First Book

The first book of the book club is "The Best Awful" by Carrie Fisher. I will keep you updated on what I think of it (need to buy it first).

Mrs. Clean

Today we woke to a wonderful rain. Bug and I discussed the rain and how it makes us happy, she smiled and giggled at me. We had a relaxing morning and sent her to Grammy's for about 3 hours while we did some much needed cleaning/laundry. I was cleaning the shower while Sweetie handled the laundry. How else do you clean a small shower than to get it to a certain point, strip, turn on the water, get in the shower and finish up the cleaning? Sweetie thought this was so funny that he came in and took pictures of me cleaning the shower naked. I have no idea how the pictures turned out, but it cracks me up that such pictures exist on my camera now. No, they will not be posted on here.

Not only am I in a Stitch-n-Bitch, I am also in a new book club. I am excited by this. While I am not sure how much I will be able to read due to studying, I like the idea of getting together with friends to discuss books.

Tomorrow is going to be jam packed. We need to shop for last minute items for the trip, buy any needed food for before the trip, and finish laundry. Fun!

I am so excited about this trip. Sweetie and I have not been on a vacation, other than a weekend trip here and there, since 2001. And to a Disney location, our absolute favorite sort of place. I.am.so.excited.

I just had the best dessert. We have leftover icecream from Bug's party. To save my hands, and so that I would not have to scoop at all, I purchased individual chocolate, vanilla, and orange sherbert. I had one vanilla mixed with one orange sherbert. Yummy. Yep, just like a dreamcicle.

TGIF

Last night was a blast. There were four of us. We stitched and we bitched. There was alcohol present but we were not drinking. We laugh and laughed. I even cried twice from laughing so hard.

Things I learned last night:
~I cannot knit - at least not at this time. I kept messing up and the others would be like "how did you do this?"
~I have friends that care about me. They offered to help me organize my house due to my Graves' and upcoming CPA tests.
~I cannot text message - feeded bacon.
~Homemade rice crispy treats really are the best.
~Going to bed at 1:00 makes for a tired Missy.

I gave my references to the CPA firm. We will see where it leads. I know everyone is tired of hearing about it, so that is all that I will say today.

This weekend is going to be filled with checking things off of my "to pack for trip" list, shopping for needed items, cleaning for HowieMaui and 4th of July, and relaxing.

Not only am I tired today, my back hurts. Not sure why, maybe because of a small person sleeping sideways this morning. She is crazy. Or maybe from busting at the seams last night.

Sweetie was so amazing last night,letting me go out and all. I really appreciate it. He is too good to me. I think I will keep him around.

Stitch-n-Bitch

Tomorrow is my first Stitch-n-Bitch "meeting". Also known as, "a way for women to get together, eat chocolate, drink wine, and bitch". As I don't knit or anything, I will lead the bitching.

I am excited about vacation, 1 million and 1 things to do still, but that is ok. More worried about when I get back. I told myself that I needed to start studying no matter what when I get back. That means work. I have a friend that just got results of her first section, remember there are 4. She made a 72, passing is a 75. OUCH. I would hate to be that close and not pass.

This was going to be a longer post, but Bug had her 12 month well-baby check up (she is healthy) and received three shots today. She is clingy and needs my snuggling. And she got a new carseat installed today - such a big girl.

Brain Dump

Warning Randomness Ahead.

This weekend was very nice. Sweetie had a blast at Main Event for Father's day.

After a good and long conversation, Sweetie told me to tell the CPA firm to move forward with my application. We shall see if this proves an actual offer. I found out on Friday that my boss is moving on to another position within the company. It will be strange here without her. And as much as she can drive me crazy, I was learning how to work with her.

I will keep everyone updated. If I get this job then I will have time to study for the CPA - yay. And I will have the week after Christmas off - Yay. But I will have to buy some suits, or very nice slacks and dress tops at the very least. The good part about this is that my Sweetie loves it when I dress professionally.

I am giving it to fate. Now I wait and see where fate wants to take me.

Onto other news, vacation starts next week. So much to do. Don't worry lists are already on my computer. Plus I want to clean the bedroom and bathroom so that HowieMaui and BestFriend don't see the true depth of our sloppiness when they help with he cat box. Now that is a good friend. Hey, I am going on a great vacation. Wanna scoop my cat's poop while I am gone? I promise to bring back some piece of crap with the name of the amazing place where I stayed while you scooped cat poop.

Silver Lining

Today I went to the Dr, three months since starting the meds. She does not think the muscle cramping is from the medicine per say. But rather she thinks that the cramping comes from my current ratio of the three chemicals that make up the thyroid. So while the meds put me in this ratio, it is not a side effect. Does that make sense? She believes that it will get better as my last chemical becomes closer to normal.

I went in to the appointment all bummed. All I could think of was my weight gain and the cramping. Then the dr asked me some questions.

How is the medication treating you?
~I said the joint pain was all but gone and that now it was the cramping that she and I already discussed. Oh wait, yea the joint pain is a lot less.

She asked about my hand tremors.
~Oh those are gone. Yea, those are gone.

How are the heart palpatations?
~Those are gone too.

She then checked my thyroid. And declared no swelling.
~It was enlarged last time. Wow this medicine really is working.

WOO HOO. It is working. She did not suggest the radiation. I was afraid she would. So I need to get on the ball with my weight. Hard when we leave for vacation in 2 weeks. I cannot believe it is so close.

So now I only have 21 more months on this medication. UGH. That seems like forever. That is the same amount of time since I got pregnant. How funny. Life has changed so much in 21 months.

I go back on July 12th for more blood work.

Birthday Party!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The birthday party was a huge success. I feel so loved and special. Brother came over on Saturday and fixed our fence and gate - THANK YOU BROTHER!!!! Sweetie helped him, they bonded while I cleaned inside. And we had much appreciated last minute decoration help. Mom and MIL handled balloons and Brother and SIL went crazy with the crepe paper. It was perfect.
Sweetie painted a piggy bank for Bug with 365 quarters in it for her. I painted a rocking chair. I stayed up very late on Saturday night completing my masterpiece. I think it turned out great. Best part, she loves it.
Other wonderful gifts included a piano, a water table, little people farm, books, clothing, really cool shoes and artwork. She really made out and with only one book and one top as duplicates - I am very impressed. I did feel like I didn't get a chance to chat with everyone - we had over 30 people there. I spent most of my time chasing my Bug, as it should be. She was the center of attention. And she had older boys to play with - she loves big kids, but boys are her favorite. The last of the people left after 11:00 - 6 hours after the end of the party. I love it. Bug was awake the whole time.
Best part of the day
~ family helping the decorating, as I mentioned above
~ seeing a house full of people who love my Bug
~ seeing Bug play with the big kids
~ friends helping pick up
~ seeing Bug's name in icing - made me feel like an adult
~ opening gifts with Bug and seeing items that I mentioned once as something I would like for her to have - BestFriend listens
~ Sweetie gave out pins that he made of his bug logo, as can be seen at his cafe press store. I love them.

Not so best part of the day
~ having the worst muscle cramps to date - each buttock and back of the thigh at the same time - while feeding Bug her b-day cake. I was able to get Sweetie to take over for a minute while I went to the bathroom to try and stretch. It did not help - but I did go right back to the kitchen and take my magnesium and calcium. I was a good soldier and no one knew of my pain, other than Sweetie.

And now one of the sunflower pictures:

4 Hours Until Party Time

Almost time for Bug's party. I am so happy that Sweetie designed the start time to be 3:00. It gives me time to do last minute shopping and cleaning. Bug and I headed to the grand 'ol Target for the remaining party items (as Sweetie was finishing the yard). There is nothing I like more than morning. And when I say morning, I mean the kind of morning where getting to work is not involved, yet you are awake. The cool breeze was blowing, a nice enjoyment as we will hit over 100 today. I drive our normal way and what do I see? A field full of sunflowers. I don't know when they bloomed, but it had to have been very recently as I drive this area often. I turned around, went back home, grabbed my camera and headed back out. I hope some of the photos turn out. They were all taken from my car, as I didn't want to get Bug out.

ok back to work.

Friday Friday Friday

I am home. I went to sleep, aka passed out cold, at 8:45 last night. I slept until 7:30 with the only distraction of Bug waking up for a bottle. It was a deep sleep, it was an emotional sleep. I woke up feeling blah with a yucky tummy. I tried to make a go at work - no such luck.

So now I am home nursing my belly. After a nap, and feeling better, I may begin some cleaning for Sunday.

I thought I would use this time to play Stuff Portrait Friday - have not done that in awhile.

1) A Wide Open Space - This is where MotoDiva, DarkDiva, and I went camping in August 2004.


2) Brightnes - I choose this one for not only the brightness the flash causes, but also for the person (me) attempting to take a picture through glass with the flash on.

3)In the Dark - Glow in the dark bowling.

Happy Birthday Bug!!!!

It is here. My Bug turned One today, one year. One wonderful year. Last year I met my little girl. She was small, cute, and new to the world. Now she growls for fun, prefers iced tea to any fruit juice or soda, and gives the best snuggles in the world. Oh how I love her. Today we celebrated. The Dr gave us a prescription and we go back in 2 weeks for her wellness checkup. We ate lunch, shopped, napped, and I baked a cake. A darn good cake too, if I do say so myself. We had Bug's family over and we enjoyed the cake. Bug enjoyed it too - all over herself. I loved it. Now she is falling asleep on her Daddy's chest.


A year ago.
My girl laughing.
Sweet Bug.
This is what cute looks like.
Me baking the cake.
The cake.
Sweetie and Bug.
Me and Bug.

06-06-06

People are so funny about today's date. Last year, as we prepared to have bug, we commented that we were happy that it was not a year later as her delivery date would be today (planned C-sections are done on Tuesdays). The nurses had not realized it and we had some good conversations about it. While I am not too superstitious, I would hate for the remainder of her life to be DOB = 6-6-6. Jump forward a year and I see articles with women requesting early inductions because their due dates are today. I read other "articles" that say the world is ending today.

I don't think God would plan the end of days based on a number like this. Plus wouldn't that mean that Australia and the like should already be gone. I mean it is 6/7/06 over there now. A time or a date just doesn't work as well as people think it would. But what do I know? It could be the end today. And you know what? There is nothing I could do about it. There was a lady at the daycare today, another parent, who said she was putting yesterday's date because she could not write the whole 6/6/06 number.

But let's discuss what this date REALLY means. It means the day before my baby girl turns one. One more day and I will have kept her alive a year. My baby girl. I was home with her yesterday - she got sick Saturday and Sunday - nasty nasty sick. So we slept yesterday. I think she had a bigger plan. She knew I was not feeling great - I have a cold/allergies. She knew I needed rest. So she and I took three big naps yesterday. I love just holding that baby. But I am happy to say that yesterday evening I worked out, cleaned the kitchen, and did some painting.

Tomorrow, Sweetie, Bug, and I are all taking the day off. In the morning I am baking a cake - she has to have cake on her b-day. And yes, she will get to eat her piece all on her own. We planned on also getting a family photo taken. However, she has a strange rash all over her body. We do not know the cause. She does not have a fever - but we hope to have more answers tomorrow at her 1 year appointment. So we might have to postpone the photoshoot until the weekend. I will take a million photos tomorrow to capture the day, but I am not paying the fees for professional ones until she looks normal, I know I am a bad mom :-)

Tonight we are going to the party shops (did you know that you have to order brown balloons - none in Austin that we can find), cleaning the living room and dining room for tomorrow's very casual gathering, working out, and finishing the needed painting. I am so very emotional about tomorrow. She started the 12-18 month room today. The part that killed me? She fit in.

On the CPA job front - I emailed back stating that I could not go lower than $2 an hour higher than they suggested. Even that would be a cut, but a more bearable one as Bug's tuition just went down $40 a month. We shall see.

I am so sore. Sweetie and I have been working out to our Yourself Fitness. That Maya works you hard. I love it. So my new goal, I know always changing, for my b-day is to earn at least a bronze with the President's Challenge (20,000 points). That way the goal is not based on weight - if I lose, I lose. But if I can increase my fitness level, that would be fantastic. Sweetie is doing it too. We have a team and everything. Let me know if you want to join. And yes, I will order the cheesy medal.

Oh and I cut my hair this weekend. I love it. I loved it before she finished and I never got that "please stop cutting now so it will look decent" feeling. As I was paying, a stranger, waiting for her haircut - on a cell phone even, told me that I look so much better and younger. Awesome. I cannot put it in a ponytail, but that is ok. It is less to deal with.

I am missing my Dad a lot today. BestFriend says it is because he is here for Bug's b-day. I like that idea.

Help Me Internets

So I have an interesting problem. Last week I went on an interview. It is with a CPA firm. It is for 25-30 hours a week and those hours are flexible. While I have accounting experience, I do not have public accounting experience. In spite of that little fact, the position would have me working with clients. The dress code is suits and I would not receive any holiday or vacation pay - being part-time and all.

The CPA told me that she wants to move forward and check my references but the kicker is that she is offering $4 an hour less than I asked as my min. Which is more than I am making now, but due to the reduction in hours it would mean less take home on the weeks where I am at only 25 hours a week. She said that I could get a raise once I pass my CPA - which would give me incentive that I need.

When I first applied to this job I was very excited. I figured I could work from 9-2, drive straight to a library, and then study for another 2-3 hours. I could sit for everything before the end of the year. This would raise my earning power while also giving me public experience.

The reduction in pay would hurt. You see, the pay cut I took to work where I currently am hurt - well tightened us up. Sweetie says if I can figure out the money part that he is supportive either way.

So the problem? It is scary. Bottom line, scared shitless scary. I have never worked with clients. I have never had to be professional. OK friends would say that I am professional. But even when I worked as a Senior I dressed casual and only dealt with auditors, executives, and other departments.

And I am comfy. I think the best way to describe it. I am in a nice comfy bed, wrapped in a down comforter. I don't want to come out. The outside may be cold, the ground may be hard.

That is my current job. I have a great cause, great people, I am learning to work with my boss, and great time off. I know my job. It is stress-free, without overtime, and did I mention - EASY. But... There is no room for advancement, it is not accounting, and the pay will never make Sweetie a stay-at-home-dad.

The decision is hard. Part of me would love the accounting experience. Part of me likes my comfy bed. I worry about stress. I doubt myself. I want to pass this stupid test. I worry I won't get along as well with the two CPAs as I do with my staff here. I worry that if I leave that I will regret it.

I want more time with Bug. I want to feel proud of what I do. Well, that did not come out right. I love where I currently work. And I know it is bad, but my title kills me. I find myself explaining why I am here after being a Senior Accountant.

The other part of me says to enjoy where I am at and study for the stupid test on my own. The thing is that part-time work for a CPA firm rarely deals with clients. That would be a great opportunity. And they are wanting someone who is interested in someday becoming a partner. And if I had time during the day to study without taking time away from Bug on the weekends, man that would be priceless.

Then there is the other part of me. The part that is afraid of the test. Because if I pass that means that I really am WAYYYYYY overqualified for this job and need to leave. And that almost always means more hours and more stress.

Happy Blogversary

Happy blogversary to me. Two years ago today I started this site. Sweetie was blogging for awhile before and inspired me to start my own.

So much has changed in two years!