Well, I know it's been a while since I've posted. I had a nice, long, post a while back and it somehow got eaten up. So...a recap of the past several months.
December 2015 - lost my job of 14 years due to restructuring within the company. That sucked - it was hard, but I did have several weeks of severance to get me through until I found something else.
January - March - I searched jobs, enjoyed some much needed downtime with the family, and got a few (not as many as I had hoped) projects done.
March - started a new, better job with a smaller, more family friendly company. Became an HR Generalist for them, and loved it - 2 weeks later, their sister company asked me to transfer over. I did, where I worked until August (it was crazy, hectic, long hours - but I loved it) and then the original company asked me to come back...it was a hard decision, but I decided that, for the sake of my family and my sanity, that yes...I would go back. The same pay, but better hours and more laid back atmosphere did it for me. Started back with them on August 22nd, and I'm loving it! HR always has it's challenges and craziness...but it's never boring.
Family - kids have been doing amazing! Both are now in middle school - daughter in 7th grade, and son in 6th. My daughter has taken middle school by the reigns, man - last year she made A/B honor roll all year, and just pounded out the work. This year she was inducted into the Jr. Beta Club, is joining Honor Band, and has already received her first Administrative Acknowledgement, in which a letter was sent home by the Principal that a Teacher submitted a recommendation of recognition - she got a Chick-Fil-A gift card too...I couldn't be more proud of her, though! She's truly matured over the past year - 6th grade started a little rocky, but she's a joy to be around this year. Report cards come out Wednesday, but I already know she's got straight A's...this is a first ever...can I say proud mama!?! :)
My son is in 6th grade, and is also doing amazing. He's been in GATE (gifted program) and really struggled with it the past couple of years. We were going to pull him, but his teacher recommended he only be pulled from two...after talking to the principal, he tried to push us to keep him in, but I was insistent on pulling him from ELA - he really struggled hard with it last year...all that darn Ceasar's English and the Stems...he still has them this year, but the teacher he would have had for GATE was the hardest English teacher at the school...my daughter had him last year for non-GATE, and he was HARD. Good...but hard. I just couldn't put my son through that - he's good, but not as much of a go-getter as his sister when it comes to school work. I'm so proud of him, though - he's also getting great grades - all A's and one B. I'll take it! Earlier this year we had some health issues with my son - at his pediatrician's office during his well-visit, I pointed out a patch of skin around my son's neck - it looks dirty, but it doesn't come clean...even after I scrub it. Turns out it's a sign of pre-diabetes, and I was told that it's not dirt...it just looks like it. So, the Dr. sent a referral to an Endocrinologist for him to be tested. We started watching everything we ate, and tried to make all meals healthier for the family. We went in early September for the testing - took a couple weeks for the results to come back. I happened to mention to the Dr. that my son had a very weak stomach, and had a tendency to vomit often...this was literally an afterthought, as I didn't think it had anything to do with the diabetes...but my husband wanted me to mention it. Turns out they ended up running some other tests, and lo and behold my son does not have Diabetes, at all...however, he was diagnosed with Celiac Disease!!! Never, from all the times I've carried him to the Dr. over his vomiting fits, has anyone ever even brought this up as a suggestion. So...now my son has to go completely gluten free. Ya'll - that's hard. I know they have lots of items out there, but some of them really suck. We have yet to find a bread that tastes good. I bought GF hotdog buns the other day, and when I opened the pack they were so hard I could have knocked someone out if I had hit them over the head. :( I was so disappointed. But...we're learning as we go. It really makes sense now, though. I didn't realize just how sensitive he was until a couple weeks ago, after going almost a solid month of gluten free, we decided to make pot roast. My old recipe called for Au Jus, which turns out to have gluten. So, my husband decided lets just take some beef bullion and use that instead. Seriously like 2 hours after eating, he got sick. I searched beef bullion, and I'll be damned if it didn't contain gluten!!!! So...now we have to try to find GF beef bullion. It's a struggle, but at least now we have answers that we can address.
Hubby - recovering well after his double neck fusion in January. Took a few months, but he's getting better. Unfortunately, the Dr. said this is his new normal, so whatever state he is in now is how he's going to be...no more surgeries. He still gets headaches after too much activity, and still has neck/shoulder pain often, but he's still able to do most things within reason. No more roller coasters or shaky rides for him, though. He can still ride his bike and tentatively lift some weights (again, within reason), but all in all can't complain. He's still working in real estate - it's been a bit slow, but he's got a couple leads. Would be nice if he could make a sale before Christmas - that always makes it easier with all the birthdays that fall in December, and Christmas. :)
With the job change this year, we did not get a real vacation. We got to make it up to Lake Lure for a long weekend with our best friends, but that's about it. A short trip home to visit my parents, and best friend - and to go to the Okra Strut (local festival). My parents are selling their home - they just bought a new patio home, about 5 miles from their current home - the home I lived in the longest before moving out on my own. They bought that house when I was 10...I'm now 42. :( Going to be sad, but the house they are buying is truly beautiful, and I'm excited for them. So many memories made in the old house, but looking forward to making many more in the new. They close on it in November...just around the corner.
The last few weeks have been a bit rough - my best friend lost her sister, and she was buried in my town. She and her family came up last weekend and stayed with us, and we all went to the funeral. It was sad - her sister was only 49, but lived a rough life...she and my friend weren't close, due to the lifestyles, but that doesn't make it any easier. Its been a tough time, in many ways, and although I'm glad I was able to be there for her, I'm emotionally drained. She's been through so much in the past few years - honestly I could write a book...but it's not my story to tell. Just send good thoughts out to her, because if anyone could use them she could!!!
Well - taking a quick break from work. Need to get back. I'll try to write more often, if I can find the time. Between work, kids, band booster, PTA, tennis and other activities I'm stretched a bit thin. :)
Til next time! Later.
December 2015 - lost my job of 14 years due to restructuring within the company. That sucked - it was hard, but I did have several weeks of severance to get me through until I found something else.
January - March - I searched jobs, enjoyed some much needed downtime with the family, and got a few (not as many as I had hoped) projects done.
March - started a new, better job with a smaller, more family friendly company. Became an HR Generalist for them, and loved it - 2 weeks later, their sister company asked me to transfer over. I did, where I worked until August (it was crazy, hectic, long hours - but I loved it) and then the original company asked me to come back...it was a hard decision, but I decided that, for the sake of my family and my sanity, that yes...I would go back. The same pay, but better hours and more laid back atmosphere did it for me. Started back with them on August 22nd, and I'm loving it! HR always has it's challenges and craziness...but it's never boring.
Family - kids have been doing amazing! Both are now in middle school - daughter in 7th grade, and son in 6th. My daughter has taken middle school by the reigns, man - last year she made A/B honor roll all year, and just pounded out the work. This year she was inducted into the Jr. Beta Club, is joining Honor Band, and has already received her first Administrative Acknowledgement, in which a letter was sent home by the Principal that a Teacher submitted a recommendation of recognition - she got a Chick-Fil-A gift card too...I couldn't be more proud of her, though! She's truly matured over the past year - 6th grade started a little rocky, but she's a joy to be around this year. Report cards come out Wednesday, but I already know she's got straight A's...this is a first ever...can I say proud mama!?! :)
My son is in 6th grade, and is also doing amazing. He's been in GATE (gifted program) and really struggled with it the past couple of years. We were going to pull him, but his teacher recommended he only be pulled from two...after talking to the principal, he tried to push us to keep him in, but I was insistent on pulling him from ELA - he really struggled hard with it last year...all that darn Ceasar's English and the Stems...he still has them this year, but the teacher he would have had for GATE was the hardest English teacher at the school...my daughter had him last year for non-GATE, and he was HARD. Good...but hard. I just couldn't put my son through that - he's good, but not as much of a go-getter as his sister when it comes to school work. I'm so proud of him, though - he's also getting great grades - all A's and one B. I'll take it! Earlier this year we had some health issues with my son - at his pediatrician's office during his well-visit, I pointed out a patch of skin around my son's neck - it looks dirty, but it doesn't come clean...even after I scrub it. Turns out it's a sign of pre-diabetes, and I was told that it's not dirt...it just looks like it. So, the Dr. sent a referral to an Endocrinologist for him to be tested. We started watching everything we ate, and tried to make all meals healthier for the family. We went in early September for the testing - took a couple weeks for the results to come back. I happened to mention to the Dr. that my son had a very weak stomach, and had a tendency to vomit often...this was literally an afterthought, as I didn't think it had anything to do with the diabetes...but my husband wanted me to mention it. Turns out they ended up running some other tests, and lo and behold my son does not have Diabetes, at all...however, he was diagnosed with Celiac Disease!!! Never, from all the times I've carried him to the Dr. over his vomiting fits, has anyone ever even brought this up as a suggestion. So...now my son has to go completely gluten free. Ya'll - that's hard. I know they have lots of items out there, but some of them really suck. We have yet to find a bread that tastes good. I bought GF hotdog buns the other day, and when I opened the pack they were so hard I could have knocked someone out if I had hit them over the head. :( I was so disappointed. But...we're learning as we go. It really makes sense now, though. I didn't realize just how sensitive he was until a couple weeks ago, after going almost a solid month of gluten free, we decided to make pot roast. My old recipe called for Au Jus, which turns out to have gluten. So, my husband decided lets just take some beef bullion and use that instead. Seriously like 2 hours after eating, he got sick. I searched beef bullion, and I'll be damned if it didn't contain gluten!!!! So...now we have to try to find GF beef bullion. It's a struggle, but at least now we have answers that we can address.
Hubby - recovering well after his double neck fusion in January. Took a few months, but he's getting better. Unfortunately, the Dr. said this is his new normal, so whatever state he is in now is how he's going to be...no more surgeries. He still gets headaches after too much activity, and still has neck/shoulder pain often, but he's still able to do most things within reason. No more roller coasters or shaky rides for him, though. He can still ride his bike and tentatively lift some weights (again, within reason), but all in all can't complain. He's still working in real estate - it's been a bit slow, but he's got a couple leads. Would be nice if he could make a sale before Christmas - that always makes it easier with all the birthdays that fall in December, and Christmas. :)
With the job change this year, we did not get a real vacation. We got to make it up to Lake Lure for a long weekend with our best friends, but that's about it. A short trip home to visit my parents, and best friend - and to go to the Okra Strut (local festival). My parents are selling their home - they just bought a new patio home, about 5 miles from their current home - the home I lived in the longest before moving out on my own. They bought that house when I was 10...I'm now 42. :( Going to be sad, but the house they are buying is truly beautiful, and I'm excited for them. So many memories made in the old house, but looking forward to making many more in the new. They close on it in November...just around the corner.
The last few weeks have been a bit rough - my best friend lost her sister, and she was buried in my town. She and her family came up last weekend and stayed with us, and we all went to the funeral. It was sad - her sister was only 49, but lived a rough life...she and my friend weren't close, due to the lifestyles, but that doesn't make it any easier. Its been a tough time, in many ways, and although I'm glad I was able to be there for her, I'm emotionally drained. She's been through so much in the past few years - honestly I could write a book...but it's not my story to tell. Just send good thoughts out to her, because if anyone could use them she could!!!
Well - taking a quick break from work. Need to get back. I'll try to write more often, if I can find the time. Between work, kids, band booster, PTA, tennis and other activities I'm stretched a bit thin. :)
Til next time! Later.
7 comments:
First, congrats on the new job. It sounds like a great opportunity for you!
Also, amazing job to both kids on their academic achievements! So sorry to hear about your son and his celiac disease. I thought I had that at one point (turned out to be ulcerative colitis instead) and changing up the diet was really hard. Thankfully, there are a LOT of great resources out there to help get you on the right path. You can find some amazing recipes on Pinterest. Also, check out http://boulderlocavore.com. I know she's gluten free and her recipes always look so good! I stopped eating meat in July after a colon cancer scare and quitting it was so hard! I love meat, but as the months go by, I am finding great alternatives that are taking the sting out of the loss. Hang in there mama. This time next year, you probably won't even miss the gluten that much ;)
Thanks Theresa - I'll definitely try out that website. So far we've done okay with the gluten free, as far as meals at home and lunches - but we're limited, and tired of eating the same things. So any new ideas is a great help. The biggest concern is varying up his lunchbox - that's the hardest part so far. He's sooooooo picky, which doesn't help matters at all! I'm horrified that you had to give up meat - I understand why, but man...that had to be so hard! I don't know if I could be that strong, but I'm so glad you are able to find great alternatives! Thanks again for the comment - it's always appreciated. Hope you have a wonderful weekend and Halloween Monday. :)
BTW - my best friend is coming to our house for Thanksgiving again this year - her one request...the pecan bars you posted last year! Yum!!
oh dear ups and downs are here to test our will power .
glad that you had good bonding with your family meanwhile .
you daughter sounds really remarkable kids
hope all goes wonderful in future
best wishes
Thank you so much Baili - I appreciate the kind words and well wishes. :)
I think we are going to make those pecan pie bars again too. They are sooo dang good, aren't they? Tis the season to pack on the pounds, but at least we'll love every minute of it ;)
You really have a roller coaster of life but all turned out to be good at the end of the day. Happy to hear you got the job you love and members of your family are having wonderful time, too. Cheers from NYC..
2016 was a crazy year - but it did turn out well in the end. So far 2017 is starting out on a more even keel, and hoping it stays that way. 😊
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