ARRRRRRRRRRRggggghhh!!

So - soooo pissed right now. Just got off the phone with the woman from the moving company, and she's saying that she has no record of us setting a move in date - which is SUCH bull as I KNOW that we talked about it from the simple fact that I wanted to move in on the 2nd (Saturday) and she said that the company would not cover the overtime fees, so we were scheduled to move in on Friday.  GAHHHHHHHHHHH!
Because she 'didn't know' now, we will have the APARTMENT ready on Friday, but all of our stuff won't get in there until Tuesday. *cusses quietly* I'm sooo very irked - I'm sick of living in a hotel really, and the fact that we're going to have to move into ANOTHER one is just - ARGH! *frowny face*

I mean - it's not like it's a major thing (besides having to pay for four more days in a hotel) it's just - *sigh* disappointing I guess. I'm sick of being in a hotel, and I was really looking forward to having all this weekend to move in and unpack in out new place. Blech. I'll get over it - but it's just - aggravating.

I guess I need to find another hotel now - we can get one cheaper as at least the cats can move in. Hah!

Dammit.

 

Challenges

Temptation: (the bad things I need to stay away from)

1: Work - this team that I'm on is candy/cookie/doughnut/cake/anything-with-unholy-amounts-of-sugar-in-it CRAZY! I mean - seriously, off the hook. Everyday that I've come in, there's either been something new, or the remains of the previous offering. Sucks - and it's right in my path to the printer.
2: Home - C can eat alot more & alot looser than I can and still manage to continue losing weight - I have no problem with having the 'not so good' stuff in the house - it's just temptation to eat/over eat.
3: Tracking - I need to stay honest with myself - not fudging the entries that I keep.

Resistence: (the good things I need to make myself do)

1: Character - I like being at home - I like going home - but once I get there, I turn into a slugabug. Making myself go to whatever exercise facility I settle on is certainly going to be a challenge.
2: Mental - sometimes, I feel like I should fight against the sizist tendencies of American society, say screw it, and stay fat. But - whatever it's root cause - I want to be slimmer - never skinny as a sista got too much ass & tits for all that - but slimmer. Going back to the ghetto of fat girl clothes is simply NOT an option.
3: Tracking - I need to be more proactive, measure, weigh, read ingredients - bring most lunches from HOME.

Acceptance: (the stuff I'm actually doing right)

1: Drinking water - I miss my cup desparately, but I'm drinking about 64oz of water a day. I'll need to get my cup to get back up to my previous 164oz, but at least I'm doing that right.
2: Tracking - at least I keep account of what I eat - not the best or most accurate accounting, but I DO keep it.

More as I think of it....

Multiple quickies

Okay - there are going to be several entries today - it's fascinating how I fall in and out of OD - this is clearly a high time for me. 

---

General: Heard back from the leasing agent - we are all good for moving in on Friday and getting the keys TOMORROW!! How much does that freaking rock? I'm going to try and see if I can get off of work early on Friday - but at least we can move all of our crap in Thursday night, and I don't have to worry about scatterbrain boy leaving something in the hotel - AGAIN.

Work: Actually have stuff to do today - it won't take me all day - but still! STUFF! :)

Money: Have I mentioned how my paycheck has been sent BACK to Indiana? No? *groans* So yes - that's happened, and it's going to be a little tight for the first month or so - gah!

okay - that's all for now. :)

SLACKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's really kinda scary how FAST the weight comes back on. My neck is getting thick, I can't fit ANY of the post weight loss clothes, and I'm getting back the cellulite. ew. Ew. EW. And we ain't even going to TALK about what's going in my mouth *shakes head*
So - me & the Boy have decided that our lovely vacation from Atkins is going to be OVAH once we get into the new place - and I can definitely live with that. My addition (cuz food changes alone don't work for me) - is I'm going to HAVE to start exercising. My plan is three pronged:

1: Hire a fitness trainer with a session once a week
2: Exercise three days a week at the workout facility on campus
3: Swim twice a week (learn how to first!)

The fitness trainer will keep me on the straight and narrow, the closeness of the fitness center leaves me no excuses and the swimming is just plain fun!

Hmmm.... I might see if I can get a trainer at a place that has a pool. Hmmm......... more on this later.

Busy Woman

So - I've got four different things (five actually) on my plate, and I need to figure out the best way to schedule/handle them.

1) The iLillium Chronicles - one chapter a week (TIC)
2) Doula Certification - enrolled by May 1st - completed by January
3) Spanish - be fluent enough that I can doula Spanish speaking clients - so be good by Feb 2006
4) ASL - TBD
5) Exercise - 3x a week (and I'd like to be able to swim twice a week - I need to find a Y)

TIC - I will be able to work on at work most days - I don't see that being an issue.
DC - I figure that once I decide, even before I enroll (waiting on that pay!) that I should be able to deal with that by studying at least one hour a night, and fulfilling my other requirements (classes, birth attending) on the weekends.
Span - I'll have to get that CD from Bellisa when we have our 'open house' this summer - and I'm quick with language, so I should be good to go if I study consistently for 9 monthes.
ASL - TBD - if anything falls off of my plate - it'll be this.
Fitness - gah - more on that in the next entry - I like to keep the chapters really clean & separate.

So - okay - less TV, fewer non-doula books (unless I'm writing em) and more focus. Heh. I know I can do it!

Writing it Out

So....I've uploaded my unfinished writings to this computer, and I've decided which one to work on. I want to dig back into The iLillium Chronicles - it's one of my favorite mostly undone ones - and it's also one that I've done the least work on.
I've got a full outline - climaxes per chapter (or so) timing and all that jazz. I've got most of my characters laid out. I've even got the first paragraph or two written - it's just digging into the rest of it. I'm still debating whether I should do it shorthand (on the PC) or longhand - I honestly think that long hand would be more likely to get it done faster, as I would be able to take the book with me anywhere - and maybe every weekend I could type up what I've written. *shakes head* It's always a matter of consistency - and heaven knows, I can't wait til C has a job and is out of my hair for a little while when I'm at home.

I'm going to share my 'synopsis' so to speak - just to give ya'll a taste of my brain, as well as the little bit of Chapter One I've written. :)

The iLillim Chronicles
This novel is about a woman discovering the roots of a secret sect of magicians called the iLillim as well as her own family heritage.

Chapter One
As I look back over the events of the past few months, I realize that true to the spirit of the god who got me in this mess, my only offering was a burnt one.

Really, it all started late one Monday afternoon. I was preparing my usual mid-afternoon snack - a fresh bag of Jiffy Pop. It had been a long and busy day, full of irate researchers who couldn’t seem to stand having this slip of a girl watching them like a hawk as they perused the Rare Book section of the Morgan Library. Normally, the researchers who visited us were quite used to Uther Anderson, the curators, iron hand on anything that went on in his library. Regretfully, it was time for the yearly influx of new teachers and researchers at the University, and thus the stacks were suddenly filled with hordes of young, brash, rude, researchers and teachers of antiquity.

Happy, happy!

So - our anniversary was last night - we went out to a ADORABLE little local restaurant (thanks Bellisa!) called Paulettes. They sat us in the back, right in front of a little courtyard area, and it was soo nice. We were appropiately smoochy and lovey the whole time, and we figured out what would be a cool 1st (well, I figured it out) for us - and something that would last. I'm going to get a nice journal and on each anniversary (starting with this one) we will write where we think that we will be by the next year, and then once next year gets here, we will write where we actually are - AND write where we think we will be next year. Over the years, it's going to become a lovely memory of our marriage and how it's grown and changed and how we've grown and changed - so in general, MOST exciting.

Work is still slow - I am honestly going to start going bonkers - I really don't have ANY responsibilites other than looking over peoples' shoulder, and I want to move much faster than that. *le sigh* At least the days go by really fast.

Getting a little paranoid about the apartment - we went there on Saturday to pick up the mail, and there was only one piece of mail there, and the guy who is currently living there seemed very confused by the fact that we were going to be moving in in less than a week. *sigh* I swear, if this place isn't ready by Friday (including clean carpets and a spotlessly clean space) I'm going to be a very grumpy girl - this hotel isn't bloody cheap. And! My first paycheck was sent to Indy (GAH!!!!!!) so - we really don't want to have to stay there any longer than needed.

Okay. I'm done for now - off to eavesdrop.

 

Certification Comments

General: I know tons and tons of doulas who are not certified and this makes them no worse a doula, and I know some who are certified and in my opinion could be better doulas.

ALACE:
It was formerly Informed Homebirth and is the only program that was created by a midwife and promotes education and support based on a midwifery model of care.
I really loved it, particularly the philosophy and approach to the work, as well as the practical knowledge that is apart of the training, bringing women’s healthcare back into the hands of women.
The training I received was geared towards supporting women in hospitals and how to navigate the often antagonistic
if not hostile attitude of attending doctors and/or nurses.

CAPPA:
I have been hearing from current doulas about how they feel that CAPPA is not as well organized as it should be. I also found out that quite a few experienced doulas withdrew from CAPPA.

DONA:
As far as recognition goes the Hositals in Maryland readily recognize DONA. I know doulas certified through the other agencies who work in the area and people like myself who read the material but did not take any classes and also work but it is harder with out those little letters.
DONA too has it's ups and down, but I love the fact that they are in cohoots with Lamaze now .... PLUS their certification process to me seems more 'challenging',

GBI:
GBI (Global Birth Institute) here in Canada. I will be applying to their 10 month Diploma in Perinatal Services. This
is THE ONLY organization in the world that you can receive a diploma for these services.

ICEA:
I also really appreciate the mentorship and international model that is apart of ICEA’s program
From what I have researched, ICEA looks to be the one that works you the hardest, and this is good.

Doin it Doula

Aiighht....where to start, where to start?

Well.......there are (as always) multiple paths that I could take. I could go the apprentice route, or I could go the certification route. Because of who I am, and the timing around when and how I want to get this done, I'm going to go the certification route. That, of course, presents an entirely different set of options, as there are NINE different certification organizations, each with - a slightly different focus, a slighty different course list, a slighty different style. They are:
Childbirth International (CBI)
Doulas of North America (DONA)
Birthworks
International Childbirth Educations Association (ICEA)
Association of Labor Assistants & Childbirth Educators (ALACE)
Birthing from Within
Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA)
Childbirth Education Foundation (CEF)
Global Birth Institute (GBI).

I sent out an email to the midwifery groups that I'm on to get some opinions about the different groups and so forth - I'll be listing them here as well. I think that I would be interested in either CAPPA, ICEA or ALACE the most not sure why not DONA - considering they are most likely the best known certification org in the states - or at least the biggest. But really, right now I'm not sure of ANYTHING.

One thing that I did do was go to all of their websites and grab their reading lists, compile them, list what orgs suggested them (as most had a long reading list and allowed you to chose 5-10 books from it) and found out how much they would cost.  There are close to 150 books on the list, and it rings up to about 2500.00 - not to bad for damn near a full doula library - one that can easily be expanded to a midwives library.

I'm going to gather some more input from various sources, and - once I figure out who I want to go with - start.

ASL & Spanish: Signing, Speaking & Signifying!

Spanish: This one is actually going to be pretty simple I think, as both C & I want to learn Spanish. So - we are (once we get our computer back) going to get some computer courses, and learn independantly, and try to speak mostly (80%) Spanish at home - that way, we will always have someone to practice with. We need to figure out which software we want - there are so many options!
Rosetta Stone
Berlitz
Learn Spanish Like Crazy!
Complete Immersion

ASL: I'm going to need to find a class for that, as I'm not comfy with the idea of learning it online - I figure that there has to be a load of cultural issues, as well as body language that I would need to learn and which isn't going to be accessible online. So - I've been looking online, and it seems that the main places that have ASL classes are churches - and as I am not a church-going woman, I wouldn't be really comfy with taking advantage of their resources. So - that search is still continuing.

 

 

Life Path

First of all - I had a GREAT time with the Memphis Mafia last night - I'd forgotten how fun it is to sit around with a bunch of intelligent crazy woman and bounce from topic to topic with no worries - I had a GREAT time gals - can't wait to meet up with ya'll again!! 

---

 

In other news - I've been thinking about my long term plans again - largely because I think that my job is going to be close to a cakewalk for me - so I'm going to have to figure out what else I'm going to do to fill my time until I get promoted to something tougher. Anyhew - there are a couple of major things that I want to do/become, and I figure - hell, I've got no kids, got a nice new higher income - this is the time to start putting those things into effect. So - those things (not in order of importance are:

1. Learn Spanish


2. Learn ASL


3. Become a doula


4. Write (finish) a novel

So - the reasonings? The first three really are for each other - I want to be a midwife (that's my long term professional goal in life) and knowing Spanish as well as ASL will better help me serve a wider clientle. I'm going to start out as a doula because that way, I will (hopefully) be able to schedule my work/attendance to times outside of the 9-5, and I know that being a doula and assisting at births will either solidify my desire to be a midwife, or force me to decide that maybe midwifery isn't for me (I doubt it, but hey - it might happen!).

As for the novel - *sigh* that kinda follows on with the other things - I've got to be able to make a living (because I think that the midwifery will turn into a labor of love, and I know that - *sigh* midwifery certainly ain't the money maker that the OB/GYN profession is. Also - I think that writing is something that I can do well - before I left Indy, I collated all of the various story concepts/intial ideas that I've come up with over just the last five years - and I have at LEAST 4 series, and 5 or 6 standalone book concepts - some are half done, some aren't even started, some are barely concieved - but dangit, I think that they are ALL good.

So - I'm going to start a new chapter (does anyone else see my chapter breakdown, or is it set up by date?) that I can collect my thoughts on how I'm going to manage this process, as well as a catch-all for the information that I'm going to gather in figuring out how to do this best.

*sigh* Let's see if I can stick to this!

Backsliding

So....I'm running out of clothes. Not because the weather is too warm. Not because the clothing doesn't fit the new dress code (though it is a little out of sync).  Not because I didn't pack enough...no - because I'm getting fatter again. Again. And I know exactly why.  *sigh* My eating is seriously out of control - seriously. And it's not really the quantities - cuz I've learned how to control those, but - it's the utter CRAP that I eat. I mean, seriously - it's like JUNK food. Ugh.
I'm going to go and look for a fitness center and get a personal trainer. I figure that I will go at least three times a week, and maybe see the trainer once a week - that way I'll have someone (NOT C.) kicking my ass, making me guilty, and basically shoving me down the path that I really want to be on.

So. Yeah. I am going to have to buy some new clothes. I'm considering getting ugly stuff. *sigh* I need to get some shoes fixed too.

*sigh*

One Year later......(Memphis Mafia help!)

(well....almost)

So - Our wedding anniversary is going to be Monday. Wow. It sure as HELL doesn't feel like it's been long enough to be a year, but at the same time, it feels like it's been much longer than a year.
So - what do I think of marriage so far? It's - a blessing. It's a wonderful experience for two people who love each other and are compatible and who are willing (and comfortable) with each other (and themselves!) to go through - this promising that my life and your life are now Our Life - and while there are certainly places where the two of us may not be walking along the SAME path - our paths are close enough that we can still always hold hands.
I look at C some days and am still shocked & amazed that this man is my husband. Husband. HUSBAND. I suppose we'll no longer be newly wed once we get over that fact - but I don't want that to happen, because everytime I remember again that he's my husband - it reminds me (with a happy little thrill) that I'm going to be sharing my life with him. Of course, I also look at him other days and wonder (still) what I've gotten myself into, and whether we will become one of those couples who seem to embody all of the negative stereotypes about marriage - and then we sit down, and talk, and suddenly it's all clear again - as long as we both stay close (emotionally, mentally, physically) and work towards solving anything that might come between that closeness - we will make it through (and by through I mean till one of us dies).

I honestly think that I'm happier at the end of this year than I was at the start of it - our marriage is no longer a scary change of status, but instead a mostly natural way of being. And now - at the start of this second year of our marriage - we've stepped into a whole new life - TOGETHER. We've moved, I've got a new job, we've grown into each other (though I still sleep like there's only one person in the bed) and - it's just - nice.

---

So - with all that said - I need HELP!!!! Memphis Mafia - I'm looking for a nice, romantic restaurant (price no object) with lots of mushy, gooshy, sexy ambience that we can go to for our Anniversary dinner. Mind you, the man is a Chef, so it's always - interesting going to a new pricy place with him. I've looked online, and see so-so reviews for La Tourelle, Paulette's and Erik Jensen (or whatever that guys palce is named). However, all of the reviews are over a year old - and I KNOW that a lot can change in a year. I don't wanna go to Melting Pot - any other ideas???

Howdy Ya'll.......

I'm here - all in one piece!

The move actually went really well - there were only two minor 'Ooops!' 1 - the movers missed two boxes & a vacuum cleaner in the closet, and 2 - my beloved husband left one of my bags IN the dang hotel room in Indy. Thankfully, my coworkers (ex-coworkers) DO still love me, and one of them sent her husband to pick it up and overnight it to me. *sigh* The kitties (drugged out of their brains) made it just fine, and our hotel room is actually rather nice.

Work itself - seems cool so far. Of course, I'm going through the horrid initial learning curve, but the people here seem to be rather laid back, and I think that I will be able to learn quickly and to share any additional info I have with them with no problem.

Also, can I say that my new laptop ROCKS? I mean - it's a tiny dell, but this sucker is hot hot hot. I want one of my very own. :)

Okay - had to put in a quick update, but back to work - must be the industrious busy bee, ya know?

 

It's tiiimmmmeeee.....................

Man....I can't wait till the DM fixes the setting to allow you to KEEP your font preferences. Dang it.

Okay - last day. The movers are at my house as we speak (as I type?) and I've called Corey about 12 times so far to ask/remind him about stuff. Fun!! Had to call the hotel and book a room for tonight as well - there's no way in hell we are going to be able to stay there tonight.
Also, I cancelled the cleaning person. It was going to cost 200.00 - to get back a 99.00 deposit that they are keeping ANYWAY because we broke the damn lease. *sigh* Stupid, really. So- screw em.

Onto the list!!

• Find/rent a pump to empty the waterbed - C should be getting this today - pump was gotten, we slept in the bed last night, and by the time  I left for work this morning, it was half empty.


• Schedule for all the utilities to be turned off - doing this tonight (I said tonight last night, but I'm a procrastinating woman, and I'm going to do it tonight - really!) Hah! I couldn't even DO it at night cuz everyone was closed, so I JUST did this this morning.


• Figure out what to pack for the two week break -important documents (I can't find my SS card) PS2, clothes, toiletries, some books..... That's as done as it's going to be, since anything that I didn't pack, is getting packed now anyhow so........


• Get bigger cat carrier with portable litter box - C should be getting this today - got it! They are actually in it now so that the movers can leave the door open.


• Start throwing shit away - HAH! - did all that we could do last night and once again, if it ain't been thrown away yet is gettin packed!


• Get brakes fixed before we leave


• Drop off cable modem/reciever/remote


• Debate with C about whether we need a trailer or not.


• ...

Ooohh look - the only undone stuff is the stuff I just added! Swwwweeeeetttt!

Work? Ummm......yeah - not doing much of that today. Actually just got off the phone with him, and I'm going to have to run home and pick up the pump so that it gets returned on time. so that might mean a late lunch... hmm hmm...or an early lunch and an early meeting...hmmm...... I'll figure something out.

 

One day Left

So, I've been a procrastinating QUEEN!! I'm going to hate unpacking & going through all of the stuff that I really SHOLD have thrown away, but never quite got around to it. Also, what is the proper state for your house to be in when you have others packingfor you? I think I need to straighten up a few rooms. Also, why is it that I never notice the dust until I realize that someone ELSE will be looking at it? Ick.

Okay - on to the list (getting shorter!)

• Find/rent a pump to empty the waterbed - C should be getting this today


• Schedule for all the utilities to be turned off - doing this tonight (I said tonight last night, but I'm a procrastinating woman, and I'm going to do it tonight - really!)


• Submit a change of address form - need to figure out the best way to handle this - based on the answer from DJ, am redirecting it all to our new spot.


• Figure out what to pack for the two week break -important documents (I can't find my SS card) PS2, clothes, toiletries, some books.....


• Get bigger cat carrier with portable litter box - C should be getting this today


• Start throwing shit away - HAH!


• Start packing my cubicle - all done - I'm in an empty, no longer mine cubicle. I never realized how much STUFF I had in here.


• Call new landlord and see if he minds us sending our mail to the house, and whether we can MOVE on the 1st. Yes and yes!


• .....

So - this afternoon was my farewell lunch (I'm SOOOOOO full) tonight is my farewell 'party' (beer and fun at the local pub) and tommorow - I'm going to come in late, drift around, make sure I say bye to as many folx as I can, and head out. The movers are coming to pack Thursday morning, they are coming to load Friday morning, the cleaners are coming Friday afternoon, I've booked a hotel for Friday night, and a hotel for the next two weeks - now I just hope that my dang money shows up before we leave.

So - maybe we're not in quite as bad shape as I feel like we are.....am I creating unneeded stress? *grin*

I'm starting to get a little sad now - I'm REALLY going to miss these fools! - but - I'm sure I'll meet a new bunch of crazy/wonderful people in Memphis - esp if the Mafia is any indication!

Down to brass tacks...edited...

WE GOT A PLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Eeeeeeeeeeeeee......................

It's a sweet little pad too - 2 story loft, hardwood floors downstairs, carpet upstairs (I can live with that) a fully fenced in patio, fireplace, dishwasher (thank HEAVENS!!) washer/dryer conenction UPSTAIRS - utterly brilliant that is - two bedrooms, 1.75 baths ( 3 half bathrooms - what does that really make it? 2.5?) brick walls, and in this ADORABLE neighborhood called Central Gardens - one of the historic neioghborhoods. The only downside is that it won't be ready till April 1st - which means we need to find someplace to stay with the pair for two weeks - which really ain't bad.

Now however, I feel like I can FINALLY start doing stuff - and it's actually hitting me that we ONLY have really two days left before the movers get here. So - for the next few days, I'm going to be going CRAZY!

EEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Get drugs for cats - should have these by the end of the day Kitty valium gotten!


• Get apartment


• Figure out what to do with the furniture that we want to leave I was considering freecycling it, but it's really in icky shape, so we are going to just toss it.


• Find/rent a pump to empty the waterbed - C should be getting this today


• Go to 1/2 price books and turn in my books


• Call Cingular and get the phones switched - have to get a new SIM card once we get down there - no problemo.


• Schedule for all the utilities to be turned off - doing this tonight (SHIT! Tonight!)


• Confirm that the rental office got my lease termination


• Submit a change of address form - need to figure out the best way to handle this


• Hire cleaning person for the current place - I did this - he's got another list as long as my arm for stuff to


• Contact the credit union and make arrangements for my loans - That was easy enough - just had to switch it from payroll payments to another kind.


• Find the paperwork to pay off the 401(k) - found it, just need to send it off - I guess I'll get to money order when I go to the credit union today Sent!


• Transfer my personal documents from my work computer - gotta LOVE Yahoo Briefcase!


• Figure out what to pack for the two week break - PS2, clothes, toiletries, some books.....


• Get bigger cat carrier with portable litter box


• Start throwing shit away


• Call relopeople to help us find temp housing - called them, she suggested that we find a hotel since it's only for two weeks. Got the hotel - *sigh* expensive, yes!


• Call HR chickie to call new landlord and verify employment


• Start packing my cubicle - started at least


• rent hitch for extra room while driving down. We decided we shouldn't need THAT much extra room


• make list of freecycle worthy stuff not enough time!


• Call new landlord and see if he minds us sending our mail to the house, and whether we can MOVE on the 1st.


• .....

Stuff To do

• Get drugs for cats


• Get apartment


• Figure out what to do with the furniture that we want to leave


• Find/rent a pump to empty the waterbed


• Go to 1/2 price books and turn in my books


• Call Cingular and get the phones switched


• Schedule for all the utilities to be turned off.


• Confirm that the rental office got my lease termination


• Submit a change of address form


• Hire cleaning lady for the current place


• Contact the credit union and make arrangements for my loans


• Find the paperwork to pay off the 401(k)


• Transfer my personal documents from my work computer


• .......

Sheesh...

Okay - stuff is going like crazy! I've got so much crap to do in the next 5 days - FIVE! Yipes!

Just a quick few lines - it's 3pm on Friday, I wanna go home, but it's still too early to cut out. Esp. since I'm taking monday off.

Had the first of my going on things last night - a bunch of giddy gals getting together for half price martinis - talk about a LOAD of fun.

Trying to write my farewell email - it's odd - I don't wanna be all fulla meself, but I wanna be me at the same time.

Heh.

Okay - brain going 'WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE'

More later. 

maybe.

Memphis Mafia

Wow ladies!!! Talk about making a gal feel welcomed! I look forward to meeting & marghriting with all of ya'll!!

Life...

Okay. Things are going pretty well. This is going to be a bulleted entry (see - that's how you KNOW there is too much crap going on in my head!)

• Have a list of 8 apartments - me & C have fallen in LOVE with one place (just the description and the pictures) expensive - ooohhh expensive - but gorgeous! We are going to go down to Memphis next weekend to check them all out, and hopefully pick one.


• The mover-type dude should be at the apartment now doing the survey to figure out how long it's going to take to pack us up. Packing on the 16th, moving on the 18th, my last day at work is the 17th.


• Got my bonus today! Am going to go home, find the 401(k) loan info, and pay that biaatch off!


• Going home tonight and going to go through all of my books so that I can cart them to the HalfPrice Bookstore tomorrow and get some luche.


• Need to drop off the library books I have now.


• Need to call the OB/GYN and cancel my appointment.


• Need to talk to the leasing company about breaking my lease.


• Need to get a new copy of the title for my car


• Need to get online access to the insurance company


• Need to get a moving checklist

I think that's about it......as far as I can recall right now.  *sigh* So fast and so slow all at once. Le GAH!

Edited: I work fast! I love lists!

No more twitching (sosheclaims)

now, it's just mad busyness. I got the final confirmation yesterday evening, and now - whoosh.

I turned in the letter of resignation this morning, and my last day here will bethe 17th. My first day there will be the 21st. My first concern/push is going to be getting an apartment. I've got a couple of fish on the string, but nothing concrete yet. They offer storage for 90 days, so I'm still going to schedule the movers for the 18th.

I've got two weekends to work it out. I'm thinking that this weekend, I'll FINALLY go through my books, and start pulling out the stuff that we really don't need to take with us. Next weekend, we can drive down there, and make a final decision on an apartment (it's only about 7 hours away - I'll make C drive there and back).
I'm going to have SUCH a hard time focusing on work.... really I am.

But I must - off to work!

 

*twitchtwitchtwitch* edited

*blink*

I've got utterly nothing to say. Nothing at all. I miss my books - work isn't keeping me busy enough to not think. *twitch* I have a 1:1 with my boss in a few minutes - I've found out that he knows for sure now, and I kknow that he knows that I know he knows (if ya know what I mean) and it's really freaking odd to not be able to talk about it and tell him officially. Dammit. I'm going to call home....or more accurately, call my home and see if I have any messages.
No messages. Dammit.

Gah! Meeting - thank god!

Edited:
*laugh* That was actually - rather easy. He asked me if the rumors were true (gotta love the damn grapevine) and I admitted that they were. He then congratulated me (congratulated!!?!) and we started making plans for my replacement. Holy Moly. That was actually, REALLY easy. I called the HR chickie to find out if they had gotten my paperwork....but she wasn't at her desk. At least I left her a message and she'll hopefully call me back. It might have been her lunch time, as they are an hour ahead (behind? behind I think) Indiana. So - I'm going to need to change the dates on my resignation letter, and cruise on.
Less twitchy - but I really wish she would call me back!

3/1/05

1. Here is a list of items some people would consider "expensive." Please bold all the items that you spend money on regularly or occasionally.
-Hardcover books purchased new from a local bookstore
-Full service restaurant meals
-Espresso or Cappuccino from a coffee shop
-Premium, clove, or imported cigarettes
-Exotic produce
-High end make up/cosmetics
-Premium gasoline
-Professional quality or luxury type shampoos, conditioners, etc.
-Salon services such as waxing, manicures or pedicures
-Health care
-Designer clothes, shoes, handbags
-Not from concentrate Orange juice
-Massages
-Fresh Flowers
-The latest, top of the line computer equipment
-Brand new car
-Having your car professionally detailed
-Premium digital cable TV

2. Of the things that you bolded above, are there any that you consider "necessities" rather than "indulgences?" If so, which ones and why?
No - I think that they are all indulgeneces - nice little things to have, but certainly items I can live without.

3. Of the items listed in number one, which would you NEVER purchase, and why?
Premium gasoline - I doubt that I'll ever OWN a car that really needs it.

4. Name two or three of your favorite vices. How much money do you estimate you spent on them in the last six months?
Ohhh - cigarettes, books, and alcohol. Over the last six months? At least 500.00 bucks.....and that's mostly for the books!

5. How much do you pay for a bottle of shampoo?
Ummm - about 3 bucks? I've started to go with the cheaper shampoos, since I use so dang much of it. I really drop the cash on conditioner though - yowch!

6. When a new book by your favorite author comes out, do you run out to your nearest bookstore and buy it immediately no matter what the cost? If not, what do you do instead?
No - never. I either get it from the library and read it, or wait till it comes out in paperback.

7. What is the most money you ever paid for a meal out? Describe the meal. Was it worth it?
The most? Maybe 180.00 for me & C. But as our standard meal is usually around 100.00 anyhow - I don't really remember.

8. How many times per week do you eat out? Fast food or dine in?
Maybe twice a month we do to a restaurant - maybe once a week we'll get some fast food.

9. Is your primary vehicle considered a "gas guzzler?"
Oh heeellll no. I get close to 40 miles to the gallon (gotta love a stick) and with normal driving/errands a full tank will last me for about 2 weeks.

10. What's the most you ever paid for a car?
16K I think? For my first, (and most likely ONLY) brand new Mazda.

11. Describe your favorite personal care or cosmetic indulgence and tell how much it cost.
Umm....I'd guess it would have to be my Patene conditioner. I don't think I've used anything else in well over 5 years, and a bottle costs about 7 bucks - but I go through about a bottle every three months - so that's really not much.

12. Do you ever shop as a recreational activity when you don't actually NEED anything at the moment?
Only books - but who really ever NEEDS books (outside of school books of course!)

13. Are you willing to pay extra to buy at locally owned shops versus discount stores? Why or why not?
*hangs head* I'm ashamed to say that I am not willing to pay extra for ANYTHING.

14. Is there any kind of health care that you are scrimping on right now because it is so costly that you can't justify the expense?
Nope - thankfully we are both in great health.

15. Do you hire help to clean your home? How often and for how much money?
Ohhh....that's a dream of mine - I would loooovvveee to have a maid, but no.

16. If you drink coffee, what kind do you drink and how much does it cost? Do you make it at home or do you buy it at the coffee shop? Is it McDonald's rotgut coffee? Have you ever belonged to Gevalia or a similar service?
I get coffee from the office coffeshop ocassionaly - about two bucks for a 'tall'. That's it - I'm not that into coffee.

17. Plain old toothbrush or high priced sonic toothbrush?
I've got one of those cheapie Crest ones - which I hate as the batteries are always going wonky. I need to get a regular old one again.

18. What is your favorite non-necessity indulgence? How much does it cost? Why is it worth it? How often do you allow yourself this indulgence?
Books, dude, books. I try to shop cheap - library sales, half-price bookstore, dollar store - but I'm usually helpless to the lure of a fresh, unmarked, lovely book. I'd sayI spend close to a grand a year on books/magazines, and I allow myself it almost every time I walk past a bookstore. Yes, I'm a nerdy mcnerd.