Hello... My name is Jennifer and I'm a blog hopper/stalker!
Yes, it's true! I could spend hours reading random peoples blogs! If it's about crafts, or food, or home improvements - I am all about it! How do I find them? Well, I read a friends blog, and if they mention something - I'll look it up, or follow the link to the next thing. If that one is interesting - I'll follow another link... It is a never ending cycle and I have found SO many fun things that I want to do/try/make...
And... it's a great way to avoid doing the stuff I really need to do!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Whew...
Whew... It has been a busy few weeks for me! It is the end of the fiscal year for work - meaning there are a lot of crazy things going on with work, budgets, paperwork, etc. Plus, I am kind of applying for some new jobs... I am getting a little burned out and am looking for something more clinical. I have had several "thanks for applying but we are looking for someone with more experience" responses - but finally had one phone interview this week... so that's a good start I guess. How do I get more experience if nobody will hire me?! Oh well...
This week is my mother's side's family reunion in Lincoln City Oregon. They are spending the week at a beach house - and we aren't there. Because Travis hasn't earned any money yet with his new business, and we spent a good 12k on starting up the business, I didn't think we could afford to take off a week of work - pay for hotel stays on the way up - a week in a beach house - hotels on the way back - plus food and gas the entire time. It would have stressed me out so bad! I could have gone with my family but I didn't want to go without Travis. Instead we are here in the valley, working hard - and getting our sprinklers fixed... Aah the Joys of home ownership!
About two weeks ago I told my husband I needed a vacation because of my funk... I was getting burned out, feeling crabby and unmotivated, and really just didn't want to do much of anything! I don't think he thought I was serious until a few days later when I had already planned our vacation in December to the Dominican Republic. 8 days and 7 nights at an all inclusive resort in Punta Cana. The total being $2,000.00 for our trip - not including the passports we would need. Travis told me that he didn't think it was a good idea to put it on our credit card and that if we saved up the money for it, he would be fine spending it on the trip. Well, that blew the wind out of my sail really quick! Travis still hasn't gotten a paycheck, I just took a pay cut, and money is tighter than we are used to. Do I sacrifice my lifestyle for a vacation?! I couldn't decide. Luckily, my good friend Bethany and her husband Greg invited us to their cabin this past weekend... It was SO relaxing! We slept in, hung out, watched movies, chatted, spent some quiet time in nature - and were able to just relax and not have to think about work! It was SO nice! I still really want to go to the Dominican Republic, but we will have to put that off until next year since our Dryer pretty well dead - good thing the Labor Day sales aren't too far off! This weekend, Travis and I will go down and visit his parents in St. George (we will take the puppies with us this time). Travis' dad had knee replacement surgery about 2 1/2 weeks ago - and will have his other knee replaced in another 2 1/2 weeks - so we figure we will go down and visit with them this weekend.
I guess we are just replacing the one long week vacation - with two mini weekend vacations. In all reality, the weekend at the cabin was gloriously relaxing and was exactly what I needed. And it will be nice to see Travis's mom and dad over Pioneer Day weekend (or as Travis and his dad like to call it: Pie- and-Beer Day). Although I am very sad to be missing my family reunion! I love my family - I have some seriously hilarious relatives! Bev, Pam & Jon... oh man they kill me! Plus, I think Alicia and her baby Jett and her big 'ole pregnant belly are going to be there for a few days... I haven't seen her since 2006! Who knows when, or even if, we will have another one. Let's hope so!
This week is my mother's side's family reunion in Lincoln City Oregon. They are spending the week at a beach house - and we aren't there. Because Travis hasn't earned any money yet with his new business, and we spent a good 12k on starting up the business, I didn't think we could afford to take off a week of work - pay for hotel stays on the way up - a week in a beach house - hotels on the way back - plus food and gas the entire time. It would have stressed me out so bad! I could have gone with my family but I didn't want to go without Travis. Instead we are here in the valley, working hard - and getting our sprinklers fixed... Aah the Joys of home ownership!
About two weeks ago I told my husband I needed a vacation because of my funk... I was getting burned out, feeling crabby and unmotivated, and really just didn't want to do much of anything! I don't think he thought I was serious until a few days later when I had already planned our vacation in December to the Dominican Republic. 8 days and 7 nights at an all inclusive resort in Punta Cana. The total being $2,000.00 for our trip - not including the passports we would need. Travis told me that he didn't think it was a good idea to put it on our credit card and that if we saved up the money for it, he would be fine spending it on the trip. Well, that blew the wind out of my sail really quick! Travis still hasn't gotten a paycheck, I just took a pay cut, and money is tighter than we are used to. Do I sacrifice my lifestyle for a vacation?! I couldn't decide. Luckily, my good friend Bethany and her husband Greg invited us to their cabin this past weekend... It was SO relaxing! We slept in, hung out, watched movies, chatted, spent some quiet time in nature - and were able to just relax and not have to think about work! It was SO nice! I still really want to go to the Dominican Republic, but we will have to put that off until next year since our Dryer pretty well dead - good thing the Labor Day sales aren't too far off! This weekend, Travis and I will go down and visit his parents in St. George (we will take the puppies with us this time). Travis' dad had knee replacement surgery about 2 1/2 weeks ago - and will have his other knee replaced in another 2 1/2 weeks - so we figure we will go down and visit with them this weekend.
I guess we are just replacing the one long week vacation - with two mini weekend vacations. In all reality, the weekend at the cabin was gloriously relaxing and was exactly what I needed. And it will be nice to see Travis's mom and dad over Pioneer Day weekend (or as Travis and his dad like to call it: Pie- and-Beer Day). Although I am very sad to be missing my family reunion! I love my family - I have some seriously hilarious relatives! Bev, Pam & Jon... oh man they kill me! Plus, I think Alicia and her baby Jett and her big 'ole pregnant belly are going to be there for a few days... I haven't seen her since 2006! Who knows when, or even if, we will have another one. Let's hope so!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Funk... And not the good kind...
I'm in a funk... I'm not quite sure why, or really what's going on - but I'm in a funk and I can't seem to shake it. I'm stressed, frustrated, tired, frustrated... did I mention frustrated? Things that normally wouldn't bother me - are bugging me. I'm more irritable lately - and I have no idea why. And NO we aren't pregnant... believe me, I wish... but not for a while, if ever. Maybe i'm inside my head too much?! Maybe I need a vacation? Whatever it is - I just need something to kick the funk... and for some reason my Mt Dew just isn't doing it for me. Suggestions?
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Lots of Tears
How crazy life can get... Thursday, June 24th started out as a wonderful day - and ended tragically. It is a day I will never forget because I experienced every emotion possible that day! Let me explain... I work with individuals that have disabilities. One of my clients, an almost 3 year old little girl with multiple disabilities was adopted by a wonderful family, and I was there to witness that on Thursday morning. As I sat in the court room and watched this family answer questions, and promise to love her and care for her... I began thinking about how precious family is, and how blessed this family was to have so many loved ones there to celebrate that day! I'd like to think of myself not just as a professional working with them, but as a friend as well. It was a beautiful morning full of tears! Tears of joy of course!
Late that afternoon I received a phone call from a fellow support coordinator asking if I had spoken with my dear friend Corrine that day. I told her that I hadn't, and asked why she wondered. She said Corrine had called with a crisis and asked her to call immediately, but that she never answered. She called families, providers, and nobody had heard from her but thought they heard background noise during a phone call that indicated she had been in a fender bender. I told her boss that I would call Corrines husband, and then let her know what I found out. When I called Damon, as soon as he picked up the phone I could hear in his voice that something was terribly wrong. He told me that Corrine had been in a horrible accident that morning and that it was on ksl.com and that she was in surgery, and they had lost their unborn child. I asked if there was anything I could do for him and her, and he asked me to tell her boss. I asked him to keep me up to date and he said he would.
I called Corrine's boss and gave her the information, and immediately read the news story and then called our two other best friends (there were 4 of us that spent a LOT of time together) and let them know. The 3 of us talked and cried and set times when we would visit, and how we would keep each other posted. Late that evening, Corrines husband said that they didn't want visitors but that Corrine wanted to see us, and asked if we could come. I let him know we would be there in the morning.
Friday morning was extremely humbling for me. I arrived at the hospital with Bethany at around 9:00 am, and found the room where Corrine's family was waiting for her to get out of surgery. They rushed her in that morning to repair her legs which had been crushed in the car. I hugged Damon immediately and asked what I could do to help. I sat and listened as Damon explained the crash to me, and then told me how their precious daughter, Livi, had saved her mothers life. During the crash, the engine of the car was pushed right into Corrines lap. It ruptured her uterus and Livi's body fell out of the uterus and was pressed up against Corrine's organs acting as a human bandaid and preventing her mother from bleeding to death. At that moment, Damon's father introduced me to baby Livi, and put her into my arms. I sat and cried as I held Livi, looking at this beautiful and perfect little infant who was due in just 6 short weeks. The tears came even more as Damon bravely said "maybe that was her purpose in this life - was to save her mother". What strength he had! Livi was perfect and tiny at just over 3 lbs. She has curly hair the exact shade as her mothers, and she has her fathers ears. She looked so peaceful and I half expected her to start breathing and wake up. Corrine was still in surgery when I left, but I promised I would come back to visit today.
Corrine and Damon are two of the most wonderful people in the world and they spent years trying to have a baby, and after 6 artificial inseminations were blessed with Livi. My heart aches for them at this time, knowing how much they wanted her in their family. The thing that impressed me the most, is the strength that Damon had. Undoubtedly this is the hardest thing he has had to endure, losing his unborn daughter and almost losing his wife... and yet he was strong. I know this is because of their Faith in God! I felt some comfort knowing that because of their temple blessings, that they will be able to live with Livi again, and she will be a part of their family forever.
It really made me start to think about my own family. Travis is not a member of the LDS religion, thus we are not sealed in the temple. I couldn't help but think that if that were us, what would happen to our child? Who would she live with in the next life? It kept me awake last night... I'm not sure how to react now and what to say to my dear husband... but i'll let you know.
If you're interested in following Corrine's story - please feel free to follow her blog!
Late that afternoon I received a phone call from a fellow support coordinator asking if I had spoken with my dear friend Corrine that day. I told her that I hadn't, and asked why she wondered. She said Corrine had called with a crisis and asked her to call immediately, but that she never answered. She called families, providers, and nobody had heard from her but thought they heard background noise during a phone call that indicated she had been in a fender bender. I told her boss that I would call Corrines husband, and then let her know what I found out. When I called Damon, as soon as he picked up the phone I could hear in his voice that something was terribly wrong. He told me that Corrine had been in a horrible accident that morning and that it was on ksl.com and that she was in surgery, and they had lost their unborn child. I asked if there was anything I could do for him and her, and he asked me to tell her boss. I asked him to keep me up to date and he said he would.
I called Corrine's boss and gave her the information, and immediately read the news story and then called our two other best friends (there were 4 of us that spent a LOT of time together) and let them know. The 3 of us talked and cried and set times when we would visit, and how we would keep each other posted. Late that evening, Corrines husband said that they didn't want visitors but that Corrine wanted to see us, and asked if we could come. I let him know we would be there in the morning.
Friday morning was extremely humbling for me. I arrived at the hospital with Bethany at around 9:00 am, and found the room where Corrine's family was waiting for her to get out of surgery. They rushed her in that morning to repair her legs which had been crushed in the car. I hugged Damon immediately and asked what I could do to help. I sat and listened as Damon explained the crash to me, and then told me how their precious daughter, Livi, had saved her mothers life. During the crash, the engine of the car was pushed right into Corrines lap. It ruptured her uterus and Livi's body fell out of the uterus and was pressed up against Corrine's organs acting as a human bandaid and preventing her mother from bleeding to death. At that moment, Damon's father introduced me to baby Livi, and put her into my arms. I sat and cried as I held Livi, looking at this beautiful and perfect little infant who was due in just 6 short weeks. The tears came even more as Damon bravely said "maybe that was her purpose in this life - was to save her mother". What strength he had! Livi was perfect and tiny at just over 3 lbs. She has curly hair the exact shade as her mothers, and she has her fathers ears. She looked so peaceful and I half expected her to start breathing and wake up. Corrine was still in surgery when I left, but I promised I would come back to visit today.
Corrine and Damon are two of the most wonderful people in the world and they spent years trying to have a baby, and after 6 artificial inseminations were blessed with Livi. My heart aches for them at this time, knowing how much they wanted her in their family. The thing that impressed me the most, is the strength that Damon had. Undoubtedly this is the hardest thing he has had to endure, losing his unborn daughter and almost losing his wife... and yet he was strong. I know this is because of their Faith in God! I felt some comfort knowing that because of their temple blessings, that they will be able to live with Livi again, and she will be a part of their family forever.
It really made me start to think about my own family. Travis is not a member of the LDS religion, thus we are not sealed in the temple. I couldn't help but think that if that were us, what would happen to our child? Who would she live with in the next life? It kept me awake last night... I'm not sure how to react now and what to say to my dear husband... but i'll let you know.
If you're interested in following Corrine's story - please feel free to follow her blog!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Whew!
Today we got some good news! Travis was approved to start working by both FINRA and the State. I am SO happy! I know Travis is too! It's been a long two months for him! Now he's in a crunch to hurry and lease an office space, get his office set up, and start contacting his clients. I guess I should have enjoyed all of the time we had together more - cause I'm pretty sure now he's going to be working LATE!
It'll be worth it! Yay! Such a good way to start May!
It'll be worth it! Yay! Such a good way to start May!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Look What you Did.... You Little Jerk!
Yeah, I'm a jerk! I feel absolutely horrible! My husband got a call this morning saying that the State of Utah doesn't want to let him practice financial advising/investing/planning or anything. He looked at me and said "This may be the end of my career." He had tears in his eyes although he didn't cry (unless he did while he was in the shower - or while I was in the shower) - I know he is frustrated and feels like a failure!
I feel bad because here I am complaining about how he's home and I can't get anything done - and my poor husband's career may have just come to an end. Boy did I have to eat some humble pie this morning - and even though I really like pie - this one didn't taste very good.
I'm sorry honey - I love you and I will be as supportive as possible - and I won't complain anymore! Promise!
I feel bad because here I am complaining about how he's home and I can't get anything done - and my poor husband's career may have just come to an end. Boy did I have to eat some humble pie this morning - and even though I really like pie - this one didn't taste very good.
I'm sorry honey - I love you and I will be as supportive as possible - and I won't complain anymore! Promise!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
updates...
Well, the end of March sucked as much as the beginning did. Travis was "let go" from his job on the 29th of March. I was kind of surprised - but not too surprised. It was a pretty darn strategic plan on his employers end. The company suspended he and his business partners for 30 days, and on day 27 they fired him. They told him they would fill out his U-5 when they got a chance, but they have 30 days to do so. I figure they'll take the whole time to do that - it gives the company 60 days where Travis can't contact his clients, and another month possibly before he could get a job after his license is re-posted.
Luckily, his U-5 was posted yesterday. He is still able to be in the financial advising field which is good for him. He loves it, and he is good at it. It's unfortunate that a lack of training and a full-on "witch hunt" cost him his job. But he is looking for a new job. When I say looking, I'm using the term loosely! He had a 4 hour long interview with a company a couple of weeks ago - and now that his U-5 has been posted, they should be able to make a decision. In the meantime, he waits.
I, on the other hand, work 2 jobs. I work all day, every day - and it never ends. School ends next week, but then I have to put in final grades and a week later - summer school starts again. I shouldn't be annoyed - but I am. Why put all your eggs in one basket? I would be sending out tons of resumes and making phone calls... not waiting on one possible job. Does it make me a bad wife that I'm frustrated and that my stress level has jumped from extremely high to impossibly high since the beginning of March? Yes, he is doing things around the house - cleaning the kitchen, laundry... not the bathrooms of course. But, I am having a hard time working at home because he is there. I love him, but I need my own space and some quiet (so i can rock out to my own music) while I work.
I am trying to be understanding, and respectful, and supportive - but it drives me nuts that he doesn't do things the way I would do them (in terms of finding a different job). Ugh, I feel like a horrible wife!
On the bright side - Spence left yesterday. He went to the Provo Utah Mission yesterday, where he will serve for 12 weeks and will be sent elsewhere afterward. He was SO happy to go! Of course he requested I make enchiladas for him on Sunday, and that we have Cheese Pizza on Tuesday night before he left. He is such a good kid! I'll miss him!
Luckily, his U-5 was posted yesterday. He is still able to be in the financial advising field which is good for him. He loves it, and he is good at it. It's unfortunate that a lack of training and a full-on "witch hunt" cost him his job. But he is looking for a new job. When I say looking, I'm using the term loosely! He had a 4 hour long interview with a company a couple of weeks ago - and now that his U-5 has been posted, they should be able to make a decision. In the meantime, he waits.
I, on the other hand, work 2 jobs. I work all day, every day - and it never ends. School ends next week, but then I have to put in final grades and a week later - summer school starts again. I shouldn't be annoyed - but I am. Why put all your eggs in one basket? I would be sending out tons of resumes and making phone calls... not waiting on one possible job. Does it make me a bad wife that I'm frustrated and that my stress level has jumped from extremely high to impossibly high since the beginning of March? Yes, he is doing things around the house - cleaning the kitchen, laundry... not the bathrooms of course. But, I am having a hard time working at home because he is there. I love him, but I need my own space and some quiet (so i can rock out to my own music) while I work.
I am trying to be understanding, and respectful, and supportive - but it drives me nuts that he doesn't do things the way I would do them (in terms of finding a different job). Ugh, I feel like a horrible wife!
On the bright side - Spence left yesterday. He went to the Provo Utah Mission yesterday, where he will serve for 12 weeks and will be sent elsewhere afterward. He was SO happy to go! Of course he requested I make enchiladas for him on Sunday, and that we have Cheese Pizza on Tuesday night before he left. He is such a good kid! I'll miss him!
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