In search of me

Gotta love drama

2009-04-17T19:21:00.001-07:00

And I have WAY WAY WAY too much of it right now.

I'm cool!

2008-11-03T19:31:00.001-08:00

House even says so! I <3 being a freak o' nature

Time to car shop ... again

2008-09-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

So Saturday afternoon, N had to go to work. He leaves, and shortly after I get a call from him to come pick him up to take him to work ... his exhaust pipe (something along those lines, in case he reads this and corrects me) fell off, but not all the way off, just enough to drag it. Bring it in, have them check the car out (since we knew there was more that needed done), and to fix the car up completely would be over $2000, $1600 for the bare minimum, or $35 to drive it off the lot without them doing a damn thing to it (which is the option we went with). So, time to go car shopping again ... lucky us! At least this time, we don't have to really worry if a car seat will fit in the car.

OW! My butt!

2008-09-13T09:34:00.001-07:00

OMG ... I'm so sick of being sick. Went to the doctor Aug. 20 ... sinus infection ...got drugs ... got better ... then allergies hit and hit hard before it cleared up completely apparently. Within a few days, I'm calling the doctor back up ... more drugs (FYI, Ceftin = NASTIEST DRUG EVER!) -- this was last Friday. Went back into the doctor today, and ... I STILL have the frigging sinus infection. Got yet more drugs ... plus a shot in the butt to help clear things up. Get drugs filled, get home ... read side effects like I always do before I take a drug, especially while I'm nursing, and it says not to take while breastfeeding (actually it said DO NOT TAKE WHILE BREASTFEEDING, which tells me probably not a good idea for me to take it). Annoys the snot out of me, since I'd asked the pharmacist if it was ok for me to take, and he said it was. So call the doctor back up, and he's prescribing me something else ... what a way to spend a Saturday, constantly running to Walgreens for drugs. Which reminds me, I should double check that the new drug is OK for me to take ...

Oh, and if this doesn't clear things up I get to go see and ENT ... let me just say, not sure I want to have the surgery N had done in May ...

N's Surgery

2008-05-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

He survived! Doesn't seem to be in too terrible much pain, of course we haven't let the pain relievers go completely out of his system yet. We got into the hospital about 10:30 (to pay part of the surgery costs, and do the admission stuff that needs done). Got out of surgery after 2.5 hours (we were told it could take 45 minutes to 3 hours), and got discharged finally about 8:00. There was some debate about keeping him overnight, because of the nausea/vomiting but in the end we all decided that he took getting back on foods a little too quickly (and not having enough in his tummy to go with the pain meds). He did really well over night, no more nausea (that he admitted to anyway, and didn't seem to have any), slept well over night from all appearances. Had a little cuddle time with C this morning who did a good job leaving his face alone (so proud of her for that).

We got a nice souvenir photo of one of his sinuses that was blocked before and after shots -- must say, very impressive looking (both while all icky and after all cleaned out).

Ugh

2008-05-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

I just love being sick. Wake up, congested. Figure it's allergies (since everybody's has been horrible, figured mine were finally starting). Get to work, start to have a mild sore throat. Get off work and head to my parents to visit a while, have an earache. Leave my parents and go to Target w/ N and C, body aches and fatigue have hit. Get home from Target and have chills and a fever. Lay in bed, shivering like mad and decide that I'm going to urgent care ... and without getting diagnosed with strep I'm getting treated since I've been at daycare around people who have been diagnosed with it. Weeeeeeeeeeee .... love drugs. Too bad they didn't say I could miss work tomorrow ... I could use 3 days off this week .... (told it was OK to go in since I'd take a dose tonight, possibly a dose if I wake up in the middle of the night, and a dose in the morning so I'm unfortunately good) ...

Surgeries

2008-03-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

So Dad had to go to the hospital today, to have an angioplasty done (where they put dye in your bloodstream to see the veins/arteries in your heart to look for blockages). If all went well, they'd find nothing. If all didn't go well, Dad would be having by-pass. Got off work, called to find out the scoop (and go break up Mom and B's day if they were still waiting on the angioplasty to finish up) to find out he was in cardiovascular recovery. He ended up having surgery (again, had surgery in November on a major hernia and has to have another surgery for another one that they didn't attempt at that time) to have a balloon (possibly two, he and B couldn't remember for sure) and a stint put in. One of his main blood vessels (left anterior maybe, can't remember for sure now) was 90% blocked, so he was a heart attack waiting to happen basically.

And, N will be having surgery sometime in the near future -- possibly two. He's got a deviated septum, and will be having surgery to fix that. And if that doesn't take care of most/all of his problems, then he might be having his tonsils out (so looking forward to that surgery, at basically 30 years old, that's gonna suck).

Sad that the only real update I have is on all the surgeries looming in my future (known surgeries -- N is also suspecting needing to have his gall bladder removed soon too).

UGH!

And Hell Froze Over (AKA Stupid Neighbors Part III)

2008-03-19T19:29:00.000-07:00

So today, after C and I got home from daycare today to see our stupid neighbor leaving her apartment and getting in her car. I debated hanging out in our car until she drove off, but didn't. As she pulls away, she stops behind my car and asks if the baby's feeling better since she hasn't been hearing her lately. I said yes, and we've done absolutely nothing different, so I don't know what changed. She commented that she felt like such a bitch for saying anything -- and I was nice and didn't tell her that yes, she was a bitch.

Webkinz

2008-03-14T21:26:00.001-07:00

I got a webkinz ... I got a webkinz. I mean ... C got a webkinz (or, rather, will be, for Easter). I'm quite enjoying the website they have with games and all that. She's getting the cute bunny.

Just feel

2008-03-08T20:34:00.000-08:00

like the blog needs a new post ... but I have absolutlely nothing to post about. Other than I have a new favorite ice cream flavor (how's that for sad). Ben & Jerry's (2 of my favorite men, now) Cake Batter Ice Cream. Tastes like yellow cake batter with chocolate icing mixed in. So far, only place I can find it though is the one grocery store in town we don't hardly ever go to!

Girls State = Yuck

2008-03-01T15:59:00.000-08:00

I'm so bored today, can't get to any movies we own (since we're lazy and the Christmas tree is still up), and the only movies that are out in reach are Nick movies and not anything I have any interest in watching. The only thing I can watch right now is the C2 championship game of girls state basketball, and I hate sports.

Stupid Neighbors Part II

2008-02-10T19:30:00.000-08:00

So the other night (last Tuesday maybe) I get home from work to find yet another note on our door ... a thank you this time ... from the stupid chick downstairs. Apparently she *has* noticed a difference and appreciates it ... blah blah blah. Funny part is, we've done nothing different and C has been a little fussier than normal these last couple weeks (apparently Luvs is not a favorite brand diaper of hers). So who knows what bug crawled up her butt, but apparently it's gone now ... for awhile at least.

Stupid Neighbors

2008-01-29T02:57:00.000-08:00

Yesterday after work I went to our leasing agent, Jan, to talk about our downstairs neighbor leaving us a note wanting to speak with us (made N call -- I knew I'd either chicken out and not say boo or I'd completely rip her head off through the phone -- oh, and apparently C is lactose intolerant and needs to go on formula and is extremely fussy -- I didn't know this). Anyway, the feeling I got when I left the leasing agent (since Serah, the neighbor, had talked to her first) was that basically C can't cry between 10 pm and 6 am (how nice, since we have to leave for daycare before 6 am, she's guaranteed to cry when getting dressed and ready to eat), and can't cry for more than a couple minutes during the day. Tummy time is the only exception, since the doctor says we have to do it. I'm so pissed. And exhausted. Because of this, C slept through the night last night (of course, she was extra fussy last night because Mommy was super stressed out) and I didn't because I was staying awake apparently to hear her cry so she wouldn't wake anyone but me up. How many cans of Pepsi are safe to drink in a day? (Plus a frappacino that I have in the fridge?)

We were told that it's not ok for her to pound on the wall, and to remind her of this. That if she has a problem, she needs to come talk to us or call us. Calling us isn't an option since I won't let her have our phone number (unless Jan gives it to her, in which case I'll rip Jan a new one since I specifically told her I don't want Serah to have our phone number because I feel like she'd take advantage of having it and call us frequently over petty things). I guess if this happens, be prepared for me to be unreachable for awhile while I change phone numbers, which is a sad thought since I've had this number for over 10 years. I am hoping she does pound on our wall at 5:00 again some morning, so I can go knock on her door and make her get out of bed to face me.

Dude, I got a dell (Plus rant)

2008-01-25T15:59:00.000-08:00

I got a Dell ... I got a Dell ... I got a Dell ... I got a Dell ... I got a Dell ...

Oh, and seriously, how hard is it to realize you live in an apartment, and you're building neighbors have a new baby and that babies fuss to communicate needs and that it's not always easy to figure out what need is needing to be met? Do you have to pound on the wall because the baby is crying? Do you really think that's going to help anything?

Happy Birthday to me!

2008-01-21T16:25:00.000-08:00

It's official ... I'm 30. And had a nice, quiet (well, until about 10 minutes ago quiet :P) birthday. Got off for low volume early at work, picked T up from daycare and went shopping with her and C (got C some new duds) and visited my parents for a couple hours (and took almost an hour nap while I was there!)

Duuuuuuuuuuuude...

2008-01-19T21:55:00.001-08:00

I'm getting a Dell.

SO HAPPY!!!!!

2007-10-13T15:44:00.000-07:00

Exchanged cookie last night at Wal-mart, and he works this time! I had so much fun playing with him! Yes, sadly, this was worthy of an update.

So sad!

2007-10-11T18:12:00.000-07:00

Went to Wal-mart today for a humidifier and found a TMX Cookie Monster that I had to have. Got home, opened him up, and ..... he doesn't work! Completely dead. Changed the batteries, and he sounded like some kind of a ... I don't even know what. So, back to Wal-mart tomorrow to exchange him, assuming they still have him and he works. So, so so so sad!

The Pain, oh the Pain

2007-08-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

K, so for all of you out there who didn't know this ... cleaning for 10 hours (with breaks, of course) is a bad idea ... even worse when you're 26w4d pregnant. Amazingly, I didn't have a huge amount of braxton hicks! We have a housing inspection thing tomorrow, and had to clean. Never, ever, ever doing that again! But, our floors are all vacuumed, moped, etc etc etc ... only thing that didn't get done I think was steam cleaned the carpets (and honestly, that's just cuz I ran out of time, and Nick wasn't around to watch me get steam burns). Bad thing about the clean apartment is, I don't know if I'm going to sleep tonight with how my back feels -- anyone want to give massages out?

Ranks of Grown-ups Part 2 (a year later)

2007-07-16T19:04:00.000-07:00

So last year, about this time actually, Nick & I made our first major grown-up purchase (washer & dryer -- still love, they're just loud). Tonight Nick & I made our second (or maybe 4th if a carseat and stroller count as major purchases) ... WE BOUGHT A NEW CAR!!!! Well, new to us, but still WE BOUGHT A NEW CAR!!!! 2006 Hyundai Sonata. Only want to hear positive things about this car, so if you have anything negative, don't wanna hear it! I'm still in shock. Pictures of car to come eventually (possibly later tonight), might even post the picture of me and the dealer dude we dealt with tonight. We talked them down $4,500 from what they were asking (after taking a discount off of the inflated price they started at) -- so we're happy there. Apparently the best way to talk a dealer down in price is to point out how poorly you were treated by someone who isn't even an employee of the dealership, someone that was only brought in for the sale they were running (the jerk!). Got lots of apologies from the real employees!

SHE'S FIRED!!!!!!!

2007-07-03T12:46:00.000-07:00

Think the title says it all :):):):):):):):):):):):)

So, yesterday morning one of the managers calls Dingbat, some girl answers (assuming her daughter) says "she's in the shower, can I have her call you back in like 20 minutes?" We have yet to hear from her, as of 2:09 when I left today. Didn't call back yesterday (or today), or show up yesterday.

An Update

2007-07-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

Just to make a certain someone leave me alone :P

Nothing really new, other than I learned on Friday that I apparently have Ear Angioneurotic Edema -- a hive reaction to something I'm eating that I'm apparently allergic to now that I'm pregnant. Now I get to figure out what it is (since I don't remember eating the same food the 2 days I had my ear go pins and needles and be numb for 2 days). Hopefully once I quit taking the Benadryl that will help narrow it down. Also learned I apparently have golfer's elbow, being caused by work. Weee, love getting tendonitis! That got better rather quickly though, so I'm thinking I just happened to pull a muscle on Friday that appeared like tendonitis. But I'm on weight restriction for the week, can't lift more than 5 pounds (a gallon of milk is 8, so can't even carry that). Definitely going to make work interesting, thank God I have older infants!

Oh, and the Dumbass Dingbat (who I haven't ranted about on here) is really close to getting fired! She shows up on time for work maybe 1 day out of the 5, doesn't apparently know how to read staffing (even after having it explained a couple times), calls in at 1:30 to say she won't be in because her car got towed due to unpaid parking tickets (scheduled in at 2:15 -- there's no way you can't figure out another way in to work? like the bus??? or a cab???) She gets grease/food all over my CD's at work, leaves my bubble machine filled with bubble solution in the closet where I'm likely to knock it over since I always empty it (this is even after having a note put up to EMPTY AND CLEAN AFTER EACH USE!), changes the radio station to a religous station (fine and dandy, except my room doesn't get it, just gets static ... she leaves it there turned way up), throws away drying art (at least, I'm assuming that's what happened, since I still haven't found the paper).

Oh, and we're looking for a new vehicle. I want a Hyundai Tucson, but my dad thinks we should get a sedan. I just want something with 4WD/AWD so I know I can get to work in unplowed/partially plowed streets in the winter, with an infant. So, if you know of any sedans with 4WD/AWD that aren't Subarus (too hard to install car seats in I've learned, and a lot of carseats don't fit in them well at all), let me know!

Think that's it for now ...

Roomba Part 2

2007-06-01T21:58:00.001-07:00

I got it today -- tomorrow I'm going to be vacuuming like a freak! Only thing that's pissed me off so far is stupid FedEx apparently can't handle knocking on a door or ringing a doorbell to let you know there's a package there. If I hadn't checked the shipping details, we wouldn't have known it was there until Nick left for work at 1930. (wow, too much time at work). Can't wait to play with it tomorrow -- have to figure out where I want to put the virtual wall up at, or if it's even really needed here.

ROOMBA!!!!

2007-05-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

Guess who's getting a roomba?!? Nick checked out woot today, and there it was. I told him if we ever see it on woot I want it ... I'm so excited!!!! Maybe now I'll vacuum more!

Exciting day at work

2007-05-15T16:35:00.000-07:00

So today, since it was so wet outside during out normal outside time, we went for a walk through the Plaza and up to the parking garage where we unload and let the kids run and play. Another teacher and I are up there for an hour, and another 2 teachers join us half an hour into that time. One of the other teachers looks up at the ceiling (she was describing something one of her kiddos does), and asks "What's that?" The three of us look up and freak out cuz there's a FLIPPING BAT HANGING IN THE PARKING GARAGE OF THE PLAZA .... INSIDE THE BUILDING ... BASICALLY IN THE PLAZA. You have never seen people move so fast in your life. Yuck! Let the information desk know so they could call someone about it, and they're like "A bat? In the garage garage or inside by the elevator or by the stairs?" It was fun to explain it.

Yeah, glad to be home in my bat free home.

*shivers in disgust*

Susan

4 Long Years Today

2007-03-22T18:37:00.000-07:00

So 4 years ago today, I got married. Scary thought! Nick and I celebrated by taking the day off and just goofing off. The plan was to sleep in, but that backfired for me. Woke up at 2:30, and then tossed and turned and just dozed until I finally gave up at 6:00. Phone call from Diann at 6:00 -- right after I got out of bed and headed to the door (letting us know that some front load washing machines had been recalled, and she thought I'd be leaving for work about then, forgot I'd taken the day off. She felt bad). Nick and I finally were ready to go out for breakfast at 8:00ish, VI is yummy when you're starving :P. Ran a couple errands, came home and played WoW until lunch time, when we went to Shoguns. (Hey, we had stuff to celebrate!) Ran leftovers home, then went to see Bridge to Teribethia. (Weren't overly impressed with the movie. The commercials made it seem like there would be a lot more special effects than there were. Also, neither of us have ever read the book, so had no clue what to expect from it). After we got home from the movie, I started to crash, so took a nap (finally, only been wanting one all week) for an hour. All in all, not that bad of a day.

Tomorrow, on the other hand, is gonna suck royal eggs. Good side, I don't go in until 10:15. Bad side, I have to work until 6:15 -- and if I remember right it's a crappy supper tomorrow night at work. Pretty much tomorrow night I'll be coming home, showering (maybe), getting jammy-fied, and going to bed.

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!

2007-03-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

Not too much new to post about. Hours have changed at work, so I come in at 6:15 every morning. Now, if we could find someone to come into my room at 2:15 so I could actually get off on time. Some days I'm off at like 10:15, other days I'm there until 4:15 (or later, since it seems like our part-timers can't manage to come in anymore when they're scheduled). 2.5 hours overtime last week, part because one girl that was supposed to come in had to have emergency tonsillectomy and didn't let us know she'd had surgery (which I can understand) so I stayed 2 hours late that day. Then the next day, the girl what was supposed to come in at 4:15 just didn't show up -- no phone call that anyone knew about, didn't answer her phone. I still don't know if she had issues with parent/teacher conferences (she's doing a full-time subbing position with the public schools right now) or what. She better show up next week, or I'll be really annoyed (4 10 hour days next week -- UGH!)

Nick and I had church pictures last night. They had to have had a bad camera, I swear our faces aren't as swollen and puffy and fat looking as they were on the camera. Oh well, we get a free 8 X 10, so we didn't spend any money.

Think that's really it, for now. Just realized it'd been over a month since I'd updated anything here.

Finally starting to feel better

2007-02-16T05:07:00.000-08:00

Only took switching to a different antibiotic (which I don't like -- tastes really bad, normally I can swallow pills before the taste gets on my tongue, these I can't and can't make the taste go away). Still have my cough, but it sounds soooooo much better, and my head doesn't seem to be quite as full.

Today's my last day of 9-5, I'm ready for those new hours. Except for the fact that the next 2 weeks are messed up because of somebody new being hired for my room and having to get her trained. Go in at 615 everyday, but some days getting out early (woot!) and a couple days staying late (second day of change I'm 615-415 -- ugh!).

Thinking that tomorrow I'm gonna try getting my nails done again. I miss having nails, and I found a cheap place that I've known a lot of people to go to and recommend -- hopefully these stick with me better than the last ones I got!

Love being Sick

2007-02-06T17:09:00.000-08:00

Been hacking a lung up the last couple days. My boss calls this morning to see if I just want to stay home (ummm .... yes, I'm in toddlers ... not in the mood to deal with different kids and different age group). Finally, after much deliberation (thanks to Angela for helping me deliberate) decided to go into the doctor. Saw a PA there, and I think impressed her with the amount of infection and fluid I had going on in my head ... she was surprised my ears and head weren't bugging me. Sadly, this is the excitement in my life right now.

Starting the 19th my hours change to much earlier. 6:15-2:15. I'm so excited for that, even the whole getting up at 4:00 thing.

Yeah, that's pretty much it, for now.

Happy Birthday to ME!!!!

2007-01-21T09:31:00.000-08:00

Today's my birthday, today's my birthday. And I got ... SNOW!!! WOOHOO!!! Just what I always wanted! (I hate snow, by the way). Actually, Nick and I got Burning Crusades for our birthdays, so ... yeah, I'll be busy for awhile :). And my computer's in the shop, getting the battery checked and the power cord fixed (and something else). Really annoying when you shift position on the couch, the cord pops out and the computer shuts off, immediately without warning ... especially when you're in the middle of a fight in a game! Hopefully that comes back to me this week ... I hate sharing with Nick, we don't do it well. Tuesday's Nick's birthday, and we both took that off to celebrate our birthdays (well, I actually took it off so I wouldn't be crappy on Nick's birthday) ... might try to catch a movie and go out for lunch ... at least I think that's the plan right now. I know we have a couple errands we have to run that day (lovely things that have to be done during certain business hours that aren't the same as ours). And I'm finally starting to get over my heinous cold that's been going around work -- everyone in the building has had we decided. Went all day yesterday with no drugs (a first in at least a week, and I try sooooo hard not to take any drugs). So far today, none yet. WOOT!

(happy now Nick?)

I'm a grown-up

2006-12-30T13:26:00.000-08:00

Well, Nick and I took the plunge today. We went and got a gym membership (but didn't use it today ... he's feeling like crap, and I don't want to go alone the first time). We had to go before tomorrow to get 1/2 off initiation fee. I'm really excited. We went and got bags to carry our gym stuff in, Nick some gym clothes, shower shoes for me (can't find men's flipflops this time of year apparently), etc. Also, restarted doing sparkpeople. Hopefully this will make for a healthier 2007!

Where have I been???

2006-12-23T20:29:00.000-08:00

Apparently I'm going into hiding ... just realized it's been a little while since I've been on. Had Angela over last night for dinner (well, went to Carlos O'Kelly's ... still bummed about the sopillas that we wanted for dessert, but couldn't get the waitress to come back to take an order for them after she left our check -- without asking if there was anything else). After dinner, came back to our place and hooked up her new toy (I want a Wii, on a *completely* unrelated note :P) and baked cookies. Oh, and had a gift exchange. I got a cookie monster flashlight that talks! Coolest toy ever! Today, Nick and I ran to Hallmark and got me some more ornaments -- decided I had to have the Hoops & Yoyo christmas ornament (which is what I got Angela) and the Santas from around the world to go on my Christmas Around the World tree. Otherwise I haven't done a damn thing today ... which is nice, since Nick shared his sinus infection with me ... again. Oh well, at least I got antibiotics last night before it really hit me.

Tomorrow no big plans ... quick visit with the 'rents (mainly to change tapes since we're too cheap for cable), and definitely have to go to church. Bagpipes at church! I love the Celtic Christmas they do! Then Monday Nick & I will have our Christmas, and head over to the 'rents to do the big, hyper shindig with the rest of the fam.

In unrelated news, Grandma went back to the hospital Tuesday night I think it was. Apparently she has pneumonia, but they thought they could get it treated. Tonight I got an email that they were taking her back to the nursing home last night or today. She's not doing all that much better, but all they can do for her now at the hospital the nursing home can do just as well. She's had quite the number of ambulance rides in the last couple months (for a 94 year old woman, she's done remarkably well not to have taken any before all this started happening).

Nick's dad had his knee surgery last week. Apparently they'd been told to expect 3-5 days in the hospital, and his parents decided to expect Dave would be in just for the 3. Well, lo and behold (the night we were expecting him home, cuz we were just told he'd be home Sunday night) that he was staying for another couple days. Grownups, ugh! :P He's home now, trucking along fairly well with his walker as I understand. Has a family friend who's his physical therapist coming over to do his therapy.

And the last piece of information (not really information, but I'm too tired to think of the word I want, so all readers can just deal with my choice of words): I'm pissed with Blockbuster. Haven't sent me a new movie in a week, even though I returned one 7 days ago (today), and another one 3 days ago ... next movies should be sent the next day. Had a couple e-mails back & forth with them today about this -- got a free in-store rental coupon from them so far. (Yes, Angela, I went all "Shopko" on their asses).

Hope everyone has a very Happy Festivus, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year ... extra extra extra .... have some nog for me!

R.I.P Drake

2006-12-12T03:52:00.000-08:00

So our fish, who has been either sick or had old age hit, passed on to the ocean in the sky last night. He started floating kind of weird the other day (vertical in his bowl -- really weird to see) . Did a little research and found out that that's commonish in old age, and a life span is 2-3 years. And usually when you get your fish from the pet store they're 8 months - 1 year already, and we had him for 2 years. So we'll get through the holidays, and then might get a new one (with a heater, so it's an actually decent temperature for the poor fishie).

Been a while

2006-12-09T19:17:00.000-08:00

and still nothing really new going on. Grandma's settled down some, it seems. Last I heard she was on her 3rd cast on her arm in a very short time (can't remember now how long of a time). Christmas shopping is almost done, just have Nick left to get something for ... and I have a couple ideas. At least one of them though I'm going to have to print a picture out and let him take care of getting I think ... quite the fiasco the other night when I tried to order it. Got my nails done this morning at a place where students learn how to become nail techs ... I have long nails again!!! I'm hoping they stay on as well as they did last time I had acrylics on. Dave (Nick's dad) has his knee surgery this coming Thursday, hoping that all goes well. Oh, and I learned this week at work that the consensus by office staff and manger (well, my manager, since I don't really see the other ones) is that I have the most difficult group IN THE CENTER ... not in infants, not on 4th floor (infants & toddlers) ... the whole center -- 6 weeks through school age ... I'm amazed I'm not more of an alcoholic! Yeah, think that's all for now ... if not I'll post more later

Thanksmas

2006-11-23T18:49:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving with Nick's family today, also did Christmas since Dave is having knee surgery beginning of December and won't be able to travel then. Lots of good food for lunch ... turkey, ham, sweet potatoes with a pecan crumb topping, green bean casserole, homemade rolls, a fancy lettuce salad, a cran-raspberry jell-o salad, a strawberry jell-o salad, wine, mashed potatoes. For dessert, Christine (the cousin) made 2 pumpkin pies, a strawberry rhubarb pie, and a chocolate pudding pie -- for 12 people. Lots of good presents too ... we got the new george foreman grill we wanted, only the newer one, that has an extra plate more ... so excited ... can't wait for Saturday to use it. We also got Da Vinci Code, Walk the Line, blockbuster gift card, movie theater gift cards, a head/scarf thing Sandy made, an unbreakable stained glass window hanging thing (made of fabric) ... can't even think what else there was. All in all, a good day.

Lots going on

2006-11-18T07:03:00.000-08:00

Since my last post, it's been busy. My Grandma (last remaining of either Nick's or mine) ended up in the hospital again. She's recently had the problem of getting dehydrated and then getting confused and having to get rehydrated at the hospital. This happened again on Monday. This time she passed out in her apartment while getting dressed for the day, and didn't know how long she'd been out, but called my Aunt who lives not too far away. Brought her to the hospital, rehydrated her, released her to go home with my Aunt as long as she stayed with Grandma overnight since all they'd be doing was observing she was good to go with someone.

So now she has a home health worker come in three days (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I think it is) to help her go to this Day Care program they have. So Tuesday, the health worker is there, calls my Aunt up and tells her that Grandma all of a sudden collapsed. They brought her to the hospital, run all their tests on her, and say she had a TIA stroke (mini stroke -- my other Grandma had lots of those before she passed away). So they're keeping her in the hospital for awhile this time.

So Wednesday night Grandma gets up out of bed on her own (which was a big no-no) ... bed alarm goes off ... nurses too slow in getting to her ... and she fell in the bathroom. Cracked a hip and a wrist. Went into surgery Thursday and got a pin and a plate put in her hip, and her wrist set. And that's the last I've heard of Grandma ... I'm guessing she's finally gotten slowed down some. This is going to drive her crazy, she's almost 95 and really likes her independence -- always has -- having to have this much help will really drive her crazy (have I mentioned this?!?)

Other, non-Grandma news. Tomorrow is the big Thanksgiving on my side. Can't wait for that. I'm making a cake (hopefully) to bring -- my excuse being it's Diann's birthday (never mind it's not her favorite kind of cake) and we're going to make special potatoes. Today I have a bridal shower for a girl at work, and then a Pampered Chef party. Thursday is Thanksgiving/Christmas with Nick's family -- still no good ideas for most of the men, if you have any let me know! Friday I'm supposed to work 8 hours in preschool, which will suck, but I asked the girl that comes in to relieve me if she wants more hours, and to come in as early as she wants.

I'm sure there's more, but that's all I can think of right now.

Here's to next ... well, month, being more calm (if not next month, I'll take next year ... actually, yea ... here's to next year being A LOT more calm -- no more strokes, passing out, sprains, surgeries, etc etc etc.

Busy Day

2006-11-12T07:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was errand day ... and it sucked eggs. Had to go to Younkers to get a shower gift for a co-worker, plus I had a coupon to use for $10 any one item. Perfect! Yeah, never going to Younkers again, especially on Community Day. Pretty much everything in the store it seemed was either too cheap ($9.99, and the item has to be $10 or more) or excluded for some other reason (Door Buster sale or some other sale). I chewed a couple clerks out because I wasted my money getting the coupons pretty much. Took us probably 2 hours to finally find something I could use them on, and it wasn't even stuff I really needed (or overly wanted), but figured I could use. Then had to go to Target, plus side there we got a rice cooker that so far I really like, other than washing the rice before using it. Then to Wal-mart, where we spend wayyyy too long, but on the plus side we got most of the groceries we needed. I was sad when we got home, cuz I remembered cream cheese but forgot the bagels to go with it. Think I'm going to take it easy today and play WoW all day, other than a visit to the 'rents ... chat with mom, see who has to help her with her homework this week.

Oh, yeah, haven't mentioned. She's done with her therapies at Madonna completely. She goes to speech therapy at Barkley.

Ultrasound Results

2006-11-11T07:17:00.000-08:00

are somewhat in. The student was going to have her instructor take a look, but it sounded like I should have basis now to call my doctor up and insist on them doing on, cuz a school of nursing student found something not right. Only had one cyst, not large, on the left side. And lots of follicles on the right, once she finally found it (it was shy during the abdominal scan). Best part, we did it after hours, and I really had to go to the bathroom midway through the vaginal scan, so I was wandering around Radiology with just a blanket around my lower half. Now Nick wants to go along if I do have another one done so he can see what it looks like after hearing about it. Hopefully I hear from the student or her instructor Monday so I can call the doctor about everything I need to call them about.

Only other thing to mention is that there's only 11 shopping days until Christmas, if you're in my (well, Nick's) family. And we have no clue what we're getting anybody. UGH!

I'm getting ultrasounded ... I'm getting ultrasounded ...

2006-11-06T16:17:00.000-08:00

and sadly I'm excited about it. Wednesday night, after I get off work, a school of nursing student is going to ultrasound my ovaries for a project she's doing, and for me to find out what, if anything, is normal/abnormal down there. Should be interesting ... can't wait to down all that water!

Jackson Pollock

2006-11-02T05:16:00.000-08:00

My mother-in-law sent this to me last night, and I had a lot of fun playing with it. Gotta share with the world.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

2006-10-31T05:55:00.000-08:00

Yeah, that's really it. Nothing new really. Work's been crappy -- I want to trade my kids in for new, some that sleep at naptime and aren't crabby.

Today's the parade at work -- that should be interesting. Starts at 9:45, my kids are used to sleeping until 10 still. So I have a good day ahead of me ... hopefully I only have 2 kids (so not going to happen, at least 3 I'm sure).

Flu Shot Part 2

2006-10-19T20:49:00.000-07:00

So Nick got his flu shot today at Employee Health at the hospital. He asked the nurse about my side effects to the shot after reading that they were in fact side effects. Yeah, apparently I shouldn't have had that high of a temp 2 years in a row (or something like that) because of the different strains of flu or something (I'm sure he'll correct me when/if he reads this). So basically ... probably has something to do with the egg, and I should talk to my doctor about it. So, I go see the doctor on Nov. 22 to discuss my options in the future for the flu shot (how about not getting one anymore??? that sounds like a great option to me, who needs needles???) My plans for this weekend are now to gorge myself on eggs to see how I feel :)

So, tomorrow I get to go back to work and point out a bunch of stuff to the people at work who don't read the side effect lists like they're supposed to (why'd you come into work with a temp??? you're always contagious if you have a fever ... if that's the truth I'd never work, I always have a "temp" it seems ... stupid people).

Also, my car died tonight. At Target. When I was already an hour past supper time. Called Dad to rescue us (stopped at home to pick Nick up to go along, when he checked the engine he saw nothing wrong. Dad comes along, and tightens a cable thingie on the battery ... while some good Samaritian went to get some neat thing to jump a car that doesn't involve a second car).

Think that's it.

Flu Shot Time of Year

2006-10-17T06:12:00.000-07:00

Ugh, I really hate this time of year. And I really hate that I can get them for free at work. And I really really hate the way the make me feel afterwards. Got my shot yesterday during naptime, from the incompetent health room nurse (come on, shouldn't a nurse at least know what Metformin is???, I can kind of understand not knowing what insulin resistance is, but Metformin???) Immediately afterwards had that fun discomfort in my arm from having shots in there (flu shot, and TB screen). By the time we got home last night from running errands, I had headache, body ache to go with the sore arm. Didn't sleep a wink pretty much, cuz no matter how I turned, that stupid arm hurt. This morning -- now the fun begins. Exhaustion (from shot and from not sleeping, I'm sure), body aches bad enough I couldn't stay standing up to finish showering, ended up sitting and taking a bath and pretty much falling asleep in the bathtub, and the fever -- 102.4 the highest, and that's on Motrin. Today should be fun at work. Already knew with the combo of kids I had today, it was gonna be a rough one, and that's before it clicked with me how miserable I'm gonna be today. UGH!

Thank goodness

2006-10-06T16:52:00.000-07:00

this week is over. It's been a horrible, horrible, crappy week! (And sadly, everyone at work agrees -- weather change must be coming with how my kids were acting this week).

But, this video sure made it all better ... I can't stop listening to it. I love llamas!

Off to figure out where Nick's going for supper, change into comfy clothes, deal with my headache/migraine that's finally starting to hit, and possibly take a nap.

Never having kids

2006-10-02T17:04:00.000-07:00

OMG ... what a crappy crappy crappy day. All my kids did today was scream at me. All 4 of them. All day. Except naptime. Which only lasted an hour or so before kids started waking up constantly. They were great birth control today. Tomorrow will be more of the same, weeeeee.

It's amazing how alcohol can immediately relax you ... first shot I felt like everything flow out of my body. Second shot I savored. Now I have to wait at least an hour before I can have any more. So going to feel this tomorrow.

Matt's Birthday

2006-09-30T18:38:00.000-07:00

So the sponge was a hit. I think it was more of a hit than the real present. He raked in the gifts -- 2 Star War movies, Pikman 2, a gameboy game, jeans & pj bottoms, and money (not counting our gifts).

The cake was ok, we've decided though that we've gotten spoiled with my cakes -- Hy-Vee cakes just aren't good anymore. So hopefully I get good enough that I'll be comfortable making cakes for birthdays.

Oh, and they (Matt and Tahani) were sooooooooooo hyper -- makes me glad that Nick & I haven't had kids yet, so there's more of an age difference between cousins when we finally do, help keep things somewhat more calm then. Wow, were they hyper.

Think that's all for now.

Nothing New Really

2006-09-30T15:41:00.000-07:00

Just figured I'd post some ramblings ... I'm good at that. Made a cake the other night, started to decorate it with an Irish flag (just cuz it would be quick and we'd been to the Scottish Irish Highland Festival recently). Yeah, ended up being a bastardized Irish flag -- forgot to reserve white icing for it -- oops.

Nick & I went out for Chinese last night while going shopping for Matt's birthday (and dropping of pictures of the kiddos from work to get developed, and shoes for me). I was talking trash about people (cuz that's what I do :) ... and yes, I was talking trash about you if you're reading this -- just to give everyone a complex). Immediately after I finish a rant, I open my fortune cookie to read "You are generous to an extreme and always think of the other fellow." Made me laugh to no end -- still laughing about it now.

Tonight we go to celebrate Matt's birthday. We're being an evil aunt & uncle and caught him a Spongebob Squarepants card that has a make your own Spongebob thing, and a sponge (oh, and a Mystic Force Power Rangers Solar Morpher). We're going to hide the morpher (the real present) when we come in, so when he opens presents, he thinks he's getting a sponge from us -- just to get a reaction. I can't wait.

There was some other stuff I was going to post, but I don't remember what they were now, so I guess I won't.

I'm so excited ....

2006-09-15T19:16:00.000-07:00

and I just can't hide it! I finally had the last straw with my cell phone not holding a charge, so now Nick & I are the proud owners of new camera phones. Alltel had a buy one, get one deal on a LG camera phone, so we went tonight after I got off work and replaced our phones since mine's been stupid for so long (and really, would it be that hard/bad/whatever to stock batteries for models of phones they sold a year or two ago? Ugh!) I think we're eventually going to get a cable thingie so we can upload our own ringtones to it, and other stuff.

Our vacation was nice. Visited with Nick's friends back home, and went to the Scottish-Irish Highland Festival in Estes Park. So much fun. So many men in kilts with bagpipes. I was in heaven. I even got a picture of me with a bagpiper -- really the best (and only) souvenir I came home with. Oh, yeah ... we also watched jousting ... Nick got some good pictures of that too. Light armor jousting sucked, I thought, but the heavy armor was neat to watch. Men in full armor on horseback with wooden lances that break and fly -- it was soooo much fun to watch. Dave & Sandy were ready to head back home before it was done, so I missed my chance to have a picture with a knight, which bummed me out. But Nick and I are going to try to go to a Medieval Times show for either our birthdays or our anniversary I think.

The crappy part is 2 weeks ago yesterday I went to the doctor for a suspected sinus infection (which I did have), got drugs, took all the drugs, and yesterday had to call them up for another antibiotic. Hopefully it kills it this time, I don't wanna feel icky any more.

Guess that's really all I have for now. I really need to try to start posting a little more often again.

Labor Day Weekend

2006-09-01T06:29:00.000-07:00

Yeah, no labor for me. Had someone coming into work for me at 11:15 today, so I could mentally prepare for my mother-in-law coming to visit after having a stressful week with my kiddos (well, everyone elses kiddos at work). The gal I had covering my room calls me just as I'm getting ready to head down the stairs and tells me they can cover my room now, they're available (apparently whoever they were covering before me got back to work early). So I now have a 5 day weekend :P (plus I only work 2 days next week, cuz I'm going on vacation)

God, am I going to be able to handle going back to work after all this??? How do people do it after maternity leaves?

MIA

2006-08-31T05:59:00.000-07:00

Yeah, so just realized it's been awhile (again) since I've been on. We've been busy unpacking, and making good use of the new washer/dryer. Also, Nick has gotten me addicted to World of Warcraft, so I've really been missing on-line, cuz I so enjoy killing critters and completing quests (ugh, I'm slowly turning into a geek ... guess that's the hazards of marrying one!)

I got low volume today, am taking most of tomorrow off, and have a 3 day weekend. We should be able to be unpacked by Monday night (well, other than the scary guest room closet that's overflowing with crap). Sandy's coming through town Friday sometime to see the new place, and/or possibly Sunday/Monday. Monday we're going to the fair with a group Angela pieced together (probably the only people reading this, truth be told -- my life is pathetic!)

Next week we're going on "vacation" to see Dave & Sandy, and Nick's croonies that still live in the area. Looking forward to it, mainly cuz this week has been horrible at work (only reason I took low volume today and off tomorrow). And I just realized that I'm going to miss one of my kids last days at our center. Oops.

Guess that's really it for now, I should go to something productive -- or play WoW :)

The New Toys Arrived!!!

2006-08-18T22:11:00.000-07:00

We are the proud parents of a new washer/dryer set. They made their arrival to our place an hour earlier than due. They were ours by 11:45 this morning. I'm so happy! I can do laundry whenever I flipping feel like it now!!!

Now, if only I could make all the boxes unpack themselves and furniture put itself together ...

50% off Wilton Supplies

2006-08-17T17:06:00.000-07:00

Love Hobby Lobby. I got $170.50 worth of cake decorating supplies ($130 tool caddy filled with a bunch of tips and other toys), a mini 3D bear cake pan, a tip, some featherweight bags. I'm so excited to get to use them! I almost got this cake pan.

That's really all I have new -- so excited to make cake again, think I'll have to make some this weekend!

Injuries not done yet

2006-08-14T17:53:00.000-07:00

So I thought since we were done packing and hauling crap I was done hurting myself. Apparently not -- last night we moved bookcases to where we think we want them, and somehow rammed my toe into the bookcase, or dropped it on it or something and lifted my toenail some and OWWWWWWWWW!!!!!

Yup, that's all I have new to post, just sharing my pain!

Gotta love blogs!

Too tired to think of a title

2006-08-12T16:17:00.000-07:00

Spent all day (well, seems like it ... 4 1/2 hours maybe) cleaning the old apartment. But, everything should be done there, unless Larry doesn't want the window air conditioner we bought. In that case, we have to go back over, pull that out, and clean up the mess that will result from that. So, we still have the vacuum over there for that purpose, otherwise -- we're done over there. Guess that means it's time to do address changes with USPS and magazines (if I can figure out how to go about that, since I'm not paying for the subscriptions we're still getting last I knew).

Dave was in town Thursday while I was at work, so we're loaded up with tomatoes, chili peppers, zucchini, and yellow squash from their garden. And, he got to see the new apartment before Sandy (which he's sure to rub in her face). Guess that's really it to update -- my days of injuries should be about over -- as long as once we really start the unpacking process I don't get hurt!

Flower Cake

2006-08-05T07:19:00.000-07:00

Finally got the picture of my second cake uploaded to post here and at . This is something similar to what we were supposed to do in class last week that I skipped ... I'm decent with those type of flowers, but the swirl flowers I suck at right now. Need to practice figures (like those ugly clown cakes). I have another cake at the old place that's baked and iced. If my decorating icing hasn't completely melted (since it's also at the old place) I may try to do something to that today, if it doesn't hurt my arm to decorate.

We've Moved ...

2006-08-03T21:36:00.000-07:00

mostly ... without injury ... to Nick. Still have a few things at the old place (at some point we'll get over for the rest of the kitchen/bathroom stuff and to clean, but I have to heal first). We spent a couple hours at the minor care at West because I apparently sprained/strained (not sure which) my right wrist Wednesday night moving the old recliner to the curb. So now I have seriously minorly injured both wrists during this process.

We've also been without internet pretty much since last Friday. We got internet transferred to the new place last week, and turned off at the old place, so I've been without. Went through withdrawal for awhile, now I'm kind of enjoying not having internet. Of course, tonight, as soon as I could, I got on ... just to see how many e-mails I'd gotten :)

Learned friends of Nick's (ours, whatever) are preggers ... with twins ... I'm so jealous :) Let's see, what else is new ... oh, met our new downstairs neighbor while she waited for a police officer to come get her info from her ... something about some guys selling magazines, not really sure what all that was about, but quite the first impression :)

Think that's it ... for now ... I'm sure I'll think of something else as soon as I shut the computer off for the night. Wish me luck getting the moving/cleaning finished without anymore injuries to me (one of the nurses I talked to tonight offered to get a doctor's note excusing me from any more moving ... I so should have taken her up on it!)

I love my Daddy!!!

2006-07-26T19:40:00.000-07:00

So Angela and I went out for supper instead of going to cake class tonight, and we ended up at Target. My Dad calls while we're wandering around and tells me "Did you guys get the second bed over there? If so, I'm going to cancel Tom on Friday." Confused Susan here ... "ummm ... ok, but the bed we currently have and treadmill don't fit in your van do they?" ... Favorite Daddy again ... "I'm going to hire 2 Men and a Truck" WOO-HOO!!! So now, we just have to pack everything up and figure out when to have them come out and get crap. At least I have most of the day off tomorrow -- gonna need it to get packing done and to have one of us go get a copy of my birth certificate because we (my parents and I) can't find it, and can't remember who has it!

Our Official "Move Date"

2006-07-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

So Friday we have Dad, Tom, Nick, Nick's friend David, me, and Angela if need be (right???) lined up to move the furniture to the new place. Basically, as of Friday, we should, technically, hopefully be out of this little appartment and into our new palace. I'm hoping that we have no heart attacks. I haven't checked the weather forecast, but our main 2 guys helping are pushing 70 ... and have wives that have had strokes ... if they have heart attacks I may never hear the end of it! I told Nick the next time we move I seriously am thinking we need to hire movers to pack us and move us ... between the heavy furniture (which technically not sure either of us should be lifting, but we will be -- guess we need to invest in Tylenol or find the Alleve again) and the way the boxes and things I pack keep attacking me (I'm onto injury #3 at least ... 2 of them having involved some amount of blood ... and one looking like a suicide attempt (apparently the bill oranizer didn't want to get packed). I did manage to get one of the part-timers at work to say she'd come in and work for me from 8:45-2:15, then I'll only have to come in 2:15-4:45 -- not really worth the effort of coming in, but necessary. I told the 2 other teachers in the room that if they didn't need a part-timer in for the afternoon, to feel free to give me a call and I won't come in, no hard feelings (they don't like to have part-timers miss hours, even though all the full-timers are -- ugh!)

Decided to skip cake class tonight. I wasn't feeling 100% last night, so didn't get my icing made/colored -- I cheated and bought 1 can of Wilton icing to use for part of it. And tonight, was tired, felt like I should probably work on packing, and I'm still not 100%. Woke up this morning with a pounding headache, that never really went away during the day. Still with me now, but that could be because lunch as a pitiful taco and then 1/2 of a small package of rainbow popcorn. The Reese's didn't seem to help. Love how I give all this information that you really don't care about? Yeah, I ramble ... get over it.

Think that's all I have for now ... if not, I'll add more later.

Ranks of Grown-ups?

2006-07-22T15:53:00.000-07:00

God, when did I become a grown-up??? Nick and I went and bought our first major appliance -- brand spankin' new washer and dryer. We decided on a front loader. Kenmore HE2 ... something like that. Got the pedastals for them -- went all out. Added bonus, we got an extra 10% off because we came back today to get them, and Sears had an extra deal today only. That's really all to update, ran a bunch of errands today -- hit Wal-mart to get boxes (they're my new favorite store, for now at least), returned some stuff to Target and Shopko that we got that we changed our minds on, or were missing pieces. Tomorrow I get to pack a bunch o' crap and haul it all over. Have I mentioned lately how much I hate moving?

Where have I been?

2006-07-22T06:23:00.000-07:00

Just realized it's been awhile since I've posted anything ... apparently I've been busy :). We signed out lease Tuesday, and have started the fun process of actually really packing everything up and hauling over. If anyone's interested in moving the heavy things (read: furniture stuff), let me know! I'm already really liking the place, even though we really have hardly been there. We spent a lot of money, though, on new things for it ... and we're nowhere near done on that front. Today we get/have to buy a new washer/dryer set. I'm excited for that ... we've decided on a front loading pair -- more expensive up front, but should over time help save money on electricity and help our clothes last longer (Lord help me there, we never throw anything away ... I think I'm still wearing stuff from high school!)

Diet front (since that is really what this started about) -- nothing. Haven't exercised in God know's how long (other than moving crap), and have completely gotten away from journaling stuff -- think that happened in June when Nick's parents were here. Not sure how they broke me of that habit!

Cake class kind of sucked again ... enough that I'm debating if I want to go back next week or take it off. I had icing problems when I did my froggie transer (I was doing the same cake I posted last time). Put the wax paper on the cake to transer the picture over, and the icing came off instead of the gel staying down. Instructor's reason: you overbeat the icing. My reason: Could it have anything at all to do with the horrible high temperatures we've been having, and the fact we don't have air conditioning in our kitchen? 100 degree kitchen to me seems like it might affect that, since my last cake looked good. She also didn't help Angela figure out the parchment bag procedure to make it when she lost it, and couldn't remember how to restart it -- just grabbed and did. There was something else Angela did that the instructor kind of pointed out to the class -- and told us how to fix it -- but it was the way she grabbed her paper and said "learning experience" or whatever. Seriously thinking about writing Wilton and Michael's and complaining. It's depressing to leave what was supposed to be a fun night out sad and depressed instead. I didn't even end up getting to eat the cake I made (well, bought, I cheated -- another reason I'm wondering if my icing didn't stay on, that my Hy-Vee cakes weren't completely thawed or something when I iced them, or the fact I didn't level them ... God only knows, I don't really care anymore, but I do). When Angela brought me home, got my cake out of the back seat, and the bottom layer was where it was supposed to be, but the top layer and slid a couple inches over to the side ... strawberry filling starting to go everywhere. It was sad, and really, unrecoverable. One of the girls at work was sad too, cuz she came in on her day off for really good bean dip another gal brought in for her birthday, and my cake ... and there was no cake. I'm trying to decide if I want to keep going to these classes that I paid for, or if I just want to say "screw it" and teach myself the rest. Anyone have any opinions?

My New Obsession

2006-07-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

Here it is, my first official decorated cake. Definetly room for improvement. It will help to go through one class with someone telling me what to do differently, and to have all the tips I need :) (I discovered after starting I'm short one tip ... probably gonna buy it before class Wednesday.) Just had to share, cuz I'm pathetic :) Now I can spend the rest of the day doing dishes (it's amazing how many dishes are created doing something this simple), packing, and mixing up stuff for Wednesday's class. It's going to be a busy week or two between class, packing/unpacking, cleaning, and then all the appointments I have next week too ... oh well, such is life.

Appeasement

2006-07-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, I feel a little better now. I decided to try to salvage the one cake that hadn't crumbled (and sampled) to bits. Went ahead and frosted it, and crappily decorated. And now, I can officially say I've decorated a cake. Looks like a kid did it, but whatever. It's going into work tomorrow, if I remember to bring it, otherwise I guess it'll go to the trash. Nick doesn't like the Wilton Class Buttercream Recipe (and really, neither do I). Definitely only using it the one time I have to for class. Another thing learned, even if I only do the cakes for the class, I think investing in the cake turner thingie (wish I could remember what it's really called right now) is a good thing ... it was a pain in the butt to do this one without it. And I really wanted to torte the cake. Got to do that for class on Wednesday.

Oh, and in apartment news ... we should be signing the lease on Tuesday ... weeee ... no time for me ... between work, cake, packing, cleaning, unpacking, and cleaning ... so excited (and that's not an exaggeration either, sadly)

Cake Disaster

2006-07-13T17:27:00.000-07:00

Apparently me and cakes are not meant to be. Went to my cake class last night, learned nothing other than we provide our own cakes. Fine, whatever ... not what I thought when I signed on for this, but I'll deal. Got 1 mix to make my cake for class. Decided tonight I wanted to try to bake, torte, frost, and decorate a cake for work tomorrow ... mixed up my mix, put it in my 2 8" round pans, baked (25 degrees lower than called, per instructors recommendation as I'm remembering) ... looked nice and golden when I pulled them out of the oven. Cooled, flipped out of pan ... and then they cracked as they cooled. I'm so annoyed (cake's really good, though). Gotta figure out what I did wrong, so I can try again ... since I have to have cake for class. Took pictures of the disaster after the crumbling (and some sampling :) ) happened.

Can't wait for Wednesday

2006-07-10T12:49:00.000-07:00

Called the new place today to see if they had a clue when we should be able to move in yet. I got told that she should know Wednesday (maintenance guy has an appointment to check it out at 4:00 today). Cake class Wednesday night, better not be cancelled this time or I might seriously cry. Low volume today, so I got a new purse (which, sadly, is the whole reason I'm posting today ... I took a picture so I could post it ... cuz I'm uber pathetic).

Argh!!! Savvy?

2006-07-08T15:43:00.000-07:00

We went and saw Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest today. It was pretty good, but I think I liked the first one better. According to Nick, that's the rule (of trilogies ... second ones always suck). The theater was really really full, not sure if it was sold out or not, but it was close at least. After we were done there, we drove past the new place to see if the grill and table was still there ... and everything's gone (thank God!) So hopefully, we'll get a phone call tomorrow (read: Monday, I'm apparently smoking the crack again) letting us know when we can move in, and maybe what the hold up was. The packing is not going the greatest right now, which is mainly because we don't have a deadline, so we're both kind of dragging our feet to do it. But, my closet(s) are getting empty. Guess that's it, for now, at least.

Cake Decorating Disappointment

2006-07-06T06:11:00.000-07:00

So last night I bust my butt to get out of work (scheduled out 5:45, finally got out of there close to 6:00 after cleaning up, clocking out, changing clothes) to get to my cake decorating class on time (started at 6:30 -- across town). Shove a granola bar down my throat on the way to Michael's, get there on time, find the classroom and have a seat. Pretty soon Angela (who's taking the class too) starts joking "15 minute rule" and other non-sense. 6:45ish a manager/supervisor person comes to the classroom, looks in and asks "Do you have an instructor?" She calls the instructor, and/or back-up instructor -- not really sure which, or both, or what -- and finds out that there was some kind of family emergency thing, and the back up didn't know she was to teach the class and had no cakes or frosting ready ... so, no class. Angela and I ended up going out for dinner, and while messing around afterwards I get a phone call from some number I don't know. Answer it, figuring wrong number, and it's our instructor. Her daughter had heart surgery, so she kind of forgot about having a class to teach -- umm, yeah, I can understand how that would happen. Basically, no cake class this week, get it next week instead. I'm bummed, and feel like crap that I'm bummed when there was major surgery as the reason she couldn't be there.

Oh, and I had access to boxes yesterday at work, stashed them in another teacher's room ... and forgot about them when I left. I'm kind of hoping housekeeping threw them away last night, so I don't feel like a complete idiot when I go in. Still no word on when we're moving ... drove past it last night and the people moving out still have a table & chairs on the balcony, and the grill (big gas grill) was on the porch, with some antler things sitting on top. Really disappointing day.

Oh, so tired!!!

2006-07-02T14:00:00.000-07:00

Yeah, so I started the fun process of moving boxes from Point A to Point B (to eventually get to Point C). The things I learned today:

1) The next time we move it's to the house we've built that we're going to DIE in (guess that means we need to build at least 4 bedrooms, and ranch style so we don't have to worry about being old and having stairs)

2) Nick should not be allowed to pack boxes with books (or anything else that can be squised in such a way to make it get HEAVY -- or so that it can easily pinch fingers in the box)

3) I'm really out of shape

4) My car is really not that good for moving things (hatchback sucks -- especially when the hydraulics that hold the trunk open don't work. I became quite the contortionist loading my car up.

5) Where boxes are at Russ's (love getting to go into Employee Only areas)

I'm sure there's more, but I'm too tired to think ... ready to be done with this already, and we've hardly started the process.

I Love Crocs

2006-07-01T12:07:00.000-07:00

So I'm turning into one of those people that have multiple Crocs in multiple colors. I am now the proud owner of 3 different pairs (and styles). I have my navy Aspen's which I got last winter. Today I went on a quest for a pair of beach in pearl, and a pair of the Athens flip flops. And I succeeded. Went to Dillard's and got the flip flops in pearl/turquise ... and they are very, very, very chushy in the heels. But Dillard's didn't have my Beach's that I wanted, so went to Journey's and struck out. Hit Brown's Shoes at Eastpark, struck out ... then went to Moose's Tooth expecting to get crappy customer service again. Walked in, went straight to the Crocs ... and found my pearl's in size 8 ... and right after I found my shoes, an employee asked if they could help me ... so I definetly made a purchase today to reward their customer service (last time I went there I was searching and searching for something, couldn't find what I wanted ... or an employee). If I'm really pathetic later, I may post pictures of all my Crocs, cuz I'm proud.

I'm so excited ... this is gonna be such a kick ass month! Crocs, cake, and moving ... so good!!!!

We're MOVING!!!

2006-06-29T19:03:00.000-07:00

Just don't know when for sure ... sometime in July -- most likely mid-July. We are getting a 2 bedroom/1 bathroom upstairs unit ... more importantly, it has central air, a dishwasher, and washer/dryer hookups. So now I get the fun of starting to pack crap up here and try to get organized, and while I'm at it, get rid of the crap we don't need and never really did. So excited for that.

I'm also going to take a cake decorating class in July too. Give me something to do while Nick is gaming ... I'm so excited about that too ... I'm gonna be making cakes constantly I think ... at least I can take them to work for the girls to get fat from and not just Nick and I.

On the health front, I've been doing Walk Away the Pounds this week, 3 mile walk (in 45 minutes). Wow is that a workout. Sad part about it is I know I'm not getting my heart rate up where it should be cuz I just can't move that fast or something. (I bought a heart monitor cuz by the time I'd find my pulse, it was slowed way down).

Think that's really all that's new. I'll be sure to post cake pictures as I go along.

I Love Tea

2006-06-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

OK, I never knew how much I really like tea. Apparently the secret (for me at least) is hot brewing. Those Lipton cold tea bags just don't work for me. I love my new toy :) :) :) (yes, I'm uber-pathetic).

And, the only bad part of my day today has been that I can't find our savings account registry. So, if anyone out in the world has a clue, clue me in where it's hiding!

BLINGO WIN!!!

2006-06-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

Nick just won a movie ticket on Blingo which means I get one too! Woo-hoo!!! Anyone reading this that wants to sign up to win, do it here. You can win iPods, Visa gift certificates, movie tickets, lots of stuff.

I got a new ice tea maker today, gotta go clean it up so I make me some tea, since I broke my sun tea jar this morning ... used it ONCE ... grrrr! Wood Bridge lady called today, we have an appointment to look at a unit Thursday, and if we like it, can move in on the 3rd ... I'm excited. All in all it's been a really good day ... low volume, possibility of moving soon, new tea maker, and a couple gift certificates coming our way.

Back on Track

2006-06-11T15:30:00.000-07:00

Well, this morning I got up, cleaned up the living room somewhat, and I actually put in Walk Away the Pounds, and I did the 1-mile walk. Which reminds me, I need to record all my eating and exercising from the weekend still. Hopefully, that will help get me back on track. Also, decided that maybe I should keep my Intervent stuff at work, where it's in my face more than at home, to help keep me on track better there. My co-workers always seem to ask me more questions and stuff, helping keep me accountable (even if they don't realize it) when I have it there. I have this habit of bringing it out in the hall at naptime every so often when it's there, so we get to talking and it takes me 2-3 times longer to get my homework done :). Oh, and I weighed myself this morning and I lost 3 pounds since Friday morning (which I just don't understand -- not that I'm complaining, just commenting).

Next task: drink more water ... or, rather ... drink any water, period (I'm so bad about that) ... possibly I might even try to do away with soda when I start that.

Oh what an exciting life I lead

2006-06-06T18:09:00.000-07:00

Now that I've started this, I've realized how really, truly boring my life really is. The excitement of this evening ... we did dishes, and Drake (our beta fish) got clean water (it was really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really gross.) Yeah, that's pretty much it ... well, that and I'm debating getting a part-time job ... but I really enjoy having some time at home to relax ... but this low numbers business is getting old (at least I've made 2 weeks I think since I had it last).

On the weight loss topic (since supposedly that's what this is supposed to be primarily about, amazing how quick I can get off topic), I've been royally (and I mean ROYALLY) slacking on that front. Been eating a lot of food, and junk also ... and not tracking ANY of it ... and the exercising that I had been doing so good with, has gone to hell in a handbasket (thanks to Nick's hours being different last week, so he was around in the mornings). I keep telling myself I need to get out of bed in the mornings and go do it, and then next thing I know I'm waking up in time to eat breakfast and do my normal morning routine, sans (is that the right word???) exercise.

It's Official

2006-06-03T17:22:00.000-07:00

Bryan and Madonna are separated (wow ... if I didn't know better I'd think I'd just announced that 2 people were in the process of a divorce instead of 2 businesses :) ) Went into work (on a Saturday, yuck) at 8:00. They told us it would hopefully not last as long as they expected (which was noon). 2 Men and a Truck started Friday moving the big furniture, thinking they'd have that all moved so today we could just fill stuff in ... yeah, they only got 1 van moved.

While I was working, Nick got to go to his cousin's graduation ceremony (7 beach balls, and a blow up doll got bounced around, now I'm kind of bummed I missed it). I did get to go to the reception. (Got done at work at 12:30 ... working solidly from 8:00 until 12:15ish when I took a break to eat some lunch).

And a side note, I called the nurse practitioner that put me on Metformin in January for my insulin levels, and she told me on Thursday (think that's when I talked to her anyway) that when I had my bloodwork done in March my insulin levels were low, so they were going to bump me from 1500 mg a day to 1000 mg a day (yeah, 1 less pill a day!!!)

Guess that's really all I have for now

Nothing new here

2006-05-31T20:45:00.000-07:00

Just realized it had been awhile since I posted anything. Really have nothing new (as I'm sure you could imagine, what with my creative title). Bought a Walk Away the Pounds DVD, did really good with it for about a week, then Nick's hours got changed for this week, and I'm refusing to do it when he's home ... and my hours were different this week ... yeah, not looking forward to getting back into the swing of working out, but I definetly need to.

Saturday I have to help move/set up for our transition from being BryanLGH/Madonna child development center into being BryanLGH & Madonna CDCs, with neither having anything to do with the other. Hopefully we get done really really quickly (even though it is paid time, and with having Monday off, it would be nice not to have to use time bank for that) because Nick's cousin Jonathon graduates from East, and I'd like to have time at home to rest before going to the reception. Of course, at this point in time (cuz I'm in a horrible, depressed mood) I'm refusing to go, because I have nothing to wear. I have been searching for something this week to buy, found a shirt that is tolerable (but not as much now as when I bought it, seriously thinking I need to return it). Tonight I went to Penney's, Kohl's, and Shopko ... and left each store pretty much in tears. Really hating my body image, and having self esteem issues tonight (there's something wrong about looking like you're pregnant when you really aren't, just made me feel terrible). Can't wait for this week to be over, so I can try to get back on track more with the dieting and exercising ... I really need to start seeing numbers drop on that scale!!!

Date Night!!!

2006-05-20T08:12:00.000-07:00

Nick & I decided last night to have a date night, since it was so hot outside and we have no air conditioning in the living room yet. We went to Val's Grand Buffet for dinner (and neither of us really actually ate all that terrible bad ... but I know I went way over my fat grams for the day in just that meal ... oh well, it was good). Then we went and saw The Da Vinci code. I really liked it, I thought it followed the book pretty well (from what I'm remembering at least). The only thing that really bothered me is they got the albino wrong. He had pale blondish hair, and (according to Nick) as pale skin as they can do with makeup, but he had blue eyes. I always was under the impression that albinos have red/pink eyes, so every time he was on screen I was very mildly ... annoyed I guess. Definitely need to reread the book, and read some of Dan Brown's other books. Today's plan (besides me needing to try to eat better, which isn't happening because we're getting pizza from Fox's Pizza to help fundraise money for Saint Elizabeth's NICU. Order a large pepperoni pizza for $7.99 and all the proceeds go to the NICU ... only reason we're doing it) is to clean the living room and call Larry to see when he can come put the air conditioner in. And actually, right now, we almost have it ready ... just need to figure out what we're doing with all the boxes o' crap we have piled behind our chairs. I am sooooooooo ready to move ... WOODBRIDGE CALL US!!!! (have I hit the point of rambling yet, cuz I sure feel like I have).

Oh, update (if you can call it that) on the netmagazines fiasco: they have yet to call me back ... so part of this weekend will be spent writing letters to Discover, netmagazines, and the Better Business Bureau. Hopefully that kicks their butts in gear ... for some reason I want money back from them because of all the hassle I'm going to have to go to for this, even though I really don't deserve it ... and they better not tell me they can't refund the whole amount because magazines have already shipped to me (got one Thursday), since that's not my fault. I suppose I should probably contact that magazine company too. I think my weekend has now officially been shot!

Stupid Internet Businesses, Part 2

2006-05-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

So I haven't heard anything back from www.netmagazines.com yet, and business hours are over for the day. I called them again tonight, about 6:30 and left message with them that they screwed up, and they need to fix it, and they have until tomorrow night to call me back. If I haven't heard from them by them, I'll be starting procedures to dispute with my credit card company and file a report with the Better Business Bureau. I noticed I started to get a little bit of attitude in my voice while leaving the message, but I was still polite. Hopefully, my threat will cause some action to happen. If not, I guess I get to spend my weekend writing letters to the magazine company, my credit card company, and the Better Business Bureau. I should probably figure out if I file with the Nebraska BBB, or the one that serves Seattle, where this business is located. Oh, have I mentioned that they already had several complaints against them -- that have been resolved -- according to the Seattle/Washington/Whatever area that is BBB? Yeah, never buy from this company, or pretty much trust any internet company you haven't heard of before from someone you actually know/trust/is reputable.

Stupid Internet Businesses

2006-05-17T17:32:00.000-07:00

So got my credit card bill last night ... one that I hardly ever use, but use enough not to be surprised I'm getting a bill. Open it up, and there's one charge ... that I never authorized. For magazine subscriptions from a site I did order 6 subscriptions from last year. The site says "We don't automatically renew your subscriptions" ... but apparently sometimes they do ... cuz today in the mail I got a magazine I don't remember getting for the last month or 2, and it has an expiration date of June 2008. So I search the site (http://www.netmagazines.com) to see what contact information I can find to bitch, and I can't find anything. Call the credit card, and they tell me (very nicely, and this is in my words) that I'm an idiot (ohhhhh ... those numbers that are all run together are actually a phone number? ok, I'll try that, thanks!). So I call the number, and get a message that "All available operators are busy helping other customers. Leave a detailed message with your name, order number, and phone number and we will return your call." So I finally do, and about 2:00, here it is 7:30 and they still haven't called back. I called at some point to see what their business hours are, and the message says 800 - 1800 PST Monday - Friday. Tried back a few minutes ago, to hear a message that I'm calling after business hours for the day ... ummmmm .... what? From the way I figure, people should still be working for at least 30 more minutes. Be warned, use caution when ordering things online (stupid netmagazines.com and their stupid lazy-ass employees ... I so hope one of them stumbles across this)

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

2006-05-17T13:35:00.000-07:00

I love my job ... show up for work at 9, do a pump time (with 3 screaming kids, 2 of which should know by now that I come in the room for 15 minutes at most, and their teacher comes back ... been doing pump time since January), go to get my kids only to be told "You're going home at 10:00 for low volume, your child is sleeping now, you're not touching him" for BOTH my kids I had today ... so basically I got paid for an hour of time of sitting on my ass in the hallway talking with the other 2 teachers on my team. At least I only live 5 minutes away from work, not out of town like all the other teachers seem to be!

So much better

2006-05-16T05:10:00.000-07:00

Got my laptop back last night, Nick spent last night getting it ready for me to use again and will hopefully finish tonight. I'm so happy!!!!! And, I've now lost almost 10 pounds!!! I just saw a number on the scale I never thought I'd see again ... great way to start the day!!!

Man my life is boring

2006-05-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

Yep, title says it all. Don't think I've done anything interesting this week ... well, except order flowers for my mom for mother's day (only got her the ones I did cuz I liked the vase ... is that a sad way to decide to order flowers? anyway here's the flowers I got for her.) I've also discovered this week that Nick & I really don't share well ... I know I've said it all along, but I didn't realize how well we didn't share! Can't wait for the phone call saying my computer's back ... this SUCKS!

I did go for a 45 minute walk yesterday. Feeling it in my legs today, not sure if I'm going to try to go for another walk tonight or not.

Guess that's really all I have to say ... nothing exciting ... not even another fire drill at work (or false alarm if you would rather call it that). Yep, my life if boring.

Yesterday was bad

2006-05-08T05:08:00.000-07:00

Nothing like deciding to be pretty lazy on a Sunday and not to anything only to end up constantly hurting yourself. Had to do laundry, so as soon as I heard that Larry (the landlord) had been over, I went down with a load to put it in. Decided maybe I should make sure that it looked like the vent had been put back, and hit my head on the stairs. I swear it was hard enough the stairs shook, I'm surprised that Bill (the guy downstairs) didn't come out to see what I was doing. I'm now starting to wonder if I hit it harder than I thought, and managed to give myself a concussion. Anyway, I was fine for a while (other than a massive headache that I refused to take drugs for, since I knew what it was from ... I'm weird like that I guess). Nick gets home from work, and could do nothing right by me (which I did tell him the first time he asked me what was wrong "I don't know, and it's not anything you did, and there's nothing you can do to make it better" ... all night we went through this ... helps the mood so much :)) Before bed, we switched sheets. In the process of me pulling the comforter back up on the bed, I gouged my hand on the bedframe ... so off I go cussing and crying again and here's Nick trying to figure out what's wrong with me now. Get myself cleaned up and bandaged, decide I need chocolate (oh, have I mentioned lately I'm trying to lose weight, so there's like no junk in the house ... not good when you're PMSing or whatever it is I'm doing right now). I have to settle on hot chocolate, so I throw some milk in the microwave. It beeps, I come out to pour it into my cocoa powder ... and it had gone all over the place in the microwave. Just about said Fuck it and went to bed, but the desire for chocolate was too strong. Sat the milk by my cup, mopped the tray up, decided I should probably actually wash it, so went ahead and did that. Then went back to my hot chocolate. Made another nice mess when I tried to pour the milk in the cup ... I gotta say, that was the best hot chocolate I've ever had after all the shit I went through yesterday. I'm pretty sure there was more, but I've blocked it with all the concussion and everything. The one good thing I did (besides laundry) was I went for a walk, gone about 40 minutes or so, walked from our place up to the ER at BryanLGH and back. My goal is that in the near future I'll have the stamina to do that walk to work most everyday.

Hopefully today goes better ... at some point this week I have to get up to employee health because apparently I'm due for my tetanus shot. Maybe I'll have them check me out for a concussion ... or not.

Date Night and other expenses

2006-05-06T18:34:00.000-07:00

So last night we actually went on a date. We got tickets to the Friends of the Bob & Tom Show Comedy Tour, went to that, and had dinner at Samurai Sam's first. It was pretty good, even though I didn't seem to enjoy it while we were there (I did laugh a lot, Nick was too busy having an aneurysm from laughing so hard to notice if I was or not). During the day, Nick got a haircut, and when he was done he was going to bring my laptop in to get fixed ... only his Check Engine light came on, so home he came and called Walker Tire to see about getting it worked in and checked out instead. Turns out his alternator needed replaced ($435 -- bye bye tax return) . Today we picked his car up, and went to Best Buy to bring the laptop in, and I'm without it for 2-3 weeks ... so who knows how much internet that means I'll get ... I might actually find a hobby!!! (Speaking of which, I'm just over 2/3 done with my first knitting project). I started with new infants (well, little infants) Thursday. My kids so far seem to be really good, Janice's kids were pretty good for me too :) Was a really nice surprise for me. Guess that's really it for now -- stay tuned for the next installment, who knows when it'll be!

2 Good Things

2006-05-03T18:44:00.000-07:00

1) I'M DONE IN TODDLERS (thank god, after today I don't think I'm ever gonna have kids ... at least not multiples)

2) I talked to Mom on the phone tonight for the first time since her stroke, really hit me.

Now gotta finish inhaling supper, so I can go to bed cuz I have to be at the hospital for Intervent at 7:30 am, and to work by 8:00 ... weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ugh ... is it Friday yet?

2006-05-02T17:44:00.000-07:00

So I was in toddlers today ... wasn't all that long ago that that's where I was most comfortable. Learned today that I am so not used to the toddler routine anymore (and that I think I enjoy infants more). Plus side to this, I somehow managed to walk over 10,000 steps (up to now, I've been doing good getting 7,500). My legs are achey tonight ... hope that it's better by tomorrow, think I'm gonna go take a hot shower soon and see if that helps too. Really have nothing to post, just had to announce that step thing.

My Day

2006-05-01T19:03:00.000-07:00

Wow, I actually had a productive low volume day! I think that's a first! Went to Pastor Jean's funeral this morning, made me a lot sadder than I expected it to. Might be because it's the first thing like this since Mom had her stroke, couple times during the service I kept thinking about how lucky we were we didn't have to plan a funeral out for her. Anyway, after that I ran to the library and got a Walk Away the Pounds tape to see what I think, and a book on CD to listen to when I walk by myself outside. Then to Blockbuster, rented Mrs. Henderson Presents (the only redeeming value of this that I got out of it was the boobies) and Ella Enchanted. Came home, ate lunch, then ran to the DMV to renew my plates and got hit up by petitioners who I ignored (really, how many people pay attention to them?!?). Then I went for a 21 block walk (which for me right now is quite the walk, so I'm happy). All in all, I did a lot, but yet it doesn't seem that way. (Oh, yeah, I did dishes a couple times too).

Tomorrow I have to go to work, and I'll be in toddlers ... that should be ... interesting, mainly cuz I'll be working across the hall from Diann, and on the same floor that 5 of my 6 kids moved to. At least I go in early, so I get out early. Thank goodness for small favors!

I love my job!

2006-05-01T06:17:00.000-07:00

Just had to say I got the day off!!! No dealing with toddlers for me today! Instead I'll be going to a funeral for a former minister at my church, then I'll be goofing off the rest of the day pretty much (dorking around online, renting a couple movies). Also need to remember to call Intervent to reschedule Friday's appointment, since we're going to the Bob and Tom concert that night.

Yes, I'm bored

2006-04-30T19:04:00.000-07:00

Like I said earlier, I'm just gonna be messing for awhile, figuring this all out. Sooo ... here's a graph of my weight loss so far!

We'll see if this is better

2006-04-30T17:05:00.000-07:00

I've done a few blog post things on a site focusing on weight loss. I've discovered I (so far at least) am enjoying having a blog to post things to every so often. What I don't like is the way it's set up on the other site, so I'm going to try this instead. Hopefully I like this a lot better!

My goal with a blog is to help me lose weight (primarily going to post things about that, so sorry if there's a lot of food stuff getting mentioned) but there'll also be other stuff in here about work, and whatever else comes to mind.

Pretty much just doing this post right now to figure out how this works, will come back and do more later.