Wednesday, January 20, 2010
its been a long while.
well i know i havent been around here much. so much has been going on. i got a virus on my computer in september and 3 days later got one on dad's computer as well. later that month we turned off cable and internet to save money. on october first we turned in our 60 day notice and started looking for a new place to live. we got the keys to the new apt on nov 9th and we moved everything on the 17th. thanksgiving was spent with my best friend and her mommy. we all had a blast and i can't wait for next year :). december was a blur! Brandon's sister and oldest nephew came out and spent a week. we had a ton of fun and enjoyed their company. then the holidays were here and gone before i knew it. jan was brought in with the fireworks on pikes peak seen from my living room. we have the best view of pikes peak now! braden has been doing really well. he peed on the potty and wont again. he got a race car bed when we moved and has loved it! i can't complain about our new home i love it! we are back on the west side less than a mile from my mom and nothing can get better than seeing the mountains when you open the blinds every morning. brandon is still at jiffy lube. the union job didnt pan out and brandon got tired of hearing "try calling next week" every single week. i dont blame him he waited one year for the job and it spent way to much time hoping for it. he has applied at faricy boys and is waiting back on that. other than that not much has been going on.
Monday, September 7, 2009
little update
i know it has been a while since i have posted anything i've been rather busy with the kid. Braden is 18 months now, 12 teeth, walking/running and asking "moooore." he learned to use his fork and spoon and has been doing rather well with them. he walks outside holding a hand and he even helps feed the fish in the mornings. he is learning so many new things it still surprises me.
i have been doing well. keeping busy with braden and making sure things around the house are kept in some kind of order. i've learned to keep to myself and stay out of my family's lives.... too much drama between my sisters and mother. i love seeing them all but one on one is much easier and i tell them to shut up when they bring up the matters that i dont personally care about. sorry but i'm not the middle man and i dont want to hear both sides of every story all the time. i could more or less care less about their issues and i am certainly not going to stress over it all.
Brandon has been working and staying busy. Jiffy lube is now under new management and life was uncertain for a while. he was hired on by the new management for the same pay as before so i am thankful for that. the new heads closed 2 stores and fired several people. things should get better over the next few months as they get everyone situated. hopefully they wont move him around but he might be given a manager position if one becomes available. this company however does not expect teh guys to work 110% for half the money. meaning the most hours a manager works is 45, unlike the 70+ brandon did before. they also pay better, bonuses are better and they seem to treat everyone better. i've only heard good things so far and they tell it like it is. brandon had 2 meeting with them. the first was an interview getting to know the asst managers. and the second was a get together with the manager and asst. to tell them how they work and what they expect. they hours have changed and so have several other work topics, but they seem to be for the better and to help boost the moral.
still no true word on the union job. all i've heard is "we will be starting soon." who knows i have started to lose interest and i believe brandon has as well. its been close to a year and still nothing has changed. we shall see in time. he still would like a job that pays more and gives him options to a future that jiffy lube can't really do.
the lease on the apartment is up nov 30th. they expect a 60 day notice if you are moving and if you have done the math that means is has to be in on oct 1st. we would love to move into a house with a yard so braden can play outside. however its hard to find something that is cheaper than this apartment in a good part of town. i am usually not picky however where i decide to rent i am going to. i dont want to be in a part of town where there is a lot of trouble. i grew up on the west side and have always loved the neighborhood. we will see what we can find and hopefully someone will work with us so we can get out of this apartment.
other than that not much is going on. the day to day life is pretty simple and i try to be stress free so i can enjoy life with braden. brandon's family was unable to come out this summer. his sister and nephew will be coming out in december for a week to see us. that should be a good relaxing week. i am looking forward to the fall and holiday season. it should be a good one and i cant wait to see how much braden enjoys all that is to come.
i have been doing well. keeping busy with braden and making sure things around the house are kept in some kind of order. i've learned to keep to myself and stay out of my family's lives.... too much drama between my sisters and mother. i love seeing them all but one on one is much easier and i tell them to shut up when they bring up the matters that i dont personally care about. sorry but i'm not the middle man and i dont want to hear both sides of every story all the time. i could more or less care less about their issues and i am certainly not going to stress over it all.
Brandon has been working and staying busy. Jiffy lube is now under new management and life was uncertain for a while. he was hired on by the new management for the same pay as before so i am thankful for that. the new heads closed 2 stores and fired several people. things should get better over the next few months as they get everyone situated. hopefully they wont move him around but he might be given a manager position if one becomes available. this company however does not expect teh guys to work 110% for half the money. meaning the most hours a manager works is 45, unlike the 70+ brandon did before. they also pay better, bonuses are better and they seem to treat everyone better. i've only heard good things so far and they tell it like it is. brandon had 2 meeting with them. the first was an interview getting to know the asst managers. and the second was a get together with the manager and asst. to tell them how they work and what they expect. they hours have changed and so have several other work topics, but they seem to be for the better and to help boost the moral.
still no true word on the union job. all i've heard is "we will be starting soon." who knows i have started to lose interest and i believe brandon has as well. its been close to a year and still nothing has changed. we shall see in time. he still would like a job that pays more and gives him options to a future that jiffy lube can't really do.
the lease on the apartment is up nov 30th. they expect a 60 day notice if you are moving and if you have done the math that means is has to be in on oct 1st. we would love to move into a house with a yard so braden can play outside. however its hard to find something that is cheaper than this apartment in a good part of town. i am usually not picky however where i decide to rent i am going to. i dont want to be in a part of town where there is a lot of trouble. i grew up on the west side and have always loved the neighborhood. we will see what we can find and hopefully someone will work with us so we can get out of this apartment.
other than that not much is going on. the day to day life is pretty simple and i try to be stress free so i can enjoy life with braden. brandon's family was unable to come out this summer. his sister and nephew will be coming out in december for a week to see us. that should be a good relaxing week. i am looking forward to the fall and holiday season. it should be a good one and i cant wait to see how much braden enjoys all that is to come.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
june!
i can't believe it is june already! where has time gone? life has been alright around here. Brandon is still waiting on the union... they are interviewing this month and/ or next, orientation is in august and the new classes start in september. So hopefully he will be working in september! which is perfect for us, he will be making 17.65 starting out... in sept they are supposed to be getting a raise.. he might be making over 18 at that point... then in 3 months he will be getting another raise... :) we are going to be looking for a house to rent this coming fall. late summer into early fall i will start "actively" looking. i've been browsing online and looking around when i drive across town to go to my sisters or my moms. i'm getting excited for him but i'm anxious at the same time. he is so tired of being a jiffy lube. he has been working 36-38 hours a week and the last 4 months hes raised the numbers at the store. that store is now making more money than they have in the past years! he was supposed to get a raise and we still havent seen that. the store has bonused the last 4 months and we still haven't seen that either. they- jiffy owners- claim they sent them, but they were wrong so they sent them back... i call BS but there is nothing i can do. there is a rumor spreading among the managers that brandon is "being removed" from the business... not sure where is started or how but he just laughs. brandon was told by walt, his manager now, that a few people were talking about it at the meeting last week. they both laughed it off. walt thinks it was his old manager from falcon. she hates that she can no longer blame her misdoings on bran. her store hasn't hit numbers since brandon left. makes me laugh more than anything.
i was rather bumbed in april when i learned that you can only get fed funding for summer classes if you are a full time student all year. since i wasn't a student i could take classes but i'd end up paying full for them and we cant afford that right now. so i will wait a little longer till we can afford it and i have the time to do so. kinda sucks cuz i miss the classes and labs. i've been trying ot make time to teach myself a few things but i haven't found much time.
Braden is walking really well. he has learned he can open the kitchen cabinets and loves to bring me everything he can carry! he has also learned to climb! he loves getting on the couch and running back and forth... this kid might just kill me doing this! he has NO FEAR!! of course i dont want him to fall and break anything i would feel horrible! he enjoys his freedom cruising around the house. the sun has finally started shining again so we can spend a little more time outside. the apartments have opened the pool for the season so we will start going down there and getting him used to the water and teach him to swim. brandon is really looking forward to camping this summer some time. we are supposed to go to wyoming to meet up with an old friend of brandon's and camp for a few nights. that should be rather fun... however it is a 6 hour drive and i'm not sure how bean will do on a ride that long. i told bran we need to plan on stopping every hour or two so bean can get out and move around. i know i hate sitting that long and i have a feeling braden will also.
brandon's dad and step mom will be out this summer sometime to see the boys. Brandon is looking forward to this as well. he hasnt seen most of his family since we were out there from thanksgiving so it should be a good week while they are here. we plan on going ot the mining museum and a few other things that they want to do. not sure when they will be here but it will be nice for brandon to be with family.
i've been doing well. Braden wears me out most days. i have little time to get everything around the house done. when it feels like i got something done braden gets up and plays and the rooms are messy again. i'm looking forward to when he learns to clean up after himself. he helps now if you ask him to and show him how. but he looses interest rather quickly. i dont blame him at 15 months i would also. he learns so much everyday its amazing to watch. it truely is crazy how quickly they grow and how much they can learn in such a short amount of time.
i was rather bumbed in april when i learned that you can only get fed funding for summer classes if you are a full time student all year. since i wasn't a student i could take classes but i'd end up paying full for them and we cant afford that right now. so i will wait a little longer till we can afford it and i have the time to do so. kinda sucks cuz i miss the classes and labs. i've been trying ot make time to teach myself a few things but i haven't found much time.
Braden is walking really well. he has learned he can open the kitchen cabinets and loves to bring me everything he can carry! he has also learned to climb! he loves getting on the couch and running back and forth... this kid might just kill me doing this! he has NO FEAR!! of course i dont want him to fall and break anything i would feel horrible! he enjoys his freedom cruising around the house. the sun has finally started shining again so we can spend a little more time outside. the apartments have opened the pool for the season so we will start going down there and getting him used to the water and teach him to swim. brandon is really looking forward to camping this summer some time. we are supposed to go to wyoming to meet up with an old friend of brandon's and camp for a few nights. that should be rather fun... however it is a 6 hour drive and i'm not sure how bean will do on a ride that long. i told bran we need to plan on stopping every hour or two so bean can get out and move around. i know i hate sitting that long and i have a feeling braden will also.
brandon's dad and step mom will be out this summer sometime to see the boys. Brandon is looking forward to this as well. he hasnt seen most of his family since we were out there from thanksgiving so it should be a good week while they are here. we plan on going ot the mining museum and a few other things that they want to do. not sure when they will be here but it will be nice for brandon to be with family.
i've been doing well. Braden wears me out most days. i have little time to get everything around the house done. when it feels like i got something done braden gets up and plays and the rooms are messy again. i'm looking forward to when he learns to clean up after himself. he helps now if you ask him to and show him how. but he looses interest rather quickly. i dont blame him at 15 months i would also. he learns so much everyday its amazing to watch. it truely is crazy how quickly they grow and how much they can learn in such a short amount of time.
Friday, May 8, 2009
the price of children
This is just too good NOT to pass on to all. Here is something absolutely positive for a change. I have repeatedly seen the breakdown of the cost of raising a child, but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way. It's nice.
The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140.00 for a middle income family. Talk about price shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition.
But $160,140.00 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into:
* $8,896.66 a year,
* $741.38 a month,
* $171.08 a week.
* A mere $24.24 a day!
* Just over a dollar an hour.
Still, you might think the best financial advice is; don't have children if you want to be 'rich.' Actually, it is just the opposite.
What do you get for your $160,140.00?
* Naming rights . First, middle, and last!
* Glimpses of God every day.
* Giggles under the covers every night..
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies..
* A hand to hold usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
* A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites.
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.
For $160,140.00, you never have to grow up. You get to:
* finger-paint,
* carve pumpkins,
* play hide-and-seek,
* catch lightning bugs,
* never stop believing in Santa Claus.
You have an excuse to:
* keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,
* watch Saturday morning cartoons,
* go to Disney movies, and
* wish on stars.
You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.
For a mere $24.24 a day, there is no greater bang for your buck.
You get to be a hero just for:
* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof,
* taking the training wheels off a bike,
* removing a splinter,
* filling a wading pool,
* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and
* coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.
You get a front row seat in history to witness the:
* First step,
* First word,
* First bra,
* First date,
* First time behind the wheel.
You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match..
In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!!
Love & enjoy your children & grandchildren & great-grandchildren!!!!!!! It's the best investment you'll ever make!!!!!!!!!
Monday, April 6, 2009
new starts
Right now Brandon is at a job interview for he doesnt even know what.... its a rather funny story. about a month ago some guy called brandon's cell phone while he was at work. he was looking for some other guy and this isnt the first call bran got for this other guy. well the guy that called told brandon mr x turned in a job app and he was calling to see if he was interested in a job. well brandon asked what the job was for. the man told him it was for management. Brandon didnt think anything of it. they joked a bit and brandon went back to work. well last week the man called brandon back! asked if he was still looking for a job. so they set up an interveiw. its up off of oracle blvd so its in the middle of nowhere n. colorado springs. not much up there but Progressive and a few other places. my was telling me the computer section of progressive has been looking for a manager for a while now... My mom and sister work in the mail room at progressive.
Brandon was telling his mom last night that no matter what he really wants to work for the union and if they ever call..... yes we are STILL waiting.... he will go and work for them. but in the mean time he is going to go "see what is out there." he still has a job and he doesnt need a new one. but he isnt going to hold back if this will give him more money. we shall see.
Braden and i are doing well. we have been sick for the last week but it is slowly going away! thankfully!!! Bean still isnt walking but crawling and cruising like a pro. he got his top tooth that was hangin out for about 2 months finally. thats 6 teeth- 4 on top and 2 on the bottom. he was working on some bottoms before he got sick so hopefully they will pop through soon!
we are getting ready for a busy weekend! Kaiya's 2nd birthday is on sat and sun is easter. we will be going to jayme's on sat for a bbq! that should be fun! and on sun we will go to moms and then to brighton gardens (sunrise) for the egg hunt. we are looking forward to that. last year bean was too little to go and it was too cold to take him. so this year is his f
irst year getting to celebrate easter and i am soo excited. i made him an easter basket with a few books a bunny and some cars. it should be a great weekend!
other than that not much has been going on, Brandon got an aquarium and a few lil bela sharks. they are about 2in and a sucker fish. its interesting bean tries he can play with them, it is rather cute to watch him talking/ babbeling to the fish. i'll try to get a video! i am hoping the wonderful weather will be here soon so bean and i can go out and play more often. he loves to swing!!! he was laughing soo hard! it was fun! i am looking forward to him walking but i am not pushing for it. i know he will get up and go when he is ready, but he is 21 and a half pounds and i am tired of caring him! lol i think thats all for now. i will update with more when it happens.
Brandon was telling his mom last night that no matter what he really wants to work for the union and if they ever call..... yes we are STILL waiting.... he will go and work for them. but in the mean time he is going to go "see what is out there." he still has a job and he doesnt need a new one. but he isnt going to hold back if this will give him more money. we shall see.
Braden and i are doing well. we have been sick for the last week but it is slowly going away! thankfully!!! Bean still isnt walking but crawling and cruising like a pro. he got his top tooth that was hangin out for about 2 months finally. thats 6 teeth- 4 on top and 2 on the bottom. he was working on some bottoms before he got sick so hopefully they will pop through soon!
we are getting ready for a busy weekend! Kaiya's 2nd birthday is on sat and sun is easter. we will be going to jayme's on sat for a bbq! that should be fun! and on sun we will go to moms and then to brighton gardens (sunrise) for the egg hunt. we are looking forward to that. last year bean was too little to go and it was too cold to take him. so this year is his f
irst year getting to celebrate easter and i am soo excited. i made him an easter basket with a few books a bunny and some cars. it should be a great weekend!other than that not much has been going on, Brandon got an aquarium and a few lil bela sharks. they are about 2in and a sucker fish. its interesting bean tries he can play with them, it is rather cute to watch him talking/ babbeling to the fish. i'll try to get a video! i am hoping the wonderful weather will be here soon so bean and i can go out and play more often. he loves to swing!!! he was laughing soo hard! it was fun! i am looking forward to him walking but i am not pushing for it. i know he will get up and go when he is ready, but he is 21 and a half pounds and i am tired of caring him! lol i think thats all for now. i will update with more when it happens.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Braden's 1st birthday
This month has started off well. Braden's 1st birthday was on tuesday! we started the day by going to breakfast out at Jill's cafe in Falcon. Rick and christy joined us and we had a pretty good meal. several new waitresses so it was different. then we went and got ice cream and went and got his balloons. we had a couple of boxes in the office so i went and got them. the lid to his toy box came i was soo excited, brandon though i was nuts! braden got a box from his grammy cherly (brandon's mom). then we laid bean down and started cleaning up and getting ready. my
mom come over around 4:30 and a few people started showing up at 5. we got pizza and hung out. over all it was a good evening. braden got to play with his cousins and mom had all 5 grand babies together for the first time since kayden was born last month. it was rather loud but they were having fun playing with mickey (my mom) and the balloons. we opened brays gifts he got a lot of clothes, a few bath toys and a couple books. cheryl made braden a blanket that was really neat. then we had cake an
d ice cream. he wasnt big on the cake but he really likes ice cream. my mom was feeding it to him and he couldnt get enough! by the time everyone left we were tired and glad to be relaxing.
braden has started to get more teeth so we have been in the teething state of life. little sleep and crabby, overly tired, but also happy as can be. the nights are long but hes pretty good during the days. hopefully the teeth will pop through soon so we can get back to the happy life. :)
not much else has been going on. brandon hurt his knee at work on the 4th and got 2 days off to recoup. hes back to work and enjoying being downtown. its nice to have him home every night before 7, plus sundays off. :) its been nice not being stressed out over everything.
mom come over around 4:30 and a few people started showing up at 5. we got pizza and hung out. over all it was a good evening. braden got to play with his cousins and mom had all 5 grand babies together for the first time since kayden was born last month. it was rather loud but they were having fun playing with mickey (my mom) and the balloons. we opened brays gifts he got a lot of clothes, a few bath toys and a couple books. cheryl made braden a blanket that was really neat. then we had cake an
d ice cream. he wasnt big on the cake but he really likes ice cream. my mom was feeding it to him and he couldnt get enough! by the time everyone left we were tired and glad to be relaxing.braden has started to get more teeth so we have been in the teething state of life. little sleep and crabby, overly tired, but also happy as can be. the nights are long but hes pretty good during the days. hopefully the teeth will pop through soon so we can get back to the happy life. :)
not much else has been going on. brandon hurt his knee at work on the 4th and got 2 days off to recoup. hes back to work and enjoying being downtown. its nice to have him home every night before 7, plus sundays off. :) its been nice not being stressed out over everything.
Monday, February 23, 2009
crazy week
this month is almost over and i am so glad! brandon and work are a very crazy subject! he got a call earlier this week telling him he was going ot be transfered to a different store.... again!!! this year alone he has worked at four different stores. hopefully this transfer will be his last! he is now working downtown! thats right s nevada right across from the pioneers musium! he gets along with the manager. he knew him when he was a manager. he is going to help train everyone in the store and get all his hours. :) that makes me happy!
on monday he got a call from val and was informed that all the guys that were on the need work union list were back to work. they ended up firing several guys for a list of not good things. he then called the guy hes been keeping up to date with and his assistant told him in a few weeks they were going to get everyone into orientation and interviews. No one at jiffy lube knows hes planning on leaving for obvious reasons. although after all the crap hes been through in the last 2 months i do not blame him!
Braden's birthday is in one week!!! i can not believe it! this year has gone by so fast! he has 5 teeth! 3 on top and 2 on bottom! he still is not walking but i am alright with that. he will stand if you put him up for a few seconds. he learned how to climb! its rather exciting but a little stressful! i loved when he was little and stayed in the same place. :) they grow rather fast and i cant believe how fast!
i've been emotional lately doesnt help aunt flo is in town however the other night we went to dinner with mom it was fun. brandon and mom were talking about work and what not. well brandon was telling mom that he and rick were talking the other day and rick asked when i was going to go back to work. as many know i am not planning on going back to work till after i finish school. i have about 11 classes before i'm done. rick then asked when i was going to go back to school and brandon told him most likely when braden goes to school. well mom then asked why i didnt take summer classes... Mary a friend of my moms has summers off and always watches kaiya! she is great with her and lives right over the hill from me. so brandon and i kinda nodded and told mom that was a good idea. well i have been thinking about it and after spring break i am going to get ahold of my advisor and talk to him. if i can get financial aid and if there are classes that i need offered then i might be going back to school!!! im nervous and excited and a little overwhelmed! i knew that i would go back. its something i always wanted and i truely loved my classes but i didnt think is would be happening so soon. nothing is set yet but thats the idea for now. not quite a plan but an idea. i'll keep everyone posted as things develop.
on monday he got a call from val and was informed that all the guys that were on the need work union list were back to work. they ended up firing several guys for a list of not good things. he then called the guy hes been keeping up to date with and his assistant told him in a few weeks they were going to get everyone into orientation and interviews. No one at jiffy lube knows hes planning on leaving for obvious reasons. although after all the crap hes been through in the last 2 months i do not blame him!
Braden's birthday is in one week!!! i can not believe it! this year has gone by so fast! he has 5 teeth! 3 on top and 2 on bottom! he still is not walking but i am alright with that. he will stand if you put him up for a few seconds. he learned how to climb! its rather exciting but a little stressful! i loved when he was little and stayed in the same place. :) they grow rather fast and i cant believe how fast!
i've been emotional lately doesnt help aunt flo is in town however the other night we went to dinner with mom it was fun. brandon and mom were talking about work and what not. well brandon was telling mom that he and rick were talking the other day and rick asked when i was going to go back to work. as many know i am not planning on going back to work till after i finish school. i have about 11 classes before i'm done. rick then asked when i was going to go back to school and brandon told him most likely when braden goes to school. well mom then asked why i didnt take summer classes... Mary a friend of my moms has summers off and always watches kaiya! she is great with her and lives right over the hill from me. so brandon and i kinda nodded and told mom that was a good idea. well i have been thinking about it and after spring break i am going to get ahold of my advisor and talk to him. if i can get financial aid and if there are classes that i need offered then i might be going back to school!!! im nervous and excited and a little overwhelmed! i knew that i would go back. its something i always wanted and i truely loved my classes but i didnt think is would be happening so soon. nothing is set yet but thats the idea for now. not quite a plan but an idea. i'll keep everyone posted as things develop.
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