Spring

Brick border - needs work

Kimmy wanted her picture taken!

The garden - all planted

brick patio

Working on cleaning up the yard. Here is the brick patio that I uncovered. It was totally filled in with dirt and grass. The brick border in back was a total mess. I put it all back together but it still needs a lot of work.

Bummed

I've been bummed out all week. Not liking my job right now, not feeling appreciated or even listened to, tired of going the extra mile and not getting anywhere. Really disillusioned by the meaning of "Equal Opportunity". Anyway, been listening to old country music all week and didn't realize why until last night. Seven years ago today, Dad died. That explains a lot.

Still here

Over a year but I'm still here. Lots of changes. Bought a house, moved, working on the house, still in school, etc. Not much time  but I have decided to give this blogging thing another shot. I've been following the Pioneer Woman blog and really enjoy it so as soon as I figure out exactly what I'm going to focus on, I'll be back.

Winter - sick of it

I'm so tired of the snow!

Gainfully Employed!

Finally!  Thank you Lord!  I got on at WIU after trying for the last 10 months.  When I found out I was going to lose my job at Methode, I knew that Western was where I wanted to work.  As far as wages, benefits, atmosphere, location..............it's the best place for me.  I'm one week in and so far I think it's going to be ok.  I was very lucky to get into the job that I did, I interviewed for some that started at a lower wage.  This one is not as good as I was making at Methode but probably as close as I can get to start.  I did, however, get a letter saying that due to my past experience and training they were going to put in for a starting wage adjustment which would be even better.  AWESOME!  There are only three of us in my office and both my boss and the other girl are very nice women.  I think I'm pretty lucky.

As far as the rest of my life..............................I need to lose some weight again, not nearly as heavy as I was before I lost the 63 lbs but my jeans are getting pretty tight.  I'm hoping the new job and getting back to a more normal schedule will help me there......................Vagrant STILL thinks he lives here.  Richard came after him yesterday morning but he's back again tonight.  I feel kindof sorry for Richard.  When he came after him this time his comment was "just thought I'd see if he wanted to live with me for a while."  The poor dog is as dumb as a box of rocks but you can't help but love him. .............................I had to withdraw from all my classes since I got a job.  I wanted to keep the two computer classes but they wouldn't let me, don't really understand why since it was past the refund date so they wouldn't get any money back anyway.  But - I will be able to take classes at WIU starting next semester I think and a class from WIU means a lot more than one from CSC anyway.  ...............................I have gotten quite into the Facebook thing since I lost my job.  Practically everybody from Methode is on there so we still get to talk to each other.  I've connected with lots of cousins and even some people I worked with years ago at Websters!............................Kimmy is putting on some weight again.  She's laying here on the floor beside me right now. (Vagrant, however, is not allowed in the house - he has to stay out by the woodstove.) Both cats are fine.  Macy is spending more and more time outside where she belongs and Pandora actually acts like she misses her when she's out.........................I'm ready for spring - sick of snow and ice - want to plant a garden, pick berries, all that stuff.  Canning season will be back to normal this year which means I'll have to do it all at night and on weekends.  That was the one thing that was good about being out of work......................Anyway, nothing else going on so I'll quit