I Normally Don't Like Mondays...

For all the same reasons everyone else doesn't like Mondays.  Back to work, back to alarm clocks, back to belonging to my boss instead of myself.  I did not have a great weekend.  I ended up babysitting my friend's son from Friday to Sunday and I was not prepared for it.  He's 12 and a great kid, but he was sick, and now I think Tiger is getting it.  Plus I just got over being sick.  I failed my algebra exam; I got a 36.  Awful.  Lost my cell phone.  And the thermostat on my car is about to die.

Last night, I was terribly upset by my first failing exam grade the entire time I've been at Herzing.  I'm so glad Mr. R was home; he completely empathized, rubbed my shoulders, brought me water and eventually made it ALL GO AWAY (ahem.)  By the time I fell asleep, I was not thinking about algebra anymore.  Mr. R's alarm set for 5am unfortunately woke me up before it woke him up (he went fishing with our pastor today.)  Oh, I have I mentioned that due to all the blizzards in the country, Mr. R hasn't worked in almost two weeks?  Yeah.  Glad he's home, not happy about the lack of money.  I got up this morning, turned on the computer, and almost dissolved into tears.  I just wasn't feeling it, you know?  And then, against my very will, I'M HAVING A GREAT DAY!

Oh yes, I know it's only lunch time, but every account I've touched has fallen neatly into place.  I'm going through accounts at a speed I haven't done in a while.  Doctor offices are returning my calls, every website is working properly.  I decided to do a McDonalds run for lunch; their credit card machine was broken so I got my meal for free!  I also had my mock interview today for my career class at Herzing; the instructor said I did a great job!  Then I remembered I'm due for an upgrade on my phone anyway, so I'm probably going to look into that once I get off the clock.  There's great music playing on the channel on cable (I listen to the music stations in the 400 channels during the day; no commercials, no reruns!), the school hasn't called me, and my hair is long enough for a (short) ponytail again.  Plus, no more headaches; my glasses are great and I'm thinking about returning for a second pair come income tax refund time.

I just have to thank God for today.  For taking a day I normally detest, and giving me a reason to smile.  For reminding me that I *am* good at my job!  For forcing me to count even small blessings like functional glasses and quilted toilet paper.  God is good, peeps!

Other things that rocked today:

• I remembered to pull meat out of the freezer at 7am, not 5pm.  Score!
• Mr. R left me coffee in the pot.
• We had plenty of milk for the kids cereal this morning.
• It is 72 outside.  I love Florida winters!
• My favorite bra was clean and waiting for me in my drawers.  Comfy boobs are happy boobs!
• I had a doctor office call me "young lady" on the phone.  That cracks me up.
• My fax wasn't working this morning, but I managed to fix it very quickly, and without calling anyone to help!
• I'm getting a bonus in February; it is based on yearly income and mine should be in the $500-$600 range.  I plan to do a major grocery shop with it.  I have recently become sort of obsessed with food storage, and I'm trying to get a 1 month supply of groceries in the house at all times.  Harder than you think with 5 people.
• Mr. R complimented me on my coupon usage.  He went shopping without me and couldn't figure out how to do it.  Next time, we can go together and I'll teach him.
• I got an A on my resume; I haven't written one in ten years and I think I did a pretty fabu job!

3 Months To Go

Way too busy to post like I normally do.
Let me just say that I did get my internship, and I graduate in 3 months.  And I can do pretty much anything for 3 months.
Off to learn how to fill out a CMS 1500 claim form.

Sinus Infections, Algebra and New Screens, Oh My!

I'm pretty sure I managed to find myself in the trifecta of hell this week.  As you can tell by my title, I had a sinus infection.  I just don't get stuffed and sneeze.  My entire face swells up, when I sneeze I spray blood across a room, and I continually wet my pants from the racking coughs assaulting my body.  I was actually glad Mr. R was not home to enjoy the view. 
Then I started algebra.  The class itself is ok; but I was having issues downloading the program I needed and spent more than an hour on the "live chat" with the slowest rep ever.  It was like texting a wall.  Five minutes would go by without a response and I nearly shut down to start over when he'd finally reply with something.  Annoying!
Then my job, which is in the process of trying to be as "green" as possible, is going to eliminate paper schedules and we're all working off screens instead.  Trying to relearn a job I've been doing for ten years has basically given me the brain-ache from Satan's playroom.  I've literally had a headache for a week. 

Although my post is not all doom and gloom.  I got my glasses!  Check me out.

In front of the computer, as you can tell by the glow in the reflection.  Do you like them?  I loooove my new glasses!  They are actually burgundy and have a bit of bling on the sides (do you see the silver on the hinge?  It's rhinestones!)

Oy.  The hair.  Ignore it.  I colored it today to get rid of the gray and it dried weird.  Plus it's in that weird growing out phase.  Hoping I will be back to normal hair by my birthday in May!

There's my bling!  Loving it!

Me and Miss Baby Girl hamming it up.

As soon as I pick up a camera, she's there.

What in the world is wrong with this kid, I don't know.

We're both insane.

What in the WORLD Was I Thinking?!!?

So last night was my first night of classes back after a deliciously long winter break.
I am close to full blown panic at this point.
You see, for the past three years, I've taken one class at a time.  It's been manageable and not too stressful.  But I want Mr. R to come off the road so badly that I decided to finish in April instead of September.  And now I'm wondering why, because I have 4 CLASSES.  That's right!  4 classes on top of working full time!  And raising kids.  And going to church.  And breathing.  Do I get to breathe?

Classes are: College Algebra; Medical Insurance; Personal Development; Internship Prep.

I called Mr. R straight up hyperventilating last night after trying to log into four separate classes and trying to post in all the classes.  "I'm not sure I can do this!"  I wailed.  After he calmed me down, it occurred to me that I need to set aside a day of rest or else I will end up in a rubber room.  I will do no schoolwork on Sundays.  That will be my day to relax and go to church and probably do laundry.  I hear I'm supposed to wear clean clothes.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I'm going to work on algebra and internship prep.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, I'm going to work on Medical Insurance and personal development.
Hopefully this will ensure that I'm not posting incorrect assignments in the wrong discussion boards.
If I don't organize it this way, I'm going to end up trying to work in four different classes every night and I'm going to burn out faster than Paris Hilton.
I sure wish my new glasses would show up!

E-Mails Make Me Happy

I had a super long day yesterday.  I had an eye doctor appointment and had my eyes dilated.  That's when they widen up your pupils to let more light in.  Ummm, that hurts.  They put these crazy drops in your eyes and then the entire world is brighter and intense.  But at least they can look back there and tell me there are no signs of diabetic retinopathy at this time...big hooray for me!  My right eye improved, my left eye got worse, and I ordered a new pair of glasses, and a new pair of sunglasses.  Will probably go back and order a second pair of eyeglasses, too.

I took lunch today and sat back down with a blueberry smoothie when I was done talking to Mr. R.  And I saw it...the e-mail I had been waiting on since last week!  The coding department contacted me for my internship!  They're not agreeing to it yet; they want to review the documents before the can agree, which I do understand.  I forwarded the attachments from Herzing and all I can do now is wait and see if they can find space for me.  I am praying, praying, praying that they will.  You see, I *could* do the internship in the department I'm in now.  But I thought to myself, let me try another department and see what else is out there.  After all, I have to use my pdo to work for free, I might as well try something new and meet new people!  I so hope this works out.  I graduate in April and would love to start my summer with a new job and my husband at home where he belongs!

I'm So Gifted

I love shopping for Christmas gifts.  However, I've been the recipient of some awful stuff.  I really try not to hold it against people, because it truly is "the thought that counts."  However, I wonder if people are really thinking sometimes.  My MIL is possibly the worst gift buyer ever.  In past years, she has bought me excessively cheap perfume which smells like cat urine; size medium pants (I wasn't even a size medium when I started dating her son when I was a freshman in high school), used dishes, and the worst offense?  An enormous can of WalMart pre-ground coffee in decaf.  With powdered creamer.  The woman lived with us for two years and knows I am a coffee snob.  I grind my own beans and only use half and half.  My coffee habit is probably the only thing that I get uppity about; I love gourmet stuff and really do turn up my nose at the cheap crap.  Sorry, I'm being honest here.  I did donate the coffee to charity because I knew I would never drink it.  So when Christmas rolled around again this year, I wondered what in the world I would receive this year.

My mother-in-law finally got one right for me.  She asked me what I wanted for Christmas.  So I swallowed hard and said "a wallet" because I figured, "how bad could it be?"  And mylanta, she knocked it out of the park for the first time ever.  I *love* this cute little wallet!  I really like that little wrist loop so I don't need to carry a purse.  It has room for my checkbook, cash, my lipstick (or chapstick, for me) and all my cards. 

I even love the little calculator.  Trust me, I need it.  Also, I love the fact that it is plain black with a subtle design.  My MIL tries to buy my sister-in-law and I the same gifts; we could not be more different.  Sissy is a huge fan of pink, gawdy, and busty.  So when I tell MIL what I want, I fully expect to receive something that is pink or leopard print, covered in glitter and would make a transvestite blush.

Not really a gift, but I like our little library and intend to go a lot more once I graduate from college in April!

LOVE!  LOVE! LOVE!  I know that I don't drink enough water.  I don't particularly care for the popular water bottles with that built in spout; they're hard to clean and I have nightmares of drinking mold, especially in humid Florida.  This water cup has a screw on lid, and a thick harder straw that I can individually wash.  Best part?  Under $7 at Target.  Bad part?  No measurement lines on the cup.  They come in other colors, but I chose clear because I can tell better if it's dirty or not.  My employer gave out $25 gift cards to Target, and I used it for...myself!  I'm giving myself the gift of hydration this year.  It also fits in the cupholder of my car.  LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!

Remember when I asked Mr. R for a KitchenAid mixer?  And when he said, "Anything else?" I said, "No, that's the only thing I want."  And what did I get?  A GPS.  I mean, I do like it.  It has already helped me immensely and I got it around Thanksgiving.  I have the worst sense of direction!  I am forever calling Mr. R and saying, what exit do I get off?  Is east left or right?  He worries about me so much when I go somewhere new and try to use google maps, print the directions, and then have to read tiny print while I'm driving.  I named it "Karen" because that is the name of the computer wife on Spongebob.  Don't judge me.  And I still will be buying my mixer; just not sure when.

This is pretty much my favorite CD of all time.  Rock, blues, classical...aaaaaah.  If you've never listened to it, I highly recommend.  Another gift I've bought myself.  I've bought this cd twice because my kids ruined my first copy when they were little.  I treasure it. 

I know I have diabetes.  I don't make good choices all the time.  But guess what...my blood sugar was 124 this morning.  I have no idea why!

So how was your Christmas?  Did you receive an amazing gift that you didn't expect, like my GPS?  Did your mother-in-law confuse you with a stripper?  (not saying my sis in law is a stripper, don't come down on me)  Did you receive anything wildly inappropriate, like a drum kit for an infant?  Do tell!

Sarah Discovers Patterns!

Shut up, peeps.  I'm wearing horizontal stripes.  And no makeup.  And my hair is wet!

Wasn't sure if I would like a horizontal price, but for the price of $7.40, I bought two!  I have a second one in gray stripes.

We own a fireplace.  In Florida.  It's under the arch, behind my fat head.  Do you like the paint?  Our walls are a tropical blue, and the plant shelves are painted the same color as our floors.  Roscoe's crate is over there for now.  And we don't own end tables; I'm not sure why?  We have bar stools as tables.  How sad is that, lol.

Kitchen view, which is going to be painted the same blue very soon.  Trying to decide if I'm going to paint ugly pink cabinets the same wood tone color, or go white.  It's actually a dark room; I'm leaning toward white.  White and blue are so crisp and clean with the stainless appliances.  Plus most of my fancier things are red and would probably look great.

I rarely, rarely blow dry my hair.  But I don't think I'll be taking wet hair pictures again.

Here's to trying new things!  Hooooray!

A Great Start

I did my walk yesterday and went to the gym.  I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to hop back on and didn't lose much of the progress I'd made except for my biceps and shoulders.  My shoulders, specifically my left, will be an issue for the rest of my life due to a devastating car accident in 2002.  It's one of those things I live with on a daily basis and I've come to accept.
My weight this morning was 264...a two pound drop already.  However, my blood sugar was awful...145.  I know what did it...I had an ice cream cup last night.  Guess I won't be seeing those again.
This morning, I am having a half cup of oatmeal with no sugar...actual real oatmeal.  My usual coffee.  And a snack pack of pears in their natural juices.  Oatmeal tastes pretty bland without sugar, so I'm thinking I may throw my pears into it.  Or else this is going to be a long drawn out breakfast.
**I just did that...much better! Gobble gobble gobble!*
My schedule at work is looking great.  I shouldn't have a problem getting to the gym again today.  Today, I intend to work on my lower body strength. 
I also bought bananas for cheap at the grocery store because they were about to go bad; going to make banana whole grain muffins for myself for the week.  I have whole grain flour, plus hemp powder and flaxseed to throw in there.  Should be a hearty, filling muffin for a great pick me up throughout the day!
I'm going to buckle down and work, but I hope my readers have a blessed day!

You've Got To, Get Into The Groove...

What, I grew up in the 80s!  That's a great Madonna song.

I got up at 6am this morning.  Weight, 266. (ugh!)  Blood sugar, 132 (double ugh!)  Laced up my shoes and went for a half mile walk.
Note to self:  Just because you're walking doesn't mean you can't be cold.  Bring a jacket.
Another note to self:  Falling asleep in your work out pants pretty much guarantees that I can't talk myself out of exercising.  I may do that from now on.
More notes to self:  Drink water.  Eat breakfast first.  And have the coffee pot ready at night so all you have to do is flip the switch as one is running out the door.  That way the house smells all coffee-happy when I return.

It was an excellent start.  Praying that I can keep it up during these next crazy four months of work, full time college, and always full time parenting.

Stylish Sarah on New Year Day

Sexy red Kiyonna dress.  eBay?  About $30.  Black and white cardigan, $14 at JcPenney's on 12/31.  Ridiculous, painful high heels: Zappos.com, I don't remember the price.  I threw my red flip flops in the car and wore them for the entire reception.

Same outfit he wore for the TSO concert in December.  Plus iPod he received for Christmas.

Black jeans and black tee shirt, both from KMart.  (No, I didn't dress him up for the wedding.  He has issues with seams in clothing and I just avoided the situation.  Blessedly, the bride and groom know us very well and didn't care how he was dressed.

Tye-dyish dress, Kohl's.  $30.

This must be the hairy pew at the wedding.  Oh, I'm not posting any pics of the bride and groom on my blog.  They didn't give me permission and I love and respect them too much to do so.

January 1, 2011: 80 degrees.  Bright sunshines.

Less than an hour into it and he's bored.  This is going to be trouble.

I would not let him bring his iPod to the reception, so he's annoyed.

It's sparking cider!  And they all three liked it and felt very grown up when they sipped it for the toast.

Someone is growing up too fast anyway.

I was having a good time, but Bucket was truly trying my patience.

Bucket creates art when he's bored.

I insisted on taking a picture of the artist next to his masterpiece.  Annoying older brother included for your viewing pleasure.

This is what I get when I say, "Let's take a picture together!"

Ah, the typical bathroom shot that all teenagers seem to adore.

I went to a beautiful, God filled wedding on January 1, 2011, which coincidentally started at 1pm.  I really pondered over what I was going to wear.  I love my sexy red Kiyonna dress, but this was a religious wedding.  I rarely wear this dress for this very reason.  The neckline is a keyhole design which basically shows most of my cleavage.  That's why I put the cardigan on top.  Now it looks classy and sophisticated.  The bride actually complimented my dress too, so that was great.  She was a beautiful bride and I wish her much love and happiness for the future.  I am actually friends with her husband first, who has been a blessing to me because he is an autism teacher, plus the father of a child with autism also.  It is such a blessing to have people like that in my life!

The kids are back to school tomorrow, and I'm grateful.  I love them, but when they're bored for two weeks; ugh!  It's hard to get work done and my grocery bill seemed to double.  I love the holidays so much, but I'm happy to get back to our normal routine.

Happy New Year!