Has it really been that long?

Holy Wow!  I just looked at the date of my last post and cannot believe it has been that long.  I have officially been a blog slacker.  No reason in particular except that I haven't been able to come up with anything exciting to write about.  I haven't been on any adventures in months.  I guess you could say other things have gotten in the way of life.

We got moved into the house about 3 weeks ago.  Work is good... I LOVE my job!  School is keeping me really busy.  I was very happy about my first semester grades and being included on the deans list.  This semester, however, is a different story.  Intermediate Accounting II has become my nemesis.  The school is trying out a new program for the assignments and quizzes and there are still a few quirks that are making it really hard to get a decent score, meaning my grade right now is not an A like I would like.  I am working hard and hoping I can improve that before the end of the semester, which leaves me about 3 more weeks.  My other class is a sociology type class where we are discussing America in the 1960's.  That class is going great and my grade is where I want it to be.  Wish me luck in my accounting class!

I enjoy living in my new small hometown, and like that my drive to work is now 20 minutes instead of an hour.  However, I miss my sister and her family.   I am just glad that I didn't move so far away that it would be hard to see them on a regular basis. They are only 30 miles away.  And, they are coming over for dinner on Sunday.  Yeah!

Since my last post, my kids are back in school.  Shellise is attending Southern Utah University and Jessie is in  his Junior year of High School.  Crazy!  I get to see them in a week-and-a-half for a day or two, and can't wait!  I am so proud of both of my kids.  Jessie because he is making some really great choices right now and turning his life around.  Shellise because she is working so hard in school and is doing great, and because she is also making some better choices that is improving our relationship.  They have both been trying to get jobs, but the market in that town is not good.  They really need jobs though, so if any of you in Cedar City know of any place hiring, let me know.

I need to get back to my studies now, but promise I will be back a lot sooner.  I am leaving you with a few photos.

Kitchen not quite finished in this photo

Family room looking into kitchen. 

Shows the wood floors

From the foyer looking into front room 

Closer look at the hand-scraped wood floor

A view from the patio

Back yard

And this is me!  

I hope you will still check back once in a while, even though I am such a slacker these days!  

M.I.A.

You might have thought that I have been Missing In Action lately so I just wanted to write a little post to ensure you that I am not M.I.A.   I have just had a lot going on.  For instance.....

I started a new job.  I work at Citibank.  I drive almost an hour each way.  The long distance driving is only temporary, thank goodness.  As soon as we get moved into our new home the drive will only be about 20 minutes.

The house is coming a long nicely.  We expect to take occupancy in early August.  I will  post some pictures very soon.

Also, I am back in school working on my bachelor's degree.  I am currently taking Intermediate Accounting 1 and Art & Humanities.  School and work keeps me very busy.

Dear Hubby's work schedule has changed and we are trying to adjust to it.  It kind of really sucks!  He has always worked 10-14 hrs per day 5 days a week, but before he would go into work anywhere between 8:30 and 11:00 pm and get home between 10 a.m and Noon usually.  Now he goes into work between 2:30 and 4:00 a.m. and gets home between 2:00 and 4:00 pm.  It all depends on where he has to drive to.  He can usually count on a 600+ mile trip every day though.  With the new schedule he needs to be in bed around 7:00 pm  every night, so that doesn't allow much time for "us".  Also, he has Sunday/Monday off and I have Saturday/Sunday off.  Yeah it kind of sucks but we will adapt.  Work sure gets in the way of life though!

Anyway... I guess I can say I have been adjusting to a bunch of changes right now.  Hopefully I will find some balance in all things, including blogging.  That is what I am striving for.

See you soon!

Our Country Life

Life in the country sometimes involves sleeping in...

Aw!

Most of the time it involves getting up at the crack of dawn and working until sundown.

On this particular January day it was a beautiful day with temperatures in the 70's.

Everyone was enjoying being outside seeking new adventures.

This is China Doll... isn't she gorgeous?

Daisy was also getting into exploring 

Do you see those flowers in bloom?  

Spring is just around the corner

Eagerly waiting 

Jack Bull

Even our Llamas were excited about the nice day

And curious...

Anxious for new adventures.

Sebastian & Dottie

Sebastian & Pahyon 

Pahyon

Look at her lashes... beautiful baby!

Sweet Sebastian... our baby boy!

He just got back from the vet after recovering from an injury

What?  No Carrots?

Dottie

Baby Cakes & Cinnamon

Wanna know a secret?  

*If you look past those trees just on the other side...

That is where we are building our home. 

Groundbreaking very soon

Baby Cakes

And just to show you what beautiful blue skies there were on this day.... 

Nice huh? 

Today the bird feeders were fixed up, repainted, filled with seed and hung.

Sometime in the near future I will post some pictures 

of all the birds that pay us a visit

Including Red Cardinals, Blue Jays, Bluebirds, Golden Finches, Titmouse and many others.  

They are so gorgeous and fun to watch.

And then there are people hard at work like DH here...

That's my guy!

On this day he was securing the fence line along the backside of our property.

And then at the end of the day we can relax on the 

front porch and gaze out at this view...

Breathtaking!

And that, my friends, is a sample of our life in the country of the Lone Star State 

And life in the country is pretty darn good! 

Being in Limbo Sucks!!

I thought I better post something just in case you all begin to think I am dead or something.  I am in fact alive, yeah me!

I have just been super busy finishing up my last session of classes and starting another one.  Also, we have been very busy packing the house.  I can say we are officially 75% packed.  Then lets not forget that work thing which takes up a good portion of the day and a good portion of my life - ugh!

We still don't have an exact move date but it will be very soon.  If any of you follow me on Facebook, you will know that Dear Hubby's job is being eliminated here in Bozeman on September 12th.  We feel very blessed we had already made plans to move and realize that the decision to move to Texas was really meant to be.  

Dear Hubby's place of employment has recently undergone a major reorganization and that is why it is taking so long for this job transfer to get processed.  The word is we should hear something sometime next week.  In the meantime we have been stuck in Limbo.  Being stuck in limbo really sucks and is something that I hate!  I have also been in limbo in other areas of my life (which is another story for another day) and it is getting really old.   I am trying to be patient though and feel I am doing a pretty good job of it.  

I know it has been a while since I have contributed anything significant to my blog.  In what little spare time I have had I have been working on photo edits of our July adventures, and there were many.  I will post those soon (I hope).  I am so far behind!

We are trying to see and do as much as we can while we still live here.  Problem is we just don't have a lot of time.  We did make a list of priority places we want to visit before we move and little by little we are getting to those.  Tomorrow is one of those days where we are taking the whole day and going on a long road trip drive over the Beartooth Highway.  It has been something we have wanted to do since we moved here.  So I will make sure I take plenty of photos and will hopefully get to posting about that adventure very soon.

And just as soon as we get the word on a move date, I will let you all know too!  Until then, I hope you are all doing well.  I have missed having the time to read and comment on all of your blogs, but promise I will get to that very soon.   Life is just getting in the way at the moment!

The Good and the Bad!

The GOOD

• I made it on the Dean's List for achieving a recurring high GPA.  This makes me very happy because I have worked very hard.  Next goal is to make it on the Chancellor's List. 
• I only have one class this session. Really glad about this after having two very difficult classes last session.  This class is Professional Communications and it sounds like it will be good and fun. 
• Work is good for the most part.  It's nice to be able to just drive around town delivering parts all day and not get stuck in an office.  It is the perfect job to have while I am attending school full time.  It's also nice that it's located about 3 miles from my home.
• The Holiday's were nice, peaceful and quiet around here.  It always comes and goes way too fast for my liking.  We enjoyed spending quality time together and that is what made it so nice. 
• I discovered Skype!  And I love it!  I was able to Skype with both sides of the family over the Holiday's.  I was so happy to even get to see my Grandmother via Skype whom I haven't seen since I moved here over a year and half ago.  This made being separated from family a little easier. 

The BAD

• I didn't get to spend Christmas with my kids after all.  Big disappointment!  It is a long and unpleasant story that has to do with ex-husband fighting me on my visitation rights and teenage kids that are stinkers.  Enough said!
• Kyle informed us a couple days ago that he is moving out of our home on the 8th and on to Minnesota where his previous girlfriend lives.  Another Big Disappointment! Another long and sensitive story that I won't share here. 
• We missed out on seeing our Utah family over the Holidays.  Since I didn't get to have my kids for Christmas there was no reason to make the trip to Utah to pick them up.
• I was sick for over 3 weeks with a terrible cough and nasal congestion.  Thank goodness I am finally getting over it but now it has struck my DH.  Ugh! 

I was hoping the New Year would bring less unpleasant life changing events and more peace and contentment.  However, since it's only the 4th and I already know about two major events that affects me personally leads me to believe that wish is just not going to happen. 

With that said, all I can do is take the advice of Church Leaders and  find the good and happy in each day.  So that is my goal for this year.  I will live day to day and seek out the happiness and goodness in those days. And I will hope that tomorrow will be a better one.

I'm dreaming of .... a White Christmas.....I mean a break!

Oh my goodness its been a long while since I've posted anything.  I hate not having the time to blog.  But school is really killing me right now!  This session, I've had an algebra class and a principles of business class.  Algebra alone was killer but add to that all the required assignments (usually 2 each)  from both classes due each week, and working a full-time job on top of that and I feel like I am going to pull my hair out.

I had math finals due yesterday and I didn't realize it was due yesterday until Thursday so I literally spent every waking hour that I wasn't at work, studying and preparing for my exam all weekend.  I'm stressed and I'm feeling a little down because I haven't had anytime to enjoy the holidays like I want.  But why am I complaining?  I chose this path so I will just shut up now. 

Any hoo....  I have a 2 more assignments for each class due this week and then I will be on break until after the new year.  Thank Goodness! 

So now you know what I have been doing.  What I haven't been doing is baking and making candy or shopping.  I am hoping to get started on that very soon. 

I'm excited though because DH and I are driving to Utah on Friday to pick up my kids and bring them back up here for Christmas.  I am really looking forward to seeing them. 

I am very proud of Shellise.  She was in her school play "White Christmas" which held their production every day last week.  She has to be beat!   I sure wish I could have seen her in that play, it is my favorite holiday production. 

Shellise also takes ballroom dance and will be performing next weekend and I will get to see that performance while I am there.  I can't wait! 

I hope to be able to finish my Christmas shopping, do some baking and make candy, and catch up on some much needed projects sometime soon, or maybe I won't.  For right now I have to get my school assignments done so I can enjoy the holidays.  Looking ahead to some wonderful quality time with my kids. 
And I am looking ahead to some quality posts by me in the near future... maybe?  I hope.  Miss you all! 

Happy Holidays!

Segment #2

New Stuff

We got a beautiful new car!

And I received my very own laptop for school!

It feels so nice to finally have a computer that can keep up with everything.  A big THANK YOU goes out to those that helped us obtain these much needed items. 

School

As of the moment that I am writing this post I have completed this session of classes and now have a 2 week  break before my next session begins. It's a much needed break too! I took my final math exam on Thursday and missed only 2 questions for a 94.8% which is an A.  I also completed my touchstone project essay for English Comp I and received an A.  I am very happy with how it turned out.  I have had to work on one final assignment for each class due by tomorrow and that is all for this session.  I am very happy with my grades and believe I will continue to receive a 4.0 GPA once the final grades are posted next week. 

Kyle & Domonique

We are very blessed to have Kyle and Domonique living with us and are so glad that we can help them get back on their feet.  We are so proud of them and all that they have accomplished.  Within two weeks of being here, they had both secured full-time jobs.  Kyle is working for Montana Maintenance Company and Domonique is working for Spring Creek Inn, an Alzheimer's care home.  They are also working towards continuing their education in the near future. 

It is really nice to have family closeby.  They are really great kids and do so much to help around the house.  It's just been nice.  However, it is kind of strange to have every person in my house (except me) working night shifts.  I'm the only NORMAL one who works during daylight hours!  The rest are VAMPIRES!  Ha! 

Work

My job at O'Reilly Auto Parts is going well.  I'm a driver specialist who delivers auto parts to all of our installer customers.  I didn't know if I would like it or not, but I really do.  It's a job that works perfectly while I am going to school.  When I go home for the day I can leave my work at work and not think about it again until I go back.  I get to drive all over the place which keeps me out and about and not under the nose of a supervisor all day long.  Plus I have met some really terrific people.  I also get a nice discount on auto parts which helped a great deal when we were fixing up the spare car for Kyle.  I'm very greatful for my job and what it provides.  It's a good feeling that I am finally able to pay my child support. 

The only thing that I don't like about having to work is that it sure gets in the way of life!  I can think of so many other ways to spend my time if I didn't have to work.  I really need to win that lottery!

More Changes.....

I have had so much homework this week that this is the first I have even checked on my blog. However, I really do need to get to bed as it's midnight, but I wanted to get something posted on here so you didn't think I had completely disappeared.

So really quickly before I go to bed, I just want to update you on some new changes coming our way. 

I mentioned previously that my in-laws were coming for a visit and they will be here on Friday.  I am so excited for all the fun times we are going to have.  Bill hasn't seen his parents in over 4 years, so this will really be a wonderful treat for us all. 

Also on Friday my stepson, Kyle, and his wife, Domonique, will also arrive.  They are moving here from Arizona and will be living with us for a while until they can get back on their feet.  Kyle lost his job last week and since they had already planned to move up here next spring they just decided to make it happen now.  Which is fine by me! I am looking forward to having family nearby. 

Kyle hasn't seen his grandparents (my in-laws) in over 12 years.  Having them all together under one roof is going to be so awesome!  I can't wait to take pictures! 

Besides work and school, I have a really busy and fun filled two weeks ahead of me, visiting the in-laws and getting our kids settled.  I hope I will have some time to catch up with all of my dear bloggy friends soon, but it may be a few days before you hear from me. 

I hope all is well in your lives.   TTFN

Never been so glad for a Friday!

I have never been so glad that Friday finally arrived in a very very long time.  This week was my first full week of a full-time, M-F, 8-5 job.  I haven't worked a full time job in several years.  The last time I did was when I worked for myself in Real Estate and was able to work when I wanted, so that doesn't count.  Seriously it's probably been since 1999. 

And it's going to take some getting used to. 

After I get home in the evening I get to see my hubby for 2 hours before he leaves for work and then I start working on my school homework and online courses until midnight every night.  That's the schedule!  There is no time for anything else. 

And that is going to take some getting used to! 

So far I like my job.  It's not stressful and I don't have to bring it home with me, thank goodness.  Plus I am out and about all day long.  However, driving all day can sure take a lot out of a person! 

I don't like NOT getting to spend much time with my hubby.  I don't like working opposite schedules.  And I don't like NOT having much freedom to do anything else.  I'm not used to that! 

I will definitely have to give it some time to get used to this new life of mine.   All is good though!  I'm just really tired right now. I can't wait to get some extra sleep on Saturday morning. 

Here is something totally random -

I got my hair cut into a new style that I have never worn before, the A-line bob.  I love it!  It looks better in person. 

Well TTFN - I have to get some sleep!

Trip to Utah, A Job, School and Other Good Stuff

Wow!  So it's been a while since I've actually posted anything noteworthy.   I have posted a couple things here and there, mostly pictures, but nothing that stands out as amazing. I'm sorry for being such a slacker!  It's just that I have had a crazy past few weeks and I don't see that ending any time soon.  In fact, my life just got even more crazy, but it's all good.  I will just have to include blogging time into my schedule and be better at sticking to it. 

Here is what has been keeping me away....

School - You all know that I started school about 6 weeks ago at Colorado Technical University Online.  I am loving it!  But needless to say it's a full-time commitment in and of itself. Continuing my education is a HIGH priority for me right now and I am fully committed to achieving high grades and making the deans list in the near future.  So far I have an A in both classes.  Yeah!  This past week I have been working on my final papers for my classes, as we start a new session next week.  So I have been non-stop schooling lately.  Upcoming classes will be a little harder as I will be moving into Business Math and English Composition I.

Trip to Utah - Last week we made a trip to Utah for my family's camp out at Gooseberry Reservoir.  I'll get to that in just a minute. 

First I want to mention that Bill and I got to meet his daughter that was given up for adoption 25 years ago for the first time.  She and her husband, David, live in Arizona and just so happened to be in Salt Lake on the same weekend as us to attend the funeral of David's sister who had passed away.  Natalie made contact with Bill about a year ago and they have kept in contact since then.  Meeting Natalie and David was the most amazing experience.  She is so beautiful, inside and out! She and David just got married in May and they are a perfect match for each other.  After we left from meeting with them, we realized we didn't even take one picture.  And I even took my camera with me for that very reason.  I was and still am so upset by this.  So I had to borrow this picture of them from her facebook profile (I hope you don't mind Natalie).  We look forward to spending more time with them in the near future.   We are very blessed!

Now back to the camping trip... All of my family; my parents, all my siblings, nieces and nephews, and my kids all went camping to Gooseberry Reservoir in Sanpete County. The only person that was missing was my BIL, my sister,Valerie's husband, Bob.  And he was very much missed! This trip had been planned for many months and it was just so nice to be together. We had not been back home since we moved a year ago. 

We fished, camped, ate great food, had some fun nights around the camp fire telling silly progressive stories which was a hoot.   Did I mention that we fished?  We all caught 1 or 2 fish, but I think my 6 yr old niece caught a ton of fish all on her tiny Dora pole.  Every time she would throw her line in she would get a bite, it didn't matter that my line was right next to hers and it had the same bait.  For some reason the fish just loved her! 

Here is a movie I made of our trip...

We returned back to Salt Lake from camping on Sunday afternoon which left Bill and I a little time to visit with some friends and past neighbors for a little while.  I was able to catch up with some friends of mine who I haven't seen in several years, and who just happened to be in Utah also on this same weekend.  I feel very blessed to have been able to have this opportunity for chance meetings. It was also really nice to spend some time with my kids, but now I am missing them like crazy!  The weekend was so AWESOME! 

Job Status - My work with the Census ended a few days before our trip to Utah and so I had been really stepping up my time spent seeking a new job.  I met with a Career Assistance Advisor through my school who assisted me in revamping my resume and brushing up on my interview skills.  And I spent many hours apply for job after job during this past month.  On July 26th I received a phone call from O'Reilly Auto Parts, a place that I had applied to several months ago.  A job opening has come available and I interviewed that day, and found out the next that I got the job.  Yes, you read that right..... I finally got a job!  It's a full-time position driving auto parts around.  And it couldn't have come at a better time.  Yeehaw!

Now this is where my life gets even more crazier.  Full-time school + Full-time job = A very full life!  Now I just have to figure out how to keep it all in balance including my family and social commitments.  I haven't had a full-time job in a few years and I definitely have not had school on top of it.  But hey, people do it all the time, right? 

Other stuff - I have hundreds of pictures I still need to edit and post of our hikes and Daisy's Adventures.  I haven't spent a lot of time on that because I still need to get a new computer and an external hard drive for this one before I start adding more files to it.  That will be a project I will have to work in my spare time. Ha!  And I would still like to be able to spend some time catching up on your blogs too.  Life is just getting in the way just a bit right now.  I hope you will forgive me. 

Great News - I'm SO excited that my in-laws are coming for a visit later this month.  I am really looking forward to spending some good time with them.  MIL is an excellent photographer and am hoping she can teach me a thing or two. Here is a cute picture of the two them and their dog "Dinky"..... 

Can't wait to see you Mom & Dad!

Now to all my bloggy friends out there.... I promise to catch up with you over the next few days.  I can't wait to see whats been happening in your lives. 

Still Around

This past week was a bit chaotic and I hate that I haven't had the time to update my blog much these days.  But I am still around. 

This past week was just a bit crazy.  I go to school full time and that is my priority right now.  I am also working again for another couple weeks with the U.S. Census Bureau.  And then this past Sunday I was asked to speak in church on agency and so I spent all last week preparing for that when I wasn't doing the other.  Oh... and I also had a birthday last week too!  Yup!  I am another year older..... Eeek!  I don't feel older though and that is what counts, right? 

I am still not completely operational with a computer yet as far as I have to wait until I get my new computer and an external hard drive before I can upload any of the recent photos from our camping trip and other adventures.  I just can't add any more programs to this computer that I am currently using.  I am just waiting on some funds to be released from financial aid through school so I can get that computer.  Hoping it will be soon.

I am still just sick over losing all those photographs over the past 8 years.  Everytime I think about it I realize what a stupid uncaring thing I did by not backing up my files onto an external source or printing them.  I remembered yesterday that I have lost all my wedding photos except for the few that are saved on FB and my blog, but that doesn't even come close to what I had.  It's just sickening! 

As far as school goes, I am loving it!  I am learning so much already!  I am getting A's in each of my classes so far.  I may not be saying how much I love it in a few weeks when I begin math classes though.  I am so thankful for my DH who is so supportive of me.  I know without a doubt that this is the path I am supposed to be on at this time in my life.  Everything was leading towards it and everything is working out nicely.  I just have a really good feeling inside.  I hope that through my example, my kids will look up to me and be proud of their mommy! 

Oh and before I forget.  DH and I finally upgraded our cell phones.  We each got a Blackberry.  Now we are somewhat up to speed in the technology world.  I am amazed at all the stuff I can do on this thing.  It's going to take me forever to figure it out.

I hope all of you, my dear blogging friends, are having a wonderful summer and all of your dreams and wishes are coming true. 

Since I have absolutely NO pictures on this computer and I am tired of posting without some kind of picture, I went to the internet and pulled up this nice photo that makes me happy and feel at peace.  It just happens to be taken here in Montana.  We went on a hike yesterday and saw some really beautiful wildflowers just like these.  I hope you enjoy!

"Unemployed Need Not Apply" - Are you kidding me?

My friend Stephanie who blogs at Steph in the City brought this to my attention today in a post she wrote here.   I was so astounded by this information that I did some checking on my own and learned that there Is. No. Kidding. Here.  It is true.  There are many employers out there who are only willing to hire people who are already employed. 

Check this video out....


As an unemployed person myself who has been looking for a job since having to relocate here from another state due to my DH's job transfer, this just makes me so flippin mad I could scream.  In fact I scream D.I.S.C.R.I.M.I.N.A.T.I.O.N!!  It's not bad enough that whenever I apply for a job I am competing with 800+ applicants for the same job?  This is just VERY WRONG!!   

Here are a couple other links to arcticles other people are writing about this subject.  

Unemployed-need-not-apply-just-die-already

Should Unemployed Job Seekers be Ruled Out? Some Think So - RecruitingBlogs.com

WTF: “unemployed candidates will not be considered” or “must be currently employed.” « InvestmentWatch

Some people are writing to their congressman.  I wonder if that will go anywhere and if its something I should do also? 

Just a little discouraged today by this news!  What is wrong with this country?