Random thoughts

Tonight we are in Paynesville visiting Gma and Gpa Quick. I love working from home so I can have this flexibility since Rob is usually off during the week. We don't get to spend too much time together during the weekends. So this worked well.

About my job- I was interviewing for a management position in long term care. I have a few more steps to continue but I am not sure I will take the job.

Simply Retail is actually doing well. Business is picking back up again- next week I do to Madison, the following week I go to Albert Lea and then in Feb. some time I will go to Florida and probably Boston! So things are good. I like being able to have Brandon during the day and spend time with him and have that freedom but yet still work. I have to be disciplined to work during his naps. This week has been hard with that seeing that I am so sick from a bad cold and cough that the boys gave me I have been napping with him at times. However I have still been signing business and doing well. They did drop my benefits but that is fine because Rob is picking them up under his work and they will actually be better. It takes a small chunk out of his pay checks but that is okay. My work is still able to pay me my regular salary. I have been there over 2 years and really haven't gotten a pay increase but I am really happy and satisfied with this...I can work 10-20 hours a week and really kick things out and move things along and for the most part keep my pay so I am really satisfied and content with that. AND I get to be with bear. So the work thing is good.

Because of this we got rid of Rob's truck. We are actually glad for that. We will be a one car family for a while. My car is rather a pricey monthly payment (it usually is for a dream car isn't it). Robs truck payment was high too and saw no need for both of them. Rob works 6 miles from us so if I need the car for the day I will drop him off and pick him up. He also has friends that can drive him home at his night shifts so I don't have to wake Brandon up to go get Rob. We also have a neighbor that we told were very nice and would be willing to come stay with Brandon for 10 minutes while I run and get Rob- so we will make it work. On days when he works more early morning shifts he can take the car since we most likely will be staying home for the day. This is a huge weight off our shoulders as the 2 payments were large and a big chunk of change. We will be saving for a used Jeep or something of that sort. Once we have that we will start another savings for another car (my next dream car- a minivan...sad...I go from a hardtop convertible to a mini van). We will buy the mini van or some other vehicle and then get rid of my car. That will leave us with NO payments. YAHOOO. After that is done we have our monthly house payment and utilities, cell phone, and one student loan left and that is ALL. We are very proud of ourselves that we don't have credit cards.

As for my back- we aren't doing the surgery. My neurosurgeon is just not okay with it. I am okay with that. In my gut I was not ready for it. So instead I will be seeing a pain specialist on a regular basis. My first apt. is on Friday. We will try different meds since my vicodin and muscle relaxors aren't helping at night. The problem is I let it get bad throughout the day then I can't control it at night. But I am not always comfortable with taking narcotics during the day when I am caring for Brandon. We might try a patch or injections or a pump thing and see if that will help. Maybe some high steroids and non-narcotics during the day and then see if we can control the pain with narcotics at night. The back is becoming a major issue. I had a friend invite me to go skiing. I would love to go but it isn't possible. The other day I went to a movie and had to leave near the end because I was in too much pain. There are times when all you think about is the pain. I have been really good at hiding it but there are times when I go to the bathroom and cry or really fight back tears.

Brandon is doing great. He is a full crawler now. He likes to roll still though. We have been having an issue with him being cold. At night (he is sleeping well now) he is in a long sleeve onsie, socks, and polar fleece jammies. He also has 2 warm blankets covering him and is away from the window and by the heating vent. When I get him for his one evening wake up he is ice cold. His lips have even been blue. I have noticed a few times in the morning too he is ice cold- ears, hands, toes...he doesn't kick the covers off either. I think at times he is waking up because he is so cold.

AND...BIG NEWS.....We will be having a contest coming soon. Once I get back home and get the photos on my lap top I will post the contest. I have a great prize for the winner too.

For all those moms out there...I want to invite you to visit a great website. It is like a facebook for moms only better. It was featured on Kare 11 and I know Cindy Chapman the site manager from my Moms Expo I put on. It is www.momslikeme.com You have to select your state and city. So, if you don't live in Mpls...you can still visit. I have posted many times and got some great feedback on there. I posted about Brandon being cold and lots of folks replied. One mentioned low blood sugars, poor circulation, a few said it is a phase and their kids had the same issue. Some suggested the sleep sack and a heater in his room. We have an extra space heater that is very safe and will shut off if it gets to a certain temp or tips over so we will be trying that. I am going to buy a sleep sack too. We will see if that works.

Well, I am off to bed. G00d Night.