I'm a Municipal Securities Principal - huh?

I passed my test this morning! I had to take my series 53 test and I actually passed it - a small miracle! I was sure I wouldn't because I have been so busy with other house stuff that I didn't study as much as I wanted to/thought I should.

Anyway, nothing really exciting happens now, just had to have it for my job.

I think my boss will be pleased that I passed!

Yay me!

Stress!

I know the world goes on with little care for what is going on in my life and how stressed I am but I can't help feeling like I have been and will be stressed forever!

I am trying to breathe deeply but the little things are getting to me, probably because all the little things add up to a huge feeling of being overwhelmed.

I am ready to be done with moving. All I am thinking about these days is what we have to do today as far as paperwork or phone calls or emails to make sure everything goes perfect and we get closed on our new house on time. It seems like so many things could go wrong and a few things already have. I cannot wait until this is over and we are settled once and for all out here!

Right now we are still waiting on the underwriting decision to make sure we actually are approved for our loan. I'm not worried about being denied, but what I am worried about is the time frame. We close on February 14th and they just got our information yesterday and if it takes several days to review and then they come back saying some information is missing and we get any documents or whatever they need and send it back, it can take several more days to review. Going back and forth more than once means we can't close on time which can't happen or we will literally be homeless.

We are also trying to get everything finished up on our home back in Nebraska so that we can close on that house on time. Our new loan won't go through unless we close on our old house first. The list has been never ending on things we have to fix on our old house for Todd's company to buy it from us. We are so sick of that house and though I may have a few feelings of nostalgia seeing it one last time, mostly I just want to rid myself of it. It has been such a burden! Part of the reason is because after having 'owned' it for 5+ years, we are getting nothing out of it and actually are losing a little bit. It makes me sick to my stomach to think about since we have dumped so much money into that house and have nothing to show for it. We are convinced that won't happen to us with our new house. At least we are hoping!

We are going to Nebraska again this weekend to finish up the house stuff, but more importantly, to see our little baby! It has been two weeks and I miss him so much that it hurts! I have gotten really emotional the last few weeks without him, more so than the last time I didn't see him. It sucks not having a daycare here yet and not being settled. Otherwise, he would be here with us. We only get to see him for little more than a day but we are so excited! We are also going to bring some stuff back with us that the movers can't move so we don't have to worry about it later. We won't get back home tonight until about 3 am so we will be exhausted tomorrow but we will get through it.

The good news is, this crazy stress should be short lived. We close on our new house in just over two weeks and once our stuff is delivered to our new house, I am hoping we will be mostly settled and unpacked within another week after that. So all in all, about 4 more weeks of stress, with it tapering off towards three weeks from now. I am ready for a mental break.

Oh yeah, one more thing to add stress. I am studying for my series 53 test right now for my job. I have to pass the test on February 7th or I will have to take it again within a month. I have been trying to study for it but have been so busy and stressed that I haven't been doing a good job. I hope I pass the test. I would hate to have to tell my boss that I failed.

Here's to less stressful days!

30 by 30 revisited

So, more than a year ago I decided to make a list of 30 things I would like to do by age 30. I said at the time that I reserved the right to change any of these. My sister in law did a 40 by 40 project, but on hers, she just said she wanted to do 40 things that she hadn't done before but she didn't choose them in advance the way I am. I think both ways are fun to do but for me, I feel like it will help me stick to the list more and help me do things I really want to do.

Here are my newest items - 20-30. At the bottom, I will post my previous 19 items and if I have accomplished any of them.

20. Go to a pro football game.

21. Go to a pro basketball game.

22. Go to a pro hockey game.

23. Run a half marathon.

24. Pass my series 53 test.

25. Go back to college (as to when I finish, that is up in the air).

26. Get invisalign (have wanted this for years).

27. Hike a 14er (not to be confused with my general goal of going on a hiking trip).

28. Go to Las Vegas.

29. Have my home fully decorated (so I don't feel like there are any rooms unfinished).

30. Crochet something that looks good.


Here are my previous goals:


1. Get a tattoo.

2. Lose 30 pounds - On my way. I am down about 10 or 11 pounds. I actually did this last year but have gained some back - time to get back to it!

3. Scrapbook my son's first year of life - Doing ok on this, need to catch up though. Still need to finish this!

4. Go on a hiking trip. I think we will do this soon now that we live in Colorado!

5. Get family pictures taken - plan on doing this when Xander turns 1. Booo. I never did this but had scheduled this last fall but then we moved before our appointment. Soon.

6. Start playing piano again. Not yet, but want to buy a piano for our new house.

7. Start swimming again.

8. Do another scrapbook of some sort besides Xander's baby scrapbook - also working on this. I've started a few but need to finish these. I plan to once we move into our house.

9. Visit two states that I haven't been to yet.

10. Be able to run 3 miles without stopping. I got close back in 2009 but haven't gotten back into running for a while.

11. Read at least 25 of these novels.

12. Have my A1C level below 6.5 for 1 straight year.

13. Have our second child if we decide to have another. Probably not going to happen before 30 but who know!

14. Have at least one car that is paid off.

15. Travel overseas, preferably to France/Spain.

16. Have made at least one cake with fondant and be able to say it turned out well.

17. Win a photo hunt contest like this one. Just one picture needs to win for me to be happy!

18. Sew at least one article of clothing from scratch.

19. Have hair longer than my shoulder for once in the last 10 years! Yay!! I did this one - and recently chopped it all off!

A million things.....

Are going through my head right now. Like....

-My $12,000 plus hospital bill that I am still not sure if the insurance company paid on.

-The perfect storm that is closing on our house in Nebraska and closing on our house here in Colorado. The timing of it is just crazy - We literally have to close on the house back home the Friday before we close on our new house (on Monday). Crazy. Good thing we don't have to be back in Nebraska for the closing there!

-Moving our stuff and the timing of when the moving truck will come back home and when they will drop off here and how many days I will be sleeping on the floor in our new house until the bed is delivered. :) Maybe an air mattress purchase is in my future!

-Finding a daycare for the kiddo. I have looked at some online and will start making calls soon.

- Passing the series 53 for work. I have to take it on Friday, February 4th and I haven't been doing the best at studying it but will hit it soon. I must pass.

-Buying furniture for our new house. We don't need a lot but will need some stuff and don't know where to find good stuff out here.

-Losing weight. I have gained some back and hate it and know part of the gain is due to stress. Must.Do.Something.

-A baby. Todd and I go back and forth about whether we want another kid or not. I am pretty sure right now we are on 'no'. But that could change again.

-A bunch more random stuff that no one cares about.

January 7th

So here it is - a new year. I am not sure what to think or what to do. We are so busy with trying to find a new house and dealing with all of things that come along with moving to another state. The house thing (selling ours and buying a new one) is the most stressful part. I actually joked with Todd about letting him decide on a house for us because it is a huge decision that I don't know if I want to deal with.

I had some 'resolutions' in my head but have been disappointed in myself with them so far. I swear I have gained about 10-15 pounds back from the 30 I lost late last year. It sucks because it is hard to lose weight but oh so easy to gain it back. I refuse to gain it all back so I have to start doing something about it and soon!

I also have another test to study for for my job. I need to take it by the end of this month or early next month in case I don't pass it. That gives me enough time to take it again before my deadline is up to have it done. I have until mid-March but I just want to get it over with.

I have decided to be less boring this year and told my husband that we need to do some fun stuff this year, especially now that we live in a state with lots to do! I have a list of things I would like to try this year and it should be a lot of fun! I just have to get organized so we can do some of it!

I better get back to work. It is fun to blog but I have things to do. Until next time.....

I got the job!

At the risk of making anyone mad who has been looking at jobs forever, I will say I got the one and only job I applied for in Denver! I am so excited and feel so lucky and blessed to have gotten the job!

It is with a company called AXA Equitable! It is similar to what I do now and I will end up getting one more license after I start. I am excited to try something new but also a little nervous to start again in a new company with new people and new products and rules and such. I know I can succeed and know I will be working directly with the guy who interviewed me and that is a good thing. He seems really nice and also very smart.

The best news of all is that I will get to be out in Denver by Christmas time to be with my husband! I was hoping we would be moved out there before Christmas and this job was my only hope of that. I will be there one week before Christmas but that is ok, as long as I am there. The biggest challenge of moving out there will be trying to find daycare on such short notice for Xander. I told Todd he will have to start calling around out there to see what he can find.

The other super great part of this is it is another good pay raise for me! I am excited about that because hopefully our higher income will help us get approved for a new home loan out there - I know the banks are a lot stricter these days!

Anyway, I haven't been writing much and probably won't have a chance to write but once or twice more before the new year. I am hoping things settle down after the first of the year but that may be when we buy a new house and move in so that will be a lot of craziness also!

Let the adventure begin! Oh wait, it has already begun. Let the adventure continue! :)

Happy Saturday

I love weekends! Of course I do - I don't have to work! I love getting to sleep in and spend time with my kiddo. They always go way to fast as does most of life. Which brings me to my next point.

I have been so busy lately that I haven't been writing much recently. It seems like the last two or three months have gone by faster than any other time in my life. I am hoping things start to slow down here pretty soon but I have a feeling they won't much.

I am trying to enjoy life and my son but on certain days it's really hard to. My job has been so busy recently that it has been stressing me out and making me enjoy each day less. I still like my job but I would say less than I used to. My awesome boss sat down with me this week to go over my tasks and my to do list and he helped me prioritize which was a huge help and helped me feel a little less stressed.

My brothers wedding was last weekend and it turned out great! It was fun but I was tired afterwards. The next big thing on the plate is planning our little vacation. We haven't booked the trip yet but are still planning on going to Vegas in a month or so. That will be fun but I have to get back to my weight loss efforts as I would like to lose a few more pounds before we go.

I am hoping to be around more and to write more but only time will tell if that will happen! I have a lot to do this weekend and we are going to Todd's parents to watch the Husker game tonight - I am excited about that! Nothing better than some football on a Saturday. Go Big Red!

And the answer is....

No.

Big fat no.

I didn't get the job.

I am sure my mom is happy - she didn't think it would be good if I had a job where I had to travel. I hope she is happy because I am not.

A couple of positive notes - the manager said to apply for the next opening they have for this same job and I probably won't even have to interview. He said the person they hired had a ton of experience in that job and that is why they hired him. He said I had a great interview and they liked me.

Still doesn't make me feel that much better but I guess hearing that stuff is better than nothing.

Also, had a performance evaluation today at work and I had a great review. My boss likes me and loves how hard I work and how good I am at my job. I guess that is encouraging too.

He also told me that I just happen to have bad luck with this job interview because of the outside person they hired that had a ton of experience. He said any other time I probably would have gotten the job. Still sucks. So now I get to stay in my current job and go nowhere for a while.

I guess it could be worse.

And the waiting begins....

I interviewed for a new job within my company on Friday (a promotion) and now I have to wait to hear whether or not I got the job. I hate waiting! I probably won't know until next week and it is only Tuesday! The interview went ok but whenever someone asks how it went, I never know what to say because I figure it this way - you never really know how it went until you know whether or not you got the job. You could say the interview went great and then not get the job or you could say it went not very good and end up getting the job. You just don't know until you know!

There were a few normal questions in the interview and they asked some weird questions too. I was prepared for some of the regular questions and they threw a few curve balls and asked some different ones. Oh, well. At this point I figure if I get the job then it is meant to be and if I don't then that is ok too. The reason I feel this way is because the job requires quite a bit of travel. So if I don't get the job then I know I am meant to be home more with my son and if I do get it, then I think it means it will be ok if I travel and my son will be ok without me home some of the time.

The hardest thing about not getting the job will be not getting the $13,000 pay raise that comes with it. Yeah, you read that right. They pay you pretty darn well for having to travel so much. If I got the job, I would make almost twice what I made when I first started with the company less than a year ago. I won't lie and say the raise wouldn't be nice!

Anyway, I am sure I will post about what happens either way!

On a sort of related note, I was really scatter brained at work today! It wasn't my fault though. I have some extra projects going on at work right now which is making me a lot busier and I have to jump from one task to the next and did that even more so than usual today. I still got a lot done but the day went fast and I just felt out of sorts. I am happy that I have the extra projects though because I know it means my boss is trusting me to do more work and harder things now. Yay for a job I love! Oh yeah, that is the other reason I won't be so sad if I don't get the job - I love the one I have now! I am a lucky girl!

A little heartwarming

So when I started my new(est) job a few months back, I had this guy train me on almost everything that I do now. He is a really nice guy and we chat sometimes and I always talked to him the most so I sometimes tell him stories or about things I observe around the office.

Just a couple of days ago, I decided to tell him a quick story cause it was a little heartwarming and also had a good life lesson. I was kind of trying to joke around while telling it to keep it not so serious. So there was this guy I saw in the hallway that day and he has the very menial task of collecting all of the forms throughout the building that people want sent to our permanent imaging system. He pushes this little cart around and collects the paper from all of the centralized locations in the building. The funny thing was (and the lesson) was that he is middle aged (at least 45) and he just had this nice smile on his face when I walked by him. I thought to myself 'if this guy can be happy pushing the cart around collecting paper and scanning in all of the paperwork while not getting paid much to do it, why can't the rest of us be happy in our jobs?' Cheesy I know. But it is true. And as silly as it sounds, you have to remember it could always be worse.

There is always someone with worse luck, with worse health, with a worse job, with worse circumstances in life. We have to be thankful for what we have and what we are able to do! And there you have it. A simple lesson, but a good one.

Coffee and Paper Towels

The two things that are annoying me most right now. Why you ask? Let me tell you!

Those are two things at work that everyone uses, but nobody makes or replaces. Ack! So annoying!

I cannot even count the number of times recently when I went into the break room, wanted some coffee and it was all gone. Now keep in mind, there are four, count them, four coffee pots! There is no reason at all that all of them should be empty at once! It pisses me off to no end! People are so rude and lazy and it drives me nuts!!! I always end up making it and wonder why I have to make it every time I go in the break room. It should not be that way. I am so sick of always having to make the coffee. Grrrrr. One pot of coffee is pretty big too. I bet 6-7 people or so can get their oversize mugs filled out of one pot and yet I always make it. That tells me those other 5-6 people NEVER make it!

Same with the paper towels. Every time I go to use them, there is not even a whole one left on the roll - like half a one that is partially ripped is usually left. That makes me so mad too. How long does it take to get a roll - like 30 seconds?? I am so annoyed by my extremely lazy co-workers.

So here is the problem - I have gotten so bitter about it that I have stopped making coffee and replacing the paper towels myself. Does that make my a hypocrite?? Maybe. But at this point, I am not sure I care one bit because of how many times I have to had to replace and refill!!!!

Will it ever change?? Probably not, but until it does, I am on strike!

Anything and Everything!

My life has felt a little nuts lately! I am so busy, I haven't been getting enough sleep, I have been working out a lot, I was studying a lot for tests for work, my husband and kiddo were both sick and I got a little bit sick also and our house is a perpetual mess. Ahhhh! I just feel stressed out and not sure what to do or where to start. While I ponder what to start with, here is the latest in my life.

We are a little relieved because our next door neighbors have moved out. It was a lot of drama all of the time. There were two ambulances there within the last few months and a cop car there once a month for the last several months. The guy was an alcoholic, in and out of rehab, fired from his job and his wife was lazy, refused to get a job, is on welfare, they didn't pay their rent, they aired their drama out on facebook all of the time like 16 years old and they were 40. They finally got kicked out of the house (with police involvement - what fun) and now they are gone. We are pretty happy with that as we just want to live in a normal neighborhood with normal people.

As I mentioned in my last post, I took my series 66 test on Monday and passed. I was sure I was going to fail because I put off studying until the last week and I didn't even get all of the way through the practice tests. I can't believe I passed! This test was actually easier than the last one I took and there was a lot less material to cover but I was a lot less prepared also which is why I feel lucky I passed. Anyway, I took two tests in a row and have been studying one thing or another for the last three months so I am taking a break now. I don't think I will take a test again for at least a few months or most of the summer.

I got to see my sister yesterday who lives in Arkansas. She was in Lincoln with her two kids and her mother in law. It was awesome to see them and we get to see them again in less than three months at my brothers wedding! I love family!

We cancelled our cable last summer to save money and since then we got Netflix so we could still some movies and tv on dvd. Todd just figured out how to stream Netflix through our Wii and now we have been watching a ton of different things through the Wii. We have gotten into the series Weeds and we really like it. I have been being dumb and watching the Hills. We have actually been watching too much tv if you ask me but we are slowly watching less and getting back to a normal amount.

I'm actually more excited to pick out an outfit for Xander than for me for my brothers wedding. I think it will be fun to get him a little suit or a little shirt and tie. I think I am going to try to get outfits for me, Todd and Xander that are all somewhat matching. It will be fun to be a little coordinated family! I'm not going to pick out a dress for me until probably 2-3 weeks before the wedding since hopefully I will be losing weight up until the wedding. I hope that won't be waiting too long and I hope I'm not unable to find something if I wait that long. We shall see.

I just saw the lowest number on the scale a few days ago since before I was pregnant! That is the best feeling and makes me want to keep going and working hard at losing weight. I know I can do it! I just have to keep trying. I have about two and a half months until my brothers wedding and I am hoping to lose about 20 more pounds. If I do that, I will be feeling awesome I know (but I still want to lose about a total of 35-40 more pounds).

Those are a few things on my brain right now. I am sure I will be back to share some more soon!

Just a quick one

A few quick updates to my life.

I am studying for my 66 exam which I have to take next Monday and I am not even all the way through the book! I better cram the rest of this week and this weekend!

Which brings me to another point. Father's day is this weekend so if we do something, hopefully it won't be all day so I can study at some point.

Xander has pink eye so he stayed home from daycare today and Todd and I each worked a half day. He has a cough too. Poor little guy.

I didn't work out tonight since it technically was my day off. I just stretched a bit since my whole lower body is so sore that I am walking funny! It hurts! Back to it tomorrow!

I did a terrible thing - I went and bought a tanning package. I know it is so so so bad for you but I hate being so pale all summer since I have to work indoors and just want to feel a little good about myself. Shame, shame I know.

I am very seriously considering getting Invisalign for my teeth since I have wanted to have them fixed for years. I don't mind my smile but my teeth aren't great. They aren't awful either but not great. I am working up ways in my head to be able to afford it since it is not cheap. I would love to get it because it is basically clear on your teeth and my teeth aren't so messed up that I will need full braces I don't think. I bet I would have it for about a year and my teeth would be quite a bit better. I have always disliked my teeth so I am going to go for it for sure at some point....just a matter of when (and figuring out the money like I said).

Off to dreamland....it seems like I am getting less and less sleep these days and I am not sure if that will change anytime soon!

A little sad

I guess this is a little bit related to my last post. For some reason I have been a little sad lately, going along with the stress (or maybe it came after). I don't know why - things are going pretty darn well - I am down about 15 pounds in the last 2 months, we switched daycare and Xander seems to be doing well, my job is going really well and my workouts are going pretty well also. I am not sure what my deal is but I am just kinda feeling blue recently. It could be a mood swing in my cycle and that would make sense. It just seems worse than usual. Anyway, enough about my mood, here is what is going on with us right now.

Xander got his second haircut today! Maybe I am a bad mom but I didn't take any pictures this time. The whole thing wasn't great for many reasons - I didn't think he really needed a haircut yet anyway because I like his hair a little longer(but the salon auto rebooks you each time and you have to remember to cancel if you don't want the appointment), the time of the cut was stupid (why the heck did I book it right when he is normally taking a nap?), he cried almost the whole time and it was so hot and nasty in the salon. I think X cried because I had to wake him up from his nap to get to the salon on time and he was still tired. It's not like his nap was cut way short but a little short, especially because it seems like he might be sick. Oh yes, lucky us. It appears he might have pink eye! Super!! You take the kid to daycare for four days and he gets pink eye! Oh, and don't get me started on how I was giving him a bath today and noticed a pretty bad mark on his arm and I looked closer and it was a BITE MARK!!!! Oh, I was livid!!! From daycare. Gosh that makes me mad. He didn't seem to notice it or mind and I even lightly touched it. The skin is even scraped away on it. GRRRRRRRRR. Sorry, as a mommy, that just makes me want to slap the kid who did it. Anyway, also occurring with Xander, we had to have him start sleeping in his pack and play a little over a week ago because his crib was recalled (boo, especially because we had to take it apart and take it back to the store). I ordered a new one with the credit right away and we just got it this week and Todd put it together for him tonight so he switched back to a crib. Hopefully the switching won't throw him off too much, especially since he seems sick.

On a more fun note with Xander, he seems to be so talkative lately and we love it! He is starting to say more words more often now and he just loves to chat! It is so funny since pretty much everything he says is gibberish - but we still love it! He is also climbing on everything he can and he's starting to get better at walking down stairs when we hold his hand. He is just so much fun and still changing all of the time!

I have a timeline for myself to lose some weight and the goal is September 18th - my brother's wedding! I still have three months and that is a good thing because I am nowhere near where I want to be weight wise even though I have lost some. I started doing P90X and it's not going perfect, but pretty well. I started the workouts last Monday and did the first three in a row and did pretty good - I finished all of them even though I had to either reduce my reps a little or modify some of the moves. But I still worked out as hard as I could and did as much as I could and I finished. Come Thursday night, I couldn't get the freaking computer to turn on to play the dvd to work out. I tried calling Todd at work several times over the span of an hour but couldn't get ahold of him to have him help me figure it out. I guess the fuse blew and the trip switch is out in the garage (even though the rest of them are in the basement - and of course, I was looking for one in the basement). Needless to say it kept getting later and later and it was past 11 and I had to work the next day, so I skipped my workout. I was bummed but thought I would just miss one day and get right back to it. Come Friday night when I first thought I was going to work out, I was so tired from going to bed so late the night before that I knew my body just wouldn't do what I wanted it to do for a workout. So I skipped another day. Boo for me. Anyway, tonight I got back to it and I plan on continuing and not giving up. For a minute there, I thought I was already done but Todd encouraged me to keep going and I'm glad I did! I just got done with a workout and it was SO hard, but I feel great! I am going to try to keep it up!

As I also mentioned in my previous post, I have a test to take for work and it is a week from Monday and I am not ready at all! Guess I will have to cram tomorrow and all of next week and next weekend to pass. I really don't want to fail, especially since this test should be quite a bit easier than that last one I took and I passed that one on the first try! It's going to be hard working out and trying to study too. I have a bad feeling next week might not be so good with the workouts, but I am going to try to fit it all in! Once I am done with that test, I might take a break from the tests for a while (the next ones are my choice to take them now or not) and focus on my health and time with my family. I still have other tests I have to take at work also, but not like these major tests I have been taking.

We need a serious overhaul of our house. I mostly just mean the clutter. Everywhere. I need to just organize once and for all but I never seem to get around to it, or when I start, I don't keep at it long enough or a new huge pile of stuff appears a week after I got rid of another one. Does anyone else have this issue? Sometimes I feel like I am the only one who has such a messy house, but I know that isn't true.

Looking forward to a week from Monday when hopefully that test is done and I have a little less stress for a while. It will not be fun if I don't pass and have to take it again, so I am going to make sure that doesn't happen! :)

Random Tuesday Thoughts - I got the day right finally!

- HA! Notice the title! I had most of this post typed out and ready to go on Tuesday but never got it posted. Such is my life recently! It took me two days to finally get it posted. Sad.


- The random tuesday thoughts really works for me because I am kind of a random person anyway and my brain skips from one thought to another to another.

- I am so happy with my job I almost feel guilty. I feel like ..... I wonder if other people love their job as much as I do and why do I get to be the lucky one who has a job they love and get paid well too? I guess I shouldn't feel guilty at all....I have had enough crappy jobs in my time, it's high time that I have a job I love!

- That said, it can be overwhelming at times. It feels like I just learned all of my job functions and they keep giving me more and more to do. That is good and bad. Good because it keeps me busy so I don't get bored and it means they trust me to do more. It's bad because it stresses me out since I am worrying that I may not be able to get everything done that they give me to do.

- I took my series 24 test and I was studying every night for a few weeks before I took the test so it is almost like I was working every waking hour for that time period since taking the test is work related. I just got my book for my series 66 and I will probably take the test in about 3-4 weeks so there is more work related stuff I have to do on my personal time.

- I have these tests that I need to take also for work but they aren't like the ones I am studying for outside of work. They are just short quizzes you take after reading the material and you do it all online. I have to do those test which are department specific, then I am also doing some company specific tests. I have taken a few classroom courses recently, then I have to take a comprehensive exam in a few weeks. Are we sensing a theme here? Tests and tests and more tests. Bleh. I actually don't mind them but since I am trying to do all of these things at once, they are stressing me out.

- I am also having issues with my weight. I have lost about 10 pounds in the last few weeks but I have so much more I would like to lose. I am starting to feel the crunch - my brothers wedding is in four months and I don't want to be the fattest person there and I don't want to ruin his family pictures by being the fat family member. Pretty much the rest of my side of the family is normal to skinny in size and I am not. I know that is a reasonable goal - I mean I can't (and shouldn't) lose as much weight as I want in four months, but I know it is reasonable to lose some. If I lose 20 more pounds I will be very happy. I actually would like to lose more like 30 by his wedding but we will see.

- I need a vacation!!!! We haven't been anywhere lately and I am pretty upset about it. I am not expecting a super nice fancy vacation, but I just want to get away! We never go anywhere or do anything and I hate it.

- I also continue to wonder/think about where we will end up. Not knowing kills me. I am a planner. I need to know ahead of time what is going to happen because I hate being forced to make quick decisions as I usually make the wrong ones if pressed for time.

- I am starting to wonder if one kid is all we will have and I will end up being career driven. I never wanted to be that or had any drive to, but since I had to go back to work and actually ended up with a job I love, it starts making me think that maybe I can keep working my way up and ending up with a great paying job.

- I sometimes wonder how other people see me. Do they think I am nice, smart, stupid, ditzy, mean, loud, annoying, cheerful?? I try not to care too much but recently I have been thinking a lot about that. Also, I wonder if I am a good friend. That is hard to know. I supposed your friends will either tell you if they have a problem with you or they will start acting different towards you. I dunno.

- I am having a problem right now with a dilemma in my life and I don't think I am dealing with it very well. I don't want to get into it too much but I am really torn and have even cried about it a little bit because it is stressing me out quite a bit. If I do this thing that I think I need to do, I have a feeling it will hurt someones feelings and though I don't want to do that, in some ways I feel like it is the only option and there is a very good reason for me needing to do it. Time will tell but I am hoping to make a decision soon.

-I am going to be writing some open letters soon as there are just a few things that really need to be said! Besides, who doesn't love open letters right?

- Looking forward to the weekend even though I do love my job. I am going to try and get more sleep this weekend so I can feel more rested and less stressed. Sounds like we might be indoors most weekend as it is supposed to rain most of the time. I think I will be getting groceries tomorrow night too so I can not have to fight the weekend crowds and so I miss the rain!

-My house is a mess. It is always a mess. And I am not sure I care.

-My kiddo is so cute! I will always say this - I know I am so biased but that's ok. I know I am! But I still think X is cute! And he's pretty sweet too so that doesn't hurt! :)

-I think I am going to try to get to bed early tonight since tomorrow will be a stessful day at work - lots to do. Goodnight!

My Thursday random thoughts

Ok so I always miss the "Tuesday Randoms" post (or most of the time) so I just pick a day and write about random things. You see, that is the way I am most of the time (random) so I guess it works for me!

Did you know that May 4th is the unofficial (or maybe official - who knows) Star Wars day? Here is the reason - "May the 4th be with you". Hahahahaha! I hadn't heard that one until recently and many others are probably thinking, 'I've seen that a million times'. Maybe I have been hiding under a rock.

We decided to buy some new electronic gear - we got a new printer, a blue ray dvd player and a computer all within about a week. We got the printer because we wanted a wireless one and also, this new one is a scanner, copier and fax machine also (though we will probably never fax) and the one we had before was literally just a printer and had to be plugged into your computer to print. We got an amazing deal on it. Todd has always wanted a blue ray player too so when we found an amazing deal on one of those too, we got it. And last but not least, the computer. We only had two laptops that worked and we really wanted a regular ol' desk top, so we got one. Also feel like we really got a great deal.

This week has pretty much gone faster than any other in my life I swear. Work has been nuts and I have had something going on almost every night this week (of my own doing). I cannot believe tomorrow is Friday, but I am ready for the weekend for sure! I have a million and one things on my to do list and not sure when I will get them done. I feel like I have barely seen my kiddo this week even though the amount of time I have seen him is pretty much the same as always.

I am starting to really think hard about my job. I think the company I work for has a lot of great jobs and I think I have a chance to do really well there and move up with a lot of hard work. I just got my series 24 and my boss ordered my next book - the 66. After I am done with the 66 (hopefully in another month to month and a half) I will take either the Series 4 or 53. I will probably take both but not sure in what order yet. I think the more licenses I get, the better. Of course this will all be irrelevant if we end up moving.

I am coming to the realization that I will have very little time out in the sun this summer so I am thinking of breaking down and buying a tanning package. I know it is so bad for me, but I just don't know how much I care. I hate being so, so, so white. I swear having a tan makes you look thinner too! I need that big time!

I need to re-paint my toenails. I know no one cares about that at all but I do!

I love folding Xander's laundry! He has such cute, tiny things and they smell so good! I wish doing my own laundry was that much fun.

I have been sleeping like crap recently. I don't know why and I can't seem to get myself to have a good night sleep no matter what I do. I feel like this has been going on about two weeks. Man, I am going to need a sleeping pill soon!

I am no angel and am not perfect by any means, but I just cannot stand people who think they are right about everything or know everything. Self-righteous people just plain bug me. I just don't understand why some people always have a certain 'tone'. Almost like they are always condescending and think they are better or know far more than you. Grrrrrr.

Happy Thursday, almost Friday and happy weekend! Can't wait!

Finally back!

Well it is official! I am now a registered principal! And no, not for a school! :)

I took and passed my Series 24 exam today. You have to get a 70% or better to pass and I got a 76%. Not a great score, but since there is no difference if you get a 70 or a 90, I am happy! So much studying - I would have been pretty mad if I didn't pass! I did have to pass this test for work so if I didn't pass this time I would have had to take it again. I also get a raise for getting it so that is great!

I am been very absent from posting because all I have done most nights for the last week and a half is study! My poor kiddo got very little mommy time because I had to study so much. Now I have a whole long list of things I want to do since the test is over and I have my free time back! I could go on and on with a long list but I will just mention the few things I really want to do.

1. Start working out a lot.
2. Work on X's scrapbook.
3. Get stuff ready for a garage sale.
4. Spend time with my baby and hubby.
5. Make a budget for our house.

Those are the main goals I have over the next few weeks and after all of that studying, I feel like most of those should be no problem.

Happy Friday!

Where have I been?

Studying, that's where (or what I guess)!

A week from tomorrow I have to take my Series 24 test for work and I have been studying like mad recently and that is why I haven't posted in over a week! I am getting nervous and worried I won't pass, but I am sure if I keep studying at the rate I have and don't let up that I will pass. I have to get a 70% on the test to pass which may not seem that hard, but 3 of the other 5 people I work with in my department all failed the test at least once and they are all smart. Yikes!

Tonight we went to dinner and buffalo wild wings for some boneless wings and to watch the NFL draft and to see Suh get jipped out of the first pick overall. Oh, well, he was still the second pick in the first round and he still rocks and will make a huge impact on the Lions I think. He rocks!

I bought Xander this super cute little kids shopping cart off of Craigslist for $5. That was $5 well spent! He loves it and has been pushing it around everywhere!

I am ready for the weekend. Even though I have to study. A ton. It will be nice to sleep in a little bit and relax too.

We got a new car last week. I will have to post some pics of it soon too. It is a Subaru Impreza Outback Sport. It is pretty sharp looking and is fun to drive. We are splitting the time taking it to work as to not rack up too many miles on it. Todd drives more than twice the distance I do to work everyday so I am driving it sometimes even though it is sorta 'his' car.

Hopefully I will be around more once this test is done with next Friday! I guess it won't be done with if I don't pass because I will have to take it again a month later. Good luck to me!

The new job

I started my new job on Monday and I am very happy with it! I like the people I work with and though the stuff I have done so far is somewhat easy, I am looking forward to learning more processes and doing harder work. It is pretty quiet in my department unlike my old job. In my old job, everyone talked on the phone all day long so it was pretty noisy at times. In my new job, it is pretty quiet most of the time and I even listen to my ipod when I am doing something long and tedious.

I am studying for my Series 24 exam and last night I read one of the chapters and felt really good about how much I remembered so I took the online test reviewing that chapter and got an 80%! That is awesome since you only have to get a 70% on the 24 to pass it. Granted that was just one section but I am pretty excited to get this done with! The 24 is required for my job so I have to pass the test but the good news is, I have three months, so if I don't pass the test the first time, I can take it again. I don't want to have to take it a second time but if I have to I will.

Overall I am pretty excited. It has only been three days but I think I will like this job overall a lot more than my last job. I no longer dread going to work everyday. Yay for me!

Holy cow!

Where does the time go? I was just looking at my last post and it was over a week ago!

I have been sick as a dog this week but had to go to work anyway because I don't have enough PTO to take a day off and would get in trouble if I had more absences. I have been going to bed at ridiculously early hours this week because I am so tired. This week has flown by!

I can't wait to start my new job - 2 more days in my current job and on to the new one! It is a promotion I guess so I am pretty excited. It is also doing something I think I will enjoy more than what I am doing now. Tomorrow and Friday, I get to meet some of my new co-workers, see where my new desk is and move all of my stuff upstairs. I work on the second floor right now and am moving to the third. I will really miss all of my current co-workers. They are a lot of fun and are all pretty awesome!

There is nothing else really new in our life. Just working and sleeping and trying to get over this cold.

Hopefully I will have something interesting to write about soon, but for now, I've got nothing.