She goes down...

Oh, get your mind out of the gutter. =)

As you may recall, I am in a weight loss challenge at work. We had our initial weigh-in four weeks ago, and have now had three weigh-ins. I am happy to report that I am down a total of 8.8 pounds, and I'm really excited about it. :) What am I doing? Well, I am not just going home and sitting on my butt all night - that's a major improvement. The hubby and I are eating more nutritional foods, and not as much as we used to. But, I am hitting my elliptical machine and my Wii Fit and Wii Jillian Michaels games. There are more things that I should be doing, but I am incorporating them slowly. If I try to do too much at once, I won't stick with this. I want to lose 40 pounds by the time we go to Germany in August. I have just under 4 months, and 31.2 pounds to go. I know I can do it.

love and peace!
Denise

Choo...choo!

I hear the job train a-comin'. Yes...I do. I met with the DQ boss's boss today. Cool guy - likes to talk more than I do...and that's saying something! The job is mine, but it will take possibly 4-6 weeks MORE before they can make it official. The reason for this is one person is shifting out of the DQ team to the CC team, and until they free up some budget on the CC team, there isn't room for me on the DQ budget. So, it's going to take a little time to get that money freed up, but then I was told I am in.

OH HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!!!!

Lemme tell y'all...my husband is RELIEVED. And, so am I. I did shoot the boss's boss an email to ask when we will discuss compensation and benefits, as well. I don't want us all working under wrong impressions before the next 4-6 weeks pass.

Did I mention yet that I'm a happy girl? Well, I am. I could just about jump for joy. It felt so great to be told "I've heard wonderful things about you since you've been back on board. You're fast, thorough, and have shown that we need you on our team again."

HELL YEAH.

big sigh. whew. thank you God for everything.

love and peace
denise

I....am....job?

No, not quite. **sigh** Let's see...I've been a temporary employee of the big L for three months now. In this time, they have been "working" on getting me a permanent place on my old team. Before I rant and rave, I will admit that I am so very thankful to have work and a paycheck. I have friends and family who are not so fortunate right now, and my heart goes out to them. The market is tough everywhere.

I sincerely took for granted that a snap of the fingers would open the door back up at the big L. I mean, when I chose to leave to pursue the position in Sartell, I was told by various people that I had a spot if I ever needed to come back. So, when I choose to come back...where are those people? Well...not with the big L anymore. They have all moved on to other positions as well. So, the new honchos in place know nothing of what kind of an asset I am, therefore are not so anxious at having me back.

I have spent the last three months proving why this company needs me - and have even been involved in what they call SWAT teams (escalation team for major issues). Me...the contrator. :) Feels good...but makes me wonder why the foot dragging continues. I have two colleagues here who are really going to bat for me, and if it weren't for them, I'm sure I wouldn't be here even in the capacity that I am. But, if they really valued my expertise as they say they do...wouldn't they want to make sure to get me in and not let me go again? They know my resume is out there and that I am actively looking. Yet, I continually get the "we're in a holding pattern". I want to say "the runway is clear...land the damn plane!!" But, I don't. My two favorite colleagues keep telling me that the wheels are in motion, and that something will happen soon. Of course...they have said this for nearly a month now...bless their hearts. Plus, there's more to the story than I feel I can put in here at this time because it involves other people. So, that'll have to be another post.

So, fingers stay crossed (which makes it hard to type my blog), and I just keep showing them day in and day out how much @ss I kick. If you have extra things to cross in my favor, please do so.

Thank you also to my hubby for the support and encouragement he gives me. He experiences my frustration often, and doesn't bark back. I'm a lucky girl.

love and peace
denise

Update...and then some

Thank you to my dear aunt ME who reminded me that I have a blog, and haven't updated in while. When last we left (doesn't that sound like an old-fashioned book or story?), Dad had surgery, went well, and we were waiting for the next step. He has been on the mend for just over a month now (WOW!), and is tired of sitting at home. =) He saw the oncologist on April 1st, and he explained that with the surgery, there was an 85% chance at a total recovery. Incorporating chemo would bring that number to about 90%. However, with Dad's kidney issues and his diabetes, the oncologist did not feel the gain of 5% was worth the risk of screwing those things up. Surgery did enough, and he's getting back to normal with stuff now. No sense riling them all up.

Ahhhhhh.... this whole experience with Dad makes me want to move back to Montana. Life is short and so precious, and I don't want to miss any of it with my folks - or my grand-folks. My grandpa is on the decline toward Alzheimer's and just plain ol' old age. My gramma has to be one of *the* strongest women I've ever known. She does everything for him - reminds him of his meds, makes food, helps him up when he has fallen... It's that last part that concerns me (and others). Gramma just had back surgery yesterday (note to self...call to see how it went), and shes' not going to be able to pick grampa up when he falls. Well...she can't pick him up now, but can manage to get him to a place where he can get up. I make myself so very sad - and I'm so very far away. There's really so little that any of us can do, either. We are supportive, and encouraging, and we have all started talking about the possibility of grampa going into the nursing home. Crap - tears at work...no gouda...

How do you spend over 50 years with someone, and just plunk them in a home? Gramma - if I could offer you strength, I would.

On a brighter note...

I have joined a weight loss challenge at work. We all paid a fee to join, and pay a dollar each week to go into a pot for the "biggest loser" each week. The challenge is 13 weeks long, and we just finished our first week. I am VERY proud to say that I lost 2.21% of my weight!! Woohoo, and YAY ME! I have been utilizing the eliptical machine at home, and our Wii Fit. I am happy to report that my hubby is also hitting the cardio, and doing the Wii Fit as well. Time for the Nohner household to get in shape. As I get in shape, I will find a permanent job (another post...maybe tomorrow...or something). Once I have a permanent job, and am in better shape, I'd like to get knocked up and expand our Nohner family. Freaks us both out...but too bad. haha

That's enough for today. Auntie - have I redeemed myself? I sure hope so.

Love and peace,
Denise