I came home from work today & Joe had bought me a little stuffed froggie while he was out at the mall. It was a nice surprise, especially because I had a loooong day at work. Well when he bought me the froggie now named "Smilin' Froggie" it meant that you purchased star too. So, I went online & registered to name my star & pick the constellation. Now I have a star named "rizzolovesme" in the pegasus constellation. I'll give the exact coordinates later, for those of you who may want to see.
How lucky am I to have a husband who will buy me a piece of the heveans...
Friday, October 17, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Home Sweet Home
Our HouseSince I seem to post pictures of everyone's home, except ours, I thought I would take some pictures this afternoon of our house. It's not fancy, but after all, it's our first home. It's got a long way to go before it's done, but at least some of you can see what it looks like now.
My fall gardening is no where near completed, so once I plop some more flowers in the ground & my folks help us cut down some of the unhealthy birch trees, I will post some more pictures. Speaking of which, I'm off to Ken-Do Nursery to buy some mums.
My fall gardening is no where near completed, so once I plop some more flowers in the ground & my folks help us cut down some of the unhealthy birch trees, I will post some more pictures. Speaking of which, I'm off to Ken-Do Nursery to buy some mums.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Morning View
This is a view from the window in my little section of the office.I took it this morning at about 8am.
Later this afternoon when I was sitting over near the tree, I was watching some little birds sit on my tires & in the spokes of my rims as they were sunning themselves.
It was too cute!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Response To Email Advice
This a copy of my response to an email giving advice about my job. I'm just putting it up here so that everyone can see some of my thought pattern with this situation.
With regards to my job. I would not leave it without having something else to go to, I know well enough how tough the job market is right now. This is not my first full time job. I worked full time hours with all my previous employers, despite often times of having an official status of "part time". When I would have to cut my hours, it was temporary & for school, which every business I have applied to or worked for considers an acceptable excuse for not working full time. The neurology office was full time, until I got promoted, which put me down to about 30 hours. Since it was only 15 minutes from the house, there was no significant loss of income to travel, etc, so it was as though I was earning a full time income. I have an extensive 10 year employment record in health care, most of which involved holding 2-3 jobs simultaneously for long time time periods. That alone makes any employer realize that I am/would be a dedicated employee.
My commute does not provide any down time, because I'm stuck on a highway doing about 80mph with all the other people in a rush to get home. I'm spending more in gas & wear on the car than I would if I took something close to home with a slight pay cut. It is something to think about when $50 is being spent biweekly on oil changes, not to mention the other routine maintenance on the car. My warranty (mileage based) would be done at the end of this year if I keep up at my current rate of travel. Again, one more thing to think about. My "disposable income" is being disposed of right into my car. Hell, if I'm going to drive 1.5 hours to work, I should just tack on the extra half hour & drive into NYC where my salary would be tripled.
With regards to my job. I would not leave it without having something else to go to, I know well enough how tough the job market is right now. This is not my first full time job. I worked full time hours with all my previous employers, despite often times of having an official status of "part time". When I would have to cut my hours, it was temporary & for school, which every business I have applied to or worked for considers an acceptable excuse for not working full time. The neurology office was full time, until I got promoted, which put me down to about 30 hours. Since it was only 15 minutes from the house, there was no significant loss of income to travel, etc, so it was as though I was earning a full time income. I have an extensive 10 year employment record in health care, most of which involved holding 2-3 jobs simultaneously for long time time periods. That alone makes any employer realize that I am/would be a dedicated employee.
My commute does not provide any down time, because I'm stuck on a highway doing about 80mph with all the other people in a rush to get home. I'm spending more in gas & wear on the car than I would if I took something close to home with a slight pay cut. It is something to think about when $50 is being spent biweekly on oil changes, not to mention the other routine maintenance on the car. My warranty (mileage based) would be done at the end of this year if I keep up at my current rate of travel. Again, one more thing to think about. My "disposable income" is being disposed of right into my car. Hell, if I'm going to drive 1.5 hours to work, I should just tack on the extra half hour & drive into NYC where my salary would be tripled.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Work Drama
Ok, everyone knows that I took a job with a prestigious ENT office in Middletown. I was going to be placed in the Port Jervis office at the beginning of November. Well, I found out yesterday that they will be closing our current office & not lease out office space in the new medical arts building near Bon Secours. My office manager spoke to me privately about it, but she did repeatedly express that all the doctors & support staff would like me to stay. It was expressed that my background & training are greatly appreciated, along with my willingness to pass my knowledge on. At this point, everyone understand that the drive for me is incredibly far & if I can't stay, no one will hold it against me. In fact, if in 1, 3, or 5 years they do go back to Port Jervis, I would be hired again instantly if I reapplied.
I honestly don't know how I feel about the whole situation. I'm at an office that I like, & finally have found a true full time gig in this ever-so-crappy economy. I want to stay, but the wear & tear on the car, along with gas is pretty hefty. Not to mention if I get sent to the offices in Newburgh or Harriman (which my office manager says she will try to avoid). I did express to my office manager that this is something I really need to think about. There is no pressure for me to decided right away, I can take the all the time that I need. I'm just angry to an extent because I can't help but wonder if this was something that they knew they were going to do, but because of the need for help in the Middletown office, hired me. I'm also angry because I would be looking for a new job just before the holiday season or just after the holiday season. At the same time, I know staying there until my MBA is completed would be a good thing.
Ugh, I'm just lost on what to do. I talked to Joe about it & he is cool with me staying at the office until my probationary period is over & then re-evaluating the situation. Maybe then I could even get a bit more money out of them.
I honestly don't know how I feel about the whole situation. I'm at an office that I like, & finally have found a true full time gig in this ever-so-crappy economy. I want to stay, but the wear & tear on the car, along with gas is pretty hefty. Not to mention if I get sent to the offices in Newburgh or Harriman (which my office manager says she will try to avoid). I did express to my office manager that this is something I really need to think about. There is no pressure for me to decided right away, I can take the all the time that I need. I'm just angry to an extent because I can't help but wonder if this was something that they knew they were going to do, but because of the need for help in the Middletown office, hired me. I'm also angry because I would be looking for a new job just before the holiday season or just after the holiday season. At the same time, I know staying there until my MBA is completed would be a good thing.
Ugh, I'm just lost on what to do. I talked to Joe about it & he is cool with me staying at the office until my probationary period is over & then re-evaluating the situation. Maybe then I could even get a bit more money out of them.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Chilly Night
Tonight is the first really chilly night of the autumn. The Pocono's are in a freeze warning for the hours of 3am-9am.
So, tonight we lit a fire & have been watching it roar since about 6pm. I forgot how nice & relaxing it is to sit by the fire. Our ultra comfortable living room set certainly helps the with the whole ambiance of the night. Time to pour a nice glass of red wine & read a book.
So, tonight we lit a fire & have been watching it roar since about 6pm. I forgot how nice & relaxing it is to sit by the fire. Our ultra comfortable living room set certainly helps the with the whole ambiance of the night. Time to pour a nice glass of red wine & read a book.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Kitten Update
The kittens are 33 days old. Lily is weening them off of her milk & they've begun to eat solid food & drink from the water bowl. The kittens haphazardly get in & out of their box. It's cute. Every time Joe or I go out on the porch, the 3 of them come plopping out of the box to rush toward us. They seem to be fascinated by the activities around the front door. I bought a bunch of little plastic balls for all of them to chase around, plus all the other toys we have on the porch for them.
The nights have been chilly, but have no fear...we've got the space heater keeping them at a balmy 60-80 degrees at night. We go out to play with Lily, Orion, & all the kids. Orion is a good daddy; he has the kittens emulating him. For example, the other day he was cleaning himself as the kittens watched. After a moment they formed a line & were cleaning themselves just like Orion. The followed his every move. It was absolutely adorable!
At night, the whole little family curls up together in their blanket covered box to sleep. It's amazing to watch them. When one parent gets up, the other stays with the kittens. They take turns caring for the kittens in all different ways. It's a big surprise for most people when I tell them just how both Lily & Orion have shared the kitten raising.
We're still looking for homes for the kittens. At the earliest they can part with Lily in 2 week, but we are aiming to have them here for another 4 weeks. If anyone knows a good home for them, please let us know. Joe has said they can stay here if we don't find them homes, but that I can't ever ask him for anything else. Silly boy has yet to learn that I don't ask....I just get.
The nights have been chilly, but have no fear...we've got the space heater keeping them at a balmy 60-80 degrees at night. We go out to play with Lily, Orion, & all the kids. Orion is a good daddy; he has the kittens emulating him. For example, the other day he was cleaning himself as the kittens watched. After a moment they formed a line & were cleaning themselves just like Orion. The followed his every move. It was absolutely adorable!
At night, the whole little family curls up together in their blanket covered box to sleep. It's amazing to watch them. When one parent gets up, the other stays with the kittens. They take turns caring for the kittens in all different ways. It's a big surprise for most people when I tell them just how both Lily & Orion have shared the kitten raising.
We're still looking for homes for the kittens. At the earliest they can part with Lily in 2 week, but we are aiming to have them here for another 4 weeks. If anyone knows a good home for them, please let us know. Joe has said they can stay here if we don't find them homes, but that I can't ever ask him for anything else. Silly boy has yet to learn that I don't ask....I just get.
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