Officially "Living on a Spare"!

A couple years ago, my husband and I joined a bowling league. We were recruited by another couple (who later dropped out on us, but that's beside that point!). It was still a fun experience though. We'd been talking about doing another one - and recently, when we were out with a few friends, it came up in conversation.

So, we all discussed it - scheduling, costs, team name, etc. - and decided to go for it! We went to the informational meeting last night and, even though they're a bit more hardcore about the league than the one we had before, we have a good team and it should be a good time. "Living on a Spare" officially gets their bowl on next Wednesday :)

A win-o birthday!

Every year, Rodney and I spend considerable time planning a special day for his mom's birthday. It usually involves dinner someplace, but also, we try to treat her to something she hasn't done before. Last year, it was painting at like a wine/canvas place. This year, we decided to take her to an actual winery for the day... take a tour, do some tasting and then just enjoy a few bottles before dinner. We invited her baby sister to come along because she is a barrel of laughs and knew she would accent the day perfectly.

We woke up to a wet, soggy, blah kinda Saturday. It was NOT the kind of day where you want to be driving on curvy, narrow roads to get to a winery where you can't sit out on the patio as planned. But, we were determined to still make it a great day - and it was! Rod's mom had such a good time and probably had a bellyache at the end of the day from laughing so much. She enjoyed the winery very much and then, because she likes seafood so much, we hit the Red Lobster for dinner. While the food is typically good, we don't always get the best service... but on this day, we did. Halluyeerrrr!!!

Birthdays are special. It is important to celebrate and share them with the people who mean most to you. It's a treat anytime we are able to share a new experience either with each other or with other people we love. You only have one life, so why not live it to the fullest!?

Haley Jade

What a difference a week can make! I woke up last Sat. to read condolences and messages on FB that an old colleague of mine had passed. It made me incredibly sad as it just reiterates how short life truly is. After that morning shocker, I proposed to Rodney that we finally go get a dog. We'd been talking about it for a while and waffling back and forth on whether to add a furbaby to our lives. On this day, it felt right.

My husband already had some babies saved online, so we looked together and decided on Haley. Although she was about 30 min from us, her bio sounded like a good match for us. We got to the shelter and were told that she'd been there for almost 2 years (which made it even more tempting to adopt her). She had a sweet demeanor and wasn't overly hyper like other pits we had visited before... so we made a quick decision to take her home. The shelter bathed her, gave her shots and micro-chipped her on the spot so we could take her. On the way home, we stopped at the pet store to buy a bed, food, toys, bones, etc.

Here are some photos we took that first day:

We began settling into a routine. She slept. A lot. Perhaps it's because she hadn't gotten restful sleep in a long time. We picked her up on a Sat. and then made an appointment with a vet for the following Tues. I took the day off so we could take her together... only when we got home, our condo company contacted us to say we had to get rid of her. Apparently, our bylaws have a requirement of 30 lbs. max and she was about 10 lbs over. Even though we own the actual condo, picked up after her and were sure she would blend with the other big dogs around our complex who were "grandfathered in" at a higher weight, we could not keep her.

After only 4 days, we were both attached to her, so it was a really hard decision. We hated the idea of taking her back to the shelter or even thinking that she may get euthanized. But we had to and we did. We didn't want to get any more attached than we already were or prolong the inevitable. That evening, we drove back out to the shelter to return her. The shelter people were pretty mean to us which didn't help matters.

A week ago, we got a furbaby and called her Haley Jade. She touched our hearts and provided insight into the kind of dog we'll want when we move to a place without restrictions.

A small celebration

Now that school is over, the celebration can begin! A couple of weeks ago, my husband and a few close friends went out to dinner and bowling. We met at Olive Garden, had some good eats and wine (of course!). Then it was time to get our bowl on! We split the teams girls vs. guys and they whooped our butts... badly... twice! It's OK though. There will be a rematch and we (girls) will take 'em!

It was a fun night. It is still taking some getting-used-to not to have homework or class assignments taking up the bulk of my time. Not that I am complaining! In fact, I am really enjoying it. I can't imagine why I did not quit school sooner! LOL! Joking... I know why. I just hope it pays off in a big way.

Speaking of which, I've been sending resumes out a lot. A couple of bites for phone interviews (blech!) but nothing that has tickled my fancy like the one job I almost had! (sigh) I know there is a reason why, but it doesn't make the disappointment any less. I hope something great comes along soon. I am so stagnant where I am and, even though I am grateful for a job that pays our bills, my motivation level is way low on the scale while my boredom level keeps rising.

Friday letters...

I feel like I've been uncharacteristically bitchy this week - so I figured it was high time to pull up my big girl panties and count my blessings!

one
I am simply thankful that Friday is here. After such a long, exhausting week, I am ready for the weekend to spend some time with my husband, friends and just "regroup".

two
I said it earlier in the week, but must reiterate: I am SO thankful school is over! It's been odd, but nice, to think about what homework needs to be done for the week and realizing that I do not have that hanging over my head anymore.

three
My husband is wonderful. He makes me laugh. He drives me crazy sometimes. But he definitely makes my world a better place. I am thankful for the ways he loves me and just for who he is.

four 
Money can be awesome - but it can also be stressful. I find myself worrying about money more often than I should. I am thankful for a job that provides for us and pays the bills. Although it'd be great to find a better paying job with better benefits, I just need to be thankful that I am getting a paycheck and that we are financially "ok" for now.

five
Spring is here. Even though that means allergies (yuck!), at least it's warm and flowers are pretty. I'm just thankful that there is no more cold and no more snow for the foreseeable future!

Burneddddd OUT!

I am totally, completely, utterly, hopelessly BURNED OUT!

Folks, when I tell ya that I need a vacation, that might be the understatement of the decade! Work and school, work and school... that's all I've done for the past few years. Although school is over and I can now think of using all of that time for cleaning, going to the gym and cooking, right now, none of that is appealing at this very moment.

Right now, I want to sit on the beach and sip fruity drinks... get some sun on my face while my husband chases the big wave. Right now, I want to escape to a cabin and sit on the porch drinking beers with my hubby. Right now, I'd really rather be anywhere but here doing anything but this.

***timeout to email a resume***

Anywho, the job search is rather slow-going. There aren't a lot of jobs out there right now. I am hoping that companies will start posting more positions now that we're into 2nd quarter. I guess we'll see! For now, I need some energy and motivation to keep it moving until something better comes my way!

It. Is. Finished.

This is a double-themed post: It. Is. Finished.

Last Sunday was Easter. My husband and I went to a friend's church and then ended up at the family church. (Yes, we got a lot of Jesus that day!) :) At the 2nd service, the pastor resonated with "It is finished" as in Jesus paid the price. His resurrection symbolizes our freedom from the chains of sin. There is nothing we need to do - except believe, put our trust and follow Him. No deed or act will be able to secure our place. Jesus already did that. Although I've heard the resurrection story a thousand times, I appreciated this application of the Word. It put me in my place. It confirmed that nothing I do will ever measure to what God has already done through His son. What a powerful, amazing love!

Also, on Sunday, I submitted my very last grad school assignment. It is finished! While I impatiently wait on final grades to see if I graduate with a 4.0 GPA, I am relieved that school is over. So much time, energy and brainpower has gone to school over the last several years. It feels weird to think about having all of that "free" time, but I welcome it! More time for cooking. More time for working out. More time for wine. And the biggest thing -- More time for enjoying the simple things in life with my husband.

I am thankful to have this Masters degree under my belt. I am tired! Now, onto finding a better job and a better salary (so I can pay back student loans!) It's the American way, right!?

Two interviews. No job offer.

This has been the frustration over the last several weeks. I had two rounds of interviews with a local dentist company. It was a great opportunity - to utilize the skills and education I have while gaining new experience, particularly in management. The company is well-respected and at the top of my list of "places I'd like to work". Yet, I came away empty-handed.

The good part is: I received good feedback. Ultimately it came down to one other candidate and me. I was young, motivated, driven, educated - but the other person was more "seasoned" and in a better position to "plug and go". Due to the departmental needs at this particular moment, they went with the other candidate. Although I feel there was nothing more I could do to sell myself or make them choose me, I am still highly disappointed.

The bad part is: I have to stay where I am indefinitely. To come THAT close to having another job and not being able to seal the deal is... well, it sucks! My current company does not appreciate me or my contributions at all. Even though I am almost finished with a Masters degree, the HR department refuses to allow me to transition there. So, I sit, stagnant, overqualified and bored out of my skull... earning my paycheck, but desperately wanting something more.