The new job

Man, I haven't been writing much on here at all because I have been so busy, or at least have felt like I am so busy. I swear I have no time to do anything in the evenings anymore since getting a job.

I guess I will start there. I got a job and started two weeks ago. The job is similar to my old job, but they pay is a lot less. That is ok though because the job is easier too with less stress. The other thing is, there is a chance to get a couple of raises in the next year anyway with passing some tests. I think I am going to go for any raises I can since I don't want to work forever, especially if we have another baby and the more money I make, the faster we get to our financial goals. Anyway, so far it's going ok. I met a girl who started at the same time as me that I really like. I get along with her really well and it is fun to have someone to talk to so the days go by faster. She is the best thing about the job so far - I don't think I am going to love the actual job I do that much but I have a plan.

My last job was on the phones all the time and this one is too. My plan is to work in this job only as long as I have to, no longer. I want to get more licenses (24 and 65) and pass their own testing they have for employees and then move on to compliance. That is my ultimate goal - did I mention I work at a financial institution? Anyway, the job I am doing is pretty much the only one at the company that is a phone job. There is a whole department of the same job I do, but I want to move on to something that is not on the phones. Customer service is not my passion - my passion would be something more analytical. I like policies and rules and enforcing them and I think a compliance job would be awesome.

Xander started going to daycare last week and he seems to be doing well with it so far. He is going to our neighbors so that is reassuring for us. I know lots of people take their kids to a daycare center, but in some ways they seem like kid factories. I just don't want to have to use a daycare center if I don't have to. I may have to at some point in the future but would like to avoid it as long as possible.

My birthday was last week and Todd and I went to dinner and brought Xander along. He did really well and we enjoyed a nice meal. Todd's birthday is this weekend and we also have Halloween tomorrow night. It will be fun this year since Xander is almost a year and we are going to dress him up and also get together with the neighbors after trick or treating for some dinner. Also, my side of the family is coming up on Sunday for lunch to celebrate Todd's and my birthday. It should be a fun weekend, but I am sure like every weekend, it is going to go by super fast now that I am working. Booo.

Nothing else new with us overall. We are amazed that Xander's first birthday is in three weeks! I am not even done planning his party yet so I need to work on that for real!

Busy busy

Man, has it really been that long since my last post? It's not like my life is that interesting but since getting a job, I feel like I haven't had any time to do anything! My house is a mess, I haven't worked out this week and Xander's room is even getting messy and I always clean it! I haven't folded his laundry that has been clean for four days and my own clothes are piling up on my dresser.

It doesn't really feel real yet that I have a job. Probably because I am just in training now and that isn't really work. It is also a horrible feeling in general because I am not with my kiddo every day now. The nice thing is, this week my kiddo is only at daycare 2 1/2 of the 5 days. We actually found just about the ideal daycare setup. My neighbor right across the street asked if she could watch our son. She has three kids, one of which was born about a month ago. She wanted to stay at home, but needed a little income to justify it, so she asked to watch our son since she knew I was going back to work. It was perfect for us since we were looking for daycare and it's also cheaper than a center. We also really like them so we trust them with our son. So far it has gone well and she said he has been pretty good.

I am not sure how I feel about working in general, but I know that it is something I don't want to do forever if I don't have to, especially if we have another baby. If we don't end up having another kid, then I will probably end up working long term. I am glad I got to stay home with Xander as long as I did, but I am still so sad about not being home with him anymore. I wish I could have found a work at home job, but nothing really seemed to be out there so for now I am working full time.

I am just hoping this weekend I can get caught up on everything and even get stuff planned for next week so my life isn't so chaotic and disorganized. We'll see how it goes.

Growing so fast!

Just thought I would share a video of my kiddo climbing the steps. I have no idea if he is fast learning for his age as far as steps go but it amazes me that he can already do this becuase it seems like he was just born! He is getting close to his first birthday! Crazy!

The Huskers, a job and a few other things.

Well, I have been lazy about writing anything recently and I also feel like NOTHING interesting is going on in my life other than crappy stuff and day to day boring stuff.

That is, nothing has been interesting until the last few days.

I had an interview on Wednesday. The Huskers came from behind for an awesome win last night. Today I got offered the job I interviewed for on Wednesday.

There you have it. The only things interesting going on right now.

I don't want to get too into the job thing since technically it isn't final yet. If it does work out, I have probably one week to find daycare for Xander. That makes me a little nervous, but I am sure it can be done. I also need to get just a few new articles of clothing to wear to work so I don't end up wearing the same thing every day to work!

I also feel weird about probably having only a little over a week left to do whatever I want to do. It is weird to have such a freedom to do whatever you want most of the time (within reason of course since I have the kiddo to take care of and watch). I can no longer run to the store any time during the day, wear pajamas half of the day and not shower until 3 pm. I can't sleep in anymore or not put on makeup and not do my hair. It is weird how everything I do every day is going to change. I am very, very sad to put my child in daycare. I know people do it every day, but I still feel very guilty about it.

I don't think I have a lot more to say about the issue right now, so I guess that's it.

Well, except this picture. I think it says it all!

Monthly check up

Alrighty, it's that time again. I am going to list my goals for the month and update my previous goals and note how I did with them. I don't think I did very well last month, but let's take a look.



1. Lose 8 pounds. Lofty I know but I really need to lose more and Todd and I both want to work on this more so if we do it together, we will be more likely to succeed. Ha! Yeah right. Not even close. I haven't been on the scale in a while but I know I haven't lost any. I am pretty sure I didn't gain any though so I guess that is good, right?

2. Find a job. Full time, part time, doesn't matter at this point. I just need one! Not yet, but I have interviewed a few places and have another interview this week, so I guess I am on the right track.

3. Organize the family room once and for all. It is always a mess and there are many things sitting around that I need to find a permanent home for. It won't always be perfectly clean because we have all of Xander's toys there but it could be a lot cleaner around the edges. Nope, didn't get this one done either, but I am actually working on it and it is better right now than it has been. Still need to work on this one.

4. Run 25 minutes in a row without stopping at least 5 times. I am in week 6 of couch to 5k and tomorrow I am supposed to do my first 25 minute run. After that, every workout is pretty much a minimum of 25 minutes of running (in a row with no stopping). I don't know how well I will do with this but I sure am going to try! I ended up giving up the running in favor of walking because I can walk a lot longer and walk every day instead of every other day and therefore burn more calories. It was a well intentioned plan, but hasn't panned out because I started out walking and then quit and haven't walked in over a week. Ack! I have to get back to it!

5. Order some stuff for Xander's birthday party. I think I am going to order napkins and a few other decorations. We are going to do a Curious George theme so I am going to get a few items from the collection of party supplies. I actually have ordered invitations, napkins, thank you notes and balloons! I will probably get some more stuff but it is a start!

6. Make a practice cake. I am going to try and make a very complicated cake for X's party and I need to buy some cake and frosting to make a practice cake. I am doing this so I can figure out what works and what doesn't so I don't mess it all up the day before his party. Not yet, but I did buy a few cake mixes and some frosting, so I am getting there. I am planning on doing it in the next few weeks for sure.

7. Scrapbook more. I am SOOOOO far behind right now on X's scrapbook - I am not even done with month 5 yet and he is in his 10th month right now! Yikes! I need to order pictures to catch up. I would like to be to month 8 by the end of this month. I did a little bit on this too, but not as much as I needed to. I have ordered pics recently so if I keep at it, I could get a lot done in a short amount of time.

8. Have a rough layout for our Christmas card. I want to make our own Christmas cards this year. We are going to get a family picture taken for X's 1 year pictures (some family and some of just him) and we are going to order enough of the 4.5x5 pictures so I can use them for a Christmas card. I have a few ideas for this already but I want to get a better idea. Nope, haven't even thought about this one really. I think since it is like 2 1/2 months until Christmas, I am going to start thinking about this a lot more now.


Ok, now for this months' goals!

1. Practice cake for X's birthday. That is a big priority this month.

2. Get a job. Also a big priority this month. I am closer to the goal, but not there yet.

3. Organize the family room. I got a start on it but need to finish it.

4. Lose some weight. I won't set an actual number since I haven't been doing so well with this. If I get a job, I told Todd one of the first things I am going to do is go back and join Weight Watchers again. I lost 12 pounds in just over a month back in June so I know it can be done!

5. Have plans for X's party finalized or close to it. I need to decide on the rest of the decorations and the menu for lunch.

6. Scrapbooking. This is something I still want to work on since I am so far behind.

7. Clean out my closet. This will be especially important if I get a job. I need to figure out what I have for work clothes and fall/winter clothes and make a list of what I really need. This list will also depend on if I end up losing weight too. Bleh.

8. Get Christmas lists together for me, Todd and Xander and start buying a few gifts for family so it doesn't all have to be bought at once. Also, work on an idea for our Christmas card.

I think that will do it for now! Wish me luck - I think I need it this month!

October Photo Hunt

I couldn't get the picture from the website to post here, but if you want to see all about this photo hunt, you can see it here. I am really going to try to do better this time with the photos. The last few times I did these I didn't do very good and I had to take a couple of crappy pictures to finish it up so I am going to try to get all good pictures this time.

Here are the items to photograph this time:


1. A Fall Activity

2. A Fall Treat

3. A Harvest

4. Leaves

5. Fall Colors

6. Something Orange

7. Something Spooky

8. A Cemetery

9. A Costume

10. A Black & White Photo

11. A Critter

12. Symmetry

13. Contrast

14. Texture

15. A Logo/ Mascot

16. Something Neon

17. Something Inspiring

18. Something Entertaining

19. Something Fast

20. Something Slow