Surprises

I went to the place where I was to take my property and casualty license today. When I checked in, I gave my name and spelled it. The check-in chick said, "Oh! Just like your instructor!" I asked who that might be and when she told me, I about choked. My husband's brother was teaching my class! Freaky. At first it was a little weird but after about an hour, he just became my instructor, not my brother-in-law.

I have another class tomorrow but he's not teaching it, some other guy is. I'm not sure how I'll do on this test. I think now I should have scheduled the test for Saturday or Monday instead of first thing Friday morning. I don't think I allowed myself enough prep/study time. There are 2 seven and a half hour classes and then we should put another 7-10 hours of personal study time in as well and I am no where near having that much study time. Yipe!

Bob went to the doctor today. He was supposed to just have a physical but he's been struggling health-wise. He is exhibiting similar symptoms to a time about 3 or 4 years ago when he was actually hospitalized in ICU for breathing difficulties and extreme water weight gain. We were fairly sure that after seeing him, the doc would admit him to the hospital again today but that didn't happen. Instead, he took a bunch of blood, some x-rays, urine, and other tests. Then, he is working with other doctors in the clinic and is working on scheduling one day for all of the necessary physicians to see Bob. That way, Bob won't have to go to appointment after appointment, which is a good thing. In the meantime, the doc prescribed diuretics for him so he might be able to pee off some of that water weight. Also, Bob said if he feels like he is putting on more water weight and isn't feeling much better in the next day or two, he will admit himself to the hospital. That makes me feel better. Still, we don't have any answers right now. The doctor said that while he was very concerned, he didn't think it was a matter of life or death right now. I hope he's right.

When Bob gets this sick, I just worry. He jokes that with him gone and out of the way, I can marry a real man and have a real marriage. You don't even want to know how angry this makes me. If I were to lose him now, I'd probably just pack up and leave and start over somewhere where no one knows me and I don't have to really deal with anyone. Maybe become a hermit and live and work off the beach taking pictures of tourists for cash. Although I don't really know what I would do. I just hope I don't have to find out any time soon.

The Graduation Open House

Little did I know when I scheduled the date for my graduation open house that it would be held on the coldest day of the year!

That's a minus sign in front of the 13. That was the actual air temp when I left our apartment to run a couple of last minute errands yesterday morning. It is also the same exact temp THIS morning when I left to go to the laundromat to do our laundry. Brrrrr.

So, the party. I invited probably nearly 150, planned food for roughly 100, and had 15 show up. I LOVED seeing the people that came but I was a little bummed. I knew it wasn't going to be as well-attended as I had hoped when I sent out the invites, but I was not prepared for as small a turn-out as I got. I ended up sending 2 meat and cheese trays, buns, and chips home with 2 different friends. I have nearly half a cake, meat, cheese, veggies, dips, and chips to bring to work tomorrow. We can't eat it all before it goes bad so it has to come to work with me. The next party I plan is definitely going to be a pot-luck.Anyway, I did have fun. An aunt and uncle I haven't seen in over 10 years stopped by. They met Bob for the first time and he loved them. I knew he would because this particular uncle is a character just like Bob.Another fun surprise was that a former college classmate of mine from the FIRST time I attended college in Sioux Falls showed up with his wife. I was trying to think of the last time I saw him and can't remember. I went back to the school in 1990 for what would have been my graduation had I not flunked out but I can't remember if he was there when I was there visiting. Otherwise it would have been in 1989.Other friends of mine showed up as well. My faithful prayer group women and a couple we know from our former church. Also, my former roommate and the maid of honor at our wedding. So, even though it wasn't well-attended, I got to visit a little more than I probably would have with those that did show.So what's ahead? Who knows. This week we have a new person starting at work so I will be involved in her training. I am also taking the class and the test necessary to get my property and casualty license this week. Bob has a doctor's appointment and I hope he is able to get some answers to some pressing health issues he's been experiencing. I also have another PT appointment tomorrow. Not to mention more job hunting in Florida via the internet.

Weather Graphics for Dummies

This is another reason we want to move to Florida. See the numbers on the top? Those would be our weekly highs. I like how they write “cold” on the graphic. As if we can’t look at the numbers and realize on our own that it’s cold.

I was tooling around Northern Florida real estate websites last night and am surprised at how much house (& land for that matter) you can get for the money in the panhandle. Plus a lot of it is situated between the gulf and a lovely state forest preserve. Now if only I could find a job to pay for a house/place to live. I am sending resumes, letters, and applications nearly daily and have yet to hear back from anyone. Not even a “no thank you”. We might end up resorting to our least liked plan and just move when our lease is up and look for work once we get there. There are plenty of employment agencies, so temping might not be out of the question for a while. The only fly in THAT ointment is insurance coverage. In fact, we are so set on moving to Florida that we are foregoing the Alaskan cruise and are using that money for the move. Thankfully it was Bob’s idea. I thought we could actually do both but Bob decided that he would rather live in warmth near the ocean at this time.

I spent the weekend recovering from the crud from last week. My eyes and nose watered nearly constantly. All weekend I had that particular tickle in my nose where it feels like I had to sneeze but never could. Most of Saturday was spent doing laundry and cleaning. After sitting around my apartment for 2 days I felt like a good cleaning was in order. I also found a good deal on humidifiers. I found a cool mist humidifier for $15 at our local Aldi. I put that in our living room. Then, while on a drug run to Walgreen’s, I found a warm mist humidifier on clearance for $10! I put that in our bedroom. I don’t know if Bob’s noticed a difference, but I sure have. The cats aren’t sneezing as much and we aren’t shocking one another with every touch.

Yesterday I was determined to get out of the house. I went to Kohl’s to take exchange a place setting of Fiestaware. I was given a place setting as a gift but it’s in a color that dominates our dishes. I wanted to get the newer green but this particular Kohl’s only have the red, orange, and yellow. So I got the yellow. I also found a 2-opening frame on sale so I picked that up to house my official graduation photos.

Once I left Kohl’s, Bob called and asked if I could pick up his prescription and I also had to pick up some new bird food and a couple of things at the grocery store. Once home, I started a roast in the crock pot and put everything else away. I ended up cutting the roast in half, shredding 1 half and using it for enchiladas. They turned out fabulous! The other half we will have for dinner tonight with mashed potatoes and gravy.

Tonight I have physical therapy. I was originally scheduled for 3 times a week, but it’s going so well that my PT said once a week for now is good. After next week we will re-evaluate. I don’t really like it, but whatever. As long as I don’t need surgery, it’s a good thing and I’ll endure.

Crud

I have the crud. It started yesterday with sniffles and a not quite sore throat but a suspicious niggling ache. It got worse as I left work and went to the grocery store when I began to feel achey and my head stuffy. As I picked out eggs, mushrooms, bread, and meat I realized that though usually hungry at this time of day, I was not only NOT hungry but I was actually repulsed by the food around me. I checked out of the store, got home, put it all away, and fell on the couch. Bob knew I was sick the minute he saw me. He says he can see it in my eyes. They apparently look a certain way when I don't feel well. I was in bed and asleep by 7.

The symptoms of this crud seem to be, sore throat, full/stuffy head, chills, fever, sniffles/runny nose (oh man! I probably got it from that kid at the PT's office on Monday! Nice!), muscle aches, stuffy/achey ears, fatigue, and realistic pregnancy dreams. Well, maybe not that last one, but I dreamt a dream so startingly realistic in it's presentation, I woke up rubbing my belly and franticly trying to go into labor. (In the dream I was in labor but couldn't find the hospital in which to deliever the baby.) Oh, and I don't know if it's the crud or if it's all the juice I'm drinking to try and heal my sore throat, but I also have diaherria. Lovely.

I'm staying home today. I need to go back to bed now.

A Degree Comes in Handy...Who Knew?

I just applied for the perfect job for me.  It is for a public relations officer within the state of Florida environmental protection offices.  Basically every class I took towards getting my BS in Communications was training for this job.  I don’t know if they will seriously look at persons outside the state of Florida but I won’t know if I don’t try.  I was just so excited to see the posting and apply.  It’s in an area we hadn’t yet considered as it is more inland but is only 25-30 miles away from the coast.  So we could live near the coast and I could commute.  Not bad.

Today I told someone we were considering moving and their immediate reaction was, “Don’t you know how hot it gets there?” And my immediate reaction is, “Don’t you know how cold it gets here?”  And in regards to erratic weather, did anyone see the news that there were tornado touchdowns in Wisconsin last night?  That’s one state over…about 200 miles from me.  So we know from erratic weather.  We just think it would be nice to have erratic weather AND ocean access.

Did I write about my PT yesterday?  I think I did.  No more walking cast, stretching and strengthening exercises, checking in once more this week and twice next week and then a re-evaluation.  Did I tell you about the 12-13 year old boy I was about to kill while hanging out in the waiting room?  Seriously, this kid sniffled that wet, snarfly sniffle at 1-4 second intervals for 20 minutes!  I was about to jab the RX advertising office pens into my ears with the PT showed up.   Sheesh, we were in the waiting room of a medical building.  I’m sure there was a tissue somewhere nearby.

What is going on with the weekend of January 19^th that almost all of my RSVP regrets are coming back with, “We hope you have a great party but we can’t come due to it’s XXX’s birthday that weekend and we are celebrating.”  Seriously, I have received nearly a dozen of these.  Were all my friends and /or their family members born on January 18^th, 19^th or 20^th?  Weird.

Monday

Work was kind of crappy today. I ended up getting a lot done but personality clashes were frustrating today. Also, a co-worker announced that her daughter was pregnant and another's daughter JUST had a baby boy over the Christmas holiday. I can be happy for them but I still have a hard time not feeling sad and jealous.

Bob and I went to the Timberwolves game yesterday. It was on OK time. I'm not a huge basketball fan but there is enough going during the game to divert and hold my attention. Seriously, when did basketball become the sport of fans with ADD? There is constantly music playing, screens flashing, and the game. During time outs and quarter breaks there is entertainment. We saw the team dancers, a breakdance team, a magic act, a hoops contest, and other filler. It was kind of crazy. Our basketball team is an embarrassment right now. But we played the Mavericks and they had an amazing blond Adonis on their team that really played well. He was fun to watch. Not surprisingly we lost the game. I think the final score was 78-101.

I had physical therapy today. It went OK. My ankle is actually still a little swollen but is doing quite well. My range of motion isn't quite what it is on the right ankle but the therapist gave me some exercises to do and I go back on Wednesday for another evaluation. I also see her on Monday and from there we will reassess. I can also go without the boot though I'm to have it with me in case I get tired and need the support. I can also go back to driving my own car. Bob will be glad to have his van back.

I think I need to talk about why we are thinking/planning/desiring moving. Bob is in a wheelchair. He cannot walk or stand on his own for more than a few steps/minutes at a time. He definitely cannot stand or walk in snow or ice. He cannot move his wheelchair through unplowed or unshoveled snow which renders him housebound for a lot of the winter months. He is at his best health-wise when he an get outside in the sunshine for at least a half hour a day. When it's snowy and cold he does not get outside. We want to move to a sunnier, warmer place so his health can improve. Since he does not work, he needs a kind of place where he can get outside and maybe even find a ministry with which to volunteer.

We picked Florida because we have visited there often. We like it. We feel at home there. We also picked it because we both love and adore the ocean. There is nowhere better to find a home near the ocean in warmth and sun than Florida. The cost of living is better than California and my company has offices there. I am looking on our online job board and applying for openings there. If I get one of those, my insurance, 401K, pay, seniority, etc will transfer. If I don't get a job with my company, I have several other options open.

When I was 22, I moved out to the East coast and lived there 3 1/2 years. It wasn't easy. It wasn't the same. It wasn't what I was used to but I loved it and I did it. Bob has never lived anywhere but here and is a little more nervous about all of this than I am. I've done it before and know it can be done.

We don't have friends in Florida. Yet. We do have some family in one of the areas we are looking into and that would be nice. However Bob is not particularly close to his family and my family lives far enough away that I only see them about 4 times a year anyway. Both of us are friendly, outgoing people and make friends pretty easily. We are not worried about moving somewhere and making new friends.

As to the changing weather...well, we have that here too. The temp can be 95 degrees and in 30 minutes it can drop to 60. Or, in the case of last week, it can be as high as 20 one day and 40 the next. We have snow, ice, tornadoes, torrential rain and flooding, high winds, hail, sleet, etc. No matter where you live you have to contend with Mother Nature. We just want to live somewhere with warm weather near an ocean. Florida fits the bill for us.

Oh, I sent emails to some of the pastors of the churches I found online and one of them answered! He sent a lovely email and said he'd be praying for us. He also gave me his home phone number and said we could call him if we had more questions about the area, their church, or anything else. How nice.

Yeah, we've not worried.

Southern Churches

I haven't been writing much. I think it's partly because things are so busy at work and partly because a lot of what is going on with me and Bob right now is internal and not actual external events.

Work is still crazy. Thankfully, my boss is hiring someone on Tuesday. Still, that person will not be up to speed right away. Time will have to be spent training that person and helping them learn the ropes. Who knows how long that will take. There are also some issues my boss has brought to my attention and I am now being watched quite closely, so I've got to be on my game all day every day. I am doing several different jobs in addition to the job I was hired to do and in the past trying to get it all done on time made me a little sloppy. No more. If I get behind, I get behind and things will be done right. However, this also means that now when people ask me if I can help them with their workload, I am having to say no which seems to be kind of taking them aback. Oh well. I have to do what I have to do. Thankfully, Bob is a great listener and a good sounding board so I can share with him what's going on at work.

Operation Move to Florida is still in the discussion stages but seems to be in the forefront of both our minds. We agreed that we will talk, think, plan, and pray about the best way to move ahead. We are looking at cities/areas we would like to live in, be they on the Gulf Coast, the East Coast, North Florida, or South Florida. I have a road map of the state of Florida on our wall with the possible communities highlighted. Then I am going to church websites for those areas and looking for churches that might fit what we are looking for. This is proving to be an interesting exercise. I started looking in the Pensacola area and while there are HUNDREDS of churches, the majority of them seem to be quite conservative in nature.

Bob and I are looking for a church that is more interested in serving its community than itself, more interested in people than buildings, and more interested in outreach than in programs. We also like churches that are different from the norm. Maybe they have services at night, or meet in a movie theater, or welcome street people to join church festivities. I am not finding a lot of churches that are different. They all seem to be cut from the same cloth. They all seem to be wound kind of tight. They all meet on Sunday morning before 11am with Sunday School prior to the service. They all have a Sunday evening service as well as a Wednesday night prayer meeting. They all have programs for teens, kids, singles, adults but no real outright community service. They all feature pictures of older or elderly pastors in suits and ties with a boatload of similarly suited and aged church leaders. I did find some that at least list local Pensacola area ministries that they partner with so that was helpful. I went through a listing of hundreds of churches and came away with 10 that might be possibilities for us. I am going to email the pastors at those 10 churches and tell them our story and ask them to pray for us.

So, that's what's going on with us. Today we are going to see the Timber Wolves play. We won tickets from our apartment management office. We're not big basketball fans and the Wolves have been kind of pathetic since they lost KG but it's time out together doing something different and fun.

The Final Countdown

Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve written.  Life has been a bit crazy and I’ve been a bit lazy when there is nothing pressing me. 

Work was crazy last week.  There was a lot of catching up and a lot of trying to locate annuity writing bankers who were on vacation and in their stead, trying to resolve issues.  When I got home, all I wanted to do was sleep…so I did.  I think the darkness, snow, and cold are not helping the general malaise I find myself in these days.

I don’t know what we are doing tonight, if anything.  Bob hasn’t been feeling well.  We missed a family wedding on Saturday due to his illness and he has given me the OK to go out tonight if I so desire.  I don’t know that I DO desire.

I ordered my professional graduation photos today.  Holy Schnikees they were pricey.  I ordered 3 5x7’s and 1 small portrait package and it came to $75 including shipping and handling.  Crazy. 

I meant to take our Christmas decorations down yesterday but I got caught up in movie nostalgia thanks to the ABC Family network.  It began with My Girl, continued with A League of Their Own, and finished with Steel Magnolias.  I only moved from the couch to eat lunch and dinner.  Nice.

I can’t believe it’s a new year.  Last year I was so excited for 2007, I could barely stand it.  As the year wound down with no pregnancy, I began to hate 2007.  Now, with plans to most likely move to Florida, I am begrudgingly looking forward to 2008.  Bob and I talked about it a little bit last night and if I don’t get a job interview or offer before our lease is up October 1^st, we are looking at moving down there, finding me a temp job and just starting the fall off right in Florida.  Not sure if that will work or not, but we are talking about it.  Bob is kind of scared because our cruise is from Sept 11^th to 22^nd and he doesn’t think I can get us packed and moved in 2 weeks.  I think I can.  Especially if I work to the 10^th and then am done at Big Bank Co.  It’s scary to think of doing it that way but if we don’t, we will never leave and I can’t live through another year of broken dreams and disappointment.

Merry Christmas

Where in the world did this weekend go? I had 5 days off and it seems like I need another 5 just to catch my breath.

Friday was graduation, of course. It was awesome. I shared photos and thoughts on the day in my last post. There is one thing I will regret for a good long time and that is that we didn't take any family photos with me and my folks, grandma, brother, sister-in-law, or nephews. None. None of them with me before or after the ceremony. None of me in my graduation finery with my family. I am so bummed about this and wish we could go back in time and redo at least that much.

Saturday morning I ran errands and took some photos. It had snowed over night and there was a beautiful frosty coating on everything. After that, I met my mom, dad, and grandma at my grandma's place and caravaned with them to my uncle's house for our family Christmas. It was a nice time of family togetherness. There were a couple of dampers in that my dad had a health issue and my grandma is so very hard of hearing. But for those, the day was lovely. I got home around 11!

Sunday morning I got up and did our laundry. While at the laundromat, the weather turned and it began to snow. It was snowy, swirly, and windy. My mom called to say they were on their way back to southern WI in hopes of getting home before the weather got too bad.

Once laundry was done, I headed back for home to pack for our mini weekend away. Bob and I drove to downtown Minneapolis amidst the snowy, swirly, windy weather. What would normally would take us 10 or 15 minutes took us 40. We checked in and got settled into our room. It was a 2 room suite with a large bathroom. We were on the 9th floor and had a nice view southwest. Once we were settled, we decided to get a bite to eat at Britts Pub. While there I found out my brother and his family were driving south to their home. This worried me due to the nastiness of the weather but my brother was not to be deterred.After dinner we walked down Nicollet Mall and enjoyed the sights. The parade didn't start for another hour so we ducked into Target to look around. The downtown Target was crazy busy and the Mall was actually pretty hustle-y and bustle-y. At 6:30, we were ready for the Hollidazzle parade to start. It was so nice. Though it was really cold and blustery and snowy, it certainly made for a festive atmosphere. I took a lot of photos and had a great time.By the time we got back to the hotel, both Bob and I were about frozen solid. We stood by the fireplace in the hotel lobby for a while. When we got to our room, I turned the heat up and called down for an extra blanket. The blanket never arrived but we found ways to stay warm. Watching the Vikings lose was one way to stay hot under the collar!
On Monday we got up and went to a local place for brunch. It was delicious. The weather was better too. It was still cold but it was no longer snowing and the sun was out.
After brunch we went to Macy's to see their Christmas display. (Along with everyone else in the free world.) We took the skyway and I was actually surprised at the amount of people out and about. I was REALLY surprised at the amount of people shopping at Macy's and Target. Bob and I went to Target to get each other stocking stuffers and we had a hard time finding things for each other from the picked over shelves. We did NOT have a hard time finding Valentine's things though. Weird.
The rest of the day was spent just hanging out and relaxing. We ordered Chinese food delivered to the hotel and enjoyed a kick back evening at the hotel. We slept in this morning, checked out, and headed for home.

I vacuumed our home, put our gifts away, and unpacked. I plan on going to bed early. Tomorrow I go back to work and I can't figure out where all my time off went.

Graduation!

Guess who graduated from college today? Give up? Here's a hint:
Here's me with my classmates:
And here's me with my amazing husband, Bob:

There were only 2 dampers on the day. 1.) I got a major runner in my Spanx about 30 seconds after I put them on, and 2.) I found out that I had the grade point average to graduate Magna Cum Laude but I did not get the official label because I did not earn enough credits at this particular institution. It's kind of a bummer because I worked so hard and the work should all transfer, not just what I do at this particular school. It took me 21 years to get this degree and I had the GPA for the MCL. Bummer. But over all, a great day.

As Old as Video Games

After nearly a week of being 40 I have to say it's...OK. The other night I was lying in bed thinking about it and it just feels so wrong. In my head 40 sounds so old. I don't feel as old as 40 sounds to me. In my head I still feel 24. It is hard for me to believe that I'm not still the same person I was at 24. (OK, thank God I'm not, but where in the world did the time go?) I also can't believe that this May I will have lived here in MN for 10 years! Just let this be a warning to you all, do not spend your time in bed trying to fall asleep contemplating your birthdays because there is nothing that will wake you up faster than realizing you are now the same age as the ATM, the Big Mac, and the Israeli Occupation.

I do have to share that things at work have been going much better. My manager is a fan of working with people's strengths and walking them patiently through their...not so strong traits. She approved a move for me from my cube to another with more space and higher "walls". Today she came and asked me to look through the resumes of the 5 strongest candidates applying for our open position. That's pretty good. I haven't heard from the position I interviewed for last week but I can honestly say that at this point I don't even care.

I actually heard from the orthopedist today. I am seeing a guy who is an actual foot and ankle specialist. Of course I can't get in to see him until after the holidays, but January 2nd, I am there. This also means that tomorrow at graduation I will be walking across the stage in a boot/walking cast and photographed in it for all posterity. Sweet. I actually tried to walk in my new shoes and the broken ankle can't take it. So it will have to be cute new shoe on the right foot and big, black, bulky, boot on the left. Oh well, it will make for an interesting story.

Bob and I are actually looking at moving to Florida when our lease is up on our place in '08. Not sure how that would work out, but we decided to think about it and we are going to talk more about it this weekend when we're at the hotel. Sitting through another Minnesota winter just doesn't sound as appealing as it once used to.

Tomorrow is GRADUATION! It's a full day of grad festivities and I can't wait. I am more excited than a kid at Christmas. I don't know what pleases me more, the graduation and all the pomp and circumstance and tradition of it all or the fact that my entire family will be there to celebrate with me. Squeeee! I hope I can sleep tonight.

And just because I am stuck in a rut of pondering all that 40 means, here is a list of famous people that also turned 40 this year:

Pamela Anderson,

Boris Becker

Lisa Bonet

Toni Braxton

Tia Carrere

Carrot Top

Kurt Cobain

Harry Connick, Jr.

Anderson Cooper

Billy Corgan

Olivia d’Abo

Laura Dern

Benicio del Toro

Vin Diesel

Will Ferrell

Joely Fisher

Jamie Foxx

Lauren Graham

Paul Giamatti

Faith Hill

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Melina Kanakaredes

Nicole Kidman

Jimmy Kimmel

Matt LeBlanc

Dave Matthews

Tim McGraw

Dave Navarro

Liz Phair

Guy Pearce

Julie Roberts

Joe Rogan

Mark Ruffalo

Andrew Shue

Miro Sorvino

Sherry Stringfield

Lili Taylor

Keith Urban

Kate Walsh

Steve Zahn

Moon Unit Zappa

Clarification

We don't "tip" the people that park next to us as much as we thank them. We have a handicapped accessible van with a ramp and need all the space we park in and then some. The people that park next to us park as far over to the opposite side as they can in order to allow Bob access to his van. They don't have to but they do because they know it makes things easier for Bob. So, to thank them, we bought them $10 gas cards and put them in Christmas cards. Not a big deal but something nice because they've been nice to us.

I got the referral to the orthopedist. I will be calling their office tomorrow. My ankle doesn't really hurt. But for some reason, my right hand is killing me and I don't know why. Maybe I laid on it one night but I've had to take Aleve 2 days in a row just to get through the day.

Tomorrow is my last day at work before a well needed and most anticipated 5 day break. I can't wait. Oh, and only 2 more days to graduation!

I'm Fffffffforty...Gulp

So my birthday was kind of a bummer but I'm doing better. Bob took me out to eat on Friday night and we had a nice time. Bob asked if I wanted to do anything else when we were done but I didn't so we just went home.

Saturday I was to meet my girlfriends for brunch. I've been a little bit angsty about my friends lately because we have all become so bad and lazy about communicating with each other. Out of 10 friends invited, only 4 showed up and NO ONE called to say they wouldn't be making it. It really wouldn't have been a big deal except the restaurant wouldn't seat us until everyone in the party had arrived so we ended up having to call everyone to see if they were coming or not. Thank god for cell phones or we would have had to locate a pay phone and a bunch of quarters. Brunch was nice anyway and my friends did chip in and get me a nice gift which was a nice surprise.

Following brunch, I ran some errands, braving the holiday crowds at Target...GAH! Then I swung by home to pick up Bob so we could go to Sam's. We wanted to pick out a fun gift basket to give to our apartment management office. We found a nice one AND I was able to place orders for my grad/birthday party cake and party trays.

Speaking of the grad/birthday party, I have to say I'm not very excited about it any more. I've received more regrets than accepts and it's bumming me out. I guess I'll just host the party and have fun with the people that do show up and save the real celebrating for the cruise in September.

Anyway, the rest of the weekend was spent vegging, doing laundry, and trying to recover from a horrendous headache. Oh! And watching Working Girl for the thousandth time. It doesn't matter how many times they show that movie, I will stop whatever it is I'm doing to watch it again.

So things at work have become a bit better. I think it's partially because New Manager is all about working with your strengths and giving you responsibilities that play up the strengths. But the new responsibilities as well as the loss of another co-worker means that the work load has increased exponentially. It's crazy. Today I didn't get a lunch break and I worked an extra hour over my regular time. I am off on Friday and I am panicking about getting everything done that needs to be done by now. I don't know what's worse, being bored at work and not having enough to do or being so busy that no matter how much you do, you can't get everything done. I think I like the latter and say "nyah" to the former.

Something weird and annoying happened to me on Monday. I went down to the cafeteria to get my morning egg. The fry cook that makes my food is the guy who kind of dressed me down not so long ago for not wearing a wedding ring to let him know I'm married. Anyway, he greeted me by saying, "This is the week that everyone needs to tip their service workers this week because Christmas is next week." I laughed but he seemed serious. Bob and I had already tipped everyone we planned on tipping. We gave the mailman some cash, a gift basket to our management office, and gas cards to the people that park on either side of our van in the parking garage. I brought a plate of cookies to my favorite coffee place and didn't think I had to do something for the fry cook at my building cafeteria. It still irks me that he said this.

Only 3 more days to graduation. I. Can't. Wait. I am off Friday, the weekend (of course), Monday, and Tuesday. And reason #127 why I love my husband? When he realized I had all this time off, he suggested we look for a hotel deal in town and stay there Sunday and Monday night as a treat (read distraction) for us this holiday. I found a downtown hotel for $65 per night. We will check in, eat dinner, and then catch the last night of the Hollidazzle. The rest of our time will be spent exploring downtown and enjoying each other's company.

Another reason why my husband rocks? He came up to me today and said, "Yes, let's explore moving to Florida." Yes! Let's.

It's My Birthday and I'll Cry if I Want to

So the past 48 hours haven't been all that great. It might be the day I turn 40 but it might as well have been any old crappy day. Mostly it's little stupid stuff that piled up but just the fact that it all happened around such a momentous birthday really sucks.

Crappy Stuff that Happened on my Birthday

• Was told broken bone wasn't healing. Put back into walking cast.
• Made cookies last night from a new recipe that didn't really work out.
• Told my regular coffee shop people it was my birthday...didn't get free drink even though I always did in years past.
• Headlight went out on my car.
• Bob sent my name in to local radio station to be read during their "Best Day Ever" segment...they didn't read it.
  
• Decided to pamper myself with a brow wax. Got new girl. She kept jamming her thumbs in my eyes and when it was done, she didn't offer me a mirror. Oh! And she told me to stop squinting all the time.
• Called my doctor to see if I could get a referral to an orthopedist sooner rather than later and was told by the nurse that now that I'm 40 I'm just not going to heal as fast and I should learn some patience. Sheesh, I JUST turned 40.

I know it doesn't sound like a lot and it may seem that I'm just a whining baby but I've been down so long and just wanted a nice day today.

In thinking about it, I think that what has me down is that I'm 40. I'm no longer in my 30's. Now I have to say I'm in my 40's. And the 40's lead to 50. Plus, for some reason, I had it in my head that 2007 was going to be some amazing magical year for us/me. Then it wasn't. At all. In fact, with each passing month I could feel my youthful optimism and hopefulness slip away. I can feel myself get more and more negative and jaded as the year winds down. I used to be the first one to believe in miracles, fantasies and fairy tales. I used to believe dreams and wishes came true. Until this year. Now I just see how hard life is. How much it sucks and drains the life from a person until the day they die.

Although I guess it's not all bad. When I look back over the 10 years that was my 30's, I can see some good things happened. I got my Associate's Degree. I moved to the Twin Cities. I met and married Bob. I got my job at Big Bank Co. I finished college (barely). Still, there is so much more that I wanted for me/us that didn't happen it's hard for me to believe it ever will. I really am not looking forward to the future for the first time since...I can remember. Even this big birthday/graduation party I'm throwing in January isn't looking good. I've received so many regrets RSVPs that I'm wondering if anyone will show. It's like turning 40 has turned me into Debbie Downer.

So far, the 40's are not fabulous.

Another Ankle Update

I hate to post and move the picture of my pretty, pretty Kate Spade handbag from its prominent position, but I have an ankle update.  The bone is not healing.  I have been relegated once again to the walking cast/boot for 2 more weeks.  I DID get the OK to leave off the boot for graduation but with an admonishment to wear it every waking moment before and after.  I got back for another x-ray and follow-up on December 31 and if it’s still not healing I will be referred to an orthopedic surgeon who will look at it and say it’s just the little knobbly bone on my outer ankle and there’s nothing he can do.  Or so I hope. 

Other than that, not much is going on.  Work is busy because we are short staffed.  I am moving from one cube with half walls to a new cube across the aisle with tall walls and more storage space. I am looking forward to the move because I will no longer be next to our noisy phone team.  That takes place on Tuesday.

Tonight I’m going to go home and make some fudge and peanut butter blossom cookies.  I like to bring treats to work on my birthday.  I also bring some in to my favorite coffee place…just because.

Kate

OK, I know this isn't technically an ornament but I had to post it. I stopped by the consignment store on my way to my work holiday party. I had some items to drop off and I wanted to check my store credit balance. Turns out I had $15 in store credit. Of course I couldn't leave without picking up a little something. Today that "little something" turned out to be this super cute Kate Spade evening bag. It perfectly matches my dress and though I've never been a purse person, it called out to me and I could not resist. It cost $10. I've never owned a designer handbag and never thought I would. It's probably 10 seasons old, but I don't care. I love it. It's perfect. Consignment stores are amazing.

Pomp and Circumstance

I got my cap and gown!  I got my cap and gown!  Wheeee!  I left work early to head to my school for the Grad Expo.  When I got there, there was one other guy ahead of me and 2 girls behind me and that was it.  I hope there was a larger turn out earlier in the day.  Anyway, I got my alumni card and info on career development.  I found out that I don’t have any overdue library fines and I entered my name for a drawing.  I got my graduation tickets (including 1 wheelchair/accessible ticket) and my cap and gown.  They made me try on my cap right away but I had to wait until I got home to try on my gown.  Everything is black.  The cap is black.  The gown is black.  Even the tassel is black.  At least it all goes with my new dress.  I can’t wait until next Friday!

I had an interview this morning.  I think it went well but I can never tell with these things.  I was a few minutes late because I had intended to park on the street but couldn’t find street parking over 15 minutes in length so I had to park in a ramp.  The ramp I chose had prominent signs stating they did not accept checks and since I only had $8 on me, I made a mental note to stop at an ATM on my way back to my car. Anyway, I met the manager and her 3 employees and then we got down to it.  She was nice, funny, and a little saucy.  She asked me the dreaded, “what is your greatest strength and greatest weakness?” question.  I don’t think I nailed it, but I came away with a good feeling.  The way I see it, it’s all experience that helps with the next thing to come along so even if I’m not offered the position, it wasn’t a wasted effort.  Oh, and I had to pay $11 for the ONE HOUR I was parked down town.  If I do get the job, I will be procuring a monthly bus pass post haste.

Tonight is my work holiday party.  I don’t really know what to expect.  Our BIG manager is going to be here from California.  We have a new manager and less people than previous years.  The restaurant we are going to has some yummy food and drinks are free so it should be a good time in that regard anyway.  On the way I am stopping at the consignment shop to drop off a couple of things. Don’t know if they will accept them, but it’s worth a shot.  I also have to see if I have any money on account.  If so, I can pick up something for store credit.  Yay.

So Friday is the big day.  The day I turn 40.  I’ve been so busy that it hasn’t really registered but I’m kind of dreading it.  So much stuff was to have happened before I turned 40.  We were to have either had a baby or I was to be pregnant.  We were to have a house.  I was to have found a better paying job in a field I enjoy.  None of that has happened yet.  At least I finished school before I turned 40.  I got that item checked off my “to-do” list anyway.  I have to work on Friday but then Bob is picking me up and we are going downtown for dinner and the Hollidazzle Parade.  It’s supposed to be the coldest day of the week but my new parka arrived from L.L. Bean so I should be snuggly in that.  Bob and I have never seen the Hollidazzle together so it should be interesting if nothing else.  I do have a big party planned to celebrate the 4-0 and my graduation but I scheduled it for January, after all the holiday hoopla.  Oh, and you’re invited.

Ornament of the day, Tuesday, December 11

This is an ornament my friend Holly sent me from Russia. She moved there in 1997, met a man, fell in love, had a couple of kids, and now resides in Novosibirsk, Siberia. I'm not sure if there is any real symbolism or if this ornament means anything, I just like her. She reminds me of Holly and her family every year. She is placed in a prominent place on our tree in honor of our friends in Russia.

Hustle and Bustle

You know what I need NOT to do?  I need NOT to watch Paranormal State right before bed.  It freaked me right the hell out and I couldn’t fall asleep for fear of some demon or ghost “getting” me.  I used to suffer horrible night terrors and had fear of the dark until I got married. Last night brought it all back with a vengeance.  As fascinating a show as PS is, I gotta say no to the show.

I leave in a little over and hour for the Grad Expo.  I will be picking up my cap and gown and graduation tickets.  I can’t wait.  I’m giddy with anticipation.  Hee.

Tomorrow I have an interview downtown AND our holiday party after work.  It is just hustle and bustle here at Big Bank Co.  Speaking of, work it piling up due to low staff.  Gotta go.

Rings

I think I mentioned a while back that I fell in love with a ring in a local jewelry store and was hoping Bob would get it for me for graduation. Well, we talked about it and since we are scaling back Christmas and sacrificing all things in life for our cruise in September, I agreed that the cruise is enough and don’t really need any new bling.  So, no new ring for graduation.  Still, we will have a lovely vacation in September. (I may be getting a new vacuum for Christmas though!  Bissell makes a new pet hair vacuum and I’ve heard/read good things about it.  It’s much more affordable than the Dyson and our current vacuum is slowly dying.)

I just got a call (a ring) for an interview.  Wednesday morning I will be heading downtown to the hustle-y and bustle-y center of commerce to interview at a new department.  I’m kind of looking forward to it because the woman who called me was so funny and open.  She stated right away that the job entailed some filing and since everyone in the office hated filing, it kind of fell to this open position.  I said I have to file now and while it’s not on the list of my favorite things to do, I don’t mind it so much.  She also said there was room for growth and advancement and said it’s a fun place to work.  After the call, I went to my manager to tell her I would be going on this interview but I told her that during the interview I would be sure to tell the interviewer about how we’ve lost so many people in a short amount of time and I would probably need more than the requisite two weeks notice if offered the job.  My boss appreciated that.