jay is rabbit-hunting on Saturday morning so I will be sleeping in as long as possible and then doing my usual Saturday deep-clean. I do love cleaning - I just have to be in the mood for it. I'm trying to keep everything "kept up" after the deep clean, so it's not as much to do the next Saturday. Then I wont have so much to do to get ready for holiday company. Shoot, two weeks from today is Christmas Eve! Time flies when you're an adult.
**Edited to add** Today as I was leaving CDS, my car battery died and it wouldn't start. Of all people, my mom happened to have stopped CDS to say hello since her last appt didn't go as long as it did. She had jumper cables in her car. :) If she hadn't come by, I would have been stuck downtown in a tiny parking lot with a bunch of ppl who dont speak English, with two very tired children, and no way to get my car started. God is good. :)
Monday, December 8, 2008
December 8, 2008
Wow, lots coming up to look forward do, both this week and in the coming weeks. On Wednesday morning I'm having an early lunch with a dear friend I haven't seen in weeks, and then after work I'm going to pick up the last of the things we're packing up for the Lilyeas. Then on Thursday night, we're going to Jingle Jazz with my parents and two sets of aunts/uncles. I'm really looking forward to that. Then on Friday, I have a day off......I need to remind her about it, too, b/c I know if I wait til Thursday to mention it, it will be like a brand-new request. But regardless of response, I will NOT be at work on Friday. Lots to do! Jay and I are delivering all the boxes to the Lilyeas that morning, then we're both meeting with a guy about my new job opportunity. Then hopefully I still have time for a haircut b/c I need one, lol.
Today has been a pretty good day....though I hesitate to write that b/c it usually makes the details change, lol. But so far, so good. I was sound asleep by 9pm last night and woke up to puppy crying at midnight. After I fed them, they pretty much went right back to sleep. They are doing SO much better than this time last week. The sound machine helps a lot - drowns out the noises of us talking or tossing/turning at night, etc. We're still having an issue with puppy diarrhea and going wherever they feel like it in their playpen, but.....I dont really know how to fix that. I've never kept multiples in that playpen or tried to potty-train multiples. It's almost pointless to take them outside six times a night b/c in a month or two's time, they'll be outside in their kennel and it wont matter. But for now, I'm washing a lot of old crib sheets/handtowels and spraying Febreeze freely. The house does not smell but the moment I smell poop when I walk in the door is the moment they move OUTSIDE. So far, so good (again).
I'm really looking forward to Christmas and seeing Jay's family - it's such a fun time and we really only see them 2-3x a year. Next year we're planning to go to Florida for Christmas, barring anything unforseen. It will also depend on our jobs and the time(s) we get off, too.
Today has been a pretty good day....though I hesitate to write that b/c it usually makes the details change, lol. But so far, so good. I was sound asleep by 9pm last night and woke up to puppy crying at midnight. After I fed them, they pretty much went right back to sleep. They are doing SO much better than this time last week. The sound machine helps a lot - drowns out the noises of us talking or tossing/turning at night, etc. We're still having an issue with puppy diarrhea and going wherever they feel like it in their playpen, but.....I dont really know how to fix that. I've never kept multiples in that playpen or tried to potty-train multiples. It's almost pointless to take them outside six times a night b/c in a month or two's time, they'll be outside in their kennel and it wont matter. But for now, I'm washing a lot of old crib sheets/handtowels and spraying Febreeze freely. The house does not smell but the moment I smell poop when I walk in the door is the moment they move OUTSIDE. So far, so good (again).
I'm really looking forward to Christmas and seeing Jay's family - it's such a fun time and we really only see them 2-3x a year. Next year we're planning to go to Florida for Christmas, barring anything unforseen. It will also depend on our jobs and the time(s) we get off, too.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
December 6, 2008
Today has been relaxing, though I've spent it all cleaning. I found a GREAT website with tips for cleaning every room of your house with vinegar/baking soda. I've scrubbed every single floor, door, cabinet, sink, tub, toilet, etc with this mixture and it is amazing the difference it makes. The floors look better and the whole house smells......clean, in a different way. It never has a smell b/c I always keep it clean, but it has a different clean smell this time, and I really like it.
I sprinkled baking soda on all the carpets and let it sit for 15 minutes. After I vacuumed it, the rooms all smelled extra fresh. I may use this method from now on.
I took the puppies to get their first shots this morning. They did so well! I held them all while we waited and they practically fell asleep......until they got the needle in the skin. Bella didn't make a sound and hardly even opened her eyes....the boys SCREECHED so loudly everyone else around us felt bad for them (lol).
They did really well last night. We went to dinner with Jay's friend and got back to the house around 7:45 - everybody was sound asleep by 8:30. The pups had been fed at 6:00 and I had planned to just see how long they would sleep before waking up to eat, since I'm home all day today and they dont have to stay on the usual schedule. They woke up at 10:00 to eat, and then again at 4:00, but other than that, they slept all night with no fuss. So far, so good! Jay has been taking them outside the last couple of days to let them sniff around and explore, and they really like it. However, they do not listen to him when he calls them to come back........they are more used to my voice than his, since I do most of the feeding, holding, changing of the bedding, etc. So I had to laugh when I got home yesterday afternoon and he asked me to "sweet-talk" Bella out from under the barn b/c she wouldn't come for him.
I'm really looking forward to Christmas. It will be so nice to see Jay's family again and have some extra time off work. Hopefully by then I will know for sure whether or not I am able to take this new job opportunity. They did say they were not averse to a contract, so that's a good thing. I wish there had been a written contract with this job - might have saved us all some "miscommunication" along the way. Not much longer......
I sprinkled baking soda on all the carpets and let it sit for 15 minutes. After I vacuumed it, the rooms all smelled extra fresh. I may use this method from now on.
I took the puppies to get their first shots this morning. They did so well! I held them all while we waited and they practically fell asleep......until they got the needle in the skin. Bella didn't make a sound and hardly even opened her eyes....the boys SCREECHED so loudly everyone else around us felt bad for them (lol).
They did really well last night. We went to dinner with Jay's friend and got back to the house around 7:45 - everybody was sound asleep by 8:30. The pups had been fed at 6:00 and I had planned to just see how long they would sleep before waking up to eat, since I'm home all day today and they dont have to stay on the usual schedule. They woke up at 10:00 to eat, and then again at 4:00, but other than that, they slept all night with no fuss. So far, so good! Jay has been taking them outside the last couple of days to let them sniff around and explore, and they really like it. However, they do not listen to him when he calls them to come back........they are more used to my voice than his, since I do most of the feeding, holding, changing of the bedding, etc. So I had to laugh when I got home yesterday afternoon and he asked me to "sweet-talk" Bella out from under the barn b/c she wouldn't come for him.
I'm really looking forward to Christmas. It will be so nice to see Jay's family again and have some extra time off work. Hopefully by then I will know for sure whether or not I am able to take this new job opportunity. They did say they were not averse to a contract, so that's a good thing. I wish there had been a written contract with this job - might have saved us all some "miscommunication" along the way. Not much longer......
Friday, December 5, 2008
December 5, 2008
I got to work this morning only to find out the kiddo has strep throat and will be staying home......meaning I get off work around noon or so!!!!! I'm so happy! I really wanted to be at the house when Jay's friend gets here - I hate coming home after guests are already at the house.
Jay had puppy duty last night and it's always humorous - I wake up the puppies crying to eat......Jay sleeps on. So I usually just get up and feed them and clean up the potty box and put them back to sleep. Then he wakes up when I get back in bed and wants to know if it's time for them to eat, lol. It's just easier if I do it sometimes. But last night was different - I was sleepy from crying an hour straight when I got home (job-related) and had to get up this morning for work, while he is off work today. So last night - I woke him up and said, "They need to eat."
And went back to sleep.
lol. He did great - we're trying to really get them to poop/pee RIGHT after they eat, so there isn't such a mess in the playpen in the mornings for us to clean up. They woke up to eat at 4, then when I got up for work at 6:30, all the poop was......in the potty box!!! Yay!!! Very easy cleanup - no baths this time. Usually when I get home (I get home first most of the time) - the first thing I have to do is give them a bath and clean out the playpen from all the....well, you know. But Bella has learned how to get out of the tub and she never stays in one place anymore. This morning I got her out and she was following me all over the house while I got last-minute stuff done before I left. Shes fairly reliable about not peeing anywhere - she just wants to be wherever I am, getting into something and barking, lol. She's so cute.
We figured out last night that Sam is sick - he had diarrhea (if you dont like details, dont read any further) the night before but when we put them in the bathtub to eat (they're messy) he was having watery diarrhea and a couple drops of blood. So I looked it up and most advice says to give him wormer. Some advice mentioned parvo and that scares the crap out of me. But Jay called his friend who bred those puppies and he said to give them wormer. So my sweet husband went out to Tractor Supply at 8pm to get the last bottle they had and we wormed all three of them. This morning Sam's stomach didn't look nearly so bloated and he wasn't scarfing his food down like he'd never eaten before. So here's hoping it's just worms and not parvo. Neither Bella nor Henry are acting this way and they dont have diarrhea, and if it were parvo, they'd all have it, especially Henry since they are brothers from the same litter.
Anyway, it's 10am now and I'm so looking forward to a slightly longer weekend than I was expecting. I hope I dont get the strep but I am HIGHLY prone to it, so we'll see. Glad I have some antibiotics at home, just in case.
Have a great weekend! 19 days til Christmas! (I dont count the day-of.)
Jay had puppy duty last night and it's always humorous - I wake up the puppies crying to eat......Jay sleeps on. So I usually just get up and feed them and clean up the potty box and put them back to sleep. Then he wakes up when I get back in bed and wants to know if it's time for them to eat, lol. It's just easier if I do it sometimes. But last night was different - I was sleepy from crying an hour straight when I got home (job-related) and had to get up this morning for work, while he is off work today. So last night - I woke him up and said, "They need to eat."
And went back to sleep.
lol. He did great - we're trying to really get them to poop/pee RIGHT after they eat, so there isn't such a mess in the playpen in the mornings for us to clean up. They woke up to eat at 4, then when I got up for work at 6:30, all the poop was......in the potty box!!! Yay!!! Very easy cleanup - no baths this time. Usually when I get home (I get home first most of the time) - the first thing I have to do is give them a bath and clean out the playpen from all the....well, you know. But Bella has learned how to get out of the tub and she never stays in one place anymore. This morning I got her out and she was following me all over the house while I got last-minute stuff done before I left. Shes fairly reliable about not peeing anywhere - she just wants to be wherever I am, getting into something and barking, lol. She's so cute.
We figured out last night that Sam is sick - he had diarrhea (if you dont like details, dont read any further) the night before but when we put them in the bathtub to eat (they're messy) he was having watery diarrhea and a couple drops of blood. So I looked it up and most advice says to give him wormer. Some advice mentioned parvo and that scares the crap out of me. But Jay called his friend who bred those puppies and he said to give them wormer. So my sweet husband went out to Tractor Supply at 8pm to get the last bottle they had and we wormed all three of them. This morning Sam's stomach didn't look nearly so bloated and he wasn't scarfing his food down like he'd never eaten before. So here's hoping it's just worms and not parvo. Neither Bella nor Henry are acting this way and they dont have diarrhea, and if it were parvo, they'd all have it, especially Henry since they are brothers from the same litter.
Anyway, it's 10am now and I'm so looking forward to a slightly longer weekend than I was expecting. I hope I dont get the strep but I am HIGHLY prone to it, so we'll see. Glad I have some antibiotics at home, just in case.
Have a great weekend! 19 days til Christmas! (I dont count the day-of.)
Thursday, December 4, 2008
December 4, 2008
So about 6 weeks ago, a Florida friend of Jay's stopped by on his way to Ohio, heading to a temp job. He got to the house around 8pm and spent the night, then left the next afternoon. Well, actually, while we were eating dinner he talked about staying another night (never bothering to ask if that was alright.) He said he was staying in OH for about 6 weeks, so according to the calendar, it's about time for him to be coming back through.
Yesterday Jay sent me a "911" text - his friend is leaving OH in the morning and will be here tomorrow night.
Now, first off, I want to say he is more than welcome to stay with us. I'm glad to get the chance to meet him and glad for them to be able to hang out, b/c this is Jay's best friend (other than me) and they never see each other. This friend is an older guy (50s maybe) and he doesnt leave FL much. My issue is this -- it caused a LOT of stress for me last night when I got home at 6:30 to have to turn the house around for company. We've been sleeping in the guest room b/c of the crying puppies, so I had to wash linens, remake the bed, clean up all of the Christmas boxes/wrapping paper/gifts/stuff still out to wrap, vacuum the whole house, clean the kitchen, and schmorgisbord of other things to do to get the house even semi-ready for a guest. My qualms were this: if I were traveling and had planned to stay at someone's house, in my opinion it is common courtesy to give more than 24 hours notice. I would never just call and say, by the way, I'll be at your house tomorrow.
So I got up when Jay got up this morning (at 4am) to finish what I was just too exhausted to do last night. Jay was a big help last night, though - he entertained 5 dogs while I got other things done (b/c, as I've mentioned before, his cleaning habits aren't the greatest, lol). It gave me the time to get a lot of things done (thanks, baby!!) =)
Anyway, to add to the story - after I busted my butt last night to get the house cleaned up, this friend left a voicemail last night that he wouldn't be here til Friday night.....and he plans to stay the weekend. That made both of us a little frustrated - me, b/c the weekend is OUR time to spend together. Him, b/c he planned to rabbit hunt Saturday morning and now he can't. To me, it's rude to do this - like I said before, he's more than welcome to spend the night on his way back to Florida, or to hang out for a few hours the next day, but it's so rude to just assume we have no plans of our own and are willing to drop everything to entertain his visit.
So I'm frustrated.
Today has been a good one though (I left the blog for awhile and am picking back up on it now.....just in case the time I started it reads differently than the time I'm posting it....) I met mom for lunch with Allie. Before that, I went to Petsmart to get some better food for the puppes - wet and also some dry food for them to start crunching on. Then maybe it will take them more than 18 seconds to scarf down their food.
Looking forward to impending naptime....
Yesterday Jay sent me a "911" text - his friend is leaving OH in the morning and will be here tomorrow night.
Now, first off, I want to say he is more than welcome to stay with us. I'm glad to get the chance to meet him and glad for them to be able to hang out, b/c this is Jay's best friend (other than me) and they never see each other. This friend is an older guy (50s maybe) and he doesnt leave FL much. My issue is this -- it caused a LOT of stress for me last night when I got home at 6:30 to have to turn the house around for company. We've been sleeping in the guest room b/c of the crying puppies, so I had to wash linens, remake the bed, clean up all of the Christmas boxes/wrapping paper/gifts/stuff still out to wrap, vacuum the whole house, clean the kitchen, and schmorgisbord of other things to do to get the house even semi-ready for a guest. My qualms were this: if I were traveling and had planned to stay at someone's house, in my opinion it is common courtesy to give more than 24 hours notice. I would never just call and say, by the way, I'll be at your house tomorrow.
So I got up when Jay got up this morning (at 4am) to finish what I was just too exhausted to do last night. Jay was a big help last night, though - he entertained 5 dogs while I got other things done (b/c, as I've mentioned before, his cleaning habits aren't the greatest, lol). It gave me the time to get a lot of things done (thanks, baby!!) =)
Anyway, to add to the story - after I busted my butt last night to get the house cleaned up, this friend left a voicemail last night that he wouldn't be here til Friday night.....and he plans to stay the weekend. That made both of us a little frustrated - me, b/c the weekend is OUR time to spend together. Him, b/c he planned to rabbit hunt Saturday morning and now he can't. To me, it's rude to do this - like I said before, he's more than welcome to spend the night on his way back to Florida, or to hang out for a few hours the next day, but it's so rude to just assume we have no plans of our own and are willing to drop everything to entertain his visit.
So I'm frustrated.
Today has been a good one though (I left the blog for awhile and am picking back up on it now.....just in case the time I started it reads differently than the time I'm posting it....) I met mom for lunch with Allie. Before that, I went to Petsmart to get some better food for the puppes - wet and also some dry food for them to start crunching on. Then maybe it will take them more than 18 seconds to scarf down their food.
Looking forward to impending naptime....
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
December 3, 2008
Today we're going to practice attaching pictures to blogs. We'll see if I can figure it out or not. I still can't figure out how to move them very well, so these are probably going to be out of order/place, but.....at least they're uploaded. They're also on my Facebook page if you want to see all of them.
Here is the threesome having a drink on the first night at home. In order - Sam, Bella, Henry. They are living in a pack 'n play in our closet - a warm and secure place for them.
Here is little Sam - the most needy of them all. He is 5 weeks old and was the runt of his litter. It's been a harder adjustment for him to be without his mommy than it has for the others. His little personality is cute though - he's very into exploring everything and doesnt seem to be afraid of much. He likes to follow Gavin through the house....much to Gavin's dismay (he does not like them and is very offended that they are even here.)
This is Henry. He is another boy from the same litter as Sam - also 5 weeks old. He makes the funniest facial expressions - one minute he looks like he just lost his best friend, but the next minute he's rolled up in a towel growling at himself. His personality is very sweet - he's very quiet and likes to check out things on his own. He likes to play, mostly with Bella, and is a very good sleeper.
This is Bella. She is from a different litter (so Jay can breed them years down the road) and she is 6 weeks old. She is such a sweetheart! She is very playful when she wants to be, and is very cautious about new things. She does not like the kitchen floor and prefers carpet under her feet, or better yet - a lap under her to sit on. She doesnt stray far from Mommy or Daddy. She can go from quiet and tender to a very rough player in just seconds. She chews her brothers' ears and doesn't listen when they yelp at her. She is very smart and is going to be her daddy's best hunter. She can smell her food from all the way across the room and comes immediately when her name is called.
Here is Daddy with Henry. He was talking to his dad on the phone about the puppies. He's already so proud of them and they don't even do anything yet, lol.
Daddy with Bella.....
We're really enjoying having them with us. Jay is building them an outdoor kennel that they will move into in early February, when they are old enough. Then the training begins.......can you believe he wants to put a leash on Bishop (my rabbit) and walk him around the yard for the dogs to smell?!?!? I'm not so sure about that.....
The other dogs are doing better than I thought they would with the newcomers. Baylee hasn't been too bothered by them as long as they dont get in her personal space (which is miles-wide some days). Stinky is just plain confused by them and the noises they make, but he's been very gentle with them. Gavin is clearly offended that they are here and finds every excuse possible to tear up something from the garbage every chance he gets, just to show me how offended he is.
Don't you like Jay's new haircut? I did that! I was so happy with it, and he seems to be, too. He looks so handsome. =)
Jay got his new schedule yesterday (boy, I'm quite random today, aren't I?) Cryovac is changing up their schedules for everyone and now instead of working his regular M/T/F/Sa/Su schedule, he will be working 12a-6a on M/T/W, and one week be off on Th/F and work 6p-6a on Sa/Su, and the next week work 6p-6a on Th/F and be off on Sa/Su. He's not sure about it yet but I think it will give him more free time than he thinks. Same amount of hours, but they often give a lot of overtime and he hates that. It's good money though and we can surely use it. I worked on our new budget yesterday, and if we really stick to it, we can be debt-free (except the house) by this time next year! That really is exciting.....it will take a lot of discipline to stick to it, and there are always those little things that come up along the way (my check engine light has been on for 2 months) but I know it can be done!
Here is the threesome having a drink on the first night at home. In order - Sam, Bella, Henry. They are living in a pack 'n play in our closet - a warm and secure place for them.
Here is little Sam - the most needy of them all. He is 5 weeks old and was the runt of his litter. It's been a harder adjustment for him to be without his mommy than it has for the others. His little personality is cute though - he's very into exploring everything and doesnt seem to be afraid of much. He likes to follow Gavin through the house....much to Gavin's dismay (he does not like them and is very offended that they are even here.)
This is Henry. He is another boy from the same litter as Sam - also 5 weeks old. He makes the funniest facial expressions - one minute he looks like he just lost his best friend, but the next minute he's rolled up in a towel growling at himself. His personality is very sweet - he's very quiet and likes to check out things on his own. He likes to play, mostly with Bella, and is a very good sleeper.
This is Bella. She is from a different litter (so Jay can breed them years down the road) and she is 6 weeks old. She is such a sweetheart! She is very playful when she wants to be, and is very cautious about new things. She does not like the kitchen floor and prefers carpet under her feet, or better yet - a lap under her to sit on. She doesnt stray far from Mommy or Daddy. She can go from quiet and tender to a very rough player in just seconds. She chews her brothers' ears and doesn't listen when they yelp at her. She is very smart and is going to be her daddy's best hunter. She can smell her food from all the way across the room and comes immediately when her name is called.
Here is Daddy with Henry. He was talking to his dad on the phone about the puppies. He's already so proud of them and they don't even do anything yet, lol.
Daddy with Bella.....
We're really enjoying having them with us. Jay is building them an outdoor kennel that they will move into in early February, when they are old enough. Then the training begins.......can you believe he wants to put a leash on Bishop (my rabbit) and walk him around the yard for the dogs to smell?!?!? I'm not so sure about that.....
The other dogs are doing better than I thought they would with the newcomers. Baylee hasn't been too bothered by them as long as they dont get in her personal space (which is miles-wide some days). Stinky is just plain confused by them and the noises they make, but he's been very gentle with them. Gavin is clearly offended that they are here and finds every excuse possible to tear up something from the garbage every chance he gets, just to show me how offended he is.
Don't you like Jay's new haircut? I did that! I was so happy with it, and he seems to be, too. He looks so handsome. =)
Jay got his new schedule yesterday (boy, I'm quite random today, aren't I?) Cryovac is changing up their schedules for everyone and now instead of working his regular M/T/F/Sa/Su schedule, he will be working 12a-6a on M/T/W, and one week be off on Th/F and work 6p-6a on Sa/Su, and the next week work 6p-6a on Th/F and be off on Sa/Su. He's not sure about it yet but I think it will give him more free time than he thinks. Same amount of hours, but they often give a lot of overtime and he hates that. It's good money though and we can surely use it. I worked on our new budget yesterday, and if we really stick to it, we can be debt-free (except the house) by this time next year! That really is exciting.....it will take a lot of discipline to stick to it, and there are always those little things that come up along the way (my check engine light has been on for 2 months) but I know it can be done!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
December 2, 2008
So I am kinda hesitant to write this here for fear I will jinx it, but..........
.......I got a job offer yesterday. It is for a professional business couple here in Greenville. They have no children and it would be mostly a PA/housekeeping/dogsitting/errands type of job. We have talked via email several times about what they are looking for, job duties, etc. I pretty much got to name my price and it was accepted - such an answer to prayer!! I told them that I was leaving this job primarily b/c of the amount of hours I have to work, and to cut down on hours, I can't afford to drop my pay, but when I gave him the number I was really looking for, it was accepted readily. I will be working 25-30 hours for MORE money than I'm making right now working 55-60 hours!! God is good!
I'm trying not to hold my breath quite yet (doesnt seem to be working) b/c it isn't set in stone yet. Jay and I are going to meet them for lunch next Friday on my day off to talk about it all. They are also willing to take out SSI and taxes if I wish. I truly hope it works out - this could be a dream job for me. If we did have an "oops" before we plan to have babies, I could take him/her with me. I could probably do that with this job as well, but it would make the job itself twice as hard and my days even longer. I want to be able to stay home when we have babies, but right now it wouldn't be possible........why must money be so necessary?
So things are looking up - God is still God and is still good, no matter the outcome of this job situation. My biggest fear is the "I have to quit" conversation b/c I have NO idea what the response will be. I know that less hours here is not an option, so I really have no choice but to leave. Pray for this job situation - if it is where I am supposed to be, the door will open and I will have the right words to say to all involved.
On another note, I slept GREAT last night!! After we ate dinner, we put all the big dogs to bed for the night and shut their door, then brought out the puppies into the living room. Jay wanted to try "tracking" with them. It was a joke - all they did was sniff around the room and climb on us. I think he was a little discouraged, but I reminded they ARE only 5 weeks old, and this was the first time they've ever really had the chance to explore anything. They've been in a little 2x10 dog run their whole 5 weeks, then in a playpen for the last 24 hours - they want some freedom to roam. Bella did track the treat pretty well toward the end though - I think that made him feel better. The boys were useless though - just wanted to play.
We slept in the guest room last night so we wouldn't have to listen to Sam wailing all night long for someone to come pick him up. There's no fan in the guest room like we have in the master, so I was hot for awhile, but I still fell asleep fast. I was soooooooo tired from not having slept the night before. Jay fed them at 9:30 (I was already OUT) and then got up again to feed them at 1:30. Then I fed them again at 6:30 when I got up for work. It was very different sleeping on a double bed when we're used to that huge king bed -- hopefully Sam learns quickly to go back to sleep after eating, so we can move back to our bed. I feel so much better today after some sleep!
.......I got a job offer yesterday. It is for a professional business couple here in Greenville. They have no children and it would be mostly a PA/housekeeping/dogsitting/errands type of job. We have talked via email several times about what they are looking for, job duties, etc. I pretty much got to name my price and it was accepted - such an answer to prayer!! I told them that I was leaving this job primarily b/c of the amount of hours I have to work, and to cut down on hours, I can't afford to drop my pay, but when I gave him the number I was really looking for, it was accepted readily. I will be working 25-30 hours for MORE money than I'm making right now working 55-60 hours!! God is good!
I'm trying not to hold my breath quite yet (doesnt seem to be working) b/c it isn't set in stone yet. Jay and I are going to meet them for lunch next Friday on my day off to talk about it all. They are also willing to take out SSI and taxes if I wish. I truly hope it works out - this could be a dream job for me. If we did have an "oops" before we plan to have babies, I could take him/her with me. I could probably do that with this job as well, but it would make the job itself twice as hard and my days even longer. I want to be able to stay home when we have babies, but right now it wouldn't be possible........why must money be so necessary?
So things are looking up - God is still God and is still good, no matter the outcome of this job situation. My biggest fear is the "I have to quit" conversation b/c I have NO idea what the response will be. I know that less hours here is not an option, so I really have no choice but to leave. Pray for this job situation - if it is where I am supposed to be, the door will open and I will have the right words to say to all involved.
On another note, I slept GREAT last night!! After we ate dinner, we put all the big dogs to bed for the night and shut their door, then brought out the puppies into the living room. Jay wanted to try "tracking" with them. It was a joke - all they did was sniff around the room and climb on us. I think he was a little discouraged, but I reminded they ARE only 5 weeks old, and this was the first time they've ever really had the chance to explore anything. They've been in a little 2x10 dog run their whole 5 weeks, then in a playpen for the last 24 hours - they want some freedom to roam. Bella did track the treat pretty well toward the end though - I think that made him feel better. The boys were useless though - just wanted to play.
We slept in the guest room last night so we wouldn't have to listen to Sam wailing all night long for someone to come pick him up. There's no fan in the guest room like we have in the master, so I was hot for awhile, but I still fell asleep fast. I was soooooooo tired from not having slept the night before. Jay fed them at 9:30 (I was already OUT) and then got up again to feed them at 1:30. Then I fed them again at 6:30 when I got up for work. It was very different sleeping on a double bed when we're used to that huge king bed -- hopefully Sam learns quickly to go back to sleep after eating, so we can move back to our bed. I feel so much better today after some sleep!
Monday, December 1, 2008
December 1, 2008
I cannot believe it is already December!! I know I say a hundred times how fast this year has flown by, but it truly has. So much has happened this year that will remain wonderful memories for us as the years go on, and I'm only beginning to realize how much time flies when you're an adult. The carefree days of childhood are gone and you have to start making your own decisions and being responsible. And I love it.
This weekend was just what I needed - relaxing and quiet, and a slightly longer amount of time before I had to come back to work. Work.....ugh.
On Saturday, I gave Jay a haircut....all those gorgeous curls are gone. BUT ---- at least his head isn't shaved. He knew exactly how he wanted it and I (imagine this) actually cut it the right way. Usually I notch out a section and it looks awful, or make the bangs too short or whatever. I could never be a hairdresser, lol. Anyway, I cut his hair and it looks SOOOOO sexy - I love it more than any other haircut he's ever had. And that says a lot - I loved those curls.
Anyway, before I get off on a tangent there that nobody else wants to read about, I'll go on. After I cut his hair, I snatched Gavin into the bathtub to shave him down. Now, anyone who's ever had the pleasure of meeting Gavin just once in their lifetime knows this is no easy feat. Gavin is quick as lighting and when he decides he doesnt want to do something, there is no making him do it. I was able to hold him in the tub and cut maybe 3/8 of his fur, but he'd had enough and took off and there was no returning him to the tub.....at least not that day. His back half looks good though. =) I'll get the front half next weekend, lol. I was going to cut Baylee's as well; hers actually needs it more than his, but if he sees/hears the clippers come out before you actually catch him for his own cut, you can forget it. He'll never let you do it then. It took all day just to do that much.
So end of that saga.....more furcuts next weekend. On Sunday we went to church and then to Mom and Dad's for the usual Sunday lunch together. Sunday's sermon was so-so, not nearly as good as last week's.....I love the message but I think there were parts that were confusing to a lot of ppl and perhaps could have been worded differently. I do love that church though. My mom was telling me about someone she saw this weekend mentioning how she often saw us (my brothers and I) at church (meaning Southside) and Mom was like, "well, Gina and Jay haven't been to Southside in almost a year" ---- just goes to show ya, ain't nobody noticing who's there and who's not. Thanks, SF!
Here comes the good part. We went to look at some beagle puppies that are owned by a friend of Jay's that he hunts with every weekend. I have been planning to get Jay three puppies for his birthday in January, but, come to find out, the puppies are old enough to go now and will be too old by the end of January to start training. So......we came home with three puppies. Totally unexpected and unplanned. He picked two little boys out of one litter and one little girl from another, so one day he can breed them as they get older. The little girl, Bella, is 6 weeks old and SUCH a sweetheart! She was so quiet and shy for the majority of the afternoon, just hid in my jacket and wouldn't come out for anyone, but by the time they were all together in the pack'n'play last night, she turned out to be a rough and tumble little girl.....who bites hard.
The little boys, Henry and Sam, are 5 weeks old. I was surprised we were able to take them, as 5 weeks is really young to leave, but they're all eating solids very well. Henry is a real sweetheart who loves to cuddle and play quietly. Sam......is going to be trouble. He does not sleep unless someone is holding him. Instead, he sits at the corner of the playpen and whines/cries/bays/you-name-it, until someone picks him up. I was up ALL night, and when I say all night, I do mean ALL night. I didn't sleep at all. Since we are both gone 12 hours a day, we've turned their schedules around and make the day-hours their "nighttime" - meaning they get all their meals at night while we're sleeping. So I got up to feed them at 10:30 and again at 2:30, and in between those feedings, Sam cried until I held him. As soon as I put him back in the playpen in his bed with the other sleeping two, he would wake up and start again.....waking the other two.
So all night long that is what I did - feed, clean up poopy paper and pee paper, wipe their feet, put them in the potty box whenever they started to pee/poop elsewhere, and hold Sam. Bella and Henry are already getting the idea that they only potty in the box. Bella is perfect at it, Henry gets it most of the time. Sam.........no clue. I told Jay that this one is going to be trouble......the beagle that runs the deer and not the rabbit, lol.
But he loves those puppies already. He was so happy to get them (even though it was 2 months early) and tonight it's HIS night to get up and feed them. Ha! I'm sleeping tonight!!!
This weekend was just what I needed - relaxing and quiet, and a slightly longer amount of time before I had to come back to work. Work.....ugh.
On Saturday, I gave Jay a haircut....all those gorgeous curls are gone. BUT ---- at least his head isn't shaved. He knew exactly how he wanted it and I (imagine this) actually cut it the right way. Usually I notch out a section and it looks awful, or make the bangs too short or whatever. I could never be a hairdresser, lol. Anyway, I cut his hair and it looks SOOOOO sexy - I love it more than any other haircut he's ever had. And that says a lot - I loved those curls.
Anyway, before I get off on a tangent there that nobody else wants to read about, I'll go on. After I cut his hair, I snatched Gavin into the bathtub to shave him down. Now, anyone who's ever had the pleasure of meeting Gavin just once in their lifetime knows this is no easy feat. Gavin is quick as lighting and when he decides he doesnt want to do something, there is no making him do it. I was able to hold him in the tub and cut maybe 3/8 of his fur, but he'd had enough and took off and there was no returning him to the tub.....at least not that day. His back half looks good though. =) I'll get the front half next weekend, lol. I was going to cut Baylee's as well; hers actually needs it more than his, but if he sees/hears the clippers come out before you actually catch him for his own cut, you can forget it. He'll never let you do it then. It took all day just to do that much.
So end of that saga.....more furcuts next weekend. On Sunday we went to church and then to Mom and Dad's for the usual Sunday lunch together. Sunday's sermon was so-so, not nearly as good as last week's.....I love the message but I think there were parts that were confusing to a lot of ppl and perhaps could have been worded differently. I do love that church though. My mom was telling me about someone she saw this weekend mentioning how she often saw us (my brothers and I) at church (meaning Southside) and Mom was like, "well, Gina and Jay haven't been to Southside in almost a year" ---- just goes to show ya, ain't nobody noticing who's there and who's not. Thanks, SF!
Here comes the good part. We went to look at some beagle puppies that are owned by a friend of Jay's that he hunts with every weekend. I have been planning to get Jay three puppies for his birthday in January, but, come to find out, the puppies are old enough to go now and will be too old by the end of January to start training. So......we came home with three puppies. Totally unexpected and unplanned. He picked two little boys out of one litter and one little girl from another, so one day he can breed them as they get older. The little girl, Bella, is 6 weeks old and SUCH a sweetheart! She was so quiet and shy for the majority of the afternoon, just hid in my jacket and wouldn't come out for anyone, but by the time they were all together in the pack'n'play last night, she turned out to be a rough and tumble little girl.....who bites hard.
The little boys, Henry and Sam, are 5 weeks old. I was surprised we were able to take them, as 5 weeks is really young to leave, but they're all eating solids very well. Henry is a real sweetheart who loves to cuddle and play quietly. Sam......is going to be trouble. He does not sleep unless someone is holding him. Instead, he sits at the corner of the playpen and whines/cries/bays/you-name-it, until someone picks him up. I was up ALL night, and when I say all night, I do mean ALL night. I didn't sleep at all. Since we are both gone 12 hours a day, we've turned their schedules around and make the day-hours their "nighttime" - meaning they get all their meals at night while we're sleeping. So I got up to feed them at 10:30 and again at 2:30, and in between those feedings, Sam cried until I held him. As soon as I put him back in the playpen in his bed with the other sleeping two, he would wake up and start again.....waking the other two.
So all night long that is what I did - feed, clean up poopy paper and pee paper, wipe their feet, put them in the potty box whenever they started to pee/poop elsewhere, and hold Sam. Bella and Henry are already getting the idea that they only potty in the box. Bella is perfect at it, Henry gets it most of the time. Sam.........no clue. I told Jay that this one is going to be trouble......the beagle that runs the deer and not the rabbit, lol.
But he loves those puppies already. He was so happy to get them (even though it was 2 months early) and tonight it's HIS night to get up and feed them. Ha! I'm sleeping tonight!!!
Friday, November 28, 2008
November 28, 2008
Looking back on all the jobs I've ever had - I think this might be the first time I've ever had to work on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Not that I wish to go shopping - I am not a big shopper, partially b/c I believe that just b/c you have the money, you shouldn't necessarily spend it. I dont care how good the "deals" are - somewhere down the line, that stuff has been marked up and then down a little so you think you're getting a FANTASTIC deal on something you really don't need in the first place - they're still making their money. I've learned over the years that if I buy something b/c it was a great deal and I spent the money I really didn't need to in the first place, something will always come up where I will need that money and I'll wish I hadn't spent it so foolishly. Hence I do not shop on Black Friday, or any other day if it's not something we don't HAVE to have. Good luck to those of you who went out in the middle of the night. =)
Last night was fun - dinner at my aunt's house. There were about 20 ppl there and we had great food. We were both exhausted and left to go home at 7:15......were both sound asleep by 8:30, lol. The last two weeks we've both been asleep by 9:00 at the latest and it's really helped both of us get through our days. It's just so hard when you're both working 11-12 hour days and not going to bed until 11pm and having to get up at 4am and 6am. I will be SO glad to go back to PT work - I cannot wait!
Last night was fun - dinner at my aunt's house. There were about 20 ppl there and we had great food. We were both exhausted and left to go home at 7:15......were both sound asleep by 8:30, lol. The last two weeks we've both been asleep by 9:00 at the latest and it's really helped both of us get through our days. It's just so hard when you're both working 11-12 hour days and not going to bed until 11pm and having to get up at 4am and 6am. I will be SO glad to go back to PT work - I cannot wait!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
November 27, 2008
Things I am thankful for today:
- my salvation - I know Christ has taken the many sins of my heart and wiped my slate clean and there is nothing I could ever do to earn that, it's simply a gift to accept and I want to always live my life as a testament of His love.
- my sweetheart husband, who has made all my dreams come true. He works so hard to provide well for us, and he is always showing the true meaning of unconditional love. He accepts me despite my hundreds and flaws and never goes a day without telling me how much he loves me.
- our awesome new church, where we both feel so welcome and at home
- my wonderful mom - one of my best friends and someone I couldn't live without
- my great friends, you guys keep me laughing and sane on those days I just want to scream (you know the ones I'm talking about, lol)
- the fact that I have a job, even though I really don't enjoy it - in this day, it's a blessing just to HAVE a job
- my dogs (go ahead and laugh if you wish); they are always happy to see me, even if i've just locked them in crates for the entire night, lol
-our happy home - I've come to realize how many ppl do not have furnished homes or even homes, or even food, and I am grateful we are able to live a normal life and be happy
- the hopes of our future together - our future children, who I can't wait to meet one day.
Today is a day when I really want to reflect on the things I take for granted every day. These are just a handful of the things I have to be grateful for.
Tonight we're going to my aunt's house for Thanksgiving dinner and I'm looking forward to it. Jay gets off work in less than an hour and will be home by 12:45 and I can't wait to see him and spend time with him. I've spent the last two days deep-cleaning the house and getting a few Christmas decorations out......more or less just to kill time.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
- my salvation - I know Christ has taken the many sins of my heart and wiped my slate clean and there is nothing I could ever do to earn that, it's simply a gift to accept and I want to always live my life as a testament of His love.
- my sweetheart husband, who has made all my dreams come true. He works so hard to provide well for us, and he is always showing the true meaning of unconditional love. He accepts me despite my hundreds and flaws and never goes a day without telling me how much he loves me.
- our awesome new church, where we both feel so welcome and at home
- my wonderful mom - one of my best friends and someone I couldn't live without
- my great friends, you guys keep me laughing and sane on those days I just want to scream (you know the ones I'm talking about, lol)
- the fact that I have a job, even though I really don't enjoy it - in this day, it's a blessing just to HAVE a job
- my dogs (go ahead and laugh if you wish); they are always happy to see me, even if i've just locked them in crates for the entire night, lol
-our happy home - I've come to realize how many ppl do not have furnished homes or even homes, or even food, and I am grateful we are able to live a normal life and be happy
- the hopes of our future together - our future children, who I can't wait to meet one day.
Today is a day when I really want to reflect on the things I take for granted every day. These are just a handful of the things I have to be grateful for.
Tonight we're going to my aunt's house for Thanksgiving dinner and I'm looking forward to it. Jay gets off work in less than an hour and will be home by 12:45 and I can't wait to see him and spend time with him. I've spent the last two days deep-cleaning the house and getting a few Christmas decorations out......more or less just to kill time.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
November 25, 2008
One month until Christmas! Yay! Christmas is my favorite holiday for so many reasons. All the childhood memories of having sleepovers upstairs and still "believing" it was actually Santa carrying the gifts downstairs while we kids were supposedly sleeping, or peeking at the gifts "Santa" hid in the coat closet in the living room (sorry Mom and Dad - we knew the whole time!)
I'm counting the minutes on the clock until this day is over - I have 2 days off and then I am working a half-day on Friday. That will be a first for me.
I'm trying to be better about not complaining about so much. I know I have so much to be grateful for and my life really is wonderful - I just get easily frustrated, especially at work but I'm trying not to let things get to me so easily.
The sermon at our church (Calvary Baptist) this past Sunday was amazing - I was reminded of what it felt like to really be convicted. At our old church, I never heard a message that convicted me or made me really think about things, but this church is SO different. It's Baptist in the way my old church used to be, before they started worrying about stepping on ppl's toes. The pastor gave a really inspiring message and he is never afraid to lay it down, and that he did! It's made me really rethink a lot of things in my daily life and want to be better at it and be a better person.
I'm really looking forward to a couple of days off - I still feel like I need to rejuvenate and catch up on some rest (and some housecleaning!) and my weekends are so short I feel like I never get anything done. By the time Saturday gets here, I just want to relax and spend time with my hubby. On Sundays we're gone all day, so there's no relaxing then. Then Monday is here again and I'm usually in a bad mood for it. So tomorrow - I'm going to clean the house as good as I can so I feel better about it - including deep cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms. I actually enjoy cleaning, when I have the freedom to really take my time doing it. I wouldnt mind doing others' housecleaning (for a slight fee, of course!) when I have time.
On Thursday evening, we're having a big Thanksgiving dinner at my aunt's house - turkey and dressing and all the fixings. (I love it when ppl say that - fixings.) I'm making hashbrown casserole and some kind of dessert....I haven't decided what yet. I thought about making a cake to put in my new cake dish we got as a wedding present, but then I have to remember to bring it home........and then wash it. Sometimes not having a dishwasher really stinks. Jay offered to get me one last year but it would take up a lot of precious cabinet space and I can't afford to spare any with all the junk we have, lol.
Yesterday I mailed my application for the teacher aide position. I'm not holding my breath b/c I know how difficult it is to get those jobs - often they're already filled before they're even posted - it's just a legality to post it. I would love a job like that though - I could have the kind of hours I had at First Pres and still make the kind of money I make now and not be so exhausted and discouraged at the end of every day. Even if I don't get it, I'm going to continue looking for similar-type jobs, b/c I just cannot stay here. I cannot continue to work 50+ hour weeks.
It's almost 3:30.....another 2 hours (maybe less!) and I am FREEEEEEEEE for awhile. Can't wait!
I'm counting the minutes on the clock until this day is over - I have 2 days off and then I am working a half-day on Friday. That will be a first for me.
I'm trying to be better about not complaining about so much. I know I have so much to be grateful for and my life really is wonderful - I just get easily frustrated, especially at work but I'm trying not to let things get to me so easily.
The sermon at our church (Calvary Baptist) this past Sunday was amazing - I was reminded of what it felt like to really be convicted. At our old church, I never heard a message that convicted me or made me really think about things, but this church is SO different. It's Baptist in the way my old church used to be, before they started worrying about stepping on ppl's toes. The pastor gave a really inspiring message and he is never afraid to lay it down, and that he did! It's made me really rethink a lot of things in my daily life and want to be better at it and be a better person.
I'm really looking forward to a couple of days off - I still feel like I need to rejuvenate and catch up on some rest (and some housecleaning!) and my weekends are so short I feel like I never get anything done. By the time Saturday gets here, I just want to relax and spend time with my hubby. On Sundays we're gone all day, so there's no relaxing then. Then Monday is here again and I'm usually in a bad mood for it. So tomorrow - I'm going to clean the house as good as I can so I feel better about it - including deep cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms. I actually enjoy cleaning, when I have the freedom to really take my time doing it. I wouldnt mind doing others' housecleaning (for a slight fee, of course!) when I have time.
On Thursday evening, we're having a big Thanksgiving dinner at my aunt's house - turkey and dressing and all the fixings. (I love it when ppl say that - fixings.) I'm making hashbrown casserole and some kind of dessert....I haven't decided what yet. I thought about making a cake to put in my new cake dish we got as a wedding present, but then I have to remember to bring it home........and then wash it. Sometimes not having a dishwasher really stinks. Jay offered to get me one last year but it would take up a lot of precious cabinet space and I can't afford to spare any with all the junk we have, lol.
Yesterday I mailed my application for the teacher aide position. I'm not holding my breath b/c I know how difficult it is to get those jobs - often they're already filled before they're even posted - it's just a legality to post it. I would love a job like that though - I could have the kind of hours I had at First Pres and still make the kind of money I make now and not be so exhausted and discouraged at the end of every day. Even if I don't get it, I'm going to continue looking for similar-type jobs, b/c I just cannot stay here. I cannot continue to work 50+ hour weeks.
It's almost 3:30.....another 2 hours (maybe less!) and I am FREEEEEEEEE for awhile. Can't wait!
Friday, November 21, 2008
November 21, 2008
So right now I'm a little aggravated (what's new, right?) but for a different reason than usual. I have been collecting things for a family for several weeks and had planned to deliver some of it today when I took a food pounding box to them. I was to pick up the box at our old church and deliver it - I emailed about it two weeks ago and was promised it was mine to deliver - all the way up until this morning. I emailed about the time to pick up and was told someone else was delivering it instead - I was so pissed and I told her so. I explained the situation to her and her response was "well i'm sure they'll just enjoy the other stuff later and maybe next year we'll have better communication."
I hung up.
One of the main reasons we left that church was because of their "communication" or lack thereof. To prove my point, last week we received in the mail a brochure about how we could be "bettering" our tithe (ie: donations) to various parts of the church.
HELLO?!?!?!?!? We haven't even BEEN there in 6 months! Thanks for noticing - even when the letter from my new church arrived to say I was switching memberships. Did anyone even bother to call to ask why we left or be the slightest bit concerned that part of their church family was leaving?
No, of course not. They have 4,000 others to worry about and it's not important when they lose ppl. I really am very upset about the box thing b/c it was so important to me and I was promised and I'm sick and tired of ppl breaking their promises lately.
So.......makes me feel even more convinced we made the right decision in leaving. That church was not for us - it's too impersonal and nobody ever gets to know you on a personal basis.
Anyway, I'm glad it's Friday. Today I only have the baby and it's been nice. I went to the grocery store and got all the things for said-family (b/c I thought I was making a delivery this afternoon) and took it all to my house to box up (which is now not needed until later). Then I met Mom at SCS and tooled around for awhile. Everyone wanted to hold Allie and she screamed every time someone reached for her, lol.
Now we're back at the house and she's napping and I'm waiting for someone to get home so maybe I can leave a little early. I plan to go to the gym before I go home, and sometimes on Friday I can get off a little earlier than dark-thirty. Jay went fishing with my cousin this morning and is going deer-hunting this evening.
This weekend will be fun. Tomorrow night we're eating dinner with friends at their house. Tonight we were supposed to go a Sunday School Christmas dinner but......it's too expensive really and we would be late getting there anyway. So.....Jay went hunting and I'm going to the gym and then home to RELAX.
By the way, if anyone has any medium-large boxes they don't want anymore, I can use them to pack food in for this family. Thanks!
I hung up.
One of the main reasons we left that church was because of their "communication" or lack thereof. To prove my point, last week we received in the mail a brochure about how we could be "bettering" our tithe (ie: donations) to various parts of the church.
HELLO?!?!?!?!? We haven't even BEEN there in 6 months! Thanks for noticing - even when the letter from my new church arrived to say I was switching memberships. Did anyone even bother to call to ask why we left or be the slightest bit concerned that part of their church family was leaving?
No, of course not. They have 4,000 others to worry about and it's not important when they lose ppl. I really am very upset about the box thing b/c it was so important to me and I was promised and I'm sick and tired of ppl breaking their promises lately.
So.......makes me feel even more convinced we made the right decision in leaving. That church was not for us - it's too impersonal and nobody ever gets to know you on a personal basis.
Anyway, I'm glad it's Friday. Today I only have the baby and it's been nice. I went to the grocery store and got all the things for said-family (b/c I thought I was making a delivery this afternoon) and took it all to my house to box up (which is now not needed until later). Then I met Mom at SCS and tooled around for awhile. Everyone wanted to hold Allie and she screamed every time someone reached for her, lol.
Now we're back at the house and she's napping and I'm waiting for someone to get home so maybe I can leave a little early. I plan to go to the gym before I go home, and sometimes on Friday I can get off a little earlier than dark-thirty. Jay went fishing with my cousin this morning and is going deer-hunting this evening.
This weekend will be fun. Tomorrow night we're eating dinner with friends at their house. Tonight we were supposed to go a Sunday School Christmas dinner but......it's too expensive really and we would be late getting there anyway. So.....Jay went hunting and I'm going to the gym and then home to RELAX.
By the way, if anyone has any medium-large boxes they don't want anymore, I can use them to pack food in for this family. Thanks!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
November 19, 2008
I got some news yesterday that is all I have thought about since. There are job openings for teacher aides in Greenville County - they hire right after Christmas. The pay is the same as I make now and I would be working 8:30-2:30......half of what I work now.
I've debated for weeks on whether or not to job-search, simply b/c I did promise at least one year to this family. But on the other hand, several things were promised to me and they have either not been upheld or are no longer upheld. Last night was really the straw that broke the camel's back for me. We had important plans last night at 6:30 - plans we've been trying to make for weeks and keep having to cancel b/c of our schedules. Well......I didn't get to leave work until 6:20, so.....I had to cancel those plans AGAIN. And I'll be honest - I cried the whole way home b/c I was so frustrated and tired (and sick, that never helps). I'm so frustrated with not having any life at home b/c 80% of my time is spent at work. I'm not able to make personal appointments or dr appointments unless I take a day off and that's difficult and also unpaid, even though I am supposed to have five personal days.
Jay is so ready for me to get out of this job, b/c I come home so unhappy every day and I'm always tired......and crying, lol. I think he's running out of encouraging things to say. Some days I wonder if I'm not just being a big baby. The job really is super easy and laid-back - the only things that really bother me are the 10-11 hr days and the lack of discipline. I know lessening the hours is not an option, and it's taken me a long time to come to the realization that if I want to be happy in my job, I need to start looking for another one.
On that note, I have felt quite......like nesting....in the last couple of weeks. I'm not saying I'm ready for a baby, b/c the selfish part of me still wants to sleep all night and be able to do what we want to do when we want to do it, pick up and go, etc. But hopefully Jay will be hired on permanently at Cryovac at the beginning of the year and benefits will begin - I will rest easier then knowing we can take the maternity benefits just in case. He has said from the beginning of our marriage that if we end up pregnant before our "plan" then it wouldn't be a big deal - he would be happy about it - but I didn't feel the same way. I felt panicky about how we would provide for a baby, and where the heck we would even put a baby in this house anyway. But lately it's all seemed to melt away (my worries, that is) and if it happens, I'll be shocked for awhile, but it will be okay. I do really want to see what our children would look like (hopefully just like their daddy!) so.......if it happens, it happens. =)
I've debated for weeks on whether or not to job-search, simply b/c I did promise at least one year to this family. But on the other hand, several things were promised to me and they have either not been upheld or are no longer upheld. Last night was really the straw that broke the camel's back for me. We had important plans last night at 6:30 - plans we've been trying to make for weeks and keep having to cancel b/c of our schedules. Well......I didn't get to leave work until 6:20, so.....I had to cancel those plans AGAIN. And I'll be honest - I cried the whole way home b/c I was so frustrated and tired (and sick, that never helps). I'm so frustrated with not having any life at home b/c 80% of my time is spent at work. I'm not able to make personal appointments or dr appointments unless I take a day off and that's difficult and also unpaid, even though I am supposed to have five personal days.
Jay is so ready for me to get out of this job, b/c I come home so unhappy every day and I'm always tired......and crying, lol. I think he's running out of encouraging things to say. Some days I wonder if I'm not just being a big baby. The job really is super easy and laid-back - the only things that really bother me are the 10-11 hr days and the lack of discipline. I know lessening the hours is not an option, and it's taken me a long time to come to the realization that if I want to be happy in my job, I need to start looking for another one.
On that note, I have felt quite......like nesting....in the last couple of weeks. I'm not saying I'm ready for a baby, b/c the selfish part of me still wants to sleep all night and be able to do what we want to do when we want to do it, pick up and go, etc. But hopefully Jay will be hired on permanently at Cryovac at the beginning of the year and benefits will begin - I will rest easier then knowing we can take the maternity benefits just in case. He has said from the beginning of our marriage that if we end up pregnant before our "plan" then it wouldn't be a big deal - he would be happy about it - but I didn't feel the same way. I felt panicky about how we would provide for a baby, and where the heck we would even put a baby in this house anyway. But lately it's all seemed to melt away (my worries, that is) and if it happens, I'll be shocked for awhile, but it will be okay. I do really want to see what our children would look like (hopefully just like their daddy!) so.......if it happens, it happens. =)
Monday, November 17, 2008
November 17, 2008
This has felt like the shortest weekend ever! I woke up Saturday morning with a cold, so I started downing echinacea like candy in hopes of it going away. It's helped hold it at bay but I can tell it's still coming. Great. Though, I do have to say I've not gotten sick NEARLY as often here as I did at First Pres. I think I've really only gotten two colds in the almost ten months I've been at this job, and both I got from the baby. So I really can't complain - usually I pick up respiratory stuff and colds like crazy.
Anyway, I digressed; I was talking about how short this weekend was. Saturday we went to Hobby Lobby so Jay could get some things he needed to finish his brother's Christmas present. It looks AWESOME! He is so talented with building things. He has it about 90% finished now. I cleaned the kitchen (much needed - I just dont have time when I get home at 7pm every night) and wrapped some Christmas presents in the guest room.
On Sunday we skipped church (I know, heathens) b/c I really didn't feel too great. We lazed around until 11ish when we had to get ready and leave to eat lunch at my parents house. After that, Jay went out behind the house for deer-hunting and I helped Mom put up the Christmas tree. It's all I can do to not decorate for Christmas in October, lol - I'm always rushing it. But it was something to do.
At 5:30ish, I heard a gunshot and shrieked (with excitement) - he got one!! He called me about ten seconds later to bring him his flashlight and help him find it. We looked for blood drops for almost a half hour and then turned around to realize the thing was three feet behind us, lol. I almost stepped on it when I turned around (so I get credit for finding it, right?) He wasn't sure he had hit it since it was pretty much dark when he shot at it, but he definitely hit it - a gutshot. For those of you who don't know what that is - when you shoot and it hits anywhere in the stomach/intestinal area, all the insides blow up into each other and when you gut the thing - it REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKS. I'm still smelling whiffs of it this morning - after washing all the clothes, showering, etc. The remains are long gone - we disposed of those last night after we took it home and cut it up. The dogs went insane over it when we drove up and they started to smell it. We had a nice fight between Stinky and Gavin over who was going to get the ear that Stinky ripped off (such a loving household we own) -- turns out Gavin wins b/c he knows how to fight dirty and run faster.
Then I took it away and they were both unhappy. Bummer.
That was the extent of our weekend - it went by way too quickly and now another week is here and I still feel blah from this congestion. Just 8 more days until I get a small, but much-needed break for Thanksgiving. . I can't seem to catch up, so I really need those days to catch up.
Still thinking about job-hunting. Maybe after New Year's if Jay is hired on there permanently and his pay jumps up.
Anyway, I digressed; I was talking about how short this weekend was. Saturday we went to Hobby Lobby so Jay could get some things he needed to finish his brother's Christmas present. It looks AWESOME! He is so talented with building things. He has it about 90% finished now. I cleaned the kitchen (much needed - I just dont have time when I get home at 7pm every night) and wrapped some Christmas presents in the guest room.
On Sunday we skipped church (I know, heathens) b/c I really didn't feel too great. We lazed around until 11ish when we had to get ready and leave to eat lunch at my parents house. After that, Jay went out behind the house for deer-hunting and I helped Mom put up the Christmas tree. It's all I can do to not decorate for Christmas in October, lol - I'm always rushing it. But it was something to do.
At 5:30ish, I heard a gunshot and shrieked (with excitement) - he got one!! He called me about ten seconds later to bring him his flashlight and help him find it. We looked for blood drops for almost a half hour and then turned around to realize the thing was three feet behind us, lol. I almost stepped on it when I turned around (so I get credit for finding it, right?) He wasn't sure he had hit it since it was pretty much dark when he shot at it, but he definitely hit it - a gutshot. For those of you who don't know what that is - when you shoot and it hits anywhere in the stomach/intestinal area, all the insides blow up into each other and when you gut the thing - it REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKS. I'm still smelling whiffs of it this morning - after washing all the clothes, showering, etc. The remains are long gone - we disposed of those last night after we took it home and cut it up. The dogs went insane over it when we drove up and they started to smell it. We had a nice fight between Stinky and Gavin over who was going to get the ear that Stinky ripped off (such a loving household we own) -- turns out Gavin wins b/c he knows how to fight dirty and run faster.
Then I took it away and they were both unhappy. Bummer.
That was the extent of our weekend - it went by way too quickly and now another week is here and I still feel blah from this congestion. Just 8 more days until I get a small, but much-needed break for Thanksgiving. . I can't seem to catch up, so I really need those days to catch up.
Still thinking about job-hunting. Maybe after New Year's if Jay is hired on there permanently and his pay jumps up.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
November 10, 2008
Today is my sweet little Gavin's birthday! He is 5 years old today.....a day I wasn't sure we'd ever see due to the amount of crap/garbage he eats and still manages to digest. So happy birthday, my sweet furbaby!
This weekend was just the relaxing kind of time I needed.....to get away from work and daily routine. On Friday night my parents came over for dinner and that was fun - their first time eating at our house. We had shrimp scampi, baked potatoes, and salad.
Saturday we slept in and it was GREAT. I really needed a good sleep. Jay worked on the brakes on his truck pretty much all day. What should have been a 2-hr job turned into a 6-7 hr job b/c something wasn't going right and he had to make a couple trips to the hardware store. (I wont begin to try to explain what went wrong b/c I don't understand the first thing about it, lol.) We ate an early dinner (homemade lasagna) Saturday night and watched a couple movies that night, just relaxing.
Sunday we went to church, then to my parents for lunch. Then we (like crazy ppl) left for Bass Pro (in Atlanta) at 1:30p, when we had to be back for nursery duty at church at 6p. We made it to BP a little after 3p, and browsed for a half hour, then got back in the truck to come home. We made it though - pulled into the church parking lot at 5:57. I had a good time with the babies/toddlers, but he was uneasy the whole time. He said it feels really awkward when it's other ppl's kids, and he just wants to "learn" with our own kids instead. So now I have a whole month of Sunday night nursery duty to myself.......he's going to go hunting behind my parents' house on Sunday nights. That's okay though - we definitely have different interests at times and though we do a LOT of things together, we don't have to do everything together and if he doesnt like nursery, that's really okay. I do understand. =)
It sucked getting up for work this morning. Jay had to leave by 5am since he's on day shift for the next five weeks. Baylee was making such a fuss to be in the kitchen with him instead of the bedroom with me that I finally just got up, too. It was nice to spend a few minutes together before he had to go.......and it left me with two hours to kill before I had to leave for work. So I cleaned a little (can't resist!) and showered and just relaxed before I had to leave.
This weekend was just the relaxing kind of time I needed.....to get away from work and daily routine. On Friday night my parents came over for dinner and that was fun - their first time eating at our house. We had shrimp scampi, baked potatoes, and salad.
Saturday we slept in and it was GREAT. I really needed a good sleep. Jay worked on the brakes on his truck pretty much all day. What should have been a 2-hr job turned into a 6-7 hr job b/c something wasn't going right and he had to make a couple trips to the hardware store. (I wont begin to try to explain what went wrong b/c I don't understand the first thing about it, lol.) We ate an early dinner (homemade lasagna) Saturday night and watched a couple movies that night, just relaxing.
Sunday we went to church, then to my parents for lunch. Then we (like crazy ppl) left for Bass Pro (in Atlanta) at 1:30p, when we had to be back for nursery duty at church at 6p. We made it to BP a little after 3p, and browsed for a half hour, then got back in the truck to come home. We made it though - pulled into the church parking lot at 5:57. I had a good time with the babies/toddlers, but he was uneasy the whole time. He said it feels really awkward when it's other ppl's kids, and he just wants to "learn" with our own kids instead. So now I have a whole month of Sunday night nursery duty to myself.......he's going to go hunting behind my parents' house on Sunday nights. That's okay though - we definitely have different interests at times and though we do a LOT of things together, we don't have to do everything together and if he doesnt like nursery, that's really okay. I do understand. =)
It sucked getting up for work this morning. Jay had to leave by 5am since he's on day shift for the next five weeks. Baylee was making such a fuss to be in the kitchen with him instead of the bedroom with me that I finally just got up, too. It was nice to spend a few minutes together before he had to go.......and it left me with two hours to kill before I had to leave for work. So I cleaned a little (can't resist!) and showered and just relaxed before I had to leave.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
November 5, 2008
Jay starts on the day shift next Monday, for his job training for his new position (praise the Lord for that opening so quickly!!) He will be on day shift, 6a-6p, for five weeks. Just long enough for us to get into a "normal" work routine before it all changes again right at Christmas time. But I'm grateful for the promotion and for the 5 weeks of evenings we'll get together. =)
My dad does not have diverticulitis, so it seems. For the last three months or so, he's had a lot of stomach pains and for the last few weeks, his dr has had him on massive antibiotics to fight an infection that was never there...... Same dr's office that misdiagnosed Tim with "muscle pain" almost four years ago. I'm not feeling much comfort in that office anymore.... So dad is going to another specialist to see if they can find out the cause of his pain. **prayer**
I'm trying to upload some of my wedding pictures on Facebook and I'm having to do 5 at a time.....seems this may take awhile, lol.
I'll end this by saying I dont want to talk about the election choice b/c everyone is and I'm tired of hearing about it. We're already screwed.....it's just a matter of time until he is assassinated and we are left with the village idiot to lead us. Good times.
My dad does not have diverticulitis, so it seems. For the last three months or so, he's had a lot of stomach pains and for the last few weeks, his dr has had him on massive antibiotics to fight an infection that was never there...... Same dr's office that misdiagnosed Tim with "muscle pain" almost four years ago. I'm not feeling much comfort in that office anymore.... So dad is going to another specialist to see if they can find out the cause of his pain. **prayer**
I'm trying to upload some of my wedding pictures on Facebook and I'm having to do 5 at a time.....seems this may take awhile, lol.
I'll end this by saying I dont want to talk about the election choice b/c everyone is and I'm tired of hearing about it. We're already screwed.....it's just a matter of time until he is assassinated and we are left with the village idiot to lead us. Good times.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Several things to say in this post. Firstly, I have the most amazing husband in the world. He got home at 6:30 this morning after working a 12 hour shift and the first thing he did was check out my car. It's been having transmission (uh-oh) issues for a few weeks and went bonkers on me last night when I supposed to be on my way to church for nursery. I got one mile down the road and it started acting up more than usual, so I had to go back home. He checked out the engine and drove it for awhile......it's going to have be checked out by a mechanic, probably. Great - a couple hundred bucks we don't really have. Hopefully it's not something huge.....like a new transmission.
Secondly - I saw the DUMBEST commercial last night and I couldnt stop laughing. Check out www.getsnugglie.com to see the product - it's supposed to another version of a blanket - with sleeves so you don't have to take your arms out from under your blanket to answer the phone (heaven forbid). It's so dumb - why don't you either turn up the heat or....gasp....put on a jacket? I cant believe people actually try to market such ridiculous things, and furthermore, surely people don't buy those?
This weekend was so nice - relaxing.....I didnt even get out my pjs on Saturday. I cleaned the house while Jay was at work, stayed up super-late so I could talk to him on his break at 2:30 (yes, a.m.), then we both slept in until almost 3pm. I love relaxing days like that. And believe it or not, I was actually not devastated to get up for work this morning. Shocking, I know.
18 work days until Thanksgiving!!!
Secondly - I saw the DUMBEST commercial last night and I couldnt stop laughing. Check out www.getsnugglie.com to see the product - it's supposed to another version of a blanket - with sleeves so you don't have to take your arms out from under your blanket to answer the phone (heaven forbid). It's so dumb - why don't you either turn up the heat or....gasp....put on a jacket? I cant believe people actually try to market such ridiculous things, and furthermore, surely people don't buy those?
This weekend was so nice - relaxing.....I didnt even get out my pjs on Saturday. I cleaned the house while Jay was at work, stayed up super-late so I could talk to him on his break at 2:30 (yes, a.m.), then we both slept in until almost 3pm. I love relaxing days like that. And believe it or not, I was actually not devastated to get up for work this morning. Shocking, I know.
18 work days until Thanksgiving!!!
Friday, October 31, 2008
October 31, 2008
Hard to believe October is over.....November is here tomorrow! We've been married four weeks tomorrow.....it's really flown by.
This has been a hard week for me - really long. Last night I cried for an hour thinking about how "stuck" I feel in this job. The last two weeks I've been here until at least 6pm, if not later, and I feel like I have no life anymore. I enjoy some of the perks of this job, such as freedom and being able to run my errands pretty much whenever I need do, but at the same time, I miss having a life in the evenings. Practically every time we make plans with friends, I don't get off work in time and we have to rearrange our plans or change them to another night, which sucks. I'm supposed to be out of here at 5:30, which is enough time to get home and get ready for evening plans, but when I'm still here at 6:30 with no idea of when I'm going to get to leave, it's frustrating for me and the ppl I have to keep calling to say "I have no idea when I'll be out of here...." Sometimes I really feel like I just have to catch the crap that falls here - if they stay late at work or leave at 4:30 for something, I'm just stuck here until somebody gets home to let me go.
Last night I was ready to come in today and say I quit - I can't do this anymore - I'm so burnt out with other ppl's kids.....but my sweet husband said to give it one more day and really pray for patience and understanding, and today has been better and I DO feel better. I have considered trying to find a part time, or at least not 55 hrs/wk, different nanny job but it's a scary thought to try to change jobs when I'm (for the most part) comfortable with this family.
I've considered a lot of things, and talked them out with Jay, and he has been SO wonderful - always says he will back me up no matter what I decide to do. =)
This has been a hard week for me - really long. Last night I cried for an hour thinking about how "stuck" I feel in this job. The last two weeks I've been here until at least 6pm, if not later, and I feel like I have no life anymore. I enjoy some of the perks of this job, such as freedom and being able to run my errands pretty much whenever I need do, but at the same time, I miss having a life in the evenings. Practically every time we make plans with friends, I don't get off work in time and we have to rearrange our plans or change them to another night, which sucks. I'm supposed to be out of here at 5:30, which is enough time to get home and get ready for evening plans, but when I'm still here at 6:30 with no idea of when I'm going to get to leave, it's frustrating for me and the ppl I have to keep calling to say "I have no idea when I'll be out of here...." Sometimes I really feel like I just have to catch the crap that falls here - if they stay late at work or leave at 4:30 for something, I'm just stuck here until somebody gets home to let me go.
Last night I was ready to come in today and say I quit - I can't do this anymore - I'm so burnt out with other ppl's kids.....but my sweet husband said to give it one more day and really pray for patience and understanding, and today has been better and I DO feel better. I have considered trying to find a part time, or at least not 55 hrs/wk, different nanny job but it's a scary thought to try to change jobs when I'm (for the most part) comfortable with this family.
I've considered a lot of things, and talked them out with Jay, and he has been SO wonderful - always says he will back me up no matter what I decide to do. =)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
October 29, 2008
Lately I've really been wanting to find a job I can do from home. The 55+ hrs every week of this job and the daily grind of it are really starting to get to me. Last week I was here until 6:30 every single night - I'm spending over 11 hours a day here - and it's just really starting to take its toll on me. But there really aren't many, if any, legitimate jobs you can do from home that bring in that much money. Once we get our debts paid off, I'm going to try to get back into First Pres.
This week has been so slow - long and slow. I cant wait to have Thanksgiving day off, and hopefully the day after, but I dont know about that one yet. I'm going to ask for a couple days at Christmas so I just RELAX.
This week has been so slow - long and slow. I cant wait to have Thanksgiving day off, and hopefully the day after, but I dont know about that one yet. I'm going to ask for a couple days at Christmas so I just RELAX.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
October 26, 2008
What a weekend!! I was expecting it to be boring and not-fun (lol) b/c Jay was going to hunt all day yesterday, but since it rained......not so!
Friday night we went to dinner with friends and had a good time.....it amazes me the differences in relationships. This marriage will be lucky to make it five years if he doesnt grow a pair and tell her where to put it sometimes. She is awful to him and he just takes it all. Sheesh.
Anyhoo, Saturday we spent lazing around and watching movies - the best kind of rainy day. We went by the OTC yard sale to say hey for awhile, and had planned to go to a movie after lunch, but couldn't find one that really looked good. So we went home and ordered one from DishNetwork - "Baby Mama." It was pretty funny but not like I had thought it would be......
Today we went to church for the first time in 6 weeks (lol) - it felt great to be back and everyone was glad we were back. Such a difference between Calvary and Southside --- nobody at Southside has even mentioned we've been gone and it's been.........6 mos??
We ate lunch with my parents and played the Wii for awhile before coming home - Jay was up at 3am (his work schedule has his sleep schedule so screwed up) and he was exhausted. So he's napping on the couch for a couple hours while I write this and get some things ready for our "cookout" tonight. A friend of his from Florida is supposed to be here around 9ish to stay the night before driving on to Ohio tomorrow. I didn't get to meet this friend at the wedding so I'm looking forward to it. We're cooking hobo dinners in the campfire out in the woods behind the house!!
Not really looking forward to work tomorrow, but then I rarely do. Mondays always suck. My next break will be Thanksgiving and I dont know if I get the Friday off as well......31 days til Thanksgiving!
Friday night we went to dinner with friends and had a good time.....it amazes me the differences in relationships. This marriage will be lucky to make it five years if he doesnt grow a pair and tell her where to put it sometimes. She is awful to him and he just takes it all. Sheesh.
Anyhoo, Saturday we spent lazing around and watching movies - the best kind of rainy day. We went by the OTC yard sale to say hey for awhile, and had planned to go to a movie after lunch, but couldn't find one that really looked good. So we went home and ordered one from DishNetwork - "Baby Mama." It was pretty funny but not like I had thought it would be......
Today we went to church for the first time in 6 weeks (lol) - it felt great to be back and everyone was glad we were back. Such a difference between Calvary and Southside --- nobody at Southside has even mentioned we've been gone and it's been.........6 mos??
We ate lunch with my parents and played the Wii for awhile before coming home - Jay was up at 3am (his work schedule has his sleep schedule so screwed up) and he was exhausted. So he's napping on the couch for a couple hours while I write this and get some things ready for our "cookout" tonight. A friend of his from Florida is supposed to be here around 9ish to stay the night before driving on to Ohio tomorrow. I didn't get to meet this friend at the wedding so I'm looking forward to it. We're cooking hobo dinners in the campfire out in the woods behind the house!!
Not really looking forward to work tomorrow, but then I rarely do. Mondays always suck. My next break will be Thanksgiving and I dont know if I get the Friday off as well......31 days til Thanksgiving!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
October 23, 2008
This week is just draaaaaaaagging by. I'm looking forward to getting off early tomorrow but at the same time, afraid to hold my breath that I won't be able to. It's been nearly 6:30 every day this week before I've gotten to leave and it SUCKS b/c this was Jay's short work week and I wanted to be home with him, not at work. Go figure. So hopefully the promise will be fulfilled tomorrow and I'll be able to leave around 2pm.
I had a great time last night - Jessica came over for dinner. We grilled chicken and made fries and watched the first game of series (bummed the Rays didn't win.....I really hate the Phillies) and had fun girl talk. I really miss Jay when he's at work and it gets lonely some evenings by myself, so it was fun to get together.
Not much to say today, I guess. Same ol', same ol' this week. =)
I had a great time last night - Jessica came over for dinner. We grilled chicken and made fries and watched the first game of series (bummed the Rays didn't win.....I really hate the Phillies) and had fun girl talk. I really miss Jay when he's at work and it gets lonely some evenings by myself, so it was fun to get together.
Not much to say today, I guess. Same ol', same ol' this week. =)
Monday, October 20, 2008
October 20, 2008
Been a few days....
I went to the DMV this morning to get my new license with my married name - the last big thing I had to to get it all changed over. I expected a long wait with both kids so I was prepared - coloring paper and gel pens (his favorite of mine) for him to color with while we waited; my car keys for her - all it takes to quiet her in even the worst tantrum - car keys. Whatever works. And go figure - we were in/out of there in ten minutes and both of them were perfectly fine. And now I have a drivers license with Miller instead of Adams and I LOVE it. =)
I was disappointed last night that my RedSox sucked. I thought the first three innings were great and maybe they were going to pull this off..............I thought too soon. It was just embarrassing to watch and I fell asleep in the 8th.....woke up in the 9th when Chip Caray was screaming (just like his dad and grand-dad used to do...) about the Rays going to the World Series. And I thought, "I'm gonna hear it from my brother-in-law" since we've had this ongoing "argument" (for fun) for the last two weeks about the Sox and the Rays. He loves the Rays since he's from FL, and I love Boston (simply b/c they have Jonathan Papelbon and the man can freakin' pitch). Two minutes later my phone starts ringing...............yep, he can't even wait until morning to rub it in, lol. Now I'm deciding if I want to root for the NL or the AL in the Series. I don't like the Rays necessarily, but I truly hate the Phillies b/c they (and their fans) are very rude.
The reunion was fun on Saturday - got to see some family I was hoping would come to the wedding, but didn't. We were kinda surprised in looking back at the guest list to those who had said they were coming and never showed up. But, I hung out there for a few hours before I had to leave for home. I was Jay's alarm clock to get up before work that evening. I brought him some food (Bucky's) we'd eaten for lunch - his favorite. =)
Guess that's it for now.
I went to the DMV this morning to get my new license with my married name - the last big thing I had to to get it all changed over. I expected a long wait with both kids so I was prepared - coloring paper and gel pens (his favorite of mine) for him to color with while we waited; my car keys for her - all it takes to quiet her in even the worst tantrum - car keys. Whatever works. And go figure - we were in/out of there in ten minutes and both of them were perfectly fine. And now I have a drivers license with Miller instead of Adams and I LOVE it. =)
I was disappointed last night that my RedSox sucked. I thought the first three innings were great and maybe they were going to pull this off..............I thought too soon. It was just embarrassing to watch and I fell asleep in the 8th.....woke up in the 9th when Chip Caray was screaming (just like his dad and grand-dad used to do...) about the Rays going to the World Series. And I thought, "I'm gonna hear it from my brother-in-law" since we've had this ongoing "argument" (for fun) for the last two weeks about the Sox and the Rays. He loves the Rays since he's from FL, and I love Boston (simply b/c they have Jonathan Papelbon and the man can freakin' pitch). Two minutes later my phone starts ringing...............yep, he can't even wait until morning to rub it in, lol. Now I'm deciding if I want to root for the NL or the AL in the Series. I don't like the Rays necessarily, but I truly hate the Phillies b/c they (and their fans) are very rude.
The reunion was fun on Saturday - got to see some family I was hoping would come to the wedding, but didn't. We were kinda surprised in looking back at the guest list to those who had said they were coming and never showed up. But, I hung out there for a few hours before I had to leave for home. I was Jay's alarm clock to get up before work that evening. I brought him some food (Bucky's) we'd eaten for lunch - his favorite. =)
Guess that's it for now.
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