Monday, July 30, 2007

Moving on up!

Two really interesting things happened to me this month. First, I was approached by a professional connection to be interviewed to be in his new book on what successful people do that everyone else doesn't. Wow! I thought that was pretty cool. I don't know that I look at my life and say, "Hmm, yes, I am really successful," but I guess professionally I am. I have managed to do more in the 16 months I have been there than has ever been done in the history of this company (with what I do, anyway). EVER! That is both awesome and sad that everyone else before me was a complete waste of space. Oh well.

Second, today I was approached by another nationally known speaker and asked to co-author an article that will go out to literally 1 million people (nurses, I think) around the country. That is pretty cool! I have admired this woman's work for years and I was just blown away that she would ask me to do something like this with her. This has been a huge validation that what I am doing is making a difference. Even if I am still underpaid (cheap bastards).

I am super excited for the opportunities to be published. I am also looking to see if I can move into a different role soon professionally. I would really like to be doing so much more than I am, and I think I am making the connections to start making a move in a different direction.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Potter update

Well, I finished the book in roughly 14 hours. I took about a 4 hour nap from 3:30am - 7:30 am and woke up to finish the last few chapters. What a great book!

Sorry, no spoilers here!

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Christmas in July

It's here! I went up to the mailbox about 10:30 just on the off chance that the mailman was here early, and there he was! It took some persuading, but he went ahead and pulled my copy of Harry Potter out of the box of mail he was delivering. Oh joy!! LOL I know I am a giant dork, but leave me alone.

I am having to use some serious will power to give myself the delayed gratification of reading this book. I have to do a few things before I start to read it, because the way I read, once I start, I won't stop!! Last time a new HP book came out, it was all I could do to pry myself away for a few hours to sleep. But, this book will be bitter sweet, as I am thrilled that it is here, but sad that it will most likely be the last one. Don't call me and ask me how it ended, because I won't tell you. I also won't just skip to the end to find out how it ends (Steve!!).

See you in a few days LOL

Friday, July 20, 2007

Working for the Weekends

I feel like I am running from one weekend to the next with a really stressful week in between. Things have been really crazy at work for the past month or so. I have been working my ass off, and am tired. My contractor is leaving at the end of July (next week - ack!), and I am really worried. I am currently responsible for the design, updates, and delivery of our organizational training program for the local transit authority, which is a pretty big job! Especially when I am the only full time person in the department. Sheesh!

Last year I got completely screwed on my raise. Got an excellent review, but shafted when it came to the actual raise. If that happens this year, I will totally be ready to walk. Hopefully they will see me for the genius that I am (HA!) and promote me. We will see what the future holds.

Right now my weekends are pretty full spending time with Sarah and Madison, which I love. We went to a divorce party last week that was SO much fun. It seems weird to celebrate something like a divorce, but this marriage needed to end! It's been a long time since we have really done anything fun with adults. Good times.

On another completely dorky note - The new Harry Potter book should be delivered on Saturday! I can't wait to read it, although it is bitter sweet, being the last book. Funny how something so simple can cause so much happiness. Hopefully it will live up to the hype.

I guess that is all. I am hosting an education fair at work tomorrow, in addition to a training class, so I guess I should hit the sack. Good Night, Thursday. See you next week!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Steve's big news

Well, here it is! Steve's big news...

Steve was recognized for being the top listing agent in his real estate office for the month of June! I am so proud of him!! He is also about to sell his second property, which we are really excited about.




Congrats Steve!!!


Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Growing like a weed!

Maddy went for her two week check-up last week and we learned that she is in the 90th percentile for height & 75th percentile for weight! She is also breathing normally(even though she has a sympathy wheeze which I am convinced she uses to get people to buy her things), and is the cutest thing on Earth (ok, so I added the last part).


Sarah is recovering well and has lost almost all of her pregnancy weight! Go Sarah go! Tomorrow Maddy will be three weeks old - crazy how fast time flies!


Thursday, July 5, 2007

Maddy's first 4th of July

We spent July 4th with Sarah, Javier, and Madison yesterday and it was a lot of fun. We tried to dress Maddy up as best as we could, but until the umbillical stump falls off, we were a little limited. She had on the cutest red newborn shorts and white t-shirt. Sarah topped off the look with an adorable hat that she absolutely hated. Mostly the chin strap, but it was really cute. Here is what she looked like:

Maddy really is adorable. She gives me the best smiles and it just melts my heart. Her Uncle Steve is smitten and always searching to see where she is, but is still too scared to really hold her. Mom gave her to him once and he looked terrified.
I can't wait until she gets a little older and starts talking. Maybe one day she can get her first Cates cousin (hint hint).
Maddy's Pawpaw O's wasn't able to come hang out with us, but he requested many pictures. I took 58 pictures... hopefully that filled the order! Sarah mentioned that the hat looked a little like a sailor hat, and we figured PawPaw would love that.
Steve and Javier stood around the grill making sure that we had plenty to eat. Steve absolutely loves Javier's cooking, and I think he would move in there if I let him. Goofball. Steve had exciting news this week, but I am waiting for a picture to announce it. Stay tuned!
Happy 4th of July everyone!

Monday, July 2, 2007

Thoughts on a wonderful family

I have been thinking a lot about family after this weekend. I am so thankful to have a wonderful extended family who really care about each other. They don't show up unannounced, or act put out that your place isn't spotless. They are always there to include anyone who may been feeling alone, or just in need of family bonding. I have been blessed with this wonderful support system around me, and I am just so thankful that I am in this family, and not some others.

My window of tolerance for unappreciative, rude people has closed. I am getting too old in my life to allow people to act ugly or hateful to the people in my life. I have made a choice to surround myself with people that are truly worthy of time and attention (if you haven't heard from me lately... um... there's probably a reason LOL).

Steve's family is so small and scattered to the 4 winds it seems, so I am so glad that my family has really taken him in with open arms and treated him as one of our own. We often joke that he should have changed his name to Blessitt when we got married, since we try to be an active part of the family goings-on. Steve is always asking how everyone is, and I know we both wish that we all got together more often (hint, hint!!). He also adores his new niece, Madison, whether he cares to admit it or not.

I am glad that Chris was able to make it in from New York in time to meet Maddy! We were starting to wonder if she would be so late that she would miss him all together! But, he got to visit her in the hospital, and it was his first baby-holding experience (forced upon him, I guarantee you!). He is, however, as smitten with her as the rest of us. Hopefully the draw of spoiling his niece will bring him back to Texas more often!!