So tonight I'm sitting here in my pajamas. I've cut the AC off and am listening to the sounds outside (and Rich killing some bad guys on his video games up front). I'm feeling pretty good. I talked to my boss today about not finishing my master's degree. There was no lecture, no yelling (which is something I became accustomed to from my previous boss, unfortunately), just some advice on how to handle my decision in future interviews I may have. He didn't ask for an explanation or anything. He just understood. I can't even explain how blessed I felt at that moment. So now I just have to tell my MP and drop off my stuff at my old lab. It almost seems simple now. I'd love to just get my MP on the phone and tell her exactly what I think, but I won't burn any bridges. I've not felt so at peace in a very long time. I'm finally doing what I need to do for me.
It took me a while to finally come to this decision. I've been grappling with it for a while. But yesterday, when I received 3 phone call and 2 e-mails within a 4 hour period asking about some samples that I had clearly informed those who still work there about their whereabouts, I realized that I just can't deal with these people anymore. Don't call me during work hours and expect an immediate answer. You don't sign my check anymore, so I'm not going to be at your beck-and-call during time devoted to my job or during my personal time. Deal with it. You used me for cheap labor for 3 1/2 years and I just took it, getting nothing from you in return. I had such a strong emotional reaction to this that I knew it was time to let it all go. I am, by no means, an angry person who is easily irritated, but yesterday just pissed me off. I haven't been that mad since I left S-ville. I know I've made the right decision.
Last weekend, Rich and I went camping. It was so nice. The weather was perfect for camping. I took a few pictures, but I haven't downloaded them to my computer to post them yet. Maybe I'll do that later this weekend. We also had a little get-together at my boss's house last Friday. It was so much fun. Rich finally got to meet everyone I work with, and I think that now he understands that the people I'm surrounded by are very different from those I was working with before. He actually wants to spend more time with them. At my last job, I had 2-3 people I actually trusted, but I really could have done without having to deal with several of them. They were all just so negative. But, I realize now, that it doesn't have to be that way.
This weekend I plan on taking it easy. I'll watch some TV, maybe do some knitting, I don't know. I've definitely got to make a Target run and go to the grocery store. Well, that about covers my week. Everything else has been pretty routine. So until next time...

Don't ask me why I've been in a blogging mood lately because I have no clue. Today was pretty easy going. Rich got up at the crack of dawn to go run a 5K. I always intend to go, but my Saturdays are really the only days I have to sleep in and not worry about getting anything done that day. So, I didn't go. I know, I know. I should be a more supportive wife, but I just don't feel the need to be up that early every single Saturday. If Rich enjoys it, fine, but don't try and drag me into it.
After he got home, we went to Applebee's to eat lunch and watch some football. Southern Miss lost to Auburn. :( It was so hard to sit in that restaurant and not make it obvious that I was rooting against Auburn. I've come to learn that not pulling for either Auburn or Alabama around here makes you seem strange to the natives. I guess that's why I get along with all the international people I work with.
That is something I absolutely love about my job. I am the only American in my lab. My boss is from the UK, Kelley is from Canada, Jai is from India, and Dario is from Uraguay. Trust me, it's a little different being a minority, but it really is fun. Discussing politics is especially interesting since I'm able to get opinions from people who understand the rest of the world's view of the US. That being said, I still have no clue who I'm going to vote for. I'm leaning towards Bob Barr seeing as how my political views are very libertarian-like. I really don't care for the Republican or the Democratic parties. I'm surprised at how many people don't know about the libertarian party. Just goes to show you how politics have gone to crap in this country. The media doesn't help either. We get to choose from 2 extremely corrupt parties and that's it. I want someone to represent my views and those 2 parties just don't cut it. Americans used to have a choice when there were several parties out there to choose from. Now we just have to settle with who we feel is the lesser of 2 evils. That's just wrong. Okay...I'm stepping off my soap box now.
Rich just let me know that MSU won their game. Yeah! Go Bulldogs!
So the past 2 weekends I have been desperately trying to find some shirts that are not t-shirts that I will wear to work. I would have thought that with all the places there are to shop here in the Birmingham metro area, that this would not be a challenge. I have been proved wrong. I seem to find that I have very expensive tastes in clothing, which may explain why my wardrobe is so very limited. I'll admit that I am considerably overweight (something I have been working on for a while. I've lost 16 pounds this year so far.), but I'm not obese, and I would expect to be able to find well-made shirts that look good on my body. I've always had trouble finding clothes I like and I've never been much of a fashion horse, but I'm just getting depressed about it now. I really want to learn how to sew so I can buy these shirts that are too big and alter them so that the fit correctly. Maybe once Rich and I are in a home of our own, I can set up a sewing area and take a class and learn how. I think I'll do some online shopping. Maybe I'll find something that way. Later!

So, I've been thinking...



Okay...so I feel like blogging. Unfortunately, I can't think of anything to write about. So, if you don't want to hear me spend a few minutes rambling about whatever pops in my head at this particular moment, you may want to stop reading here...


Still here? Wow. I can't believe it. You're probably pretty bored, huh? So, I've been thinking that I haven't been doing much reading here lately. I have a book to read, but I haven't started it yet because I got 3 magazines in the mail last week that I've been reading. But anyways, the book I will be reading soon (hopefully) is called Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson. I hear it's good, but I know absolutely nothing else about it. I haven't even read the back of the book. Ehh...if I hate it, I'll put it away for a few years and pick it up again to see if I like it any better. I do that a lot with books. I hated Wuthering Heights when I read it in high school, but when I picked it up for the second time in my 20's, I decided that it is one of my favorite books. Go figure. Maybe I should give Faulkner a 3rd try. I haven't read any since high school. I may like it now. I doubt it, but I'm willing to give it a try. Maybe later.

Still reading? That's cool. So, I've been thinking that I really have no clue how to dress myself so that I don't look like a college student. Technically, I've been in school my whole life with the exception of the past 5 months, and I think that has stunted the growth of my inner fashionista. I can't put a look together to save my life. If it isn't a dress that I can wear with either black or brown pumps or my personal favorite, seeing as how I hardly ever wear skirts or dresses, jeans and a slouchy t-shirt, I don't know what else to put together. My friends at work have even commented on this. I'm trying, but with having to buy Rich clothes because of all the weight he has lost, our budget doesn't leave a whole lot of room to improve my wardrobe. I also have this nagging little voice in my head every time I buy something saying "This money could be going to that house you hope to purchase in a few months." Ugh. Shut-up! You inner voice!

Okay...I'm pretty sure I lost all the guys on that last thought. Still reading? So, I've been thinking about how the hell people afford to have a child. Not only that, but how the hell do you afford multiple children? There's no way we could survive on 1 income here and daycare takes up half of my monthly pay. Hold on...I have to take the dog out...

Ugh! I can't wait to get a place with a fenced in backyard where I can just throw the dog out there when she wants to go out. Well, my thought process has been completely derailed, so I guess I'll call this blog done. Until next time...

The last 8 months worth of pictures....

So, as you can see, I haven't downloaded pictures off of my camera since before Christmas. I will now attempt to show you what's been going on since then...

First of all, we had our friends get together at our Starkvegas apartment to celebrate the holidays and a few December birthdays...

Then Rich and I celebrated our Christmas at home before we hit the road to visit the family. Delta got to open her presents first...

Then Rich and I got to open ours...

We spent the rest of the holidays travelling all over the great state of Mississippi. I have a few pictures of that, but for time's sake, I won't post them now.

After Christmas, I really buckled down and looked for a real job. I was miserable at MSU and was desperately looking for a change. Finally, mid-March I got a job offer at University of Alabama-Birmingham working in the the Pathology Department/Center for Free Radical Biology. I can't even tell you how thankful I was to get this job. Well, my boss and I decided that I should start April 1st. Holy crap! I had to find a place to live and move in 3 weeks! Well, we pulled it off. Rich stayed with my brother in Columbus, until he found a job and I went it alone in B-ham for a couple of months. Thankfully, Rich found a job in the Trust Operations department at Regions and started in June.

At the beginning of the year, Rich and I made a deal that if he got down to his goal weight of 210 pounds (down from 250 pounds), we would buy him a new TV. Well, I was very surprised at how he threw himself into running and blew his goal weight out of the water. He is now sitting at a very healthy 186 pounds. He has since then taken running 5K's and 10K's. He is currently training for a half-marathon this coming February. He ran 13 miles just this morning. Running's not my cup of tea, but I'm glad he's found something active that he enjoys.

We've also done a little camping...

We also spent a weekend at campmeeting and this weekend we went to Memphis to celebrate Rich's godson's first birthday. Of course, I forgot my camera on these occasions. Needless to say, we've been busy. I'll sign this off with our most recently family photo taken a few weeks ago. I hope everyone enjoyed the pictures. Later!