In other news

How could I have forgotten the big news? Since we moved to Columbia (as I have posted about a time or two), I have been looking for a job.
I have been working part-time at Sylvan, and getting some good hours there, continuing to teach for the University of Phoenix, and subbing when able to (it wasn't as bad as I thought, but not the same as having my own classroom).

However, beginning November 15, that will change. I will be working a job - 8-5 in Jefferson City with the state. I will be a Research Associate for Fiscal Affairs. I don't have much budgeting experience or much experience with financial information, but I am excited for the possibilities that this new job will bring.

We will need to look into buying a new car, sooner, rather than later. I had hoped to get another couple of years out of both of them, but it looks like the Grand Am will be traded in soon (as soon as we can find the paperwork, figure out financing, find a car that we can afford, etc.). Having both of us actually earning real salaries will help with car payments, although we will need to find some sort of daycare for the baby (and figure out how to pay for that).

So, that's the big news!

Fun Friday!

I am so glad that this week is over.

It has been a stressful one, to be sure. I'm bummed that Jeff, Jill and Hannah couldn't make it out, but with all of the snow in the forecast, it is probably for the best.

Tom took his test today - he had to write a report on ... something. I don't honestly know. I REALLY hope that he did well. We could really use the boost - ego-wise, being done with school-wise, and moving-wise. Not that we need to move, because we love Manhattan, but getting out of limbo would be a good thing, and the sooner, the better, in my opinion. I just hate not knowing what is going to happen. I'm too much of a planner.

So that's our news. Not much to tell - looking forward to getting snowed in and a possible snow day on Monday (of course, now that I have said it, it won't happen).

No job news yet

Tom is still waiting to hear from the chemical company after the call that they want him to take a written test, which will then determine who will get the job.
He hasn't heard from them where or when he needs to take the test. At least we have a little more information, though! He is one of three who needs to take this test, so pray with us, please that he does well on it!

We didn't do a lot this weekend - went to go see Legion. It was okay - not what I had expected, but an okay film. We took Rick out for his birthday on Thursday and I cooked for him tonight while we watched the Super Bowl.

I finally got the Christmas decorations down - just in time for Valentine's Day and Lent. Tom has informed me that he is giving up meat again. This could be interesting.

I have continued to lose a little weight. I think I need a digital scale, though, because our old bathroom scale gives me a variation of about 5 pounds every time I step on it, so it is hard to say how much weight I am losing.

Still waiting

We are still waiting to hear of news on Tom's job. I hate the waiting part.

In other news: we both got a lovely cold/plague after our return from St. Louis which has only just to get a tad better. We are coughing, snotty, throat hurt fools around here.

Trip to St. Louis

Tom and I were just recently in St. Louis (as in this past weekend and yesterday).

Tom was there interviewing for a job that we really want him to get. Any thoughts and prayers in that strain would be greatly appreciated.

While we were there, we had the opportunity (once Tom stopped practicing his presentation long enough to see them) to visit Jeff & Jill and meet their daughter, Hannah, and spend some time with Jennie, Scott, Juliette, Donny, and our niece, Lucy!

It was a really good weekend overall - lots of family time, which was really nice. Both of my sisters went out of their way to spend time with us (lunch and dinner on Monday!), and Jeff and Jill allowed us to finally meet Hannah (alright - they would have allowed it anyway, but it was still really good to spend time with them!). Poor Lucy wasn't feeling well - she had pink eye, and, we found out today, double ear infections and a sinus infection! That poor girl was trying to blow her nose the whole time we were there (which is just too cute).

The dogs traveled with us - they are seasoned travelers, thank goodness. They just hop in their crates and go to sleep!

I'll update as I know more about the job. It would really be ideal to get this, but I hate to get hopes up too high this early.

New Years Resolutions

I'm a terrible resolution keeper, but this year, I am going to stick to a couple of resolutions that I have made (well, 2010 that is).

1. I will lose some of this excess weight. I've started exercising more (sit ups, crunches, and push ups in the evenings and counting my steps) and watching what I am eating.
2. I will not let my sisters get to me. Let me just say that I love my sisters - I do. But they can get to me more than anyone else (except maybe Tom) in making me feel badly about myself and what I do. I want to be a good person and not reacting to some of the things that my sisters say will make me a bit of a better person. 
3. Not be "that person" when it comes to dogs. I'm sick of people thinking that our dogs are our children. They aren't. They aren't substitutes for children. They are dogs. Yes, we love them. But we would also like to have kids some day and the dogs are not a replacement for that. 
4. Not to stress about the little things. There are so many things to worry about, but if I spend my life worrying, I'll have a lot shorter life than if I learn to be a duck (let things roll off my back).
5. Save some money. Long story short - we are in debt. We owe on credit cards, student loans, etc. and I'm tired of it. I'd like to be out of debt and not living paycheck to paycheck. We'll see how it goes. I've already canceled our Blockbuster subscription and cable is soon to follow. I'll miss my DVR, but in the long run, it will be worth it. I just wish we didn't have to worry about money. Which leads me to my next resolution:
6. Stop worrying about when Tom will find a job. When God wants it to happen, it will happen. No amount of stressing on my part is going to make it happen any faster. God always has a plan for us - we'll just have to trust in him to point us in the right direction.

I think 6 resolutions is a good start. I'll probably be trying to sell some of our extra "stuff" - not only will it earn us some cash, but it will also be good for when we move - we'll have less stuff to take with us!