What A Year This Has Been So Far!

I meant to post for New Year's to "pop the cork" with you guys, but even as things have slowed down a bit (finally, right?), they've also gotten a little crazy (so, what else is new?). Here's a run-down of the good, bad and ugly that 2011 has rung in so far.

The Good:

Things are looking good on the work front. In addition to my current work, I've started on as an email marketing manager for a bio-diesel company, which is exposing me to a form of marketing I've only read about before...awesome! I'm also in the middle of an interview for an online marketing manager for a finance website...again, exposure to something new, at least in practice. I'll know more there by the end of the week. It will cut into some of what's left of my free time, but the timing's flexible, the mentoring's there if/when needed and the experience would be helpful since I'll eventually do the same with my own website.

I've started some chi-enhancing supplements and they're really working! That or I'm manic, maybe both, but they seem to be helping! I found them at Taostar...you may have seen Dr. Mao on the Dr. Oz show (I thought he looked familiar!). I also got a Qi Gong/Tai Chi DVD from Amazon, but I haven't found the time to open it yet. One way or another, I'm getting back into shape this year!


The Bad:

School started and I'm getting a B in Management. I'm down to 89.?%. I know, I know...my boyfriend's laughing too but after the ass-whooping I took in Intermediate Algebra (failing by a mere fraction of a percent!), my GPA could use some babying, LOL

I had an appointment yesterday to see if my endometriosis is causing my mid-section woes...that looks good, but they did find a fibroid (not big enough to warrant a surgery to remove but we're keeping an eye on it). If it isn't one thing, it's something else, isn't it? The good news is that my OBGYN is taking me seriously where the nurse at the local office did not. I asked her to check my gall baldder and she kind of huffed, said "It's GERD, here's some Nexium" and walked off. My doctor (an hour's drive from here) set me up with a family doctor up there and scheduled a gall bladder ultrasound for Friday morning! Maybe they'll even re-do the Crohn's Disease test since the other place still hasn't given me my results (months later).


The Ugly:

OK, it wasn't bad enough that my sister's boyfriend has Stage 2 colon cancer (she moved back up where he lives from here a week or so ago). I had gotten back in touch with a good friend, only to find that her husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain and lung cancer after Thanksgiving! He had brain surgery and is going to start chemo before they operate on his lungs. What adds to it is that he'd been having horrible headaches for years now and was told, after some scans, that they were "cluster headaches, here's some pills". Now, his oncologist (an hour the other way from my doctor) is saying that he had to have had it for some time and wants my friend to get copies of those scans so he can see if there was any negligence on the part of local doctors.

I hate to say it, but healthcare in my area is like that...doctors do the bare minimum and many people have died because of it. There are lawsuits galore and everyone is going elsewhere for their treatments. It doesn't help that the county I live in is number 1 in the state for prescription drug abuse (in some cases, doctors are actually running the "pill mills") and is actually in the top 10 (or something like that) for drugs in the entire country! This tiny little town...really! I really hope that my friends get past their cancers and they and their families can move on from these experiences!

Ups and Downs of the Season

Well, it's official...I failed Algebra! I've never failed a class in my life...this is disappointing, but what's worse is that I'll have to take it again in the Spring instead of Statistics. Bah! Humbug!

My oldest has gotten sick again, just after the rest of us has gotten over this weird cold/illness that's been plaguing us for months. He's got an ear infection, the baby's had strep, we've all had the flu...some of us twice...and there's been this crazy sinus thing that's been hanging around in the backdrop since Aug. We're pretty exhausted at this point...it's got to stop!

My boyfriend's brother and I like to discuss conspiracy theories, among other unusual topics (he's a fellow Scorpio so we totally go there!), and I told him I thought it was something the pharmaceutical companies sprayed into the air to get us to buy up over the counter stuff in an attempt to counter-act everybody going frugal, green and doing alternative therapies (makes for a good conspiracy, right?). It's like 'sure we bought some TheraFlu at one point, but we've also upped our garlic intake and gritted through it...so in your face pharmaceutical companies!' :P

I have barely talked to any of my friends in months, due to schedules and being sick...any time I had free was spent sleeping. I ran into one friend at Halloween (right before my birthday trip to the casino), another the other day at the store and another called me a couple days ago. I'm thinking about setting up either a Myspace or Facebook to make staying in touch easier. There has been some contact, but I miss the little bit of sociability I had before.

One of my personal email addy's I rarely used had been hacked sometime in the last few months since I'd checked it last. I'd even received emails with my full name and old address in the subject title, emails supposedly from friends that looked too suspicious to open and there was evidence that my personal info had been used in a porn site or dating site or IM or whatever. I contacted the FBI's cybercrime unit to start an investigation, since my Facebook had been hacked a few months ago and I was iffy about one of my other little used addy's.

I've changed all my passwords (again!), changed my yahoo profile to that of a very old lady (pic and all...let them use THAT profile in a cyber-chat!) and I'm in the process of transferring the stuff I wanna keep to a new addy so those can be deleted (after an investigation, of course). In any case, it's a good excuse to finally get around to combining those two addy's into one, more manageable one. And, to watch whoever is messing with my stuff going down is simply a bonus because I am one of those weirdos who enjoy it when ignorance gets dealt with!

Woo! Sorry about the rant...sometimes I can't help it. And I'm feeling a bit silly tonight anyhow.

Thanks for bearing with me this Fall...let's enter into Winter on a better note and have a ton of fun this Holiday season!

Hectic Season!

I can't believe my last post was in Sept! That's crazy. So much has happened since then...

We found out that my youngest has mild aortic stenosis...he was born with two aortic valves instead of three and that's what caused his heart murmur. Valves develop in the first few weeks of pregnancy and I had the flu at the very beginning of the pregnancy with him...dunno if the fever played a part or what. We're worried because of what it could mean for him if it progresses past the mild stage. For example, even at the moderate stage, he'd be unable to play sports. However, his cardiologist says not to worry at this point, just watch for changes and to let him be a kid (mild doesn't require any special adjustments). Some people go all their lives without progressing one iota, so we're hoping for the best.

I finally made it through Fall trimester! My Algebra class was brutal and I won't know till tomorrow if I passed or not. I've never come so close to failing a class in my life...I really don't want to take it over again. I passed Internet Marketing and Communication. I've got two weeks off before Winter term starts...maybe to work, maybe to relax...dunno yet. Next up is Management, Advertising and Social Media Marketing...I'm taking a break from math before Statistics in the Spring, but got a heads up that the Intermediate Algebra course I just finished is way harder.

I asked my doc about the Essure procedure of sterilization and he told me of an improved version, called Adiana, and referred me to a colleague of his. It took two separate surgery dates before it finally took, so now we're waiting for the 3 month mark to be sure everything set right. If all goes well, I'm done having kids. The two (three if you count my niece) I have test my patience...I figure it's best not to test my luck.

I've gained a lot of great experience on oDesk lately, mostly in creating marketing materials, and one client referred me to one of her clients, who has since referred me to two others. I'm ecstatic that my skills are so well-thought of and I'm given a chance to advance in Marketing. I'll probably get some Adobe CS5 software for this, while the student discounts are still available. Next, I'd like to get hands-on with ecommerce admin and active online marketing campaigns or social media work.

I had some time to kill today and decided to look up language learning. I thought Rosetta Stone, while useful, was so far out of my budget it isn't funny. So, I looked up what was available for free and came across a site called LiveMocha"...It covered all 6 languages I want to learn (French, German, Italian, Gaelic, Latin and Cherokee), so I signed up. So far, I'm partway through the first French lesson. I've also gotten a start on gaining 'points' by helping those learning English to improve their skills. It's pretty cool...I'm enjoying it so far...

I better get going and make some dinner for the gang (got a house-full). We've got a full lunar eclipse tonight that I don't wanna miss...just in time for Yule!

Hope you're all well and enjoying this holiday season!

This week starts my internet marketing class...5 chapters followed by 6 assignments...yeaahhhh, until my teacher posts an update for our 'outdated syllabus' that said we only needed to read the first 3 chapters. I wish I'd have read that announcement before reading the chapters...I wouldn't be a day behind now, LOL

In any case, I'm 2/3 into next week's reading and only have two assignments left in that class (both fairly detailed), followed by one long algebra session (this week, anyway). Hopefully, next week will be better...

I'm almost finished with the one article...just have to add the references, then we're discussing the possibility of me marketing a site or two part-time. After my two articles this week, I might have a speech and powerpoint to do, but we'll see later about that...

It's a lot, to be sure, but if I can use the next two days busting ass on it, I might have a bit of the weekend after all...*fingers crossed*

Hope all's well with you all out there in the blogosphere!

A Relaxing Day

Today's been really nice, which is amazing since I've been up since 6am and it's 2:15pm now...so all day has been relaxing, so far. I managed to get ahead on an article I'm writing and get started (nearly halfway done) on another one, get some running done...all at a leisurely pace and without distraction. (watch, I'll say that, then it becomes instant chaos, hehe)

I even got an email from one of my employers who loved my last article so much that she wants to give me a $5/hr raise!!! Needless to say, I appreciated that idea very much! I'd been giving it some thought lately...instead of trying to start my own little biz or taking on additional work, I may simply stick to the work I have and use the free time I have during the day to be creative or lazy. I had griped that I no longer do anything I used to love doing and when the time came up, I wanted to work. Sure, I could always use the money, but the relaxation is more precious to me and will give me more time for cooking, sewing or reading.

The little one has really taken to daycare and we're all happier for it! Now he cries a sec when I pick him up, but just a sec... He gets to run his little heart out, play games, hang out with other kids and enjoy "messy" time (art). My oldest boy and my niece have adjusted to being back in school and it's all going smoothly. Heck, for that matter, my boyfriend and I are getting along better in many ways...er, well...we tend to get along well anyway, but I mean we react better to our stressors and don't take them out on each other as much.

I love the way Fall kind of slows us down a bit and makes us evaluate/prioritize things...this is a momentum I'd like to hang onto for a while, if I can. Here's to the smell of falling leaves, cozy nights relaxing with hot cider, inner reflection and the excitement of Halloween!

Summer's Coming to an End Already

Just when we get used to it, it wanes into fall...but that's OK, Fall is my favorite season, with Halloween being my favorite holiday. I'm getting giddy just thinking about it!

When I get my math caught up (it's due Monday), I'll start planning for the baby's birthday and the Halloween party. Today's my sister's B-day (she's 34), so visiting her will be this evening's priority...math can wait till I return. I have been trying to get the apartment in order since I had the free time and it takes my days, so I still have the practice and graded problems left to do. I'm not particularly looking forward to approx. 100 algebra problems, but once they're done, I can focus on other things.

I'd like to do a full smudging while I'm straightening up closets and cleaning rooms, but it would set off the smoke alarm and I don't have anything tall enough to stand on (even at my 5'7) to shut it off long enough. I'll have to make do with burning oils and clearing techniques...it really needs it.

I re-checked the Fixed-Price assignment I'm working on and am feeling much better about it. The writing is slow going, but we only committed to 10 articles a month, so I think I can get a rhythm going with it and be fine. I took a chance and applied for a social media marketing position...and got an interview! The terms look really good and I'm hoping I get it. It would be a good move for my marketing career.

The nights (and mornings) are getting cool pretty quickly but, despite this, Fall seems to be well on her way and bringing in some calm. Here's to cozy times and peace of mind!

My Lil Baby Boy

Just when I thought I had nothing to write about...my youngest started daycare today. I'm thrilled for the uninterrupted time to get more done, but it's gonna take a day or two to adjust, lol. I've even called to make sure he was OK (he freaked when he saw I was leaving and had to be led out to the playground along with the other kids). Luckily, he's doing great and has even adjusted to their lunch and naptime routines already.

I'm catching up on this week's math work and am near done...the syllabus is very well-structured so I shouldn't get all overwhelmed even when my next class (Internet Marketing) starts later this month. If I'm lucky, I may be able to get (and stay) ahead on it.

My block was helped by being given some topics to work with, which helped me focus. Right now, I'm dicey on the assignment but I'll know by next week if it's just my paranoia or not. I'm two articles in, but haven't yet seen them on the site they were written for and want to make sure I'll get paid for them.

In any case, I think I'm gonna hunt for a consistent assignment that will supplement the piece-work I've been doing. I should be able to spare 10 extra hours a week and still maintain my current load now that my little Mister is in daycare.

Here's to some peace and quiet this Fall! After some planning for the baby's birthday and Halloween, that is...