In search of a crafty person!

I am in search for the perfect Christmas decor for my family... I have an idea, I'm just not telling Gary, I want him to come home and see it. I need to find someone who can make Christmas stockings and tree skirts... Oh, and an angel for my tree whose dress will match my stockings and tree skirt if at all possible. Even if this angel has a white (or black if I could find that) dress and we just make some accents to match the other material, I think it would be fine.
The key is, the person who makes these items for me will need access to an embroidering machine. Also, each stocking will be different, just made of the same fabric.
Does anyone think that they might be able to help me find such a person? I would make these myself, but I don't know how to sew, so that would be interesting...
Well, I've got to run... Getting ready for work!

It's Official!!!

While I was working on installing my bamboo shades tonight, Gary got Mack out of his crate and started playing with him. He's falling for him!!! His exact words were "Let me check out this mutt!" as he smiled and opened the door to the crate. Mack went running, but went right back to him and stayed at his feet. Gary petted him and Mack just rolled over on his back... I think they're in love!
That's all for now, I have to get to bed....

We're keeping Mack!

It's official! Gary adopted Mack... He loves him because I love him and the kids love him. One day he'll just flat out love him, but I'm willing to work with him on that for now...
I'd like to take this moment to introduce Mack, the sweetest little dog in the world. Believe me when I say that he only looks sad, he is so happy and full of energy!

Mack resting on a clean living room floor:

Mack wishing I would stop taking his picture:

Mack playing with a tennis ball:

I believe you have already met Kyle:

Micheal and his daddy:

It's a long, long story involving me wheeling and dealing as to why we get to keep Mack, but it basically is just the fact that my husband really does love me after all and just wants me and the kids to be happy... I am thrilled beyond belief right now. He really is such a sweet dog and I'm so happy that I don't have to worry anymore about Gary giving him away... I'm not sure what his parents think of the idea, I know his mom is happy for me (please don't ask) but I think his dad is against the idea entirely.

And even more news... Today is new blinds day! I'm finally finishing the living room and getting new blinds for it! I guess the kitchen will be next, but that will wait another week or two... Gotta get bills paid first. And one of these days I'll get curtains and blinds for the boys room again...

We'll I've gotta run, I was supposed to have woken Gary up 15 minutes ago...

Gary's home...

Gary came home and we got into a screaming match as soon as I walked in the door. He told me that Mack had to go... This went on for well over an hour. I am hoping that he will change his mind very soon. He got to see how close Micheal is to him and how much both of the kids love him. He told me to get him out of here before he runs out of food... We have two huge bags of dog food. He did change that later to within a week. I just want him to fall in love with him like the kids and I have. He's such a good dog.
I have to say that with everything that happened yesterday, I'm not exactly enjoying Gary being home. I got out my planner and started counting down the days until he leaves again. I know that's awful. Believe me, I know. I just hate the fact that he feels the need to control me so much and that he thinks that what he says goes and no one else matters. It never used to be that way.
I did, however, sleep better last night than I have in weeks, even with the fighting. I love him, and I hate it when he's away, he just needs to get his attitude in check.
Well, that's all for now...

I have been through a lot...

I have been through so much as a daughter, sister, friend, employee, wife, neighbor, and mother. The past few days have been awful though. I LOVE my new job. My new boss is great, everything is better than I ever expected there. I am really glad to have left Lifetouch though. I am trying to remain calm as I write this, but my temper has just really flared over the past 48 hours about all of this... I was told Friday that I would have to go pick up my paycheck because they cancelled my direct deposit when I quit. I double-checked that I would be able to pick it up on Saturday with no problems and was promised that it wouldn't be an issue at all. Well, my paycheck was nowhere to be found when I got there. My boss was there and just told me that since I left them in a bind, I should expect to be left in a bind as well. Yep, I was extremely upset. I set my neighbor loose on him and everyone that answered the phone in that office yesterday.
I went to get my hair done after that. It looks awesome. I love my hair, although I know when Gary gets home he's going to hate it. I'll post some pictures later today.
Today, I went shopping at Walmart. The kids are acting up because they miss their daddy. I'm trying to just get what I need and get out. This old woman comes up to me and asks if Micheal has had his meds today. I tell her that he isn't on anything, and she tells me that I might want to consider putting him on something... I LOST it. I told her exactly what I thought of her and asked her just what made her qualified to recommend that I drug my kid. This went on for a few minutes until a member of management asked me to leave! I lost my mind on them as well and told them that I was sick and tired of being treated this way just because I decided to better myself and get a better job. After a few minutes, another member of management decided that Walmart would be buying my groceries today...
So, that's the last few days in a nutshell...

Just so danged tired....

As many of you know, or as you can guess, I don't sleep very well with Gary gone. I don't get scared, I know most people in this neighborhood would warn anyone not to break in my house and if they did not to get caught, I don't have a gun, but I have knives... LOL! Stab first, ask questions later, isn't that how it goes? Anyhow, that is the non-sleep talking. I don't have Gary to fight with and then yell at about the snoring, then to try with all my might to turn him over (which is no easy feat while he's sleeping), and I don't sleep. Supposedly he goes through the same thing... I don't know.
Yesterday, his car was broken into. He had left his GPS in there and they got it. They tried to get his change jar, but they dropped it. I guess they tried to get into the van, but ran when the alarm went off. They got several others in the neighborhood last night as well. I called the police, had to play the scared female role to get them out here, and they at least got a good palm print out of it, so if whoever it was has been arrested before, they will find them. That makes me very happy! I just wish they had come out when my van was broken into...
Mack is doing great. Driving me crazy this morning... He won't eat his food. He's going to get professionally groomed today. That's rather exciting. He should come back nice and pretty!
Work is wonderful. I was 45 minutes late yesterday due to the car being broken into, but they didn't mind too much. It's nice being appreciated and having a set schedule. I'm still getting the hang of everything there, but the people are great and always willing to help me.
This morning I'll be leaving a little early, I think I'll get doughnuts for everyone at work... I also need to get a desk organizer.... I'm feeling a bit disorganized at work.
Well, I need to go so I can get ready... Talk to you all later!

Craig's List...

Well, I have finally joined the rest of the world in using Craig's List. I posted a few things for sale that I just really want to get out of the house. Hopefully I'll have it all gone soon and some cash in my pocket to boot! I'm going to look around and see if there's anything else around here that I can get rid of... I like the idea of free listings.
We're going to get Max today! I'm so excited... I can't wait to bring him home. I'm sure that the boys will really love him, I know I will.
I start work tomorrow. I'm really nervous about that. I'm sure I will be fine and that I will learn the ins and outs of the job by the end of the week, I am just always nervous about starting something new.
Well, I need to get going... I've got some cleaning to do and I also need to shower.

SOOOOOO Excited!!!

We get to pick up Max tomorrow. I have almost everything ready for him now... I have his crate put together with a blanket waiting for him, his food is sitting in here, and I have toys and treats. I brought the boys to a local shelter today so that they could see dogs other than the ones that they're used to. That was a bad idea, I fell in love with so many of them, I really wanted to bring them all home. They actually started the application process with one of them and I had to stop them and apologize, explaining that I couldn't actually take her home with me. Talk about feeling like an ass...
On a different subject, I got my living room curtains changed out today. It really made the living room look nicer. I moved the kitchen table back to where I originally wanted it, I think it looks better there. I'm just picking up around the house now and tweaking things... Thinking of renting a carpet cleaner. Can you tell it's boring without the husband here?
Well, I need to get going... Who knows, the house might get rearranged today...

More changes...

So, I'm making more life changes now... I changed my job, again. I promised Gary that this is the last time, until I get my degree at least. At least with this position I am guaranteed 40-50 hours a week though, and the pay is a little better than Lifetouch. I went to the interview yesterday after speaking with my prospective boss over the phone for almost two months now. He offered me the job on the spot. I will be a sales assistant, taking phone calls, receiving and returning emails, and assigning clients to sales people. I won't be doing any sales myself, which is good because I like knowing what I'm bringing home each week.
The even better thing right now is just knowing that I have a set schedule. This last week has been very rough on me and the boys. I like being the one to pick them up from daycare. I like doing dinner and bath time and bed time. I've missed all of that this week and it's killing me.
I am so glad to be turning in my Lifetouch equipment today. It's really sad for me, because I always loved that job, but I just can't do it... Not knowing one week from the next what I'll be doing, how many hours I'll be working and all of that just won't work for me at this point, I have a family to think about.
Well, I need to get going, I will talk to you all very soon though...

Just trying to make it through...

I am exhausted this week. I am currently just trying to make it through the next few days. Tomorrow I have an interview and it will be nice to see what they offer, not that I know whether or not I would take the job. I love Lifetouch, I'm just realizing now that I have kids and don't have the support system that I used to that it's not as easy. I'm really worried right now about when Gary leaves, I just don't know how my schedule will work.
I have gone out to buy almost all the puppy stuff. I'm really excited to get him on Sunday. I called the guy who's giving him to me and we might meet on Saturday instead! I currently have his crate, food, treats, collar, leash, and a little blanket for him. I am trying to set up an appointment to get him neutered, but I need to find a good clinic first. I plan to make some more calls today about that.
Well, I need to get going, just wanted to drop in really quick!

Staying up late...

I am watching Army Wives right now with my sister and neice. I wish that they were here every week to watch it with me. It's so great. I really like having someone else to watch it...
We went to the flea market today. It was a ton of fun. We got some stuff that I needed for the puppy and some collectible jerseys for Fae and Tony.
I hate that they are leaving tomorrow. I wish that we all lived closer together. It would be nice to be able to hang out... I miss having family and friends around, maybe not all the time, but most of the time. It would be nice to not have to drive an entire day to see them...
Well, I'm going to get going now... Talk to you all soon!

Search is over... Hopefully!

So, after lots of searching, I think I finally found the perfect puppy! I have looked on every site and I have called or emailed for every listing that caught my attention so that I could ask questions. This little guy was not available... Already sold. I was heartbroken. He's an adorable Pug/Pekingese mix. Apparently they're called Puganese. His name is Max, but Micheal can't say Max and calls him Mack when we talk about him, which I feel is a more fitting name.
We should be getting him next Sunday! Oh, and the best part is, the owner gave him to a friend for free, and that friend is giving him to me for free!!! I'm so excited, I can't wait to go and buy all his little puppy stuff!
Anyhow, look at our new puppy, "Mack":

Isn't he a little cutie? I know the boys are going to love him! I can't wait to go get him...

Well, I need to get going, my sister and her kids are in town and I feel the urge to go wake them up!

Yay!!!

My sister comes into town today! I'm really excited! I know I just saw her last month, but it's nice to have weeks instead of months or years between visits! I don't know what we'll be doing... Probably just a lot of hanging out around the house, but that will probably be better than planning too much to do.
I went to interview the babysitter for while Emily is on vacation and during the week she has her surgery. She's really strict, which will be good for Micheal, but I'm worried about how the boys will be over there. She also is more expensive. I'm slightly irritated by that, but I'll get past it. She knows how much I normally pay and I'm pretty sure that she deliberately went higher. All in all, she's good, this is just the critic in me. Her house is spotless and really puts mine to shame. She doesn't allow for very many kids at a time to be there. The thing that bugs me (and I mean REALLY bugs me) is that she opens later and closes earlier than Emily does.
Lets see... I know there was something else. Oh, I have a job interview next week. I'm not planning to leave Lifetouch, not by any means, it's just an interview. The company is great and my neighbor went out on a limb to get this interview for me, so I'm going to go. Now if they offer me better hours and more money... I can't say what I'll do. I may just have to go for it.
The dog search is gruesome. Every dog that I'm in love with is one that I can't have because I don't qualify or because it's adopted out... One thing or another. I'm thinking of getting one from a breeder now... I just don't know for sure what breed. I don't know what I'll do. I don't particularly want to get one until October, so we'll see.
Well, I've got to get running, I'll talk to you guys later!!!

Kind of sad...

I spoke with Kathy from One Paw At A Time today about Surri. Sadly, she will not allow me to adopt her. She thinks that Surri needs a home with either no or older children and with other dogs and, unfortunately, I don't meet those qualifications. She did make a suggestion though that I am keeping in mind... His name is Axel and he is a very cute yellow lab mix. She thinks that he would be perfect for my family. I pondered it for several hours and finally called her back to ask about an adoption application. I am still not 100% sure that he is the dog for us, but I have to fill out an application before I can even meet him.
I got my new dinette, but do not have photos to put up yet. I am trying to get the house all cleaned up first. I also finally cleaned the coffee maker. One part vinegar to two parts water seems to be doing the trick. I'm going to run it through one more time and then I'll run some water through a few times just to be sure, but I think it's good!
Well, I need to get running... I'll talk to you all later!

Tearing the house apart...

I think I forgot to mention that this past Sunday Gary and Greg (our neighbor) had to fix the garage. This was supposed to be a minor fix last year when I first spotted it. The wood surrounding our garage was not sealed properly and therefor was exposed to way too much moisture and turned into a moldy mushy substance. Gary made every excuse about why he would do it next weekend, next month, and apparantly next year. Well, it finally came time that I put my foot down and said it had to be done, immediately. I told Dorsann, who told Greg, who told Gary. It worked better than me just telling him because it actually got done before the house caved in on us. Although, since he didn't listen to me, we were just weeks away from having to call a contractor in to do it...
Anyhow, all the work on fixing and improving the house has gotten me into a mood to do the same on the inside. Yesterday, I redid the toy room. I still need to do a little decorating, but I have to say, it's pretty cool. Today, the kitchen. I'm getting a new dinette and maybe I'll get a rug. Maybe next week I'll spruce up the living room... I know I want to do the kids bedroom and eventually my own. My bedroom will be the very last though. I have a lot that I want to do, but I want new furniture first. Plus, my bedroom will be a LOT of work. The rest of them are things that I can do in a matter of hours and for very little money...
Stay tuned for pictures... I hope to finish decorating the toy room this afternoon and I'll post the finished product. Same for the kitchen!

Ahhh... The Work Week!

I'm so excited for today! I get to start my work week and have a little peace! Does anyone else feel like they need the week to get rest from the weekend? I seriously feel like I am on the go all the time on the weekends and am sometimes physically and mentally exhausted from the weekend. Weekdays are so much more relaxing though.
This week is more training with Lifetouch. I'm happy about that. I just can't wait to get to a studio, that will be a whole new experience for me.
On Wednesday I'm going to be super busy, but that's the way I like things! I'm gonna go pick up my paycheck from The Merl Group, get the van detailed, geta new dinette and a futon, and then come home to try and get everything in the house and put together before Gary gets back! Oh, and I will be trying to visit the sweetest little doggie named Surri! She looks almost exactly like Princess, a dog I had growing up... I am trying to see what the adoption process is for her and then I will be trying to convince Gary to let me get her.
Here are a few pictures of her:

Isn't she a cutie? I just have to have her... It makes me want to cry to think that if she doesn't get adopted soon she'll be euthanized. She also has a little brother that looks almost exactly like her. I wish I could take them both in, but Gary doesn't even want one right now...

Time to get ready for work and it sounds like the coffee maker is just now getting done with the coffee!!! I think it's almost time for a new coffee maker. When it starts taking two hours to brew one pot, there's something wrong there... Any ideas on how to fix that? I have run a cleaner through it (I do it about once a week routinely) and it's just not working anymore...

Well, I need to get going, as I said, it's time to get ready for work...

On the hunt...

I'll start off by telling you that work is wonderful! I cannot begin to tell you how great it is to be back at Lifetouch and to feel so appreciated. I have gotten the hang of all the new equipment and will be finishing up training next week and then moving on to a studio! Studios will be new to me, but I am so prepared and thankful for this opportunity.
Now to explain my blog title... I am currently hunting for the perfect dog. I do not wish to get this darling doggie until October, but I am hunting for it now, just in case it comes to me in puppy form. If I do get a puppy, ideally it would be three to four months old before it comes to my house, so it would be born by now.
I want a medium sized dog, nothing too large and definitely not too small, and breed is not of extreme importance, just not a pit bull... I do not prefer a pure bred over a mixed breed, as a matter of fact, probably the opposite. The smarter dogs that I've had were mixed breeds...
I want a running partner. Although I have a human running partner, I would like a canine one. The canine will never say, "I just don't feel like running tonight." like my human one sometimes does.
I want the kids to have a buddy. I loved my dogs when I was growing up. I talked to them when I didn't talk to anyone else.
I'm searching the rescue shelters and humane societies first, I think those dogs would be more grateful for a home, but I am not completely against getting one from a breeder or an accidental litter, just never from a pet shop.
Well, that's about all for now... I will keep you all updated on my search. Hopefully October will bring a new family member to my home...

Started work today...

I am so happy to be back with Lifetouch... I enjoyed myself and I'm really looking forward to going further with my career. I've put everything on pause for so long now, it's time to get back on track.
The concert went great on Saturday. I had a wonderful time volunteering and have been given the opportunity to get a team of volunteers built up in Indiana... I am really excited to get started on that!
Well, that's about it for now... I will talk to you all later!

Lawsuit...

I got something in the mail today about a lawsuit on the behalf of the Indiana Walmart employees. I qualify for the lawsuit, I mean I really qualify. Here's the problem, I have to recall every break I ever missed, every time my lunch was interrupted, and every time I worked off the clock and was not able to get paid for it. I don't know how I would be able to remember all that...
If I can't recall it then I just get a set amount of $35.00. If I know how many times I didn't receive my breaks and things like that though, I would get paid for all of it.
I just need to figure out how to apply a number to it now... Most every day that I worked there I missed either one break or the other (sometimes both) because they didn't have adequate scheduling. I also often got phone calls while I was on lunch and all the time when I was off the clock to take care of work things.
I think I'll be calling to find out more about the case and what to do...

A chance to live my dream!

I went on the interview with Lifetouch today and their territory is SOOOOOO different from how we ran things in Georgia, but much is the same as well. I left excited and confident. One of the Steves called me back within 45 minutes of me leaving the interview and asked me to come in on Monday.

I'm happy, I'm returning to my dream, my photography career. I'm also returning to a company that I love and have so much respect for. I'm getting the chance to really do something this time to, they've already advanced me past the position that I had when I last worked for Lifetouch.

I also got some really great news today: Gary won't be leaving after all!!! He'll be leaving in October, before our anniversary of course, and getting back on December 23.

I need to get going for now, but I just wanted to keep you updated!