Dudes!

HapPy NeW YeaR!!

Lots of happiness in my world right now! The Professor and I are still going strong. He rocks my world - seriously, upside down rockin'! In so many ways we are different, but we are the same in others. We're still learning about each other and about the kind of relationship we both agreed to embark on; one built on traditional roles - he's Tarzan, I'm Jane :) Oh of course it goes deeper than that, but that's best saved for another post (maybe one day).

Hey the gym is still part of my life - barely. I hope to return within the week. I did gain some holiday pounds, but thanks to the stomach flu, I lost it all + 3 more! But my appetite has returned so I need to get to the gym (with gusto) and get myself in better shape.

My kid is in a new relationship with someone that treats her wonderfully. I'm happy for Mari.

I've always posted about my job because it's such an important aspect of my life, but I've decided to tone down that importance. I've decided to pull way back on project work. This is the most that I've ever pulled back and I feel great about it! I don't feel like I'm going to miss something if I'm not on every project that I can get my hands on, I don't feel like people will think badly of me if I don't work like a dog, nah I'm done with that way of thinking. Dude, it's time for me to look forward to going home and actually leaving my job at 5p instead of 7 or 8 or 9! So right now, work is where it should be - on the back burner. Yeah.

I took two weeks off for the holidays and spent almost every single day with the Professor and his daughter. When vacation was over, it felt kind of weird not being with him, but soon enough I got back into the routine of work and all that goes with that - I've even enjoyed hanging out at home this past week, working on a jigsaw puzzle, taking it easy by staying put, not having to be anywhere - it's been quite nice.

But I do miss the Professor :) We'll be seeing each other soon enough - this weekend! It's his birthday so we'll be doing some celebrating.

My furry kids, Toula, Noodles, and Spatz are doing well. Each of them entertaining in their own special way. All of them are so loving, but they do have their own way of expressing themselves. Toula is jealous of her brother, but loves to hang out with him, Noodles is in her own little world, doing her own thing, while Spatz wants to be part of everyone's world. It's hard to imagine life without them.

Well there you have it; my corner of the Uni-verse.

I'm signing off for now - it's late, and I need my beauty rest.

Thanks for reading.

-xo

End of Summer

The end of summer is fast approaching and a lot has happened since my last post. Remember my last post about the guy that has an 8 year old daughter? I shall call him the Professor. Well, we're still seeing each other; things are moving along nicely. We still haven't met one another's daughters, which I expect will happen sometime soon. However, this Saturday I will be meeting his bestfriend for the first time. Yes, I will have to pass muster with this guy - we all know how the best friend test goes. The Professor and this guy have been friends for over 40 years. The guy has a boat and will be taking us out on it and then we're all going to dinner. He's bringing his date too. It's been forever since I've gone on a double-date - even typing the word makes me giggle ;o)

Work is work. I have been a bit overwhelmed, but it will pass. It always does. Next year I'm determined not to take on so many projects at once.

I'm still going to the gym although lately it's been harder than usual for both cuzzy and me. We finally figured out why. We're at the 6-month mark, which was when we quit going to the gym the last time. Dude, we didn't go back to the gym for about 2 years! Not wanting that to happen again, we keep each other on track, even if it means going just once a week and not our regular 4 times a week.

On the family front, Johnny is walking now! He's cuter than a bug (takes after his auntie - ha!). My niece Mel (we call her Noon) and her boyfriend, Nick, are over for a visit - all the way from Pennsylvania. She is a senior @ Penn State while Nick graduated this year. They're a cute couple. Man, I can't believe just how grown up she is! It just seems like yesterday she was a little kid doing the happy food dance when she got a piece of candy.

My kiD Mari is doing as well as can be expected; she and her partner recently parted ways. Each day is different; some good, some bad. Right now sadness reigns in her world, but she is moving along and I believe is past the worst of it. The healing process has begun.

In about a month, Stephanie, a girl that cuzzy and I met when we owned an online gaming ladder will be flying out from Arizona to meet us both for the first time! Man! That's something! We've known one another for about 8 years now. She's going to spend the weekend here - we're just gonna keep ourselves completely inebriated the entire time! LOL! I'm kidding; at least 99.9% of the time. We do have our standards.

So that's it, my friends.

What about you; how are things going in your neck of the woods?

When you hear from me next time, I hope that the Professor and I will still be clicking along.

Later.

-xo

Catch-up

A few things have happened since my last post.

I have been back at the gym for awhile now and I’ve even lost some weight :-)

I am no longer seeing the man that I wrote about in my last post. Things fell apart. We parted as friends, but really, it was more like a friendly parting. At times I find myself feeling wistful, but I realize that I need to move on and stop dwelling on the what-could-have-beens and the if-onlys.

I have met someone and we get along well, but I am not sure about having a relationship with him yet. He's an interesting man, energetic, intelligent, attentive, and dedicated to his 8-year old daughter, who he has full custody of. He is interested and curious about me; what I think, how I feel, what makes me laugh, my likes, dislikes, etc. This alone is heady stuff and I find myself drawn to him because of it. But that is just one aspect; there are many more that we need to explore. I really don’t want to jump into anything – heck I’ve been searching for that special someone for over a year now so I am sure I can wait

Work has been good and busy. I'm taking off next week (vacation). I am not planning on going anywhere, just hanging out at home, being with family and friends, and basically doing nothing but relaxing.

It's late so I'm off to bed.

Thanks for reading -xo

Tonight

My kid and her friend Brook were over tonight for dinner. I fixed fried chicken and some steaks, steamed rice and corn.

I finished reading A Field of Darkness by Cornelia Read. It is her first published novel; a mystery. I would recommend the book if you enjoy reading mystery. It was a little slow at first, but picks up.

I have to head into work this Sunday (yay).

Yeah right.

Even thought my sabbatical doesn't begin until Sep 15th, I'm already on it, but I have to act like I'm not by going through the motions of working really hard as is my normal way; however, I'm sure I'm failing as each day passes. I'm so la-dee-da about work it isn't even funny although I'm laughing hard inside.

Okay not that hard, it's more like snickering.

I went and bought the ingredients to make tabouleh - I am looking forward to it. Then after that, I want to try my hand at making gazpacho soup - I've always wanted to try it. And it doesn't hurt that these two dishes are healthy. After all we all know what a health nut I truly am.

Riggghhtt.

Girls that Wear Glasses and other Kernyen News

Last Friday I went to a specialist of the cornea that my opthamologist referred me to and it would seem that my eyes need a break from wearing contact lens for about 2 months (maybe more). The ulcer on my right eye is healing, but my corneas have some wear and tear on them from wearing contact lenses too much.

So now I am wearing my glasses full time and I can't wear makeup until my ulcer heals completely.

I was never one of those girls that did the natural look so I am feeling a little plain without my makeup (okay a lot plain).

In other Kernyen news, I spent the day with mom, Mari and Arron. Mom fixed this sea food dish that was spectacular! And the girls brought over a banana cream pie and a peach pie - very delicious.

Tomorrow another week begins. My boss is out for a week on vacation - yay! But I have a two-day face-to-face (FTF) meeting, but other than that it should be an easy week. It's the following week that will be pretty full; I have my admin team FTF followed by my boss's 2-day FTF staff meeting. Then we have a quarterly event (team building). However, I may not get to attend any of it if I have to go to court for jury duty.

Lord I can't wait for my sabbatical!

It's Official

I pushed out my sabbatical until next year.

I know.

What was I thinking? This is the second time I've done this - Next year I will definitely take my sabbatical - it's that or lose it.

Hooksie

I'm playing hooky from work. Well actually it's a mental day off for me. You know how it is when you need a break, but didn't know you needed one until the day arrives and you're laying in bed wide awake unable to get your ass out of bed no matter what? Then you start to realize there is no way you can go into work because mentally you're done, you need a break.

I'm not doing anything but relaxing at home and vegging out. I'm getting myself mentally prepared for another year of running around like a chickie with its head cut off.

Hola

I realize it's been awhile since I've posted. I've just been busy with my work and my guy.

Work has been a bear at times, causing me a lot of pain and stress, which I am happy to say has somewhat subsided. But through it all my guy has been a rock.

So I'm still a lead admin despite the hell that I have been put through. My manager and the HR rep have been supportive, which has been a big help. There was a time when I almost left my job, but I have risen above the crap and moved on without worrying about another person's behavior. I did what I could and that's good enough.

So on to the good stuff.

The man in my life who I shall refer to as G or SirG ;-)

G and I now live together. We met online about eight months ago. Of course we have our ups and downs - how else can we learn from one another without some adversity? Like for instance putting the toilet seat down so my ass doesn't touch water.

Life is good.

-xo

The Latest

Hello everyone - I know I've been away too long. My guy and I are having a great time in getting to know one another and posting in a blog is the last thing I've been wanting to do. I'm sure you understand ;o)

Not that the 'honeymoon' of the relationship is over, I just have some spare time to give you the latest.

Where I work, I'm a lead admin. In this position, I manage the admin team for my group to ensure that the team provides stellar support, be the best they can be, yadda-yadda...Now I don't manage the admin on a personnel level; they each have their own manager that handles that - I business manage the team. It is kind of like program managing. Anyhow, I have a couple of admins that are a pain in the ASS - ok to be more precise; a pain in my ASS. They are constantly putting up road blocks, getting their managers involved, etc. I trusted the team and figured I'd go to the team first, working it with them and try to make the team cohesive. Well that was the wrong thing to do! Two of the four admins that I lead don't want to be led - both suck at being a team player, although one is worse than the other. Sooooo right now my life sucks big ones at work. BUT, I'll have it fixed as time goes by. I realize now that I should have talked to their managers FIRST - to get their buy-off in what I'm trying to do with the team. As far as I'm concerned, my number one job as a lead is to ensure that the GM's (General Manager's) expectations of the admin team are met. The General Manager is my manager.

Listen everyone, I wasn't born to lead. I was born to follow, and to be perfectly honest, I don't mind following. This leading crap leaves a lot to be desired. My peers at work are telling me to hang in there, everything will be fine, I'm a fine leader. HA!

Oh and by the way, I got a 7.65% pay raise!

That's what I'm talkking abooot!

-xo

Back, but Dunno for how Long ~

I know that I've been away for a long time. I just haven't been in the mood to blog. I've been preoccupied with other things such as work and having some romance in my life.

Yes, you read correctly; romance.

I am reluctant to talk any more about it because the relationship is so new, I don't wanna jinx it. Ha! Seriously - until the relationship becomes more established, I'll share.

Work is better. I've just recently put myself back on track. For months, I lost the motivation to go to work let alone be happy while I'm there. I was a bit frightened about the lack of motivation because honestly the last thing that I want to feel is dislike for my job. Why? Well I have to say that I like the company that I work for.

Everything is going well on the family front. Mari is now living in the apartment right next door to me! Kinda nice. Although she is rarely home, always spending time with Arron at her house.

Noodles is bratty as ever, but so darned cute that I can't smack her when she is being a brat - I spoil her too much.

Oh and I'm still going to the gym at least 4x's a week. I've lost 35 pounds!

Hood-lah!

-xo

Work Sucks

I do like my job, but right now I'm not enjoying it. I think I am overwhelmed with everything and I need to start rethinking at what I have on my plate and start getting rid of some of it. That's what I get for always saying yes to everything.

New mission in life: Say no!

By the way, workouts are still part of my life ;-)