Nearly Three Years...

Wow.  I can hardly believe nearly three years has gone by since I have written anything.
My my how times change.  One thing hasn't, this doesn't get read by anyone, so it doesn't really matter too much.

Since my last blog in 2012...

I have created new lasting friendships, had and lost relationships and got a new job!  That job has led me to my new home in Ohio.  I honestly never thought I would relocate for a job, having chickened out before.  I suppose last time it just wasn't right and deep down I knew it.  I had a constant thought of 'how can I do this?'  In October of 2013, when this opportunity came knocking, my thought was the exact opposite, 'how can I not do this?'

I will not lie, my first six months or so here were very difficult to handle.  It was lonely outside of work and I really did not have a strong desire to socialize. I was worried I would end up hating my job or my boss hating the work I did and then what...

Today could not be any farther from that.  I am truly blessed to have a great job, to have met some wonderful people, and to have fun hobbies to fill my time and give me something to enjoy. I never considered myself a very crafty/artistic person. Heck I make ugly stick people!  But the ceramics class I have been attending opened up a whole new world of artsy-ness!

I admit, I think about home all the time.  I miss my family and few close friends like you wouldn't believe.  It makes me sad to feel like We may be drifting apart, but then I stop and think.  I know in my heart that will never happen with those people.

My parents have come to visit a couple times and we have gone to cedar point, which was a great time. My sister came to visit before she moved to Tampa.  I can't wait to go visit her :-).

Life is not without roadbumps... Of the great friends I have made, I've had to say goodbye too... Losing such a wonderful person at such a young age. Heartbreaking.  Wishing I could have helped her, wishing she would have called me back that weekend.  A poor young soul, utterly broken, seeing no way out.  I would never consider her a coward.  I just wish she wasn't broken inside. And I wish someone would not have broken her the way they did.  I have no doubt it played a role in what happened.  I think of her every day, wishing I could send a text or give a call just because.

Some of the hardest days I've had to deal with and not have my person there.  Everyone has a person.  A rock to lean on that is someone you can bear your soul to and they do the same.  I miss my person. My best friend in this entire world.  I don't know when I will see her next but I can't wait!

Hmm then there's my romantic life.  Mostly nonexistent, as usual.  Haven't seriously dated anyone since, well, 2008....?  And that one went oh so well.  Crap that's a long time. Sad me haha. I need to find a good, decent, honest man that wants to be in my life on a regular basis. This sporadic seeing someone is driving me crazy.

Life goes on.  Overall it is basically the same as it was before I moved, just with a different cast of people.  Is it better, I'd love to believe so.  Only time will tell.  Maybe it already is, and it's just me who needs to catch up.

Finally Friday!

Wow, finally Friday.  This week has been a pretty greuling one!  Work Work Work is what it has been all about.  I am looking forward to sleep.  Lots and lots of sleep.  Although, let's be honest... I am probably going to be going out tonight, then doing a pub crawl tomorrow afternoon, and probably going to be out tomorrow night too.  Sleep does not look very promising, at least not until Sunday.

Looking forward to being in Milwaukee tomorrow afternoon.  It has been many a moon since I have gone out in Milwaukee.  We will probably hang around Water Street for a good portion of the afternoon and then head up to North Ave.  I will probably have a drink or two, but leave it at that.  I would like to be able to drive back home tomorrow.  I have no interest in sleeping on a hotel room floor!!

I am so ready to be out of work, and it is only 11:30am!  I am just tired of my coworker's tantrums.  Come on, you are not 4, you are 40!!  And did you think you were going to be able to act like this every day and never be confronted about it?  Do you think it is appropriate to say how much you hate this company and how you wish it would burn to the ground????  Not OK in my book!

I miss my nephew and my parents so much sometimes.  I wish I could see them more often, but that won't be happening if gas prices keep creeping up!  I am not made of money!  If only others would make the drive down to see me rather than expect me to come up to them.  One can dream, I guess.

Sure has been a while...

Well it has been quite a while since I have written anything on here... and my how things have changed!
I am still working at Essential Industries in Merton.  I was *this close* to moving to St. Louis in August.  I got offered a job down there, but it was difficult to make the decision to pack up and be 6-8 hours away from my friends and family.  Seems everyone is pretty happy I didn't go, and when I really think about it, so am I.  I have some terrific friends that I have become much closer to in the past six months. 

While I get frustrated at work from time to time, I really do love working here.  Everyone is so friendly and nice.  I don't know how I would have felt being somewhere I didn't know anyone... probably would've become a recluse!!

My nephew is about two and a half now, which is incredible!  He is such a smart, funny kid.  I wish I could see him more often- along with the rest of my family.  I haven't seen most of my family since Christmas.  It is weird to be so distant, only because I live so far away from them all.

Right before my last few posts I had knee surgery.  Well things are much better!  I am fully functioning and feeling good :-).  I was left with some arthritis after the surgery which is taken care of using an injection once or twice a year.  I think I can deal with that!

Well, that is all for now... I will be sure to update more often!

Oh Monday....

What a day it has been already.  Got up late, so sore and on the verge of calling in.  But then I remembered I had important things to do today.... dang.  I have PT tonight, that should be fun--NOT.  Not when I am this sore.  Compound a terrible night's sleep from pain with annoyances and this day stinks!

The weekend was fun though.  I got up on Saturday and went to Farm and Fleet.  I picked up a strawberry plant, banana peppers, chives, parsley and geraniums.  I ran over to Stein's and found a couple of planters that would work for the porch.  I have one large planter that sits on the deck and one that hangs on the railing.  Those two planters were only enough for half of my plants.  I have to go get more planters and potting soil.  I hope the strawberry plants bear fruit.  I am a little worried that they will only have limited direct sunlight.  Well, I guess if they don't make it, I will know for the future!

Saturday night, my roommate and I went out to celebrate her passing her Firefighter's practical.  She was pumped and I was happy to celebrate with her.  We went to our tradition locale... On The Rocks in Merton (that is the town that we work in).  Had a little bite to eat and had some tasty drinks.  A few of her friends met us out and we spent the night talking, drinking and having fun!  We stayed out until bar close, which I haven't done in a long time.  I was so tired!  Sunday was uneventful.  I didn't do anything except the dishes!  It felt good to have a day to relax that much, but I think it makes rolling into Monday worse.  You have to totally switch gears from doing nothing to being motivated and busy, that's tough.

Anyway, I guess it is time to get back to work and start that motivation thing again!

What a Wednesday

Nothing like plastering a smile onto your face when you feel like screaming!  That is what I have to do in therapy.  Push through the pain and go, go, go!  I think I am making good progress, but there is still so much work ahead of me.  I am feeling very overwhelmed by it today.  I think about the progress I have made and I am pleased.  I feel good about it.  Then I think of what I have yet to accomplish, and it scares me!  Just the thought of riding a bike makes me want to crawl under a rock!!!  What a crazy concept.  It is so wild to me that I can think to myself, "lift right foot" and I can't do it.  I can try so hard to do it, and I can feel my muscles contracting and I still can't do it.  Not having the ability to control my muscles is not only a new experience, but it is quite unpleasant!  Let me tell you, I will never take any of my normal, every day actions for granted again.

In other news, I am feeling relatively happy.  Given the things that have recently come to my attention, I think I am doing a great job handling it.  I don't know what is true or not anymore and my level of trust for people has decreased significantly.  This saddens me, but all I can do is move past it.

I am going to go shopping in the next week or so and look for something that I can hang on the balcony to plant some flowers.  I need to spice up the porch.  It has been plain, empty and boring for over a year.  Time to change it up!!!  Plus, looking out the door and seeing beautiful flowers can't help but cheer a person up!  :-)

Well, my lunch time is just about over, so I had better finish this up!  If anyone has any good ideas or tips for hanging flower baskets, please share!!!

Oh boy

I really wish I could have taken another week off of work.  I underestimated the stress I would put on my knee driving and walking around at work.  While I am trying my best to limit my activity, it is inevitable that I have to get up and stand at my lab bench.  It also does not help that I can't elevate my knee, at least not in a comfortable position.  This means that it is a constant ache, and it is really not pleasant.  I can hardly wait to go home and elevate my leg and sit with a huge bag of peas.  I have never looked forward to sitting on the couch so much!  This is going to make for a long week, that is certain!

In other news, I had my follow up appointment from my surgery this morning.  The doctor said everything is looking good and just working on my range of motion is important right now.  I am motivated to keep improving my range of motion, even though some of the exercises hurt so bad.  It is so imperative that I not get lazy about it.  Also, I am glad to be able to drive again, but I have to limit myself.  I can drive, up to a point.  Once I hit that limit it gets painful and uncomfortable.  Once I start feeling pain, it is tough to get rid of it.  It lingers around and makes me feel pretty crummy.

I can't wait to be able to go home again.  I look forward to the next five or six weeks being over with!  I will finally be feeling better, won't have to wear a brace and can walk normally.  Once three months pass, I can start riding a bike again get in the habit of working out and going for walks.  I can't wait to be all better and go to baseball games, have fun on the weekends and see my friends again!

Update..

The surgery went well and the knee is making progress every day.  It certainly is not easy.  In working to get my flexion back it can get quite painful!  There is still swelling so it gets really tight when bending my leg, but it is something that I have to do!  Except for that, it is doing really well.  I don't have to use crutches to get around the apartment, which is nice.

I am getting so darn bored though, just hanging around the apartment.  I wish I could get out and be productive.  I wouldn't mind being back at work.  I have so much stuff to take care of!  I am hoping that by Sunday I will be able to get in and out of my car and be able to drive.  That way I won't have to rely on other people and disrupt their schedules to get to my appointments.

Well I am even getting bored writing this!  Gah I just don't know what to do with my time!!!  I cannot wait for the next couple of months to go by.  I want my knee to be healed and be back as close to normal as possible!

Back to the grind...

...but only for a few days.  I work three days this week, but one of those days includes a presentation on the course I attended.  That should go just fine, I hope! :-)

This past weekend was great.  It was quality time spent with my family.  It will be a while before I see some of them again.  I won't be travelling that far after my surgery.  I don't know how mobile I will be.  I have been having alot of anxiety lately.  There are so many things causing stress right now and that is definitely not what I need.  At least the stress does not include worrying about my job.  For that I am very thankful!

I cannot wait for Thursday to come and go.  I am ready to start healing and feeling better! :-)

Have a great week!

Missouri!

I flew down to St. Louis on Sunday afternoon to attend a short course at the Missouri University of Science and Technology.  The flight was ok, I am not a big fan of flying though!  I picked up my awesome rental car, a 2010 Chevy Impala, and drove to Rolla.  The car is great!  If I had enough money, that would be the new car I would choose.  It rides great and is totally comfortable!  Anyhow, Rolla is a pretty small city, but the surrounding landscape is great!  Not to mention the weather.  I managed to avoid the rain Sunday afternoon and it has been sunny and warm every day!

The class I am taking is titled "Basic Composition of Coatings".  Sounds completely thrilling, doesn't it?  I was under the assumption that this class would cover many types of coatings, however it seems to mainly be focused on paints.  Where I work, we do not make paints so it is difficult to interpret the information to make it apply to my job. 

It is pretty tough to sleep here though.  I am tending to wake up every hour at night.  Yikes!  I can't wait to go home and sleep in my own bed again!!

Just over one week until my surgery.  I have been feeling more and more stressed out about it, but I am really trying to relax as much as possible!  I am very much looking forward to it being over with!  I only hope that the rehab for it is not too bad and that I can get around all right.

Time for me to hit the hay though.  Another full day of class awaits me tomorrow!

Monday Monday, so good to me...

Oh don't you just love Mondays?  I, personally am indifferent today.  Just another day closer to things happening.  Although, the weekend was good so I wish it wasn't Monday yet!  Too bad we can't stop time.

Friday was a great time.  Had a going away party for a coworker.  It was her last day, so we went out to show her off in style!  Saturday morning was kind to me, no hangover!  I went up to my parents' house in Sheboygan and had a pretty relaxing time.  Nothing of consequence happened up there!

I am definitely looking forward to Friday night, though.  I am going to see Ron White with my sister!!  I hope it is great!  Saturday I have to go see my cousins and wish them a happy birthday since I will be missing their birthday party.

I am flying down to St. Louis on Sunday afternoon.  Then I have the pleasure of driving to Rolla, MO.  A city in the middle of nowhere, or so it seems!  I am spending the week in Rolla for a course on coatings.  It sounds thrilling, right?  Then, being so lucky, I get to give a lengthy presentation on the material learned!

I get back to Milwaukee Friday evening with just enough time to unpack, do laundry and relax.  Then I get to head to Sheboygan on Saturday for the Easter weekend.  So much travelling!  I will take it though- after April 8th I won't be going anywhere for a while!

The last three weeks have gone by so quickly, and I feel like the next two will fly by as well.  There is just so much going on!  I hope everyone else has has a great weekend and will have a great week.

What A Beautiful Weekend!

This weekend was just gorgeous!  I couldn't have asked for better in March!  :-)
On Friday night, I got to just spend time with my parents.  It was pretty good, minus the occasional unneccesary remark.  But I guess it should come as no surprise!!!

Saturday I got to spend time with my Grandma.  It was great!  She needed a new microwave, so I took her shopping.  She just turned 85 this past Tuesday and she is still a firecracker!  Although her memory may not be the sharpest anymore, her stories are always wonderful.  Saturday night I spent time with my sister Amy and her boyfriend Timm.  They wanted to go bowling, but I unfortunately can't bowl right now.  Just a bad idea so I just watched.  We went to a couple of bars after thery finished bowling and had a few drinks.

My crazy sister Amy!

Sunday morning brought a new, beautiful day.  The forecasted rain stayed south, making for a sunny day.  I went to church with my Grandma and she was just thrilled!  When I got home, my brother-in-law brought over my nephew Jonathan.  He is gwoing up so fast!  He can sit up all by himself.  I only saw him a few weeks ago and he couldn't!

He is just growing up so fast I can barely believe it!

The only downside of seeing my nephew at my parents' house is that my dad can't bear to let anyone else have time with him!  He is such a proud Grandpa that he can't get enough of the little man!  Ah well, I guess it is something I will understand when I have that experience!

And finally, here is the King of the Castle.  Dakota kitty!  He is the rule of the roost!  My parents took him in as a stray many years ago during a vacation to Rapid City, South Dakota.  He's my baby!!!!

This picture is him claiming a bucket used for foot soaks.  My mom had a pampering party.  The consultant was filling the buckets to soak our feet and he claimed the bucket as his own.  This is typical Kota!

FINALLY FRIDAY!!!!

Ah it is finally Friday.  This couldn't come soon enough!  Just a few more hours at work, then a meeting and then the weekend!!!!  I look forward to spending some quality time with my parents and seeing my little nephew.  Maybe even play catch-up with a few old friends :-).

I have been able to control my stress at work pretty well.  Just keep plugging along seems to work.  I can't help but get worried or paranoid sometimes though!  But when that happens, I stop and take a breath and remind myself why I am here!  The stress of my knee is another story!!  I can't help but get shorth with people or be unhappy when I am hurting.  I hope people understand this and let it slide.

Dum Dum Dum....

Well, even though nobody reads this anyhow, I guess I should share how my follow up appointment went for my knee injury.  After four weeks of physical therapy, with little change, the orthopedic doc said the next thing to do would be surgically repair it.  So following my business trip at the end of the month I will be having surgery.
April 8th is the date!  I worry that it will creep up on me faster than I think.  Right now I think, "gee, that's five weeks yet" but I know it will come and go quickly.  I am not too nervous about the surgery, but I have never had surgery before.  I think once the time draws near, I think I will become more nervous.
So that's that..

A Boring Friday

Today is just another day.  Going by slowly like all the rest.
I just sit here, thinking of what's best.

Ok.  No more rhyming.  Not really flowing today.

My knee hurts and it keeps me from being able to really concentrate on anything.  I am doing alright at work, just a slow day today.  Everyone has those now and again.  Every other day I am so busy trying to bust out my current project.  I can't tell you a better feeling nowadays than the boss saying "keep up the great work!"
I am probably going to leave a little early, I can't sit here for much longer.  I need to go home and ice it, maybe nap a little too :-P.

I am just wishing the clock would jump an hour ahead right now! 

I wonder if anyone even reads this thing?

Bad and Good

Had a visit with an orthopedic doctor today to get my knee all figured out. 
Bad- I have a tear in my patellar tendon.  Good- it is not a complete tear. 
Bad- this could mean I need surgery.  Good- I will be doing physical therapy for four weeks to try to improve it first.  This could prevent surgery altogether. 
Bad- if I do have surgery, it is pretty major.  It comes with 3 months of recovery time.  Good- my knee would be fixed!
I am hoping for the best, but I am willing to go through whatever I need to to eliminate this pain!

Work is work, I am trying to relax whenever I can.  I need a serious destresser weekend!  I think I should convince Kate to go up to GB for a weekend.  I could use a spiker or two!

As the days get longer...

As the work days get longer, everything else gets put to the wayside.  It is somewhat frustrating to feel like things are undair when people leave work early all the time and I sit here for 3-4 extra hours a day.  I know it's all part of the job, and the way it works... but it gets lonely and boring.  I don't particularly enjoy sitting here by myself into the evening.  Ah... that's why they pay me the "big bucks" right? 

On a not much lighter note, I go to see an Orthopaedic doctor tomorrow afternoon.  I fell onto my knee just over 6 weeks ago, and it has been causing pain/discomfort with slight swelling ever since.  I had an MRI about a week and a half ago which showed a partially torn patellar tendon.  That explains the difficulty standing, pain when on my knee for more than 10-15 minutes, and constant pain.  Well anyhow, I have to see the Orthopaedic doctor to determine if I need surgery or what kind of things I can do to allow it to somewhat heal.  The odds of it healing completely on its own are very low though, due to it being a tendon (versus a muscle that has constant blood flow).  I am hoping surgery is not necessary.  It is a major surgery that could put me out for several weeks to months.  That would mean, no walking anywhere, no work for a few weeks, no driving, no anything :-(.  I guess we'll have to see...

Long Day

This day is the longest I have ever spent at this job.  Over 12 hours...  All thanks to my new project.  The reaction takes literally that entire time!!!  It's crazy, and ridiculous.  The worst part is that I have to complete it even though I know it is not going to work out!  Ugh... darn not being able to dispose of it without completing it!!!

I am just going to be sitting here, waiting for something to run for 2.5 hours yet with nothing to do!  Hence the reason for the blog.

My little nephew is growing so fast, learning fast and getting cuter by the day!  He's going to be a heartbreaker someday :).  I totally miss the days where I didn't have to care about anything except playing and sleeping... I wish someone would've warned me back then!

Did you ever not know how to deal with a problem?  I am stuck there right now!  I guess the details aren't that imperative, and I don't want to risk trouble starting because I wrote about it.  But I have been trying to work out this issue on my own for some time, to no avail.  It has not changed my feelings towards the problem.  It is becoming frustrating!!!  I just don't know how much longer I can put on this front.  Ugh.

I've been in a total cooking craze lately.  I love the whole feel of knowing that I worked hard to make a good meal when I am enjoying it!  I have yet to cook something that I find totally gross.  My recipes aren't quite perfected, but someday they will get there.  I don't have the time or means to do it now.  If you have any good recipes, please share!!!!!  I absolutely love trying out new recipes!  I am going to make a new recipe this weekend in the crock pot and I am so excited to do it!

This snow has been incredible!  Ten inches last night, totally awesome; well minus the foot tall drift next to my car that I had to step in to clear off my car this morning.  Brr that was chilly.

Well that's about all I've got to say right now! 

Thanks for reading, whoever you are :-)

Wait.... it's December????

Holy Cow... it's December 1st!  It sure did sneak up on me.

I'm beginning to get pretty stressed with school.  I have three weeks until graduation, and two weeks to complete my final exam.  I can't accept anything less than the best with this class.  I want to finish my current college career strong!

What better way to end the year?  Graduating, birthday... perfect.  Well, not quite perfect.  There are a few things I would change, but I don't see those changes happening anytime soon (and that sucks!).

I would really like to know what the heck the future holds, but so far so good.  I don't think that my job is in jeopardy, but you never know right?  Once I graduate, I won't have to worry about filling out a time sheet anymore!  I am looking forward to that! :-)

I have such big plans for next year... going on a trip to Oklahoma to try to see some tornadoes, going hunting with my aunt in the fall, working and working and working!!!!!!

It looks like a great year coming up!!!  Can't wait :-)

What A Day

These last few weeks have been terribly interesting, to say the least.  I have begun to learn my "place" with some people.  It makes me wonder what I did to these "people".    At times, it makes being around them incredibly akward and tense.  The worst part, I did nothing to deserve it.  At least not that I know of!

I am enjoying my job, except when a ton of work gets required to be completed in a two day period.  I love trying new things, but it is tough to get done so quick.  I guess the challenge is something that will not only teach me, but reflect positively to my boss.

I can hardly wait for snow to come!  I have to get prepared though.  My shoes are not quite suitable for the cold and wet of winter.

The new year will signify many things for me.  Not only will I finally have my degree, but I will become salaried and hopefully get a raise at work.  I am looking forward to greater challenges and projects and work.  The new year will also hopefully bring some other positive things, but who knows!  All I can do is hope and do my best.

Fall is HERE!

Well well, fall has certainly come upon us!  It has seemed to have snuck up on me!

Time has certainly escaped me lately, it's gone by so quickly!

My last post was certainly less than an update of my life so I guess I can share some good news and cute photos to those of you who read this thing!


Well, for starters, I am an AUNT!  Jonathan is the most precious little boy ever!  His smile makes me tear up! 

He is just the brightest little guy!  I look forward to going back home so much.  I have such a great family and I cherish all the time I can spend with them!

My job has been fantastic.  I love it so much!  I was blessed to get it and now that I have had my yearly review, I am even more blessed!  The review went so well and I couldn't have asked for more!  You can't get much better than being told that you are a true asset to the company, a great fit and doing great work!  If I ever feel bummed about something at work, I just think of that.  It makes me happy and excited to take on new projects and learn as much as I can!

I am completing my final course in order to graduate with my degree in Chemistry.  I cannot wait to be done with classes.  Don't get me wrong, I love to learn and go to school, but after all these years, I sure would love a break from it all!

While I don't get to see any of my friends often, I try to keep in touch with as many as I can.  When life throws so many changes, it can be pretty lonely.  I am doing my best to keep my head above the water though!  I try to keep busy, but that is no fun alone! 

Ah such is life.  I will give it up to God though, he has something planned for me and I am going to trust in Him!