Some other simple updates....

I haven't posted on some other issues in a few weeks.

1. Brandon is sleeping better. He is up a couple times mostly from 11:30 to 1:30am. I am not too sure why but sleep is good.

2. My back is still horrible. The NP who is following me at the pain clinic thinks the last dr. injected the epidural incorrectly. So, he reassigned me to a different specialist. We changed my meds and are attempting another round of epidurals...there will be 3 of them every 2 weeks. We are approaching the spinal cord and that disc space from both sides so it will be a double injection. We are also continuing on other therapies. The pool helps a lot. I also try and get to our community center pool once a week or so. There are other options as well that we can do after the injections- if they don't work. I do wear my tens unit alot.

3. Rob is getting all kinds of new responsibilities at work. He is working on other management positions and leading a variety of teams. He is also in charge of the safety and work comp issues at his store (he leads a team of people). He is also in charge of all new hires for his store to make sure they are trained correctly and have been certified in all the areas they need to be. He has also been pulled from his department to do 'special projects'. So last week he had to change the entire lawn and garden department for spring. He lead that team to make the changes and make sure displays are correct, end-caps are set, planagrams are followed, etc. He really liked that. He really loves his job. It was odd for him to know he is carrying our medical expenses now. In his past career of construction you don't get ANY medical (unless your company is union and Mike would never do that-he did but wasn't honest about...long story). You also don't get any sick or vacation time. So it was nice when he was gone for 3 days to get paid for them. He didn't want to be out of work for 3 days and he knew they weren't too happy with him either for being gone for so long- but a lung infection, sinus infection, and bronchitis needs to heal. He is doing great there and recently applied for some other higher up management positions.

4. We LOVE our new house. We have really been taking our time getting it all together. We have been working on Brandon's room. One wall is done now- it took some time because I had to paint lots of big dots! We have to do the other rooms and wait for Gma or Auntie to finish sewing the crib comforter. We got some new furniture- coffee table and BIG cupboard things for around the big screen tv. We are excited for spring to start working outside. We will be cleaning the garage...we moved in and it got cold rather quickly so we just left some stuff in the garage. We also will do some landscaping and cutting of shrubs. We also (if financially we can do it) will build the deck. We are going to do that first and then finish our basement. I am hoping we can also fence in the back yard and then get a puppy (St.Bernard-Rob wants). Rob says...'Honey- either a puppy or another kid...you pick'. What do you think I picked?

5- Next Kid? Not yet. Brandon has to at least be 12-18 months before we start trying. We think it will take us some time to get pregnant so that will give us some extra time. I think Brandon being that age group would be good. We would like our second and then stop for a few years. Once Brandon is maybe 9 or 10 then we will have our third...maybe! We will see. I really want a big family!

6- I got 2 emails about Best Buy and my sister and friends that work there. Yes, I have family and friends at Best Buy that were laid off (I am not saying who because to some it is a really personal thing)- some were a TOTAL shock. The good news is there are many open jobs they can apply for and most likely will stay within Best Buy...so it isn't really as bad as things are seeming. Just the initial shock for my friends and the thought of the possibility of no job and then the work and effort into applying and interview is tough on them. I have to mention some of these folks I know have been there for 10-20 years so it is very tough for them. It was a morbid day there yesterday.

7- My job is doing well. Business is picking up again. It is nice to work from home but also very tough. I like it but I am also responsible for a kid too! Being full time mom and full time employee is hard. My traveling has picked up. I was just in Madison and then Albert Lea. I will be heading to Richmond, VA in March as well as probably Floridia. I am close to signing a client in Boston as well and I am hoping I can jig something up to take Rob with me so we can see the town and the Celtics play. I also got a GREAT call from Kentucky today that I have 5 hospitals I would need to do a HUGE report for. We are putting a presentation and a proposal for them next week. I have also been booking our President at many upcoming speaking engagements so we will get a lot of business from that.

8- Everything else is good...the extended family is great. The cats are good...Allie is finally putting on some weight. She is also MUCH more needier since Tubby is gone. I talk to Tubby's new owners every month. She HATES their cat (but most other animals hate him so that is okay). Tubby has taken to one of the girls. She follows her around the house and sleeps with her. It sounds like they are all well.

Well, I am off to bed! Brandon is having a sleepover and Gma and Gpas. Crazy Auntie Nicky is there too so there is lots of help! This means I get a full nights rest!