July in Photos

July has really been one of us on the go more than we normally are. I didn't write so much but we did a lot.

Here I am driving out to Phoenix. Just verifying the exit I needed to take. We take a "short cut" and I needed to make sure I was taking the right turn-off.

The kiddos relaxing in my IL's pool.

Climbing the big net up at Seaworld.

Playing a round of mini-golf at a local game park.

Spin-spin-spin!

Couldn't get them away from this darn thing.

Football gear pick-ups! Look at all the shouldpads stacked up nice and neat.

The kids got new helmets this season -- still wrapped in plastic.

Tomorrow will be our last big outing for the month. We'll be heading down to the beach to spend the most of the day with family. This is one of the biggest positives of us moving down here. More time with the family doing fun stuff outside.

What's your summer been like so far?

Taking that positive turn

Next Friday will be my husband's last day at his job.

...

...

He starts his new job August 1st.

Yes!

He ended up getting that job I mentioned a while ago.

He decided not to take any time between them. No break at all. He's a workhorse, no?

I haven't spoken to him in a week, so I'm not sure how the transition is going for his team. I wonder how management is feeling about him leaving. I wonder if they regret not offering him a promotion like they eluded to about 9 months ago.

Hopefully August 1st will be a good day for my husband. A new beginning for our family.

Keeping my options open

While my job provides a steady income for the kids and I to stay here, I am continually on the lookout for opportunities.

Last night I went looking on a couple job boards and found a really interesting post. It was for an executive personal assistant position reporting to a CEO. What I found most appealing was the fact that it's a partial work-from-home position. I have no idea where in the city the CEO is located. Somewhere in town. The ad doesn't mention anything! ARGH!

Since having that week off with the kids, I realize that I really miss being working from home. I didn't have to get dressed up every day. Heels. Nylons/tights. Skirts/dresses. Makeup. [sigh] Even the driving to and from the office takes a toll.

Nonetheless, no matter where it's located I threw my hat into the ring. I email'd my resume out late last night. Yes, I did! We'll see if I hear anything back.

Check-check and another check

It's that time again.

Time to get my annual check-ups for my high blood pressure and my heartburn.

I was able to see my internist in June for my high blood pressure. Thankfully my meds for that issue are working a-okay. At the doc's office I was at 120/80. Oftentimes when I measure with my cuff at home, I'm lower than that ~ 115/75.

During our discussion about what's been going on in my life in the last year, I mentioned to him that I was having some new issues with my heartburn. I was having issues again at night. What they call "break through". That's what they call it when you're already on meds and you're still having negative symptoms.

My internist said that I should continue with my current regiment and then take a supplemental half-dose of Zantac before bed and then schedule an appointment with my gastroenterologist. Of course, I had to wait a month before seeing her. Ay-yay-yay!

Well, I finally saw my gastroenterologist on Tuesday afternoon. She and I had a great discussion. She had me modify the times when I was taking my morning and evening pills. And after talking for a bit, she realized that my "break through" was perplexing her. I don't drink. I don't smoke. I am not overweight. So...she and I both decided that it would be a good idea to schedule an endoscopy.

Upper endoscopy is a procedure that enables the examiner (usually a gastroenterologist) to examine the esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach, and duodenum (first portion of small bowel) using a thin, flexible tube through which the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum can be viewed using a TV monitor.

She wants to take a look inside to see if there's anything else that might be causing my symptoms. She said that heartburn symptoms could be caused by something other than classic stomach heartburn. And an endoscopy will help her rule out any other esophageal issues.

I'll be getting my endoscopy around mid-afternoon. Unfortunately, I can't eat anything at least six hours prior to the procedure. ARGH! So it's going to be big time fun for me. Oh yeah!

Getting back into the groove

Y'all today was a mighty long day for me.

It was my official first day back to work after my vacation.

The last day I was at work was July 1st, so it's been a good nine days of not working.

Today was a big yucky day.

Lots to crapola to deal with.

Tomorrow I'll be reviewing the work that my counterparts did for me. I've already found errors. It's like I didn't leave them INSTRUCTIONS on what they needed to enter. [sigh]

But so goes my life. I care about putting out quality work and other people don't.

I can only relish in the moments that I had with the kids while I was out.

Their giggles as they rode carnival rides.

Their smiles as they watched the shows.

I cherish our time together.

It makes me realize that I miss working from home.

I miss being able to spend so much more time WITH them.

Another day outside

Saturdays are normally reserved for cleaning and laundry.

Today? Didn't clean. Didn't do laundry.

We went to the beach early this morning and met up with my sister and my BIL's side of the family.

Totally fun day for all.

The kids played in the sand. It was a bit breezy this morning so my daughter kept her sweatshirt on over her bathing suit.

My son had a blast laying on my BIL's SUP.

There was a big beach event happening this weekend. The fire department had a couple helos fly in for the occasion.

Then there are the kayakers that workout every weekend on the bay.

Vacation is a time for...

...for what?

Some people fill their vacations with running about to and fro.

Other people fill their vacations with naps and rest.

I am more than halfway through my own vacation and it's been quite a mix.

I have been doing a bit of zooming from place to place, but I have been investing some down town for both the kids and myself.

A few days in Phoenix -- I drove.

Met up with my landlord & a repair guy who fixed the washer, which was leaking into the drum.

Had a swim playdate for the kids here at our complex with a couple of their school friends.

Spent about 12 hours at Seaworld.

Tomorrow will be our first day of really fully relaxing. We're not going anywhere. We don't need to meet up with anyone. Ah....

The plan is to sleep in as LONG as possible as we did quite a bit of walking at the park today. Have a leisurely breakfast. Hit the pool (just me and the kids). Bum around the rest of the afternoon. Take a nap. And possibly go to the grocery store.

Hopefully my son will sleep in as he is a major early bird. I'm crossing my fingers that he'll stay in bed to at least 7:30am. Please. Please. PLEASE! I know my girl will not voluntarily open her eyes before 8am. I'm guessing she'll roll out of bed around 9am when she gets hungry.

As for me? I'm hoping to sleep until at least 7am. Right now it's just after midnight, so I'd better hit the sack. I'm pretty exhausted from our full day of sun along with the continual walking/standing. Thank goodness my back doesn't hurt after being up so long today. My bedroom is calling to me....and I must listen. With my luck? My son will be ready for the day at 6am!

Timing is everything

I drove 6 hours after working a half-day on Friday to get to my in-laws house.

The Hubs planned on meeting us at his parents' house.

I called the Hubs when we were 3 hours from his parents' house.

Estimated arrival time?

Between 7:30pm-8pm.

The kids and I got there about 7:35pm.

What timing, right?

As I grabbed a couple things from the trunk, I sent the kids up to the front door.

When I got to the door, the kids were still standing outside.

I asked the Bear to ring again and then knock.

He did.

Let me just tell you it was about 110* outside.

I'm tired.

The kids are tired.

No one is answering the door.

I dug into my purse and grabbed my cell.

I had the Princess call my MIL.

Turns out that she and my FIL were not at home.

That's right folks.

NO ONE WAS HOME.

Thankfully we were able to get in via the garage after they gave us the code.

We got inside, grabbed some water, and sprawled on the couches.

Not 10 minutes later, the doorbell rang.

The Hubs made it.

I opened the door.

He came in and realized that his parents were no where to be seen.

The kids told him that his folks weren't home. The Princess said that she thought they were at a party. Say what?

Anyway, about 20 minutes later they showed up.

Now let me just say that this same kind of situation happened when we drove and were staying at my parents' house.

The Hubs was so ticked off that no one was home.

But now that the same situation happened with his family? He didn't seem to mind. Funny how things work when the shoe is on the other foot. I guess his side can do no wrong in his eyes. Kind of like the way his entire family thinks. [sigh]