Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Work from home!

Who knew there were so many scams and wild goose chases out there when looking for a work-at-home job. Did you know you can make thousands of dollars a day working from home? Just send some money to God-knows-who and then they'll tell you the secret. Ugh. I don't mind working and earning my pay, but I shouldn't have to pay someone to hire me, eh?

I know I really need to look around town for 'real' jobs, but I can honestly say my heart is not in it. I like my time at home, with the dogs, doin' my own thang. I think once we get back from all of our holiday travel, I'll be ready to dig my heels in and just do it.

Big money, big money, no whammies...

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

My first meme!

So, I guess I got tagged... a MONTH AGO! Eh, heh, heh, heh.... *blushes*

Rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and or weird things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

#1 I think a lot of red-headed men are HOT. One of my first big crushes was on the red-headed cousin of my manager at work. *sigh*

#2 I am the genetic freak of the family. My parents and 2 brothers all have brown eyes and tan easily. I have hazel/green eyes and fair skin that burns easily. In our family photos from Florida vacations, it looks like some pink, sunburned child walked into the picture of The Tan Family.

#3 I have a retarded dog who barks at his own reflection in the window. I don't think he understands why the other dog backs away when he does and advances at the exact same time, too.

#4 I was a high school band nerd. I started playing oboe in 4th grade, then picked up the saxophone and bassoon in high school. I started on the tenor saxophone, then later played alto and bari. I liked to tell people I was 'tri-saxual'.... I would try any kind of sax!

#5 I've never seen the Star Wars movies. Yeah, that's about all I can say about that.

#6 I've never had braces or a cavity, and I've got beautiful teeth, if I do say so myself!

#7 I have written erotic fiction. ;)

OK, thanks to Becki for tagging me. Unfortunately I don't know anyone else who blogs, so I can't link to anyone else! Oh well!

Well, this sucks.

Much to my dismay, I found out last Friday that there's a very good (well, not really good) reason why I've not been able to get pregnant after almost 2 years of trying. I had a hysterosalpingogram (a.k.a., HSG) and was told my fallopian tubes are blocked. First let me just say that the 'minor discomfort' I was told that I might experience during the HSG was more like excruciating torture... down there. Don't get me wrong, I understand that giving birth is not exactly going to feel good, but at least you get to take home a prize at the end and not bad news, eh?

Anyway, my next stop is a Reproductive Endocrinologist. There is only one in Northern Louisiana, and I didn't get a good vibe when I called his office. Since infertility treatments are unlikely to be covered by insurance, I asked if they have any suggestions for financing. I was told that in the case of in-vitro fertilization, approximately $6,000 would be due up front, no financing. As my father later pointed out, if they're the only fertility clinic in the region, they've got no competition, and therefore can run their business however they chose. Fair enough, I suppose. However, I then received a return phone call from a clinic in Houston, and both the scheduling and finance representatives were extremely warm, helpful and compassionate. Wow! I think I found me a doctor! I got the name of this doctor from my dear sister-in-law, who not only is a patient of hers but is also a doctor herself. So, when a family member who is also a doctor trusts and recommends another doctor, she's probably good, right?

Monday, October 8, 2007

Damn, I am NOT good at this!!

What was supposed to be daily has suddenly become weekly... I need to post more!

Coffee, the great motivator... I really need to drink this stuff every day. I know it's not just a psychological side effect, too. I have tried to drink a half a cup and then take a nap, telling myself, "Nah, it's just a little caffeine, it won't keep me awake." 8-/ But, I've finally given in to the idea that it can really rev me up when I need it to. I drank a cup earlier, and I was almost manic, running around from chore to chore. It was great, actually. Maybe if I do this every day, I'll actually complete all the housework I am supposed to get done.

You see, I am supposed to be a "homemaker". I do not work outside the home, and I actually do enjoy housework. Ironing, laundry, vaccuming, mopping, dusting - it is fun and satisfying work. I just don't don it as often as I should and don't complete things I start most of the time. Sure, I could see a psychologist about why I don't finish what I start, why I'm not motivated, and why my reaction to being overwhelmed is to just quit. OR... I could just drink more coffee and bounce around from chore to chore until it's all done! I think my way is cheaper... Well, I'm off to buzz around the house some more!

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Yeah, it's been a few days.

Friday my husband went to Houston to stay the night with his younger brother. He has season tickets to the Texas A&M home football games, and he usually leaves Friday to have a shorter drive on Saturday morning. My job, as usual, was to stay home with the dogs. It's kinda nice, actually, being 'home alone' and getting things done without anyone (human anyway) underfoot.

But, then there's the dogs. I own just about every product Swiffer has to offer now. With all the dirt and debris the dogs drag in, I've had to come up with a system - vaccum, Swiffer, mop. I could do this every day and pick up a lot of dirt every day. I have not found a way around it, so I can at least be thankful we have tile and not carpet! When all's said and done, though, they sure are a lot of fun.

This weekend, I also undertook the task of mounting a new towel ring and toilet paper holder in the half bath. It's actually kinda fun working with power tools, even when you don't know what you're doing. Now that I'm in a 'home improvement' mood, I think I'm going to head over to the paint store tomorrow to pick out some colors and supplies. I'm thinking of painting all 3 bedrooms. Maybe next football game weekend....

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

I'm Falling Apart!!!

Effective October 1, I will have health insurance. But right now... I have none. It is my own fault, taking my chances rather than ponying up the dough for Cobra or an individual policy to hold me over. In fact, I've gone months without a single problem.

But now, I'm falling apart. My foot has been hurting for a week and a half (I have no idea what I did to it), I've had a persistent deep cough for a week, and I'm about 5 days late with a negative pregnancy test. Now it's a waiting game. What will come first - all my problems disappear, or my health insurance kicks in, or I can't take it anymore and use my backup insurance (credit card!) to pay out of pocket?

Oh well, as my Mom often says, it is what it is.

On a lighter note, we got rain today, so now we won't have to use the sprinkler for a day or two. That will help cut back on the water bill, which may come in handy if I go to the doc after all! ;)

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Antihistamine Drunk

Have you seen that new commercial for the well-known OTC allergy medication? Two moms are sitting on a park bench and the son of one of them runs up to his mom to get a dose of his allergy medicine. Now, this particular medication, which is an antihistamine, is commoly known to cause drowsiness, and is even sometimes used (amid much controversy) by parents to calm kids down and make them sleep. My vet actually recommends we dose Sammy with it before a long car ride to help avoid the stress he goes through. But, I'm not here to get into a controversy or discuss my dogs' car rides here, just to express my confusion about this commercial.

Now, if the kid had run up to Mom and said, "Mom, my allergies are killing me and I'd like to go into a coma for 12 hours, can I have some [insert brand name antihistamine here]?", that would have been accurate. But no, the kid gets his medicine and runs back out to the playground to keep playing. I couldn't help but giggle at the mental image of a scene, 30 minutes later, of this kid passed out on the merry-go-round.

I bring this up because I couldn't sleep last night. I was up coughing (but not sniffling, sneezing, congested!) and needed a break. All I had on hand was some night-time medication that contained not only the cough suppressant but also antihistamine. Twelve hours and half a pot of coffee later, I got a good 8 hours of coma-sleep, took a shower, took the puppy to the vet for his shots, and still feel a little antihistamine drunk. I've got to admit, when I need/want the sleep, it's a great feeling to have that drug-induced complete relaxation. But, today, I'd like to have a little more energy. Right now, the sun is shining through the blinds, warming me while the ceiling fan cools me.... zzzzzzzzzz.....

Monday, September 24, 2007

So... this is my first post!

So, I guess a bit about myself: I have been married for almost 6 years to my husband, Tim. I am originally from Indiana (born and raised!) and he is from San Antonio. We met while he was in grad school at Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. I used to hesitate admitting that we met online, but these days, it's no big deal. Anyway, he completed his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Notre Dame in 2005, we lived for 2 years in North Carolina while he completed a post-doc at NC State, and in August of 2007 we moved to Louisiana for him to start an assistant professorship. Let me say this is the 'job of his dreams', and although I'm NOT thrilled to be here, I have made a promise to him that I will make the most of it.

Have I made the most of it so far? Errr... no. I have plans to, but I'm not so great about motivating myself. I need to finish unpacking, paint a few rooms, clean constantly (oh yeah, we have 3 cats and 3 basset hounds!), start working out, find a way to take oboe lessons again, learn to sew, learn to really cook, maybe do some landscaping (the dogs have already started....), get active as a Mary Kay consultant again, and most importantly MEET PEOPLE!!

In between, I hope to post here regularly. Let's be honest - I don't necessarily believe that anyone really wants to read what I have to say right now, but I've heard it can be therapeutic and I could use some cheap (free!) therapy!! ;)

Until next time...