My Return

I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted! I've started many, but never had the chance to finish. It's hard when I don't have the ability to sneak a blog in to the middle of my workday. A bit about my summer:

I got the job that comes with health care other benefits and a raise. But no ability to sneak onto the Internet for personal reasons. One of the downfalls of working for a School District. I can read posts and emails from my Blackberry, but I have problems writing posts.

I got an office mate which kept a super messy desk, talked to herself, and pretty much yelled into the phone

I lost my office mate yesterday (we don't know why but she is no longer working there)

I stopped ovulating. I've had a total of 2 cycles from 7/7 to 10/2. Grrr.

My mother-in-law moved in and her sister also stayed with us for the last month

I made an appointment with the OB so I can get some answers and tests done. I'm coming up on 21 months of TTC. Unfortunately, I called the Dr.'s office on 8/20 and their earliest appointment was on 10/20. I got a call on 9/19 saying they needed to reschedule. All I could say is "I've already waited so long!" I now have an appointment for 10/26. Cross your fingers for some understanding and a Dr. who is willing to get to the bottom of this.

That's about it. Not much has been going on, I think that is why I haven't been posting. I feel so boring.

The past week

Sooo.... last Thursday, I got a call from a staffing agency who saw my resume online and has a client looking for someone with my type of specialized work experience and wanted me to come in to talk about it. Meanwhile, they sent me all the computer testing they wanted me to do and I spent the better part of the evening completing that. Friday, I met with the staffing agency, found out I did beautifully on the tests, filled out a books worth of paper work to be "hired" by the agency and we discussed me and the position she had in mind. Afterwards, Ms. Agency said she would contact her client with my resume and test results and see if they want to meet with me for an interview.
Just after I got home, I got a call from Ms. Agency who said the company (actually state government based) wanted to meet with me on Wednesday at 2:30. So excited. So, I did some research, found out more about this department the position and pay scale.
Yesterday (Wednesday) I went to the company/department, checked in with the receptionist. I was told someone will be right out and to take a seat. While sitting there guess what I'm privileged to hear. Yep you guessed it and I will replay this for you as a short play.

1st lady: (walks up to the receptionist counter and says something indistinguishable (or I just wasn't paying attention))

receptionist: "Oh, how wonderful. How far along are you?"

1st lady: "Oh I don't know, I just found out this morning."

receptionist: "You mean with one of the home tests? Those are pretty reliable."

1st lady: "Yes. I'm surprised, we weren't even trying, but I'm very excited."

I mentally throw my arms in the air, look at the sky and scream at fate "Really! Now! You couldn't have this sperm magnet walk on by with her happy news 5 minutes from now when I'm not sitting here!"

stage lights dim. curtain down.

True story.
Anyway......
Leaving sperm magnet behind, I went and spoke with the manager once she came and got me. She knew of the company I had been working for and was impressed I had been there for 7 years. She also was already talking like I worked there (good sign) and said she needed someone right away and wanted me to come in for 4 hours/day for a week or so and try it out as a temp. I started today.
All went very well. I got to use a real office with a door and a window and a new Mac with a gigantio screen and a big fatty desk (this would be my office if I get the job). I went to lunch with the manager, the director and a few other ladies and got to socialize. At the end of the 4 hours, the manager came in and closed the door (yea there is a door. I spent 7 years in an open cubicle) and wanted to make sure I am applying for the job and that I knew where to do that. I let her know that I already started the process last night. She was quite happy with that. It is quite a process to apply because this department is affiliated with school districts so there is a lot of paperwork, hoops to jump through and red tape. If this works out, I'll be making $8500 more a year (to start) than I was making at my last job.
Better get back to it. Yea! I work again tomorrow. Your good luck vibes and thoughts worked. Keep 'em coming until I'm officially hired.

Back in the US

We got back from Victoria Monday evening and I spent all day yesterday getting caught up, putting myself and my home back together and back in a routine. I wasn't able to update during the trip because my phone was on roaming so I just turned it off.
Here are some pictures...

My Color guard (some of the girls) lined up to get on the parade route. They were not doing the routine when I snapped this pic so their flags are not moving.


The Band....


A human statue of Annie Oakley and Drummer Boy.


Me messing with one of the flags when Drummer Boy called my name and snapped my pic while I turned toward him.


Parade of bands in front of the Parliament building.


Beautiful Victoria



We walked EVERYWHERE! My feet were so sore. But it is well worth it.
We won both parades. I don't know if there were different divisions, I can't find the results, but the band director received the results and I just heard that we won.


In other news...
I've found 4 places so far to apply to. I received one call back/telephone interview, but nothing further. I need to get a suit so I have something to wear to interviews (crossing fingers).

TTC wise, I decided to keep temping so I know what is going on, but I'm not taking my magic elixir of raspberry tea and vitex (gave me an early O and strong temp rise last month). I'm not going to prevent because obviously one or both of us has built in birth control, but I'm not going to do something extra to promote conceiving at this point now that I'm unemployed. I hope this doesn't last to long. I don't think I can handle the emotional strain. Strangely, if I were to conceive, I would qualify for state sponsored care. Kinda messed up don't you think?

I love this trip. I look forward to it every time we go ...every other year.
Right now I'm on bus 1 of 3 full of middle school kids on our way to the Port Townsend parade up on the Washington peninsula. After that we will go to Port Angeles, the very north part of the peninsula, and catch a ferry to Victoria, BC.
My first of these trips was 10 years ago, just after my husband and I got engaged (oh,he started his own blog so I can now call him by his given name....Drummer Boy). Only twice has it ever been cool or rainy weather. Every other time it is warm, stunningly beautiful and sunny. This time the forecast is for the same. I LOVE weather like this it makes me feel like there are no worries in the world, especially when I'm in Victoria. If you ever get the chance to go, I highly recommend it. Just bring your passport if you want to get back in the US. Border patrol always give us a bad time.
I'll try to update through the weekend or give one big update once we are back on Tuesday. I'll take pictures to share too.

Please forgive me if there are format issues, this is my first mobile post and I can't see as much as I'm used to. : )

Prayers requested!

I could use any prayers, good mojo, whatever anyone out there beleives in and can spare.

I just lost my job today.

I was the main bread winner.

I'm still greaving and heartbroken.

To top it all off......I'm in the (less than) one week wait.

I promise, I deliver

Here is the picture I was talking about.



My girl with some of the other Sea Gal hopefulls. If you are wondeing which one..... she's the most beautiful one. ; )

eliminated.

My sweet girl didn't make the cut last night. She is setting her sights on next year. I'm sorry for her but at the same time, I might feel better about her running around with a football team next year when she is 19 almost 20 vs. 18 almost 19. I don't know what those judges are thinking, I think she is the most beautiful and the most talented. I should have been on the panel! I'll post a picture soon. I won't feel bad about doing so because they are on the news channel's website anyway and I won't point her out.