Stampin Fun!

Tonight is Stamp Club and it should be a lot of fun.  This is my busy week, and I am tired!!  I still have a lot of work to do.  I came up with the idea for my school paper, but I still have to do all the research and write it.  I have some other assignments to do, too.  Work has been busy, so I haven't really had any down time there, either.  This week is going super fast! 
Last night we went swimming with Matt and Trina after work.  We split a pool pass with them this year, so I am hoping to be able to take advantage of the pool and get some good sun and excersise. 

Hump Day!

Happy Wednesday!  I had class last night and boy oh boy!!  It definitely reaffirmed my decision to put my focus on my education.  I really like this class and I like my group a lot.  The professor is great.  But WOW!  Last night was intense!  I have a big project due next week and I am trying not to be too intimidated by it.  I have to go to a library and everything!  It will definitely be a learning experience!

Good grief!

Holy cow!  I didn't realize how long it'd been since I'd posted.  So...  lots of changes...  First and biggest, work.  After LOTS of soul-searching, I decided I should pass on the opportunity at work after all.  I had some tough conversations with my managers and asked to be returned to my old job in the interest of balance.  I would like to go down that career path in the future, but the timing was just not great.  I need to be able to focus on my energy on school, my home and myself right now.  I have been through a lot of changes personally in the last year and taking on school is another big change.  I just don't think such a big change at work is wise.  They did allow me to go back to my old job after making a few small concessions, so I am thrilled.  I feel so much relieff already.
My first day of school was last Tuesday and it went well.  I really like my professor and the class I am in now is a lot of fun.  It's a philosophy class and an introduction to adult learning.  I will go thru my whole associates program with the same core group.  There are 10 of us and it's a cool, diverse and interesting group.  I am looking forward to getting to know them and working with them through this journey.  I had about 5 hours of homework this week, but it was kind of interesting.  This class teaches us how to seek balance (good timing!) in our hectic lives with school, work, and family.  Wesleyan's approach to learning is really cool.  I have class again tonight and I am looking forward to it.
Personally, I had a great couple of weight loss weeks.  I am at 219 at last weigh in.  I am officially in the 210's!!  :-)  I am at my high school weight now and I feel great.  I am in 18 pants and 18/20 tops.  I am losing about a size a month right now and shopping has been fun!  Expensive, but fun! 
We had a wonderful time at King's Island and I can't wait to go back!  We were able to ride everything and it was a perfect day to go.  There was no one there! 
I need to run, but I will catch up more soon!

Fun week...

Well, today is my last day in my current job and I am having mixed feelings about it.  I am really going to miss the people I work with and I am going to miss the job I do.  I am still not super excited about the new job, though I am trying to see all the positives.  I am hoping it will be a good path and lead to exciting new opportunities.  I am just cautiously optomistic.  There are definately some pros and cons to the new job and I'm really trying not to think about the cons. 
I am taking tomorrow and Thursday off this week.  Tomorrow Nick and I are going to King's Island.  We are super excited about it and we are PRAYING for no rain!!  The last time we went, we had a bad experience.  We didn't really fit in all the rides and it was kind of a frusterating trip.  I haven't been on a rollar coaster in a long time now and I am really excited to spend the day with Nick!  Thursday he is going to get a new tattoo.  He's getting an Asian dragon on his left arm.  He's excited about it and I can't wait to see it.  It will take a couple of sessions to complete, but I think it will be neat when it's done!
Wish us luck for tomorrow.  NO RAIN!!  :-)

Happy Birthday Nick!!

Today is Nick's 35th birthday!!  We had a really fun party for him on Saturday.  We celebrated with friends and family at Rascal's Fun Zone. Nick had a blast and I am so grateful for all that came to celebrate with us!  Here are some photos from his party...

This was the very yummy fruit basket Kathy got Nick

Here is Nick with his cake

 Isak was "kissing" Nick with a ducky

 Nick and Matt racing on the slick track



Work update

So my biggest news of the day today has to do with work.  I was asked yesterday to do a temporary assignment as a "Subject Matter Expert" for 3 leaders in my office.  Without getting in to too many details, I would basically be an assistant to three different managers.  I will shadow them and as a developmental opportunity for me.  My goal at Allstate is to be a manager and this is a great chance for me to learn a different side of the business.  I have mixed feelings about it becuase it will be a lot of work and probably a bit overwhelming and I am JUST getting ready to start school.  I am struggling to figure out how to keep balance in my life juggling these 2 big changes at the same time while maintaining my workout and weight loss goals, maintaining my social life, maintaining my family commitments, maintaining my marriage and maintaining my SANITY!  LOL! 

I will be curious to see how things go.  It is a great chance for development for me and I am anxious to work with the leaders I have been assigned.  They all have very different leadership styles and personalities and it will be a broad overview.  I will be starting in the next week or 2, so I will keep you posted.

Whew!

It was a BUSY weekend to say the least!  It was a lot of fun, too!  The Indians game was nice.  We had great weather and it was good to catch up! 
Our work picnic went really well!  I am glad it's over.  I worked my tail off!  But it was nice.  Saturday night we went to dinner with Matt and Trina and enjoyed catching up with them.
Yesterday was delightful!  I didn't do anything!  It was lovely!  LOL!

Back to work today and it's a busy Monday!  I am ready to start planning my fall vacation!  :-)

I did lose some this week.  I am at 225.6 as of yesterday.  My mom is joining us for our walk tonight and we may try to push her just a bit.  :-)