The boyfriend and I had a great trip to California and are now back home! It was definitely a nice vacation, but nothing like coming home to the normalcy that I love.
I am happy to report that another vacation has been scheduled already! This one is going to be in August and the boyfriend, his parents, and I are travelling in their camper-trailer to Florida so that we can go to DisneyWorld!!! On the way back, we are stopping by the Outer Banks in North Carolina to go to the beach! I'm uber excited about this.
And there is one more exciting thing...I now have a Wii and a Wii fit that I absolutely love! Once again, major thanks to the boyfriend for totally pitching in for my birthday (as if he hasn't already done enough, I know ;). Because of my new Wii fit I worked out for 45 minutes yesterday!!! Surprisingly I was sore today too! I also did a little this morning before church and am going to do some tonight before I go to bed. And the boyfriend and I are eating better with more meals at home, less eating out. Can I get a heck yes for weight loss and getting healthy?!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
What goes up must come down
This seems to be my hope at the moment. Ah, well not really, but it's fun to be overdramatic...don't you think? lol. Anywho, life happened again and I have to move by the end of April. It's normal in my life, sucks, but normal just the same.
On a better note, because of everything going on I filled my boyfriend's mom into my life thus far and she was incredibly receptive. I love him and his family so much and am incredibly thankful that they are so supportive and loving. I've definitely got it made on that front.
My job is going well. Difficult at times, but going well all the same. I get a lot done and the kids like me, depite the attitude issues...that's normal, right? Of course it is!
Only two weeks until we go to California :) Oh, it makes me so giddy to be able to visit and especially with the boyfriend. It will be so great to have him see where I grew up.
That's all for now. The boyfriend should be home any minute now :)
On a better note, because of everything going on I filled my boyfriend's mom into my life thus far and she was incredibly receptive. I love him and his family so much and am incredibly thankful that they are so supportive and loving. I've definitely got it made on that front.
My job is going well. Difficult at times, but going well all the same. I get a lot done and the kids like me, depite the attitude issues...that's normal, right? Of course it is!
Only two weeks until we go to California :) Oh, it makes me so giddy to be able to visit and especially with the boyfriend. It will be so great to have him see where I grew up.
That's all for now. The boyfriend should be home any minute now :)
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Bad Days
There are just some days where it seems that no matter what I can't seem to get out of this mood. I'm sure there are many reasons why I feel this way, but either way it bites. I'm moody, irritable, tired, and don't want to be around anyone let alone talk to anyone. It's just one of those days that no matter what, I'm stuck in a rut. I want to withdraw from everything and everyone. Bottom line is that I'm overwhelmed, stressed, and have too much to deal with. I just want to curl up on my couch with my electric throw, watch a movie, and go to sleep.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Let the Good Times Roll
Looking back from where I have been to where I am now I have come to realize how incredibly lucky I am to be at this point now. Here are things I can not seem to get over...
- Eventhough my family is far away we still manage to keep in contact and maintain a good relationship despite the distance.
- I have only one more short year left until I have my bachelor's degree!
- My new job is going really well. Going there makes me feel appreciated, accomplished, and valuable.
- I have a place to call my own (despite not actually sleeping there yet, but that's coming soon...)
- My cat has a happy home with Snuggles and I get to see her whenever I want!
- And last but not least I have an amazing boyfriend who not only loves me, but his family has shown me so much love over the past seven months too. I don't know what I would have done without them.
I can honestly say that there isn't much to complain about right now considering all of the good things that are happening. It's so great to finally feel happy and optimistic again!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Moving On
This move is coming up really quickly. In just two short days everything is going to change. I am really looking forward to the change of scenery. There has been a lot going on for a while and it will be good to be closer to the boyfriend and hopefully be less stressed. I still have some packing to do, but we really got a lot done this past Friday! I am totally looking forward to moving on. I'm working on the saying, "Let go and let God!" That is a very difficult thing many times mainly because I like to try to do things myself. Of course, that just get's me into trouble, but it's a work in progress.
I have mixed emotions about leaving. Part of me will miss the boys, but the other part is relief. I know that there have been many struggles over the past 16 months and it will be so great to be rid of them. Each day becomes increasingly difficult as the days continue. Luckily it is only two more days and there's still a great deal of packing to be done....
I have mixed emotions about leaving. Part of me will miss the boys, but the other part is relief. I know that there have been many struggles over the past 16 months and it will be so great to be rid of them. Each day becomes increasingly difficult as the days continue. Luckily it is only two more days and there's still a great deal of packing to be done....
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Is it really too much to ask?
Everything went well when I told my employers that I would like to move to Maryland and pursue new opportunities out there. It was really a great to be able to get that off of my chest and to have it be so positive!
I met with the agency today. It makes me very comfortable to be able to work with professionals who will refer me to their clients and have my interests at heart. They help with taxes, getting benefits as an individual, and giving papers with helpful questions and information to pick the right family. When I asked what the average salary I was told between $12-$15/hour. Ok, I thought, not so bad. This gives me a good reference of what I should charge, a question that I often struggle with.
I have been interviewing with a couple of families so far. I was offered a position last week in D.C. with a great family. Unfortunately I got one of my "feelings" that it wasn't right so I declined that offer. There was another family last weekend that was met with, but you couldn't pay me enough to work for this woman! She made me feel as though I was not good enough for her and her child. She also said she doesn't believe in discipline, and boy you could tell with her two year old! This brings me to the first family that the agency has referred me to. A position not far from the boyfriend (!). I have an interview with them tomorrow morning. The stats: twin one-month old babies and a three year old little girl. It's definitely a lot of work, but who says I'm not up for a challenge? The question, how much should I ask for?
I am constantly second guessing the salary question because I have been underpaid for many positions because I will not stand my ground with how much I am worth. Today someone emailed me about a position for 50 hours/week for two children both under 3 years. They asked what I charge and because I looked up the information from care.com where you can put in a zip code, years of experience, and the number of children and it gives you a rate. It said $14/hr so when I emailed her back I let her know I wanted $13-$15/hr. I even called my mom who said I was not over-charging especially since the agency and website both gave similar rates. For the record, being a nanny you do not get time and a half for overtime, just a basic, flat rate for all of the hours worked. Well, to my surprise the woman emailed me back saying that she is willing to offer $350/week to watch her two children from 7am-5pm M-F. Ummm....say what?
Am I going crazy here? I could have sworn that $7/hr is insulting for someone who is watching your two children for 50 hours a week! Apparently I should be able to live off of that salary, you know with having to rent some place to accept that job. Ya, sure.
What are your thoughts?
I met with the agency today. It makes me very comfortable to be able to work with professionals who will refer me to their clients and have my interests at heart. They help with taxes, getting benefits as an individual, and giving papers with helpful questions and information to pick the right family. When I asked what the average salary I was told between $12-$15/hour. Ok, I thought, not so bad. This gives me a good reference of what I should charge, a question that I often struggle with.
I have been interviewing with a couple of families so far. I was offered a position last week in D.C. with a great family. Unfortunately I got one of my "feelings" that it wasn't right so I declined that offer. There was another family last weekend that was met with, but you couldn't pay me enough to work for this woman! She made me feel as though I was not good enough for her and her child. She also said she doesn't believe in discipline, and boy you could tell with her two year old! This brings me to the first family that the agency has referred me to. A position not far from the boyfriend (!). I have an interview with them tomorrow morning. The stats: twin one-month old babies and a three year old little girl. It's definitely a lot of work, but who says I'm not up for a challenge? The question, how much should I ask for?
I am constantly second guessing the salary question because I have been underpaid for many positions because I will not stand my ground with how much I am worth. Today someone emailed me about a position for 50 hours/week for two children both under 3 years. They asked what I charge and because I looked up the information from care.com where you can put in a zip code, years of experience, and the number of children and it gives you a rate. It said $14/hr so when I emailed her back I let her know I wanted $13-$15/hr. I even called my mom who said I was not over-charging especially since the agency and website both gave similar rates. For the record, being a nanny you do not get time and a half for overtime, just a basic, flat rate for all of the hours worked. Well, to my surprise the woman emailed me back saying that she is willing to offer $350/week to watch her two children from 7am-5pm M-F. Ummm....say what?
Am I going crazy here? I could have sworn that $7/hr is insulting for someone who is watching your two children for 50 hours a week! Apparently I should be able to live off of that salary, you know with having to rent some place to accept that job. Ya, sure.
What are your thoughts?
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thank you...
Thank you for not believing in me. For putting me down and making me feel like nothing. Thank you for being not so supportive when I needed it most. You are great at calling me up and gloating or needing someone to hear you complain about your life where everything is handed to you. Thank you for ending a conversation time and time again when I am clearly upset and just need someone to listen. Thank you for making me feel alienated and not good enough and competing with my life as if you don't already have enough. You are supposed to be the one that I call for anything and be on my side, instead, you want my life, yet want to be better than me in everything you do. You claim to be my best friend, family, boss, etc, but you really don't care about me unless it benefits you in some way. Sure, you like to hear about my life when it is going crappy, just to feel better about yourself. You may pretend to be there for a minute or two, but when that time is up you say you have to go or just ignore me. You are great at not wanting to stop talking when something is going on with you or if you need something, anything really.
Here's the problem...
I'm tired of it. Tired of putting up with all of this crap for so long. You put me down and want to take the joy and happiness from me. Guess what, that's really too bad. You are jealous of me and I get it. In fact, I completely understand why. For some it may be the fact that no matter how many times I have failed God has pulled me through. He has been making me stronger and stronger through all of the hard times and struggles and you wish you could be the same way. Instead, you are stuck in a dead end relationship, living situation, job, whatever. For others it might be that you see that I have been making good decisions to better my life. I am taking courses online and have just over a year to earn my bachelor's degree to do something I have dreamed of since I was a child. You decided not to finish your degree and feel intimidated by the fact that I am pushing through to earn mine. Or how about this one, after years and years of bad relationships I am finally in one where there is a solid future ahead. That's right. I have a well-educated man who loves me for me, treats me with respect and kindness, and has integrity. I don't have to worry about my boyfriend going behind my back for anything or for anyone else. You think that he's "dorky" and would prefer someone "cool." Well, here's something for you to chew on... would you rather have someone who loves you and is a little "dorky" and never have to worry about your relationship or would you rather have someone "cool" who you constantly have to call and check up on them or worry about where they are or why haven't they shown up or called? It's a no-brainer, really.
You see, you may be able to bring me down for a little while, but ultimately I have a few things on my side. I have a relationship with God who provides and is in control. Although I may worry about things from my past or present or even future situation, I can have confidence that God is going to use these things for His glory. I have a couple of friends who, no matter what, have stuck by me through thick and thin. They don't care what I go through and won't leave me hanging if I have a need. It goes both ways like it should. And lastly, I have a man in my life that I love and I know loves me. He doesn't put me down or make me feel bad about myself for anything. He is there to listen, give me a hug, and be my best friend.
So, next time you think about how sad my life is, look in the mirror and realize that maybe it's not me you feel sorry for, it's you. End of story.
Here's the problem...
I'm tired of it. Tired of putting up with all of this crap for so long. You put me down and want to take the joy and happiness from me. Guess what, that's really too bad. You are jealous of me and I get it. In fact, I completely understand why. For some it may be the fact that no matter how many times I have failed God has pulled me through. He has been making me stronger and stronger through all of the hard times and struggles and you wish you could be the same way. Instead, you are stuck in a dead end relationship, living situation, job, whatever. For others it might be that you see that I have been making good decisions to better my life. I am taking courses online and have just over a year to earn my bachelor's degree to do something I have dreamed of since I was a child. You decided not to finish your degree and feel intimidated by the fact that I am pushing through to earn mine. Or how about this one, after years and years of bad relationships I am finally in one where there is a solid future ahead. That's right. I have a well-educated man who loves me for me, treats me with respect and kindness, and has integrity. I don't have to worry about my boyfriend going behind my back for anything or for anyone else. You think that he's "dorky" and would prefer someone "cool." Well, here's something for you to chew on... would you rather have someone who loves you and is a little "dorky" and never have to worry about your relationship or would you rather have someone "cool" who you constantly have to call and check up on them or worry about where they are or why haven't they shown up or called? It's a no-brainer, really.
You see, you may be able to bring me down for a little while, but ultimately I have a few things on my side. I have a relationship with God who provides and is in control. Although I may worry about things from my past or present or even future situation, I can have confidence that God is going to use these things for His glory. I have a couple of friends who, no matter what, have stuck by me through thick and thin. They don't care what I go through and won't leave me hanging if I have a need. It goes both ways like it should. And lastly, I have a man in my life that I love and I know loves me. He doesn't put me down or make me feel bad about myself for anything. He is there to listen, give me a hug, and be my best friend.
So, next time you think about how sad my life is, look in the mirror and realize that maybe it's not me you feel sorry for, it's you. End of story.
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