To Work or Not to Work

So, have I talked to y'all about my job yet?

You know I'm not going back, right?  Or did I forget to mention that? 

Yep.  I'm done.  December 17th to be exact.  23 glorious more working days.  In only a little over a month I'll be retired.  At least that's what I keep telling Matt.  He seems to think this whole not working thing is temporary.  He's got another thing coming...

But in all seriousness, I could not be more thrilled!  I feel so privileged and blessed to be able to stay home and raise our little girl. 

It's weird how far I've come from the woman I used to be.  When I was younger, being a stay at home mom was not something I ever, ever wanted to do.  Maybe that's because my mom didn't stay home.  Or maybe it's because I went to college with the intentions of becoming a doctor.  Either way, staying home raising babies was not something I even considered.  It's not like I was against the option...I just never thought it would be a possibility.

And then I met Matt.  And my whole life changed.  I realized that I didn't want to be in school for that long and work so hard for a career I wasn't sure I wanted.  All I really knew I wanted was to be his wife and have a life that allowed me to spend as much time with him as possible. 

Years later, that's still what I want. 

Don't get me wrong.  I still have my own goals.  Ambitions.  Dreams for my life.  They just include a husband and now a baby and all that goes along with those precious people.  They're different goals.  I've changed.  But I have never once felt like I have lost myself.  It's completely the opposite.  I feel like I have found myself.  Found the person I am supposed to be and the person I'm supposed to be with. 

Truly a blessing, I tell you. 

Anyway...my post about how I'm becoming a SAHM has somehow morphed into how cool my husband is.  How did that happen?  Hm.  Clearly it is no longer all about me :)

I'm Sorry, What?

Today I noticed a new label attached to our community trash cans at work.  It reads:

"Please do not place trash cans on drinking fountains."

I'm sorry, what?

I have never noticed our trash cans on the drinking fountains.  Is this really a problem for which a label is required?  It happens so often you need to remind everyone not to, in fact, put the nasty trash cans on top of a place people put their mouths?

My work is ridiculous.

And apparently disgusting.

Just a Little Glimpse

I received this company wide e-mail this morning:




Good Morning,
There have been numerous observances in all areas of the site, (inside and outside), of associates, contractors, and service contractors talking on their cell phone while walking. The Cell Phone Policy line 2.2 states: 

Communication devices shall not be used while walking. Walking and talking is not a safe practice.
 
Please help us prevent a possible injury by adhering to the policy and if you do observe somebody doing this, be a Brother's Keeper and let them know this is not a safe practice.


Yet another example of why my company is ridiculous.

I Will Give You All My Burdens

Good morning ladies!!

I have had a rough couple of days to say the least. My co-worker...AKA the Devil...is driving me insane and I finally made the decision to tell someone. So...the next few weeks could be rather interesting. Prayers are appreciated :)

But other than that, life is good.

Do you ever experience that moment where you just realize you have no control and you give everything over to God. I am there.

We want to move but have few job prospects. My job blows but what else can I do? We're trying for babies but nothing so far. All of these worries of which I cannot change lay on my heart daily. However, slowly but surely, my burden is being lightened by God. I can feel myself letting go and it has brought me such a peace. There are so many things that I want to pray for...but in the end I mostly just pray for God's will to be done.

So thank you for being my outlet, blogland. And I am sending prayers out there for all of my friends who carry burdens of their own. Love.

Biggest Loser Fridays

I thought since my co-workers and I just started a Biggest Loser competition...and we weigh in on Fridays....I would take this opportunity to check in and tell you about my weight loss and work outs! Oh, and food. Always food. I'm calling it...Biggest Loser Fridays. Genius, I know.

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Since I was out of town on Monday (our initial weigh in day) I had to weigh in on Tuesday this week. That only left me with three days of "dieting" before the weigh in today. Eek! Tuesday and Wednesday I hit the gym hard with new classes. I tried out Boot Camp and Cardio Circuit, both of which kicked my booty in a major way. I also did my old standbys of Yoga and Pilates as well as some lifting and cardio on my own. I cannot express to you how sore my little abs are. Well, they're not so little...so I guess it's a good thing they're sore!

I also did great on my food intake. I'm back on "poor girl Weight Watchers" AKA: doing it on my own. I stuck strictly to my points both Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thursday I had a dinner date with a friend at Bonefish Grill. I had never been there before so I checked out their menu online. I couldn't find any solid nutrition facts so I just used common sense. I went into the meal with 8 points left and ordered grilled tilapia with no sauce and some veggies for my side. That's it! And drank water! So I think I did just fine.

At the weigh in I lost 0.5 lbs. It was quite a bit lower than I hoped for but I'm trying my best not to get discouraged. I did only have 3 days so I can't wait to see what I can do with 7! And the people at the site are doing fantastic! One guy lost 9 lbs! So far this morning we have lost about 40 lbs. total and only half of the people participating have weighed in. I'm really excited about the program and the success it is having thus far. Hopefully next week will bring more of the same (except a little more of a loss for me please!).

Hope everyone has a great weekend! We have NO plans so I am completely stoked!

The Biggest Loser: Lucky in Love Style!

Late last year, a few of my co-workers and I were standing around chatting about, what else, reality TV. The subject of The Biggest Loser came up and I offhandedly said, "We should totally do that here!" Well the other women were all for it!

So after a few months of planning and getting the final approval from management, my work is officially starting a Biggest Loser program on Monday! I am crazy excited about this seeing as even with the new year...my motivation has been low and my attitude blah. I wake up energized and ready to be the best I can be...but by the time I leave work...I just want to sit. I feel like something is wrong with me. But I'm a pretty competitive person so I'm hoping this program will be the kick in the booty I need!

What are you ladies doing to work out and stay healthy in the new year? I think I need a new routine. I got burned out doing the same things everyday last year and I started to hate going to the gym. I'm thinking about starting a few new classes next week and hopefully that will help. Any suggestions??

Thankful Thursday

I know a lot of y'all do Thankful Thursdays...but I borrowed (stole) this button from Jorden and Kristin so I'm giving her a shout out!

I am thankful for my husband and for how sweet he is to me. He is different with me than he is with anyone else and it makes me smile.

I am thankful for our home. Although we are in a city we do not want to be in, renting a home we would never buy, I am so happy to have it to share with my husband. The neighborhood is wonderful, our neighbors are quiet, and our landlords rake out leaves for us. What could be better? (Shoveling our snow. That's what could be better. But that's not what this post is about.)

I am thankful for my job. Even though I hate it more than any other job I have ever had, including sorting panties at Victoria's Secret, I am blessed not only to be working but to be able to work at all.

I am thankful that we started hiring more people here at work. It looks like the layoff period is behind us and I made it through. Thank goodness.

I am thankful for my family and the connection that I have with all of them.

I am thankful for the upcoming holidays and the promise of a very merry Christmas!

I am thankful for the wake up call I get every afternoon leaving work listening to Chris Fabry Live. Yesterday they were debating back and forth about the need for an organized church body vs. only attending a bible study group. One of the guest speakers advocating the organized church said something that spoke directly to me. When addressing the issue of a man who stopped going to church because he didn't get anything out of it....the guest speaker said something along these lines, "You don't go to church to get something out of it. It's not about what God can do for you. It's about what you can do for God. You go to church not for yourself but for others. To serve them and to serve God." Holy cow. I have literally said the words, "I didn't get much out of that service today." Point taken sir.

I am thankful for God's Word and for how much I have grown and learned reading it. But I am also thankful for how much further I have to go...and the fact that He will be there with me throughout my journey.

I am thankful for my bloggy friends who give me support and encouragement every day in every single aspect of my life. Who expected I would find some of the most amazing people I know on the Internet?? Not me.

Mostly I am thankful for true, honest bloggers who tell it like it is and who are not afraid to be who they are. You are my inspiration.

What about you?

Glee Exposure

Attention: Glee spoilers ahead. Do not read this post yet if you don't want to know what happened last night!




This is a conversation that just took place between my co-worker, K, and me.

K: Did you watch Glee last night?
J: Yes, but I fell asleep halfway through. The last thing I saw was the guy's performance where they were dancing around in their leather outfits high on OTC drugs.
K: Oh, ha! And then the girls went and did the same thing! Except for the pregnant girl of course. She just took folic acid. It was really funny. And then those teachers got engaged. It was a good show!



Wait. Did she just tell me the ending to the show? Even after I told her I hadn't watched it yet? I think she did.


This is not the first time this woman has done this to me. She does this so often that I have come to include in my answer to, "Did you watch (insert show here)?"...."No, and don't tell me what happened!" This time, I didn't. And I paid, dearly. This is such a huge pet peeve of mine. I get that some people would maybe want to know what happened, but I am not one of those people. If I wanted to know, I would ask. I didn't.


So in the future, keep your trap shut lady.

That is all.

A Match Made in Heaven!

Ah, workplace romances.  We've got one in the works right here at mysterious aerospace company.  I'm privy to such gossip vital work information from a co-worker who, while not directly involved, is a reliable source.

Meet the players...T (the woman), L (the man shamelessly chasing T), and C (a friend of L's who whilst helping him try to get the girl...is actually after her himself!)

Complicated.  I know.  Drama within itself, right?  But wait.  It gets better.  My favorite part of the story.

C has given the lovely T actual notes from L.  Like fifth grade, do you like me check yes or no, notes.  Yeah.

So care to take a gander at the ages of these players??  18?  22?  Even 25?  Nope.





38.

I'm not kidding.  And the best part.

T is married!  With two children.  What?

And the super cool L who will stop at nothing to win this woman's attention?  Lives with his mother, drives her van, and is paying child support for who knows how many children...all whilst paying for T's breakfast and lunch several times a week...and splurging on flowers for her birthday.


I have several concerns with this situation.
1.  Why is L hitting on someone who is married in the first place?  Don't people even care about this anymore?
2.  Why is T allowing this to continue when she is a married woman?  Well probably for the free food...
3.  Does she think it's endearing when a 30 something year old man sends his friend to tell her that he likes her?
4.  And if so...um, why?
5.  And notes?  Really?



Yeah, there is absolutely nothing that could go wrong with this situation.  Match made in Heave if you ask me.  But I would suggest trading in the van for something a little more subtle...perhaps a station wagon??  You know, those ones with the back seats that face the other way?  My best friend in elementary school used to have one of those...I was SO jealous!  That would surely push you over the edge L!

These Are A Few Of My Not So Favorite Things

I despise inflatables. I think they are the tackiest decoration invented and they only seem to be getting bigger. When I was younger, I plotted to rid our neighborhood of these hideous creatures by poking tiny holes in each one during the night. I never did it, of course. Give me a break. I'm too much of a goody-goody. But I still hate them.

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My office is freezing...and I cannot stand being cold. My fingers go numb from being outside my gloves when I type on the computer. I literally warm them next to our 700 degree ovens after lunch because it is impossible for me to warm up after drinking 32 oz of cold water.

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I get irritated when my co-workers do not take me seriously or when people who are not my boss tell me what to do. Unclear if this is due to the fact that I am young, the only female in my department, or have been here the least amount of time...but boy does it irk me. I find this hole one of which I cannot dig myself out.

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Y'all know how I feel about birds. They scare me more than anything. I almost didn't include them in this post because looking up pictures of them made my heart pound! But...if I'm talking about things I don't like...these nasty guys top the list.


But you know what I do love??


Mini Vacations!!


Matt and I are going on a mini trip this weekend...not really for pleasure...for work...but it should be a good time. I can't wait to share more details with you guys when we can! The weekend cannot come soon enough!

Your Questions Answered-Random Edition

Here they are...the last set of questions you asked!


Mrs. Southern Bride & JLC from French Kiss asked, "Where do you like to shop?"

Want to know a secret? I don't really shop. WAIT...please don't stop following me! Here's the thing. It's not that I don't like to shop or that I don't want new clothes or shoes or purses...I hate spending the money. I honestly would rather put my money in a savings account than buy a new dress. Sad, I know. I get e-mails from Rue La La and Shop It To Me and I haven't bought one thing. Besides my wedding dress or maybe Prom, I don't think I have ever spent over $65 for a dress in my entire life. I just don't buy clothes for no reason.

But, if I'm going to an event, I need a new pair of shoes in a different color, or something else for a specific purpose I tend to look at H&M, Target, J.Crew, Old Navy, Banana Republic, or maybe Gap. Outlet malls are my friend.


JLC also asked a few more questions!

"If you had only one day to live, what would you do?"

I would definitely spend a lot of it in prayer asking God for forgiveness from my sins and thanking Him for the time that I did get here on this earth with the people that I love...and asking for His love and care on my journey to meet Him in Heaven. I would spend the rest of the day with my husband making sure he knew just how much I loved him and how being with him has changed my life for the better.

I would not work out.

"What country would you most like to live in?"

Honestly, I'd live in the United States. I know that is not the adventurous answer you were looking for...but it's me! I do really enjoy traveling, but the language barrier makes me nervous. Also, once I'm away from home for like 3 days, I'm ready to come back. I'm also really weird about trying new foods so I would be bad in a foreign country for an extended period of time. I once went to Holland and survived on Twix bars for breakfast and lunch for a week!

But, I would love to visit France, Italy, and Greece. Anyone want to be my translator?? Ha!

"What's your fave film/book?"

Some of my favorite movies include Dirty Dancing, Juno, & School of Rock. I hesitate to say Twilight was the best book I have ever read, but it is definitely one of my favorites. I also really enjoyed The Middle Place. I'm currently forging my way through the Bible for the first time cover to cover. I'm really excited about my progress and everything I am learning!


Tasha from Biology Gal asked, "Since I'm a science person too, just curious what type of work do you do in the lab?" Angela from 20-Something Dreams also wanted to know what I did for a living.

You two are in for a treat! Not. Ha! I work for a science based products and services company. Our particular branch in Ohio manufactures parts for jet engines, mainly for the military. The lab here consists of three people and our job is to test these manufactured parts before they are shipped out to the customer. All of the parts require different tests, but mainly we do thermal analysis, acid digestions, and peel strength testing. Basically, I get to walk around all day in a lab coat with my safety glass on and my steel toed shoes playing with sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. You can usually find me sporting a bright yellow spill proof apron, a face shield, and aqua green nitrile gloves. Super. Sexy.

It gets old doing the same tests day in and day out, but it pays the bills. My degree is actually in biology and I would LOVE to get back into that field. I was planning on going to medical school for, well, forever, but then had a change of heart during my masters program and decided that I didn't want to spend my years dealing with more school. Well, what's a girl to do with a masters in biology?? I have no idea. Suggestions, please!


Angela also asked, "What are your guilty pleasures? Sweets? TV shows? Shopping items?"

I've covered my go to anti-diet foods and my shopping habits but I do have a few must see TV shows. I'm a soap opera junkie and DVR Days of Our Lives everyday...and have since I was in elementary school. I do admittedly watch Jon and Kate Plus 8, The Office, 30 Rock, Grey's, & The Biggest Loser. I've drastically cut back on my television in the last year or so, but these shows made the cut.


Mrs. Ruby from Ruby Red Slippers asked, "What is your most embarrassing moment?"

Okay. Fine.

Before Matt and I were married, his mother was talking to me about some clothes that she had made for him. Well one of the items was a pair of boxer shorts and I was like, "Oh, I've seen those before!" I tried to play it off like I had seen them when I did our laundry together one time, but I don't think she bought it. Idiot.


Krystyna Lizabeth from everything happens for a reason asked, "What is your favorite part about living in Ohio...or your least favorite!?!"

Ha! Well if you've read my blog for more than 2 days you know that I don't like much! Okay, okay. Perhaps I am being a little hasty. I do like only living one state away from my friends and family and being within driving distance. I LOVE our neighborhood and the city we live in. Although downtown Cleveland leaves much to be desired, I do appreciate that they have sports teams to watch (giving me the chance to see Chicago teams when they come to town!). I also am a huge fan of the West Side Market downtown where they offer tons of fresh meats, fruits, and veggies for cheap! Oh, the lake, I like the lake! Although we don't venture out there often, I do enjoy being able to go to the Lake Erie Islands and pretend I am on vacation for the weekend.

I won't ramble on about all the things I don't like...but my least favorite has to be the weather. Although I grew up and Indianapolis and I am completely used to having horrible winters, I am over it. I hate the snow everyday but Christmas. I hate driving in it, walking in it, being out in it at all. It is only warm like 3 months of the year. I mean, this morning it was 60. It's almost July people. I need to be somewhere where it is 80s year round! And shoveling snow blows.


Cristina from Another Day in Paradise asked, "What keeps you motivated to work out?"

My fat? Ha! Well, it's kind of true. Just looking down and seeing it everyday makes me want to hit the gym. I will say that attending Weight Watchers meetings has done wonders for me. Actually having to weigh in front of someone who knows my name keeps me accountable. I also do a fitness challenge with my best friend from Indy to see who can work out the most in a 10 week period. There a point system we use to keep track and it helps us to avoid the bad foods and hit the gym!

Also, just belonging to a gym motivates me. I know I am paying for it so I might was well go.

I also get a ton of inspiration from blogging. There are so many people I look to when I feel like giving up. Some people are just starting out like me and others are old pros who are awesome at giving advice. Here are links to some of my favorite blogs that are written by fabulous women who are always pushing me to keep going: French Kiss, Just Another Day in Paradise, Mrs. GI Joe, not all those who wander are lost, Post Smith, The Shabby Princess, & Chic Runner.


Anna from Pocket Full of Pink asked, "What is on your iPod while you run?"

Y'all will get a kick out of this answer! I am not really a fan of rap music or anything that is "in" right now. I have a mix of country, oldies, and rock on my iPod right now. Some of my favorites at the moment that really add a little pick me up to my runs include:

Mickey by Toni Basil
Party for Two by Shania Twain and Billy Currington
I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston
Settlin' by Sugarland
Bye Bye by Jo Dee Messina
Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
I Think We're Alone Now by Tiffany
Bang the Drum All Day by Todd Rundgren
Gimme Some Lovin' by The Spencer Davis Group
Hot Hot Hot by Buster Poindexter and His Banshees of Blues


The Reality of Happily Ever After asked, "If you had to describe yourself as any character in a movie, what movie would it be and what character?"

This was the hardest question I had to answer! I thought long and hard about it, and you know what? They just don't make movies about girls like me.

I had the highest GPA in my class in high school, but I wasn't a nerd who didn't have any friends. I was an athlete but not good enough to play where I wanted to go to college. I wasn't unpopular, but I didn't really hang out with the popular kids outside of school. I wasn't misunderstood or always getting into trouble. In fact, I was quite the goody goody. Although I didn't have any serious boyfriends before Matt, I wasn't a girl pining away for her Prince Charming. I knew he was out there and I would find him someday.

My story would not make for an interesting movie. I'm just your average girl!


Brittany Ann from Living in the Moment asked, "What inspires you?"

This quote has always inspired me. I actually used it in my high school graduation speech. "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

I am incredibly inspired in church by God and the people in the congregation to live my life for Him. My husband inspires me daily to be the best person I can be for him and our future children. And lastly, I'm inspired so much by my bloggy friends! You ladies keep my butt in the gym, keep me focused on what is really important in life, and have provided me with friendships I so desperately needed.

Whoa! Done!

Thanks again so much for your questions and for following my little blog. You all mean the world to me and I am so thankful you spend a little part of your day here!

What's Wrong & What's Not

Things that are irking me today:

• My lab coat is made for a boy and the buttons are on the wrong side; why is it assumed that only boys work in the lab?

• The name on the lab coat is P. Scruggs. This is NOT me. P. Scruggs still works here and she is NOT nice. Why have I worked here for 2 years, 7 months, & 30 days and still do not have a lab coat with my name on it?

• I have to make another doctor's appointment. 3 appointments in a one month span is not fun (and no, not preggers, but I know what's wrong...hopefully this is the last one)

• I have lived in Cleveland for 3 years and my parents have come to visit me once

• The real reason they came is because the White Sox were in town

• I have lived in my current house for almost 2 years and my parents have never seen it

• My mom told me today that my dad is going to drive 12 hours to Kansas City to see my brother (who just left after being home for 2 weeks mind you) over Labor Day (bro lives in Colorado and is the equipment manager of a football team there...which will be playing in Kansas City over the holiday)

• I live 5 hours from my parents

Things that I am thankful for today:

• I have a job at a company that hasn't let anyone else go for over a month

• Matt is going with me to the doctor

• My issues have spurred discussions about babies!

• I have a sister, Jessi, who I can call when my parents show our brother favoritism and has complete understanding of what I am going through

• This is the same sister who has come to visit me more than anyone else and when she found out about this Kansas City trip...started planning a vacation of our own

• If Jessi doesn't call or e-mail me back, I can call my mom to find out what is going on and get her to talk to me again

• She is a better friend than anyone I have ever known and I get to have her forever since we are family.

And honey, that is why I must insist on at least two kids. I mean, come on, built in friends!

Weekend Plans and Running

I HAVE THE DAY OFF!!

Can you tell I'm excited?? It's a floating holiday at work! As a contractor..that means no money for me...but I could freaking care less because I'm so excited to be posting from my couch instead of from my desk at work where I stare at a cinder block wall all day...taking breaks only to potentially kill myself with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or sulfuric acid.

My plan for the day is as follows:

• 30 Day Shred
• weights at the gym
• finish grocery list
• shower
• make Oreo Truffles with the lovely...ready to have her baby ANY DAY NOW Tammie!
• grocery shopping
  
• RELAX!!

I'm so excited to be getting our grocery shopping done today so tomorrow we can totally chill all day!! I'm also going to try to shop for 2 weeks. We never do this...but I thought maybe it would save us some money in the long run and also a trip to the store every other week. I'll let you know how that idea fares :)

I hope y'all have a great weekend and an especially fantastic Easter. I'm blessed with so much and it's such a great time for reflection and admiration for what Jesus did for all of us. Where I would be today without Him, well..I don't even want to know.

Oh...and an update on my running!! I have good runs and bad runs...but I never stop. I've stuck to my training and I have run all the days I am supposed to and for as long as I am supposed to. The more I run, the slower I get...but I'm just happy to be running for as long as I am. I am now running for 5 minutes at a time with a 2 minute walk in between....so essentially 20 minutes out of my 30 minute work out are running! Next week it bumps up to 8 minutes of running at a time...so (yikes!) we'll see how that goes! I'm nervous...and some days I just want to quit. BUT...this week at WW...they said that next week they were bringing in this guest to talk about a WW 5K...which would be perfect for me. They're going to have training and everything...so I think it was God telling me to quit being such a baby and get my butt in gear!

What Would You Do?

If you got laid off, and they called you to come back, would you?

A little background on my job:
I'm a chem lab technician at a very well known company. I'll defer giving the name at this juncture...but I don't think that will last forever :) They only hire people in as temps (aka: contractors) and then evaluate your performance and then hire you full time. This is what they say to get you in the door. What they really do is hire you as a contractor, never with any intention of hiring you on full time, and you rot away for 2 1/2 years....busting your butt...hoping someday they will see what an asset you are to the company. (Alright...so they did hire 1 person in the 2 1/2 years I have been here...but 1 out of 45...not good odds)

I got promoted after a few months to "lead contractor" (I know...fancy right??) and was put in charge of all of the contractors at our site. I was doing this on top of my lab responsibilities...and when we got up to over 40 contractors we decided to hire someone to take over the job full time. I was completely fine with it. Working in HR (which is essentially what I was doing) was something I was neither trained for nor wanted to do. Listening to grown adults bicker and whine about why they were late that day or how someone gave them a dirty look was NOT FUN! Plus....I developed no sympathy for people, something that, if I think back long and hard, I used to have.

Well, due to the economic climate we are currently experiencing, my company is doing some intense lay offs. Of course, they are ONLY laying off contractors. Don't you think it would be better and more cost efficient to lay off full time associates who totally suck instead of people you don't even pay benefits, make less money, and are good at their jobs? Um, no...I guess not. We are now down to 22 contractors. 22. There are rumors going around that 7-8 more are going this week.

I have been told by a very reliable source that I will be among the last to go if the time comes, but somehow this does not ease my anxiety. I truly think that time will come and I will be out of work. Although this will not have the same impact on my family as it will on others that I work with, I still don't want to lose my job. I'd much rather leave this awful place on my own than be asked to leave. And the whole process of laying people off is just awful. They don't even tell you at work. They call you at home and say don't come in again. You aren't allowed back to even collect your things. Someone would have to go through my desk and my locker and get my stuff for me and I would have to go and pick it up from our temp agency (which is over 45 minutes from my house). Well, by golly, this is not happening to me! I cleaned out my whole desk on Monday and brought everything home. I'm essentially ready for my call...

So my question is: What if they call in a month or so and say they are busy again and want me back? Should I go? I really, truly hate it there...but what if I haven't found another job? What if we miss my paycheck more than we think we will? Could I handle going back to a place that so easily threw me aside? A place with clearly no job security whatsoever?

I'm not sure. What would you do?

Weekend Plans??

It's finally Friday! This has been a rough week at work....we are letting 4 people go today...AND there have been rumblings that our Site Manager is leaving. More on this if it's true!

But onto brighter things....

Today I am going for a little shopping trip with one of my newest Cleveland gal pals, Tammie. She is the wife of one of the guys Matt works with. They live super close to us so we decided we needed to become friends! We're hitting up the open air mall by our houses after work. This will be our "first date" alone together...so hopefully we won't have any of those awkward silence moments...you know? Making new friends is hard! Tammie is pregnant and is SO super close to her due date...like two weeks...so I'm excited to see her. It may be awhile before she's up for hanging out again.

Tomorrow Matt and I are heading WAY east to meet up with some other people that he works with and their significant others to watch the NCAA Tournament. Well...since Purdue is officially out...insert sad face here...I'm rooting for North Carolina. I have them winning my pool and I am currently in 3rd place out of 100 people...so I have a very good chance of winning some serious cash!

I decided I would make the famous Oreo Truffles that I have been bringing everywhere...since they are always requested and always a hit! I'm going to try to decorate them like little basketballs. I had the idea...and then I saw them on this website!! It's exactly what I want to do!

What are your plans for the weekend?? Anything exciting?

Down...and Out

I have hit a new low.

Right now, at work, I am organizing plastic bags. Yep, that's right. I have my masters and I am organizing by size loads of plastics bags that are overfilling a drawer in the lab. There is nothing else to do but to do this. I want to look busy...but do I want to be busy doing this?? I truly am glad to have a job...but this sucks.

And you thought that was bad?? Well I was just reaching for one of the bags, caught my jeans on my desk drawer, and ripped a huge hole in them! My jeans!! My staple for everyday wear at work are now ruined! Now I have to buy some more this weekend so I can work on Monday! Maybe I should purchase a few in case this happens again?? So much for not spending money. And...I have to walk around for the rest of the day with a hole in my pants...and it's not one of those "cool" holes either.

It's been a rough day...

A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words

Island Girl tagged me in a picture tag! Here are the rules:

1. Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.

2. Go to the 6th Folder and then pick the 6th Picture.

3. Post it on your bloggy and tell the story that goes with the picture.

4. Tag 5 other glorious peoples to do the same thing and leave a comment on their bloggy tellin’ about it.

This picture was taken during our company Christmas party last year. And when I say "Christmas party" I really mean a gathering of less than 1/2 of the people that work with us in the Holiday Inn a mile from our work. Its the one time a year that all of the guys wives let them out...so they are on the prowl. They all get rooms and set up a "bar" as well as go dancing in teh actual hotel bar. This particular year is the reason I no longer take shots...enough said.

I'm tagging:

Barefoot in the Park
Kristin Leigh
Krystyna Lizabeth
Mrs. Smith
Mrs. Cup

Not sure if any of you have done this...but you're IT if you want it!

Early Morning Chuckle

When I got to work this morning, I received this e-mail...

"ASSOCIATE

I HAVE AN EARLY MORNING DOCTORS APPOINTMENT AND WILL BE COMING IN TO WORK AS SOON AS I CAN.

THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENTS"

Patients?? Really?? Are you trying to be funny or do you just not know that the correct word is patience? Honestly, I'm not sure!

Happy Friday!

OCD or Working with Children??

My job: I am currently working as a lab technician for a company just south of Cleveland. Our particular branch specializes in making parts for military jet engines (this sounds way more important than it actually is!). My role is testing these parts before they are shipped to our customers in order to make sure they meet the specifications. Everyday, parts are submitted to the lab by placing them in a yellow bin outside the door.

One day, as I was walking through the shop to grab some ice from the freezer, I stopped off to close a door that had a sign on it reading, "This door must remain closed." I do this daily. I don't get irritated by the fact that I have to do it everyday, it's just something that I notice so I close the door. With me, everything has to have it's place. I realize that other people are not like that so I try not to let it bother me, I just move things to where I think they should be.

Well, this guy saw me close this door and we got to talking about my small case of OCD. Apparently this is now my "thing." Everyone in the lab has a thing...Kevin tells bad jokes....Andre is a germaphobe...and now...I'm OCD. I happened to mention (wishing this very second that I didn't open my huge, big mouth) that I especially hate when the yellow bin outside the lab is not straight. I like it a certain way so I can see through the door if there is something in it without having to actually go outside. Well, let me tell you...I think everyone in the whole plant knows this now and moves it every chance they get. Today I moved it back, and 5 minutes later it was moved again. I'm starting to get annoyed.

Overreacting....or working with morons who actually think this is funny?? I know what I think....

A Huge Scare!

So my hubby, some of his co-workers, and I were e-mailing back and forth during the day today trying to plan a time to get together next week. Well next thing I know I get this really weird e-mail from Matt saying that "some things are going down" and we'd talk later. Needless to say, I started to freak! As you may have guessed...my attorney husband is the breadwinner of our little family. My lab technician salary is minimal to say the least and I started to worry that the tough economy had finally slapped us right in the face.

They had a company wide meeting and it was announced that 12 attorneys, 9 paralegals, and 29 staff were being let go. Luckily, Matt was not one of these people...thank God! I feel so bad for those people that were fired today. I just can't imagine how they feel. I actually knew one of the girls...she's so sweet...and she just got married...it's just awful!

Now, if that didn't suck enough, they also announced that every associates' pay would be cut by a crazy amount a month! I don't want to reveal the exact amount, but I will say that it is about 12% of his salary. Yikes!! There is definitely some cutting back in order for us!

It's been a rough day to say the least. Has the economy hit anyone else in blogworld??