Hello!
So I was thinking about this life/work balance thing this morning. I use to be so good at managing many many things (well I think I was) and I feel as though maybe its time and age that makes it more difficult, or just that its different things to balance.
It may just be that I balance differently now. Being married and living apart brings a whole new challenge, which is manageable but demanding in different ways. Having a jack russell that wants to come along and doesn't understand that I don't work a job I can take her to, or that by leaving her with friends when I fly - that its better for her (as I imagine kids sometimes feel a lack of understanding too).
I weigh the options between taking a full weekend, or trying to work a bit here and there at the old job. Honestly I feel as though at this point my time and energy to play with the dog, clean the house, organize life, and balance working out - I am best to call it quits at that job (for my sanity and theirs of wondering if I am ever going to pick up enough shifts each month - the short answer being no)
But then its nice to have the option to work more if needed. I think maybe it would be different if Kristopher was here and Ruby had someone to entertain her and stimulate the brain cells - and I had someone to split keeping up the house with. Is this an excuse? As truly I am managing a house only I am living in? Not sure... however taking at least one day to myself and the house and the dog has become a standard I am willing to sacrifice a work day for. (I am also realizing that I truly have ended up with a actual 2 day weekend 2 times in the past month due to putting weekends together to be able to travel to see family/ have Kristopher visit and spend time with him, etc) so in reality I am having 1-2 weekend days a month still, regardless of working extra - and thats a balance all its own.
Bless my job though - it has given me the income I need to make ends meet and afforded me the time I need to take care of life, love, sadness, family, and maintain employment, which is not something I can say for other jobs I have had.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
New Year, New Things
This year is already off to a speedy start. I will be leaving the bitter cold NW Wednesday and heading to Sunny (warmer) southern California for a week at the parents house. Super excited to spend time with them since we were not together for Christmas. I booked the ticket in a fit of anxiety of "omg, we are heading to Korea soon, they aren't here for Christmas, its going to be at least a year or two before I see them again", and when Alaska had their ticket deals. Ruby will be going to a friends house here in Portland, as it was more expensive to fly her down there then me. (go figure). The best part is that Kristopher will be flying from Virginia on Friday and will be there until Monday as well!
Should be a wonderful weekend with the family.
Then I am back to work for a week, and then off to Virginia! Kristopher is graduating officers school (seems like just yesterday we moved him there in September) and so I will be flying out for that, and my dad rearranged his return flights from a trip to make it as well! (very excited he will be there for this too!). I am staying nearly a week, so I will finally be able to see where he is living, and the area around it, hopefully sight see some too.
Then he begins EOD school. Oh, did I mention my smart husband got slotted for EOD (explosive ordinance division). Yup, super proud - although I am trying to convince myself that I know he is super super smart and won't get injured along this portion of his career path (you know, disabling bombs and all - he tells me he will be the one on the radio telling people how to disable them, but I think this is a piece of mind thing). Only a very small percentage of people get the opportunity to go to this school-ing, so I am a proud wife.
The other portion of what that EOD slotting means, is that we are no longer going to Korea, at least for the moment. We will be headed to Florida! (which sounds extremely nice as I sit with a space heater in a house that is 56 degrees ; ) ) The first portion of the class is still in Virginia, so I will remain in Portland for another few months, and then at the end of April/beginning of May will be moving to Florida. We will be there for around 7 months, and then he will be completed with that - sending us to some other unknown location to be stationed for a few years. (can we say Christmas move?!?)
This also means I will be able to most likely transfer with Verizon, attend Ms. Kristen Calderwoods wedding shower, and the wedding! (I hope, I hope!) among other things.
Lots to look forward to this year.
As far as goals for the new year, I really want to work on getting to another step up in Verizon, which may or may not be possible with all the relocating that may be in store this year.
I also want to start my Masters (as long as I am at a job that will pay for it) - this means getting my butt in gear and first off fixing my transcripts (started this last week) from Cuesta that apparently got altered unbeknown to me until last spring).
I also am thinking about getting my butt moving again as far as running goes, need to look at half marathons, but considering another full. Since Florida should be a warmer, easier place to train year round. (although we will see my body reaction to humidity!) This may work out well.
I also have been working really hard to balance my debt-income ratio... The credit cards WILL be paid off in a week here... I want to keep them that way and start saving towards an emergency fund, and savings. I want to be able to just use the debit card - its a habit thing, I started using the credit card and transferring from debt to credit so I got the credit points, between that, emergencies in college, and wanting to ski/snowboard a lot, I acquired a 'small' rolling balance on the credit cards. I have finally gotten it down to zero, and I want to be able to keep it that way, even when emergencies emerge.
Kristopher has helped me rationalize this a lot this year, and all things considered I had it paid off awhile ago from the rolling balance, but we have bought a few plane tickets in the past couple months - so thats what has 'remained' on there... now it should be beautiful.
I want to grown a downline for stampin' up. I enjoy it, and even if its just a small downline for now- starting something on my own that travels with me and sustains a hobbies cost, or just supplements it greatly, would be wonderful. I am realizing I have learned a lot of techniques over the last few years, and I can share that excitement with others. I hope it continues to grown here in Oregon when I leave, and flourish in Florida when I get there. Lets see what happens!
I want to really have the 'honeymoon' phase (even if we don't actually honeymoon this year - would love to though) of living together come May (go figure - on our 1 year anniversary we will most likely be mid way across the US with a Uhaul, talk about romantic ; ) ) I can not wait, and hope it picks up where we need it to, 2012 held a lot of emotion and intensity in all realms, lets let 2013 be joyous and lovely for us.
cheers to 2012 being wonderful (I will post my wonderful and bitter sweet recap of last year soon) and hopes of 2013 being more than we could ask for.
Should be a wonderful weekend with the family.
Then I am back to work for a week, and then off to Virginia! Kristopher is graduating officers school (seems like just yesterday we moved him there in September) and so I will be flying out for that, and my dad rearranged his return flights from a trip to make it as well! (very excited he will be there for this too!). I am staying nearly a week, so I will finally be able to see where he is living, and the area around it, hopefully sight see some too.
Then he begins EOD school. Oh, did I mention my smart husband got slotted for EOD (explosive ordinance division). Yup, super proud - although I am trying to convince myself that I know he is super super smart and won't get injured along this portion of his career path (you know, disabling bombs and all - he tells me he will be the one on the radio telling people how to disable them, but I think this is a piece of mind thing). Only a very small percentage of people get the opportunity to go to this school-ing, so I am a proud wife.
The other portion of what that EOD slotting means, is that we are no longer going to Korea, at least for the moment. We will be headed to Florida! (which sounds extremely nice as I sit with a space heater in a house that is 56 degrees ; ) ) The first portion of the class is still in Virginia, so I will remain in Portland for another few months, and then at the end of April/beginning of May will be moving to Florida. We will be there for around 7 months, and then he will be completed with that - sending us to some other unknown location to be stationed for a few years. (can we say Christmas move?!?)
This also means I will be able to most likely transfer with Verizon, attend Ms. Kristen Calderwoods wedding shower, and the wedding! (I hope, I hope!) among other things.
Lots to look forward to this year.
As far as goals for the new year, I really want to work on getting to another step up in Verizon, which may or may not be possible with all the relocating that may be in store this year.
I also want to start my Masters (as long as I am at a job that will pay for it) - this means getting my butt in gear and first off fixing my transcripts (started this last week) from Cuesta that apparently got altered unbeknown to me until last spring).
I also am thinking about getting my butt moving again as far as running goes, need to look at half marathons, but considering another full. Since Florida should be a warmer, easier place to train year round. (although we will see my body reaction to humidity!) This may work out well.
I also have been working really hard to balance my debt-income ratio... The credit cards WILL be paid off in a week here... I want to keep them that way and start saving towards an emergency fund, and savings. I want to be able to just use the debit card - its a habit thing, I started using the credit card and transferring from debt to credit so I got the credit points, between that, emergencies in college, and wanting to ski/snowboard a lot, I acquired a 'small' rolling balance on the credit cards. I have finally gotten it down to zero, and I want to be able to keep it that way, even when emergencies emerge.
Kristopher has helped me rationalize this a lot this year, and all things considered I had it paid off awhile ago from the rolling balance, but we have bought a few plane tickets in the past couple months - so thats what has 'remained' on there... now it should be beautiful.
I want to grown a downline for stampin' up. I enjoy it, and even if its just a small downline for now- starting something on my own that travels with me and sustains a hobbies cost, or just supplements it greatly, would be wonderful. I am realizing I have learned a lot of techniques over the last few years, and I can share that excitement with others. I hope it continues to grown here in Oregon when I leave, and flourish in Florida when I get there. Lets see what happens!
I want to really have the 'honeymoon' phase (even if we don't actually honeymoon this year - would love to though) of living together come May (go figure - on our 1 year anniversary we will most likely be mid way across the US with a Uhaul, talk about romantic ; ) ) I can not wait, and hope it picks up where we need it to, 2012 held a lot of emotion and intensity in all realms, lets let 2013 be joyous and lovely for us.
cheers to 2012 being wonderful (I will post my wonderful and bitter sweet recap of last year soon) and hopes of 2013 being more than we could ask for.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Feeling Worn down
I have this feeling of being worn down mentally.
I have done a pretty good job of keeping myself busy and entertained and feeling efficent and like I am making good use of my time while Kristopher is at training, until this week.
I don't know what it is, probably truly a combination of the follow, but I am normally so well balanced and able to handle that its not an issue....
I am hoping spewing it out here once will be enough to move forward without feeling like I am going to break down at any moment for some of cantered reason.
So here it goes, please just meet me at the next post (because I am going to just spew as I mentioned above, with no optomistic way of looking at it)
1. Why the hell can't there be an instruction book for spouses that live off post trying to get company sponsored appointments.... Seriously I know its not really the norm, but at the same time, there has got to be more then just me trying to figure this out... and I am an internet search queen... and I can't find what I am looking for.... I called around 15 people this morning and have spent nearly 8 hours looking online to find the information I need... with no clear answer that I have found what I need.....
I need to get a physical done, but I have to have the final paperwork signed off by a military doctor, and I can't find out what I need from my portland oregon doctor so that the military doctor (at ft lewis) will sign off on the paper, so that my husband can submit that (at ft lee), so that they MIGHT change his orders to read accompanied (to korea).
2. The amount of time they require you to submit this paper work in (because there is a no earlier, and a no later date) makes it feel like just not doing it, because after I figure out what the heck I am suppose to do (refer to item 1) they are going to take 2 weeks to tell me its wrong with little direction I am sure....
3. The thought that the military says no accompanied tour, thus leading to a whole new wild goose chase of information of going non-command sponsored.
4. Its nearly Christmas, and my husband is not here yet, so i'm trying to ignore that the majority of people are enjoying family and friends and decorating trees and lights and cookies and the whole 9 yards..
5. My parents are just now realizing I am really not going to be there for Christmas. We invited them months ago to look into coming up for Christmas... thats not helping with the fact my husband isn't here til the 22nd either. ( although I can not imagine the likelihood of this being exasperated if he wasn't coming home for Christmas)
6. My husband is busy... and not a phone person, and a man. So the whole me needing to have him ask me how I am doing, and then not really being able to melt down either (because he can't do anything truly from there to fix anything, and he's got much bigger fish to fry there right now, and he misses me a grip ton too - thus talking about it only really makes it worse, not better) is getting rough...
7. My husband needs my help with paper work - in the way of, "this is what I need you to do, your a smart girl, figure it out, I don't have the time right now and I need your help". No other directions, questions asking time, or information - thus me feeling like its something I should be able to figure out on my own, and when I can't.... like I should of been able to.
8. I want my roommate gone... I don't know if its just because of 1-6 or that she's kinda messy, or that I am just getting older and just wanting my own space now... but I have been 'pulling on my big girl pants' and handling it, and she will be moving out the first week of January anyways, but that can't come soon enough. I am done cleaning the kitchen every day, and the handles and railings, and making sure the freezer door and the front door are closed all the way, and just plain feeling like I am tip toeing around my own house.
9. I don't know where I will be in 4 months... not work wise, not husband wise (as in geographic location to), no house wise. I don't know where to start cleaning, packing, sorting...
10. I am a planner, and I can't freaking plan anything right now.
11. I just finally got to the point that I realize moving overseas is happening very very soon most likely (or at least a big move is happening) and think this may be adding to the stress level. Back in April/May it was a much farther away event.
11.... I feel like there is something I am missing.... maybe it's the trying to figure out how the military will work with moving us (being in Portland and Va with stuff in Wyoming), moving or storing 2 motorcycles, 2 trailers, 2 vehicles, and the rest of our stuff in the 1 month he has from being done in Va, to reporting to Korea....
but i think that is enough for now...
I promise I am really ok.... besides the above mentioned thoughts going through my head... I am really ok : )
I have done a pretty good job of keeping myself busy and entertained and feeling efficent and like I am making good use of my time while Kristopher is at training, until this week.
I don't know what it is, probably truly a combination of the follow, but I am normally so well balanced and able to handle that its not an issue....
I am hoping spewing it out here once will be enough to move forward without feeling like I am going to break down at any moment for some of cantered reason.
So here it goes, please just meet me at the next post (because I am going to just spew as I mentioned above, with no optomistic way of looking at it)
1. Why the hell can't there be an instruction book for spouses that live off post trying to get company sponsored appointments.... Seriously I know its not really the norm, but at the same time, there has got to be more then just me trying to figure this out... and I am an internet search queen... and I can't find what I am looking for.... I called around 15 people this morning and have spent nearly 8 hours looking online to find the information I need... with no clear answer that I have found what I need.....
I need to get a physical done, but I have to have the final paperwork signed off by a military doctor, and I can't find out what I need from my portland oregon doctor so that the military doctor (at ft lewis) will sign off on the paper, so that my husband can submit that (at ft lee), so that they MIGHT change his orders to read accompanied (to korea).
2. The amount of time they require you to submit this paper work in (because there is a no earlier, and a no later date) makes it feel like just not doing it, because after I figure out what the heck I am suppose to do (refer to item 1) they are going to take 2 weeks to tell me its wrong with little direction I am sure....
3. The thought that the military says no accompanied tour, thus leading to a whole new wild goose chase of information of going non-command sponsored.
4. Its nearly Christmas, and my husband is not here yet, so i'm trying to ignore that the majority of people are enjoying family and friends and decorating trees and lights and cookies and the whole 9 yards..
5. My parents are just now realizing I am really not going to be there for Christmas. We invited them months ago to look into coming up for Christmas... thats not helping with the fact my husband isn't here til the 22nd either. ( although I can not imagine the likelihood of this being exasperated if he wasn't coming home for Christmas)
6. My husband is busy... and not a phone person, and a man. So the whole me needing to have him ask me how I am doing, and then not really being able to melt down either (because he can't do anything truly from there to fix anything, and he's got much bigger fish to fry there right now, and he misses me a grip ton too - thus talking about it only really makes it worse, not better) is getting rough...
7. My husband needs my help with paper work - in the way of, "this is what I need you to do, your a smart girl, figure it out, I don't have the time right now and I need your help". No other directions, questions asking time, or information - thus me feeling like its something I should be able to figure out on my own, and when I can't.... like I should of been able to.
8. I want my roommate gone... I don't know if its just because of 1-6 or that she's kinda messy, or that I am just getting older and just wanting my own space now... but I have been 'pulling on my big girl pants' and handling it, and she will be moving out the first week of January anyways, but that can't come soon enough. I am done cleaning the kitchen every day, and the handles and railings, and making sure the freezer door and the front door are closed all the way, and just plain feeling like I am tip toeing around my own house.
9. I don't know where I will be in 4 months... not work wise, not husband wise (as in geographic location to), no house wise. I don't know where to start cleaning, packing, sorting...
10. I am a planner, and I can't freaking plan anything right now.
11. I just finally got to the point that I realize moving overseas is happening very very soon most likely (or at least a big move is happening) and think this may be adding to the stress level. Back in April/May it was a much farther away event.
11.... I feel like there is something I am missing.... maybe it's the trying to figure out how the military will work with moving us (being in Portland and Va with stuff in Wyoming), moving or storing 2 motorcycles, 2 trailers, 2 vehicles, and the rest of our stuff in the 1 month he has from being done in Va, to reporting to Korea....
but i think that is enough for now...
I promise I am really ok.... besides the above mentioned thoughts going through my head... I am really ok : )
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
A busy month
It has been a busy month since I have last been on here. I enjoyed Thanksgiving with Karen and Kate at their parents house, after we enjoyed a 4 mile Turkey Trot. It was a wonderful way to spend the day with Ruby and the other 'kids'
Since then I am ready to be full swing into Christmas, I created these gems and used some of my Stampin' Up Paper to create the tags. I am waiting for Kristopher to get home the 22nd, and we are going to get a tree then, so for now, this is my corner of Christmas.
The party went well and many of the girls are already talking about wanting to get together to create cards after the new year begins! The only danger is that others will be excited with me now!
And of course, this little girl isn't a fan... but she does love those pillows still : )
Oh and I almost forgot to share this!
I made Kristopher an advent calender - and then stamped and tagged things... its on its way to him now... and I have a little bit more time to do the last 3 (he is home the 22nd so 21 is the last one I sent off to him. : )
I hope you are ready for the holiday season, I am almost done shopping (one more gift to get - but I know what it is I am getting, just have to put it together) Then its the wrapping and card part, and don't you worry - I will share!
Since then I am ready to be full swing into Christmas, I created these gems and used some of my Stampin' Up Paper to create the tags. I am waiting for Kristopher to get home the 22nd, and we are going to get a tree then, so for now, this is my corner of Christmas.
As soon as I finished that it was time to prepare for my second workshop for Stampin' Up, and my first one at someone else's house. It went well, and we created these adorable bag toppers that where a huge hit - and someone had a stapler that came to the rescue as the last one went into the demonstration I created there, (mini freak-out moment)
The party went well and many of the girls are already talking about wanting to get together to create cards after the new year begins! The only danger is that others will be excited with me now!
And of course, this little girl isn't a fan... but she does love those pillows still : )
Oh and I almost forgot to share this!
I made Kristopher an advent calender - and then stamped and tagged things... its on its way to him now... and I have a little bit more time to do the last 3 (he is home the 22nd so 21 is the last one I sent off to him. : )
I hope you are ready for the holiday season, I am almost done shopping (one more gift to get - but I know what it is I am getting, just have to put it together) Then its the wrapping and card part, and don't you worry - I will share!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
thankful filled week.
I am thankful for oh so much,
so as we continue down this thankful blog road...
I am thankful for wonderful women around me that keep me smiling, busy, and encouraged while my husband is away.
I am thankful for ladies that came and enjoyed my workshop for Stampin' Up and made me feel like I did a job well done, even with only two attendees.
I am thankful for sudo moms and sisters.. becuase as much as I love my real ones, the sudo ones are amazing too.
I am thankful for work... honestly I can't complain truely about the flexibility and continual honesty in most things done there and for me... overall, really can't be too much less than thankful.
I am thankful for my wonderful, hardworking husband, especially when life day schedules don't make it possible to talk, he understands, and I am sure makes him sad in the same way it makes me sad, that we won't have dinner together, and we won't go to bed together for another 4 1/2 weeks, but once that comes, it will be lots of all of the above, but we know we will talk tomorrow and it'll be alright.
so as we continue down this thankful blog road...
I am thankful for wonderful women around me that keep me smiling, busy, and encouraged while my husband is away.
I am thankful for ladies that came and enjoyed my workshop for Stampin' Up and made me feel like I did a job well done, even with only two attendees.
I am thankful for sudo moms and sisters.. becuase as much as I love my real ones, the sudo ones are amazing too.
I am thankful for work... honestly I can't complain truely about the flexibility and continual honesty in most things done there and for me... overall, really can't be too much less than thankful.
I am thankful for my wonderful, hardworking husband, especially when life day schedules don't make it possible to talk, he understands, and I am sure makes him sad in the same way it makes me sad, that we won't have dinner together, and we won't go to bed together for another 4 1/2 weeks, but once that comes, it will be lots of all of the above, but we know we will talk tomorrow and it'll be alright.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Thanksgiving thanks
I am thankful for a wonderful husband who although tough and a bit bullheaded at times, adores me and takes care of me, even when I'm freaking out and believe I may be bleeding to death.
Thankful for a plane ticket that brought him home this weekend to me.
The dresser that we finally refinished, two years after getting and saying we would... It's now only one later of polyurethane away from being done done.
Thankful and blessed for the wonderful time we were able to spend at home together. Being a fairly normal couple.
Thankful for the longest portion of our apartness to be done.
Thankful for the ability to afford another ticket for my husband to be home for Christmas and New Years, I feel soo blessed.
Thankful for good friends coming to visit soon.
Thankful for stamp projects to keep my mind busy and entertained.
Thankful for open ended possibilities.
Thankful for a job that just gave me 4 days off in a row.
Thankful for a dog that loves with no end ( even though she's snoring right now)
Thankful for food to last me til Christmas, literally.
Thankful for a plane ticket that brought him home this weekend to me.
The dresser that we finally refinished, two years after getting and saying we would... It's now only one later of polyurethane away from being done done.
Thankful and blessed for the wonderful time we were able to spend at home together. Being a fairly normal couple.
Thankful for the longest portion of our apartness to be done.
Thankful for the ability to afford another ticket for my husband to be home for Christmas and New Years, I feel soo blessed.
Thankful for good friends coming to visit soon.
Thankful for stamp projects to keep my mind busy and entertained.
Thankful for open ended possibilities.
Thankful for a job that just gave me 4 days off in a row.
Thankful for a dog that loves with no end ( even though she's snoring right now)
Thankful for food to last me til Christmas, literally.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Thankfully thankful
So I missed a week.... however,
I am so thankful for a wonderful husband, I arrived home this evening to an unexpected package from the Mr. , and inside was two stamping punches... he is, adorable, thoughtful, and mine... seriously, what guy buys paper punches.... : )
Sixth months married... grant it, we have been together for probably roughly a month and a half (guestimation there) of that time, but I can tell you I never imagined the different things we would go through and learn and become in that time.
Coffee... sorry its here again... coffee is simply put, a mood booster, morning greeter, afternoon pick me up, good conversation, and many other things... just plain lovely.
Fuzzy children.. because they are always happy to see you, always ready to cuddle, and always super cute, oh and the added bonus of being a dust buster...
Stampin' Up.... a hobby, craft, and pleasant enjoyment.... (I also may have made my Christmas cards yesterday....on Halloween)... curved corner punches and embossing powder entertained me for a few hours yesterday....
now off the bed after a glass of wine and some "Rules of Engagement" episodes (my current Netflix tv series obsession... more of an 90's sitcom feel, and makes me laugh and smile)
Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween... and are excited for the next few weeks of holiday prepared-ness...
I will have to say that Kristopher is coming next weekend (Sooooooo excited) so I may be a little pre-occupied for next weeks Friday Thankfulness-es. but we will be sure that Thankgiving is documented and shared (We are celebrating thanksgiving next weekend.... so you'll have time to decide what you want to borrow ; ) )
I am so thankful for a wonderful husband, I arrived home this evening to an unexpected package from the Mr. , and inside was two stamping punches... he is, adorable, thoughtful, and mine... seriously, what guy buys paper punches.... : )
Sixth months married... grant it, we have been together for probably roughly a month and a half (guestimation there) of that time, but I can tell you I never imagined the different things we would go through and learn and become in that time.
Coffee... sorry its here again... coffee is simply put, a mood booster, morning greeter, afternoon pick me up, good conversation, and many other things... just plain lovely.
Fuzzy children.. because they are always happy to see you, always ready to cuddle, and always super cute, oh and the added bonus of being a dust buster...
Stampin' Up.... a hobby, craft, and pleasant enjoyment.... (I also may have made my Christmas cards yesterday....on Halloween)... curved corner punches and embossing powder entertained me for a few hours yesterday....
now off the bed after a glass of wine and some "Rules of Engagement" episodes (my current Netflix tv series obsession... more of an 90's sitcom feel, and makes me laugh and smile)
Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween... and are excited for the next few weeks of holiday prepared-ness...
I will have to say that Kristopher is coming next weekend (Sooooooo excited) so I may be a little pre-occupied for next weeks Friday Thankfulness-es. but we will be sure that Thankgiving is documented and shared (We are celebrating thanksgiving next weekend.... so you'll have time to decide what you want to borrow ; ) )
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