Too Young

My dear aunt T, who found out she had inflamatory breast cancer in September of 2007, has died. She passed around 2:30 this morning at her parents house. She just turned 45 last month. Way too young.
It was just in 2007, not too long before she found out about the cancer, that we had really gotten back in touch again. It was actually the first time I'd had any contact info for her on my own, as an adult. I'm so glad that we were able to make it out to visit her this last March. It means a lot to me to have had that time.
I'm waiting to hear from my dad & grandparents as to funeral plans. I may be making a quick trip to WA. I guess she will be cremated and they might possibly have a small service soon, I think more for closure for her parents, but are planning a larger "life celebration" in the spring. I'll definately be going out for that.
She will be dearly missed.

She's An Original

Last night we had Faith's first parent teacher conference of her kindergarten career. It was, pretty much, a glowing reivew. Her teacher said that she is responsible, helpful, dependible and a good listener (among other things).
The teacher did bring up that Faith tells her she is tired, often. Which I figured would come up! A month or so ago Faith told me one morning that her teacher told her to ask me if she could go to bed earlier. I thought, Great!! She probably thinks my kid is staying up late on school nights 'till like ten (and getting drunk on the weekends). So Faith's bedtime had been 8:30 at the latest so that was changed to 8 and some nights even 7:30. But I figured it would come up! So we discussed the changes and she said since Faith was letting us know she was tired she figured there had been a change, she just wanted to mention it.
Something else that her teacher said was that as a teacher you see the same types of kids every year, you can pick out which ones they are, but she has never before had a "Faith". I belevie that is a good thing, a compliment. She was smiling when she said it anyway!
We are quite proud of our little girl. I am so glad that she is enjoying school and that so far, learning is coming easy for her. I hope that lasts.

Dude. You need to blog!

Yes, Erin. Yes I do.
So, what I have I been up to you wonder? Well, lets see.... Fall seems to have arrived yesterday. Probably only temporarily. But I'm really enjoying the nice cool weather we're supposed to have for the next couple days. I made some yummy chicken noodle soup yesterday.
The new job is going well. It's a bit of an adjustment becuase for the last several years, I have been the one with all the answers, or at least know just where do go to find them. At this job, I don't know anything! Well, other than common sense and the eclectic knowledge of life I've gained in my various jobs I've held over the years. Which is helpful at times. But there is a lot of learning. I feel like I'm picking up on it pretty quickly and so far no complaints from farther up. So I guess, so far, so good!
The biggest thing right now is the birthday party we're planning for this weekend. Or not so much the party this weekend at the actual birthday on Thursday. My baby boy will be one year old! My, the last year has gone so fast. When I think about it, it doesn't seem like it's been a whole year since he joined our family. But at the same time, it seems as though Dominic's always been a part of the family. He is such a sweet little boy too. He's always got a smile & a wave for everyone. And he's my shameless little flirt. I'll have to put up a new pic or two soon!

Fresh Start

I start my new job tomorrow. I must go find my social security card and do a load of laundry!

The end of the old job went ok. I found out our new office manager does not do much work (which I kind of thought) and makes $5/hr more than I was. Which I didn't know. Also, as I suspected, she is a bitch and has been telling the boss half truths, whole lies and pretty much talking out of her ass. I told the old boss (who still has a large financial stake in the company) that if he ever found himself in charge again to give me a call. He said he will and I'll get a raise. Of course, we were drinking....

Decision Made

Well, I have done it. I have quit my job. I gave my two week notice so my last day will be the 28th. I had typed my resignation & took it to work with me but still with no decision made. I told myself I would make a decision before lunch. I weighed the pros and cons all morning long. I finally decided that, in the long run, leaving my current job and taking this new one is what is best for me (and my family). When my office manager (and I use the term loosely) returned from lunch (late, as usual) she found my resignation on her desk. And, the other girl in our office was in her office within 2 minutes. They shut the door and were in there for a good 20 minutes. As soon as she went in there and shut that door, I knew I had made the right decision. They have a lot of "closed door" meetings. For no apparent reason. This is one of the many reasons, that I will not go into, that I decided to leave. Some of the main reasons are the high drama content, not being able to trust what anyone says and the massive weekly changes in my job descripton, duties and what I am "allowed" or "authorized" to do.
I am done. I am on to better things.

Dilema

So, here's the deal. I'm having issues at work. About 3 weeks ago I was ready to walk out of my job and never go back (had I had another job to go to). There seems to be an irritating pattern of my boss & the new office manager getting a stick up their asses and suddenly deciding they have a problem with me. I'm so sick of the drama. Then, within a week, everything is back to normal.
After this most recent hissy fit by them I actually applied for a job. (Because honest to god, I just don't know if they're going to be randomly pissed off one day & fire me.) I had an interview on Friday & was offered the job today. The main thing holding me back from accepting the job tomorrow & giving my two week notice is...the pay. It's $3/hr less than what I'm making. Yes, we could be fine. Basically, the difference is what we pay for 1 of the kids every 2 weeks for daycare. Faith will be starting school mid August so it would essentialy be breaking even. I was so looking forward to Faith starting school & actually being able to SAVE that money we had been paying. I don't like living paycheck to paycheck. We NEED to be able to save money. We actually have been doing pretty good...except for those unexpected big expenses we've had recently.
I just don't know what to do. Do I leave my (slightly) higher paying job for a job with less drama, more stability & more potential job growth down the road? Or do I stay where I am with the higher stress, being treated like crap every couple weeks and not much job security with a little more pay?
I'm leaning towards leaving because I do have my family to consider. I'm not conceited enough to think I am irreplaceable at any job, so it's not like either is guarnteed job security. But it seems as though the new job might be a better enviorment & be better in the long run. I'm just worried that it might be a "grass is greener" situation. I just don't know. I have to decide soon.
Help.

D.O.N.E.

So. Totally. Done.
More later, I just can't form the sentences right now. I'm irritated & would just ramble. I know you're all just waiting on pins & needles! (all 3 or 4 of you?) :) See, not so bad that I can't still be a smart ass.