Saturday, March 29, 2008

Long time no post....

and that is because the last few weeks have been...busy, to say the least. T got very sick last week, staying home from school Tuesday-Thursday. Daddy took her to the doctor Wednesday, and he said it was just a virus, yet a day later at the ENT, she CLEARLY had tonsilitis. I was just happy to get an antibiotic and get my sassy girl back! Grammy was coming for a visit Saturday and she did not want to see a sick T. We had a nice visit, but I didn't get to spend as much time with my mom as I would have liked. I guess that is what happens when you are a working girl.....
as for that, things are still going well at Coke. It isn't an exciting job, but I really do like the mix of personalities I work with and 'getting out' each day (and as mentioned previously, the paycheck!). I need to get more into a routine to fit in my exercise, but since both kids have been sick (did I mention that J came down with a day of fever and bad 'daycare crud' this Thursday?), it hasn't been easy. I am also looking forward to working from home in peace....you know when the kids aren't home with me because they are sick. I fondly remember the one day I got to do this, March 14, but alas, there will be more.

J was very funny, however, Thursday as he stayed home 'sick' with me. The kid woke up with a 102.9 fever (I kid you not) and yet somehow when we arrived at the doctor at 9:40, no fever. What a waste. He was cute, albeit a bit of a bother as he stayed home with me while I worked. Here are a few pics from his game of peek a boo (I'm sitting in the office), which made me laugh
and earlier in the day, before the dr. visit, he got very quiet. This is what I found:Somehow the kid found his Easter basket....very proud of him for that, actually since I didn't even know where it was at the time.


T is busy these days with school, soccer, and thoughts of kindergarten. I worry about how clumsy she is (you should see her bruised legs) and how she'll get by next year. I am glad I'll have a head start at work , as I plan to be involved in her class next year so I can keep a handle on what is going on. Not sure how much faith I have in these schools down here....or anywhere for that matter.

Here is a picture from Easter. We had a lovely, relaxing day going to church, drinking bloody marys, having egg hunts, and eating ham. Looking forward to warmer weather and springtime soon, as well as the upcoming wedding of two longtime friends - Kelly and Richard. John and I will be headed to beautiful St. Petersburg, Florida for that one in a couple of weeks-thanks for choosing an awesome venue, Kel and Rich!


Thursday, March 13, 2008

Week 3

So, I am about to wrap up week 3 at work. It is still going well, but the commute does get long by Friday. The good news is....tomorrow, I am going to work from home for the first time. I imagine I will be fairly productive, both with work and around the house (my goal: laundry will be done before the weekend). I am looking forward to not having to commute and to working in causal gear.

Work is still going well. The group is very diverse, and so is the company. I like being around all the hustle bustle both at Coke and in the city of Atlanta. The other neat thing is that I come home to my quiet little (well, not so little) town each night. The commute isn't too bad since I get an early start and leave right at 4pm. This puts me home at a decent time each night, and we get to have a good evening with the kids. The best part is....this week I get my first paycheck! Very exciting, and I will need it to pay for the clothes and daycare. Going forward, there will be extra, however. After all, that is the reason I'm doing this FOR MONEY! Those who know me know that I have always been motivated by money, now is no different.

In a nutshell, my transition back to work has been easy so far. I don't see this job as mindbending, and I am earning more than enough to pay for daycare, someone to clean the house (horray, I am no longer a self-proclaimed CINDERELLA, and I get to come home to a house cleaned in its entirety every two weeks!!), drycleaning, gas, etc. Remember, I will be working from home two days a week eventually. And, since I haven't spend more than, say, 10 minutes alone in the car in YEARS, the almost 40 mile commute is not so bad-I listen to MY music (no more Wiggles) and drive how I want. Then there is the work. In the past I have been very eager to learn, do, and not be bored at work. Now, I'm happy to learn, do, and be bored at times. There is plenty of work to keep me busy and yet not so much to keep me up at night. For now, this is great. When I'm ready for more, it'll be there. This company is going strong, fosters growth, and will pay for me to get another degree, if and when I choose. For now, they are happy to have me up and running. And I'm happy, too.

And, another thing deserves an honorable mention: I love the cafeteria. It is like the food court at a nice mall, but with free drinks (including frozen COKE from the ICEE machine), but I know a million moms who would love to have a lunch like I do each day. Let me give you an idea of the dialog:
Lady at the salad stand: Hi, what can I get you today?
Me: I'll have spring mix with grilled chicken (or salmon, or flank steak depending on my mood), cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, feta cheese, balsamic vinegarette.
Lady at the salad stand: Would you like some fresh cracked pepper on that?
Me: Why, yes I would.
Lady at the salad stand: Have yourself a wonderful day.
Me: You, too. And that salad looks delicious.

Alternatively, here is the dialog from lunch time for the past three years or so:
J (or T): I'm hungry
Me: Ok, can I make you a sandwich?
J (or T): Yes, I want a peanut butter sandwich
Me: Ok, no problem
J (or T): NO CRUST! I don't like crust.
Me: I know, I'll make you the sandwich
J (or T): I want it now
Me: Working on it.....(I set the sandwich in front of him/her)
J (or T): I want milk.
Me: OK
J (or T): I want another sandwich. No crust.
Me: OK, but how about some fruit first.
J (or T): No, I want a peanut butter sandwich. No crust
You get the jist. Before I knew it each day, it was 1:00 and I'd already consumed enough calories in CRUST to equal a decent lunch, yet I'm starving!! The cafeteria may not have sounded so good to you before, but now you understand where I'm coming from.

I should mention that my awesome hubby has probably had the most difficult transition, as he is the one getting the kids ready in the morning. But, he is doing great, not complaining, and I think he even has a groove going. Its good for the kids to have that time with Dad, since his job is so very busy, he is often consumed by the phone in the evening or not home at a decent time. I am so happy to have a husband who is willing to help with the kids and I think he actually enjoys it. Great job, John.

Oh, and he is looking foward to the first paycheck, too. I mean, there is something in it for him.

Two soccer games and one birthday party this weekend. Go, go, go! I love it, truth is, I've always been an on the go girl.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Quick pics

I typed this one last week, but wasn't able to upload the pictures at the time:

As with other bloggers I know (SARA), I don't have much for material, just a few pics, and I find myself unable to type anyway after chugging a few Cornonas tonight. This weekend went too fast, but I did get to go out on a date w/hubby and have a few good hugs from the kiddos. J misses me a lot. Poor kid.
We explored some local homes....so beautiful. Check out the view...golf and lake. For only $680K. Honestly, to some people I know, that is a good deal! Especially for this home....it was gorgeous!

Here are some pics from Peyton's birthday party last weekend. Don't you love that T picked the red dress? She is a doll!! She loved getting her hair curled, and I think I'm going to have to get her a curling iron.

J looking spiffy in his Clifford slippers. We had 70 degree temps here Friday, only to wake up to snow Saturday...thank goodness it didn't amount to anything other than soccer being cancelled...we needed the down time anyway.

Have a great week.


Monday, March 3, 2008

Working Girl

Its true, I am a working girl again. Sadly, it feels....good. For now. I took a position with an awesome company-Coke. This is fun for me because I love their products. For once, I'm not working in the technology field and I get to use the products we produce on a daily basis. Not to mention, I get to drink as much free Dasani water as I like (Diet Coke, too). The corporate office is a beautiful 'campus' of sorts. I am particularly enjoying the diversity and energy that the place holds-there is always a buzz about the place and so much going on. I'll keep you posted on the tastings. Last week it was Honest Tea. Again, as I've said before, the only thing better would be a brewery, but then it sure would be hard to get work done after tasting the products.

So far, being a working mom is great. That is because, of course, I have a wonderful network of friends here. Jody took care of the kids last week, so not all was new, just mom gone for a long day. This week, T (who couldn't wait) started after-school care, and J went to daycare. Although J gave Dad lots of tears upon the good-bye today, he seemed more than content when I picked him up and hasn't been too clingy this evening. My little man may just surprise me. He will play us every morning by screaming and yelling, but I'm convinced he'd do that no matter what. He is just so much less confident than T, but he'll get there. The daycare folks were great, when I called for an update and learned he was, "Playing...crying, and playing", I though, oh no! Only about an hour later they called to say he happily participated in circle time. He did good! When I picked him up, he was playing puzzles and looked happy. All in all, I'd say he did alright.

And John is doing fantastic. I am so proud of how he is getting the kids ready in the morning and no complaining! It has probably been harder for him than me. He is an awesome Dad!

More later, attempting to log on remotely to KO-Coca-Cola.