Wednesday Already?

We are just moving quickly through the week. I cannot believe it is Wednesday and the 12th! WOW! I have so much to get done before the holiday. I said I wouldn't get stressed out over it, but I think I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed. That means, it is time for a list! :) I cannot think without one. I have them all over for different things. I've actually had one for a while, but it is time to actually look at it. Ha ha!

Yesterday was busy busy. I had six scheduled interviews, but only about half actually showed up. It is looking grim. I'm trying to convince the partners to give yesterday's candidate a chance (the one with the ineligible for rehire status). The reference bothered me all day and I finally decided to call the candidate and see what she had to say about the reference. Her story is that: 1) she had no idea the company would list her that way; 2) she knew she left very suddenly, which left them (specifically, the office manager) in a bad spot; and 3) it was absolutely necessary because she is an only child and she had to go to CA when she found out her father had cancer. Seems plausible right? I've gotten myself into big trouble when I let my heart lead the way. My heart says, "give her a chance," but my mind says, "too risky." Actually, I've gotten burned just about every single time I've used my heart to make these decisions. So, why do I want to do it again? I'm a softy, I guess.

So, speaking of checking off list items, I did drop my car off for an oil change, emissions and inspection yesterday. This was on my list! I can actually cross that off. The emissions and inspection were not due until the end of January, but with the upcoming arrival of Nathan, I decided to get it done early. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Then, the shop called to tell me, in plain English, I had two broken bushings and both had to be replaced for the inspection to pass. So, how much do the cute little plastic pieces cost? Well, they only cost about $41, but with labor and the cost of the inspection, oil change, anti-freeze flush, blah, blah, blah, the bill was $494.72. Merry Christmas! :) Doesn't that always happen? :) Oh well, it could've been much worse. Next item on the list...Madison's vet visit.

The day ended well, after getting past the very late start on the home journey. I met Sydney and Marc at the mall. Sydney got to see Santa again this year and she certainly had much more fun this year than last. We've got photos, but, as always, I'll post them later...maybe by spring. :)

Well, I hope you guys have a great day! It is so warm here. I didn't even need my coat this morning. Odd!

Tick Tock Tick Tock

I started my weekly visits to the doctor yesterday. Don't you know I love them! :) NOT! All went well during the appointment. Nathan has already moved into position and has started to descend. Hang in there, buddy. I'm not ready just yet!

I'm singing boo hoos this morning. I had been waiting since yesterday morning for a reference to call me back on my candidate. Sadly, they didn't give me good news. As you may know, you may not divulge certain information when giving a reference. The way we typically get around it is by asking, "Is the employee eligible for rehire?" She responded, "No." That's never a good thing. :( So, I suppose I will just continue on with my interviews today. Keep your fingers crossed.

I hope you have a great day today!

Whirlwind Monday!

I've been very busy trying to find a replacement for our terminated employee. I forgot how much I despise interviewing. I'm really just in awe of how people conduct themselves during the interview process. It can be quite amusing. Since I am getting close to my Christmas vacation and maternity leave, I am less amused these days. I interviewed a woman this morning that I really liked. I hope her references check out! Keep your fingers crossed.

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. We managed to make it to the National Mall this weekend to see the National Christmas Tree. It was a lovely evening and quite warm given the date. Sydney was very interested in the train and yule log displays. I must admit it concerns me a bit that she was so enamored with fire. Ha ha! We managed to take a few photos before my crappy camera, what a shock, broke. I'll try to post those a bit later.

The good news is that I got an early Christmas present! :) Sydney got me a brand new digital camera, which was given to me early because mine broke. I love it! I have got some reading to do. This one is much more advanced than my old one.

We spent all day at home yesterday. It was so nice. We did some chores and then made cookies. Sydney loved cutting out all the shapes. I think she liked eating them the best! :) Who wouldn't? They actually turned out fairly okay. I'm not much of a baker...at all!

Well, I've got to grab some lunch. I hope you all have a great day!

Jess

Thankful Thursday

Wow! Right now, I'm thankful for a few minutes of quiet. :) I have been going non-stop this morning and I still have to pack MK orders and write thank you cards before bed. Of course, this is a little chore when I get to watch Grey's at the same time. Right? :)

So, a very very quick list. I'm thankful for:

1. Playing in the snow with Syd yesterday. She really was cute.
2. The wonderful weekend I had with my parents last weekend.
3. My friend, Rachel. She's really been funny this week.
4. My fireplace! I love cuddling up in front of it.
5. My taco dinner. Mmmmm. The best part-my hubby cooked it! :)
6. My lipbalm. It is really yucky and cold out there this week.
7. My warm snow shoes from Lands End. I love love them!
8. My sister. She took me to lunch on Monday and brought me some goodies. Love you!
9. The fact that my laundry is almost finished.
10. The new clothes my parents bought for Nathan! I cannot wait to wash and put them away.
11. My new tri-ply clad pans! I'm adjusting to them, but they are so beautiful. I know, I'm a dork.
11. My new jewelry armoire. It is so nice to have somewhere to put your jewelry so that you can actually find it. It is so organized!
12. Terminating that employee. I had felt just terrible about it until I cleaned out her desk today. I found months of hidden filing/projects! I was sooo mad.
13. Finding the hidden stash of undone work BEFORE I left on maternity leave.
14. The positive response we have gotten to our ad for replacement. I hope to have someone in place before I leave.
15. Pretzels. Random, I know. I've been eating them all week. They are soooo good.
16. Pillows! I cannot imagine how uncomfortable I'd be without all of my pillows every night. Poor Marc. :) It is like a fort!
17. Chocolate Mousse Pie! I'm about to go eat a piece! YUM! THANKS MOM!!!
18. Ayr! I started using this stuff and it is just wonderful. If you have a dry nose or get bloody noses easily, you should try it. I've had issues with that nearly the entire pregnancy. Finally! Relief! It is amazing!
19. My Christmas Tree and the new James Taylor cd Marc bought.
20. My friends and family. Always!
21. One more day!

I hope you all have a great evening and a great Friday. If tomorrow proves to be as busy as the rest of the week, I most likely won't get to post.

Thinking of you and hoping to catch up with you all soon! I'm sorry for being a slacker. Know I am thinking of you!

Hugs,
Jess

Quick Quick Update

Boy! Today has been nutty. :) We got a tiny bit of snow this morning and the whole metro area was in gridlock. My 13 mile commute (typically 45 min-1hr) took me FOUR HOURS! Wow! There wasn't anything to be done about it so, I just sat in my warm car and watched the snow.

By the time I made it to work, others were straggling in also and we had lots to face. Sadly, I had to terminate the employee I mentioned last week yesterday. So, I'm looking for a replacement. Always a fun thing.

I decided to pick up lunch from the deli downstairs so that I could just eat at my desk and work. A nice man in front of me turned around, looked at my belly and said, "You look like you are carrying a lot of weight there. Want to go ahead of me?" Now, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Had he said this to another pregnant woman, he might have been punched. I knew he meant well, even if he wasn't exactly tactful. :)

Sydney's school called a while ago, they are closing at 4pm. So, I'm off to fight the traffic again. Hopefully, the home trip will be easier. :)

I hope you all are happy and warm! :)

IPES! Is that me??

I'll admit I had a rough morning. Morning sickness started up again a few weeks ago, but thankfully it only hits three or four times a week and is usually over and done with by the time I get out the door. Small price to pay and it is NOTHING like it was with Syd.

Anyway, this morning was no different. Once I spent fifteen or twenty minutes in the car with the windows cracked, I felt fine. I had tried throwing on some powder this morning to rid myself of the "tired" look. Once I made it to work, I pulled out my pocket mirror and GASPED! I look absolutely dreadful today. I'm serious! My eyes are puffy, my face is splotchy and my hair, well, who cares! :) Downside to this? I open my calendar to see that my boss scheduled me for a new client meeting this morning. IPES! I cannot help but laugh. Doesn't it always work out like that? :)

So, I've got to whip out my MK face I've been storing in my desk drawer and get ready for a meeting. I hope you all have a wonderful and silly day!

Monday Monday!

Wow! What a wonderful weekend I had! I was spoiled absolutely rotten by my family and friends. Thank you all so much for the emails, cards and gifts. I am so very fortunate to have each of you in my life.

My sweet-tart husband took me to the Melting Pot for dinner on Friday night for a much needed grown up night. It was sooooo wonderful. I love that restaurant so much! I loved spending the few hours there with him even more. Thank you for babysitting, Wes. That was so sweet!

Saturday morning, Sydney and I got an early start. We finished packing, took baths, had a bowl of cereal and headed to Mom and Tom's for the remainder of the weekend. Mom, Sydney and I had lunch at Carlos O'Kelly's, another huge favorite. Then we skipped over to the Tarjay to spend a gift card a friend gave me. By the time we got there, little Syd had fallen asleep so, we went through the Starbucks drive thru and parked the car. We talked until she woke up. We spent nearly two hours in the car just talking. I loved it!

We managed to make it into the Target and I found some warm pjs for my hospital bag. I only had a few pair and I keep taking them out of the bag. I figured it defeated the purpose and I should buy a few more sets. :) I love pjs anyway.

We headed home and mom made me the BEST dinner ever (ham rolls continental and chocolate mousse pie). It was wonderful!!! There is always something about mom's cooking. Must be the love! Next, I opened my gifts from them. First, a cute little mug filled with vanilla lotion and hot chocolate. YUM! Next, a BEAUTIFUL jewelry armoire! I have been wanting one for quite some time and it is so beautiful. It has so many neat little features. I hope to have many many more years to fill it, but I've got a pretty good head start.

Yesterday, I had lunch with mom and Tom. Then, we went to visit my grandparents. Since I am now officially sequestered to my home area, I wanted to visit them before Christmas. I'm glad we made it.

The weekend went by so fast, but they always do.

Today, my sister is meeting me for lunch! What a way to start the week!

I hope everyone has a great day!