Jake and I have been married for 4 years today! Holy crap! And due to Ryan's recent arrival, I barely remembered that today was our anniversary. I doubt very much that it's even on Jake's radar. That's okay. He'll feel guilty.
Ryan is very awake this morning...
I can't believe that it's been 4 years. Seems long and short, like always. I'm already making plans for 5 years next year, when Ryan is 1 and can handle a weekend with Grandma and Grandpa while Mom and Dad maybe take a weekend trip somewhere fun. We'll, I'm dreaming of doing that anyway. Making plans might be stretching it.
I'm trying to think of something simple to get Jake today, but I don't know if anything will come to me. Once mom gets here this morning and I get a nap in, I'll probably take an hour and run over to Target and then to the grocery store by myself. And it will probably be amazing. But, I should probably make sure that Ryan has something to eat while I'm gone. Just in case he freaks out hungry while I'm out.
I wish I had more to say on this day about marriage and all that, but my mind is totally destroyed by baby stuff. And by baby stuff, I mean, lack of sleep. Being married is good. The first year in the hardest (especially if you haven't lived together before) and after you get past that first year, things seem to get easier, IMO. But, Jake and I lived through the most ridiculous first year any couple could have probably have. So, after that, everything seems easier, no matter what, because it's not as bad as Fall 2005 through Spring 2006.
I'd really like to go to upper Michigan next year. I've never been up that way, and it looks pretty good. Plus, they have cherries. :)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
I'll update here too!
So, I did get a good chunk of wedding invites done before Ryan arrived. I have the invite part glued into the fold-y part and glued the jewel decorations on each. I also printed out the enclosure tops and the RSVP card and all of that is stamped.
I just need to wait until June to get the final information for the invites and finish printing and getting them together. Which is good, because I don't think that I would have been able to do this, if it would have been needed to be finished sooner that the beginning of July.
My STD insurance is odd, but they are paying me. I'm just not sure for how much -- probably four weeks and then 3 prorated days, it seems. They said I'm approved from May 25th to June 24th. Which is like four full working weeks, plus a day or two. We'll see what I get paid for.
I guess I don't get my first check until the 15th of June, except I'm pretty sure that the note said my first check was being sent on June 5th, so who knows! It's all a mystery. But, if you managed to go three weeks overdue on this insurance, you would be paid for a lot longer. Today is the last day of my 21 day elimination period, which is why I start getting paid Monday. However, since I didn't give birth until May 13th, there's extra play in the numbers, seemingly. Like I said, we'll see what happens.
So, when I was home Wednesday (the 13th) with my early labor pains, our neighbor's garage was broken into and I heard the assholes doing it -- I just thought it was our neighbor messing around, since it was right around the time he usually leaves. I did ask Jake about his door and Jake did go shut it before he left for work that day and managed to scare whoever was stealing stuff, but they still got away with a ton. I felt really badly about it -- any other day and I would have been all over that like stink on a monkey. Sigh.
Okay, I really need to get a move on the day and then probably take a nap.
I just need to wait until June to get the final information for the invites and finish printing and getting them together. Which is good, because I don't think that I would have been able to do this, if it would have been needed to be finished sooner that the beginning of July.
My STD insurance is odd, but they are paying me. I'm just not sure for how much -- probably four weeks and then 3 prorated days, it seems. They said I'm approved from May 25th to June 24th. Which is like four full working weeks, plus a day or two. We'll see what I get paid for.
I guess I don't get my first check until the 15th of June, except I'm pretty sure that the note said my first check was being sent on June 5th, so who knows! It's all a mystery. But, if you managed to go three weeks overdue on this insurance, you would be paid for a lot longer. Today is the last day of my 21 day elimination period, which is why I start getting paid Monday. However, since I didn't give birth until May 13th, there's extra play in the numbers, seemingly. Like I said, we'll see what happens.
So, when I was home Wednesday (the 13th) with my early labor pains, our neighbor's garage was broken into and I heard the assholes doing it -- I just thought it was our neighbor messing around, since it was right around the time he usually leaves. I did ask Jake about his door and Jake did go shut it before he left for work that day and managed to scare whoever was stealing stuff, but they still got away with a ton. I felt really badly about it -- any other day and I would have been all over that like stink on a monkey. Sigh.
Okay, I really need to get a move on the day and then probably take a nap.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Time off from work is good
I like being home. I wish I could be home all the time. That would be sweet. My mom and Jake are not going to want to do that trade off thing forever, so maybe it's worth the investment to try and have me stay home for him (and whatever other children may come along).
I am thinking of maybe taking courses in medical transcription and doing that from home part time, for extra money. And maybe, if it was worth it, working full time at home.
I would like to find a job that I'm not an independent contractor for, like my mom. That's too much. I would want a job where I was an employee.
But, we'll see. The program I found online that a girl I knew from college did (which I should ask her about) is $3000 and comes with a free lappy, which would be sweet. I certainly couldn't use my Mac, but if I was doing that sort of thing, I would want a separate lappy anyway.
The one my Mom did is $3800 and does not feature a free lappy. But, her program was very good and very hard.
So, I'm just not sure. I feel like maybe I should just do traditional classes for that sort of thing too. IDK. Just something I'm thinking about while I'm at home. Maybe I'll go do some more research right meow.
Got nothing better to do.
UPS tried to deliver the rest of Brooke's wedding invite stuff, but we were at the doctor. They will try again tomorrow, but I am thinking of just going to pick it up tonight. Better to have it in hand, since this is the biggest part of the order.
Okay, off to do more things.
I am thinking of maybe taking courses in medical transcription and doing that from home part time, for extra money. And maybe, if it was worth it, working full time at home.
I would like to find a job that I'm not an independent contractor for, like my mom. That's too much. I would want a job where I was an employee.
But, we'll see. The program I found online that a girl I knew from college did (which I should ask her about) is $3000 and comes with a free lappy, which would be sweet. I certainly couldn't use my Mac, but if I was doing that sort of thing, I would want a separate lappy anyway.
The one my Mom did is $3800 and does not feature a free lappy. But, her program was very good and very hard.
So, I'm just not sure. I feel like maybe I should just do traditional classes for that sort of thing too. IDK. Just something I'm thinking about while I'm at home. Maybe I'll go do some more research right meow.
Got nothing better to do.
UPS tried to deliver the rest of Brooke's wedding invite stuff, but we were at the doctor. They will try again tomorrow, but I am thinking of just going to pick it up tonight. Better to have it in hand, since this is the biggest part of the order.
Okay, off to do more things.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Summer...to Spring? ish?
So, our gutters on the north side were clogged. Again. For the second year in a row.
So, how many times will it take us to remember to clean out the gutters on the first nice day we have in the Spring?
Next year, I hope I will remember standing out in the pouring rain, under an umbrella, holding the ladder for Jake while he tries to clean out said gutter. It was cold. And I was wet. Plus, he tried using the hose to spray the crap through, which it was too clogged for and then he threw the hose on the ground still on, which I proceeded to accidentally spray myself with.
Whoops!
In other news, the Brewers have been good the last three games and it makes me happy! I def enjoy the games more when they win. As is true with most things in life -- when you win at things, life is better. ha ha!
I also started and finished my last mock-up for Brooke's wedding invites. I want to have most everything sitting here and waiting for me to print out and cut and paste together when I'm home for 9 weeks, just watching a baby. So, I think that I have most of it completed -- there are a few things here and there that I need more information for, but I can still ask for that and go to town. I think that I'm going to have to take the printer upstairs, because it's kind of loud and if it keeps waking the baby up, that will piss me off. Or I could go downstairs. Either way.
I think that they are pretty cool, BTW. I wish that I would have done something like this for mine, but that's okay. They are def more formal that causal, but when the wedding is a church wedding plus reception at a different venue, I think that calls for a more formal invite. They are also simpler -- I don't have the tools to do something more elaborate, you know? if I had a super nice printer and a good graphic design program, I could potentially make something more fancy. I'd need a lot of practice and learning for the design part though. Maybe someday, I'll take the time to learn. I guess I could use GIMP, but it's SO not user friendly. Too bad Photoshop is so DANG expensive!
I almost wish it would be something I could do for a living -- making wedding invites, but I don't have enough graphic design background to do really cool things. I wish I did. Oh well. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing. :) For now. I can dream! :)
So, how many times will it take us to remember to clean out the gutters on the first nice day we have in the Spring?
Next year, I hope I will remember standing out in the pouring rain, under an umbrella, holding the ladder for Jake while he tries to clean out said gutter. It was cold. And I was wet. Plus, he tried using the hose to spray the crap through, which it was too clogged for and then he threw the hose on the ground still on, which I proceeded to accidentally spray myself with.
Whoops!
In other news, the Brewers have been good the last three games and it makes me happy! I def enjoy the games more when they win. As is true with most things in life -- when you win at things, life is better. ha ha!
I also started and finished my last mock-up for Brooke's wedding invites. I want to have most everything sitting here and waiting for me to print out and cut and paste together when I'm home for 9 weeks, just watching a baby. So, I think that I have most of it completed -- there are a few things here and there that I need more information for, but I can still ask for that and go to town. I think that I'm going to have to take the printer upstairs, because it's kind of loud and if it keeps waking the baby up, that will piss me off. Or I could go downstairs. Either way.
I think that they are pretty cool, BTW. I wish that I would have done something like this for mine, but that's okay. They are def more formal that causal, but when the wedding is a church wedding plus reception at a different venue, I think that calls for a more formal invite. They are also simpler -- I don't have the tools to do something more elaborate, you know? if I had a super nice printer and a good graphic design program, I could potentially make something more fancy. I'd need a lot of practice and learning for the design part though. Maybe someday, I'll take the time to learn. I guess I could use GIMP, but it's SO not user friendly. Too bad Photoshop is so DANG expensive!
I almost wish it would be something I could do for a living -- making wedding invites, but I don't have enough graphic design background to do really cool things. I wish I did. Oh well. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing. :) For now. I can dream! :)
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter Fun!
Okay, most of my fun is derived from eating at this juncture, so this post will be devoted solely to the amazingness that is brunch at Brocach Irish Pub.
They have two locations -- one in Mad-town, which is kind of a dark little hole in the side of a building, very close to Monona Terrace (which means that next time you're at State Music Convention, it's probably worth a stop by) and the second in downtown Milwaukee. The Milwaukee is much, MUCH lighter and brighter than Mad-town and it's in a developing area right on the river on the slight north side. It's about 1800 Water St. If you know where Trocadero is, then, Brocach is about two blocks up.
The menus are different at both places and I DEF prefer the Milwaukee brunch menu -- more choices that don't involve meat. I like meat, but sometimes I like a good mushroom. Like yesterday. Biscuits with mushroom gravy for me!
It was a giant butter biscuit, cut in half and covered with mushroom gravy, two scrambled eggs (or whatever choice of egg you like), and potatoes. It was SO good! If only I could have had the mimosa with brunch. It was a real one too -- Trocadero last year made theirs with WINE and OJ. Wine? Really? Where's the champagne baby?
I can't wait to go back again for brunch. I don't know when that will be, but it will be sometime, for sure.
I totally could have eaten all of my food at breakfast, but I saved half the biscuit and three potatoes to take home. And I had them for lunch today at work. Guess what?! It was still JUST as amazing as when it was cooked. You know how gravy can separate a bit? Not this gravy. Oh my gosh. I'm drooling just thinking about it now.
So, anyway, it's a little pricey, but it's not any worse than, say, Red Lobster. Plus, it's much more delicious.
They have two locations -- one in Mad-town, which is kind of a dark little hole in the side of a building, very close to Monona Terrace (which means that next time you're at State Music Convention, it's probably worth a stop by) and the second in downtown Milwaukee. The Milwaukee is much, MUCH lighter and brighter than Mad-town and it's in a developing area right on the river on the slight north side. It's about 1800 Water St. If you know where Trocadero is, then, Brocach is about two blocks up.
The menus are different at both places and I DEF prefer the Milwaukee brunch menu -- more choices that don't involve meat. I like meat, but sometimes I like a good mushroom. Like yesterday. Biscuits with mushroom gravy for me!
It was a giant butter biscuit, cut in half and covered with mushroom gravy, two scrambled eggs (or whatever choice of egg you like), and potatoes. It was SO good! If only I could have had the mimosa with brunch. It was a real one too -- Trocadero last year made theirs with WINE and OJ. Wine? Really? Where's the champagne baby?
I can't wait to go back again for brunch. I don't know when that will be, but it will be sometime, for sure.
I totally could have eaten all of my food at breakfast, but I saved half the biscuit and three potatoes to take home. And I had them for lunch today at work. Guess what?! It was still JUST as amazing as when it was cooked. You know how gravy can separate a bit? Not this gravy. Oh my gosh. I'm drooling just thinking about it now.
So, anyway, it's a little pricey, but it's not any worse than, say, Red Lobster. Plus, it's much more delicious.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Pet Peeves
I will just say that the misspelling of a proper noun (specifically a NAME) is liek at the top of my list.
that is all.
that is all.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Less grumpy post
Okay, just trying to get my big ole complaining post off of here.
Plus, Nims is here and it's totally AWESOME!!!
I had another week from hell at work. I mean, I get paid overtime and stuff, but it still sucks shit. Especially when you are working your butt off and your boss acts like you're in her office bothering her every 5 mins about everything. F that.
Luckily, I already had a half day planned yesterday, to watch basketball and hang out with Nimbies, which was very much needed. Jake has a thing that I have to take him to on Monday, so I have a half day MOnday too. Unfortunately, I have to work 4 hours on Sunday to make up the time. And, freaking boss had her door closed, so I couldn't bring the stupid laptop home to just work at home. So, I have to go in and work at my desk. Which is really okay, because sometimes that's easier.
Plus, Jake is going to help Jim and Loni move tomorrow and since I'm relatively useless in that area nowadays and I have to make up time, I'll just go to work and get it done. I'm not sure if I will work all 4 hours tomorrow or if I will use other time to make up for an hour or so. I don't know. We'll see how I feel about it when I get there.
We watched teh Marquette game yesterday and then went over to feed my parents' cat and then went to Red Lobster, which was sweet. We only go there when Nims is in town. And it's always delicious. They drank booze and such. I couldn't stay up for the Wisconsin game, which was sad, because I missed the really good games last night.
Okay, so there was a little complaining there, but not too bad. And it's my blog and I'll cry if I want to. ha ha! :)
Plus, Nims is here and it's totally AWESOME!!!
I had another week from hell at work. I mean, I get paid overtime and stuff, but it still sucks shit. Especially when you are working your butt off and your boss acts like you're in her office bothering her every 5 mins about everything. F that.
Luckily, I already had a half day planned yesterday, to watch basketball and hang out with Nimbies, which was very much needed. Jake has a thing that I have to take him to on Monday, so I have a half day MOnday too. Unfortunately, I have to work 4 hours on Sunday to make up the time. And, freaking boss had her door closed, so I couldn't bring the stupid laptop home to just work at home. So, I have to go in and work at my desk. Which is really okay, because sometimes that's easier.
Plus, Jake is going to help Jim and Loni move tomorrow and since I'm relatively useless in that area nowadays and I have to make up time, I'll just go to work and get it done. I'm not sure if I will work all 4 hours tomorrow or if I will use other time to make up for an hour or so. I don't know. We'll see how I feel about it when I get there.
We watched teh Marquette game yesterday and then went over to feed my parents' cat and then went to Red Lobster, which was sweet. We only go there when Nims is in town. And it's always delicious. They drank booze and such. I couldn't stay up for the Wisconsin game, which was sad, because I missed the really good games last night.
Okay, so there was a little complaining there, but not too bad. And it's my blog and I'll cry if I want to. ha ha! :)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Le sigh
So, finally, I have my wedding album back. And now, I can write my letter to them, expressing my disgust with their professionalism, service, quality, etc. etc. So, if you're getting married in the Greater EC area (or know ANYONE who is) DO NOT use Van Helden Photography. Under any circumstances. Spread the word.
They fucked up everything possible -- the guy was using a digital camera for the FIRST time on our wedding -- and they didn't even offer us a discount or a deal, since he was learning to use digital photography instead of the regular kind of camera. The woman was fine -- she had used the digital camera before. The proofs -- and they took 800 pictures (I know, b/c I asked) -- were only 250 or so and they were really the best they took and some of them were TERRIBLE. Blurry on the edges, some were completely out of focus. Which if he took two seconds, he would have noticed and taken a second pic.
Finally, when we did order pics from them, the prints (which were upwards of $5) had a stupid orange line on them, which they did manage to eliminate. But, too much money, too much time, too much effort on my part. 3.5 years is WAY too long to complete a wedding album. Which, as almost a final insult to me, they ordered the wrong fucking color. It's ivory with gold trim. We wanted the white, which would have matched our proof album.
Luckily, we have a good scanner and photo printer now, so I don't have to order pics ever again from them.
And I pretty much have plans to just disassemble the album they sent and make my own. The pictures that I picked I really love, but the ivory is horrible! I might still take her to work tomorrow, just to show people. Why not? I'm only having a baby in the next month and a half. Why not show off my wedding pics? ha ha.
So, long story, short: Find a friend or a smaller operation that gives you your proofs on DVD or CD, so you can print your own. And doesn't cost $1300.00. I have always said I would have rather given $1300.00 to Amy Bowen and had her do our photography. Or, do better research and make sure that the style of the photographer is something that gels with your style. And if you want something REALLY cool, check out the blog on the side, entitled "A Life in Transition". This is a friend in town, Julia, who makes wedding albums like books for a very reasonable price. I believe her business is J.Lorene Design. I don't know if she's taking new orders right now, but kept it in mind for the future. :)
Photos were one of my most important things I wanted for my wedding and I totally made a snap decision. Still, service and satisfaction are everything. And I really shouldn't have to DEMAND that the people return my photos after trading emails for 2 YEARS.
So, le sigh.
This, seriously, has been the LONGEST week ever. I swear the full moon was out to get me this week. I had one crazy thing at work after another. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday. I'm thrilled about that. :)
Nims is coming down for basketball a week from tomorrow. That means basketball, Red Lobster and totally sweet times. I even took at half day on the 20th to hang out, since if def will not be a snow storm this year. I can tell. I'm sure it will be, like, warm and 60. Maybe. That would be sweet.
Not much else going on. I just want to rage about the wedding album, because it was ivory. And I'm good at raging nowadays. All those horomones. :)
They fucked up everything possible -- the guy was using a digital camera for the FIRST time on our wedding -- and they didn't even offer us a discount or a deal, since he was learning to use digital photography instead of the regular kind of camera. The woman was fine -- she had used the digital camera before. The proofs -- and they took 800 pictures (I know, b/c I asked) -- were only 250 or so and they were really the best they took and some of them were TERRIBLE. Blurry on the edges, some were completely out of focus. Which if he took two seconds, he would have noticed and taken a second pic.
Finally, when we did order pics from them, the prints (which were upwards of $5) had a stupid orange line on them, which they did manage to eliminate. But, too much money, too much time, too much effort on my part. 3.5 years is WAY too long to complete a wedding album. Which, as almost a final insult to me, they ordered the wrong fucking color. It's ivory with gold trim. We wanted the white, which would have matched our proof album.
Luckily, we have a good scanner and photo printer now, so I don't have to order pics ever again from them.
And I pretty much have plans to just disassemble the album they sent and make my own. The pictures that I picked I really love, but the ivory is horrible! I might still take her to work tomorrow, just to show people. Why not? I'm only having a baby in the next month and a half. Why not show off my wedding pics? ha ha.
So, long story, short: Find a friend or a smaller operation that gives you your proofs on DVD or CD, so you can print your own. And doesn't cost $1300.00. I have always said I would have rather given $1300.00 to Amy Bowen and had her do our photography. Or, do better research and make sure that the style of the photographer is something that gels with your style. And if you want something REALLY cool, check out the blog on the side, entitled "A Life in Transition". This is a friend in town, Julia, who makes wedding albums like books for a very reasonable price. I believe her business is J.Lorene Design. I don't know if she's taking new orders right now, but kept it in mind for the future. :)
Photos were one of my most important things I wanted for my wedding and I totally made a snap decision. Still, service and satisfaction are everything. And I really shouldn't have to DEMAND that the people return my photos after trading emails for 2 YEARS.
So, le sigh.
This, seriously, has been the LONGEST week ever. I swear the full moon was out to get me this week. I had one crazy thing at work after another. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday. I'm thrilled about that. :)
Nims is coming down for basketball a week from tomorrow. That means basketball, Red Lobster and totally sweet times. I even took at half day on the 20th to hang out, since if def will not be a snow storm this year. I can tell. I'm sure it will be, like, warm and 60. Maybe. That would be sweet.
Not much else going on. I just want to rage about the wedding album, because it was ivory. And I'm good at raging nowadays. All those horomones. :)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Always a Bride, never a bridesmaid (matron?)...
Until now.
Because I get to be in Brookie's wedding, which I am very excited about. And she picked out a fabulous dress last night, which I LOVE!!! It's totally better than any dress I had looked at so far. Click here and pick the blue/black combination.
It's really "I just had a baby" friendly, plus, it will look cute on the skinnier girls too, I think. IDK, I have plans to go look in person. I can't really try it on right now. It wouldn't make sense. We might just have to visit GB sometime soon and I'll drag Kristine down to Appleton to look at said dress.
Plus, Brooke is going to let me make her invites (as a gift, of course). I have several ideas (side note: I just got kicked in the ass from the inside) already, but it really involves buying things, which I should wait a bit on that. However, I'm thinking that it would be good to have everything that I will need by June 1, so I can get to work in the times that Ryan is sleeping.
Well, it's a good Saturday. I slept pretty well and there's LOTS of day to get stuff done today. :)
Because I get to be in Brookie's wedding, which I am very excited about. And she picked out a fabulous dress last night, which I LOVE!!! It's totally better than any dress I had looked at so far. Click here and pick the blue/black combination.
It's really "I just had a baby" friendly, plus, it will look cute on the skinnier girls too, I think. IDK, I have plans to go look in person. I can't really try it on right now. It wouldn't make sense. We might just have to visit GB sometime soon and I'll drag Kristine down to Appleton to look at said dress.
Plus, Brooke is going to let me make her invites (as a gift, of course). I have several ideas (side note: I just got kicked in the ass from the inside) already, but it really involves buying things, which I should wait a bit on that. However, I'm thinking that it would be good to have everything that I will need by June 1, so I can get to work in the times that Ryan is sleeping.
Well, it's a good Saturday. I slept pretty well and there's LOTS of day to get stuff done today. :)
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Random Thoughts
It occurred to me today, while on my daily perusal of F-book that I turn frickin' THIRTY this year. Geezus.
Thank god that I'll be able to drink. I certainly couldn't drink last year. And really all I did for my birthday was lay on my parents couch and eat the first real food that I'd eaten in a very long time. I was just glad not to feel like death for once.
I think my birthday is on a Tuesday this year? Or Monday? Mondays suck. And I can't even take it off, because I have no time left. Well, I am taking time right before Labor Day weekend, for Brookie's wedding (which I am IN! sweet!), so I need to try to conserve as much as possible.
I was also thinking this morning that I would never feel like I had slept well ever again. With the baby coming in May, it's probably true. Makes work really hard though. Seems like our tech lead (the position I had applied for back last summer and went to someone who was MUCH MUCH more qualified than I was) is thinking about retiring a year earlier than she thought, because her parents left her a nice inheritance that she can use to supplement her income for the year before she turns 65. So, she turns 62 in April, so she'll probably retire in 2011. Which is only two years away and frankly, it will probably be right around the time that I am ready to move up again. Although, I may get frustrated with the current job and look for something I can do part time at home, if need be.
The cat is perfectly fine again. We weighed him last week and he was 20.8 pounds, which is down a whole pound from when he had his teeth out. And you can REALLY tell the difference. A lot. He's much easier to pick up. I will probably make a habit of weighing him on the weekends, so we know where he is. Losing a whole pound in a month for a cat really is not good, but he was sick, and now we're just trying to keep the trend going. If he weighs 19 pounds by the end of the year, I think it will be a good thing. I'm really going to try hard with him now.
So...we're under a Winter Storm warning today. I didn't even know it was supposed to snow! oops! Oh well. What can you do? Jake went up to GB last night, to hang out with Josh. So, now he'll have to drive back through the snow. At least he has the good car for that sort of thing. Really test out that all wheel drive on that Saturn.
I suppose I should call him to see when he's headed out. I bet that he doesn't know that it's only going to get worse as he comes back south.
Thank god that I'll be able to drink. I certainly couldn't drink last year. And really all I did for my birthday was lay on my parents couch and eat the first real food that I'd eaten in a very long time. I was just glad not to feel like death for once.
I think my birthday is on a Tuesday this year? Or Monday? Mondays suck. And I can't even take it off, because I have no time left. Well, I am taking time right before Labor Day weekend, for Brookie's wedding (which I am IN! sweet!), so I need to try to conserve as much as possible.
I was also thinking this morning that I would never feel like I had slept well ever again. With the baby coming in May, it's probably true. Makes work really hard though. Seems like our tech lead (the position I had applied for back last summer and went to someone who was MUCH MUCH more qualified than I was) is thinking about retiring a year earlier than she thought, because her parents left her a nice inheritance that she can use to supplement her income for the year before she turns 65. So, she turns 62 in April, so she'll probably retire in 2011. Which is only two years away and frankly, it will probably be right around the time that I am ready to move up again. Although, I may get frustrated with the current job and look for something I can do part time at home, if need be.
The cat is perfectly fine again. We weighed him last week and he was 20.8 pounds, which is down a whole pound from when he had his teeth out. And you can REALLY tell the difference. A lot. He's much easier to pick up. I will probably make a habit of weighing him on the weekends, so we know where he is. Losing a whole pound in a month for a cat really is not good, but he was sick, and now we're just trying to keep the trend going. If he weighs 19 pounds by the end of the year, I think it will be a good thing. I'm really going to try hard with him now.
So...we're under a Winter Storm warning today. I didn't even know it was supposed to snow! oops! Oh well. What can you do? Jake went up to GB last night, to hang out with Josh. So, now he'll have to drive back through the snow. At least he has the good car for that sort of thing. Really test out that all wheel drive on that Saturn.
I suppose I should call him to see when he's headed out. I bet that he doesn't know that it's only going to get worse as he comes back south.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
So, I have this cat...
So, the cat was doing okay over last weekend and then on Sunday -- not eating, just sitting under the table looking sad. So, Monday, I go into work for a few hours and then come home, so I can sit with him and watch him and stuff. We ended up taking him back to the vet on Monday afternoon. He was feeling so poorly that he didn't put up much of a stink, even for having his temperature taken! I was shocked. The infection that was his teeth spread to systemic, so they gave us different antibiotics and more pain meds. Pain meds = good at reducing fever. New antibiotics = bad. Gel consistency and tuna flavored = Mitchell spits back out
So, I had to get regular pills, which I have a much easier time trying to force down his little throat. And it's easier on him too.
But, he has lost weight. Like I would say another pound or two at least. I keep meaning to have Jake hold him and get on the scale and then just weight himself to see where Mitchell's weight is at.
So, he has cost us another $100. Plus, my mom was nice and picked up and paid for his new pills yesterday. Which are nicely coated -- not like the sample that we got before -- WTF? Why wouldn't they just give us the same? Whatev. We're considering trying a new vet next year for shots and check ups and stuff. There's one very close to our house, so it makes sense, instead of having to drive all over freakin' town. Maybe not so expensive.
I like the doctor at the current one, she's really nice, but the drive and the expense so far has not been good. BUT, $1000.00 for not having taken in the cats for a teeth clean in years, probably isn't too terrible. I just have to keep up on them more now. Well, Boo will probably be ok for 2-3 years, but Mitchell...not so much.
In other news, I figured our taxes wrong when I was guesstimating and we don't owe money!!! YAY!!! In fact, we are getting what I would consider a nice chunk of change back. And most of it goes right on the ol' credit card. Which is a good thing.
I am currently looking like I haven't slept in days. Which isn't true. The cat woke me up at 4am! (it's time for the gate to go back up at night) But, he doesn't need me to fill his bowl -- there's already food in there. He just needs me to pretend like I'm filling his bowl and then he'll eat. GRRR!!! So, then I couldn't fall back asleep. So, I laid in bed until 5:15 and then got up. Yuck. It's almost 7 and I feel pretty destroyed.
Big plans for the weekend though. Putting together a real closet for Ryan's room and possibly cutting into the wall in the back room to make a new utility closet for the vacuum and other stuff. We'll just leave a little space for towels and stuff in the bathroom. At a later date, we'll go back and cut a new linen closet into the space that we're not using from the old utility closet (but from the other side). My parents have a dumpster from the remodel on their house (which is AMAZING!), so we can dump the garbage in there. woot!
Last Monday, my parents had no roof on their house for a day. Last weekend, we checked it out and they had a roof back on and all the new outside walls framed. It was pretty impressive. As I've said before, I lived up there almost my whole life and I barely recognized it. Well!
Last night, we went back and they have 3 (?) skylights in the upstairs, 3 windows facing south and the framing in for all the new walls upstairs. It's amazing. Their bedroom is going to be huge, they are having a good size walk-in closet, a pretty sweet bathroom, featuring toilet closet (water closet?) and a HUGE second bedroom upstairs. It's giant. The bedrooms upstairs are bigger than the downstairs. The plus side is, if they wanted, they could make one a nursery/playroom for Ryan full time. One of the old ones, downstairs, I would think. Whenever they decide to give up the ghost and sell that place, I would probably buy it. Seriously. I never minded that house, the backyard is really nice and now that it has 2 bathrooms, it's amazing.
Too bad that by the time they sell, we will have our own sweet house and wouldn't be able to afford it anyway. haha.
I should probably start comtemplating what I am going to do on my cleaning binges today. I have been nesting EARLY. I don't know if it's so much nesting as just totally be frickin' annoyed by all the crap that is everywhere in the house.
So, I had to get regular pills, which I have a much easier time trying to force down his little throat. And it's easier on him too.
But, he has lost weight. Like I would say another pound or two at least. I keep meaning to have Jake hold him and get on the scale and then just weight himself to see where Mitchell's weight is at.
So, he has cost us another $100. Plus, my mom was nice and picked up and paid for his new pills yesterday. Which are nicely coated -- not like the sample that we got before -- WTF? Why wouldn't they just give us the same? Whatev. We're considering trying a new vet next year for shots and check ups and stuff. There's one very close to our house, so it makes sense, instead of having to drive all over freakin' town. Maybe not so expensive.
I like the doctor at the current one, she's really nice, but the drive and the expense so far has not been good. BUT, $1000.00 for not having taken in the cats for a teeth clean in years, probably isn't too terrible. I just have to keep up on them more now. Well, Boo will probably be ok for 2-3 years, but Mitchell...not so much.
In other news, I figured our taxes wrong when I was guesstimating and we don't owe money!!! YAY!!! In fact, we are getting what I would consider a nice chunk of change back. And most of it goes right on the ol' credit card. Which is a good thing.
I am currently looking like I haven't slept in days. Which isn't true. The cat woke me up at 4am! (it's time for the gate to go back up at night) But, he doesn't need me to fill his bowl -- there's already food in there. He just needs me to pretend like I'm filling his bowl and then he'll eat. GRRR!!! So, then I couldn't fall back asleep. So, I laid in bed until 5:15 and then got up. Yuck. It's almost 7 and I feel pretty destroyed.
Big plans for the weekend though. Putting together a real closet for Ryan's room and possibly cutting into the wall in the back room to make a new utility closet for the vacuum and other stuff. We'll just leave a little space for towels and stuff in the bathroom. At a later date, we'll go back and cut a new linen closet into the space that we're not using from the old utility closet (but from the other side). My parents have a dumpster from the remodel on their house (which is AMAZING!), so we can dump the garbage in there. woot!
Last Monday, my parents had no roof on their house for a day. Last weekend, we checked it out and they had a roof back on and all the new outside walls framed. It was pretty impressive. As I've said before, I lived up there almost my whole life and I barely recognized it. Well!
Last night, we went back and they have 3 (?) skylights in the upstairs, 3 windows facing south and the framing in for all the new walls upstairs. It's amazing. Their bedroom is going to be huge, they are having a good size walk-in closet, a pretty sweet bathroom, featuring toilet closet (water closet?) and a HUGE second bedroom upstairs. It's giant. The bedrooms upstairs are bigger than the downstairs. The plus side is, if they wanted, they could make one a nursery/playroom for Ryan full time. One of the old ones, downstairs, I would think. Whenever they decide to give up the ghost and sell that place, I would probably buy it. Seriously. I never minded that house, the backyard is really nice and now that it has 2 bathrooms, it's amazing.
Too bad that by the time they sell, we will have our own sweet house and wouldn't be able to afford it anyway. haha.
I should probably start comtemplating what I am going to do on my cleaning binges today. I have been nesting EARLY. I don't know if it's so much nesting as just totally be frickin' annoyed by all the crap that is everywhere in the house.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Poor, expensive kitty
The cats needed their teeth cleaned. It's been a while for Mitchie and never for Boo. So, I make the appt and take them in.
I call around 2pm to find out if they did okay. And they did, the vet said. I make the appt to pick them up around 5:30pm.
We show to pay the bill. Which was $850.00. ...the hell?
Turns out, just like humans, animals can have terrible teeth too. And Mitchell is one of those cats. So, both canine teeth on the left side of his mouth are gone, plus one from the back. Plus, the 4 teeth the other vet had pulled out years before. Total of missing teeth: 7. The cats got their annual check ups, shots and stuff, plus the teeth cleaning. Boo cost us about 350.00 or so. That's okay. Mitchell was the 500.00 cat. Yikes. I'll remember this for next time. And by next time, I mean, Mitchell is going to have to have his teeth looked at every year.
Boo's teeth were fine. Coated with crud that they cleaned off, but fine.
So, they were bring the cats out to clean them up and pull off their bandages and stuff and they put Boo in her carrier -- which she HATES. HATES. So, she got pissed, which set Mitchell off and he freaked out. So, they couldn't clean him up. So, basically, they had to bring him out coated in his own gore, from the teeth that they pulled and had to leave the wound open a bit, because his teeth were SO infected. The doctor said that they were oozing pus when they went in. YUCK!!!!
Oops. I'm terrible. On the plus side, Mitchell was down a pound from the last time he was in and his bloodword was totally normal. Now, we just have to work on getting him down more. Under 21 pounds for next year. Cats shouldn't lose too much weight. I remember the summer I was gone in Shell Lake and Jake fed him for me. He lost like 2 pounds in a year or something and the doctor yelled at me for that. This is the point at which I gave up worrying about his weight. It was damned if you do and damned if you don't.
I have to give the Mitchell antibiotics for several days to clear up any remaining infection. But, since the teeth are gone, the infection will stop raging in his mouth, I'm sure.
I think the part that I feel the worst about is that his snaggletooth is gone. For those of you who have ever seen him, he used to have a tooth that hung out of his mouth all the time. That's one of the ones that got pulled out -- that was probably the worst infected tooth actually. I miss it. It gave him that "I'm a dumb kitty" look all the time. Now, he just looks normal.
Oh well. I'll get over it.
In other news, we have a pretty good plan in place for starting to pay off the ol' credit cards. I know that I write about money in the baby blog when I should be writing about baby stuff, but I can't help it.
Maybe I'll go write about finishing our registry today. Maybe.
I call around 2pm to find out if they did okay. And they did, the vet said. I make the appt to pick them up around 5:30pm.
We show to pay the bill. Which was $850.00. ...the hell?
Turns out, just like humans, animals can have terrible teeth too. And Mitchell is one of those cats. So, both canine teeth on the left side of his mouth are gone, plus one from the back. Plus, the 4 teeth the other vet had pulled out years before. Total of missing teeth: 7. The cats got their annual check ups, shots and stuff, plus the teeth cleaning. Boo cost us about 350.00 or so. That's okay. Mitchell was the 500.00 cat. Yikes. I'll remember this for next time. And by next time, I mean, Mitchell is going to have to have his teeth looked at every year.
Boo's teeth were fine. Coated with crud that they cleaned off, but fine.
So, they were bring the cats out to clean them up and pull off their bandages and stuff and they put Boo in her carrier -- which she HATES. HATES. So, she got pissed, which set Mitchell off and he freaked out. So, they couldn't clean him up. So, basically, they had to bring him out coated in his own gore, from the teeth that they pulled and had to leave the wound open a bit, because his teeth were SO infected. The doctor said that they were oozing pus when they went in. YUCK!!!!
Oops. I'm terrible. On the plus side, Mitchell was down a pound from the last time he was in and his bloodword was totally normal. Now, we just have to work on getting him down more. Under 21 pounds for next year. Cats shouldn't lose too much weight. I remember the summer I was gone in Shell Lake and Jake fed him for me. He lost like 2 pounds in a year or something and the doctor yelled at me for that. This is the point at which I gave up worrying about his weight. It was damned if you do and damned if you don't.
I have to give the Mitchell antibiotics for several days to clear up any remaining infection. But, since the teeth are gone, the infection will stop raging in his mouth, I'm sure.
I think the part that I feel the worst about is that his snaggletooth is gone. For those of you who have ever seen him, he used to have a tooth that hung out of his mouth all the time. That's one of the ones that got pulled out -- that was probably the worst infected tooth actually. I miss it. It gave him that "I'm a dumb kitty" look all the time. Now, he just looks normal.
Oh well. I'll get over it.
In other news, we have a pretty good plan in place for starting to pay off the ol' credit cards. I know that I write about money in the baby blog when I should be writing about baby stuff, but I can't help it.
Maybe I'll go write about finishing our registry today. Maybe.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Okay, now that the holidays are over, I'm tired of winter
It can go away now. I just wanted it to come out and play for the holidays. White Christmas and all that jazz.
Taxes officially suck this year. We usually get a large chunk of money back from WI and the Fed and this year, it looks like we will owe the Fed $200 and get $900 back from WI. So, net effect is that we win, but we were thinking that it would be like LAST year, when we were sitting on 3k, plus the stimulus. And we pissed it all away on stuff, instead of paying things off and spending wisely. Well, we were having a tough time last year, I suppose. And that was a big influence too. Who wants to just pay things off when you feel cruddy?
So, I guess that we'll just have to get used to being middle class now.
Once we get all our paperwork and everything, I'll review it all to make sure I didn't miss anything, but that's really how things are looking as of today.
So, I'll file WI pretty soon and then wait for the refund to come and then file Federal and pay them. Boo.
I also have decided that I want to start making/keeping a list of things we want in the next house. Plus, I have also been thinking about staying on the West side of Tosa...maybe even in the "West" part of the school district. There's no reason to move north now. It would make Jake's drive to work an hour on the best days, I think.
So, I'm thinking that staying around Wisconsin Ave and 80's or 90's -- close to the hospital area, I think. I mean, this is a few years away, but it's okay to start planning ahead. :)
AND, if we can find a house over there AND it's in the "East" part of the district, that's okay too. :)
Taxes officially suck this year. We usually get a large chunk of money back from WI and the Fed and this year, it looks like we will owe the Fed $200 and get $900 back from WI. So, net effect is that we win, but we were thinking that it would be like LAST year, when we were sitting on 3k, plus the stimulus. And we pissed it all away on stuff, instead of paying things off and spending wisely. Well, we were having a tough time last year, I suppose. And that was a big influence too. Who wants to just pay things off when you feel cruddy?
So, I guess that we'll just have to get used to being middle class now.
Once we get all our paperwork and everything, I'll review it all to make sure I didn't miss anything, but that's really how things are looking as of today.
So, I'll file WI pretty soon and then wait for the refund to come and then file Federal and pay them. Boo.
I also have decided that I want to start making/keeping a list of things we want in the next house. Plus, I have also been thinking about staying on the West side of Tosa...maybe even in the "West" part of the school district. There's no reason to move north now. It would make Jake's drive to work an hour on the best days, I think.
So, I'm thinking that staying around Wisconsin Ave and 80's or 90's -- close to the hospital area, I think. I mean, this is a few years away, but it's okay to start planning ahead. :)
AND, if we can find a house over there AND it's in the "East" part of the district, that's okay too. :)
Thursday, January 08, 2009
We'll call it Ryan's car
We purchased a "new" car. A used 2005 Saturn Vue. It's pretty nice. Big windows, so you can see everything, heated seats, and lots of storage. Plus, room for a baby seat.
And much safer than the stupid Jeep. I hated that thing since the moment Jake bought it. And, oh wait! We're still paying for it, because technically, it's part of his student loans from college. Grr...
The bad part is because neither of us had bought a car before (and I didn't know that this sort of thing mattered) and had no "car credit" (because the fact that we pay a gigantic mortgage with no problems isn't the same somehow), our interest rate is through the roof. 9.35% APR. Yikes. In this market?! That's highway robbery.
Oh well. A couple years of paying it down and we'll refi to get a better rate. I hope. 9.35 is ridic.
But, I still love the car. And it's SO much safer than that Jeep was.
So, now I feel much better about life. Now, it's just a matter of making the payments. Thank goodness they are due on the 22nd of the month -- we can save up at the beginning of the month and pay everything at the end. I should probably map that out, however. My paychecks are going to go down, because I have a few more insurance type things coming out of my paychecks. Oh well. We'll survive. Just can't go out for dinner as much. Which isn't really a bad thing.
We'll take pics when it's brighter out and I'll post them. Maybe. We'll see. I'm pretty tired today, so I'm about ready for bed here at 8:30 or so. It's been a long week.
And much safer than the stupid Jeep. I hated that thing since the moment Jake bought it. And, oh wait! We're still paying for it, because technically, it's part of his student loans from college. Grr...
The bad part is because neither of us had bought a car before (and I didn't know that this sort of thing mattered) and had no "car credit" (because the fact that we pay a gigantic mortgage with no problems isn't the same somehow), our interest rate is through the roof. 9.35% APR. Yikes. In this market?! That's highway robbery.
Oh well. A couple years of paying it down and we'll refi to get a better rate. I hope. 9.35 is ridic.
But, I still love the car. And it's SO much safer than that Jeep was.
So, now I feel much better about life. Now, it's just a matter of making the payments. Thank goodness they are due on the 22nd of the month -- we can save up at the beginning of the month and pay everything at the end. I should probably map that out, however. My paychecks are going to go down, because I have a few more insurance type things coming out of my paychecks. Oh well. We'll survive. Just can't go out for dinner as much. Which isn't really a bad thing.
We'll take pics when it's brighter out and I'll post them. Maybe. We'll see. I'm pretty tired today, so I'm about ready for bed here at 8:30 or so. It's been a long week.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Holy Frick! It's 2009!
I can't believe that it's 2009. I feel like I was just ringing in 2008 and making my goals for the year. I guess I should evaluate those goals. Let's see...I'll have to go get them.
I found them, after I re-read about our trip to Florida last year in January...I love Disney World.
Anyway, here's what I said:
Anyway, I think that I'll set some goals for myself this year (1 & 2 are kind of contradictory, but that's okay)
1. Have my first child
2. Lose 20 pounds over the course of 2008 (see? they contradict)
3. Keep running/walking
4. Pay off the tuition credit card
5. Save $1000
So, what did I accomplish:
1. This was really just bad luck. Considering I'm 22 wks right now, without an issue, I would say that we just had to have a couple of restarts. Either that or Jake and Josh cannot do ANYTHING separately. Married same year, bought house same year, having first baby, same year (hell, it's probably going to be in the same month).
2. Well, this didn't happen, for reasons relating to #1.
3. I tried. I really did. But, then I gave up.
4. YES!! I DID DO THIS!! Sacrificed #5 to do it, but my last payment for this month is $66.50 or so! WOOT!
5. I had saved $1000. Then, I decided that paying off stuff before we have the baby is more important. We'll get there eventually.
Okay, NEW GOALS FOR 2009!!!!
1. Pay credit card down under $3000
2. Lose 20 pounds (why not?)
3. Pay off remaining student loan that is not rolled up into my consolidation loan (stupid loan that I forgot about!)
4. Get rid of all the misc. shit that is cluttering up my house. Okay, I guess that could be, get more organized.
5. Save $500
We'll see. I don't really have good goals this year.
Man, that trip to Florida was amazing! I wish we were there right now. Oh well. In the future.
I found them, after I re-read about our trip to Florida last year in January...I love Disney World.
Anyway, here's what I said:
Anyway, I think that I'll set some goals for myself this year (1 & 2 are kind of contradictory, but that's okay)
1. Have my first child
2. Lose 20 pounds over the course of 2008 (see? they contradict)
3. Keep running/walking
4. Pay off the tuition credit card
5. Save $1000
So, what did I accomplish:
1. This was really just bad luck. Considering I'm 22 wks right now, without an issue, I would say that we just had to have a couple of restarts. Either that or Jake and Josh cannot do ANYTHING separately. Married same year, bought house same year, having first baby, same year (hell, it's probably going to be in the same month).
2. Well, this didn't happen, for reasons relating to #1.
3. I tried. I really did. But, then I gave up.
4. YES!! I DID DO THIS!! Sacrificed #5 to do it, but my last payment for this month is $66.50 or so! WOOT!
5. I had saved $1000. Then, I decided that paying off stuff before we have the baby is more important. We'll get there eventually.
Okay, NEW GOALS FOR 2009!!!!
1. Pay credit card down under $3000
2. Lose 20 pounds (why not?)
3. Pay off remaining student loan that is not rolled up into my consolidation loan (stupid loan that I forgot about!)
4. Get rid of all the misc. shit that is cluttering up my house. Okay, I guess that could be, get more organized.
5. Save $500
We'll see. I don't really have good goals this year.
Man, that trip to Florida was amazing! I wish we were there right now. Oh well. In the future.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Happy Holidays!
I finally took the time to edit my blog(s) a bit to make them a little more design-y. As it were. The thanks really have to go to Julia for pointing me in the right direction of how to do it.
I enjoy it. I'm going to edit Ryan's blog a bit more, since it's not my favorite design right now, but it was my experiment.
I'll add the couple of websites I used to find backgrounds and the instructions. And if you have more html knowledge than me (which, despite getting an A- in the stupid 4 credit class my last semester of college, I have not retained any knowledge of), then you could probably do much better.
Now what I need is a good graphic design program (like Photoshop) for my lappy. Actually, I could use a new lappy too -- maybe a slightly better Mac than the 4 (almost 5!) year old lappy I currently use to check email and hack the web. I could be doing that on my old Bondi Blue Original iMac if I wanted. That was the greatest Chritmas present EVER! (like that Lexus commerical, except I'm not getting a Lexus) Especially right before I went to college.
Jake is getting sick, mostly from working his partially sick body (as it has been all year) to the limit trying to shovel, mostly because I couldn't shovel. We really need a snowblower. Badly. It's probably time to try to find a used one from someone around these parts. We just don't have $350.00 to plunk down on the cheapest new one.
I'm not totally sure of what the exact plans for Christmas are, but I have a rough estimate of what is happening.
Dec. 23, 24: Me = off; Jake = worky work
Dec. 24th - going to my aunt and uncle's business in Brookfield to see them and my cousin, his wife and their kids with my parents for a while. Then, we'll probably come home and just hang out, open presents and such.
Dec. 25th - going to Mom and Dad's house for more presents, snack and I choice Italian food for Christmas dinner. Poultry has not been doing well with me and I figure that Dad probably doesn't want to do a terrible amount of cooking.
Dec. 26th - day off to rest and chill out; probably drive up to Luxemburg? Not sure.
Dec. 27th - Christmas with Jake's fam? Not sure the schedule for this either. Def coming home this night though.
Dec. 28th - Spending time with my other aunt and uncle and cousins at their house in Elm Grove; we usually do this every year, usually the Friday before Christmas, but this year, it's at the end, just because of the way that Christmas falls. This is usually just relaxing and hanging out. Which is good, b/c I will have to go back to work the next day (Jake too). Some day, I will have enough vacation to take off the two weeks at the end of the year.
I have to work Monday and then I am off the rest of next week. It will be AMAZING! I haven't had a vacation since July! Seriously. I wish I hadn't wasted sick time/vacation in May -- I took an extra day vacation (which I could have used for next week) and a whole sick day for no reason when Josh was down for the day. It was fun at the time, but now, when I could really use the extra time to carry over to next year, I don't have it. I just went off on a big rant there, and then I realized -- GET IT OVER!! Some women don't get jack squat. Be glad you get to take 6 weeks off with your new baby.
We have plans to Christmas shop today, but we'll see. I wanted to get out kind of early and it's 20 mins to 9 right now. I don't want to go out with all the crazies, esp. since it snowed yesterday and nobody was out.
I enjoy it. I'm going to edit Ryan's blog a bit more, since it's not my favorite design right now, but it was my experiment.
I'll add the couple of websites I used to find backgrounds and the instructions. And if you have more html knowledge than me (which, despite getting an A- in the stupid 4 credit class my last semester of college, I have not retained any knowledge of), then you could probably do much better.
Now what I need is a good graphic design program (like Photoshop) for my lappy. Actually, I could use a new lappy too -- maybe a slightly better Mac than the 4 (almost 5!) year old lappy I currently use to check email and hack the web. I could be doing that on my old Bondi Blue Original iMac if I wanted. That was the greatest Chritmas present EVER! (like that Lexus commerical, except I'm not getting a Lexus) Especially right before I went to college.
Jake is getting sick, mostly from working his partially sick body (as it has been all year) to the limit trying to shovel, mostly because I couldn't shovel. We really need a snowblower. Badly. It's probably time to try to find a used one from someone around these parts. We just don't have $350.00 to plunk down on the cheapest new one.
I'm not totally sure of what the exact plans for Christmas are, but I have a rough estimate of what is happening.
Dec. 23, 24: Me = off; Jake = worky work
Dec. 24th - going to my aunt and uncle's business in Brookfield to see them and my cousin, his wife and their kids with my parents for a while. Then, we'll probably come home and just hang out, open presents and such.
Dec. 25th - going to Mom and Dad's house for more presents, snack and I choice Italian food for Christmas dinner. Poultry has not been doing well with me and I figure that Dad probably doesn't want to do a terrible amount of cooking.
Dec. 26th - day off to rest and chill out; probably drive up to Luxemburg? Not sure.
Dec. 27th - Christmas with Jake's fam? Not sure the schedule for this either. Def coming home this night though.
Dec. 28th - Spending time with my other aunt and uncle and cousins at their house in Elm Grove; we usually do this every year, usually the Friday before Christmas, but this year, it's at the end, just because of the way that Christmas falls. This is usually just relaxing and hanging out. Which is good, b/c I will have to go back to work the next day (Jake too). Some day, I will have enough vacation to take off the two weeks at the end of the year.
I have to work Monday and then I am off the rest of next week. It will be AMAZING! I haven't had a vacation since July! Seriously. I wish I hadn't wasted sick time/vacation in May -- I took an extra day vacation (which I could have used for next week) and a whole sick day for no reason when Josh was down for the day. It was fun at the time, but now, when I could really use the extra time to carry over to next year, I don't have it. I just went off on a big rant there, and then I realized -- GET IT OVER!! Some women don't get jack squat. Be glad you get to take 6 weeks off with your new baby.
We have plans to Christmas shop today, but we'll see. I wanted to get out kind of early and it's 20 mins to 9 right now. I don't want to go out with all the crazies, esp. since it snowed yesterday and nobody was out.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
All christmas'd up
First, I would like to congratulate Josle and Liz on their engagement! I am very happy for you both! :)
Second, we have, since my last post, which was a long azz time ago, Christmas'd up the house. We have our tree, sporting several shiny ornaments, stockings are hanging from the coat rack, the top of the TV is all decorated with holiday stuff. I also have my Christmas village out on the table and a small set from my Grandma in the bay window. I have pics, but I'm too lazy to post at the moment.
Snow, snow and more snow around here. It's ridic. Seriously. The pattern that we have from the beginning of the year hasn't changed one bit. Snow squall/storm after snow whatever keeps passing over.
We did put up Christmas lights on the front porch in the freezing cold on Saturday and put them on the deck today. It was slightly less cold, since it was cloudy.
We also have a Christmas present or two purchased. I didn't want to go crazy this weekend, since we're a little bit tight on money right now. We have to wait until I get a paycheck on Thursday to really purchase gifts. Then, we have to make sure we're going to make all our payments for the month. I'm not too worried about it, but there is always that concern.
St. Nick brought Jake a new coffee grinder. He really likes it. If you use it on the counter, it sounds like a jet engine taking off.
Second, we have, since my last post, which was a long azz time ago, Christmas'd up the house. We have our tree, sporting several shiny ornaments, stockings are hanging from the coat rack, the top of the TV is all decorated with holiday stuff. I also have my Christmas village out on the table and a small set from my Grandma in the bay window. I have pics, but I'm too lazy to post at the moment.
Snow, snow and more snow around here. It's ridic. Seriously. The pattern that we have from the beginning of the year hasn't changed one bit. Snow squall/storm after snow whatever keeps passing over.
We did put up Christmas lights on the front porch in the freezing cold on Saturday and put them on the deck today. It was slightly less cold, since it was cloudy.
We also have a Christmas present or two purchased. I didn't want to go crazy this weekend, since we're a little bit tight on money right now. We have to wait until I get a paycheck on Thursday to really purchase gifts. Then, we have to make sure we're going to make all our payments for the month. I'm not too worried about it, but there is always that concern.
St. Nick brought Jake a new coffee grinder. He really likes it. If you use it on the counter, it sounds like a jet engine taking off.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
I suppose....
A post is in order.
Actually, I was reading a friend's blog and she is very crafty. In reading her blog, it reminded me of the time right before the wedding back in 2005 when I was in the FARTS compy lab working on my programs and was going to test print a few to make sure they were going to work out before I printed them at home. Okay, truth is, I was probably going to print them all in teh compy lab, but not all at once. I was really just going to test a few and be done.
I had special ordered paper -- a very cool iridescent purple -- from this craft/scrapbook place in Rice Lake that I frequented when I was working for the summer in Shell Lake. It was ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS for said paper. I got it in the summer of 2004, so I had managed to hang on to it for the whole year, unscathed.
When I got to the compy lab, I set the bundle of paper down next to the printer and was working at the computer. Some lab workers came in to tape a new sign to the printer and decided that they were going to take the whole thing of paper. I still have NO idea what happened to it, to this day, because they fucking lied about taking it!!! I even sent Jake and probably Josh over to teh main lab office to talk to the guys. And they didn't even admit taking the paper. I even went up to the campus police the next day to file a police report, because it was $125.00!! They couldn't do much, but I felt better about things. At least if the lab workers showed up with the paper, there would be a case open.
I don't know who else would have taken it. It wasn't worth anything to anyone. Maybe they didn't take it, but I never found it in any trash. Maybe I'll blame the person who called Maggie a whore on my "The Knot" website. Which I was sorry that I had to delete before I could have The Knot trace who had posted it. I have a few guesses who could have done it. Andrea did ask the main suspect, who said she hadn't done it, but she was a pathological liar, so who knows?
Up until this point, I had totally forgotten about it. Seems like a different life, you know? :)
I have so many projects that need my attention right now. I could use a month off from work. Baby cross stitching projects, crafty projects, a room that is going to have to be turned into a nursery, etc.
But, alas, work is work. As long as I don't have to work more than 40 hours this week, I'll be totally okay. But, I am really far behind with my shit at work and when I had just caught up, I got all behind again. Plus, my apathy for that place really makes it hard to be there and do stuff. I would really like to change departments, but there really isn't much that I would be good at doing yet, other than what I am doing. Once we get the new person in the mix, I think that things will be better.
Le sigh. I really need to not think about work. Maybe I'll just go work for Yakob at his Starbucks store. They have good benefits, don't they?
Actually, I was reading a friend's blog and she is very crafty. In reading her blog, it reminded me of the time right before the wedding back in 2005 when I was in the FARTS compy lab working on my programs and was going to test print a few to make sure they were going to work out before I printed them at home. Okay, truth is, I was probably going to print them all in teh compy lab, but not all at once. I was really just going to test a few and be done.
I had special ordered paper -- a very cool iridescent purple -- from this craft/scrapbook place in Rice Lake that I frequented when I was working for the summer in Shell Lake. It was ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS for said paper. I got it in the summer of 2004, so I had managed to hang on to it for the whole year, unscathed.
When I got to the compy lab, I set the bundle of paper down next to the printer and was working at the computer. Some lab workers came in to tape a new sign to the printer and decided that they were going to take the whole thing of paper. I still have NO idea what happened to it, to this day, because they fucking lied about taking it!!! I even sent Jake and probably Josh over to teh main lab office to talk to the guys. And they didn't even admit taking the paper. I even went up to the campus police the next day to file a police report, because it was $125.00!! They couldn't do much, but I felt better about things. At least if the lab workers showed up with the paper, there would be a case open.
I don't know who else would have taken it. It wasn't worth anything to anyone. Maybe they didn't take it, but I never found it in any trash. Maybe I'll blame the person who called Maggie a whore on my "The Knot" website. Which I was sorry that I had to delete before I could have The Knot trace who had posted it. I have a few guesses who could have done it. Andrea did ask the main suspect, who said she hadn't done it, but she was a pathological liar, so who knows?
Up until this point, I had totally forgotten about it. Seems like a different life, you know? :)
I have so many projects that need my attention right now. I could use a month off from work. Baby cross stitching projects, crafty projects, a room that is going to have to be turned into a nursery, etc.
But, alas, work is work. As long as I don't have to work more than 40 hours this week, I'll be totally okay. But, I am really far behind with my shit at work and when I had just caught up, I got all behind again. Plus, my apathy for that place really makes it hard to be there and do stuff. I would really like to change departments, but there really isn't much that I would be good at doing yet, other than what I am doing. Once we get the new person in the mix, I think that things will be better.
Le sigh. I really need to not think about work. Maybe I'll just go work for Yakob at his Starbucks store. They have good benefits, don't they?
Sunday, October 26, 2008
29 years old
Not much different than 28.
However, I said that all I wanted to do is make it to my birthday and I would feel okay about things. And I did. So, officially, Jake and I are having a baby...again. No problems on that "making" part. ha ha. I'm 12 weeks along now and it's still going okay, so I feel relatively confident that things will turn okay. I do most of my writing about it on a different blog, so just check my side bar for the link, if you feel like reading about it.
So far, I have received a gift card to Joann Fabrics from Jake's mom and dad, plus a card; and a card from Jake's Grandma. Oh, plus, a picture frame from Jake -- a digital picture frame. I wasn't expecting it, so I was quite surprised, but it has really grown on me, and I love it. It's pretty sweet. And it will display baby pictures every well, when we have them. :)
I don't know that I will be getting much from my parents other than dinner. They didn't ask me if I wanted anything or not. Some years, they ask me what I want and other years, it's just dinner out.
The only bad thing about getting dinner for my birthday is that I've been pretty nauseous for the past 6 or 7 weeks, so eating is really limited. I haven't really gained any weight and my tummy is a fairly decent size at this time. I mean, I think that if you saw me, you'd just think "fatty", but me, myself can tell that it's really baby. So, I'm hoping that I won't gain a terrible amount of weight. I had pretty much to begin with. I want to be one of those women that lost 30 pounds after baby comes. But, I think that dinner will have to wait until after I am feeling better.
But, I'm not "really" 29 until 2:06 pm. So, I'll enjoy my last couple of hours of being 28. ha ha. :)
However, I said that all I wanted to do is make it to my birthday and I would feel okay about things. And I did. So, officially, Jake and I are having a baby...again. No problems on that "making" part. ha ha. I'm 12 weeks along now and it's still going okay, so I feel relatively confident that things will turn okay. I do most of my writing about it on a different blog, so just check my side bar for the link, if you feel like reading about it.
So far, I have received a gift card to Joann Fabrics from Jake's mom and dad, plus a card; and a card from Jake's Grandma. Oh, plus, a picture frame from Jake -- a digital picture frame. I wasn't expecting it, so I was quite surprised, but it has really grown on me, and I love it. It's pretty sweet. And it will display baby pictures every well, when we have them. :)
I don't know that I will be getting much from my parents other than dinner. They didn't ask me if I wanted anything or not. Some years, they ask me what I want and other years, it's just dinner out.
The only bad thing about getting dinner for my birthday is that I've been pretty nauseous for the past 6 or 7 weeks, so eating is really limited. I haven't really gained any weight and my tummy is a fairly decent size at this time. I mean, I think that if you saw me, you'd just think "fatty", but me, myself can tell that it's really baby. So, I'm hoping that I won't gain a terrible amount of weight. I had pretty much to begin with. I want to be one of those women that lost 30 pounds after baby comes. But, I think that dinner will have to wait until after I am feeling better.
But, I'm not "really" 29 until 2:06 pm. So, I'll enjoy my last couple of hours of being 28. ha ha. :)
Thursday, October 16, 2008
3 years is too long and too short
I feel fortunate on this day that I can pretty much go see Branden whenever I want. or at least shout out a "hi" to him as we drive by. We live a mile or two away from the Cemetery.
It's amazing to me that it's been three years. I can't believe how different I feel about life compared to three years ago.
I miss you Branden. Very much.
If I could have a drink for you tonight, I would. I'll drink to you in spirit.
I heart you all.
I wish that I could slow down to remember that a little bit more.
It's amazing to me that it's been three years. I can't believe how different I feel about life compared to three years ago.
I miss you Branden. Very much.
If I could have a drink for you tonight, I would. I'll drink to you in spirit.
I heart you all.
I wish that I could slow down to remember that a little bit more.
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