Scared in the Bookstore

Today we went to the bookstore and as we were walking around we noticed this one poor guy who looked scared to death. You know, the look you get when you don't know if you should cry, barf, or run. He had that look and was trying so hard not to let it show. He was standing there as the female next to him added more and more books to the stack. With each book she added, he looked a little more scared. My curiosity got the better of me, so I had to know what kind of books they were buying that had him looking so pale. They were in the parenting section and she had stacked about 10 different parent to be books in his arms. I wanted so badly to tell him to put down the books and just spend time with someone who had children; but I didn't. Instead, I left the store feeling sorry for the poor fellow who has weeks of reading in his very near future.

My Turn

Clearly, the hubby and I should not be trusted around your shopping cart.

This time we were in Walmart picking up a few items. Hubby went down one aisle and I went down another. I needed to grab some feminine products and was going to meet him at the other end. I caught up to him and tossed my items in the cart when I noticed he had added a few things to the basket. Things that we don't normally like. I was getting ready to ask him why he bought those items when I looked up and saw someone else heading to the cart. I was so embarrassed. I apologized, grabbed my items, and quickly moved out of that section. At least it was a female whose cart I put my items in and not some big burly guy.

House Issues - Again

Last night we got news that the house was a no-go. The feds decided not to move forward with the program we applied under to purchase our house. Our moods were rock bottom. Today, I called to see if there was any possible way to extend our lease. No-go there either which is what I suspected. I have a great apartment with hardwood floors and a yard. I called several rental houses and all were a no-go. Either they don't take big dogs (my sweet little Riley is now pushing 50 pounds) or the house was already gone. By this time I have successfully spent a few hours of company time and not done anything that I was being paid to - oh well. Finally, I spoke to our realtor and he came up with another game plan. We are now back on track and trying to close at the end of this month. It looks like it may work, but we have a very tight window on the closing date and move out date.

Right now my main focus is on keeping my sanity intact and not stressing out too much. Once we make it through this, I am vowing to never buy another house - EVER.

Keep your fingers crossed and send all good luck wishes our way that everything gets finished in time for us to close and move out by the first week of February.

Grocery Cart

Today was grocery shopping day and we headed in to HEB armed with our list and our bags. We were in our usual positions; hubby handling the cart and me checking off the list. Shortly after we entered the store he stopped to look at something. I thought he was looking at one of the discount bins in the isle and didn't really pay much attention. When I turned back around to see what he was doing, the lady behind him noticed as well. He was looking through her grocery cart! We all three had a good laugh and then went on about our shopping.

For the rest of the trip through the store, he was required to keep his hands on his own cart.

TGIF

This week have been a really tough week full of highs and lows. We started out the week on a high anticipating some final news on our house. We did get news, but only to find out they needed yet another form signed. We signed the form and were still on a high thinking we would have the final news right away. That night our new neighbors decided to have a Fiesta Bowl party which included lots of screaming, jumping, and yelling on our heads. We tolerated that for a while, but around midnight had to ask them to tone it down a bit so we could get some sleep. The next day we were still tired from the night before, but I got a call with news about the house. They hoped to have things finalized by the end of the month. Hoped! End of the month! That was enough to put me over the edge. If we don't close before the end of the month, we will not have a place to live. We have given our notice and our place has already been rented. I was definitely stressed out and my boss kept poking his head in my office to ask me questions. What is his damage? Can't he tell I have something more important on my mind than work? Instead, I grit my teeth, smile, and answer his questions.

I waited until the next day to follow up with the lender because I needed time to regroup and get my thoughts together. Plus, I didn't want to totally tick them off and have them put me at the bottom of their priority stack. After speaking to our rep, we were once again reassured that the person who told us they hoped to have things done by the end of the month should not have said that. Things are still on target for our original date. Whew. With this good news behind me I was open to the next blow of - they need more money. What? When did you tell us about that? Well, supposedly someone should have told us, blah, blah, blah. But he promised we would get it all back at closing this was just as a reassurance we weren't going to change our minds. Seriously? We have been working at this too long to change our minds now. Fine, just tell me when and I will bring you the money.

At work, my team has been waiting for the green light on a special project. It is a very large project merging the payroll for two teams and will have a significant impact on the pay checks of over 1400 people (and I happen to be one of those people). The corporate office was withholding approval because they didn't want to release control over such a big project to someone else. After one final, very heated conference call yesterday, we finally got our green light. Unfortunately, they waited so long to give us the green light that now we only have 4 days to process all 1400+ files instead of the original 3 weeks we were originally told we would have. Personally, I think they did it on purpose, but I didn't have time to focus on that now. I gave the news to my Austin team (4 members plus me) and we set up a game plan to tackle the project.

Today I had to travel to deliver not so good news to three members of my team in Dallas and San Antonio. I am moving their jobs to Austin and they have to relocate in order to continue on my team. I was able to find a place for two of them if they don't want to move, but no one seems to want the third person. Sadly, I can't blame them. She can be very difficult, but still it is not easy delivering that news.

On the drive back, from San Anonio, I was mentally exhausted from such a long week when I get a phone call that we are clear to do the next step in the house process - the final walk through. I really needed that good news. Shortly after that I got a call from the lead person on my team regarding the project. They only had 5 files left to complete the 1400 file project - they finished in 2 days!! I could have hugged her through the phone. My team knew how important this project was and they busted their butts to make sure they proved those corporate nose in the air jerks wrong. I am so proud of them; not only did they step up to the plate and accept the challenge, they knocked the ball out of the park. I will have to think of some really cool surprise for them.

I am really glad this week is behind me and I am looking forward to a nice calm weekend. Maybe I will even be able to finish the book Marley & Me that I started 2 weeks ago.

Baby Shoes

There is a pair of the cutest little shoes that I am dying to buy for my nephew, but his feet are still too small. He is an infant size 2 and the smallest size they come in is a toddler size 4. First off, I have not idea what the difference is between an infant size 2 and a toddler size 4, so maybe some of you mothers out there can educate me. Also, how fast does a babies feet grow?

Today since I couldn't buy him the shoes, I bought him three outfits instead. One is definitely too big, but too cute to pass up.

Here is the latest picture of my little sweetheart; he is 2 months old today. He is laying in my brother's hands.

Resolutions for the New Year

Every year we make resolutions for ourselves that are thrown out the window in just a few shorts weeks or months. Well, this year hubby and I decided to do it slightly different. He gave a resolution to me, I gave one to him, and we made one together as a couple.

His resolution for me: Lose 50 pounds this year.
My resolution for him: Have a more optimistic approach to things.
Our resolution together: Get out of the house and do more; get out of our comfort zone.

2008 was not a great year for us. Even our last meal of the year had a bit of a downside - I got a bonus hair in my steak dinner. We are looking forward to the great things that 2009 will be sending our way.

Happy New Year everyone. Hope your 2009 brings you all the great things you deserve.