Schoolday but not in school

The kids' school had their first annual Field Day today. It seems that most public schools in our district hold a Field Day at the end of the year. The entire school spends the day out on the playground/fields and play games. So I was very glad to hear that the kids' school was having their first scheduled day at a nearby park.

As always, they asked for parent volunteers. I gladly took the time off to help the school out. We ended up loading my car up with all the water, juices (for lunch), and lunch stuff. I ended up getting a work-out just by loading and unloading my car! No need to go out on a run today!

But all the kids had SO MUCH FUN! Here are some photos that I was able to take of the kids.

The Princess tied up with one of her classmates in the 3-legged race.

The Bear giving me a classic smile.

My girl gets some air.

My guy trying to hula hoop.

My girl threw the ball hard but it just didn't quite make it through the tire.

My little guy did really well through the tires.

Of course, my daughter won the hula hoop contest for her grade. Can you believe the other contestant was a boy?

When we got home around 3:30pm, the kids were tired. And me? I was super tired. And now my back is pretty achy. I lay down with a heating pad on my back earlier. But I think a good night sleep will do the trick. So I better hit the hay. Tomorrow is going to be another busy day! Baseball. Two girl scout events. And finalizing packing!

Running about today [updated @ 8:45pm]

Another day out here in the desert.

This morning I'm heading over to see my doctor. We're going to do a general health check. See where my blood pressure is at. How my acid reflux is doing. Figure out a good plan going forward since I'm leaving for SoCal on Sunday.

This morning the Princess is going on an all-day field trip. She's supposed to be at school before 7:50am because they'll be loading onto a bus at 8am. She's going to the zoo for an event where she'll meet Jane Goodall! Then all the kids are heading to a local college where Dr. Goodall will be the key note speaker. I'll pick the Princess up at school at 4:30pm. Long day, no?

This afternoon the Bear has a baseball game. The game starts at 5pm, but the boys are supposed to show up at 4:30pm for warm-ups. See my first conflict?

But before the afternoon rush, I'll be TRYING to figure out our new software system. A system I've had NO training on whatsoever. I'm going to have to piece my way through it. Comparing our current system (v1) with the new system (v2). If you recall, we very abruptly moved to the version1 in December. And they've just got an "improved" version finished. I can already see the storm clouds in my brain forming. Ay-yay-yay!

What have you got planned for today?

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The visit with my Doc went well. I'm down another pound (118.5). My pressure was just a wee bit elevated but my Doc said it was in the "still okay" range.

We reviewed the fact that I've been on blood pressure meds since September and have since developed acid reflux.I let my Doc know that while the horrible symptoms are basically controlled by my meds, I still do have residual acid every now and then. I let him know that tomatoes are a definite trigger for me, so I've cut these (for the most part) out of my diet. I've also cut out caffeine. A decaf coffee maybe once every two weeks or so. No soda whatsoever. No more Diet Cokes! It's been water, water, and more water!

I let my Doc know that I would be leaving town for the summer. And he gave me an order to get a blood draw. A fasting blood draw. So after dinner tonight I'm not allowed to eat! ARGH! But I should be okay since my blood draw is scheduled for 9:15am. I am definitely going to be eating something yummy afterwards.

The reason for the blood draw? To figure out where my levels are at. A metabolic panel. A lipid panel. A hemoglobin check. A CBC and platelet count. A check of my vitamin D level. AND? A test to determine if there's any H.Pylori in my blood. Apparently, the H.Pylori could be the cause of my acid reflux. And if there is any H.Pylori? My Doc will put me on 3 concurrent medications to kill the bacteria.

But I do have to tell you that I made a new chicken dish tonight. Not only was it yummy? It was super easy as well. The kids and I each had a piece at the park since the Bear had a baseball game. I left three pieces in the oven for the Hubs. When the kids and I came home, they both let me know they wanted more chicken. And wouldn't you know it? The Hubs ate 2.5 pieces and threw the rest away. IN. THE. TRASH. The kids almost had a fit. But I promised them that I'd make it again sometime soon. Hopefully the pie I'm planning on making tomorrow will make up for the lack of extra chicken tonight.

Making Mommy Laugh

My daughter and I always have quiet time together right before she goes to bed. Her brother is usually in the shower at this time, so she and I tend to discuss whatever is on her mind.

Tonight?

She let me in on a secret. And she was all giddy and silly after letting me in on this little bit of info. So she babbled away about anything and everything until I walked out of her room.

And then I'll have a great breakfast. A BLUEBERRY bagel. Made by Daddy. With a little help from Sara Lee. 

She realized what she said and was busting a gut as I closed her bedroom door.

Sara Lee? You only helped a little. Uh...how about a lot?

Taking it one day at a time

Now that today is basically done? I've got only six full days here at home before I head off.

This week is going to be filled with busy-ness.

My daughter is going on a field trip to meet Jane Goodall.

My son has three baseball games.

The Hubs may need to look into leasing a car since his car died on him suddenly yesterday.

I've got a follow-up appointment with my primary care physician to talk about my health (my blood pressure and my acid reflux) before I leave.

The kids' school has Field Day -- a full day at the park for the entire school -- and I volunteered to help.

My daughter also has two Girl Scout events scheduled on Saturday.

Y'all? I drive out next Sunday!

So today I did do a little bit of cleaning. I looked through all my bathroom stuff and threw a bunch of items out. I also put the stuff I need to bring, but don't need daily, into some plastic containers.

I also went through and got all my sweaters/cardigans into another plastic box along with all my workout gear (shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, leggings). I've got a second container where I've thrown in my jammies and will throw in my undergarments and socks into it on Saturday night.

I decided to keep all the stuff that's currently hung in my closet on their hangars. I'll just lay all of it flat in the back of my car. This way I won't have to deal with removing the hangars and packing it all and then having to put the hangars back on when I get to my folks. Double the work for no real reason? Forget about it!

So as you can see? It's going to be a busy week for me. Some of you could handle what I've got to do with ease. But me? It's kind of getting to me.

But? I'll just take it one day at a time and go with the flow. TRY not to stress out. Try to appreciate each day I have left with the kids and the Hubs here at home. Because we'll soon have our new home in SoCal near my family.

I'll try my best to be like this little guy...

Getting all dolled up for the paparazzi

The Bear and his team had picture day this morning.

Pictures were scheduled for 9am and the game at 10:30am. We showed up around 8:45am and ended up staying until noon. Thankfully it was a beautiful morning and not too hot.

Of course, the battle was making sure the boys didn't get themselves all dirty BEFORE their pictures were taken.

Ay-yay-yay!

It still amazes me how quickly little boys can get dirty. I ended up suggesting to the coach that the boys sit in an empty dug-out. The coach's eyes lighted up and he told the kids to sit in the dug-out. You see, the picture people were running a bit behind so our 9am photo shoot didn't happen until around 9:30am. And y'all know that being patient and not getting dirty on a Saturday morning at the park isn't what's on any little boy's mind.

But the pictures went off without a hitch once they were called up.

Here are the boys lining up in shortest to tallest order. See how they're in the dug-out? But they're nice and clean!

They're still nicely in line here below waiting for individual shots. Can you see how they gradually get taller?

Here they are trying to get organized for the team photo. Don't you love the mountains in the background?

Now with the pictures done? The boys were all set to get down and dirty warming up before their game.

Meeting someone famous

This school year, the older grades at my kids' school have been participating in an program called "Roots and Shoots", which is a program of the Jane Goodall Institute.

All year grades 4 to 8 have been discussing ways to be more aware about the environment. Not only have they learned more about recycling but they've been hands on in everything. The older kids have started a small garden and take care of the trees in the play area that were planted last spring.

The first part of the year they voted to be in chart of one recycling program at school. Y'all know that there's a program where schools can earn money by collecting used Capri Sun containers. The older kids actually walk around and make sure all the younger kids put their Capri Sun containers into a specific container at lunchtime. Then the older kids make sure the containers are squeezed empty and then put them into another container.

Last month, the kids put together a play. They made the sets and costumes with donated items from us parents. They painted different environments where animals live. They made masks to represent a number of animals. They had sound effects. It was a really cute play.

Here are the kids in the first photo. Check out how tiny the Princess is (who is in the 4th grade) compared to the two boys (a 5th grader and a 6th grader).

Because of all the good work the kids have done through this school year, they've been invited to present the projects they've worked on to Jane Goodall and to other Roots and Shoots members. Then the kids will attend a lecture where Jane Goodall will be the key note speaker. Can you believe it? My 9-year-old daughter is going to have an opportunity to meet an amazing like Jane Goodall. I'm amazed. Jane Goodall has dedicated her life to educating people about animals. She's kind of expanded the ideas of what Jacques Costeau did with ocean awareness.

I'm just so proud of the kids at the school. They realize that if they work together that they CAN make an impact. What a great lesson to learn, don't you think?

Getting through a new experience

The Bear's birthday was back in January, but I didn't get him for his annual appointment until February. Oops!

But at that appointment, they did an eye exam. And they advised me that I should get the Bear's eyes checked out. Ay-yay-yay!

Since the kids were born, I've hoped and hoped in the back of my mind that they'd inherit the Hubs' 20/20 vision instead of my -15 eyeballs. Yes. I'm terribly near-sighted. Can you say coke-bottle lenses? That's me! I got my first pair of glasses when I was 7 years old and in the 2nd grade. The Bear is in the first grade but he's already 7 since he's got a January birthday. So I guess this little recommendation from the pediatrician didn't fully surprise me.

Yesterday was the big day. I picked up the Bear after a couple hours at school. We drove about 30 minutes to the pediatric opthamologist.

We got to the building and walked in and stopped in front of the elevators. Since we're a suburban family who lives out in the desert, we don't ride elevators very much. While we waited, I chatted with the Bear about elevator etiquette.

So we push the button to "call" the elevator.

If the button is lighted, then you don't have to push it again.

We don't stand right in front of the elevator doors because there might be people in the elevator that need to get out. 

Stay a few steps back when the elevator opens and wait just a second. Once you see that no one is coming out then walk in.

If you're the first one in make sure to step to the side and then turn around and hold your hand in front of the door to make sure it doesn't close on anyone else who is going to get into the car.

As I'm chatting away at the Bear, an older couple walked up behind us and waited along with us. The Bear and I stepped to the right side of the elevator. The couple stepped to the left side of the elevator. They happened to be on the side that had the floor buttons. They pushed number 3.

Number 3? That's our floor too.

As the elevator went up at a snail's pace, the couple smiled at the Bear.

I'm going to get my eyes checked!

You are?

Yes. It'll be his first time.

How exciting. Your first time.

We got out of the elevator. I asked the Bear to find us a couple chairs while I signed him in at the receptionist desk. When I joined him, I riffled through my purse and pulled out his DS. I wasn't sure how long we'd have to wait so I wanted him to have something fun to do. While he quietly played, I pulled out my digital camera and reviewed photos I'd taken at his baseball practice. When I came across a cute one I would hold the camera at an angle so he could see. We laughed at a couple of the shots. After I looked at all the pictures, I tucked the camera back into my purse and I looked out the windows while absent-mindedly twirling his hair on the top of his head.

Let me tell you that the Bear's appointment went super well. The pediatric opthamologist was great. He spoke clearly and slow enough for the Bear to understand what he wanted. It turns out that the Bear has the slightest bit of astigmatism. And he didn't have to dilate the Bear's eyes at all. Whew! So we won't have to do anything for him right now. YEAH!

After a brief stop at the receptionist desk to check out, we walked over to the elevators. And guess who we saw there waiting? The same older couple that we'd come up in the elevators with.

So how'd your first eye appointment go?

It was super easy!

Great!

The gal looked at me and smiled.

I have to tell you something.

What?

When you were talking to your son, it reminded me so much of my daughter and my grandson.

Oh yeah?

And my grandson's name is Bear too.

No way!

Yes. My daughter, Grace, lives in Dallas. 

Her name is Grace?

Yes.

That's too funny. Because my name is Grace too!

Really?

Of all the couples in the world to be in the elevator with. A couple whose daughter is named Grace and whose grandson is named Bear. What are the odds of that in this great big world of ours?

Accept the unexpected help

The Bear didn't have a scheduled game on Monday, so the team opted to have practice yesterday. Since the Hubs was working late, the Princess and I took the Bear to practice.

The kids had a late day at school yesterday. They got out at 4pm. Practice started at 5pm. And we typically eat at 5:30pm. So what to do? The kids and I ate a super-early dinner before practice. Their charter school is about 10 miles from our house, so we didn't even bother driving home. I packed a picnic dinner for us before leaving to get them. I picked them up and we drove directly to the new park. We sat under one of the gazebos and ate roast beef sandwiches, strawberries & blueberries, carrots, and tortilla chips. The kids got to play a little before we headed to practice, which was at a nearby school.

We have a coach who is super laid back. I think I've mentioned that before. He's laid back and a bit unorganized. And he's only got one other Dad who is the assistant coach. He'll grab another Dad to watch the dug-out or whatever. The Hubs has been recruited at least twice to help out. But what's funny? Is there's a Mom who has asked the coach if he needed help a couple of times. And he's never taken her up on the help. And you know what? She apparently starting playing softball when she was 11 and continued through high school. So she knows the fundamentals of the game and how to show the kids different techniques. But the coach has not let her jump in.

I noted that this Mom was fuming as she watched practice yesterday. She actually walked up to the coach when she and her son arrived and asked if he needed any help. He said no. So she came up into the bleachers. But she was FUMING as she watched the coach try to get a handle on the boys. I have to tell you that this coach's voice does NOTHING for me. His voice is the kind that you can't hear if he's not facing you head on. It's one of those voices that peeters away to nothing. And when he's talking to the boys he doesn't grab their attention as he's showing them stuff.

Even I have a more commanding voice than this guy. SERIOUSLY! When I walked into the dug-out a couple times this past Saturday to make sure that the Bear was drinking water (in the 85* heat), I made sure that the other boys were drinking as well. I made sure to use my COMMAND/SPEECH voice, which is so much louder than my normal voice.

BOYS! Make sure you drink some water while you're here in the dug-out because it's hot out there okay? 

And they listened to me. They did! They all grabbed their water bottles and drank.

Anyway, this Mom yesterday kept on making little comments under her breath as she's watching the coach. Oy! Poor gal. She wants to help. She sees that the coach needs help. And all he has to do is accept her help. But (of course) he's not doing that.

Would you be totally fuming if your kids' coach was a little over his/her head and didn't take you up on your offer to help?

Relishing in it?

In two weeks, I'll be driving out to live with my folks.

The Hubs and the kids are staying here at home.

After I leave, the kids will be in school for 2 more weeks. Only TWO. So the Hubs is going to be a single parent for two whole weeks. Alone with the kids for the longest stretch of time.

This'll be my first time to be away from all of them for more than three days. And my kids are 9 and 7! I've NEVER been away from them longer than three days. Can you believe it?

It's going to be strange to be without them for so long. No one asking me those daily questions.

Where's my folder? In your backpack.

Have you seen my blue tie? In the closet on the tie hangar.

Where is my baseball outfit? On top of your dresser since you've got a game today.

Do we have anymore spray conditioner? In the sink cabinet.

Endless questions from all three of them that I won't need to respond to. They'll have to fend for themselves. HA!

I wonder if they're going to miss me.

I wonder if the Hubs will realize all the stuff that I do behind the scenes every day.

I don't know. I think they may. But then again? They may just relish in the idea of not having me around.

We'll see though.

Like I said, in two weeks I'll be on a long drive out by myself to my folks in SoCal. But you know what? We still haven't made "the announcement" to the kids. No. We haven't. Why? I think because we're trying to put it off as long as possible.

As I peered around my monitor at the Hubs a little earlier tonight after we put the kids to bed, I gave him a look. And he knew.

We'll tell the kids next weekend about you leaving for SoCal. 

Yes. We were on the same wavelength. So we'll see how the kids react. We'll see....

To know my faults and try to correct them

I am filled with many faults. My foibles. I'm totally a Type-A personality. I want things a certain way. It's always been that way.

But I noticed something about myself this week.

I've been angry.

And I've been lashing out to those closest to me.

The Hubs. The Princes. The Bear.

It's so unfair to them. My anger. Caused by my stress about finding a job. Since I work at home I don't talk to many people. I noticed that I've been more negative than normal. Talking like the world as a whole is half empty rather than half full. Feeling unsatisfied. Feeling internally unsettled. Bitter maybe? [sigh]

So Friday night I concluded as I crawled into bed that I would try my hardest to be more kind. More patient. Convey my thoughts with a softer voice. Even pause before I speak rather than rush into a slew of words.

I do believe now that my eyes are open to this horrible fault of mine that I'm tackling it head on. By being in the moment. Taking a breath. I must say that it's hard for this Type-A personality. But to  take everything out on my family is not an option. I realize that they're not the problem. It's me that needs to change here. And I'm trying my darndest.

A little better planning maybe?

The Bear had a game this morning at the new park that was opened just a couple months ago.

We'd never been to the baseball fields. Since we weren't sure exactly where we needed to be, we arrived 40 minutes before the game. Our coach likes the boys to be there about 30 minutes prior so they can "warm up". I always giggle at this warming up business. They throw the ball to each other. Stretch. Get their "heads in the game". I think it's just to make sure the boys show up!

So we (all 4 of us) walk over to the baseball fields. The Hubs is carrying the Bear's bag and the kids are carrying water bottles. Yes. Because it's reaching about 90* around here already.

We find a handful of the Bear's teammates at field#1. The Hubs walks to the dugout with the Bear to get his stuff situated. I look around and figure out where we're going to sit.

[crickets chirping]

Y'all? There are no bleachers! Can you imagine? We're at a new park. We're at the baseball fields. And there are NO BLEACHERS.

The Hubs finishes up with the Bear and walks to me.

Me: There's no where to sit.
Hubs: What? [looking around]
Me: Give me the keys. I'm going home and getting the chairs.

Yes. I drive home (with the Princess) and grab our two picnic chairs that are in our garage in their carrying cases. Thankfully it's not a long drive. Only about 4 miles. But when there are folks driving 5 mph BELOW the speed limit, it can seem endlessly longer than it should be. Yeah. I was behind a "garage sale" driver who kept on looking to and fro for those SALE signs directing drivers where stuff is being sold. Ay-yay-yay!

Then there's my daughter in the backseat saying "Mom! There's a bee in the car!"

Apparently, the bee had been perched outside my son's window. I opened all the windows of my car when I started driving and the darn thing decided to scoot just close enough into the car to be shielded from the wind. My daughter was NOT happy about it.

Anyway, I did get the chairs and we made it back just before the first ball was thrown. I also brought along my umbrella that is always in the back of my car and our waterproof picnic blanket that I threw into the car when I picked up the chairs. We've only got two chairs so I brought the blanket for the Princess to sit on.

So in the end? I was comfy in my chair and shaded during the game. About half of the other parents ended up standing for the game or under a picnic gazebo that was a bit far from the field. I'm sure next week we'll all have our chairs/umbrellas.

But seriously...no bleachers at a baseball field?

A sense of relief

I heard some good news this afternoon.

I've got a job in SoCal!

Woohoo!

I don't have all the details but I was basically told that I'm in. So sometime in May I'll be starting. Most likely it'll be mid-May since the person I'm replacing will be leaving June 1st.

Now I've got a place to stay temporarily (my folks).
I've got a job.
I've got a move date in mind - May 2nd.

It's just a weight off my shoulders to know that the job is there.

I think the Hubs was relieved to hear tonight that I'm a shoe-in for the job. He's been kind of off-kilter the last week. He's been stressing about the uncertainty of our situation.

[sigh]

But now we've got a reprieve. A bit of breathing room.

I was realizing today though that when I drive out to my folks that my car is going to be LOADED to the brim. I've gotta bring all my clothes - casual and professional. My desktop computer so I can still do my virtual office work until the new job starts. All my office supplies. My personal care items - contacts, soaps and face cleansers, make-up, and all that stuff.

It'll be so weird driving for hours with no one in the car with me. I mean when I am alone it's just to do errands within 10 miles from our house. So to be alone in the car for 6+ hours will be a new experience.

Once I officially start the new job, the Hubs will start actively looking for a job in SoCal. It'll be an exciting new start for us. I'll be near my sisters. The kids will be near their cousins. My folks will be here to back us up when the kids are sick or on vacation. We'll have so many more family gatherings. Not only to celebrate special days, but to just be together.

I'm starting to get happier in my heart!

To see and be seen

Last night I noticed that I had an email in Facebook.

Receiving emails via FB is unusual for me. My 'friends' tend to just leave me messages on my page. So when I get an email, I tend to look at it first thing.

What was the email about this time? An important issue I needed to deal with? Someone confiding in me about something confidential? One sister complaining about the other?

Nope. It was a reminder that today was going to be the last day to buy regular priced tickets to my high school reunion. No. I'm not going to tell you the specific number. Suffice it to say that it's not my 10th.

The price of the ticket includes an evening of dancing, hor devours, and ONE drink along with a full BBQ picnic at the beach the very next afternoon. Fun, right?

Well, I'm all set with my ticket now. I saw the list of folks who've already purchased their tickets as well and I'm going to be in some good company. There's maybe ONE person who I had a couple rough years with that'll be attending but I don't care. We're X many years older and I don't think we'll have a throw-down. Can you imagine?

It'll be interesting to see how all the popular kids turned out. Who looks older. Who looks like they've had some work done. Those who still are immature. And those who are wiser than the hills.

Are you getting ready for a high school reunion this summer? Are you excited about it?

Making Mommy Laugh

I was relaxing in the family room while watching "The Biggest Loser" last night. The Hubs came and sat next to me to cuddle.

Hubs: Okay kids! Bedtime! Head on upstairs!

The Bear was already upstairs so he headed into his bedroom to get his clothes for school today and his jammies.

The Princess was in the front office/den and came running into the family room. She glanced at the TV and stopped to watch.

Princess: Oh! That's like one of those Eucalyptus.

Both the Hubs and I looked over at the Princess. She noticed that we were both looking at her.

Princess: What?
Me: Eucalyptus?
Princess: Yeah.  That thing they're running on.
Me: You mean an elliptical?
Princess: Oh yeah! Elliptical! [laughing hysterically] I was calling it a TREE! [continues laughing]

Oh my daughter. She cracks herself up! And me too.

Just the first of many Saturdays

Baseball season started a couple weeks ago, but this week marked the start of the competition.

Take no prisoners! Ha-ha-ha!

No. My son's coach is not one of those cut-throat type of leaders. He is VERY laid back. Which is good because he doesn't put a whole lot of pressure on the boys. And our boys? They're having fun. They're just learning to gel with each other. They're getting to know everyone's name. It's nice. Now if only I could remember all their names AND their parents names! That won't be for a while yet, I'm sure.

Anyway, today was the first Saturday of morning games. We're at the old baseball fields. Our community opened a brand new park about 6 weeks ago and from now on that's where our Saturday games will be held. But for today? We were at the old field where our weekday games will be held.

I looked at the schedule for the season and we've basically got 2 to 3 games each week. Yes. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. That's not even counting practice. The coach still has to figure out when and where those are going to be held. It's going to be very cumbersome. The Monday/Wednesday games start at 5pm. Yes. That early. And they run to about 6:30pm. And I'm sure practices will be held around that time as well. Kind of creates havoc for dinnertime since we typically eat around 5:30pm every weekday.

But today's game was a sunny one. Got up to about 90* as a high today. Even though the game started at 10:30am, it was still hot. I remembered to spray sunscreen on the Bear's arms, neck, and face since he was going to be out on the field. But I failed to spray myself. I am sporting a slight sunburn on my chest (I was wearing a v-neck shirt) and on my upper arms.

It definitely was a lovely day though.

The Hubs got recruited to help get the chalk down in the in-field.

Here's the Bear getting a hit.

He's rounding third base here headed for home plate. See in the background there? That's snow (most likely hard ice) still up there on that mountain.

The boys are already looking out for each other. Here's the Bear and a buddy from last Spring's team helping out a new teammate out of the catcher's equipment.

I love that these boys are showing team spirit. AND HAVING FUN!

The things you see when searching for a job

Searching for a job is oftentimes stressful.

You're searching for a new path.

A new lease on life.

A way to earn some dinero to put food on the table.

But sometimes?

You've got to find humor in the endeavor.

You just HAVE to.

And tonight?

I found the funniest job posting I've ever seen:

-----------------

We are currently interviewing for a personal assistant position. The ideal candidate will have the following:

- Excellent organizational skills
- Ability to learn and take on new responsibilities quickly
- Massage training (desirable)
- Self motivated and able to work unsupervised
- Punctual
- Comfortable in social situations, such as client dinners
- Detail oriented
- Able to travel 50-75% of the time with valid passport
- Have reliable transportation

The compensation will include among other things:

- 3 weeks paid time off
- 401K matching
- Medical and dental
- Flex time

Please include a resume, along with a bullet point cover letter of each job requirement indicating why you would be an ideal candidate.

Compensation: $75,000 / yr 


-----------------

Did it tickle YOUR funny bone?

$75,000 a year for a personal assistant?

Granted, this person will be traveling between 50-75% of the time.

And this person will be getting some free meals out of it too since there's a requirement to be "comfortable in social situations".

I've got say that the THREE WEEKS PAID TIME OFF is very alluring.


But a "bullet point cover letter"? Isn't that a bit much?

Needless to say, I don't have any kind of official "massage training". But I'm sure my Dad would vouch for me on how strong my hands are and that I give a pretty good massage. For an amateur.

Now do YOU qualify for the job?

Figuring things out

Y'all know that I've been dealing some physical issues as of late.

While I'm feeling a lot better, I'm not totally in the green.

I am still having some occasional acid breakthrough.

Yuck!

So I'm on a mission to figure out WHAT the heck is causing my body to react.

I recently figured out that tomatoes are a big trigger for me.

Sunday night, I slept horribly. HORRIBLY! For dinner I had a great angel pasta dish with loads of grape tomatoes. It was so yummy. And  I totally paid for it with loads of acid grumbling in my belly.

My stomach acid hasn't been too bad the rest of the week. But last night? I had a nice large piece of lasagna. And I noted that my stomach did get a bit acidic. ARGH! Pizza! Lasagna! Salad!

So I am going to start a food journal today to get a better idea of my symptoms and all that jazz.

Anyone else keep a food journal? Any interesting discoveries?

Ready to mix-n-match

I brought my dress pants to a seamstress last week.

Today?

I picked up all my pants. FIVE pair of pants.

They all now have a good length on them that'll go on with my heels.

Yeah! Five pair of pants for five workdays of the week.

I'm ready to mix-n-match all my tops with these pants. Basic pants. Nothing flashy about them. They are simple with straight legs. Two in black. Two in shades of beige. And a brown pair. I've got just a couple skirts that I'll get into the rotation.

My work wardrobe is almost complete. I've got pants. I've got shoes. I've got some shirts (but I've still got get some new ones). I've got a couple blazers.

What I don't have?

Is a full-time job.

HA!

But at least I've got my clothes!

Easter at our house

Easter is a quiet day for us.

Where we live, we don't dare hide Easter treats outside. There are too many critters out here in the desert that'll smell the goodies. Rabbits. Coyotes. Javelinas (wild pigs). Yeah. Not a good idea to have ANY kind of food item outside overnight.

So...the Easter bunny hides eggs in our house.

And our kids go to town! The bunny places the eggs in interesting places.

You'll note from the photos above that we do plastic eggs. I don't do the hard-boiled version because I'm basically the only one who'd eat them.

The kids have loads of fun running all over downstairs finding the eggs.

But the BEST part? Is opening up the plastic eggs to see how much loot they end up with.

Loud noises get me crazy

This morning was busy. Cleaning day! The Hubs got busy with getting the front rooms in order. I was on bathroom, floor, and laundry duty. After he finished with his bit, the Hubs headed out to the grocery store.

The kids were upstairs (finished cleaning their rooms and the loft/play area) playing Wii. I was in the master bath scrubbing away in the shower.

Suddenly?

The fire alarm started blaring.

Our alarm system in the house? When one goes off? They ALL go off. Yes. Upstairs and downstairs the alarms were blaring. And it wasn't just the beep-beep-beep sound that I heard? Some of the alarms actually TALK. Yes.

Fire! Fire! beep-beep-beep!

Lordy bee!

And I couldn't figure out how the heck to turn these puppies off.

So?

I ended going into the garage (where the kids were sitting to escape the loud blaring) and called the Hubs (who was at the grocery store).

Hubs: Hello?
Me: Honey! The fire alarm is going off.
Hubs: What?
Me: The fire alarm is going off right now. Not the ones attached to our security alarm system. The regular fire alarm detectors that came with the house.
Hubs: Which one?
Me:  ALL of them! And I can't figure out how to turn them off!
Hubs: All of them?
Me:  Yes. I'm in the garage right now. Let me open the door to the house

Fire! Fire! beep-beep-beep!

Hubs:  Oh boy. I'll be right home.


He heard the ruckus over the phone and realized the extent of the noise being made.

The Hubs got back in about 5 minutes. And he ended up removing the fire alarms from the ceiling to de-activate them. Yes. He got up on chairs and ladders to remove them from the ceiling.

THANKFULLY, the house was once again quiet. [sigh] Lovely!

And the Hubs headed back out to grab groceries. What a great husband!

What's next for my health?

So if you've been reading, then you know that I'm having gastric issues.

It's not fun.

A month ago I figured that the acid reflux would go away, but I was wrong. It only got worse. I ended up with a sore throat because of all the acid. Ugh!

So I went to the doc last Monday (Mar 22). And I was prescribed Omeprazole (the medical term for the medication you might know as Prilosec) to be taken once per day. But if I didn't get any relief, I could increase the dosage to 2x per day. I stayed at one per day for the first few days. But last Thursday, I went up to 2x per day because I was still having some acid. Sorry to say but this medication didn't work for me. It gave me a small bit of relief but the acid is still coming. All. Day. Long.

But last night was the last straw. Waking up at 12:30am. Not being able to get to sleep until 3:30am or so. All the while I could hear my tummy gurgling and making a fuss. It was not fun. So that's why I called the doc's office today to find out what ELSE I could take to get some relief. As of today (Apr 1), I'm on Nexium once a day.

Hopefully this med will do the trick for me. Calm my stomach. Allow my throat to heal. Let me get some darn sleep.

Anyone else having to deal with gastric issues? Have you found YOUR magic pill?

Silence is not golden right now

It's 3:08am.

Yes.

That's the current time as I tap away on my keyboard.

I woke up at 12:32am.

Because I was coughing.

And I am still awake.

DAMN this acid reflux.

Thankfully, I went to bed at 9:30pm so I got a good 3 hours of sleep.

Tomorrow I'm calling my doc to see if I can come in for a follow-up on this acid reflux.

Because DAMN this medication (omeprazole) is definitely not doing the trick.

Could I possibly have some other issue that this medication isn't addressing?

THAT is what I want to find out.

I wonder if they'll suggest I get one of those endoscopies done. You know, where they put a tube that has a small camera on the end down your throat?

I'm still having the acid.

I'm coughing at night.

If I'm coughing then I'm not getting enough rest.

Not getting enough rest makes my blood pressure go up.

Ay-yay-yay!

Calling doc's office @ 8am.

Now...let me try to lie down AGAIN so I can get (hopefully) 2 more hours of sleep.