Monday, February 28, 2011

YAY me!!!!!




So, today I celebrated 6 years at Rider University. This is the longest amount of time I've spent working for a single company. I have to say, I am truly grateful for the opportunity I was given 6 years ago, as well as the new opportunity I am given now in my new location in my office. Today was rather special and symbolic to me. And, to top it off, I had a beautiful delivery of flowers sent to me from my husband. Nice! It really made me feel special, and I am so lucky to be loved and appreciated like I am.
JDM came in and he was so happy to see me in my new workspace. He gave me a big high five and complimented the area that was created for me. I honestly hope this change brings new and positive changes and everything within my career. I do love my job, and I look forward to the up and coming spring season. It will be awesome.

So, I didn't mention it yesterday in my blog, BUT... I got a brand new, gorgeous, amazing camera as an early Birthday gift. It's simply awesome. So much to learn, and it brings me a few steps closer to taking some amazing photo's in the future. I love photography. I am really going to work hard on taking some incredible pictures. They hold much of memories. Without them, we may forget pieces of our journey. It's those every day photo's that remind us of who we are, and where we've been. I don't want to miss a thing.

I'm a little tired tonight. My lovely little high maintenance girl woke me up at 4:30 a.m with a few text messages. I hate that she was having a bad night's sleep, but it was also instant issue for me. Her problem = my problem. I always want to be there for her, but if there's nothing I can do to help her, why on earth would she harass me? lol!!!

Last night we had a nice time at Mom and Dad's for dinner. It has been way to long since we'd been there. I know they enjoyed having us over. I definitely have to make more time to spend with them. It used to seem so easy to make simple plans like that. With the kids getting older, and the fact that they have more of a social life, and every day stuff just taking up time, it's been so hard to get back to basics. It was nice. Even the ride there and back was good. It forced us to spend time talking as a family. We laughed, exchanged vacation ideas, both serious and silly.. and Brandon drove both there and back. Nice. We have to do that more often. I don't want the kids to grow up so fast, but it's just the way it happens. I so love my children.

Tonight George is coming over to exterminate. YAY!!!!!! We've been having this issue with ants. I HATE ants. I could share a story about my experience with ants, but if I do I will get sick to my stomach and grossed out, so I will refrain!

Monday. What a busy Monday........

Peace.

Monday's Thought Provoking Question...

Sunday, February 27, 2011



Thank you god for putting a wonderful person on this earth who has taken my cats and given them a nice, warm, safe home, together. I have been struggling with this for weeks, and I've prayed for them day and night... My faith in good people has been somewhat restored and I am so grateful that there are still some really good people out there. I can now rest easy and find peace again in my heart over this whole mess with the cats. I can close this chapter of my life and move forward with a clear mind. It has been eating away at me and causing me so much pain. It hasn't been easy. It's the best way I can put it. The daily search on my travels to and from work will now come to an end. Thank you sweet lady, and thank you god for listening.......

Peace.
Sunday Morning.....

Coffee and Postsecret in bed. :)

I woke up early. But, luckily, unlike yesterday... I didn't wake up feeling like I had a hangover. It's bad enough when you wake up feeling that way after a night of drinking, but it's bizarre when you have that same feeling after a night of Non drinking! :) Hangover's stink! They make you feel like you never want to drink again. ((until next time)).

So, it's 8:00 a.m. I'm already stressing about going back to work tomorrow. I feel overly exposed in the location I'm in. I hope I can get used to it. I must have been dreaming about it last night because it was one of the only things I was thinking about when I woke up. I wish it wasn't such a big deal, and I wish it wouldn't consume my head.

I just lost my train of thought. I can't get it back. I suppose I could revisit this place later and maybe I'll have more to say.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Home tonight. I think it's the first weekend in several weeks that there was really no big plan to go away or do anything. We tried to watch the movie "The Social Network" but it was extremely boring, so we shut it off.

Almost a non day today. One of those days where you reflect back and can't really account for your time. I did get some things done, and I took Brandon driving, for a haircut, some clothes, etc.. and took Brooke to get her upper ear pierced, but other than that, and a few stops at some stores, nothing major.

I don't feel good. Being a woman is fantastic, but once a month it's painful and draining... I hope I feel better tomorrow with more energy.

Quiet house tonight. No friends here for Brandon, and Brooke is sleeping at Haley's Not a usual Saturday night when the kids are home. It's all around quiet. Not a bad thing.

Did you ever feel hung over but you weren't even drinking? That's how I feel right now. I have a lot to do today, and I'm looking forward to getting out and doing it, but I am a slug! I have a headache, and I feel like I drank a gallon of some really strong kind of alcohol. lol

So my move went well yesterday. I actually have to still find room for some of my things because I've "downsized", but It will be okay. I'm just going to have to get used to it over there....

Last night Tyler and Brooke went to the mall. I didn't check on her a thousand times because she was with him. I felt more at ease than when she goes with her girlfriends. I hope he treats her nice. They are both so excited about being boyfriend and girlfriend. He is really her first official boyfriend. She may not agree, but I see it rather clearly. She's been in love with that boy for the past year and a half.

I better jump in the shower. Things to do today..... Shopping, haircuts, etc...kids...

Life

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Thursday


Well, today was officially my last day in my area at work after nearly 3 years! I didn't think about it much, but I do believe I'll miss my first spot in the office of University Advancement. Tomorrow I will move on over to the other side, and be steps closer to some of the greatest people in the office. I am being supported by the Assistant Vice President of the University to move forward and up in the company. With his guidance, I look forward to some bigger and better opportunities that will be coming my way. I hope to move on to the next level and out of the union within the next 18 months. Although it will take time, I believe in what will be.

And, I also made some fun plans for mid March, when Rider gives us a day off to kick off "Spring Break". I look forward to yet another fun filled weekend with our friends Jimm and Monica! We'll start off with a fun night at the Casino's and a free night at the Taj and the Marina, and then on Saturday we'll head on over to the Passport Inn over in Absecon for our casual night of drinking, smoking cigars, and being silly. I hope it's a nice night! Heck, I'll even bring some outside chairs and sit out there with my bestie and our scented, fruit flavored cigars!!! lol

Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday! I haven't had a bad week, but again, I am ready for the weekend to begin. I don't have any big plans yet, other than Sunday when my parents come over for dinner... but I am looking forward to having off. :)

I have totally and completely failed the 356 day photo project. Heck, I'm not even sure where my camera is right now!!!

Tonight I cooked a fun and easy dinner. And soon I will get my sorry behind on the treadmill. I am not giving up. I don't care how bad it hurts my hip. I am going to get into shape!!!!! UGH!!!!!

Oh, and last but certainly not least. Tyler FINALLY asked Brooke out. I'm nervous. If he breaks her heart, I will just shake him so hard. This girl has been crazy for him for so long, and she is so excited right now. I hope he treats her nice and is respectful to her. It's hard enough being a regular teenager... but a teenager in love is twice as hard!!!!! Fingers crossed.


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I conquered my treadmill tonight! Yay me!!!!!!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011



Missing my Hump Day Pictures? :)

How's this one?

Happy Hump day.

Amazing how a little editing of a photo can make such beautiful art. :)


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Watching Survivor.
Got on the treadmill tonight.

Went driving with my boy and we had the best belly laugh. I LOVE laughing. It feels SOOOO good. We have a lot of special, funny moments together.... seriously. I don't know what it is, but when I'm with him, we both notice a lot of the same "strange" things... and he's very observant, just like me.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011


So today I was feeling more like my old self. I have been way off for awhile, and I've hated it. Today, I felt like me again. I wonder just how much it's the weather, or the daily stresses of life that seem to get me down. I enjoyed feeling good. I definitely don't enjoy feeling blue..... I'm going to work really hard at keeping myself feeling good and well.

Work was also less stressful today. It was actually the best day of non stress since I came back after the Christmas season. I didn't get a whole lot of packing done for my move, but I do plan on getting a bunch of that stuff done tomorrow. By this Friday I should be totally moved to my new location in the office. It's been really weighing heavy on me, but I also know that I'm very much a creature of habit, and any change in life seems to affect me emotionally. I really appreciate Ed taking the time to invite me into his office, and having such a good conversation with me. I don't want to feel angry and resentful. I hate both of those emotions and I know they don't equal anything positive or productive. I am hoping that I'll be in a whole new position with my career in the next 18 months. I'm going to put everything into it, and with that, I do expect some really positive results.

I was happy to breathe the air outside when I left work today. It was actually very beautiful outside. When I came in this morning, it was snowy and freezing. I can't say enough just how much I look forward to Spring!

I got some weekend stuff accomplished tonight when I got home from work. I didn't do my usual chores since we were away, so I am trying to catch up so this weekend won't be so overwhelming. I'm looking forward to having some fun on Friday and or Saturday. I think it's good to try to keep things going in a happy direction. I've had like 3 good weekends in a row. I don't want things to head in the other direction. I will do all that I can to keep it nice, happy, fun and playful.

I'm not getting on the treadmill tonight. But, I'm sitting a little closer to it. :) Does that count? Tomorrow I plan on putting 30 minutes in. If I can do that a few times a week to start, I'll move up to 45 minutes next week! I really really want to get in better shape this year. The better shape I'm in, the better I feel. I can't wait until all the yummy fruits and vegetables are in season. I love some healthy, delicious salads.

4 weeks until Spring. I don't want to wish any of my life away, but I am so ready for the sunshine and warm weather!

Peace.

Monday, February 21, 2011

 
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Monday.

I'm going to trust that what he tells me is the truth and I'm going to move forward with caution. I don't want to feel miserable like I've been feeling..... especially when we tend to spend half our lives at work. It's best to feel good while we're there. I'm certain that Ed means every word he says, and I know it will take some time, I'm not in a big hurry... As long as I know there's a plan for me, and I have Ed's support, I will trust that all of this is for the best.

So, today wasn't that terrible.

Monday's Thought Provoking Question

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Home sweet Home.....


What a weekend!!!! First of all, I want to say this... I have NEVER, in my 42 years experienced SO much wind!!!! WOW! I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO scared driving in that. We were going over a bridge headed to Atlantic City and I was sure my little black car was going to do a big fat flip into the Bay. I held on tight and drove over that skinny tall bridge like an old lady. I couldn't believe how bad the car was pulling against me. Super scary. But, once we got to the Casino's, we were safe and sound. The drive back wasn't so bad. It was less scary then the drive there.

Okay, so the weekend. It was simply awesome. Really what I needed, especially after what I went through at work all week. I needed to get away from it all and really stop thinking about everything for a little bit. I did well not spending time complaining or going over everything that pissed me off...which was important for me to do to be able to have a nice time. It worked well. I brought things up only a time or two, but then I'd get right back to the moment of the weekend.

Friday night was a lot of fun. We went to Trump Marina. We learned about The Golden Nugget buying the Marina. I'll miss that place, but I'm excited to see what The Nugget will be like. The Marina is very old and a little basic and worn down, but the rooms are beautiful. I'm sure they'll make it really cool. I hope they keep that gorgeous clothing store downstairs so when I hit it big someday I can buy all my clothes there. :) It's okay to dream, right?????

Ilyn's condo is great. It's right on the main street in Wildwood. We love it there. In the winter there's not a lot happening there, but it's still nice to be so close to the ocean. There's something special to me about the ocean... maybe it goes back to my roots and growing up near the beach. It's comforting to me. I love it. I have never gone there and had a bad time. Just a good, clean crisp feeling in the air. I needed that so bad. Unfortunately, the weather was no good for walking on the boardwalk. No how, no way!

So, now back to Saturday. Woke up in the dark room. Love the dark room. This is the bedroom chosen when we stay there. It has no windows, so it's always nice and dark in there which is great for sleeping. We had big plans on sleeping in, but sleeping in for us is usually only until 7 something in the moring. :) lol In any event, it was nice to be in a dark room. Someday I'll go there and really sleep in. I guess it's hard especially on the weekend. I don't want to miss a moment... so I wake up all early and stuff, excited for the day ahead.

So, again, on Saturday we got up and had a couple of huge cups of coffee.. got ready and hit the windy roads back to Atlantic City. We went to Taj and Showboat. Wow, what a great time! And, we left with cash. That's always so much nicer than leaving with lint in our pockets! But, we spent HOURS there.. a long time! And, we played and played and played. It really was nice not thinking about the issues I'm facing on the job, and in life. NO worries... nice.

After the Casino's, we went to our most favorite Mexican restaurant. YUMMY! It's in Pleasantville. It was absolutely delicious as usual. If I lived close to that place I'm sure I would weigh about 300 pounds. So, it's better to have this place where it is... and I sure do appreciate it, and look forward to it as a treat when we're in the area. YUM!

After the restaurant we headed back to Wildwood. It wasn't too late, so when we got back we relaxed and settled in. What a great night :)
And, again..... Sunday morning we were going to sleep in......

So, this morning I was laying there wide awake when I hear, "Are you awake?" lol. It was 7:30. Coffee, relaxation, and Postsecret.... Then, time to hit the road! We left Wildwood around lunch time. The wind was gone, the sun was out, BUT... it was freezing out!!!!!

The ride was nice until the expressway was bumper to bumper for miles and miles. Fred and I decided we'd take the next exit. Where it took us, we didn't care. We just couldn't deal with the traffic. It ended up taking us one of the ways we were very familiar with, so it was no big deal. It was a nice, country like ride... until we finally ended up in Trenton. (lol) Not that there's anything wrong with Trenton. It's just a lot different to drive in than the rural roads of Jersey.

We went to some Chinese place for lunch/dinner. It was different. The food was okay, but I wasn't crazy about the place. It was sort of depressing to me. I don't think I ever want to go back there, but I'm glad I tried something new. :)

After we ate we went over to see Freddy, Mara and the kids. It was nice seeing the kids. I think they are so cute, but I also don't think that Mara should cut Freddy
5's hair. He looked exactly like Alfred E. Newman (spelling?) from the cover of Mad Magazine. I think one day Fred and I will go pick those little one's up and take them out for a nice haircut and maybe an hour or so at McDonald's playland. I think it would be good for them and good for us. It felt a little depressing seeing them today. I especially felt bad when Freddy 5 came in with his shoes and wanted help putting them on... He thought he was going somewhere with us. Then, when we left, he stood there looking all confused. It was sad...... BUT, on the bright side, maybe we'll pick them up next Saturday or Sunday morning and take them out for a bit. I'd bet Freddy and Mara could use a couple hours of kid free time.

After all of that, we finally got home with just enough time to unload our stuff from the car and head back out the door to get Brandon and Brooke. They wanted us to get them a little early, but the best we could do was get there about 30 minutes early. We picked them up and took them straight to friends houses. LOL. Since they have no school they had made plans, and of course they needed us to take them where they were going. My night isn't over yet... I have to pick Brandon and Mike up at 10:15 from Chris's house. It's a busy life being a parent. :)

I'm dreading going back to work tomorrow. I sort of stormed out of there on Friday in a mad silence. I never even said good-bye to anyone. I was way to mad and resentful to even crack a smile. I know that Ed's going to want to talk to me, and I'll be prepared for it. I am glad I sent him that email expressing my true feelings about things, and I hope he's put a lot of thought into what I've said. Either way, no matter how things play out now, it's going to suck. I hate that they put me in a spot like that. I was fine and dandy. Ed knows this whole thing sucks for me, and he knows that my points are valid and make sense. We'll just have to see what happens. Most people there are used to me just sitting there with a happy face, smiling, being nice, etc... it was hard for me to let it out, but it had to happen. I always encourage people I care about to stand up for themselves and speak their mind.. but often times I find that I am lacking in that department. Not this time. I let it out... like it or not.

I enjoyed this weekend very much. It was fun, happy, loving, passionate, sweet, silly, yummy, relaxing and sexy. I would give it 2 thumbs WAY up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow.... I just made up a little for my major lack of blogging. :)

Peace.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Wow, I haven't really done much blogging in a while. I'm going to try to catch up a little bit, but it might be in multiple messages. I have been so busy, and last week I was far too stressed out to have any interest in blogging at all.

Brandon, my 16 year old son has a girlfriend for the very first time. It's cute, and I'm really happy for him. She's a lucky girl because he's such a sweet and kind boy. They are going on their first date to the movies this Friday. I am excited for him. It should be nice.

I have no more cats. I don't really want to talk or blog about it, but it's really strange not having pets, and it's really weighed heavy on me lately. I couldn't have even posted this last week. It was too hard. I had trouble sleeping, and I would even wake up in the middle of the night thinking about them. I still feel rather sick over it, but I don't feel as terrible as I did last week. I'm hoping that eventually I will be completely over the whole thing......

Brooke had her first High School dance last week, as you know by viewing her pictures below. My only regret was that I didn't get a single picture of Brooke and I together. I hate that because I can't get those moments back. But, I am proud to have gotten as many photo's of her as I did. I think they all came out really well.

Last weekend we had Ilyn and Dave over for dinner and drinks. How fun that was!! We had all sorts of good food and great drinks. We played a game, and later in the evening we had a dance party in our living room. All 4 of us were dancing fools. It was really funny. I'm sure if the neighbors were looking through the window at us they thought we were a little crazy. We are... :)

Mom and Dad were away in Florida for a week. It was nice to see Mom back at work today. It seems they had a really nice time. I'm happy for them. I'd love to be able to take a vacation soon. I love traveling.

A lot of work lately. I have definitely not been at a loss for things to do at the office, and soon I'll be moving to a new location. I'm not really looking forward to it, but I do know it benefit me in my career in the long run. Change is simply not easy... good or bad We're all such complete creatures of habit.

Spring is in the air. I'm ready for it.

This weekend Fred and I are going to spend the weekend at the New Jersey Shore. I am so grateful that I have a fabulous friend who allows me to use her condo. The last time we went was back in November, which was also the last time anyone was there. If I were her, I'd be there all the time!!! It's so beautiful! We really enjoy going.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Friday, February 11, 2011

Monday, February 7, 2011

Monday's Thought Provoking Question



Congratulations to my son who finally passed his permit test this weekend. The third time must be the charm. But getting your permit, does this mean you are now a grown up? No.... steps closer maybe.... yes.

I listen. I pay attention... but that doesn't mean I understand. I believe that I'm not meant to right now, and I'm okay with that for today.

Life is full of surprises. I need to remember not to over react, or under react, but to listen with an open mind and a heart full of love.

Teenagers are a rare and unusual breed. I remember it like it was yesterday....and, one thing I know for sure, although I may have been there, done that, I still don't know shit... and, I'm still trying to learn.

And, another thing I know for a fact. I don't have all the answers.

Life is one big fat precious grab bag full of surprises, ups, downs, goods, bads, and gifts. We never really know what's coming next....but we keep on rolling along, hoping for the best.

Peace.


You never know what each day will bring...
And, I do understand that each day is a gift.

But one thing that really took me by surprise today:


I never expected my 16 year old son to break my heart...

Wow...

Dear lord please give me strength.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Time marches on...

Almost 10 years ago, I sat at this very table, in this very spot.. playing checkers with Fred.
Last night, I re-visited, and even sat in my spot for a moment. So much has happened since then, yet the table, chairs, and checkers remain... as though time has stood still...
Oh, I'm the QUEEN of Checkers.. I am not kidding. :)
Home....