07.31.09
Nver thought I’d say this
But I fricken LOVE wearing high heels! Wha? Me?? Yeah that’s what I thought, too.
At my last job it was all business casual so after nine years there I basically wore what I wanted without anyone saying anything, so that meant a lot of sandals, flip flops and tennis shoes. I was the QUEEN of comfort! But my new job is a much smaller corporate environment and a total business attire office. At first I was a bit intimidated by it but now I’m totally comfortable in slacks and heels daily. Last night we went to the mall and I wanted to spend some gift cards I got for my birthday so while at Macy’s I saw some beautiful deep red, sling back, peep toe heels that caught my attention. They were close to $100 so I didn’t get them, but I keep thinking about them and wishing I would’ve bought them.
*sigh* Should I go back and spend $100 on shoes I’ll only wear maybe twice a month or go buy the watch I saw when leaving Macy’s. Decisions decisions.
07.28.09
On the road to recovery
First I wanted to thank you all who sent prayers and good wishes to Mister’s recovery, I really believe in the power of prayer.
Wednesday is one week since Mister had spinal surgery and I’m glad to report he is doing AWESOME! The first few days home were hard, as expected. Thursday night when he came home, exhausted, we chilled and put the kids to bed then got him into the shower.
After the kids went to bed we sat together and talked. Mister still apologized for “ruining” my birthday dinner. lol Immediately I dismissed it with a big hug, kiss and told him You didn’t die nor are paralyzed, that’s the best gift ever. Then I cried in his arms.
Since the surgery he has shown amazing progress, he is now walking without bumping into walls and stuff because the numbness/tingling in his feet are subsiding, slowly, daily. He has also began to regain strength in his hands and grip. The following day after his release I served him his coffee in his regular coffee cup, which is a stoneware BIG cup. I was surprised when I checked on him that he hadn’t touched his coffee (Mister is a coffee whore and not drinking his morning brew is a surprise). Come to find out the mug was too heavy for his hands! lol I hadn’t even thought about the changes that would need to be made. Luckily I found a diner size cup in the cupboard which was smaller and light enough for him to hold so he now can get his coffee fix without issue.
Since he still has staples in the front of his neck (which I tell everyone looks like a sideways zipper) he can’t shower by himself yet, so I get in the shower with him, while he turns away from the spray, and wash him up. Then we move to the kitchen sink where I wash his hair.
Over the five days he’s been home he’s not only walking better but finally able to do things for himself, like pour coffee and cook. I went balls out at the market last weekend to buy enough food so i wouldn’t have to go grocery shopping for almost a month and be able to crock pot cook. But tonight he cooked dinner all by himself! I’ve gotten to the point where, as hard as it is for me, I’ve got to let him learn to do stuff on his own so he can rebuild his strength. He even vaccumed the house for me on Monday!
He goes on Thursday to get the staples removed from his neck and that will help his showering independance BIG TIME! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind showering with him but it hasn’t been the romantical thing of our past. lol
And through it all he hasn’t lost his sense of humor. The other night we were joking around and I toldhim if he didn’t shut up I was going to chase him around the living room with my staple remover and pull the suckers out myself! He said that’s fine as long as I keep the magnets away from his neck! lol
The only major sucky thing about his recovery is that he doesn’t sleep well at night with the neck brace on. We’ve been going to bed close to 11 and he’s up by 1:45 to go to the recliner for a bit then wakes me up again close to 1am to help him back to bed and then is up again by 3′ish. I’ve gotten little sleep this week but I’m not complaining (too much lol).
So he’s doing so much better but I’ve told him that his 2009 season on our new jet ski is done because I do NOT want him reinjuring himself for a few hours on the lake. There’s always next year. Thankfully he doesn’t fight me on things like this.
So that’s the update on Mister, he’s healing just fine and will have (hopefully) a full recovery. Thanks again for all the good wishes and prayers.
07.23.09
Never been so scared in my life
Last Friday was my 36th birthday so Mister had planned out a kick ass BBQ at my parents house and invited my whole family. I dropped him off there to start cooking around 3:30 then headed out to the mall for nails and a pedi. I finally arrived around 7pm and started chillin’ as my family began arriving shortly after that.
After cooking in the 90+ degree heat that day come the evening Mister was still hot. There was talk about going night swimming, something we never really do, so I began getting the kids outfitted with life jackets when I heard my BIL and friend were already in the pool.
All I remember next is the family yelling for me to get to the pool because Mister passed out. Frantically I ran to the pool but couldn’t get in because my BIL had pulled the key out of the gate and couldn’t figure out which one it was. That was a very long 30 seconds or so. By the time I did get the gate open and in the pool Mister had been pulled out of the pool by my BIL and our friend, he was out cold and laying on his side while the neighbor in was on the phone with a 911 operator. Within three minutes we heard the sound of sirens. Thankfully our girls were not there that night, they were at a slumber party.
Mister misjudged his dive into the pool and hit his head on the bottom. He came up, swam to the edge and tried to get out but lost conscienceness in the water. My BIL was in the pool and didn’t know what Mister was doing, he thought he was joking at first then said He’s been like that for awhile, huh? That’s when they realized something was wrong and pulled him out. They got him to his side and managed to expel the water from his lungs. They saved my husband’s life.
Once he was put on the back board and put into a neck brace he began gaining conscienceness and correctly answering questions. But when the EMT asked him to wiggle his toes nothing happened. He was taken to Long Beach Memorial hospital because they have a trauma center to treat his injury.
That night he had a chest x-ray and a CT scan, he didn’t break his neck, thankfully. They kept him in ICU and Mister apologized to me for ruining my party. I told him Its ok, when you get out you can just buy me a new Coach purse and we’ll call it even. lol
College Girl and I got back to my parents house just before 1am and the party was still going. lol We made it home and I got about four hours sleep before I got up to shower and head back to the hospital where I spent another 16 or so hours with him so they could do his MRI then eventually move him down to the Neuro ward.
I missed work on Monday, after only having my job a week, but my boss was understanding. I went back to work on Tuesday, it was a rough start but I got through it. Before my day ended I got a call from Mister saying surgery was scheduled for Wednesday at 10:30, so I informed my bosses and took yesterday off.
The surgery went well and the surgeon told me they only had to remove one disc instead of the 3-4 they anticipated. Within two hours after having surgery on his spine Mister was already out of bed, sitting in a chair and eating soft foods. Today he wants to get up to walk around and start his therapy so he can go home. As of last night he didn’t have a release date, we just hope to bring him home this weekend.
I’ve never prayed as hard and as much as I have the last few days. I’ve never been as strong and yet such a mess as I have the last few days. I’m just glad the worst is over and he’s on the road to recovery. What a roller coaster this week has been.
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Update, Mister came home last night! I got him showered and settled into bed close to midnight, but he didn’t sleep much. Eventually he moved to the recliner to sleep then about 4:30 came back to bed and had me remove his neck brace so he could get an undisrupted few hours sleep, after I propped him w/pillows for support. He was up less than 2 hours later. He’s so exhausted, yet can’t get much sleep due to the neck brace.
He’s got these ugly staples in the front of his neck, I told my mom he looks like a sideways zipper. LMAO Surprisingly he’s got no antibiotics nor pain medication, that’s how smoothly the surgery went. The hospital will be dropping off a walker to him today and next week he’s going to have in home therapy a few times a week until they feel he doesn’t need it anymore. We have no idea how long he’s going to be out of work.
But as I told him last night, the important thing is he’s not dead and he’s not paralized and we can handle anything now.
07.16.09
I’m lovin’ it!
Work, not Mc D’s, that is. So today I ended day 3 of my new job and I LOVE IT!
I have to say that I really scored when I sold my transferable skills, knowledge, professional attitude and sparkling personality to get myself hired at a WONDERFUL company. My stress has disappeared and I’m such a happy person. I’ve got to mention that Mister is very happy and less stressful, also, because he’s been picking up for me what unemployment couldn’t do for us.
My new “family” is great. The people are nice and welcoming. My Manager sent an email, this past Monday, that I was their new hire and all week I’ve had people stop by to welcome me to the company and introduce themselves. They’re so nice and genuine, its really a comforting environment. Thankfully.
To know that my office branch alone sold nearly 2 million last year coupled with introductions to employees who have been with the company from seven to thirty YEARS says to me I’ve landed in a secure company, and that is a big relief.
Another plus is that our benefits provider is the same company my previous employer used for us so that means we’ll be able to see our previous doctors/optometrist and that’s important to me because I’ve got contacts and prescriptions that need to be filled regularly. Not to mention that Drama Queen is in need of braces soon and my new insurance covers 50% of the cost, thankfully.
One of the changes for me to adjust to is clocking in, I’m now back on hourly pay as opposed to the salary (freedom) I had the last four years. lol But that’s ok, I’m not going to complain. Another change is their dress code, they’re strictly business attire with casual Friday’s. My previous employer we were able to wear jeans and sandals whenever and no one ever said anything. There were times when I pushed the envelope and rolled into work wearing carpi’s and flip flops and got away with it. Not here. I had to go out and spend a mini fortune for a complete office wardrobe, but it was worth it. My feet are pissed at me because they don’t like being stuffed in heels all day after nine months of unemployment “vacation” and flip flops, but they’ll get use to it.
I decided to swing into Starbucks tomorrow morning on the way to work and pick up an iced coffee, something I haven’t done in AGES. That was my Friday treat to myself and now I’m able to do it again. I’m easily happy, can you tell?
One major draw back is even though I’ll have Internet access at work there is NO time for goofing off on-line blogging, emailing, FB’ing or any of that. We’re still short handed in our department of six so as soon as I get up and running my day’ll be filled with busting my butt! The more I think about it that just might be a good thing because I’ll get in less trouble and slack less. lol
So it appears as now that I’m actually leaving the house I have stuff to blog about again, who would’ve thunk it? lol There just might be hope for this ol’ blog of mine. I considered deleting it because my life was so boring, but I think I’ll keep it going AND get back to reading your blogs, too. I realized a lot of people on my blog roll aren’t there anymore, sadly.
We’ll I’m off to chill for the night. It feels good to be back into the world of grown ups, and that means in your company, too. 
07.15.09
You’re invited to my party! Oh yeah, bring food, please.
Just as the last few summers this one is no different, Mister is working on my birthday. And I’m pissed. My birthday is Friday and he usually has Thursday and Friday off so I thought Sweet we’ll finally get to hang out on my bday! Wrong. Because he’s having my family over for a BBQ on Saturday to celebrate he requested to have that day off from work. But instead of using a vacation day like they asked him to he felt he shouldn’t have to use a personal day to arrange an occasional weekend day off (I get what he’s saying, really) so they screwed him instead. This week they gave him Tuesday and Saturday off. So he’s working Friday, my birthday (again) and getting out of work at like 6:30 am on Saturday! WTF? Ugh I’m so frustrated with him because NOW he says I should’ve just used a vacation day. Um do you think??? So that basically leaves me alone on my birthday.
Sunday Mister made phone calls to my family inviting them over for the BBQ on Saturday. One of the calls he spoke to my 19.5 year old cousin who is planning a surprise birthday dinner for her boyfriend this Friday. My birthday. (Can you hear the UGH in my head now?) Apparently we’re all suppose to be at my Grandpa’s house before 7pm to surprise him. Oh yeah, its also a “pot luck” dinner.
WTF?
I’m IRKED! Ok, I’m PISSED and its because my man screwed up my birthday night. My parents are going to Grandpa’s house. My sister was in the dark and said I thought we were doing pizza and beer at your house Friday? I said I thought so, too, guess not.
So Mister tells me to play nice and just go over to Grandpa’s because the whole family will be over on Saturday for my birthday. I know he’s right. But my sister is right, too, when she said It sucks having to sing Happy Birthday to someone else on YOUR birthday. That’s right!
But what sucks even more is why the hell do we have to bring food to a party we’ve been invited to??? As big as my family is its not uncommon to gather at Grandpa’s house and make it a pot luck when its things like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandpa’s birthday. Those kind of things. NEVER have we invited the family over to celebrate someones birthday and been asked to bring food! In my opinion if my little cousin can’t afford to provide food then she shouldn’t be throwing a party. End of story.
So I told Mister that my sister and I both pick the kids up from camp at 6pm each night and from there we’ll probably grab two $5 pizza’s and eat at my house then go over to Grandpa’s houe. I told him, I’ll go, I’ll be nice and celebrate his birthday but I’m not bringing shit! Ok, I might roll up with two 40 oz beers for ME! LMAO
I know I sound like a bratty ass ten year old but I’m just fed up with Mister not being around on my birthday because of work and this year looked hopeful but he messed it up being stubborn. Ugh. Ok *breathe* I’m not going to let it get to me. Too much.
07.01.09
Finally, something worth blogging about
After eight and a half months of being unemployed, yesterday I was offered a job!
I applied to this company two weeks ago and was the first candidate called in for an interview. The interview went well and I even sent the Manager a hand written Thank You note the following day. Then last Friday, while we were at Disneyland, the Manager called me back for a second interview, which took place yesterday morning at 8am. By 1pm he called to offer me the job! I was at the grocery store and wanted to cry with relief.
The company is a large corparate environment, which is what I’ve been looking for. Its a strong, profitable company and is only a five minute drive on the freeway from my house, which totally beats the jobs in L.A. which I’ve been looking at. The hours are 8:30-5:30, M-F with NO overtime, and that suits me just fine because as soon as I’m done working I like to be out and on my way home to my family. I’ll have full benefits, again, along with paid vacation, sick time and holidays. The best part of the deal, for me, is they’re starting me off right where I left in pay at my old company after nine years of employment there! Talk about a blessing.
Yesterday was an emotionally draining day for me, not only because I finally got a job but I also had to take care of a doctor’s appointment for some female issues I’ve been having, so now I’m waiting back on blood test results and still need to do one more blood test and one more doctor’s appointment. I’m a bit worried because my follow up appointment is in four weeks, by then I’ll be working, so I don’t know if I should keep that appointment or not, I don’t want to start off on the wrong foot. Luckily I’ve got a female Supervisor so maybe I can work that out with her.
So this morning I’m off to my new company to pick up paperwork to do my drug screening and begin my background check, then its off to the mall to do some shopping because I’ve been kicking it around for the last 8.5 months in shorts, jeans, t-shirts and flip flops! lol I no longer have office clothes because I lost all that weight after I was let go last year.
I’ve had a stress headache since yesterday so hopefully it’ll pass by this evening once I get all this taken care of.
