A Raise...yet one I have to work for! Literally!

So after making it very clear to the bosses son on Friday I was no impressed with the high amount of $$ we are paying new people, I was called in yesterday and informed I was getting a pay raise because they appreciate my time that i have put in and my dedication to the company. I also made it clear to my boss that I may have a time in the future where I will need to come in late every other day for a few weeks to have bloodwork and u/s done. And that I appreciate what they have done, however, I understand if they want to move me to hourly and I will take those hours without pay. He told me that the company will pay me no matter how many hours I need to take off during that period and thanked me for being upfront with him over this situation and I still get my raise.

I seriously think they want me to work for my raise. Today I found out at 4:30 that I had to have a presentation ready for my boss by 8 a.m. tomorrow. So here I sit at home working on a presentation so I can get it emailed by 10 p.m. tonight. Yeehaw!!!!

Go Big or Go Home

I swear that's my husband's philosophy in life. I wanted a real swimming pool this year and I got enough in my annual bonus to buy one. We are big on not aquiring debt for a hobby or entertainment purposes. Well I wanted a 21' or an 18' and he ordered the 24' round pool. 15,000 gallons of pure summer entertainment. He surprised me tuesday when I was golfing and had it installed so it's installed and completely full and it's FREAKING HUGE!!!! I swear I may need to telephathically connect to the person on the other side of it. I am calling it the big white elephant of the back yard. lol.

It's a good thing we paid to have it installed because although we love each other very much, construction projects are not our strong suit together. Last night we put the ladder together and in the pool, it took us 2 HOURS to install just the ladder. And patience was very thin by that time! Now I just need the sunshine to enjoy it. Come ON SUNSHINE!!! :)

Post-Op Appt.

I had my post-op appointment on Monday after my surgery. I had a feeling I knew what they were going to tell me but I had never let on to anyone. I have endometriosis and I have 2 blocked tubes that are unable to be unblocked. I have a 5% chance of conceiving without medical assistance. The dr. bascially said that you can do what you want and wait but you wouldn't quit your job today, planning on winning the lottery tonight.

So I have an appointment with an RE in Cleveland on July 14th to see what my options are and what the costs will be. We know it will be costly but we are willing to see what it's all about.

There are a few people at work that know what we are planning on doing. Most people are very understanding. I don't want alot of people to know because I don't want to be "that" person. The one that people feel sorry for. And frankly I don't want to hear everyone's opinion. I had one coworker the other day tell me that what I am looking into is "unethical." Well there are a lot worse things I could be doing than this!!! Unethical?? Kiss my big butt!!!

Nervous

Tomorrow I get the results of my sonogram I had last week and I'm a little nervous. So nervous I took the whole day off work because I didn't really want to go back if i get bad news. I just keep fearing the worst and I don't know why. Last night I had a minor breakdown around 2 am. Thankfully he was sleeping and didn't hear me. I just don't get it. I don't get why it's me. One in 100 people, and I'm the 1! Go figure!

Good news though...dustin had his septoplasty and polyp removal yesterday and is doing really good. He took today off work because I made him but I think he's glad he did. He was bored all day but he rested which he needed. Now all he wants to do is pick his big boogers and I won't let him!!! lol.

Another Dr. Visit, Another Test

Well I was supposed to go to the Dr. next friday for a sonogram and for an appointment after the sonogram to find out what is going on with my crazy woman parts. But...I was 6 days early yesterday, so in order to find out what's going on they want to do my sonogram during my period. But unfortunately they couldn't reschedule my dr. appointment for the same day. So my sono is tomorrow and my dr. appointment is next friday. Wouldn't be so bad if it didn't take a 1/2 day to go there, and drive back to work. So I miss 1/2 day of work both days. But if they find out what's wrong, I'm thrilled. I can't handle the digging pains anymore on my left side. And 6 days early, WTF!!!! Nothing like being unprepared on khaki day! UGH!!!!

Spring has Sprung if only for a few days...

Spring is finally here, It's gorgeous out today! I know it won't last but I'll enjoy it while it's here. 60's in Pennsylvania in March is almost unheard of. This week is FINALLY over. Let the weekend begin!!!!! The past couple weeks have been extremely busy at work, it seems the more people we hire, the dumber they are. I'm not being harsh, I'm being serious. I have never seen a more lazy group of people who think they should only have to work 4 hours in an 8 hour day and goof off the other 4 hours. Hopefully it will get better soon. It has to, right????

This weekend I have a baby shower. I'm not real enthused about going, but then again, why would I be. I will go, paint on a happy face, and then come home and eat a donut! haha! Food lately has been my friend, and my ever expanding waist shows it. It's hard to combat this problem and not get upset and stressed about it. 2 years is an extremely long time, and especially since every single person I know seems to be pregnant. I feel like people are always feeling sorry for me, like they KNOW what's going on, even though those that know are few and far between. My goal for next week is to get to the gym 3 times next week. Maybe that will help me cope with this. I doubt it but it's worth a try!

I fought the deer, and the deer won!

Well after 4 years of living here in the middle of nowhere, I hit a stupid deer. I hit it this morning on my way to work. I didn't even see him, he just leaped over the guard rail and right into my car. I was just eating my breakfast and THUD. I actually said out loud "SON OF A B!TCH!" Then I kind of had to laugh. Of course that's my way of getting through things lately. Just laugh, it's harder to get mad or cry that way. I didn't think it was that bad, until I got to work. Yup, he got both doors, the fender, the bumper and the headlight casing. This is going to be costly, thankfully i have GREAT insurance!!! This was honestly my first claim ever since I started driving 14 years ago, so I am very lucky. Someone asked at work how I could just laugh. Well...easy, it's a car. A material possession. Yes, it's my way to get to work and yes it's a newer car, but it's just a car. The most important things in live, aren't things at all!

Spring Cleaning

It's that time again to spring clean. Unfortunately since we put the new floors in, we haven't gotten all the boxes unpacked so I guess that's going to be part of the spring cleaning this year. I love my house, I do, but we are seriously lacking some kitchen space. I think I may head to home depot to check out premade pantrys to see if I can get one to fit in our kitchen. At this point we are not going to redo the kitchen anytime soon and i need more storage space.

I finally told my dad about our issues. He didn't have a clue. I only let him know because i know it's gotta be running around in his head why we haven't had one yet since we've been married almost 4 years. He just asked what they are doing. I explained what they are going to do now and what they may do in the future. The last resort is $15,000 for only a 60% chance. So that one I said we probably wouldn't go with due to the cost of it, or it would be a VERY last resort and a one time shot.

3 Weeks Until Christmas

How did it get to be December already. The tree is up, the lights are on, and the gifts are almost 1/2 bought. Seems like it was just September and we were selling pumpkins.

Last night we went to Wing City Grille for dinner in Lakewood, it's newly opened and we thought we'd give it a try. The place is very nice, but the food was just ehhh ok. Plus you can tell when you are getting old. They were setting up for karaoke night and we were in front of the speaker. We kept complaining to each other that it was too loud. I have officially become my parents. When the heck did that happen!!!

This week has been crazy busy at work. We had flooding one day and then snow on the thruways in NY state the other day. We actually had 2 drivers stuck on the thruway for 24 hours! That's just crazy. It's weeks like this that make me wish I had chosen a different profession when I was choosing my major all those years ago Sophomore year at Pitt. But it is what it is. Hopefully this week will be less challenging. Don't get me wrong I am all about a good challenge but I'm afraid I may not have much hair left by the end of the year. lol.

Garden Varieties

The best part about August is the Gardens are in full bloom. This year has been so hot and humid we have had a bumper crop garden. We have some cucumbers that are almost 2 feet long. They are huge!!! And the pumpkins, OMG the pumpkins. We will probably have over 400 when it's all said and done. I am going sometime in the next few weeks get some paints out and make signs to sell the pumpkins this fall. I figure I better get the signs all made and ready because once the pumpkins are ready they are going to need to get sold!!!

I finally bought a new digital camera last night. I'm so cheap! I have been wanting a new one since I dropped my old one back in November but it finally stopped working in March. I was afraid I'd buy the wrong one but I realized I'm not a professional photographer so mediocre pictures are ok with me. As long as I have pictures.

August Laziness

I can't believe it's the middle of august already. The summer has flown by!!! It's this time of year when the humidity is high and the energy level is VERY LOW!!! I have no desire to do anything most nights after work. I guess this is the lazy days of summer they talk about. Soon there will be leaves on the ground and cool crisp mornings. What I wouldn't do to be able to sleep without the A/C running all night long. I am definately and hoodie and jeans kind of person.

Week 1

Well after week 1 on weight watchers I am down 2 lbs. and actually have more energy. I've dieted before but never really on weight watchers. I'm used to not being able to eat this or that, and now I can within reason. It seems easier when you are counting points rather than adding calories. I know it's the same concept but it just seems easier. I love that you can earn more points by doing things and working out. I love that!!! Spinning class alone I earn 6 points and didn't even use them last week.

There is much drama with my brother and his girlfriend again. I'm not sure if I feel like Dr. Phil or Jerry Springer. He needs to cut his losses and get rid of her. I know he is keeping it going becuase of his son, but he'll still see his son. He just needs to go talk to someone and get rid of her. She's a lazy piece of crap! I can't imagine living with someone who pays for my car, my insurance all the food for me and my kids (one is not even his), pays the mortgage and bills and yet she complains he doesn't help with daycare. FOR REAL??? What a bitch!

Another weekend gone. Got alot done around the house today and the bathroom is coming along nicely. Hopefully we'll be tiling next weekend!!! :)

Broken Promises

This time it's not with any one person it seems to be with work. I went to them back in December and told them enough is enough. I was looking for another job. I feel overworked for no reason. There are people at work that do NOTHING and keep their jobs. I work non-stop from the minute I walk in until the minute I leave, putting in well over 40 hours a week and for what? Nothing. Oh well. I had an employee leave 2 weeks ago and she put not just a 2 week notice but a 9 MONTH NOTICE. and did they hire anyone, nope. we just hired someone for her job. So now I have the next 6 months to train this individual on top of everything else. It's just nuts. Unfortunately I was raised to care about my work that I put out. I can't just be a slacker. I've tried, it eats me up inside. Dammit mom and dad! haha!

On the bright side my living room is ALMOST DONE! WOOHOO!!! It's been a year in the making. The bathroom....ehhh we'll see about that. I'm going this afternoon to look at flooring for it and tile for the walls. So hopefully we can narrow that down to be ready to put in. Right now we are waiting on our window. Probably another week or so before that will be in.

Started a food journal this week. It will be interesting. I've never kept a journal before but it's a start to see what I actually eat and get it under control. We got a new vending machine at work. I worked there a year before I ever touched it. With the stress lately I've been there almost DAILY. not good!!!! I am going to the produce market tomorrow to get produce to get me through the week. Hopefully and stay way from the vending machine.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's day on Daytona 500 sunday. So not cool! Oh well, not like he did anything anyways.

I'm thinking this bathroom renovation is more than we ever should have taken on. I am beginning to think I will always have a 1 bathroom house. Oh well, that's ok. I've been sick most of the week with a head cold. Seems my whole family has, the little one's, Toby, Katie, and now my mom. Craziness I tell you. This cold season has been HORRIBLE.

Another month with a BFN. OH well, we'll try again next month. After 7 months it's getting kind of depressing. But I guess that's normal for some people.

I need to get back to the gym this week. I haven't been there since I got sick the first time back in January. With work being crazy, yes I had another 50 hour work week last week, and being sick and being tired all the time, there just wasn't the motivation. However after trying on jeans today, I have new motivation. I didn't buy anything tempting at the grocery store today, just my normal healthy lunch/dinner foods. I passed up everything tasty. Except Oreos but those are for Dustin. They are his breakfast. Wish I had his metabolism.

Well I'm ending this depressing winter post. Hopefully next post will be a little more cheerful!

February already!

Wow hard to believe it's February already. Seems like January just slipped away.

Yesterday one of my best employees took an early retirement. It was very sad. As much as she kind of drove me crazy at times, she was the MOST reliable employee I had. It kind of irritates me that we knew she was retiring for 9 months and they just started interviewing for her position yesterday. But oh well. That's the way we work I guess. Hopefully I will find someone soon who can take her position and take me off Saturday work!

Our bathroom is completely gutted down to the studs right now. The new subfloor is in, bathtub is purchased, I have to get the tile, and Dustin's getting drywall today. Hopefully by March we'll be well on our way. Dustin has a friend from work helping us at night during the week. He's a good kid and a good worker. We feed him dinner and pay him $20 here and there and he's happy. So we are happy! I can't wait to have a bathtub I can actually take a bath in!!! It will be SOO nice!!!

New baby and a week of sick!

Wow it's been a while. Alot has happened since the last post. January 6th I did one of the coolest things in my life. I was asked by my best friend to be in the room with her during her C-section. Her husband doesn't do well with hospitals and other issues that most of her family were just not comfortable. I was so honored to be asked to do it. It was the most awesome thing I've ever done. I was the first one who got to hold baby Amie and show her to her new mommy. She looks alot like her momma and her aunt who she's named after. I could never ever fill the shoes Amanda's sister left behind, but I hope that I gave her some comfort along the way. I know Jamie was up there in heaven looking down very proud of her baby sister!

Then a week later I ended up sick. Strep throat with the onset of scarlet fever. Who the hell gets scarlet fever anymore!!! I was off work 4 days, and spent 6 whole days on the couch. After oral and injected antibiotics, prednisone, and a mono test, i am back to normal. With the exception of the after effects of the prednisone. Thank god I only have about 2 more days of those to take. They are horrid. Nothing tastes good, I'm bloated and puffy. EGADS!!!!

Snow Snow and more Snow

After a fairly mild November and December, winter is actually here. It's been snowing since yesterday afternoon and really hasnt' stopped. The roads are horrid! Dustin and his brother went out on the snowmobiles tonight, I stayed home. It's 10 degrees out, and blowing winds of 40 miles per hour. Yeah, my nice warm house and a good movie was all I really wanted today after work.

The holidays are officially over. Took the tree down today, threw out the stale cookies, put all the gifts away we had received, and filled a garbage bag of boxes, etc. to burn. I do love the holidays but I am glad to get the house and my work back to normal. Settle into winter and comfort foods.

Starting back to Weight Watchers on Monday. I waited until Monday just to have the weekend to plan my grocery list and the meals. I really haven't had anything horrible for me today and stayed close to my points range. So I could probably say I started officially today. I'm not a meeting girl, I'm an online girl. I just find it easier that way. Hoping to get a few lunch breaks in at the Y this week, we'll see how work goes though. I'm not looking to lose 40 lbs or anything, just looking to have a little bit better fitting pants and if I drop some lbs along the way, even better!!!!

2010

Well it's January 1st, 2010. I can't believe I'm this old already. Where has the decade gone. It seems like just yesterday we rang in the new year at a friends house and wondered if the power would go out because of it being the millenium. Since then I have graduated college, lived with my brother for a few years, started a restaurant (that is now out of business), had 3 different jobs and found one I am really good at, met my husband and got married, and bought a house, lost a great friend, dealt with family cancer, had to take care of my parents instead of them taking care of me, flew for the first time (and 5 more times since then), drove from PA to FL with just a map from mapquest, and became a real adult.

I'll be 30 this year. That's monumental in itself. 30 - I can't believe that! It's not depressing (yet!) but it's just like wow!!!!

All in all, the past 10 years have been pretty good. Some downfalls here and there, but who doesn't have those. Dustin and I have a great relationship partially because we have been through more than most couples go through in their entire lives. They say "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and I feel that is very true.

What do I hope to accomplish in the next 10 years? Not as much as the past 10 years. I hope to become a mom and be a great one, be a better friend, and find a career that I am not just good at but at least like. No much right? haha!!!

Well here's to the newest decade and 2010! Let's make the most of it!

2009 Rewind

Well it's been a while...last entry was Labor Day. haha! I must be a holiday blogger (that missed a few in between).

2009 will be gone in about 3 hours. What has happened this year?

*We have had our first year in our new house. It's been alot of work and there's alot more to go but we've made some serious improvements in one year. (

• Kitchen wallpaper gone and painted
• Living room wallpaper gone, walls fixed, and painted
• Bathroom #2 gutted and ready for 1st project of 2010
• Hallway paneling painted
• Mudroom paneling painted
• Trees removed outside and landscaping redone
• Old Trailer/Shed tore down out back
• New furnace, woodstove, washer, dryer, and dishwasher

*The economy of 2009 has not been one of the best years, however we are both still employed in an industry that is here today gone tomorrow with small companies. For that we are both grateful.

*My new little newphew was born in September, he is the best little guy in the world.

*My parents are finally able to be in the same room together since the divorce 10 years ago. They don't necessarily talk to each other, but they can be in the same room. SUCH a relief!

*This year has been the year of babies, everyone we know it seems has a new baby. Maybe 2010 will be our year. We'll see!!!

2009 has been the year for many celebrity deaths, the inaugaration in one of the most historical presidential elections, the economy from hell, and the weirdest weather ever (hello texas had a white christmas but PA didn't?). Here's to a new decade and a great new year!!

The labor day weekend purge!

This weekend I am working on throwing out and cleaning out alot of our stuff. We closed so quickly on our house that we moved alot of stuff that we don't use/don't need. Stuff I really would have rather purged before we moved, but alas we moved it into our new house. I honestly do not know where all this stuff was in our old house. We went from 900 to 1600 sq. ft. and we have clutter here! I dont' get it.

Today I am working on the desks. Why do i have a USB cable for my first digital camera i got probably 6 years ago? And is it necessary I still have my utility bills from when my brother lived with me? Probably not.

Tomorrow hopefully I can force myself to get rid of clothes I dearly love but know that I will NEVER fit into again. We'll see how well THAT goes! :)