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Been basically a year

In a few days, it will have been a year for Joey and I being together. And what a long year it's been. Neither one of us knows where the future is going to take us. We have our ups and our downs. I think that we're both just taking everything one day at a time.

Work Anguish Continues

Well, last night my friend and coworker basically had it out with our supervisor about Idiot Boy. Yesterday was just non-stop stupid questions about basic things that he should already know...like weeks ago. Don't know if it was a lack of sleep or brain cells. So needless to say, the patience of the other members of the team is basically down to zero. We are all ready to snap at him at any given moment. One of us has headphones on just to drown him out. It's not a pleasant atmosphere at all. And there is nothing my supervisor can really do since there is a hiring freeze. Unfortunately, it will probably take the death of someone in order for him to be let go and it should not have to come down to that.

Weight Loss Update

Down 0.4 for a grand total of 23 pounds.

Driving

Did people forget how to drive when coming off of vacations? Yesterday, my rainy commute took me an hour and ten minutes when it normally takes me 25 minutes. I passed several accidents. At least it wasn't snow...I could only imagine what the situation would have been like.

NFL

Well, my team has ended their season thanks to Chad Pennington's interceptions and the offense just playing like crap. I can't really complain though considering where Miami Dolphins were a year ago. They had ended their season 1-15. This season they ended up 11-5 for the regular season, AFC East Champs, and the only team from the AFC East to make it into the playoffs. So overall, a much better NFL season for me.

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Weight Loss Update

And the losing continues. Down 2 pounds for a total of 22.6!

Happy New Year

Well, I'm thankful that 2008 is behind us. Of course, I'm anxious about what 2009 will bring me. I haven't really thought of resolutions to do but more some goals I'd like to accomplish at some point this year. I don't say resolutions because the things that I want to work on, I've already been doing them. I want to continue losing the weight. I have about another 20 pounds or so that I want to lose. So with that, means bumping up the exercise and watching what I'm eating. I want to read a lot more of my books. I had a "horrible" reading year compared to years in the past. A big reason for that is that I don't have a subway commute anymore. If you're interested in what I've been reading, please check out my book blog. I have several craft projects that I've started and even one that my friend Tricia had asked me to do for her that I want to finish. I'll be posting pictures of their statuses soon. I want to get more of my credit cards paid off, something that I can do with a couple this year. And overall, I just want to be happy. Much happier than last year-no unemployment, no medical procedures for me or my kids, no emergency room visits, no having to borrow money from friends and family.

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Christmas 2008

And it was just another indication that 2008 can just end. Joey and I were supposed to head to KY Wednesday morning to go see my parents. Well, Tuesday, Joey's appendix decided that it was more important to cause pain and be removed. So, Tuesday night at about 8:30pm, I brought Joey to the ER. By 1am, his appendix was removed. Needless to say, Joey and I didn't head to KY Wednesday morning. Joey was released from the hospital later on Wednesday afternoon and after trying to find a pharmacy to get his medications, it was Wednesday night. We had our Christmas on Christmas Eve just in case he wasn't going to feel well enough to go to KY for Christmas.
After making sure that Joey was okay, I headed to KY and spent Christmas with my brother and parents. I also called Joey several times to make sure that everything was okay. He kept saying that he was feeling better every time I called. So I left KY Saturday morning to return to NC and now I'm just hoping for a couple of days to relax, a Miami win, and maybe some after Christmas shopping before I head back to work on Tuesday.

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Weight Loss Update

I'm down 0.6. I have absolutely no idea how that happened but I'll take it.

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Frustrations

I haven't posted in a while and I apologize to those who are regular viewers. I've been going through a lot of crap at work. We have a new person who started on the first. How he made it through the interview, I will never understand. My job deals with crises and being able to work quickly. Almost every time this person gets a call, he's like a deer caught in the headlights. Seems to completely forget what he was taught. He claimed that he knew computers. Well, he doesn't and our work is all on the computer. He received more extensive training than my coworkers and me received combined and he still isn't getting it. My job is one where you basically are glued to the phones waiting for calls and doesn't allow for a lot of flexibility. We are supposed to remain logged on the phones for the calls to come through. Our screenings are only supposed to be 5-10 minutes long. He spends about 20 minutes on a screening and then has to log off the phone in order to complete the screening and still fucks it up. Well, idiot boy decides that on the first day he needed to have his schedule changed so he can go ref basketball games. Um...what the hell is more important-your county job or the games? So needless to say, my coworkers and I have had it up to you know where. We've all approached our supervisor on an individual basis AND ended up having a meeting in front of him sharing our frustrations. Nothing is changing and probably won't.
This has been affecting my health, my sleep, and my home life. I'm fed up and it's taking everything within myself not to snap at this idiot. I had to do talk to him yesterday about something and I was shaking so bad. He actually had the audacity to wink at me after I told him what to do. He doesn't understand that he is messing with the wrong people in this unit. So, Jeremy, don't be surprised if someone calls asking you how I can really be when I'm pissed off.

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Happy Dance

I finally finished the last gift for my mom for Christmas. I will post the happy dances after my family receives them.

Weight Loss Update

Drum roll please....down 2 for a total of 20 pounds!

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Weight Loss Update

I forgot to post on Saturday that I lost 3 pounds for a total of 18!

Happy Dance

I do have a happy dance to report but can't show any pictures. I finished another Christmas present. One more to go!

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Stitching

I have been stitching. I even have a happy dance to report. I've been working on Christmas gifts for my family and I finished the one for my brother. I'm almost done with the one for my father-just need to do the back-stitching. That will be my project for today and to also start on my mom's.

Playtime

I'm an Official GOV'T Employee

Scary, scary, scary. Today is my hire date for the county. Had part one of my benefits orientation this morning and I haven't had this type of benefits since I was a union employee back in NYC. And that feels like ages ago despite the fact that it's only been a year. I am happy that after this crazy year to have landed a SECURE job with great benefits. Of course, I'm concerned of possible cuts thanks to the wonderful economy but I should be okay.Keeping my fingers crossed.

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Weight Loss Update

Well, I'm up a pound and I'm fine with it. This is my first gain since I started and I knew that it was going to happen sooner or later. Time to refocus.

I Survived

Yesterday, I met Joey's family for the first time since we started dating back in January. We had Thanksgiving dinner with his dad's side of the family. There was about 30 people there. 30 people! Luckily, there were so many people that I wasn't bombarded by the usual questions. It was kinda strange. And then afterwards, we went to visit with his mother, step-dad, grandmother and his one of his half-brothers came over. Everyone appeared to be nice and I wasn't that anxious about meeting them. Maybe because it's because I've met the boyfriend's family so many times before. Joey had asked me what I thought of his dad's side of the family on the way home and I didn't really have an answer for him since I didn't really get to speak with anyone on a individual basis besides his step-sister. He did tell his aunt, whose house we ate at, that I'd be back...solidified the relationship a little more.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope that everyone takes some time to give thanks to what they are thankful for. Have a safe holiday!

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Thanks Weasel!

Just wanted to thank my former boss James, aka The Weasel, for giving my current boss a good recommendation for me and not allowing her to ask any questions! :)

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Weight Loss Update

I'm down another 1.4 pounds for a total of 16 in 9 weeks!

My kids...on a Sunday afternoon

Stitching Update

Don't think that my brother will see this so....this is the latest on the progress of his Christmas gift

Winter Weather Advisory...ha

So this morning, there's a winter weather advisory for a big chunk of NC...all because of a few snowflakes...which aren't even sticking. Now, for those of you who don't know where I'm from...I'm from Western NY...land of lake effect snow and ice storms. Where true winter weather advisories are necessary. I laughed through most of last "winter" and I'm sure I'll be laughing through most of this "winter."

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More Changes

Well, I was offered the County position. I was the only one out of three that was offered. So that means for some interesting changes at work. New people starting, better benefits for me. So just call me a government employee.

Weight Loss Update

I'm down another 2.2 pounds for a total of 14.6.

Latest with Jen

Well, first I'll apologize for not really writing anything on here and posting bunch of puppies (aren't they cute).
I've been at my new job for almost a month and I really like it, despite the crazy commute that I have. Even better, the position is going county-so better benefits and an actual government position. Now I just have to make it through the "interview." Shouldn't be a problem as my supervisor is the one doing the interviews and she is always saying that I'm doing a good job.
My kids-Suzie, Tiger and Boots continue to be doing well, despite the changes of food, weather and just overall craziness that they create for themselves.
Joey and I have our ups and downs. We'll see what happens.
I have been working on some latch hook and cross-stitching. I'll hopefully be posting pics soon of some of the stuff that I've been making.
It's been a year that I've been a Southerner and I'm hoping that my future years, where ever they may be, are not as difficult as this one has been.
Weightloss continues to be going well, as people can tell from my quick one-liner posts on Saturdays. No gain in about 8 weeks.
That's about it in the World of Ollie for now

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Weight Loss Update

For those of you keeping score, I lost another pound at my weigh-in yesterday morning.

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RIP Tanya

My cousin passed away yesterday from a long battle with cancer. I'm hoping that she wasn't in too much pain and glad that she will no longer be suffering. We were never really close and I feel bad for her 3 young children (all under the age of 6). Her husband has his hands full. My parents are the godparents of her oldest. She was 2 months younger than me which just reinforces that life is short.

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History has been made

No matter how the election here in the States turned out yesterday, it would have been a historical victory. I am pleased with who won, but anxious to see what the next 4 years will bring to the United States. I'm interested to see how the world reacts. Bear in mind, I'd be just as curious, probably more worried, if McCain had won. So here I am, with my fingers crossed that the United States somehow gets it's feet steady again...and no terrorism hits us.

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Belated

Just a quick Happy Belated Birthday to my mother and my cousin. Their birthdays were yesterday.

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Stitching Progress

I've done a little cross-stitching here and there. Here are a couple of progress shots.

And the losses continue

I'm down 0.8 this week for a total of 11.4. Go me!

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The Past

It seems that ever since Scott told me that he was getting married, I've been learning more and more about what has happened to my exes. Jeremy (ex-husband) just celebrated the one year mark of his daughter's birth. Sal (ex-fiance) just got married this summer. Mike (college sweetheart) finally married the woman that he was with when we broke up 10 years ago. There are still a couple of men I'm curious about but those 3 have been the major relationships in my adult life. I'm genuinely happy for all of them and I sincerely wish them all the luck and happiness in the world.

Einstein Quote (thanks Scott)

"To punish me for my contempt for authority, fate made me an authority myself."

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Weight Loss Update

Down 2.2 for a total of 10.6. Guess the beers I had last night didn't affect my weigh-in!

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I Survived My First Heavy Metal Show

Last night, Joey and I went to see his favorite metal band, Opeth at Lincoln Theater. Joey had introduced me to their music back in January when we met. They are much harder than let's say, Metallica and much more musically talented. I can understand and appreciate their musical talent.
So, as a concert goer and never having been to a true metal show, I was slightly nervous. Mob pits, body surfing, just people being stupid. Luckily, the way that the theater is set up, there is an upstairs where people who don't want to be injured can enjoy the show...that's where Joey and I were. Baroness was the first opening band and I enjoyed them a lot. They were more instrumental than demonic screaming. High on Fire came on next. Much too much screaming for my enjoyment but the crowd was into it.
Now let me take a moment and describe this crowd. Actually let me take you back to 1993 when I met Ken and had my first exposure to a true hard rock/metal fan. Ken has the long hair, "rough" look to him. Most of the crowd were male...a lot of unshaved men. I don't think that I had seen so many beards, and long beards at that, in one spot. I have to admit, I did have some redneck comments running through my head. And they ranged in age from under 21 to 40's. From my vantage point, I think that I spent about half the show watching waves of people as they were being pushed about. Every once in a while a mob pit would open up-wonder how those guys are feeling this morning. At times, it looked like people were going to fight. You know, the non mob pit participants vs the mob pit idiots. There were some people body surfing. More women than men which I was a little surprised at. No one was dropped on their heads which it looked like it would happen soon. Idiots.
Anyway, Opeth, after a very long technical set-up (mikes weren't working), came on. I have to say, I was impressed. I had recognized most of the songs that were played thanks to Joey. The skills that these men have...quite amazing. To play as fast as they do, it's not an easy task.
So with that, I survived and off to my regular life.

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The NC State Fair

I guess I've been spoiled by The Great New York State Fair because I was disappointed in NC's State Fair. Julie, Joey and I were done with it in about 2 hours. We don't do rides so we saved money and time. There were a lot of similar things between both State Fairs but NY is just on a much grander scale. Still ate some good kettle corn though.