Saturday, August 30, 2008

Weight Watchers Update Week 8

I went to my last meeting with my friends on Thursday. The leader at that meeting is a long time friend of mine. I babysat her kids when they were babies who now are 12 and 10. That meeting is at 9:30am on Thursday mornings so with my new job, I obviously can't keep going there. I have the choice to go on Saturday mornings in a nearby town or go after work on a Tuesday evening. I am probaby going to go Saturday mornings since I weigh less in the morning (before breakfast) and I can wear less clothing to make the scales not so "heavy". Anyone who has done WW knows this is a fact. lol!

The past two weeks were incredibly stressful and my weight changes showed it. I gained half pound each weeks 6 and 7. That was discouraging because I was already stressed by the job hunt and the gain did not help matters. Week 8 was a good week since I lost the pound I had gained the previous two. I am now even again.

I am now on a good stretch to continue losing the weight that I gained these past two years. I am down 10.6lbs and I have about 15 more to go. The loss has made my clothes fit better and I am gaining muscles in my legs with my 2 mile walks every day. I do feel better and I am confident that as long as I follow the point plan, the rest will come off slowly but surely. It's amazing how my chocolate cravings have diminished. I'd rather have the veggies or salad or smaller portions. Crazy how the mind works.

See you later, I am off to enjoy my lazy Saturday...

Friday, August 29, 2008

Ever do something so great it just brightens up your whole day?

I just did and I am smiling from ear to ear.




A girl can never have enough people to surround her but when a certain friend makes it known that thier life is blessed from you being in it, it truly is a blessing for that same person to be in yours. Such friendships happen very seldom in a lifetime and I can count 1, 2, 3, 4.... so far in 37 years and I am so grateful that it happened again this summer! Thanks guys. You know who you are.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

My new job area...



Here is a picture of my cubicle, my home away from home. Just had to post it. :)

About my first day at work....

hmmm...can you say exhausting??? I had 4 hours of learning the easy stuff and then after lunch (they ordered in chinese) they threw me into the lions den and were extremely happy when I walked out alive. I love this new job! The people there are kidders and funny and easy to get along with, a real easy job to love. The work.....it's a lot of doing and learning procedures and certain ways of doing things but when I learn the stuff, I'll do just fine. I just have to stick it out for that time and come out the other side smiling.

I am changing my clothes and relaxing. I have the next 5 days off so I can start the new week (9/2/08) with a whole computer training week so I can learn by doing instead of by watching.

I took home books (2 inch thick portfolios) that I am going to peruse throughout the weekend so I can be ahead of the game.

See you guys later....

I am going to work in a couple of hours...

...and I am so excited I just can't even stand it. I woke up about 4am and then couldn't fall back to sleep. My alarm just went off so it is time to shower and get dressed for my first full day of full time employment. Do you know how exciting it is to have graduated from college and know that today is the first day I am actually going to be using skills that I learned to get that degree??? I know it's old hat to everyone else but I am a 37 year old wife and mom of three and this is the first time in my adult career that I am able to do this so this is an incredible accomplishment to me.

Yeah for me and today. I know it's going to be a great, wonderful, hectic, mind-blowing experience!

See you all tonight for an update on this wonderful day!

Monday, August 25, 2008

I got the dream job that I have been wishing for....

Papers are already signed and fingerprints are being checked and I start tomorrow at 8:15 am. Mon-Fri 8-5 admin. asst. job for a financial advisor in a well known company where I live.

I actually got a job doing what my degree says I can. I am so thrilled but yet I am still in shock mode. Went to Kohls and bought some more dress pants as I have shirts hanging in my closet that will work with the office environment.

I didn't hold my breath on this interview last week and then he called last night and wanted to see me this morning. He said "I have good news and I have better news.." and that is when I shut down in disbelief. I barely heard the rest of the things he said until he had tax papers in front of me.

I will tell you how the first day goes. He says tomorrow will be like taking a drink of water from a fire hose. So much info given that I won't know which is up or down for the first week. I am hoping and praying that it is not that difficult and that I catch on really quickly.

I am psyched for the new opportunity and am blessed at having such great and wonderful people surrounding me with love and support when I was still unemployed.

Yeah, I am not unemployed anymore!!!!!!!! I have a job and that is a wonderful thing in this day and age and economy.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Friday Night...

Things are ho hum around here. I worked a couple days this week, which was nice and I already have a job lined up to work on Monday so I can get out of the house by 7 am to go teach. The money is slowly coming in. I had a job interview on Tuesday and should here something this week. I am not holding my breath for this one. I'll be very surprised if I get it.

The kids are at the neighbors house and I am alone at home surfing the internet. Tomorrow we are going up to a town where my inlaws live to see them. Should be fun. I'm going to bed early. Too much internet and you'll end up believing what it says. Can't do that, now can we??

Til later!

Monday, August 18, 2008

I worked today

I worked at my daughter's high school today. You know the one that won't talk to me. Ha, I knew she was in the building and although I never saw her, I knew she was there which made my day. I spent 7.5 hours earning money and I had a blast. I loved being in that environment and would love to do it full time. There are no jobs currently open there so I just have to wait on a job.

I had fun and earned money so that was a fantastic day! I felt close to my girl and she didn't even know it.

Woke up early in anticipation

of maybe getting a work phone call today from the school district but I think it's not happening today. Hope for tomorrow. I woke up this morning to a song that I now can...wait I just got a call to a work at school!.



YEAH!!!!!!!Details later!!!

Friday, August 15, 2008

School Starts Again....

I just sent my little one to school again. Now in 1st grade, she still loves it and was up very early this morning wishing it was time to go already. I drove her to the school since I did not get called to work (?!?!?) and walked her in. Talked to the teacher and got some things straightened out for the year concerning a new allergy that she has developed.

Angel has developed an allergy to cats and dust mites. She had a fever for 9 days back in June and she has had the sniffles and sneezies since then. The fever must have broken something in her immune system so that she is now allergic. It's in the family so she was bound to be allergic eventually. She is on an OTC pill that helps her with it. The hardest part of it is that she loves our cats and before June she was not allergic. We have had Patches and Rascal since 2006 so it's heartbreaking to tell her she can't pick them up anymore.

School is on the move again and I have a feeling that it is going to be a great year!

Til later....

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Thursday happenings..

I spent the last two days spending lots of time with my kids. Or should I say my littlest one. The boy (13) doesn't want to spend time with mom but Angel is more than happy to oblige mommy with some time. We went to see two movies this week. We saw Mamma Mia! and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. Both movies were good to see with family and we enjoyed the time together immensely. We went to matinees so the cost was cheaper and we bought the Soundtrack to Mamma Mia! so we have ABBA music in the car at all times. That was a childhood favorite of mine and I am thrilled to know that Angel likes it as much as I did then and still do now. She has the CD in her room and I can hear her dancing and singing in there in the afternoon. It's a hoot!

Bubba has been playing the last of the video games since school starts this week. His playing time will be curtailed a great deal when he is not home anymore. He has also been hanging out with friends and with his skateboard so I am glad he is spending some time outdoors. The weather has been mid 80's all week so it is wonderful to be out in.

School starts for the kids and I will be awaiting phone calls at 6am for sub calls. I am on the district substitute list so jobs are out there but I am so much better than the minimum wage they pay. That is why I need a permanent position somewhere where benefits are also offered.

Update on Weight Watchers-Since my body went into starvation mode this past week due to the stress, it also held onto every morsel I did put in my mouth. Thus a .6 pound weight gain. I am at an even 10 pound loss from July 7th, so I can't really complain. I'll eat more so my body realizes that it's supposed to be losing the fat, not adding to it. Maybe next week will be better.


Til later,

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Still no job!

I am recovering from the blow I got when she told me that I was number 2 on the list of getting the job. THe only reason I did not get the job was that the interviewer was pressured by a coworker to hire her friend who also had the qualifications but I had better ideas to make website changes and such. So..I am getting my resume submitted again to another company who also needs an admin. Assistant. I am not going to talk about my job hunts anymore until I actually am hired somewhere. It's too hard to handle emotionally and still harder to tell everyone that I did not get it. I'll talk about my job hunts when I do finally get a job!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

The creative side in me has also been released....

I have become aware of my softer side opening. A special friend has awoken a trait in me that I had far forgotten and lost. I used to write poetry in my youth and write stories too about things in my life. I have, in the past week, let my senses go and explored some of those talents again. I like what I see and I feel a sense of accomplishment when I read my new work. I am telling this here since it is a very personal matter. I write for people and for the situation that is in front of me. I can't whip out a poem or story on a whim. It has to be set in a dream or felt in the pit of my stomach. When I do put pen to paper, I let go and my fingers write it. If I were to take the finished product away for a week or two and someone else would bring it back then, I would not have remembered that I wrote it. It truly is a sobering experience to do some magnificent work and then not remember.

I won't post my writing, but I wanted to share that I am going through an awesome experience, a learning and insightful experience that has no rhyme or reason. I thank God that this newly renewed talent has been realized again.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

The artist in me is escaping....





Only positive comments are allowed!

I drew these rare beauties this morning on a whim and a prayer. My muse had her way with me last night and these are our creation. I have a few more up my sleeve but I'll wait a day or two before posting them.

Enjoy!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Job Update...

The awesome news is that I survived the interview. The good part is that she loved me and I blew her away with my qualifications. The bad part is that I have to wait 5days for a second interview with the big boss so she can also be wowed by my skills. The interview is set for Tuesday at 9 am. Please pray for me this weekend. Every little bit helps!

The pay is perfect for my life, the hours are wonderful for my life, the environment is loving and family built, and the skills I have, I can grow with this company and be there for 40 years. There are advancement possibilities and that is wonderful. It's only 13 minutes away from my house and that is in slow traffic. It's 7 miles away. It's absolutely perfect in every aspect that my career wants and what I am going for.

Weight Watchers Update----

I weighed in yesterday 3 pounds lighter than the week before. Mostof it was stressed off by the job prospect but I'll take it. And now that I have to wait until Tuesday for the second interview, I'll stress off some more weight. I don't want to eat, yet I still want to and I do walk every morning, and drinks lots of fluids.

I traveled to Indianapolis to see my sister and her family this past week too so that was really cool! I miss her so much but I am glad that her career moves are also moving in the right direction. She just got a promotion in her company so our parents are pretty proud of us both. My brother is no exception, he is a smart cookie and been with the same company for over 10 years so he is sitting pretty too.

I have to go take my walk now. I will update throughout the week to let you know how I am doing regarding the endless wait and how my patience is holding up. UUGH!!

German language lessons---I have been listening to german tapes and looking at words in the german english dictionary that I know I know, but just can't remember. It's fun and interesting to see how much I have lost and I words and phrases that I have to learn for the first time.

Til later!

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

I'm tired!

I have a bit of insomnia tonight. It's 4am and I can't sleep. I just got done watching Independence Day with Will Smith. I LOVE that movie! Good guys win and bad guys die. YEAH!! That is the kind of movie where you laugh one minute and you are crying the next. I teared up at least 4 times. Usually watching shows at night make me fall asleep but not tonight. *sigh*

I got an interview today with a company that is only about 13 minutes from my house. I interview Wednesday at 2 p.m. CST. (please say a prayer that I get this job.) Maybe that is the reason I can't sleep. This job would be perfect for my hours, time with the kids, and money situation. It'd be more than I have ever made in my life and that is the scary thought. Paying off my student loans is priority one and they don't even start repayment until December.

Another probably reason to have insomnia......Ever have the problem of knowing you are right and you have proof that you are right, and yet someone is trying to change your mind and switch the ways things are supposed to be? It's like getting a 100% on a test and the guy next to you takes 50% of your points and reaps the benefits that you are supposed to get.???? I have to stand up for my rights and right now, I am in a quandry of how to do that.


a Mini pep talk to myself------
"Stick to your guns, Andi and know that you do not have to do anything you don't feel you want to or have to. He is wrong and you can tell him to screw off! And you will tell him that tomorrow."


It's now 4:26am and I am still not sleepy. Yes, I am but I know if I go to bed now, I'll just toss and turn and not get any sleep anyway....

I'll try it and see.

TIl later!!!

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Saturday Musings...


I hate mail being late especially when I am expecting something important.

It's a true gift in life to find a person who resembles your life so close that it's "freaky". I have found a friend who has surrounded me with support and love and that in turn has reestablished my desire to know more about my birthplace and its surroundings.

As soon as I get a job, I will continue my education on a personal front. I am going to attempt to relearn german, better than before. I have a wonderful support group in family and newfound friends that will make this effort of mine truly worthwhile. With her help, I hope, that in time, I will be able to converse with her or another german, with the accuracy and clarity of a native.