It's almost here

Very excited about Christmas this year b/c Kate makes it so fun. She sings Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. She knows 90% of the words and will sometimes combine songs to be silly, like Frosty with a shiny nose. We went to Toys R Us today, a place we rarely go, and got a couple last things for Kate. We picked up a stocking stuffer - paint and brush all in one set with 4 colors - and Goodnight Moon board-game plus Madagascar puzzle. I can hardly wait for her to open her gifts. She is also getting a "soft pony", ie Webkinz brown Arabian and Todd picked up a paint your own pony set. Oh, and Grandma got her an A to Z Zoo with 26 animals figures. I think she will love it.

We saw Yes today with Jim Carrey - a must-see, very funny movie!!

Finally a moment to breathe

Been wanting to post for a few days now but had a take-home final exam for one of my classes. It was due tonight. Turned it in a couple of hours ago so now this semester is finally finished. Only 5 more semesters to go....

Been taking lots of Airborne in the last 24 hrs...came home from work yesterday with a slight fever, sore throat, and runny nose. It is no wonder - Kate has been sick off and on (mostly on) for about 5 weeks now. It is just crazy. The poor child has a cough that won't go away. Before that it was stuffy nose. I feel so bad for her.

I like being back to work - it feels so normal to be in an office setting again. On the other hand, I am busier now and I sure do miss Kate some days. Weekends are just not long enough. I am glad for the month break until school starts again - I will have more time for her in the evenings and weekends. My company is great - nice people and laid back about things. I can connect to work from home so I can opt to work from home once in a while. My boss suggested I take off or work from home on Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas. I wasn't even going to ask to be off since I am so new. She told me I should.

Sold my first Mary Kay at the office - my boss bought Satin Lips. Trying to make sure everyone at work knows I sell MK - can't hurt to get some new customers.

She's gone!

Todd and Kate dropped mom at the airport this afternoon - it was getting very stressful for me. I am glad for Kate - she loves spending time with her grandma. Still I am glad it is not too much time b/c my mom has many theories/ideas with which I do NOT agree. For starters she is prejudice and I do not want Kate exposed to that. She said to Todd, and I quote, "Obama is an evil, evil man who hates white people and his grandma". She jokingly (?) told Todd she might have to stop speaking to us b/c we voted for Obama. She snaps at me for the littlest disagreement, meaning if I don't agree with her 100%, then I am wrong and she is right. If I even suggest their are other viewpoints, she gets angry. Also, she is very rude to people at times. We took her to the YMCA as our guest to workout. The lady at the front desk asked her to sign in and she got nasty with the lady - "well, why do I have to do that? I've been here 2x before and didn't have to do that." Her tone was not nice. As Todd always reminds me, mom is mom and at this point in her life she is not going to change. Doesn't make her any less irritating.

Kate is loving Christmas time. We bought a tree, pre-lit, from Lowe's and put it up yesterday. She loves it. Also we went to Michaels and got her a kit to make her own ornaments - she, Todd, and mom made some this morning. Kate's wishes for Christmas are a hard pony (My Little Pony) and a soft pony (stuffed animal pony) plus a blue pickup truck. We have a plastic snow globe with a Santa in it and she loves it. It plays music when you push the button - it was the first thing she went to this morning. I've always liked Christmas but it is so much more fun with a child.

Very glad to have this extended break from my new job. It has been tough working so much after so long of not working. It was, however, very exciting to deposit my first 40 hour a week paycheck in over two years. Did some shopping with LLBean.com this week - got some clothes for work and some new warm pjs for Kate.

Weekly update

It has been "cold" this whole week. Poor Kate, she has been complaining about cold hands on the playground at school. We are going to get her some gloves this weekend. Her little knuckles are getting red and dry. It doesn't usually stay this cool for this long here, especially this time of year. I love it but I am out of warm clothes too, especially for work. Darn - will have to go shopping - what a shame.... :)

I finally uploaded the Halloween pictures and Kate's new "big girl" bed. Will attach to this post.

Last night Todd and I went out to dinner and bowling (have a sore arm today). Carrie, our babysitter, came over and Kate was so happy to see her. Kate actually told us to "leave now". Carrie couldn't believe the change - the last time she watched Kate about 3 months ago, Kate cried when we left. School has made a big change for her. She is much more confident about her abilities and the knowledge that Mommy and Daddy always come back.

Speaking of school, Kate has a "boyfriend". Not really, but a little guy in her class named Ty, is her favorite classmate and Ty has to hug AND kiss her before she leaves at the end of the day. He is shorter than Kate and barely speaks versus Kate's non-stop talking. It is funny. Apparently Ty talks about Kate at home too, per his mom.

Hallelujah!

Finally took the GMAT this morning - so glad that is over. Score is slightly lower than my goal but I think it is good enough for the school to officially "accept" me. They said my course grades would be the biggest deciding factor and those are both 'A's right now. December 6th is our last class session for this semester. I will be glad for the break for a month until next classes start.

First week of my new job went well. Co-workers have been friendly and nice. They set all new people up with a 'buddy'. My buddy took me out to lunch on Wed. I see extreme busyness in my future - learning like crazy. There is lots to do. So far I upgraded my computer monitor and got a different keyboard tray.

Can't believe Thanksgiving is almost here. My mom is coming to visit. She and Kate will be spending the day before together since Todd & I will both be working. That should be interesting.

On that note, Todd is getting laid-off after Thanksgiving. We sort of knew this might happen eventually. Todd has been job hunting. There will be some severance package - we are waiting for the official paperwork.

By the way, if you haven't seen Get Smart, I highly recommend it. I laughed so hard - very funny stuff.

It's Saturday

Yesterday was my last day of freedom - can't believe I really start work on Monday. I had to go pee in a cup yesterday - just hate that. It feels so invasive. Just spent an hour or so trying to contact some of my Mary Kay customers. I can't believe how time just flies by and next thing I know it has been 6 months since I last spoke to her. I am not pursuing any new business right now - just maintaining the customers I already have.

Turned in my last paper yesterday. Have an oral presentation with slides due tomorrow and then a final. Our last day of class this semester is Dec 6th.

Took Kate to see Madagascar 2 this morning - she had been waiting and waiting for it to come out. It was good - even for adults - some great 'adult' humor that the kids don't understand.

Maybe this weekend I will finally have time to upload the camera with Halloween pics.

Good news!

WooHoo - I am now in the ranks of the Employed! The big job, the multiple interview, close to home job finally called me yesterday and made me an offer. I start on Nov 17th. I will be eligible for benefits on Jan. 1. Best part is the salary is the highest since I've been here in FL and the job is so close to home. It took 4 months but it was worth it. I used affirmations almost every day for this job and it worked!

Kate is doing much better. Get this - 3 am Todd gets up to pee and decides he should check on Kate. He finds her, sound asleep, with her feet on the floor, bent over with upper body and head leaning on bed. He moved her bottom half back onto the bed and covered her up - he said she never even stirred. How funny is that?

We took her out for Halloween - she definitely caught on to the candy thing. I hide the candy after she went to bed last night b/c I don't want her to have it. She didn't forget and this morning wanted to know where it was. I told her the Great Pumpkin came during the night and ate it all. She said "We have to go get some more." We let her have one piece last night, a mini Reese's cup, and she really liked it.