Last Day 2005

Today is the last day of 2005. What a great year. Sweetie and I are doing better than ever, we have a baby, and while I am unemployed at the moment, I did finish my MBA.

No time to go into a lengthy post. I hope everyone has a SAFE New Years Eve.

Not sure if I will post until after our anniversary, Jan 3rd - 8 years.

A Year in Review

I got this idea from Crista "very cool idea, which is to list by month the first sentence of the first post for each month of the past year. I included the title of each post (with a link embedded should anyone be interested in reading more) since it often provides some important context and/or better encapsulates the post…I also, like Kether, sometimes included more than one sentence. So sue me. ;) Anyone else wanna play?! " She wrote it so well, thought I would "borrow" it, lol.

Jan: Day Four of vacation and New Years Day Four was our last real day of "our" vacation. We slept in, ate breakfast, slept more and headed to USA Baby.

Feb:"Is that sorry on your breath?" Allison Kraus Forgiveness, apologies, and mental growth. Much as an alcoholic will not be able to seek help until ready, the same goes for correcting wrongs or forgiving those wrongs done unto you.

Mar: What a difference a day makes I did not realize what anemia could do to a person.

Apr: One Year First, I want to say a big Congratulations to my Sweetie. Today marks 1 year with his current job.

May: Weekend Check In This weekend has been so wonderful so far – and it is not finished yet.

June: 38 Week Appointment Today was our 38-week appointment. In spite of the odds, she flipped.

July: Perfect Outings The most wonderful thing to wake up to is a newborn’s face, a face like fresh untouched snow, perfection in every inch.

Aug: Feeling Great am feeling great. I have been for days now. Saturday we packed up JuneBug and headed to MotoDiva to help her make a movie.

Sept: And so I cried Yes, I cried. My Sweetie and I took her to her daycare this morning.

Oct: The Human Condition Saturday night my Sweetie and I went to Carmina Burana performed by the Ballet Austin.

Nov: HUGE SUCCESS This Halloween was a huge success.

Dec: Flying There is a great thing called "Flying". This is with Flylady. Flying is getting your house in order with an easy approach.

Happy Happy Dance

I got down another size in jeans this weekend, officially in some single digit clothing. Now I need to get cracking on working out for Carnaval. Tomorrow is going to be busy with visiting my old work and then in the evening seeing Best Friend and her husband.

Plans for New Years Eve are in the works. Sweetie wants to have a quiet evening with a few friends and Bug. The holidays are so very different now that we have Bug.

On other news, her scooting/crawling had taken a new step. She is going clear across the living room and into the dining room in a couple of seconds. Time to baby proof.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas. This holiday was amazing. First let me show you what Santa gave me. Yes, I now have a microwave. We had one before. However, when it died a few years ago we did not replace it. The main reason was that we could not find one that was big enough. The one we had was when they made them large enough for casseroles. This one is bigger than our last. My first thought was "I am getting some popcorn". It is going to be strange. We are so used to cooking with only a stove, oven, and electric skillet. Who knows maybe cable is next. LoL.


Christmas Eve Eve we had my niece and we enjoyed shopping, having lunch, and going to my Brother's. It was a lot of fun. Great food, decorating the tree, and niece had other kids to talk to. I hope this tradition continues. But we won't mention my Sweetie eating a full raw jalapeño pepper.

Christmas Eve I had my normal breakdown and my Sweetie pulled me through it, as always. We went to Church. It was great. They kept it funny for the kids and it ended with everyone holding a candle and singing silent night. After, we had our Christmas eve celebration. Other than me misjudging the start time, due to getting out of church late, I think it went well. We made Snow globes. It was so much fun. But we didn't start gifts until almost midnight. Bug made out. She was so goodands played with everything she received. Sweetie received a freaky little doll that he has wanted. He looks like a kid with this gift. The evening continued until late. I hit the pillow at 3.

Christmas Day started fantastically. SIL and Niece always stay at MIL's. This allows MIL to see Niece's face with Santa gifts. We thought this was a good idea and had my Mom stay the night Christmas Eve. We even put a stocking out for her during the night. She did not notice and when we gave it to her she started to cry. Bug was so happy with her Santa gifts, she looked at us to as if to make sure they were for her. We ate banana nut bread, opened presents, and packed up for Mom's. It was a laid back day. We talked about family no longer with us and enjoyed each other. After a wonderful game of Phase 10 (i won), we headed home. This time we went to bed at oneish.

This morning, Bug let us sleep until 11:30, with a couple of feedings as our only distraction. Today is a relaxing Boxing Day. Tonight is dinner at Mom's for leftovers.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. I cannot believe next week is 2006. That means that our 8th anniversary is only 8 days away.

Busy day

Today was wonderfully crazy. Bug was feeling great, and telling us all about it, and went to school. I went and did some shopping. I finished buying Bug's gifts to others, just need to finish one thing. I also bought items for Christmas Eve. Last year, I hosted decorating cookies. Sweetie is worried we may not have enough time. I will figure it out though.

I finished my shopping just in time for lunch. I decided it would be a great treat to take my Sweetie lunch, so that is what I did. We had the best lunch. We ate in the breakroom - nice breakroom - and finished our visit with ping pong. OK mine was more pong than ping, lol. I worked on Bug's gifts and then headed to Happy Hour for a ex-coworker's going away party. Funny that it lands on what would be my last day. Long story short, I could not take Bug into the bar area at all. I can understand this but the manager was a HUGE horse's ass about it. Just as I was heading out, I called Sweetie to discover he was in the parking lot. He offered to take Bug from me so I could enjoy the happy hour. Enjoy I did. I had adult beverages and had fun. All for free. The drinks were weak so I was never "out of control". I discussed going back to work for the AP Manager. Would be a hard decision. The pay would be less and the position , well I don't want to say less because AP has its challenges on a daily basis, but not what I was doing. But I would keep the company and the benefits and great time off. And I would be able to go to my old boss and say "Good morning, yes you could not get rid of me." Such a hard decision.

I would love to post more, but I am tired. I need to go to bed. Tomorrow is a big day. We have my niece for the day and night. We need to finish some shopping and then get ready for a small dinner at Brother's house. It will be fun.

525,600 Minutes

First things first, I got my grade last night for the CPA. I did not pass, just as I suspected, but I did better than I expected. Next time I will shine.

The interview went well. They were honest about the job and that is a little intimidating.

Bug and I slept a lot today. She has, yet another, ear infection. We will get through this too.

Today would be my parents 32nd anniversary. To celebrate, Sweetie watched Bug and Mom and I went to Alamo Draft House and saw Rent. It was great. From the moment I saw Angel, he was my favorite. I am so surprised that he is not one of the original cast. I want to see the Broadway version now. I totally teared up with the events around the funeral. It is a great movie and one I recommend if you do not mind singing dialogue. It, however, did not make me want to move to NYC. Visiting would be nice, but it looks too damn cold. LOL

Now I need to soundtrack.

Ballet, Lights, and Cookies

I have been trying to blog several times today without any luck.

Another great weekend to report. Saturday night was Nutcracker. It was amazing, as always. This is the 43rd season for Ballet Austin to perform the nutcracker. I cannot wait until we can take Bug. We saw the ballet and then went to dinner. Outback is perfect at 10:00pm. We had a fantastic and romantic evening. One thing I did learn, it is time to retire my reunion pants. They were simply falling off me at the Ballet.

Sunday was the trail of lights with Mom, Sweetie, Bug, MIL, SIL, SIL's brother, grandpa, and niece. Bug slept through about half of it, but she was able to spin under the Christmas tree at the end with her daddy. It was so much fun.

Today was a day for Bug and me. She had a rough night so we kept her home from school. Since I have been recovering from my cold as well, it worked out wonderfully for the both of us. We slept a lot and watched a lot of TV.

Tonight, Sweetie made me dinner. Shortly after finishing Mom called to tell me to come over and pick up homemade peanut butter cookies, right from the oven. So perfect. It is the holiday season.

Tomorrow I have an interview. We shall see, I am holding out for the perfect job. The good news is that the Boss would be a mentor type like I had at a prior job. I will keep everyone updated.

Nothing Better

Than brand new sheets, flannel at that, and holding a sleeping baby. Shhhhhhh don't wake her.

And it is so

First let me start with last night. We went to Bug's school for the Christmas party. It was so much fun. After, we went to see Santa. Serif was so good for him - although not smiling for the camera still. Such a good night.

This morning started out slowly. When I got to work my boss's boss asked to speak to me. He told me that today would be my last day and I will be paid through next week. This means I got my vacation. It was very strange. I thought Thursday would be my last day. I made sure to finish the work I needed to. No matter what I did not want to leave them in a bad situation.

AP Manager, Tiff, another co-worker, and I went for a long lunch. It was very nice for a last time out. We had the company Christmas party today. During the party, I went back to my desk to send my goodbye e-mail, I am no good with goodbyes, and gather my things to leave. I sent the e-mail and lingered too long and people who I e-mailed began coming over to say goodbye. It meant a lot. An auditor friend there, not the one with KPMG, gave me the name and number of a woman with his company. He said I will find something in no time. Tiff walked me out. We both started tearing up.

It was very hard to say goodbye to AP Manager (Kimberly) and Tiff. They are friends that make my experience at the company worthwhile. I am going back on Tuesday to show of Bug. That is going to be hard.

After leaving I met with a headhunter. We shall see. I am holding out for the perfect job. I want a job like Sweetie, he loves his job and everyone loves him. I am doing ok. I am starting to get bitter and I don't want to. My boss finally spoke to me today. First time since I gave notice.

This next week I am focusing on Christmas. I have four days to clean, decorate, and finish my craft. Then on Friday Sweetie, Bug, Niece, and I are going to have fun. Maybe we will do some baking. I want to get Niece in the kitchen and see what she can do (under complete supervision no worries SIL).

The good news about the day - I had two conversations about my weight loss. One co-worker said that she didn't remember my face being so round (based on my ID), Kimberly said I lost a few chins, and another co-worker said I look beautiful and sexy.

Free Biscotti

Biscotti makes me happy
Biscotti makes me sing
Biscotti makes me forget the 80 cents I lost in the machine

Sick at home

Yes, I am home again. I feel like crap, stuffed nose, achiness, sneezing.... I am eating breakfast now and then going to sleep until I feel better. I am all set up: eating breakfast malt-o-meal (although sweetie makes it better), have my diet coke (maybe no withdrawls this morning), TV remote (because when you are sick you get to watch a lot of tv - damnit when is a new episode coming out), and both phones (in case someone wants to call and hire me, or call and fire me).

The nyquil is kicking in. Must finish diet coke. I do have to make sure to get up someitme tioday and shower so that I can be presentable for Bug. I get to pick her up today - Sweetie has a work thing tonight.

There is more to write, but alas, I have lot all ability to think.

Interview

The interview went well. The most overtime they work is an hour a day during close. WOOO HOOO. That means if I get this job, I would not have anymore days where I am working to midnight. The guy I interviewed with went to the same HS as Sweetie, graduated a year after, went to the same college and graduated the same year as Sweetie, and is attending SEU for his MBA and knows my favorite professor. We shall see. I said I could start mid-January. I need some time for me.

Currently I am cleaning my desk. I want to leave it tidy. I feel like crap. I have a cold and I think my head is going to explode. I just found some dayquil. YAY. Let's hope it works. I think I might have to call in tomorrow. I had planned on doing this for one day anyway. But I didn't want to actually be sick.

Saturday is our big date night. Dinner and Nutcracker. I cannot wait. I am hoping to wear a Christmas dress that I have not worn in some time. I hope the 53 pounds gone allows me to be comfortable and confident.

Getting to Saturday is going to be busy. I am making gifts, need to finish shopping, and Bug needs to see Santa. We shall get it done. Damn why isn't the dayquil working yet?

Well I have a whole other side to clean so I better get busy.

Picture Time

I totally forgot to post about Saturday. It was perfect. We had our first family photos taken, and Christmas cards made. It was so much fun, other than Bug not smiling. But that is ok. She smiled every time away from the camera, lol. My baby bug. Saturday night was my mom's Christmas tree decorating. It was fun. However, my Brother and I got to chat about being out of work for Christmas. While mine is voluntary, his is not. We watched Christmas specials and Bug and I took a nice long nap. Mom gave me medicine for my stuffy nose and failed to mention that it causes drowsiness. But it was good and fun. Most of the Christmas shopping is done. That makes me happy. Now it is time to work before my interview.

Movie Review Time

Short moment to discuss work - my boss is an ass. It became apparent that I could no longer work with him. Even more apparent he will never like me. I gave two weeks, hoping they walk me sooner. I have an interview tomorrow though, and with a company only 5 miles from home and right by Sweetie. That sounds wonderful, no hopes up no hopes up.

Now to the meat of the post. Sweetie and I saw "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" on Friday night, yep opening night. It was wonderful. If we had not just finished the book, we would not have noticed the changes as much. Nothing big like Lord of the Rings. If you have had the pleasure to hear my Sweetie vent about this, well you know how we feel about it. The cast - wonderful. Queen Jadis was amazing. Although not tall enough, but you have to read Magician's Nephew to know this. The children were fantastic and very close to my mind's eye. And the movie looked the way Narnia looks. While some of the little additions made sense due to explanation - like how the movie began - there were also a couple of changes that I could not understand. Don't get me wrong, they did not ruin the movie. But the conversation with the beavers about Aslan was not complete. They left of the part where the kids ask if he is a man and find out he is a lion. The also changed a couple of other things, like the fox. However, all in all I loved the movie. Sweetie made sure that I would see it. We held hands and did the whole "date" thing with it. And after the movie, we talked and talked about if the movie lived up to the book. My favorite part? When the stone table breaks. Enough said. I totally teared up at the scene leading up to this. They really pulled it off. My second favorite is when all the children arrive in Narnia and Peter apologizes for not believing her. These are my favorites in the book and the movie. Sweetie's favorite agrees with my second as well as the Centaur rushing Jadis with the Rhino. It was a great evening and he is the sweetest man ever.

Today involved some girl time as Bug and I did some Christmas shopping. Hope Sweetie likes what we got him. She was very picky - you know wanting to grab everything for him. Now it is time to prepare for my interview and get a good night's sleep.

2 Weeks

I just gave my two weeks notice.

BRRRRRRRRR

OK I live in Texas. I am a Texan. We (at least in Austin) freak out with cold weather. Yesterday the temp dropped into the 20s with some rain. My company closed at 3:00. I got out at 4. I finally made it home after 5:00. It iced over fairly good last night. Most schools are closed and companies are starting late. Sweetie, Bug and I enjoyed a easy morning with some warm breakfast before heading out into the streets. I found out before leaving that the company is closing at 3 again today and that my boss is iced in - YAYAYAYAYAY. This made going in sound so much more appealing.

I headed out. It took me over 30 minutes to get what normally takes 5. At this rate it would have taken me 3 hours to get to work. I decided, along with Mom telling me to turn around, that I can do more in my workday at a computer, be it at home or work, than sitting in traffic unable to do anything. Sweetie made it to work after dropping off Bug, but his commute is less than 1/4 of what mine is. So I sit alone in the house, well as alone as you can be with cats. It is nice after yesterday.

Yesterday was so busy at work. I took tamales in for breakfast. I did not get a chance to heat them and because they sat out all day, I had to throw them out. I was so busy that I did not even stop to get water. I only had my diet coke from the morning. Luckily the AP manager is an angel. She brought me homemade soup for lunch. Not only that, she heated it for me and put it in front of my face to eat. Good thing, or I don't know when I would have been able to eat. The my temp asked if I would like a soda. Very unlike myself I said yes. They were my life saviors yesterday. It made me feel very loved after my boss was being such an ass again. One of my complaints when I leave will be that he expects me to know everything about my recs and entries but it is ok for him to forget about his. BLAH. But at least others love me. And I presented at the meeting. It went ok. I am sure my boss still wants to get rid of me.

On other news, Bug turned 6 months yesterday. How is that possible? He appointment went good. The doctor is still cautious of her weight. He says she is very very healthy, skin looks good, is very strong, and extremely happy. He admits that she might just be thin. She looks small but not skinny. So we go back in three months to see how she is doing. I feel good about it.

Last night we snuggled due to the cold until her 3:30 feeding. Which, due to her weight, we have to continue since that is an extra 4 oz. At this point she went to her crib. Her sleeping in our bed is a very special thing, only happens when mommy needs it or due to the cold. I heard her over the monitor talking away. It made me smile. Then a few hours later I woke up to her talking. She is just like me.

I know if you are from up north you think we are crazy - but it is only 27 degrees outside. IT IS COLD. Our town shuts down for weather like this.

Crazy busy

The close meeting is tomorrow, which means that I will miss Bug's 6 month check-up.

I wanted to check in, let everyone know that I am doing great, and leave you with one thought.

I was feeling distant from Sweetie. He was feeling the same way. Nothing happened to cause this feeling, we had a great morning. The biggest difference is that we both were very busy this morning working and unable to chat much. Here is our IM conversation. Sorry ladies, he is taken. He is all mine.

me: i feel lost from you today

sweetie: i am getting the same feeling from you... like we are so extremely far apart

me: yes that is the feeling, like I have not seen you for days

sweetie: i know, i miss you mouse

me: what do we do to fix this?

sweetie: i dunno mouse... i think we just need to see each other today. meaning - when you get home, i think the feeling will go away

me: ok

sweetie: i don't know why we feel divided, but there is nothing we can do about it -now-. We simply have to wait to get back into each other's arms.
sweetie: to me - it just reaffirms how much we love each other. So much that a couple hours of the day of not being together is painful or "weird"

me: I love you

sweetie: i love you more than anything

In need of sleep

WOW. That is what I have to say about this weekend. Friday night I got together with HowieMaui. We realized we have been friends for 20 years. While I have not seen her in 15, we have kept in touch with the occasional letter- yes, the actual hand written kind. Last time I saw her was the summer of 1990. This was a big summer for me. I went to both UT band camp - please no jokes, I did not play the flute - as well as Camp Allen. She also went to Camp Allen and this was the third time that we went together. We made sure to get the same camp cycle and cabin. That was also where I met James. James from Belton. Poor guy, I do not even remember his last name. All I remember was that he was blonde and we kissed during a dance at camp. Yes, a church camp, of course. 1990 was a big year for me for many reasons. No detail for you. But buy me a drink and you can hear the whole story. Oh where was I? Oh yes, HowieMaui, so I remember the year of that Summer camp trip very well. She came out with her husband. He is great. We bowled and played a board game. Just a really nice evening that went into the wee hours of the morning. I also have to add that my brother found out that I had to work late, so he made and brought food to the house. Such a wonderful brother, I do not say that enough.

Saturday morning was the church bizarre. It was wonderful and Bug got to meet Santa. Then we headed to the tamale fest. That was a fun filled day. Bug got to play with older girls and be the center of attention. Sweetie also tried on his costume for Carnaval and DarkDiva measured me for my corset. I am so excited. I should be working out right now. Found out my bottom will be showing (/em covers mouth in shock). I must start working out. Carnaval is coming soon. The good news is that my Sweetie is a bottom man, so the likely hood of his hands leaving this area for strangers to see is very slim.

Today was the normal church and grocery shopping. Then we gathered MIL, SIL, niece, and Mom and all made bourbon balls. YUM YUM. These are my favorite. We also tried a new kind. In the past, we made bourbon balls which is chocolate and bourbon as well as rum balls which is butterscotch and rum. This year we made mint balls with mint chocolate and peppermint schnapps. Hope they are good. They sit for 3 weeks and we will eat them on Christmas Eve. This makes them very strong. After the in-laws left, we watched Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas. This is one of my favorite Christmas specials. I am lucky enough to own it.

OH AND DID YOU KNOW, A FRAGGLE ROCK MOVIE???? YAYAYAYAYAYAYYAY

Flying

There is a great thing called "Flying". This is with Flylady. Flying is getting your house in order with an easy approach. This is much needed. There is a 31 day beginner program. We started it today. Perfect since I start studying in January. Currently we are waiting for the sink to finish soaking in the bleach/water solution.

Work? Yes, I feel I must touch on it. I don't know what I am going to do. I am currently in close and hating every minute of it. I go back and forth between writing my resignation letter, trying to stay, or walking out. OK so maybe it is a back and forth and over there instead.

The good news is that tomorrow is Friday. Our weekend is packed again. This is nothing new. We have the church Christmas Bizarre. I am making pound cake. The morning will be filled with baked goods, casseroles, pancake breakfast, and Santa. Just when we think all the fun could be had. We go to Darkdiva for Tamale fest 2005. We all make tamales while chatting and general merriment.

OK just finished one side of the sink. OMG. Seriously, it has never looked so good. There is something to these flyladies. I cannot wait until tomorrow to do the other side. Sweetie got so excited he took pictures of the side clean and the side untouched. It is so neat to see the difference. I am totally into this 31 day beginner plan. Bring it on. Plus maybe I can redirect my frustrations with work into cleaning.

Now I sit in my "too big but so comfy for it" sweats while drinking hot cocoa made with 1% milk - sooooo good. Now I am heading for bed. My Sweetie will read to me another two chapers. We are with the Beavers now. So exciting. Next Friday. I am so there. All I need is a babysitter, any takers????

I forgot to mention, I measured on Saturday. I am down 52 pounds and officially a medium now. WOOOO HOOO. Sweetie can't keep his hands off of me. ooh-la-la. OK now I am seriously off to bed.

What are you looking at?