Stubborn Baby

Last Tuesday, at our 36 week prenatal appointment, they checked the baby's fluid and we discovered that John is still in the breech position, his head is up, right above my belly button, and in fact every time he turns his head from side to side (which he does a lot), the whole top of my belly moves. As cute as that is, the doctor gave us about a 5 percent chance that he is going to turn on his own, which means it looks like I am going to end up having a scheduled c-section. To be honest, as much as I would love to have a regular delivery, there has always been something in my head that made me think I was going to end up having the c-section, and I wasn't even upset when the doctor told me this. Disappointed, yes, but not upset, because whatever we need to do to deliver him safely is what I care about, and if it means surgery, then I am for it. So Tuesday we go for his growth ultrasound and we will see what they said then. I doubt very much he is going to turn on his own, because he is still in the same position, and I think he is just comfy there. My main worries and concerns are after the c-section, such as my healing time, which they say will be longer for me because I am unable to walk, and what it will be like for me when I have to transfer from my chair to the car or my bed, and such. But those things are for me to deal with, and I will with no complaints, because it means that my son came into this world safely and is happy and healthy. As a mother, you have to put your needs aside for the well-being of your child, and I would go through this a thousand times over just to be able to have him here with us.

As for everything else, I feel like I am living in chaos as our move is coming up on the 18th and our house is just a mess. Moving is such a pain, trying to pack up everything, and weed through things you haven't used since you first moved in. And I am really no help at all because I can no longer bend over easily, or lift anything, and anything I do just wears me out, so Phil has to be the one who does this whole thing. I try to help out with what I can, but mostly I just supervise. Then, once we get moved next weekend, that place will be a mess, and we have a very short time to get it somewhat organized and get John's room ready before his arrival. Of course, this is not the best time to move when your nine months pregnant and could go into labor at anytime, but our lease is up and we couldn't pass up on the amazing deal with were able to get on a two bedroom, plus John needed his own room. Luckily, my aunt Kelly, uncle Rick, and cousin J are helping Phil with the move, so I don't feel so bad about just sitting back and directing where the boxes go, as that is about all anyone will let me do.

And lastly, it looks like I am going to be taking my maternity leave 2 weeks earlier then I had planned. Work is just getting to be really tough on me, I can't sit in my chair for very long because my back hurts all the time and my feet and ankles get so swollen, and the bigger I get the more tired I am, and trying to work for 8 hours is miserable. So tonight I work a 4 hour shift, and the same with Monday, and then on Tuesday I am having the doctor write me a note saying I am taking my leave now. They have me starting my leave as of my due date, Nov. 5th, but with scheduling a c-section he is more then likely going to be here before that, and I really could just use this time to rest, get his nursery ready at the new place, and have a little Kimbo time before it all becomes John time.

Welcome to the Third Trimester!

It is hard for me to believe, but I am officially now in my third trimester! In 12 more weeks my son will be here, and I feel like I am nowhere near ready for him, at least materials wise. I need his bassinet still, and a lot more clothes then I already have, plus the essentials like diapers and wipes. But I have to keep telling myself to just take it easy and that by the time he is here, everything he needs will be here too, and to just pace myself. I am just getting so excited, but more nervous as well. What has been keeping me up at night, besides the aching back and the baby dance party in my belly, is my thoughts of, "Oh my God, he has to come out!!!!" I have read so many baby books, and read up on labor and delivery, but I know when it actually comes time for me to go through it, everything I have read will go right out the window and I'll just do whatever I need to do to make sure he comes into the world safe and healthy.

Today was my 28 week prenatal visit and we had another growth ultrasound (pictures to be coming soon). He is at 2.6 pounds and the doctor says he is healthy and on schedule. We were able to try another shot at the 3D/4D ultrasound and we were able to get a little better picture of his face, but he wouldn't get into position so we could see his face straight on, and then he kept putting his hand and arm in his face. I can't believe how big he has gotten from the first ultrasound we had done at 8 weeks, and I can't believe he is going to have more room to grown when it seems so cramped in there already!!

The only trouble I had run into lately with the pregnancy is that my arthritis flared up twice in a week while I was at work, and I had to go home to rest. I told the Dr. and she wrote me a note for my manager stating that she wants me to work no more then 20 hours a week, instead of the 30+ I have been. She said she wants me to be able to get more rest, get my feet up more since I've been having some foot swelling, and says flares may be common because of my body working overtime these last three months, but she doesn't want to see me on bed rest because I work too much and don't get enough rest. I was actually wanting to take down my hours anyway because I am getting more tired easily, so this isn't upsetting to me. Other then that, though, my health is great, and from now I will be going to the Dr. every two weeks until my 9th month, when I go every week.

On another good note, Phil had an interview for a job today at my work and got the job!! I haven't really blogged about it, but he was laid off from his job at his school, and trying to find work has been hard, but they are starting to hire at my work after having a large hiring freeze, so he starts on Thursday. It will be nice working with him, we won't be working the same area, but we'll see each other a lot.

Well, I'll be uploading the newest ultrasound pics soon and will get those posted soon. Until then...I'll still be puffy and preggo! Hahahaha....

20 yrs of Walmart and Bobo

I went to work last night and noticed we had a new greeter, which at first took me by surprise because they have been cutting hours and have put a freeze on hiring, but it turns out she is a transfer from the store in Albuquerque. I am going to say that she is probably in her 80's, very sweet women with a soft southern accent. She told me that as of June she will be with Walmart for 20 years! I think my jaw hit the floor when she said that, and she said that in all that time she has never been late, and has never missed a day, she is just totally dedicated her to job. I just can't imagine working there for 20 years! Yes, I am grateful in these hard times to have a job, but we are talking about a company that has a blantant disregard for it's associates and where people just thinking they can enforce new rules all the time, no matter how silly. Plus, just dealing with some of these customers, getting yelled at for silly things like not being able to take an electric cart outside, is tiresome and feels not worth it for the minimum wage your being paid. On the 25th I'll be there for 5 months, and already I am sick of the place....can you imagine 20 yrs!! Geesh!!

Speaking of which, I guess it is getting about that time for me start getting ready for work myself. Phil is out right now doing a measurement on a security door for my friend and fellow greeter Lela. She was looking for someone to install one for her and I offered Phil's services. He is so happy to be able to do some carpentry again. He really misses it and went off happily with all his tools.

Oh..and on a cute Brandi dog note...last night after work I was getting the birdies some food and Brandi some of her wet dog food she likes, when I came across a Valentine's Day Bobo (for those that don't know, those dog toys called Loofah Dogs, they are long and squeak, we call them her BoBo), and it is red and it is holding a pink heart that says, "I Wuff You". How could I resist that!!?? He thought I was silly, but her halloween bobo that looks like Frankenstein has about had its day. And she has been loving on it ever since, in fact she just brought it to me to play. $4 toy and your dog loves you forever, how could I pass that up!

Still sicky...

I am still sick with this cold/allergies/whatever the hell it is that is making me not breathe. Work the past two days has been murder almost, last night I could barely keep my eyes open because of the sinus pressure in my head, and I haven't been able to really sleep in the past three days. Either I wake up coughing or sneezing like every 5 mins when I try to lay down. Poor Phil went to sleep on the couch at 2am because I was keeping him up and I felt so bad, but he said he wanted me to have the bed so I could get rest. Too bad rest never happened. Today was payday though, and I was able to get some Tylenol Severe Sinus Congestion pills, which has always helped me when I am really sick like this, and already the pressue in my head is getting better, and my sinus's are slowly clearing. I am hoping that by this time tomorrow I feel a lot better, and work will be more tolerable. I also hope I can get some real sleep tonight. I also have my appetite back some, in the past 3 days all I've had to eat was a bagel last night, and 2 popsicles before work today. I didn't feel like grocery shopping tonight, and pizza sounded so good since we haven't had it in so long, so right now we are waiting for the Papa John's guy. I love their Chicken, Bacon, and Ranch pizza, and I get it with ham also.

Rawr!

So it turns out the guy at work didn't get laid off due to economic reasons, he was laid off because he was tardy 11 times during his 90-day probation. A lot of people were really angry at him because he went around saying it was due to the economy and frankly, with how bad things are, you hear that and it does put fear in people. Not to say they aren't doing layoff's right now, I believe it has been 6 people that have been let go so far, but they are doing it to basically the dead weight, people who aren't doing their job rights, people who they can tell just don't appreciate having a job in the first place by their attitude. So was I worried, damn right! Anything can happen. But if they are going to lay people off based on job performance, then I know I am ok because I do the best job I can, and my manager has even given me compliments on how I do my job, which is a big thing. And we do need greeters, it really is a job no one wants, so they would be stupid to get rid of someone who actually does the job and does it well.

In other news, I've been really frustrated with Brandi lately because she won't poop for me. I know, this sounds silly, but she used to wake up in the morning and I could take her out after Phil left for school and she'd go and things would be fine. The past two weeks though, I've been taking her out, and she sniffs everything, plays in the grass, everything but do what she is supposed to. Of course, take her home, and 5 mins later she is whining and pawing to go back out. It would be like an all day production to get her to poop, and then he'd get home and take her out and she'd do it right away. So this morning when we all work up I said "Ok Brandi, today we are going to poop and that's final". Maybe she understood because she went right away! Yes, it is silly to get frustrated with a dog not pooping, but when you have places to go and things to do, it is just annoying to take her out for her to just play. Plus, I was also worried something might be wrong because she wasn't going. But I think the culprit was that she was getting way too many treats at my parents house, and not eating her dinner at night. So I've cut her back from that, so maybe that has helped.

Speaking of Brandi, she is laying on my bed under the covers and keeps looking at me like, "Are you coming to take a nap with me Mom?". We've been up since 6a, and we didn't go to bed until really late, so I think a little nap before I have to get up and get ready for work sounds really nice right now.

Possible Layoff's??

Yesterday morning I was reading about what they are calling "Bloody Monday", where tons of companies are letting go of thousands of their staff and closing stores and offices. It really is scary to see what is happening to our economy, and I am hoping the current administration can really change things around like they say they are. I started to worry that maybe MY job could be in jeopardy, but then I thought, well, it's Walmart, they are the only company doing well right now, so I should be safe.Fast-forward to last night, when a cashier, who has been with Walmart as long as I have (4 months), was leaving for the night and stopped to tell me he was just laid off. The reason? ""Economic conditions", the manager told him, and that since they have already cut hours, and the store is still very slow, and not making much money, this is the next step, and they are going to have to start with the newest associates. But after 4 months, you aren't new, we've passed our 90-day probation period, and there are several other people who have started within the last few weeks. So in an instant I went from feeling lucky to be working for a company that wasn't going to be in any need to do layoff's, to feeling scared for my job. Luckily, greeters are needed, and I am doing a good job for them, but when it comes to layoff's, no one is safe. You could be absolutely needed and be the best employee a company has, but if they can't afford to pay you, then that's life. I have already gone from working 28-30 hours a week, down to now 20 hours for the next 3 weeks. That is a huge hour cut, and even though working only 4 hours a day is nice, it is going to hurt in the paycheck, and we are going to struggle. Only thing I can hope for is that we are able to get a large tax refund so we can get current on some bills, and start up a savings account, so if I am laid off, we at least have something to fall back on until I am able to get something else.

What I find really upsetting though, is that no one is really taking about the layoff's that could happen, it is sort of we know it is happening, but management just isn't going to confirm it. Instead of being honest and upfront and saying that yes, we are probably going to layoff some associates, so be prepared kinda thing, it is just you go to work, do your whole shift, and then when you clock out for the day, you are told by they way, we have to let you go. I can only pray that they feel, as a greeter, I am really needed and it would hurt them to let me go, and all I can do is keep doing the best job for them that I can.

Workin the night shift....

The past few weeks I've been getting more and more night shifts on the schedule, and at first, I hated it. I had thought it was much better to get the day over with by working first, then having the night to myself. But the more nights I've worked, the more I've started to enjoy it. I've also noticed that with the cold weather, and just my arthritis in general, working nights is a lot better for me because I can get the rest I need in the morning and get my joints up and running for the day, so when I do go to work later on I feel a lot better.

The hard part was knowing that in order for to change my availability to nights only, I was going to have to talk to my manager, and she can be intimidating. I wasn't sure if she was going to be upset that I was changing to nights, and some other associates had said that meeting with her wasn't easy. Needless to say, I was very nervous, not knowing that to expect.

She called me into her office around 8pm, and I explained why I wanted to switch to nights, and she said it was no problem at all, and in fact even went through my schedule for the next two weeks and changed the day shifts I had (just 3) to night shifts, then we went in back to change the schedule on the schedule board. She totally understood my situation, and even told me I was doing really good at being a greeter.

I went back to work so relieved that the meeting went well, and really grateful that my manager understands my situation and knows I am not just trying to get out of doing my work, but working into a schedule that allows me to not miss anymore days due to flare ups. I didn't want to lose my job over my arthritis, that has happened to me before in the past, and it is nice to know that at least now I am at a place that is being accommodating.

I do have to work this morning, she couldn't put me on a night tonight because she needed me, but she did say I could come in an hour later, which works well for me. So after I post this I'll be heading off for work, and then will have a nice big day off tomorrow. Which reminds me, I have a new Tales From a Walmart Greeter to post tomorrow, the holidays have given me some good material to share....

Black Friday Madness

Today was the infamous Black Friday, and I was scheduled to work from 5am to 2pm. I knew, with it being Walmart, that is was going to be packed with people, but I had no idea the insanity that awaited me when I arrived at work at 4:45am.

First off, the parking lot was full, there wasn't a parking spot available unless you parked way over by the Staples and Petco, and even that was filling up quick. Sheriff SUV's were parked outside, patrolling the area inside and out, and people will just filing in. The first thing I noticed is that all the carts were gone and the poor cart pushers were out there running around trying to bring in whatever carts they could find around the parking lot. When I got into the store, however, is when the real madness began.

Around the store areas were roped off and there was displays all around that were covered in plastic. The sale started at 5am and people were just piled around these displays and roped off areas, just waiting. Trying to get to the back of the store to the time clock was almost impossible and seeing as where we clock in at is right by Electronics, where they were selling 32" flat screen TV's for $388, it was like a zoo! I finally got clocked in and headed out to check it and see which door I was needed at and I had just passed Electronics when someone yelled "ITS 5!". Suddenly people were screaming at the top of their lungs and ripping off plastic around the displays and throwing things in the air...like literally, I couldn't see the TV's on the wall in Electronics because there was just stuff flying around in the air as people sorted through what they wanted and filled their carts. It was insanity!! I've never seen anything like it!

They ended up putting me in the Garden Center to watch the door and check all receipts that came through. The line was backed up through the garden center and out into the store, and inside the lines were backed up from the registers to the back of the store. I had to check every receipt, highlight the large items they bought, and initial it. The bad thing was that it was freezing cold, and being garden center, it is open air. I was shivering all morning.

It finally started to slow down around 8am, but there always a steady stream of people. Three guys were arrested for fighting over one of those video game chairs, and one lady smacked another lady in the face over trying to get to sale items early. And one manager was even accosted by a customer. It is amazing what people will do for a stupid toy or TV. Nothing is that important to me that I would fight someone over it, or cause such a pandemonium over it.

So the holiday season is finally here, and seeing that I am working tomorrow, I am sure it is going to be busy from now on like today until the holidays are over. I am just glad I survived that whole mess and made it home in one piece.

So much to do....

I really hate moving. Your whole life has to be packed up, then unpacked at a new place. You have to find a place to put everything and when your working all the time, there just isn't time to do it. We still have a bunch of stuff over at the house to bring over, the majority of our things are here, but our bedroom there still has clothes and boxes that contain everything that goes on our bookshelves in the living room. I have been working most days, and having only one or two days off and like today, I am just so tired and trying to get some energy so I can work the next four days in a row. The actual work isn't stressful, but I can get flare-ups just by doing too much, so when I do have a day to myself I have been trying to take it as easy as possible.

Phil headed over to the house a bit ago to get what he can, but he was injured at work the other night and can't lift anything big. He was unloading a truck and the guy helping him took a box from the bottom of a big pile, and a box of irons fell on Phil, landing on his right thumb and taking it down with it. He ended up going to the doctor his work sent him to, and they said he didn't break the thumb, but he has either broken the ligaments or stretched them really bad. He is wearing a cast right now as he can barely move it and its so swollen and he has an appointment on Thursday with a hand specialist they are sending him to. They will be able to do more tests to see whether the ligaments are torn or broken, and if they are broken he is going to most likely needing surgery. So I might have to find someone who can help us move out anything heavy or bulky in the house because I don't want him injuring his thumb anymore.

I've been having a lot of trouble with my right ankle ever since I had to have my chair go in for repairs. My chair shorted out of me about two weeks ago, and I actually had to call in to work because I didn't trust the chair to run since it would run a bit, then it would just flash its lights at me and would stop moving. I found a place in Gilbert that could not only fix my chair, but also could give me a rental chair, since Medicare covers a month rental of a chair. Well, this chair is very different from mine, the seat is shorter, which makes keeping my feet and butt on the seat hard, and it is putting a lot of strain on my right ankle, which is my bad one. It is locking up on me and causing me so much pain that at times I think it must be broken because I won't be able to move it. It has also been very swollen and something sitting at work for even a few hours has just been unbearable because it hurts so bad, but then I come home and put it up with some heat or ice, take a few Tylenol, and it will start to relax. They said my chair should be ready this week and I can't wait!! Because I am so uncomfortable in this chair, I haven't been able to do anything here, and because this chair doesn't lift up like mine does, I haven't been able to do dishes or really cook well because everything is so high here and I can't reach. Phil has been a sweetheart doing dishes for me and helping out, but I feel so bad complaining all the time about how much my ankle hurts and such. He is so understanding, I just hate sounding like a whiner.

So, as soon as I get my chair back I know I am going to feel a lot better, and with being able to raise the chair up, I'll be able to really get in the kitchen and get things put away and go back to cooking like a normal person. I'll also have the ability to start unpacking more things and getting this place looking like home.

As soon as I get everything settled in around here, I'll take pictures so you can see our new home. I was going to take pictures before we got things moved in, but silly me packed the camera!

Hard Workin Girl

I've completed my first full week at Wal-Mart, and I have to say the job really isn't that bad.

Orientation was on the 25th, with just me and two other people who were hired on as cashiers. We watched movies about the company, surprisingly with a lot of references to the fact that union workers try to get Wal-Mart to join a union, and how Wal-Mart is against that. I never realized what a problem they had with people trying to unionize them, but I suppose since the unions are losing money, getting a big company like Wal-Mart in and having every employee pay dues would help a lot. I am glad they are against that though, I don't need some union guy speaking for me over everything.

The next day I came in and spent the entire money on the computer doing computer based learning, such as how to clean up a chemical spill, and other policy stuff. I finished those around lunchtime and after lunch they sent me out on the floor for the first time. They put me with another greeter, a really nice man, who showed me the ropes, and then the next day, I was out there by myself manning the door.

The job really isn't hard at all, and didn't take long to learn. Basically, people come in and you welcome them, people leave and you say goodbye, if someone has a return you scan their item and give them their printed receipt to take to customer service, if someone has items underneath their cart you need to look at their receipt to make sure it is on there, and then make sure the area is clean. I do this for 8 hrs a day, from 7am-4pm. But after this next week my hours will be from 7am-3pm.

The best part of my job is giving out stickers to the little ones. They are so cute and their face lights up when you ask if they would like a sticker. The bad part is that is can get boring, especially in the mornings. They have me at what they call the general merchandise door, because the other door is for the grocery side. That side is always the busiest, my side isn't, but it is a bigger area, and the radio to call for a supervisor or for carts is right at my level because they have another guy in a chair who works nights. It is just easier for me to get around over there, because on the grocery side I would be bumping into people, especially if I need to stop someone to look at their receipt. Also, it gets so cold on my side, with the big fans blowing cool air all day long, so I bring a sweater, but I am just hoping I am not getting a cold, because I feel that way, but it also might be allergies.

I've also made some nice friends there, and the job isn't that stressful for, just more mentally tiring since sitting there saying hello and have a good day gets repetitive. But it is a good job and I am having fun with it, and it is bringing in the extra money we need, so that's great.

We've also decided, due to our schedules and the fact that I won't be getting my first real check from them until the 16th, that we push the move in date for getting into our new apartment for the 19th. This way we have extra time to pack, because things are still all over the place, and it will allows us to have the money we need to get settled in. We were supposed to move this Sunday, which would have meant spending these past two days off packing up all these odds and ends, but now I can just relax since I am still getting used to working.

Well, that's about all the news I have on this front. I definitely deal with some very interesting customers during the day, I might have to blog about some of the people I have seen come through the store.

Working Kimbo

So I've officially started working my new Wal-Mart job, and today is my first day off.

Thursday was orientation, which meant me made up our name badges, filled out paperwork, watched movies all about the company, and even played a game. There was only three of us, two were going to be cashiers, and then me, the people greeter.

The next day I started my new schedule of working 7am-4pm. I figured out though, that by working a 32 hour a week schedule, it would put me over the $940 a month that I have to stay under or else I will lose my benefits with disability. I spoke to my manager about it, and she said she totally understood because she has a few other associates who are also on disability and need they work 30 hours a week, so I will start that after this coming week, so she wouldn't have to change my schedule.

The first part of my Friday was sitting on a computer in the training room, doing computer based learning, where you watch videos and slideshows of different things, like how to clean up chemical spills and such, and you have to take an online skill assessment after each lesson, and pass with an 80% or better. I had 18 to watch, and it took all morning until my lunch. After my lunch, I was finally able to go out on the floor and learn my job, because I had to pass the lessons first.

The job itself it not very hard. There are two doors, grocery side, and general merchandise. The grocery door is the side that is the most busy. Basically, when people walk in, you said hi, or good morning/afternoon/evening, and pass out smilie stickers to the little ones. Also, you have to check customers reciepts when the leave if they have anything under their cart, or have anything is their cart, such as electronics. Also, when someone comes in with a return, you scan the item and it will print out a sticker you place on the item, then direct them to customer service. Plus, you get asked questions about where things are in the store, and other misc. stuff. we also have radios that we can use to contact supervisors and managers if we need assistance with a customer, or need to alert them of something. Yesterday was my first full day on the floor, and it really was quite easy, just getting used to working long days like that again. Plus the job is pretty much unsupervised. They come over to tell us when to take our breaks, because you can't have a door unattended, but other then that the supervisors are busy at the front with the cashiers. I know they check on us, but the job is pretty simple, so it doesn't require much supervisors, which is nice because you can just focus on welcoming customers.

Today is my day off, and then I will also have Thursday and Friday off. Phil also has today off, so we have to spend most of the day packing, since we are moving a week from today into our new apartment, and we really havent' had time to do a whole lot of packing. The good thing is I was able to quit doing the rebate job, since I make so much at Wal-Mart. Doing rebates would push me over the $940 a month to make. And with Wal-Mart I am just about there.

I have a cute picture my mom took of us in our wal-mart dress attire, since Phil works at another store doing instock (which is recieving) and will now be the one in charge of assembling bikes and furntiure. I will have to upload it from my camera, we are a wal-mart family, or at least until he finishes school or something else comes along in his field.

Wish me luck packing!

Welcome to Wal-Mart...

Will be what I will be saying to every customer that comes into the Wal-Mart by my house because yes...I got the job!!!

I had my interview at 9am this morning, and had the first part of the interview with a really nice guy, who asked me a bunch of different questions about my work related experience. When that was done he said I was a great interview and thought I was going to be the right fit for their store. After that I had another interview, the second part with a manager, and I was asked more questions and then I was told I got the job, and they went through how much I would be making, and what the duties and responsibilities were of a people greeter, then I was given the paperwork to go get a drug test and they said they will call me once they get the results of my drug test back, and orientation will be next week.

I went right from interview over to the where the drug testing place was, and figured it should go pretty quickly, seeing as all you have to do is pee in a cup. Who knew I was going to be sitting in there for almost two hours before I was even called back. At one point they told a women who had been there for three hours that all the rooms in the back were full of patients and things should be speeding up, but when I was called back there every single exam room was empty. I am guessing maybe their techs were at lunch and they didn't want to tell us. Anywho, I did the whole pee in the cup, which I have to say is very embarrassing to have your pee in a cup and have some tech have to take it and test it. But I know I am going to pass it, I have never taken drugs and the only medicine in my system is for arthritis.

Now I am on a search to find my Wal-Mart attire, which is Khaki pants and a blue shirt, and I also need to get a pair of shoes, because the only shoes I own are my flip flops, which I can't wear there.

So yay me for getting the job!

Been awhile...

Since I last blogged huh?

Life has been so busy around here, mainly with me working on these rebates all the time. I really thought this was going to be a job that could help make some good side money, but I am only making about $66 a week, and when payday comes around, the entire check I get goes directly into the gas tank, which makes me angry. Right now I am processing 330 rebates twice a week, I go in Tuesday and pick up mail, which has to be turned in electronically by midnight on Thursday, then I go back into the office on Friday and pick up more mail, which needs to be turned in electronically by midnight on Sunday. So the reason I haven't been online much is because this really takes up a lot of my time.

So..seeing as this job wasn't making much, I decided to put my resume out there and see if something hit, and I also re-applied for Wal-Mart for the greeter position. Well, Thursday afternoon Wal-Mart called and asked if I was still interested in the position and now I have an interview with them on Tuesday at 9am. This is the job that I have been wanting, because when we move into our new apartment I just need to go across this little street and I am right then in the parking lot, so no need to worry about someone taking me to work. And it will be a part time position, so I can still do the rebate job to help supplement our income.

Speaking of apartments, Phil and I will be moving into our new apartment on Oct. 4th. We thought we were going to have to wait until Nov. 1st before we moved but the lady at the complex called yesterday and said they are now offering more incentives which helps lower our move in cost. So now on top of doing this rebate job and hopefully getting this Wal-Mart job, we have to start packing. Luckily, a lot of our things are still packed up and in the garage, so that will make it a lot easier, since there is a lot of stuff in our room that I believe we can toss or give away since we haven't used them in over a year, such as clothes. This should be our last move for awhile, seeing as this will be our third move in a year. The apartment is really nice, it is one of those new apartments with all sorts of fancy features, like hardwood floors in the kitchen and Berber carpet, and huge soaking tubs. When we first saw the place I was really thinking we wouldn't be able to afford it because it was so nice and I figured the prices would be outrageous, but they really are reasonable. I am excited about us having our own space again, and I know that Brandi dog will love being able to roam free like she used to.

Well, this little Kimbo sure is tired, but I wanted to at least check in with my blog friends and let you I am still here, just been busy.

Happy Birthday Phil!!

Today is my husband Phil's 30th birthday. He says he feels old, but I told him that he is still a spring chicken. I wish I had the money to give him a really fantastic birthday and maybe even a party, since turning 30 is a big birthday, but my parents are taking us out to dinner tonight to the new Texas Roadhouse that just opened up not too far from here, and since we all love that place, it should be fun.

Speaking of Phil, he has decided to go back to school and further his education. Work has been really slow in his trade and he wants to finally get out from being the low man on the totem pole and actually make it up into the big leagues. So we found that ITT Tech has a Bachelor program in Construction Management, so we made an appointment and went through the whole process of getting him enrolled. He starts school on Sept. 8th, and will be entering at first the Associates Degree program in Drafting and Design. He'll learn such programs as Autocad, and will learn how to draft up housing plans and do 3D modeling and such. The recruiter said that after the two year program, he will be able to enter the job market working for an architect or even for the city designing plans for commercial buildings. After he receives that Applied Sciences Degree, he will do another year and 9 months in the Construction Management Program, where he will get his Bachelor's Degree. This is really a great step he is taking not only for his future, but for our future, and the future of our family down the road. I am very proud of him and can't wait to see him succeed as I know he will.

With me, I am still here, processing those rebates. It is definitely turning into a job where I am spending a lot of nights up late trying to get my work done before my deadline, which is mainly because I have had so much to do during the day that I don't get a chance to do my work until after dinnertime. Like today, I picked up new mail, 330 pieces of mail due by Thursday at 4pm, and I won't get a chance to do any until maybe later tonight because we are going to dinner for Phil's birthday. I just need to get into a good schedule where I work during the day and have less work at night, so I don't have the tired and bloodshot eyes that I do today.

My Doctor Appointment

So I've been talking about how my right elbow (the one I broke back in 2004) has been giving me a lot of trouble, and that my arthritis doc felt it was time to have the elbow replaced. Well, I finally was able to get in and see the orthopedic surgeon who did the surgery the first time. He is an amazing doctor and the only way I would ever consider getting any surgery done on my joints would be if he were to do it.

Funny part was, when the doctor first came in the room, I didn't think it was the same guy! 5 years ago, the last time I saw him, he was a pretty big guy, but he has had to have lost about 150-200. He looks great, it was just a shock when your expecting the guy you knew before to come walking in.

Anyway, he took a look at the elbow and the x-rays and said that doing a replacement due to arthritis or due to trauma is two different things. If it were just because my arthritis was acting up, the replacement would last longer, but because it has to be replaced due to trauma, it won't last as long, and he really doesn't want to see me go through that at 29. I told him that over the years I have learned to adapt to losing half the movement in the arm, and it doesn't bother me the way it is, except for the pain, popping, and clicking that has been going on the past few months. So he said he is going to do an outpatient procedure, were he will remove the radial head of the elbow, that is the bottom part of the elbow, think of where your elbow points. He thinks that will get rid of the pain and give me another 5 years with the elbow the way it is before we really have to consider replacement.

I then decided to ask him about knee replacements. I really wasn't, because frankly I have resigned myself to the fact that I was never going to walk again, and I've been ok with that. At this point it has been 4 years since I've last walked. Plus, my arthritis doctor said that with my osteoporosis, that doing a knee replacement might shatter my legs, and finding a doctor to do both knees at the same time, and at my age, will be difficult. So I asked the surgeon first about the possibility of my legs shattering during surgery and he said no, then asked if I ever had a bone density test and why I wasn't on meds for osteoporosis. I told him I've never had a doctor mention bone density or meds, so he is sending me in for the test (you stick your foot in a machine and it measures your bone density), and after that he will put me on some meds to make my bones stronger. He also said he could do the replacements. He asked if my ankles and hips were ok, and I told him my hips are fine, but my ankles always hurt me when I walk, a lot of that to do not only with the arthritis, but my weight. So he told me that last year he did the same surgery on a women who was 62, hadn't walked in 4 years, and was heavier then I was, and now she is doing great, walking on a treadmill everyday. I told him that frankly, I just would love to have the ability to walk around my house, and even go out by myself and be able to put my chair on the lift that's on the car, and then get out and go somewhere by myself. I still will need the chair to do any shopping or long walking, but being able to stand at the sink and wash my dishes would be great.

So I am going to get x-rays done of my knees, and we'll go from there. He said be prepared for some hospital time, and then in patient rehab before I'll be allowed to go home. Sometimes I've heard of people having to be at a rehab facility for a few months, but I think it will be worth it. First and foremost, I need to lose weight, and when you can get up and move, it is very hard to lose it. Being able to walk again will allow me to use some exercise machines and get my body moving. I want to be able to actually give my husband a hug standing up, and maybe even dance with him, since we've never gotten to do that. And for the future, I want to be able to take my kid to the park and push them on the swings and really play with them, not watch from the sidelines.

So all in all, the appointment went well. I haven't had a chance to blog about it until now because I have been so busy with my new job of processing rebates. It is a lot of work, and time consuming, and I will have to process a lot of rebates in order to make some good money, but I am willing to put in the time and effort to do it to help my family.

My new job

Yesterday was the start of my new job, where we attended the training class. I had to admit, I was a little nervous, seeing as the last time I was in the workforce was back in 2004, before I was put on disability by my doctor. But on the other hand, I was really happy to be back doing something that I have experience in, and use the knowledge that I had gained from my career in customer service.

The training class started at 11:45am and we were there until 4pm. We got a ton of information, everything that we would need to know to do this kind of work from home, such as training manuals and things we might need if we run into any problems doing this from home. Then we got introduced into how to load the software onto our computers, and then got introduced to the fabulous world of data entry and rebate processing. Basically, anytime you submit a rebate for a product, there is a very good chance that is will go to the company that I now work for, and I just might be the one who enters in the information into the computer and submits it so you get your rebate. This company is the largest fulfillment company in the country, and also does fulfillment for international companies.

It seemed like everyone in the class was getting it, except the teacher did kick out one woman about two hours in. She was just not getting anything that he was saying and he would say something, then she would ask him a question, the answer being that he just said to the class. He said at the beginning that he can tell within the first hour and a half whether this job will work for you and if he thinks it won't, then he has to send you home without mail. So he escorted her out. The the older man sitting in the aisle next to mine kept farting...lovely.

So we came home yesterday with mail, 100 for me, and 100 for my mom. We have until Friday to have to submitted, and for the next two weeks we go in three times a week to pick up mail. After that, we can chose the amount of mail we want to have per week, and only have to go in once a week to get mail. I loaded my software when I got home last night, and did about 20 rebates before I decided to head to bed because I was so tired. Today I have been helping my mom get her software loaded, so tonight after dinner I will work until bedtime again getting as much mail done as possible.

This seems pretty easy, it really is right up my alley, and I think I really will be able to make some good money at it for my family once I really get the hang of it and get faster. But for now, it is nice to have a job again, and even better, one I can do in pj's!

Last Day of Unemployment

Tomorrow I go to my training class for my new job, processing rebate checks. My mom is doing this with me, and today I was able to get my aunt Kelly registered into the class tomorrow too. I am looking forward to being able to do something to help us make more money, pay off our debts, and get enough money put away that we can have enough to get a home of our own.

I'm also a little nervous. 2004 was the last time I worked, when I had to go on disability. I have always been looking for something that I could do from home, but so many times jobs from home require you to put money down, and those are always scams. This job is legit, and we know someone who is doing it, and the are BBB Accredited, so we're good on all accounts. I am looking forward though to going out and doing a training class, learning something new, knowing that I can do this job from the comfort of my own home, even in my jammies if I want!

So wish me luck tomorrow, and I will update you all on how it went with a blog tomorrow!

All sorts of news!

As I had mentioned, I realized on my birthday that one of the diamonds in my engagement ring was missing, and after a little bit of a hassle, I was finally able to send it off to repair, no charge. Well, the store called Thursday afternoon and said it was ready for pickup, so Phil went over to get it, and now I am able to wear my complete wedding set again.

Thursday was also the day when I had to take the truck in for emissions. It is a '99, so every even year they require any vehicle which isn't a 2004 or newer around here to go through emissions. I am used to do the type of test where they hook this thing to your tailpipe and rev your engine a few times and check under your hood, praying all the while that the thing passes so you can get your new tags. Well, the guy this time just hooked up something under the steering column for a few seconds and it was done, guess anything 1996 and newer is all run by computers now, so no need for all that other testing. We paid our fee, got our paper that said we passed, and headed over to the DMV to get our tags. Luckily the place we went to wasn't very crowded, and we were only there about 5 minutes before our number was called. (Side note: Have you ever, when at the DMV, wanted to shout out BINGO when you number is called over the loudspeaker?). So now we are legal to drive for another year.

Laptop..it is still a no show. It was supposed to be here on the 28th, but the 28th came and nothing. So we called and it turns out that the batteries were back ordered, so it isn't going to be shipped out until Aug. 5th. Ugh..more waiting!

My final piece of good news though..I got a job! My mom delivers the local newspaper around here and we are always trying to find something we can do from home so she can quit that route. Well, one of the fellow carriers mentioned to her the other night that she had started a new job working for a company that processes rebate checks. They are looking for people who want to work from home to enter these rebate checks in their system. So mom got the number and talked to the guy yesterday morning. He said there is no money needed to start this, which if money is needed to do anything work from home, it is a scam. There is a training class on Wednesday that we go to from 11:30-4pm, and they pay us for it, and they give us the software for free. For the next two weeks we go into the center to pick up mail, they give us a certain amount during the training period, and you take it home, work on it and get it done by a certain deadline, then bring the mail back and get more. After the two weeks, you can pick up as much mail as you want, and earn as little or as much as you want. We looked up their business on the Better Business Bureau and it is a legit company, BBB Accredited. Mom's friend has been doing it for a few days and says she likes it, and it takes about 3 minutes per rebate check. I used to do this sort of thing when I worked for Verizon Wireless, on slow days when there wasn't a lot of calls coming in. So we are all set for training on Wednesday and I can't wait. This is the kind of job that is perfect for me, and something I know I can get real fast at doing. And it feels good to know that I will be contributing more to our finances.

I got my doctor...and getting my ring fixed!

So I went through all my old paperwork at the end of last week, and found all my worker's comp paperwork from my elbow injury from 2002, and was able to get a hold of the insurance company to see about re-opening my claim. When I had dealt with these people before, they were so rude to me, so I was expecting more of the same. This time, however, the were very nice and helpful. They said that in order to re-open the claim, I need to print out a Petition to Re-Open form from the Industrial Commission of Arizona, who is the department in charge of all worker's comp claims. I can print that form out online through their website, and then I need to send that in to them with a medical report showing that I do need the elbow replacement and why. Now, the next obstacle was making sure that the doctor that did my original surgery was still available and would take worker's comp claims, since last time I had seen him he was considering no longer doing any worker's comp claims since they are sometimes just close claims and not may not render payment that they should. My biggest worry was that the doctor would not be able to perform the surgery. He is one of the top surgeons at Banner Desert Samaritan Hospital here in Mesa, AZ, and he did such a wonderful job on the surgery and I felt very comfortable with him. If he couldn't do the surgery, I was going to have to consult with a few other doctors and find one I felt comfortable with.

So I made the fateful phone call yesterday morning and good news, Dr. Purcell is still available and does take worker's comp claims! The first available appointment was August 13th, so I grabbed it. Now I just need to pick up a copy of my x-rays and then I will be all ready to meet with the doctor again. It has been 6 years since the original surgery and as much as I am very nervous and anxious about getting this elbow replacement done, at least I know I will be in good hands with a wonderful doctor who will take good care of me.

Besides the whole elbow thing, things are going well. Phil is really enjoying his new job working as a contractor for Intel. He leaves around 5am every morning and gets home around 3pm. With him having such a great job now has helped us to stop worrying so much about how we are going to make ends meet, because know we will be having a constant income coming in weekly and we are going to be able to finally get caught up on our bills. It really has helped me not be so stressed, since I am the one who is in charge of paying the bills and such. And I still plan on trying to get a job being a greeter at Wal-Mart, because I would love to be able to take the money I make there and just sock it away in our savings, but right now I am going to put that on hold since I am going to need the time available for the surgery and all the rehabilitation needed.

Oh...and remember when I said on my birthday I noticed that one of the diamonds was missing from my engagement ring? Well, we had gone to the store where he bought it twice, asking what could be done, because when we moved, I lost the receipt! I figured we'd be screwed and we'd end up having to get it replaced ourselves, and who knows how much that would set us back. Well, I ended up being near the store last week and the manager was there who recognized me since we had come in together to buy the set. She was so sweet and took care of everything, she found all the information on the ring and sent it off to repair, with no charge to us! She said it will be about 2 weeks to a month before it will come back in, and she will call me personally when it does. So I was so happy and grateful, and she is also having them check the other settings to make sure they are all secure. Luckily the setting in my wedding band was fine, so I still have that, I just like wearing the set together, so I miss it.

Well, that's about all that's new around here. I hope all is well for all my blog friends out there!

Another new job for Phil, Brandi, and Surgery for Me

As I mentioned in a previous blog, Phil was offered a job working as a Maintenance Tech for an apartment complex. He was supposed to hear on Monday as to where he needed to go for his drug testing, then start taking his certification classes on Tuesday. Well, Monday morning he never heard, so he called and they said they were working on where to send him for the drug testing, and that the room he was supposed to be doing his classes was flooded due to the huge storms that came through here this past weekend. He called again yesterday morning, and they are still giving him the run around. So as we were leaving yesterday morning to take Brandi to get groomed, he gets a call from a guy who I had sent in his resume to a few weeks ago. Turns out, they had a job for him they wanted him to start right away, and come in for an interview that afternoon. The job...working for Intel, which is where he was working when I first met him. At the time he was building the Intel, and he has many certifications from his time working there. This job will be working in their Clean Room, which is where they make the Intel chips and processors, and a Clean Room means that you are working in a zero dust environment and when you have to be certified to know how to work in there, and where the whole suit and booties needed to make sure you don't bring any dust in. Lucky for him, he has all that certifications, and has worked in there before putting in all the machines and testing them He went to the interview yesterday afternoon and the pay is the same as the apartment job, and he signed a two-year contract with them, so this is a permanent position and he will be working there for the next two years, and on August 1st he will be able to start receiving full medical benefits.

So he started work today, he has two days of orientation on site, then Friday he will start working. Seeing as he has worked for Intel before, and this job is right up his alley and he has all the certifications, plus seeing as the apartment people still have not called him, he is taking this job. This is a great job for him, and a great opportunity for us to start making some good money.

Brandi was groomed yesterday, and looks so cute in her two little bows behind her ears. We dropped her off at 11am and at 4pm I still hadn't heard to see if she was done, since her pick-up time said 3:30. We were over on the other side of town, he was doing his interview so I was waiting for him in the truck, and I called to check on her, and they said that Brandi had gotten scared of the hair dryer, because it does get loud, and she pooped when they first turned in on her because she was so scared. So they towel dried her and put her in the kennel where there are dryers and the basically air-dried. So when I called she was just about dry and getting ready for her haircut. Poor thing! When we finally got back here, we picked her up and she was done and looking so pretty! As always, we take her into the store and let her pick out a treat, well I guess from all the excitement of the day, plus who knows when she last when potty, she pooped in the store! So being a good doggy mom, I went over to their pet cleaning area and cleaned it up. We got her treats and took her home, where she was so tired she just slept all night.

I also got the call I had been waiting for from my arthritis doctor. He said that the hardware in my elbow has healed well, but that there is significant deterioration to the joint and that he does suggest the elbow replacement, it is just up to me when I go get it done. So I am going to get a copy of the x-ray from the x-ray place, then call the orthopedic surgeon who did the original surgery and see if he will do the surgery for me. If not, then I will get some referrals and do a consults with other docs until I find one I feel comfortable with. So I know I need to get it done, and this really is the time to do it since I will have people here 24 hours a day to help me if I need it. Now its just a matter of finding all my worker's comp paperwork and deal with them to get my claim re-opened since they are required to cover any procedures needed for the rest of my life that has to do with my elbow.

On top of all these, I have to get oral surgery done again. I had 4 teeth removed in Nov. of 2006. and now I have two more broken teeth and a broken wisdom tooth. So I am going to have them remove the broken teeth, and the rest of my wisdom teeth, just to get it out of the way. Of course, I have a huge fear of dentists, the whole having someone I don't know put their hands in my mouth. But as long as I am under sedation, I can do it.

Well, I guess I better head off, seeing as Brandi has now climbed up on the bed behind me, put her two front paws on the arm rest of my chair, and is licking my face and pawing my arms. She's got her ball and I guess she's ready to play...how can I deny that!