Saturday, October 17, 2009

10 Weeks

Its been a while since I posted anything on here. Its been busy and very hectic. Well, I have reached week 10 of my pregnancy. Course sometimes I feel like I'm not pregnant at all. I have another appointment on November 5 and I do hope he/she is growing. I think we are ready for this new change and sometimes I feel like we still like having our own time. Course who is ready for a child?

We have hit a rock bottom this week. I had to put down Duke. Reason being was his hip dysplesia was so bad that only surgery would help most of his pain but its not a guarantee of fix. Lowest cost would be $1300 and that is combining both sides of the hips ($650 one side, then another $650 on the other after 6 - 12 months after the first surgery). Another option would have been $5000 to get a total hip replacement. We placed him on pain killers but it got to where that wasn't helping much so we had to do the unthinkable. I really didn't want to but it got where he didn't want to eat much so we had no other choice. He had a good 2 years of life.

Another problem was that a pipe in our hot water plumbing started to leak. Course we have the old plumbing that was discontinued in the early 90's but we don't have the $4500 to replace all the plumbing. Hopefully one day we might or someone who gets the house next can do it. It would help the plumbing get back up into code. Andrew was able to do the fix so that way we don't have to worry much about it.

Friday morning I was surprised that someone (or few people) decided to be stupid an throw a rock at my truck window causing the driver side window to spider the entire glass (we have the safety glass so it doesn't shatter). Other people on our street were unlucky and had their windows broken out. Going to cost us over $300 to replace the window. We are really short on cash so this is not helping.

Then Andrew had to call me Friday night to put icing on the cake by telling me the Jeep we have got a flat tire and its where nobody can patch it up. He is going to find a way to patch it up and try to scround up some money so we can try to get another tire. We do need to replace all the tires since they are almost bald. Again, no money for a while. I was extremely stressed out that it happened. I have no idea what else to do.

We are probably going to sell Andrew's motorcycle and our glass dinette set. We are even looking into selling our house so we can try to save $$. Maybe see if my father wouldn't mind us crashing at his place for a few months so we can get things under controlled and find a place to rent that will allow us with four animals. Everyone is getting hit but we are trying to save ourselves now before a baby comes and add more problems with finances.

These are just ideas till we get things back under control. I ask for prayers as we try to get out of it. Andrew is working his best and he has a really good job and enjoys it as I am trying to find one after the baby is born. I was excepted to work as a correctional officer but I'm thinking I'll apply for the Air Force once I have the baby and get in shape. Anyways. This is the update as of now.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Here is another recap on our vehicles. These are the vehicles that Andrew and I have had since we met in Feb 06.

1) 96 Nissan P/U (my vehicle)
2) 05 Chevy Cobalt (Andrew's)
3) 98 Jeep Cherokee (traded in 1)
4) 88 Honda Civic (Andrew puchased)
5) 83 Chevy Chevette (Free vehicle)
6) 06 Jeep Wrangler (traded 2 & 3)
7) 96 Mitsubishi Eclipse (was mine, turned to Andrew's)
8) 07 Dodge Ram (traded in 6; mine vehicle)
9) 92 Honda Accord (free; just till we were able to sell it)
10) 03 Chevy Avalanche (Andrew's vehicle, sold after three months)
11) 08 Toyota Scion XD (obtained a few days after sold #10)
12) 83 Jeep CJ7 (swapped #7 for, sold after a year)
13) 09 Honda Shadow Aero (our first motorcycle)
14) 05 Jeep Liberty (someone is taking the payments on #11)


We wanted a more reliable vehicle with a baby coming and the Jeep is actually lower in payments and insurance. I think this will be it for a while. Only one more vehicle when the baby is born and that is my motorcyle a Kawasaki Ninja 250.

Monday, September 7, 2009

September

I'm falling behind and I do apologize for that. I am trying to get on a schedule but its harder than I thought. Especially when you have a husband who does not go along and forgets things. So far, this month.....ran into a problem with Andrew's direct deposit. Seems like for the State of Texas it could take up to more than a month for it to work. Hopefully that will get corrected soon. My sister-in-law is attempting to get her driver's license but has failed it twice. I am hoping she can pass it soon but she better be reading the book. My brother turned 13. We had a BBQ on Sunday with the family. We brought a go kart that Andrew built up and it was fun. We got him a DSi for his birthday so I can get my PSP and DS back. Now on to the goals that I tried to accomplish for August.

1) Plan a budget. [X] Well, this is not working properly since we are still trying to catch up from the month and half we were getting just one paycheck. Hopefully soon we can catch it back up. I can probably pay off two credit cards this month but we'll see how that goes.

2) Develop mean plans. [X] Nothing has been planned yet but I hope to get this going this month. Andrew will soon start the 2nd shift (1400-2245) so both of us will be on the night shift till October when I move to days so we can try to make lunch and maybe dinner.

3) Start a multivitamin. [X] I have the multivitamins and were taking them daily but fell behind on weekends. They make my urine neon yellow its funny but I have started it and do try to take them regularly.

4) Go to the gym 3-5 times weekly. [X] I was doing well on this but then I decided to move my gym time to the morning than at night. I was waking up at 11AM when I worked out at night and I need to get used to going to days since in a month night shift is no more. I figured trying to get to the gym around 7AM and working out. I did fall behind for a week and half but I have been able to maintain my weight.

5) Try to not have Dr. Pepper for this month. [X] This so did not go well. I was doing good till the end of the month when my husband orders for me and he automatically orders DP. I ended up drinking about 10 for the month. So far this month, I've had maybe 3, course you can't be mad at me. Its 10 out of a 30 days in the month. That is still good.

6) Find a new job (locally). [X] Nothing has bitten to my applications yet. Lithia Toyota called to set up an interview but I never called them back. I'm not sure if I can sell cars. I haven't heard back from TDCJ yet but I have to give them 45 days before I start asking what is going on. I'm still at BCBS but thinking about getting a part time job to help pay stuff off quickly.

7) Save for trip to Sea World! [X] Nothing has been saved and it might have to wait till next year. Grrr!

8) Trip to Montgomery?HA! [X] Sorry Denise. It didn't happen this month but hopefully one day soon. Andrew hasn't visited that part of Texas and I want him to experience as much as Texas as I have. I know there is tons of stuff to do and I want him to meet one of my good friends. Hopefully sometimes this year.

9) Straighten up the house. [X] Well, I'd get the house how I'd like it but it wouldn't last a week. Maybe I better wait till Andrew hears back about housing. It is just hard when we both work and we just do not want to do anything. Maybe if I was on days it would be different.

10) Fix the yards. [X] Another not accomplished. The dogs are killing the backyard quicker than I can clean it up. We did pick up majority of the poop but they keep filling it back up. I want to tear up both from and backyard and find ways to prepare it for next year but its going to cost more $$ than I can plan. Does anyone know how we can get a hold of a plow?

11) Graduate with my Associate's....decide on a Bachelor's. [X]. I did get my Associate's in Interdisiplinary Studies. I am proud of myself but now I'm waiting to hear back when I can register for my Bachelor's. I figured the quicker I can get started on this the quicker I can find a better job that pays really well and I can pay back on my student loans.

Ok, so 3 out of 11 were accomplished. That just means that those eight that I did not accomplish will need to be carried on till I can accomplish them. I still haven't figured out what else I need to plan for this month but maybe just these eight can do. Well, I'll try to keep more updated. Hit me up on facebook, I'm on that constantly.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Blah Blah Blah

That is how I feel. I am trying to get back on a normal schedule where I'm in bed maybe by 1:30AM and get up around 8:00-8:30AM. Its not working. Anywho....

Andrew graduated from the academy for correctional officer. He is now officially a Correctional officer at the Wallace unit in Colorado City. Right now he is traveling back and forth since he is working a normal 8 hour shift. He was told that housing will cost $100 a month and I'm going to tell him to go for it. Its better than paying more than $100 a month on gas. His first day was yesterday and he enjoyed it. Maybe by next year I'll have him sign up for classes with Kaplan in criminal justice. My goal is to try to get him his Associate's. If he wants to go on from there, that is fine with me.

Work is changing. As of Oct 2nd, this will be the last day for the office to have a night shift. Now FEP and SOT customer service will continue to have a night shift as they have other priorities that come up to keep a night shift, but in my department we are being forced to days. This is their way of "trying to save money". They also got rid of a few management. They will continue to be on payroll till October but they got rid of several good managment. As of right now, I am still looking for another job but not pushing it. If I'm able to move from my position and cross train into another, I do not mind staying just a little bit longer. I am almost thinking about going to days sooner. Maybe my sleep schedule will be corrected.

As for working out, right now I'm around 197. That is about 10 pounds lighter than the beginning of the summer. This would start the third week of me working out (almost five days a week) and I am finding that I can job a full 10 minutes. Now, my knees do hurt but I know that is because I am not a long distance runner and its been too long since I have ran. I will continue to work on my legs and try to strengthen my leg muscles (especially around the knees) so they do not hurt much.

I am still waiting for a class to post my grade. If I pass this one particular class (Bioethics...blah), then I will be able to obtain my Associate's in Interdisiplinary Studies. I have accomplished one goal then that I have been trying to obtain since I graduated high school (almost 10 years ago...OMG). I do plan to continue on forward with a Bachelor's and right now I'm leaning more towards Psychology with an emphasis in substance abuse. I might try to see if I can take some criminal justice classes as I am starting to get more interested in that area. If I am able to go to days at work, I might be able to take some Phlebotomy classes as well and take on a part time job (if I wanted).

That is about it. If I can even remember to take some pictures of updates, I'll post them.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

5 lbs gone...more to go

Well, I actually think I lost more than 5 pounds in the past month. I think the last time I saw the doctor I was at 205 when last year I was at 195. I knew I was heading the wrong direction and then started hearing that my hormones were not doing what they were suppose to do. I have started to lose weight and want to continue to lose weight. I believe once I am able to lose the weight I gained at BCBS, I will be able to conceive a child easier than infertility. Today, the weight scale at the gym (the old style where you move the weight over till it doesn't tider-todder as much) actually started to level at 199. I am amazed. The one at work says I'm 195 and I'll be happy with that as well.

I'll try to keep ya'll update on my goals. I think once I am able to do a job change, I'll lose the weight as I should not have as much stress on me then. Thanks for reading.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Goals for August

Well, while I was at work I was thinking about what I can and need to do for the month of August. I basically do not have goals written down when I should so that way I can start keeping track of where I am on it. Guess my college classes are getting to me. I came up with 10, figuring I can do this every month and try to make it a habit. They do say that it takes a person 21 days of a routine to make it a habit. Ha!

1) Plan a budget.
I already have a somewhat budget out, well actually it just lists finances and how much we would owe on it. I need to actually write down what we get a month, estimate what we need to make, and what we actually paid. That way I can see where the money goes. I hope to be able to eliminate debt soon.

2) Develop mean plans.
I figured if I can do this, we would stop eating out so much. It usually costs us $20 or more just for the two of us. I also know that I am not eating right when we eat out. I can either learn how to make some of the things I buy at restaurants or stay with the easy stuff. I want to learn how to cook (and bake but baking is a want...one day soon).

3) Start a multivitamin.
I know this one seems stupid however Andrew and I would like to expand our family. The problem is is that I have not been taking any vitamins. I tried prenatal vitamins, but it would always make me nausea (whatever). I think it was the folic acid, but I also want something to help boost my metabolism because I do feel like my weight is an issue why I haven't gotten pregnant yet. Plus, my cycles are not correct due to the weight gain.

4) Go to the gym 3-5 times weekly.
I wanted to start a routine but it was getting where it was like every other day. I am getting motivated because I can start buttoning my size 17 pants. They are still a little tight, but I can actually close them. Plus the weight scales are showing I lost between 5-7 pounds. I don't know what I'm doing, but its good. Plus I am still not sure about joining the military, but I need to lost 40 pounds before even considering. I was at like 205-207. Now I have weight scales saying I'm around 199/200 to as low as 195 (depending which weight scale you trust).

5) Try to not have Dr. Pepper for this month.
Course if I break down, try to limit it to maybe 4 for the month. This could also be causing my weight problem. If I cut back down to maybe 2-3 times a month, I can lose some more weight. Just hope I don't end up like that slimquick commerical.

6) Find a new job (locally).
For those of you who I have spoken to, you would already hear my venting. BCBS has changed so much its not worth it anymore. I know I won't find anything that pays the same but I'm still going to try. I just don't want to get fired from there and end up buring those bridges if I ever do decide to go back. I just want to opportunity to leave. Course if I do find a new job, this will change plan #1 a bit. Reason why it is locally now is because my sister-in-law is living with us till the end of the year or maybe Feb of next year.

7) Save for trip to Sea World!
I want to go to Sea World, even if it means in September. I think they are still open on the weekends and if you are in Texas, it doesn't start cooling off till like mid October. If not Sea World, maybe to Six Flags or just San Antonio or somewhere in Texas that is fun. We need a short vacation since Andrew has a new job and is making more money. Just not something that ends up breaking the budget.

8) Trip to Montgomery?
HA! I am going to make everything I want to do as a goal. I want Andrew to see where I would like to move to (maybe, unless something out of state comes up). Course be able to meet a really great friend of mine, Denise who I've known for like 6-7 years. If I was to become a correctional officer or even just work for the Texas Dept of Criminal Justice (or a big hospital), I would like to try done close to Huntsville/Montgomery. I find that being somewhere that is close to a big city (Houston is close to Montgomery), you find more opportunities.

9) Straighten up the house.
I want my house to look like when we first bought it. It was nice and clean. I might even talk Andrew into painting the living room back to white. Bedrooms are a nice light, calm green and the bathroom is like of a light pinkish view and I'll keep them that way. I just want to go back to clean and straight. I need to stop procrastinating. This will lead on to #10.

10) Fix the yards.
Our front and back yards have gone down hill. The backyard mostly because of the dogs. I want to get it back the way it was. I'll post pictures later, you will see it needs help. Plus if we do sell the house, it would help become an eye catcher. So if any of you are good at landscaping, please help us with some ideas.

11) Graduate with my Associate's....decide on a Bachelor's.
I know this should be like the first one, but my life is a little more important than a simple piece of paper. Course I feel like it shouldn't be that hard. I'm still having a hard time deciding on a Bachelor's. Maybe in the Liberal Arts which I belive is a more open field. Maybe Psychology and decide which area of interest I feel like taking. I saw there was a Bachelor's for Fire and Emergency Management which sounds really awesome but I doubt I'd be eligible for that now. I need to decide soon.


Well, these are it so far. I will try to keep you update on where I am at and for the month of September hopefully completed all these before moving on to the next month. If I do not finish them, then of course I will have to roll it over to September causing maybe another one to wait till I complete these. Let me know what you think.