So I got a little taste of my soon to be "new normal" (being unemployed) this week and all I have to say is that I may need to starting take some super vitamins.
So far I have survived a trip to the coast, two trips to the water park, and a trip to the zoo with the kids....by myself. Don't get me wrong -I had a great time, but right now I am so freakin tired my eyes feel like there's a slow acid drip eating away at them. Sweet.
My boys are loving this new routine - I can tell they're trying to figure out what they could have possibly done that was so awesome as to deserve all of these exciting adventures with Mommy.
However, they're not going to be to happy when they wake up tomorrow morning and find out they have to go to school/daycare - at least for another whopping four days as that is all I have left to work. Quite frankly they're going to be pissed off and I completely understand - I don't want to go to work tomorrow either. Like I said in my last post, I'm actually looking forward to spending more time with the boys while there's still a good chunk of summertime left. And isn't there such a thing as "short timers" syndrome - or does that only apply to high school seniors?
Anyway, I also have a gnawing feeling that I am going to jump through all the hoops to get signed up for unemployment and Cobra to just turn around and not need it. At least that's my hope..sort of. Does that even make sense?? I do want this layoff to be a temporary thing, but just not too temporary. How crazy is that? I must sound like a complete idiot!
Oh well, if I do sound like a raving lunatic I'm placing the blame squarely on my fatigued body, my water-logged brain, my sunburned back and the stomachache I have from eating a Big N Tasty at McD's this afternoon with the kids!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Downsized....and I'm not talking about my waistline.
The inevitable has finally happened - I have been "let go" as of today. Or I guess I should say "temporarily" let go as of today.
I'm really not surprised - the writing on the wall has been there for quite a few months. Our work has slowed down to barely a drizzle and it's been painfully slow and boring at work.
My boss is calling this a "temporary thing" and has already told me that he will need me back on board in as soon as a month or two if the company wins any of the project bids that we currently have out right now.
So for now my plan is to apply for unemployment and COBRA and to look at the positives in this situation - which to me appear to be numerous. To begin with, I'm going to get to spend more time with my boys and they will be super happy about that. Secondly, this could be the break I need to decide if this is the path I want to continue down. I stumbled into this work quite on accident and just kept chugging along quite frankly because the job fit my needs at the time. But now I'll have a chance to look at what else is out there and actually go for other opportunities without feeling like I'm going behind my boss' back. If I do decide this is what I want to do and here is where I want to be, then it will only be a matter of time until things return to work as usual around here, and I can definitely live with that.
My biggest concern in this whole situation is my poor husband. I think I better have a nice cold beer waiting for him when I break the news to him tonight!
I'm really not surprised - the writing on the wall has been there for quite a few months. Our work has slowed down to barely a drizzle and it's been painfully slow and boring at work.
My boss is calling this a "temporary thing" and has already told me that he will need me back on board in as soon as a month or two if the company wins any of the project bids that we currently have out right now.
So for now my plan is to apply for unemployment and COBRA and to look at the positives in this situation - which to me appear to be numerous. To begin with, I'm going to get to spend more time with my boys and they will be super happy about that. Secondly, this could be the break I need to decide if this is the path I want to continue down. I stumbled into this work quite on accident and just kept chugging along quite frankly because the job fit my needs at the time. But now I'll have a chance to look at what else is out there and actually go for other opportunities without feeling like I'm going behind my boss' back. If I do decide this is what I want to do and here is where I want to be, then it will only be a matter of time until things return to work as usual around here, and I can definitely live with that.
My biggest concern in this whole situation is my poor husband. I think I better have a nice cold beer waiting for him when I break the news to him tonight!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
As promised......
The saying 'better late than never' certainly rings true on my blog. I have been trying to post my Hawaii pictures for some time now but lately it seemd like one thing after another has popped up and then "poof" the day is gone.
So without further delay, here are just a smattering of shots from my recent vacation - that already feels like a distant memory. How sad, huh?
This is a shot of Little D strollin towards the water at Chuns on the North Shore.
Here's my hubby getting high of the Plumeria flowers we used for the wedding leis. The scent was heavenly!
This is Kellen's first catch of the trip. He loves going "Gecko hunting" in Grampa's backyard. If you look closely, you can see a dark spot right behind the Gecko's eye. They only get those spots when they're really pissed off.
Little D is getting a piggy-back from his cousin, Sean. He had so much fun playing with his cousins and hangin' with the "big boys".
Little D wasn't sure what to make of the prehistoric looking Jackson Chameleon that Daddy caught. It took him a while to warm up to it and he never did touch it.
The Captain hanging out with his cousin, Marisa. Yes, her daddy has his shotgun loaded.
Little D strolling the resort grounds at the wedding rehearsal
The Captain being cute with a fan
Can you believe these two are cousins? Little D is the only blond-haired, blue-eyed kid in the entire family. He definitely sticks out.
My sister-in-law made a beautiful bride.
I could have laid here for days on end.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Back to Normal
Hellloooo everyone! Wow it's nice to be back!
It's been one week since we returned from Hawaii and we're just now starting to re-adjust to mainland time. I do have to say that letting the kids sleep until 9 in the mornings has been heaven, but getting them to bed hasn't been much fun.
Anyway, we had a pretty good time even though we had to deal with some not-so-nice bumps in the road (stomach flu, a couple of trips to the doctor, allergies, and super hot weather) before the fun could really begin. But overall, the boys had a great time and the poor Captain cried all the way from Grampa's house to the airport because he didn't want to leave.
I think I mentioned in my last post that we visit Hawaii often - like every year or so because my husband's entire family lives there. And during every visit we toy with the idea of moving over there because we really want to be closer to family. So we look around at homes for sale and try to figure out how in the world we could possibly afford a $600,000.00 mortgage AND still feed and cloth ourselves.
But this visit was definitely different. For once we looked at the situation without the rose-colored vacation glasses we were wearing on previous visits and really thought about what it would be like to actually live there - and we decided that we're pretty happy right where we are.
Yes, Hawaii is beautiful, but the island my husband's family lives on is also very crowded too. He's grown accustomed to having his space, his "room to roam" I guess you could call it. He likes having a big back yard and he likes to go places without feeling like the entire universe is there too. And like I already mentioned, we both like to idea of being able to feed and cloth our family - things we're seriously afraid would be hard to do and own a home at the same time because it's just so damn expensive there.
It's a real bummer that we're not closer to our families, but it does feel good to finally have made a decision. I feel like we can finally start letting our roots run down deep. I guess there's really something to that saying "Bloom where you are planted"
And I know I promised pictures and I will deliver - once I figure out why my office computer (where my pictures are stored) isn't connecting to the Internet. Like I said, everything is back to normal.
It's been one week since we returned from Hawaii and we're just now starting to re-adjust to mainland time. I do have to say that letting the kids sleep until 9 in the mornings has been heaven, but getting them to bed hasn't been much fun.
Anyway, we had a pretty good time even though we had to deal with some not-so-nice bumps in the road (stomach flu, a couple of trips to the doctor, allergies, and super hot weather) before the fun could really begin. But overall, the boys had a great time and the poor Captain cried all the way from Grampa's house to the airport because he didn't want to leave.
I think I mentioned in my last post that we visit Hawaii often - like every year or so because my husband's entire family lives there. And during every visit we toy with the idea of moving over there because we really want to be closer to family. So we look around at homes for sale and try to figure out how in the world we could possibly afford a $600,000.00 mortgage AND still feed and cloth ourselves.
But this visit was definitely different. For once we looked at the situation without the rose-colored vacation glasses we were wearing on previous visits and really thought about what it would be like to actually live there - and we decided that we're pretty happy right where we are.
Yes, Hawaii is beautiful, but the island my husband's family lives on is also very crowded too. He's grown accustomed to having his space, his "room to roam" I guess you could call it. He likes having a big back yard and he likes to go places without feeling like the entire universe is there too. And like I already mentioned, we both like to idea of being able to feed and cloth our family - things we're seriously afraid would be hard to do and own a home at the same time because it's just so damn expensive there.
It's a real bummer that we're not closer to our families, but it does feel good to finally have made a decision. I feel like we can finally start letting our roots run down deep. I guess there's really something to that saying "Bloom where you are planted"
And I know I promised pictures and I will deliver - once I figure out why my office computer (where my pictures are stored) isn't connecting to the Internet. Like I said, everything is back to normal.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Kickin' It
Last night I was in the kitchen fretting over what to make for dinner when I heard this weird buzzing sound coming from the living room. My first thought was that the boys discovered my recent Pure Romance purchase, but then I remembered that the device still needed batteries.
So, with my curiousity peaked I walked into the living room where I found Little D. He was kicking back in his stuffed Thomas the Train chair with his binkie in his mouth and his little tootsies on my foot massager. I had to laugh it was so cute! And then I thought, 'dang, this kid's only 2 and he already knows how to relax like a pro!'
Speaking of kicking back, I probably won't be doing much in the way of blogging for the next couple of weeks because we're leaving tonight for 2 weeks in Hawaii. Yes, two weeks. My hubby is from Hawaii so we visit every other year and stay for at least a couple of weeks each time.
This particular trip is going to be crazy though as his little sister is getting married. I am afraid I'm going to be so stressed out by the end of this trip that I may need a little vacation from my vacation, but we'll see.
I will at least try to keep up with all of my favorite blogs in the meantime. Oh, and also try not to worry about all of my plants dying, or the cat barfing on our bed or all over the couch or the house burning down while we're away. Sigh.
Now off to the airport!
So, with my curiousity peaked I walked into the living room where I found Little D. He was kicking back in his stuffed Thomas the Train chair with his binkie in his mouth and his little tootsies on my foot massager. I had to laugh it was so cute! And then I thought, 'dang, this kid's only 2 and he already knows how to relax like a pro!'
Speaking of kicking back, I probably won't be doing much in the way of blogging for the next couple of weeks because we're leaving tonight for 2 weeks in Hawaii. Yes, two weeks. My hubby is from Hawaii so we visit every other year and stay for at least a couple of weeks each time.
This particular trip is going to be crazy though as his little sister is getting married. I am afraid I'm going to be so stressed out by the end of this trip that I may need a little vacation from my vacation, but we'll see.
I will at least try to keep up with all of my favorite blogs in the meantime. Oh, and also try not to worry about all of my plants dying, or the cat barfing on our bed or all over the couch or the house burning down while we're away. Sigh.
Now off to the airport!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Love Speak
I love to say "I love you". I really, really do. I tell my kids and my hubby I love them several times a day. I tell my cat I love her. I tell the chocolate I eat almost daily that I love it. I tell my closest girlfriends I love them. I tell my closest girlfriends' kids I love them too. I just believe that a person can't hear "I love you" enough!
I know my penchant for the "L" word has something to do with how I was raised. My parents told me they loved me all the time and encouraged me to be open with my feelings. I was also a very affectionate kid. I remember draping myself like a blanket across my dad's lap and making him scratch my back for hours while he watched t.v. I remember him telling my mom that they would be in some serious trouble if I ever found a boy who knew my weaknesses.
Well, fast forward 20 - something odd years. I didn't find that boy who will scratch my back for hours on end. In fact, he's quite the opposite -he's not a very good snuggler, he doesn't say "I love you" very often, and he scoffs at sappy, romantic movies and commercials. We both joke about how he doesn't have a romantic bone in his body.
Yet, despite all of this, he's the best boy a girl could ever wish for. He's thoughtful and respectful, he's faithful to the core, he cooks, cleans, does the laundry, takes care of the yard, and does anything else that's he's asked to do. He's a hard worker and he's responsible with money. He would rather hang out with his family then go out with his friends. And he buys amazing birthday gifts. He's an incredible father who always has time for his boys. He's gentle and kind and believes that actions speak louder than words.
I will be honest, when we first began dating, I had some trouble getting used to his reserved nature. I, of course, told him I loved him first -which completely freaked him out. It took him something like 6 or 7 loooong months to tell me he loved me. By then, I knew him well enough to know that he meant it with all his heart.
Today I'm a lot easier on him. We joke about how he has passed on his "snuggling duties" to The Captain (I swear that kid would snuggle with a cactus if he could) and I don't freak out if he doesn't say "I love you" for several weeks. All I have to do is stop and watch him be him and I hear it loud and clear.
Head on over to Sprite's Keeper for a whole bunch 'o lovin and some really great Spins.
I know my penchant for the "L" word has something to do with how I was raised. My parents told me they loved me all the time and encouraged me to be open with my feelings. I was also a very affectionate kid. I remember draping myself like a blanket across my dad's lap and making him scratch my back for hours while he watched t.v. I remember him telling my mom that they would be in some serious trouble if I ever found a boy who knew my weaknesses.
Well, fast forward 20 - something odd years. I didn't find that boy who will scratch my back for hours on end. In fact, he's quite the opposite -he's not a very good snuggler, he doesn't say "I love you" very often, and he scoffs at sappy, romantic movies and commercials. We both joke about how he doesn't have a romantic bone in his body.
Yet, despite all of this, he's the best boy a girl could ever wish for. He's thoughtful and respectful, he's faithful to the core, he cooks, cleans, does the laundry, takes care of the yard, and does anything else that's he's asked to do. He's a hard worker and he's responsible with money. He would rather hang out with his family then go out with his friends. And he buys amazing birthday gifts. He's an incredible father who always has time for his boys. He's gentle and kind and believes that actions speak louder than words.
I will be honest, when we first began dating, I had some trouble getting used to his reserved nature. I, of course, told him I loved him first -which completely freaked him out. It took him something like 6 or 7 loooong months to tell me he loved me. By then, I knew him well enough to know that he meant it with all his heart.
Today I'm a lot easier on him. We joke about how he has passed on his "snuggling duties" to The Captain (I swear that kid would snuggle with a cactus if he could) and I don't freak out if he doesn't say "I love you" for several weeks. All I have to do is stop and watch him be him and I hear it loud and clear.
Head on over to Sprite's Keeper for a whole bunch 'o lovin and some really great Spins.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Whatever Mom!
My husband took this picture of The Captain the other day while they were out "snake hunting".
Pretty cute isn't it?
That's what I thought - until I realized that The Captain is actually talking to me on that cell phone he's holding. I was probably telling him to be careful and to listen to his daddy and to wash his hands before he eats his snack and to make sure he put more sunscreen on.
I think his face says it all. I can only imagine what he'll be like when he's 16.
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