State Bowling Tourney

Micayla made it to state for Senior bowling. Me, Tom, Brandon and Tom's parents went to Des Moines Friday morning. It was about a 3 hour trip. We ended up taking mom and dad's van just because we need a vehicle for 7. Thanks to mom for letting us, as she got to use my car for the day. Once we got to the bowling alley, we ate lunch and I had a bloody mary! The bowlers were just getting to the bowling alley, they went down on Thursday night to watch a few other DBQ bowlers. So we got there pretty early, hoping to get a good seat. Well, as we were waiting for our food, one of the managers off the bowling alley said the "line" is getting pretty long, we didn't know what to expect, well, what happens is they close the bowling alley an hour and a half before the tournament starts. Well, here is what the line looked like.
Yes, we are waiting outside. Thank God the weather wasn't too bad. I think it was like 30 or so and most of us had our jackets and gloves. Once we got into the bowling alley, everyone knew what lane their kids were going to be in so we just had to go near lane 22. We actually got perfect seats, but the hassle.. it was quite amazing. The only down fall to my seat is that I was straight on looking at lane 22 so when ever someone bowled, the 2 rows in front of me, did the same think I did and looked around each other, so needless to say, I stood most of the time. But here was a picture, that I didn't realize I took. I think my camera was just clicking away and when I went to review my pics, here is what I saw and this is what was in front of me..
Yeah, seriously, I really had to stand. But anyway, Micayla did awesome she ended up 16th overall for women and her team ended up 6th. They were like 4 pins behind and would have ended up 4th or somthing like that. There were some awesome bowlers. Here are a few pics of the score boards. Micayla is under M.H. First game:
second game:
Here are few of her pics bowling. I think these were taking after a few of her strikes!

and then their little cheer that we knew nothing about, but I got a pic.. It was really cute!
So after the tournament we went to check into our hotel, yeah, we stayed the night in Des Moines. We stayed at "The Drury Inn" it was a super nice hotel. We got to eat hor de voure's in the hotel lobby from 5:30 to 7:00 or so and we each, adults of course, got 3 free drinks. Anything you wanted. I drank beer of course, but Tom had a margarita and then a couple of Tequila Sunrises. They were good. The food was, chile dogs, chips and salsa, mini chicken wings, salad and chips and pretzels. Enough to get us through the night. The hotel also had a really neat pool. The pool went to the outside area, yeah and Tom and Brandon went swimming. I just had a few beers and watched. The pool split from the inside to the outside. It was really cool, they could swim underneath to get to the outside. Look at the snow - they are outside!
Here they are on the inside
Well, needless to say, it was a lot of fun. Saturday morning, they had a hot breakfast, so we saved lots of money by not having to go out for dinner or breakfast. Our room was awesome as well, we had a 2 bedroom suite! Plenty of room for the 6 of us! After we checked out of the hotel, we went shopping at Gordman's. We had lots of good deals and I got myself a couple more shirts for my new job I start tomorrow. I'm so excited!

Today, Sunday, I went to a neighborhood baby shower. It was such a good idea. I didn't know there were that many people around our area. The neighbor lady invited all the women and when I got this invitation, I thought, this is weird, a baby shower and I don't even know the lady having the baby. But it was so nice. She, Joie, was 36 and it's here baby. So we got to meet the neighbors and we all talked about doing things this summer at each others house. I'm so looking forward to the spring/summer!

So now's the time to be getting ready for bed and hope to have a good nights sleep. I have to teach in the morning and then report to McGraw-Hill at 9am tomorrow. Wish me luck!

One day to go!

Today was a day that seemed to never end. The phones at work were awful and I just wanted to "kill" someone, but I made it through and tomorrow is my last day! I am so excited to start at McGraw-Hill on Monday!

The one good thing about work today is, we had food day. Our boss bought us all sub sandwiches and we, in CS, brought in snacks and treats! We had lots of food and I was stuffed.
So I have most of my stuff all cleaned up at work and all the personal stuff that I have accumulated over the last 4 1/2 years are put in a box to take with me tomorrow. I have lots of pictures and just memories that have happened over the time with TFS. The biggest thing I am going to miss is working with my husband, Tom. This is where we met! And we have lots to be thankful for this place, because if "Barnstead" did not hire me, I would not be where I am today. So I am leaving behind a wonderful memory. But I know we will make lots more memories in the future and I can't wait! Tom and I ride into work together and he is always there when I need him. I think I rely on him so much that this is one thing that scares me moving on to my new job at MGH. We even eat lunch together. Wow, this will be a shock for both of us, but I also think it will wonderful for us too. Instead of complaining about work, we can talk about our day and learn from each other and the new positions that we will be taking in the future. I love you sweetie.. it has been the best 4 years of my life. Can you believe it.. March is when we started dating and here we are happily married. Next thing on the agenda - baby making!

I had to play volleyball tonight with some girlfriends out at courtside. It was pretty boring, not much competition tonight. So here I am, sitting in the hangover chair, man, I love this chair. I can put my feet up, the heat on my back and a little vibration and I'm set. Oh and the laptop in my lap.. Just listened to my Jazzercise songs for tomorrow, so I'm all set. Nothing new, but just reveiwing the new ones I put in Tuesday. Till tomorrow..

Monday, Monday

We made it to Monday.. no snow! I thought for sure, I was going to wake up to some snow, but it stayed to the south of us.

I got up for Jazzercise and then thought about calling sick, but decided to go in, since I was up and Tom said the same thing. It was a busy day, but I only got 3 days left. Tom and I asked for a vacation day for Friday to go watch Micayla bowl in state tournament in Des Moines. When Tom and I got the email back, our boss told us it was fine, but instead of using a vacation day, that we could use our last "sick" day.. what?? Sweet! So that's the plan, we are taking the day off on Friday, so my last day now will be Thursday. Yeah!

Not much to write about, I made a tater tot casserole tonight for supper and it turned out really good. Lot's of left overs! Then I headed downstairs to learn a couple of new songs for Jazzercise tomorrow morning. I think I'm ready, but the real test comes in the morning. Have a good night!

Wonderful weekend

What a wonderful weekend I had. Well, we all know Friday was my birthday and what a wonderful day it was. It continued into Saturday as Tom and I headed to Madison to some shopping, and shopping we did. Tom is so wonderful, he just stood by me and waited why I tried on clothes and more clothes. I found a few pair of pants and lots of nice tops. This is what I was really after. I needed new shirts/sweaters. After the mall, we headed to Trader Jo's, its such a cool grocery store. It's one of these stores that we heard of on Opera or something, but it's something everyone should check out. I saw a guy drinking a bottle of beer while shopping. It was funny!

After the mall and before Trader Jo's, we ate at Outback Steakhouse, it was delicious. One our way home, I received a text from Chris that they were making lasagna and asked if we wanted to come for supper, but we had already ate, so when we got home, we grab a cooler of beer and went and hung out with the Hendricks/Gehl clan. We watched some the Olympics and sykped! The boys loved it..

Today, Sunday, Tom and I decided to make some twice baked potatoes. We have never made them before, but it sure looks like they turned out good. We will have to wait and eat them tomorrow because we are heading to Happy Joe's tonight for Matt's birthday party. I have been hungry for this pizza since Kristi mentioned it a couple weeks ago, so I'm looking forward to it. We are also expecting more snow tonight, maybe a couple inches and more tomorrow night as well. The weather people don't really know what to expect.. It's one of those storms that we will see as we get it.

Well, it's my last full week of work at TFS! I'm so excited. It's going to be a busy week. I do have 1 sick day to use, if I choose, but I'm not sure yet. Depending on the snow, if their is no school, I will not have to teach Jazzercise, so if no school, I might use my last sick day. But I think it's silly to teach at 5:45am and then not go into work, but we will see. Tuesday I am using my last 1/2 casual day because I have a dentist appt. in the afternoon, so I will take the rest of the day off. Then on Wednesday, we are having a food day for me, and another girls, last week. Our bosses are bringing in sub sandwiches and then whatever else everyone else makes, we will have lots of food their I'm sure. Then I just have Thursday and Friday left. We were all going to go to Hammerheads for our last hurrah, but we found out yesterday they Micayla made it to state for bowling! We are so excited for her and she bowls in Des Moines on Friday.. go figure! Tom and I would love to go, but we haven't decided yet. We wish it was on Saturday, but oh well, we are going to see what we can do, so my last day just might be on Thursday instead of Friday. I did earn 2 vacation days since the 1st of the year and I was planning on just getting them paid, but I might take one vacation day for Friday, if we decide to go watch Micayla.

Well, I just got a phone call from mom and I guess her and dad are coming out. I think mom wants to see everything I got yesterday in Madison.. and I still want to work on a few songs for Jazzercise tomorrow, if we have it!

figuring this out

OK, so I'm still trying to figure out this blog thing. Steph, you make is seem so easy. Everytime I add a picture, it's not in the right place or it just seems out of place. Oh well, I guess I can give myself credit for even doing it, so now on my blog. I still haven't finished the last one. One day, I might get it, but for now, you all will just have to bear with me.

So after work, Tom and I went to mom and dad's, well first we came home and took the kids to the bowling alley, then we went and got the 5x7 wedding picture for mom and dad's wall! Yep, I'm the first picture up...LOL

Mom made a new dish, called Shrimp Scampi with Linguine or something like that, but it was very good. Tom's parents came up, Grandma and Chris and his boys. Kristi has 2 big papers that are due next week, so she stayed home to get those done. Chris took her some left overs, so hopefully she'll get to eat! I got a few special birthday cards. One from Chris and the boys with a couple lottery tickets, unfortunately, I didn't win, but the card was very thoughtful. I also go some money from Grandma and Tom and Linda. Linda also got me the cornices that are on our windows, refer to a few blogs ago, these were my birthday present. They are still growing on me. Oh and mom got me a really neat mother/daughter thing, it's hard to explain, but it's really neat. I got some money to go shopping tomorrow. This is what Tom and I are doing tomorrow. We are heading to Madison to do some shopping and going to Trader Jo's.... I'm looking forward to it.

I'm off to bed, I can barely keep my eyes open! The Bogle wine is hitting me.. I love it!

Thanks again for all the birthday wishes. You guys are the best! I love you.

Birthday

Today was the perfect Birthday anyone could ask for. I came into work and on my desk was 2 ice cream buckets full of "monster cookies", made specially by Cathy Pennecamp. She make the best cookies in the world. Everyone at work loves them and she made them for me. Oh and she made a batch for Tom's birthday as well. Thanks Cathy! We love you..

Then later in the day, I received a special delivery at work, from my wonder niece, Leah. This bouquet of flowers were the perfect surprise, they smelled wonderful. It reminded me that spring is just around the corner. Every once in a while, I would get a fresh smell from the aroma of the flowers. Thanks Leah, Luke and Steph. I love you guys so much and miss you lots!

One more thing!

I CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT FRIDAY! I'm so sick of taking these phone calls, it's driving me nuts! I'm wishing I would have taken a couple days off, but it's OK, next week will fly by! I am using my last 1/2 casual day, probably on Tuesday, because I have a dentist appt. Plus we are having a food day sometime next week to celebrate our, me and another girls last day, departure.

Shoot, I wanted to say something else, but I can't think of it right now.. I guess I shouldn't be doing this at work! I guess I will have to blog later..

Testing complete

Well, yesterday was the big day. I had more test done.. I can't remember what it was called, but the doctor inserted a dye into me to check my falopian tubes. Thank God, everything looked good! So now onto the next step. I think I am going to listen to Tom and just let it happen, but I might try to get a little help from Clomid.. I have been talking to Kristi about it, her cousin was on it, and it worked for her successfully, so I might give it a try. If nothing happens in 6 months, then we may try the artificial insemination. Once I get on my feet at McGraw-Hill, I'm sure great things will happen. Oh and the only side effect that Kristi's cousin said was a little weight gain and moodiness. I can deal with that!

Anyway, the procedure was very painful. I'm still in pain. Very crampy! I don't even know how to explain it. Today, Thursday, it's still pretty painful. I taught Jazzercise this morning and I had to do low impact because I thought, well, it felt like something was going to come out. But we got through it.

My friend, Cathy, is bringing me Monster cookies tomorrow for my birthday. Cathy used to work here with us and we became good buddies. Cathy retired about 6 to 9 months ago and unfortunately she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a huge shock, but she is taking one day at a time and still has time to make us monster cookies! They are the best.. Cathy, we are thinking about you and praying for a quick recovery!

Testing time again!

I received a beautiful valentine in the mail today! It was a beautiful picture of my niece, Leah. She is so beautiful.

Today I got my "acceptance" letter from McGraw-Hill. Everything looked good and I am so excited to get started. I am debating on taking my 2 vacation days I have earned since the 1st of the year. If I don't take them, I will get paid, but I also have a 1/2 casual day and 2 sick days to use. If I don't use them, I will lose them. I will definitely use my casual day, but I haven't decided about the vacation days. Oh and I don't know when to use them, but that will be easy to decide.

Tomorrow is my appointment with the infertility doc.. I did all the blood work Monday and tomorrow they are going to do something so they can check my fallopian tubes and make sure everything is working ok.. I'm thinking tomorrow, I am going to use one of those sick days I have left. So wish me luck. Next step, hopefully a baby!

Tonight I had to teach Jazzercise at 4:30. It was a good class, but the students were tough. No one in the mood to make any noise. I have to admit, it's definitely a different crowd then the 5:45. But it's nice to do different classes. This will probably be my last one since my new job, I will be working until 4;30, I think.

So, that's about all I have to say... Wish me luck tomorrow!

Test Time!

Today we had a special Valentine's Day class at Jazzercise. 3 of us taught and we had a lot of fun. We had 32 peeps that joined us. Some of them brought their husbands, including my mother, yeah that's right, dad was there. He just came to watch, he was a good trooper in the back of the class. Tom stayed home, he did not feel the best and decided to stay home and watch the Daytona 500.

Tonight we had mom and dad up for supper. They invited us up, but we declined. This was last night.. So tonight when we decided to cook "Stuffed Green Pepper Casserole" we decide to just call them to see if they wanted to come. It was a good idea, because he had lots of food. Oh and they loved it! It's one of my favorite things to make.

So, tomorrow, since I got my period.. yeah Steph, I got it Friday morning, go figure, huh?? Tomorrow will be day 3 so I have to get some lab work done. I guess they are going to take some blood and test it so see if my levels, maybe my hormone levels, are high. I'm not 100% sure what they are testing, but this is my first, infertility, test. Then on Wednesday or Thursday, I go in and have my "insides" tested. So after that and if everything looks good, then onto the next... hopefully a baby!

Only 2 fully weeks of work left and Thermo Fisher Scientific.. I can't wait!

Dessert

We got a special surprise from Kristi this afternoon. She made some Chocolate Covered Strawberries.. and brought some over to us for our dessert. OMG, they were delicious.

Thanks so much Kristi!

Valentine's Day dinner

Tom and I started the day off by sleeping in. We had 2 phones call, of course. One from Brandon and the other from my mom! This is usually a 9:00am tradition on the weekends.

At 1:00 we had our "couple's candlelight massage" at Body and Soul. It was awesome! After the massage, they give you some champagne and chocolates.. We wanted to go to Kohl's after because we have a 30% off coupon. We went out, but neither one of us was in the mood to shop, we were so relaxed we just wanted to do nothing. So we ended up getting a few things. Tom got is haircut and then we came home.

Right now we are waiting for our lobster to get done. This is our first time cooking lobster. We have the steak, sugar snap pees and mushrooms/onions oh and baked potatoes all ready to go.

Here is what we have so far:

McGraw-Hill here I come!

I finally heard the news I have been waiting to hear.. I got the job at McGraw-Hill. My position is called "Service Support Supervisor" I guess I can call it SSS! I'm not 100% what I am going to be doing, but it's helping professor's and things that have to do with college and universities. Once I start I will let everyone know! My start date is March 1st. My last day at TFS is the 26th of Feb. I still have a 1/2 day casual left and 2 sick days. My supervisor says I should use them, so I guess I will have to figure out a couple days to take off in the next couple of weeks!

Tom also heard from JD. He has an interview schedule for the 2nd of March! This is the second phase of the job hiring process. Next, if he gets through the interview, which can take up to 3 hours or so, he will go through the drug screening and all that. Then if he passes that, he gets put into the "hiring pool". Then he just waits for the call. But this will be good, because he can collect his severance and maybe take some time off after TFS. He deserves it. He's been there for like 16 years.

This weekend is Valentine's Day. Tom and I are going to get a "couples massage" this is our gift to each other. We did this last year and it was awesome. We thought about going out for dinner, but I never got around to making reservation to one of our favorite restaurants, Vinny's, in Galena, and I'm guess they are booked, so we decided to stay home and cook steak and lobster. We went out tonight to Sam's and bought 2 lobster tails. We have no idea how to cook them, but I'm sure the lovely internet will have lots of different ways to cook them. We can't wait. Friday night, if Chris makes it home, me, Tom, Kristi and Chris might go out and celebrate my new job. We will probably go down to the Moose for a while and then hit a bar somewhere, or just home, you never know these days, we say we want to go out, but we end up home by 9 or 10 and then to bed by 11.

Sunday, at Jazzercise, we are having a Valentine's Day special. Speaking of that, I have to learn a new song.. Oh gee! The class is at 1:00. It's usually a pretty good turn out. We have a few "husbands" and "significant others" that come to class. I'm still trying to get Tom to come, but it's not looking good. We are team teaching so its going to be me and 2 other instructors. That's always fun and exciting.

OMG, Tom has Family Guy on the TVand I can't believe the things coming out of these character's mouth! And kids watch this stuff.. They just said Boner and Breast! LOL Oh great, Brandon just asked what channel Family Guy is on.

Today is Matthew's birthday, my nephew, for some of you reading this who might not know, but most people reading are family members, so they are probably saying "duh" rach. Anyway, I called him to wish him a happy birthday and asked what he was doing, he said "making smores" that sounded really good, but I have no idea what they were cooking them on, but it's not my house. Anyway, I asked him how old he was, I thought it was 11 or 12. He corrected me and said 11 and that it was his "golden birthday" wow, I totally missed it. He also said "remember when I was 9, you thought it was my "golden birthday" then. For some reason, I alway think his birthday is on the 9th, not the 11th. He remebered that, I couldn't believe it. These kids have great memories. I will have to get him something special! He said he is having a party next weekend when they are with their dad.

One last thing before I go. If you have a chance to SKYPE.. Do it, it's so awesome! I have been able to see my neice, Leah, the last couple of nights via SKYPE. She looks at the computer with these beautiful eyes and you just wonder what she's thinking. She looks as amazed about all this as we do. It's wonderful.. Thank you Opera and the internet! Can't wait to SKYPE again!

SKYPE is fantastic

Today was a relaxing day at home. Tom and I took today off, we called it "super bowl Monday" not that we were hanging or anything, but it was nice to able to enjoy ourselves last night. We went to his parents house for the game. Their was lots of food, as always. Most of the game we played "guts" it's a card game. Just like poker, but you get a couple extra cards. I don't know, that wasn't explained very well, but it was fun. I think Tom and I broke even. But we ended up watching the end of the game. We were excited the Saints won. Oh and I won $25! Not as much as you Steph, but it was awesome!

My brother and Leah just called and wanted to Skype! Unfortunately, the webcam is on Micayla's computer and today she came home after school to get it. She is staying at her Grandma's tonight. I figured since she took it, Luke would call and sure enough he did. But thanks to my wonderful husband brain, we used a video camera and hooked it up to our laptop and low and behold, we got to see little Lele eat supper. It was so cool. You got to love technology!

I got a call today from McGraw-Hill, the HR lady called and when the name came up on caller ID, I was so excited. Well, it was the HR lady calling and asking about my salary requirements. I hate that question, but I gave what I wanted and she is going to go back to the lady I interviewed with and discuss it with her and she said they would get back to me. So hopefully, it will be good news soon! Oh and on the same note, I have another interview on Wednesday, about the Ricoh copy machines technician. I would love to call back and say I already have a job, but we have to wait and see.

Well, it's snowing again, slowly, we are to be getting about 7 to 8 inches of this white crap. The kids are hoping for no school and if their is no school, then no Jazzercise. Speaking of Jazzercise, we just found out the owner, Brenda, is selling the place. There are a couple of us that wouldn't mind buying it. We think it would be a great investment, but we, Tom and I, really have to think about it. The Jazzercise girls and I went out Saturday night. We went to Houlihan's and then to Hammerheads to listen to a band. It was a good nice and fun to be with the girls. We don't get to see each other much, because we all teach different classes, obviously, but it's nice to get together once in a while.

Fertility test results

So, here I am sitting at work, blogging! I know, I shouldn't be doing this, but I am. I guess I'm just being a rebel. My sister-in-law said she needs something to read.

I just got off the phone with the OB/GYN about some lab work that Tom and I had done. Tom has 62 million spermies! Holy crap honey. Oh I hope you don't get mad I'm blogging about this! So he has a good count,but the motility, the way the sperm move, is at 40%. I guess they like this around 50% so he is borderline low they say. We are still waiting on one other test, and this determines if the shape of the sperm are good. I guess they don't want crooked, is that how you spell that? We want straight spermies. I like saying that! LOL So now I have to wait to get my period to start my testing. It's weird, but I'm excited to get my period, this time, well, if I don't get I guess I would be excited as well, because I could be pregnant and that would just be awesome! But if I do get it, then on the 3rd day, I have to go get some blood work done to test my levels and then a couple days after that, I go in to get something injected into me to see if everything is open and operating ok I guess. Erica said this is painful, but a friend of mine said it wasn't that bad. The nurse just said to take some ibuprofin an hour before and that seems to help. So that should sometime next week or the week after. If everything looks ok, then they will insert Tom's sperm in me and hopefully make a baby. My friend, Jody, said this is something that she had done too and it worked the first time! But unfortunately, she had a miscarriage :(

So, enough about all that.. yesterday, I call McGraw-Hill to see how the process is coming along. Since I had a 2nd interview, I'm really curious and ready to get the heck out of here and on with my career. Well, I called and left a message and she called back this time. I left a message on Monday and she didn't call back, but yesterday she did and of course, I missed it. My phone was in my sweatshirt pocket and it was on vibrate, so I didn't hear/feel the phone. Anyway, she called and said that they are still in the process and are waiting for HR's approval. So I don' t know what that all means, but at least she didn't say I did not get the job. Sounds like I'm still in game. She said she would know the end of this week or next. So I'm still keeping my fingers crossed.

I had an interview yesterday with SMG Solutions. They fix all the Ricoh copy/fax machines in the DBQ area. This job was sent to me through a contact I have at Hamiltion Tech, so I thought I would apply. The main office is in Davenport, but their is one guy who works in DBQ and he wants to work more on the sales side of it. This position is very intriguing and it definately would not be a "desk" job. But the interview went really well and he said he is going to recommend me for the next step. This interview was just a "get to know me" kind of interview. So we will see, I just don't know what I really want to do. I do but I don't if you know what I mean?? Tomorrow, Friday, I have an interview with Prudential. This one, is just an entry level position and I'm really not hyped up about this one at all, but I am going to go through with it and see what they have to offer. They say it's an hour and a half interview! I'm exhausted already just thinking about it.

Tonight Tom and I go to the Chiropractor again. She does so good. My back has been bothering me this week, I don't know why, but I think it's from sitting on my ass all day long! After Jazzercise today, it felt great, but as I sit here, I can feel it starting to tighten up. I need to walk around, but they strap us to our chairs and don't want us up roaming around. Just kidding, they don't really strap us, but it seems like that sometimes. We also play volleyball tonight at 8:15 and before that, we, the team, are going to Buffalo Wild Wings. I can't wait. I'm starving right now. I guess it's time for my morning snack. I don't get breakfast on mornings I teach, because I barely have time to shower, so I shower and rush out the door, wet head and all. So my snack is usually oatmeal with a tablespoon of peanut butter.

Well, I think this will keep you busy for about 3 minutes.. I will try and remember to blog tonight! I know how you feel about reading these, because I love to look at Steph's blog and read hers and look at the pics she posts.

Remember, keep your fingers crossed!