I did it....

I have worked for my company for 15 years and for each of those 15 years I have graciously accepted the salary that they gave me. However, I had a hard time sleeping the other night and decided that it was time to ask for more money. There are folks in our agency that make more money than I do with 1/2 the responsibility. So I pulled up my big girl panties and told my boss that I wanted to talk with him. I laid out my case and asked for a salary that was fair compared to the work that I do. He said he would look into it. I'm hopeful that something will change soon.

Home

There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home.

Can you tell that I'm glad to be home. The farm was definitely relaxing as there wasn't anything to do. I did help Mom get all the Christmas decorations put up but really needed to help her purge the 50 boxes of decorations that we didn't even open up. She was happy to have the decorations up and done.

My Dad pulled a muscle in his stomach and it was bothering him all weekend. I can tell that my parents are slowing down and their age is catching up with them. I guess that I always hoped that father time wouldn't catch up to them but I don't think the fountain of youth works yet.

Tonight is about resting and relaxing and doing lots of laundry. But I'm glad to be home.

Thanksgiving

Just a quick post. We came down to the farm on Wednesday and I haven't left except for a few short trips to town. I fixed a big meal on Thursday. Once again the family didn't communicate well and if we had changed it to a really late lunch, we could have all ate together. All the siblings were here at one time or another but not all at the same time.

Yesterday, I worked on a few crafts and just hung out with the momster. We ran to town to pick up a few things and then it was back to the farm. Cowboy has been an outdoorsman and had done a lot of "riding" around with dad.

Today, Mom and I have been putting up all of her Christmas decorations. It has been very uneventful. I think the leftovers are at a minimum and tonight will be ham and beans night.

I'm getting a little antsy to head back to my home. I miss it but also love being on the farm. I'm lucky to have the best of two worlds.

Work

I know that I have posted a lot about how crappy work has been....well, I have no big task looming on the horizon and the stress is going down. Knock on wood and everything wooden around me and you

I have about 8 evaluations to do but that is just busy work and not really that big of a deal to get done. I'm excited that this is a short week and I'll be going home to spend the long weekend with my mommy and daddy. Four days down on the farm, but I will be relaxed. (or worn to a frazzle by mom).

Week End in Review

I'm not quite sure where the weekend has gone and why my blogging seems to get further and further apart so I thought I would just hit the highlights.

1) Thursday--hmm not sure what happened--oh, yeah, the State was still auditing our programs and I was sick of it.

2) Friday- The State left and Cowboy and I went out on a date. We had dinner at Wendy's and saw The Blind Side. It was a good date after Cowboy simmered down. He gets all wound up about traffic and waiting in lines for dinner.

3) Saturday- Went to the grocery store for Thanksgiving dinners supplies and left my purse in the shopping cart in the parking lot. Had a small heart attack. Went back and some man--truly an angel--turned it in with everything still inside. The Cowboy and I went golfing. The man needs some temper control lessons. Then off to watch the UFC fight. Love em.

4) Saturday-Sunday--the daughter showed up to stay all night with all of her belongings (an attempt to move in) but left early Sunday morning after her father had a Reality Check with her.

5) Sunday--We had dinner for Cowboy's "Family" there were 7 of us and the food turned out better than expected. All the boys had two huge platefuls and everyone enjoyed a late dessert. I love that I was able to do this for Cowboy.

Everyone's caught up.

Random Thoughts

1) We are half way done with our state audit. The clinical part went really well and the billing part is a pure pain in my ass. I want to drop kick those bitchy folks.

2) My iPhone seems to be behaving itself so hopefully I won't have any more problems.

3) I am on week two of my new workout program and I am just down right sore all over. I decided that I had gotten lazy in my workouts so I'm stepping it up a notch and although, I feel better, I'm sore.

4) Cowboy made brownies and bought ice cream today for dessert.

5) I wonder why I don't seem to lose weight maybe because of #4.

6) I haven't had to travel any with my job this week and I still can't seem to get anything done, see #1.

7) I am extremely tired of high maintenance staff, well, as a matter of fact, that applies to state auditors.

8) I would almost pay $1000 to just lay in bed all day tomorrow and eat brownies and ice cream--conflicts with #3 but explains #5.

9) For a much as I love my Cowboy, sometimes he absolutely bugs the every loving shit out of me. Like he did, 15 minutes ago.

10) I have really stinky gas tonight--to many black beans in my soup at lunch and then my Cowboy put them in my dinner tonight. I guess he'll get what's coming to him in bed.

11) Oh yes, I was walking in the hallway after eating the beans, and just farted the loudest fart I had all day. I just kept walking and pretended it didn't happen. So much for black bean soup.

Technology

So I love my iPhone. My Cowboy thinks that I'm addicted to my iPhone. He says that I can't live without it. I have promised that when we go on our honeymoon--no phone and no laptop.

However, for the last two weeks I have wanted to throw the damn thing in the trash! I've called it a piece of shit, cursed it, and wanted to throw it out the window at the nearest big object that would smash it to smithereens.

The POS would lose connection and I would not get phone calls, connect to FB or check my emails. It would appear that I would have a full battery and it would really be dead. What ever was happening was running my battery down.

Last Friday, I took it to the store and they put in a new sym card. That worked for all of a day. Curse word, curse word, really bad curse word.

So today I finally called Apple support and guess what, my operating system had bugs and there was a newer version out there that fixed my problems (supposedly). I downloaded it tonight so we'll see how it works in the next couple of days. The phone is so smart, why didn't it tell me that there was another update version.....damn technology.

Thanks Giving

At this time when everyone is expressing their thanks for the things in their lives, I'm feel so sad for my Cowboy. Cowboy does not have good relationships with his family members and has very little family support.

Cowboy is the oldest son in the family and the second of five kids. Donna is the oldest and left home at the age of 15. She has been away from here ever since, living on the east coast. Donna has lots of health issues. She is very poor and lives in very unstable situations. She was recently in a car wreck and is now living in an assisted living home in a wheelchair. Donna writes Cowboy letters and then Cowboy writes her back. He hasn't seen Donna for years and probably won't see her anytime soon.

Then there is Cowboy's brother. Ron has a drinking problem and is diabetic. Ron moved to Pennsylvania to get away from the trouble he was having here. Cowboy will occasionally hear from Ron but not often. Usually it's calls like Ron was in a diabetic coma and almost died. Or Ron got in a fight and got totally beaten up. Cowboy hasn't seen Ron for 6 years.

Finally, there is the drama of the two younger sisters, Robin and Sandra. These are the two sisters that joined the church that kicked their mom out after his dad died. It was kind of a cult church. A couple of years ago, Sandra's husband died and Cowboy went to the funeral. Since that time, Robin went wild and left the church, she divorced her husband and the husband married Sandra. Cowboy has no contact with them.

I can't imagine not talking to my brothers and sisters and having my parent no longer with me. I'm having a small Thanksgiving dinner for Cowboy and his family. It's my attempt to support Cowboy build a family. We have invited his son and DIL, his adopted mom, and a buddy of his. Cowboy is struggling with his daughter so I'm not sure if she'll be coming to dinner.

I just want to remember to be thankful for my family, no matter what.

Last Call

Cowboy and I have been talking today about the facts that it seems like we have been married for a couple of years. He has been amazing today. He fixed every meal for me today and has just allowed me to spend the day on the couch.

All this started me thinking about the time before Cowboy. One of the things that I was always afraid of was that something would happen to me and no one would know. When I traveled, I would call my parents to let them know that I made it to my destination. I never had anyone to share my day with. But now I do. I love having a last call of the day. I love that Cowboy is my last call. I am so in love with this man and can't believe how truly awesome he is to me daily.

I know without a doubt that he will always be my last call.

My Saturday

So how does an overworked, overstressed me get to spend my Saturday.

Well, I start with a 7a gym call where the recently discovered stair master kicked my big fat ass for 25 minutes. Then the treadmill called my name and finally the weights got a little bit of attention.

Breakfast at the local Town Topic and then off to work for the next 5 1/2 hours. Yes, I said work. Although, I got a lot done, I would have much rather been playing golf with my husband in drizzly 50 degree weather.

Then off to a wedding reception. We got to see some old friends, which was nice.

Tomorrow, I swear that I'm not getting out of my jammies and not leaving the house for nothing. I'm napping and may just be on the couch all day.

Busy Week

Once again it has been a busy week at work. Working long hours and still have so much to do. I keep saying that it has to get better but it hasn't. Next week the state comes for a certification visit. They want all this stuff, yuck. I have so much to do. I could work all weekend and still not get everything done.

Things really need to get better......

Oh Dear, Oh Deer

This is a post that may be TMI--so don't read on if you don't want to know more.....

First, the not so bad part--Cowboy found a deer in the back yard with a huge rack. So we have been on deer watch for the past three nights. Cowboy drags me outside to walk around, drive around or stand on the back porch several times a night to see if we can catch a glimpse of the big buck again. (He just walked out the door for a deer check.) Oh deer!

So while I was on my vacation, I noticed that my friend was eating Activia yogurt. She said that she was impressed that it really seemed to work. She was pooping regularly. Hmmm... I am not a regular pooper so I thought I would give it a try. I know it says that if you eat it regularly for 14 days it will improve your digestion and help you stay regular. Well call me crazy, but I think that after 2 days it's working. Big poop this morning. So much so that it didn't flush all the way. Can you imagine what Cowboy had to say? Oh dear....

Real Score

So when we play golf, we each take a "first tee box" blues shot if needed (aka. re-d0) to start off the game. Then we give each other a mulligan on the front 9 and one on the back 9. (aka. re-do's) Most of the time, I try really hard to stick to this and play my score as close as possible. However, there are times that I will not count a stroke here and there because of circumstances that happen (Cowboy talking in my back swing, the ball going in the rough and not being able to find it, etc.) You get the picture.

Yesterday, we played with Cowboy's son and his wife. It was a beautiful day and great to be out on the course. I have hurt my elbow and thought that I would struggle on the course but decided that I just needed to stay focused and play my game. I played a fantastic first 9 holes. I it the green on my tee shot on a par 3. I hit another drive 40 yards from the green on a par 4. Hit a pitch shot off the green and into the hole for a birdie and so on. I was on fire. I shot my lowest 9 holes ever....42.

The second 9 started a little rough and not a many remarkable shots but still pretty good for the day and my elbow. On number 17, I hit a monster drive but at the same time, something popped in my elbow....not good. I finished pretty good and didn't make many bad shots, I did have to take two mulligans and ended up with a 48. It was the best round of golf that I ever played. My lowest had been a 97 but I was one stroke away from being in the 80's which is awesome for me. I felt pretty good because that was a legitimate score (aside from the 2 mulligans).

Cowboy and his son shot scores in the high 80's. Now they on the other hand gave themselves a few breaks. Didn't count lost balls or balls in the water. But that's not my concern. I figure everyone plays their game how they play it and whatever they want to do is fine.

So on the way home, we were recapping the day and I was pretty excited about the day. I made a simple comment about wondering what their scores (Cowboy and the son) would have been if they had kept score the right way. Oh my gosh, was that the wrong thing to say. For the next 20 minutes I heard a tirade about score keeping and getting breaks and not counting strokes and on and on and on and on. So much so that I stopped talking and tuned Cowboy out. Really, be a man and admit that you take a few liberties.

Come to find out, Cowboy thought I was calling him a cheat and implying that I would have beat him. So not what I as saying. But hey, if the shoe fits....

Lesson learned...Let him play his game, I'll play mine and I'll kick the shit out of him but not mention it again...except for maybe here and then I'll laugh about it.

Close Call

So when I got home from Florida, Cowboy picked me up from the airport and asked, " So do you want the good news or the bad news?" 'Bad news.' "C is getting evicted from her apartment and she's moving in with us on Thursday." Oh, welcome home to me.

We have tried this twice. Both time, didn't work out so well. Is the third time supposed to be a charm? I'm so not happy about this.

Last night- Cowboy told me that C will not be moving in with us. She'll be moving in with her mom. Is it wrong of me to be happy about this?

I really won't mind if she were helping herself but she is just expecting everyone to take care of her. Who knows what the future will hold but for now, a close call was avoided.

My Trip to Florida

I miss my friend. I miss my friend alot. She is one of the few people in this world that I can be totally open and honest with and who always accepts me for me. So I was thrilled to finally being able to go see her and spend time with her.

I got to Florida on Thursday. She picked me up from the airport and we were off to pick up the girls from school. Addie and Hannah just said hi--typically 8 years old stuff. But sweet little KK came up to me and gave me the biggest hug and kiss. She was so sweet. Then it was off to home. That night was not very eventful.

Friday was a big day. We were up early to go to school for KK's Halloween party. Sherry and I went for breakfast first and found a wonderful store that we had to go back and check out. The Halloween party was fun. 20 kindergarten students trick-or-treating at all the other class rooms and then off to visit the retired nuns. Then it was our turn. Sherry and I headed out to the spa and got a full pampering. Massage, pedicure and manicure. My guy gave me the best back rub ever. If Cowboy would have been fine with another man living with us, I would have packed him up and brougth him home.

The relaxation was somewhat short lived as we took the girls to the Halloween Festival at the school. Imagine 100 screaming, running Catholic school kids and a loud DJ. The best thing--they served beer and wine.

Saturday was spent at the soccer game and then shopping for additions to Halloween costumes. Trick or treating and then a party next door where Sherry and I sang our hearts out with the Karoke machine--okay so it was one song and we sounded somewhat okay. "Oh what a night, late December back in 63"

Sunday, the mom and dad went shopping while I got the girls. They were painting and I was watching. Then we came to a mutual decision to go shopping--really they decided to shop. It was either shopping or the beach and shopping won. KK was so tired that she made the day a little funky. Not many bargains but dreams of a new Coach purse.

Sunday night, Sherry and I got away for dinner at Aunt Kate's. Mixed reviews on the food but good to spend just girl time together.

Monday was more girl time as the girls didn't have school and Dad was home with them all day. We were able to get in some good girl shopping. I got several new shirts, a cute new sweater, earrings, sunglasses and a few other fun things.

Tuesday was flying home. Saying goodbye at the airport is always sad. Tears. I love you's. More Tears.

I miss my friend.

Just Pictures

Full update tomorrow--