Going...

Monday was supposed to be a day off for everyone, but with all the snow this winter, our township had school on President's Day. We had tickets to see Eric Carle's Hungry Caterpillar puppetry show, but had to forfeit in lieu of school. My baby missed too much when she had pneumonia. I couldn't think of taking her out for a day of fun.  Her education is priority number one.  So then I had a romantic day for me and the hubby, right? WRONG! I got focused on making photo albums online for my bridesmaids from my wedding. It took me all day and in the end, something was wrong and it wouldn't let me place the orders. Talk about a wasted day. My husband ended up walking into town by himself getting his prescriptions and stopping in the chocolate shop on the way back for me.
Yesterday was gymnastics. I was too busy chit chatting with the other mom's I didn't even notice that my kid fell off the balance beam, hurt herself and was crying. I saw her with an ice pack and at the end of class the teacher came up to me that she fell and would probably have bruises today.  I told my kid, we don't have health insurance until the first of March and she can't go around getting hurt or sick until then!
I signed up at the research lab to be an "alternative." If someone doesn't show up for a study, I do it. If not, I get paid to sit for the hour while they wait to make sure everyone comes.  Yesterday I went and thought, what better way to get myself reading a book. So I started The Afterlife by Gary Soto. I had picked it up at the library a while ago and it's been sitting on my shelf.  It's pretty dark, but good and seems to be a fast read. I sat for a few hours yesterday and I'm already halfway through. It's about a boy who was murdered and what happens to him/his spirit afterwards (the afterlife). I would say that title nailed it. So not only did I start reading this book, but I got paid $10 to do so.
My husband started the Atkins diet this year. Not for the wait loss, but for the neurological impact it's supposed to have.  The weight is an added bonus. He's already lost 25 pounds. I don't agree with the diet, but  he's a grown man.  Bacon & eggs are one of his staples and happen to be on sale this week - two packages of bacon for 1.99 each and eggs .99 per dozen  - I figured I'd be nice and spend half my earnings on him. The other $5.03 will be saved for now...
I recieved a call back regarding a job on Monday. It was for part time work, but the hours were from 2pm-8pm. With my kid and my night classes, it just doesn't work. But it was a boost to my self esteem that someone actually is looking at the resumes I've been sending out. They really should have posted the hours - I'm sure it would have eliminated a bunch of people right off the bat and not wasted applicants/employers time.  I initially had the goal of sending out a minimum of 3 resumes a day. After a few weeks, I feel as though I've exhausted the majority of openings in my field. The number has dwindled to about one a day, if that.  I've also succumbed and applied for unemployment. I've paid into it for the past 11 years, I plan on finding something, but until then, why not?  I have my first interview March 1, and I'll find out if I'm even eligible.

It's going...

I ended up getting some undershirts for my husband for V-day. Maybe not so romantic, but definitely practical. And it even came with one bonus shirt and a trial size deodorant! I ended up getting a slight bout of food poisoning, so I slept 20 out of 24 hours that day. I asked my family if they minded celebrating the next day.  My husband sent us 3 girls (me, daughter & dog) some chocolate covered fortune cookies. They were cute, but sadly I could only look at them and roll over.
I went Wednesday to sign up as a product tester at another local facility. They put some product behind my ear and I wasn't allowed to wash it until after they saw it today Friday. Wish I had known that before I went. I washed it the day before. So I showered this morning, headed over to the lab for them to check it out and right over to the salon to get my hair washed and cut. I told her 6 inches, but it looks like she took off about 10 - yeah, my hair was that long. I don't mind, Sara is great, so she'll cut it/layer it/style it so it fits me and then only charge me $25.  I like it. Then I went across the way to Victoria Secret. I received a coupon for a free panty. Then I thought, I really do need a new bra. The last good one I bought was pre pregnancy and my kid's 7! Turns out, the bras I've been wearing are 2 cups too small. $152 later, I have 3 new bras and 4 panties. Very expensive for me, but I figured, it's the last time I'll be treating myself in a while and I don't think my husband will mind.  Wink, wink. Couldn't stop there. I went to get my friend a birthday present and ended up buying myself a purse instead. Whoops! Stopped at the pet store and got the dog a crate for the car and a new ball and then on my way home, stopped again at a little main street buy my house and ended up getting my friend her birthday gift.  So much for saving that money.
While I was walking on "main street" from one store to the next, some young kid introduced himself to me. As I shook his hand and gave him my name, he asked to hang out.  But he didn't ask, it was more as if he was telling me.  When I told him I was married, he started speaking/shouting in Hebrew while whipping his hand back and making some gestures - I think he was warding off the evil spirits from shaking a married woman's hand or something. Mind you he was also dressed as a Rastafarian.  Whatever it was, I couldn't help but giggle..  I always did attract the weird ones.

One Week Down

I'm at the conclusion of my first week home. With the new puppy and all the cleaning I said I'd do, I have yet to turn the tv on all week. I'm proud of myself.
Monday I took the pup to the vet, dropped off items for donation at the local thrift store, showed the pup off to my sister in law, cooked dinner early so it would be ready before I had to go to class. My father came over to watch my daughter while I went to school. In the 20 minutes that he was here and dinner was still cooking, he ate all my vegetables, some peanuts, salad, and chips. I had to tell him to wait for me to serve my daughter so they could eat together! He's like the bottomless pit, and he says he's on a diet.
Tuesday it was frigid over here. I was out with the dog every hour or two and thought my fingers were going to break off if they so much as tapped into something. By 2 o'clock both the puppy and I needed a nap.
Yesterday I attempted to clean that one closet in the home where I throw all my stuff when company is coming. I'm sure everyone has that one spot that gets dumped on.  Mine happens to be in the dining room. An hour into it, I gave up, but I did get one whole trash bag and another for donation. I'm rescheduling to finish at a later date.
Today's Friday. Stopped at Target after dropping off my daughter at school. Picked up some puppy shampoo and toothpaste. Stopped at Petco and Panera on the way home inquiring about work. Everything is online these days so I came home and filled out the applications. Fingers crossed they have day part time where I don't need to put my daughter back into before or aftercare - and that I get an offer.  I also stopped by the research lab and signed up to be a human guinea for a study. At least I've got that going for  some income. My last paycheck should also be mailed out to me today.  I already said what that money was going to go towards, but with my brain, I forgot.  Gave the dog a bath, NOT fun for either of us. After school today my daughter and I are going to make homemade valentine's for her class on Monday. Still got to get the hubby a little something for the holiday. Any suggestions?

New Addition

Well, I sent in some applications to adopt a dog over the weekend. I was super in love with fergie - a mutt of mutts. My husband wanted to look at more than the three I applied for so Saturday morning we went to the local animal shelter. They had 2 older dogs, one aggresive and the other 9 years old with medical issues.  The rest were pitbulls. With a seven year old in the house, I can't take the risk of an abused dog lashing out at her, so we left and went on to Animals and Things.  We were only going to look. I promised.  But after seeing there faces, how could you leave one there in the cage? I've never bought a dog from a pet shop before, always a breeder, but I just had to have this little girl. Four pounds,wheaten color, Cairn Terrier.  She just looked so sad and scared and needed a family to love her.
My daughter was with her father this weekend.  The whole thing was a complete surprise for her. I saved the dog naming for her on Sunday - Rosie. Not what I wanted, but I'll grow to love it. So for now it's just me and Rosie.  I've been crate training her. She did great. No accident's since we brought her home....that is until last night when my husband let her into the bedroom and let her wander around and pee on my carpet. I was furious with him, not my Rosie.
I doubt I'll ever have another human child. Rosie is my newest baby. I guess you could say I'm on maternity leave.

LET FREEDOM RING!!!

Free at last! I am officially unemployed...or should I say self-employed? After four years, there are definitely some friendships and faces I will miss.  The second I left, I was hit with a wave of relief.  I felt like sleeping for hours, but I had some celebrating to do and not all mine. My niece turns 10 today, so after a celebratory dinner with the hubby, we went over for cake. 
Adult conversations turned to work.  Some people were surprised that in this economy when everyone is looking for work, I quit mine with no back up. And the only thing I can say is "Yes, I did."  At first when I was telling people I was going to stay home for some time, I was embarrassed and felt wrong.  To some coworkers, I'm "better than that." Some of the women were envious, but in a good way.  It's slowly sinking in and I can say with a growing confidence I am happy with my decision and I will concentrate on my family and home. I will be there for my daughter. I know it's not going to last for ever, so I will enjoy the time while I can.  Heck, I might even get that dog I've been wanting.

Hump Day!

Today is Wednesday, Day 3 on the countdown until I'm unemployed. I've already started to cut costs and asked my husband for an allowance starting mid month. I dropped my daughter from before and after care - there's $285 a month down. And this weekend was the Grand Opening of Aldi near us. Anyone been to that grocery store? It's all generic foods, but some good buys. I made my shopping list for the local grocery store and then went there. If I found it there cheaper, I bought it. Bread - $.25, Eggs $.89, Oranges $1.99/4lb bag.  $27 later, I already had half my groceries at a third of the price! I'm scared to try the meat though...I saved that for Shoprite.
I've been applying anywhere and everywhere, but haven't heard anything back. It's a little discouraging; a setback, but it's all good. We've got some research labs in the area that use humans as guinea pigs. I've done it before for extra cash, so in the mean time, that'll do for gas money and such. 
I'm real excited for Friday to come. I've worked since I was 16 years old. I stayed home when my daughter was born for a year, but other than that, I've always been working.  My current plan is to pick two rooms a day and scrub those suckers good!  I started a physics class last week. It's harder than I expected so I'll be studying and doing math problem an hour or two a day.  My nephew was born in October.  I've had a quilt that's been sitting waiting to be made. There's some new cousins in the family I've yet to meet. I'll be making a home cooked meal each night and finally have some down time to enjoy with the family. Even though it won't be paid, I'll still be working and enjoying every minute!