Sunday, October 28, 2007

All is quiet on the home front...

Brittany left yesterday morning around 11:30. She is now going to experience life on her own....well with her boyfriend and his mom that is. Chris did tear up for a minute and I knew he would, after all this is still is oldest baby. I love him for that. He is not afraid to show emotions when it comes to his family.
My parents came over early to give Britt her birthday card and to say goodbye. Britt spent a lot of her time during the day for the last month with her grandmother (Chris' mom). But Kenny and Britt did stop by to say their farewells one last time before hitting the road for 2 1/2 hours.
Now that Katie gets her room back we have lots of work to do. I now have an empty closet and dresser to fill back up with Katie's clothes. We are also going to bring down the desk that she has up in her room to accommodate the extra computer we have for the kids. Just not too sure where we are going to put it yet. Katie now has a cell phone. She is soooo happy about that. We really didn't have to show her too much as far as operating it. Kids learn fast these days. All we have to do is buy a protective case for it. Brittany anticipated that we would want the phone we got her back. She wouldn't need it because her boyfriend gave one of his spare phones so it would not cost him anything to talk to her and her friends could call her free because they all have the same carrier. Jeff got himself a new phone so now everyone is happy.

Sales is the key

The Plumbing company that I work for traditionally sends a technician or two every year to a seminar that emphasis on sales training. We are one of a few companies nationwide that rely on selling the job versus charging our customers a hourly fee on top of labor and materials.
We send our technicians out to a home or business at no charge so the tech can visually see and troubleshoot for the problem and what is the best way to handle the job at hand. We give the customer a guaranteed price in writing. We also on top of correcting their plumbing issue warranty our service a full year. I know there are not many companies that do that. The one thing that stands out with our company besides the great service and our educated technicians is if our customer does not like our price for any reason they can decline and they are not charged one penny.
Our technicians are trained not only as certified plumbers but they are also trained in selling the jobs we send them out on. We pride ourselves in our customer service, specially skilled technicians and the fact that we have been in business for over 27 years.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Quick stop

and I am off for the night. So much going on and not enough time to write. I will however post some things that have been on my mind lately in a lengthy post tomorrow. Goodnight everyone.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Time to place your bets

I have so many friends that have gotten hooked on playing casino games online right from the comfort of their home. I have never been one to bet religiously or see it as a must do past time but every once in a while I would like to unwind and feel lucky and possibly win actual money playing games I like.
When visiting online casinos I really do not have the first clue about what to look for. I do know that I want to participate in a reputable site but not sure what to look for in choosing a site that promises what it advertises. There is an online casino review site that provides players with detailed feedback on gaming experience, trust factor and what bonuses that these sites offer.
This is basically a online handbook for gamblers everywhere. Whether you are looking for the best payout online Casinos, Casinos with the best bonuses, or the highest jackpots, Pro360 is a good place to get started.
Also if you are a beginner gambler than take advantage of their beginners guide to online gambling and definitely take a look at their online gambling tips. I have spent some time at this site and I have to admit there is a ton of information for the beginner like me.

Monday, October 22, 2007

I need some advice....

I have been promised a raise over a year ago that includes it to be retro to August 17th of 2006 but I have not received a raise nor have I been compensated the retro pay. What is the best way to approach my boss in reminding him of the promise? I do have a signed review which states the promise. I have thought about exchanging the retro pay for more vacation time which would help tremendously in getting my online store, Regalo Boutique, complete.

I just do not have the slightest clue on how to get what I am deserved. I know the company has suffered losses financially but during that extreme time period they have hired more plumbing technicians that make double of what I am paid and they recently have fired one. I am not asking for the world but only what I have been promised. Please guys I need your input.

Friday, October 19, 2007

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE





This little one is "Pooh Bear" She was four years old when this was taken the first month we moved back to Florida from Ohio. I moved to back to Ohio when I was almost 7 months pregnant because I wanted the doctor my sister had. He specialized in high risk pregnancies and I also moved back because the doctor I had in Sarasota would not listen to one word I said. I truly believe that if I had stayed here she would have born way too early. She was three weeks early to begin with and that was delayed because of the medication I was taking to prevent premature labor. I was bed ridden for the last two months and wasn't allowed out of bed at all except to use the bathroom.

Once I stopped taking the medicine to keep me from delivering her to soon, Katie decided to stay a little while longer:) She was 8 pounds 6 ounces. A full pound heavier than her brother. She was a whopping 23 inches long. She also carries the coloboma trait that her brother also shares. This is a condition which the iris is not fully developed. Instead of a circle for a pupil she has an oblong pupil. Many people have given that condition the name "Cat eyes" She sees fine although she is like me and is nearsighted. She has been wearing glasses since she was 5.

Katie looks like me and Chris. My mom calls it a perfect blend. Although her hair is definitely mine..haha... She is a girl all the way. Princess mixed with some drama queen. She loves all animals and loves to pick on her older siblings. She is daddy's girl. All she has to do is bat her eyes and daddy melts.

This is what Katie wanted to do on her birthday. You can see Jeff and my parents behind her playing the next hole. That's Brittany to the left of Katie and Me (take a good look because this is the only picture I am posting until I shed at least 30 pounds:) to Katie's right. I always have such a stupid expression on my face.... Chris of course is taking the pictures.

After we were done here we went to eat at one of Katie's favorite places, Cheeburger Cheeburger.This is a cool diner that brings back the memories from the 50's.

We took Katie shopping for clothes and shoes. She didn't get Sketchers like she wanted because every store we went to that carried them did not have her size. She did get two outfits and shoes with Tinkerbell on them. Jeff and Brittany got her movies, Teenage mutant ninja turtles and Evan Almighty. She loves them. My mom got her clothes, camera and The Labyrinth movie. That is one of my favorites and now it is Katie's favorite too. Chris' mom got her clothes, bubble bath and a pink laundry basket filled with goodies.
I can't believe she is 8! They grow so damn fast!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

I am looking forward to

having tomorrow off. The kids have no school (teacher conference day) and Chris and I took tomorrow off for a very special reason, Katie's birthday, she will be 8 years old tomorrow. We will be taking her to miniature golf, shopping for "Sketcher" shoes and whatever else she feels like doing. The grandparents will be coming over tomorrow evening to celebrate with us by having cake and ice cream.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

I should've stayed in bed

Seriously... all the jerks, assholes, fucktards and shit for brains were running around today unsupervised. That's all I am going to say...

Monday, October 15, 2007

It's official... she is leaving

Chris' daughter, Britt, told her dad she is moving out on her 18th birthday in two weeks. Chris knew this was a possibility and was all ready for the announcement. I on the other hand was hoping she would stick with her original plan and go to school. She has yet to take her GED test but it is scheduled this Wednesday and Thursday. We will not know the results for another 6-8 weeks. So if she happens to fail it I don't know what she is going to do.

She is a very angry girl and she thinks she can do it own her own. The exception is that she will not be doing anything on her own. She has decided to move in with her boyfriend of 2 1/2 months. He still lives with his parents and they agreed to have her but she has to get a job.
She is going back to the city her mother lives in and that's 2 1/2 hours away. She doesn't have her drivers licence so I can really see this whole moving in with her boyfriend set up not lasting to long. He works and goes to pilot school so I highly doubt he will have time to cart her around looking for a job or giving her driving instructions.

Chris is disappointed and angry that she is doing this and there is nothing he can do to stop her once she turns 18. I am angry because I feel like we were just a pit stop until she turned 18 and all the plans that she wanted to do here was all bullshit. I really do not see her attending any college where she will be living because she can't drive herself anywhere. She is not one for taking buses because she was supposed to do that here for work and she had her grandma take her all the time. She has learned her manipulative behavior from her mother and the funny thing is she thinks she is nothing like her mother. So... I do not know if she will stay away permanently or if she will be coming back in 6 months or so. What I do know is if she does come back Chris will be laying down his rules and ruling with an iron fist. She will have to admit to him that she was wrong and only then will she be allowed back. We shall see.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

I think I got my message across...

with Jeff. We had a serious discussion on the responsibilities of the teenager and what is expected. My son is smart but is a typical boy. If it's not interesting to him he feels it is not important. Well he did feel that way. Now he understands what I EXPECT from him and what I say is law:)

He felt overwhelmed taking two college level courses and was always tired and being only 16 he was starting to feel burned out. I told him that I would have no problem at all helping him out. Helping him to prepare for quizzes, tests and helping him overall in making sure he stays on track. He seemed to have a huge weight lifted off. I don't know why he thinks he has to do it all on his own and he never has asked for help. Why do guys not ask for help? I ask for help all the time ( doesn't mean I get it, but I will ask).

I constantly ask him 1) do you have homework and 2) do you need my help in studying? Now I think I have finally gotten the message burned into that thick skull of his.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

I am going to kill that boy...

my son is slacking off on his school duties.. I got a call or rather a message was left for me by Jeff's Honors U.S. History teacher. He states that Jeff is not completing his class assignments. I confronted him about it and Jeff states that he has dozed off a few days and did not take notes. WTF? Dozing off? This kids goes to bed at 10pm every night and gets up a 6am every morning How can he possibly be tired? Jeff says it's not that he is tired but bored. Wonderful.. so how am I supposed to make History class interesting? Needless to say, he is grounded until report cards come home. I hate to be so stern but he needs to realize that school is important and now matter how boring the subject he has to give his best effort to succeed. Any suggestions people?

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Feeling better.

I am feeling better and I will be at work tomorrow... *sigh* I so wish that I could stay home and be able to make the money I am making now.. well maybe a little more would be nice. Although I wasn't feeling up to par I still got some things done. Well I am off to see what the rest of you are up to. Hope you have a happy Monday:)

Friday, October 5, 2007

Still home...

and not feeling much better. Still have the same ailments but nausea has now joined the party. I would much rather have played hooky from work instead of actually being sick. That's par for the course right?

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Place your bets here.

Have you ever gambled? Would you prefer the atmosphere of the gambling scene or would you prefer to do so in the privacy of your own home via online betting? Or would you rather obtain your game of choice via mobile phone?

There have been many times I would have loved to visit Las Vegas just for the atmospheric experience but since I am not one for crowds and noisy places I fret to visit. I love the exhilarated feeling of winning at Blackjack, which is the only game I am decent at. I would love to try my hand at poker but I would probably lose my shirt and I am not talking about strip poker.

At Bet365 they offer many facets of the gaming experience. You can bet on just about any sport that is played in the world. Ranging from American Football to Crickets. They also feature casino games like you see in Las Vegas. They offer Poker for the enthusiast . There is also an interactive games section.
This service is offered world wide and accepts most forms of currency. All you need to do is set up an account that allows you to do many options for payment and retrieval of winnings.

Migraines and Diarrhea...

not a good combination to have. I stayed home from work today. The migraines I can deal with for the most part, even at work, but having the runs also...no... no can do sorry. So feeling like I am failing my family, I still did work on the computer adding more products to Regalo Boutique.

I also lurked in a few of my favorite blogs as well. Now it's time to go... literally.

Buy it for looks: Buy it for life.


Working for a plumbing company I have found that 80% of our customer base has at least one Moen faucet in their home. Several of our customers will not choose any other brand of faucet. While we tend to work with suppliers for our faucets we will from time to time come across a Moen faucet that needs to be specially ordered from online. This is where I come in. They hand over the specifications of what the customer wants and I do the investigative work.

I have seen many elegant faucets with not only the beauty but many, many styles to fit everyone’s taste. My technicians prefer to provide Moen faucets to their customers not only for the appearance but because Moen warranties their products for life. Our customers get style and peace of mind when they purchase their faucet.

Moen provides not only kitchen sink faucets but also: Lavatory(bathroom sink) faucets, tub and shower faucets, showerheads, kitchen sinks and more. So the next time you are inclined to remodel either your kitchen or bathroom keep in mind that Moen is the brand to go with.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Cool Meme

A fun MEME, stolen from Humincat!
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet, current car)
Lady Alliance
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream, favorite cookie)
Chocolate Peanut Butter Milano
3. YOUR FLY “GUY/GIRL” NAME: (first initial first name, first 3 letters last name)
M Ker
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Blue Dog
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Jane Cleveland
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters last name, first 2 letters first name)
KerMi
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink and add” the”)
The Mauve Pepsi
8. NASCAR NAME: (first names of your grandfathers)
Norman Henry
9. STRIPPER NAME: (favorite perfume, favorite candy)
Fire Twix
10. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s and father’s middle names)
Lee Franklin

Waiting for the house market to come down.

It’s no secret that people are not buying houses like they used to. Chris and I have been shopping around for the “right” home for us for over two years and now that we have an additional family member our specifications have changed. We live in Sarasota Florida where the houses that are on the market are outrageously over priced. Although they have been slowly coming down they still are nowhere near what we want or are willing to pay. Our first step will need to be searching out different types of mortgages.


Now being that this will be our first house ever there are different mortgage home loans to consider. Chris’ parents have been very helpful in which direction would be most beneficial to us and I am sure speaking to a reliable but not an over zealous real estate agent would also prove to a good start as well. They have the knowledge when it comes to what type of mortgage would prove to be most beneficial.


Seriously looking at the market now and how the prices are falling at a snails pace I predict that we will not be actively looking until at least the end of the year but we still scan the papers and the net for that one specific home.

Show them your BOOBIES


For those of you that do not know, October is Breast Cancer awareness month. Since 2003 Boobiethon has raised a substantial amount of money in support of the finding a cure for breast cancer.
They are requesting that women submit photos of their ladies either covered or bare to this site to help with the raising of the money. Donations of $50.o0 or more will get you linked to the show all of the site. Men can also participate. Breast Cancer does not discriminate.
Just to let you know I have submitted two photos of my rack. If you would like to learn more visit here or you can visit Kat. She is one of the photo editors and she also is including pics of her girls as well!
Come on people... get moving and take them boobie pictures!!!!!

Monday, October 1, 2007

85 Shopping days left until Christmas....

If you are like me then you are not worried about the dwindling days. However, there are quite a few procrastinators I know that will be scrambling around on Christmas Eve haha...

I personally like to shop from home. I am not wild about huge crowds and I do get annoyed easy when people are out and about and pushing, shoving or plain knocking you down to get at a certain item.

If you are the same then may I suggest checking out Regalo Boutique for your Christmas shopping pleasure. There are so many items to choose from and more added regularly.
Just a suggestion or a shameless plug on my part.