Getting in Shape

I joined the gym. Again.

When I was pregnant with Marshal I went there for the Water Aerobics class but now that I can move outside of water I decided it was time to lose some weight and get in shape. I was getting winded doing the simplest things. The first two weeks were the hardest but I'm really getting back into cardio. 

I've taken Zumba classes too...those are intense workouts. And my trainer is my own little slice of hell. I've decided to start calling those sessions my 30 minutes of hell. But in a good way.

My goal is to be able to keep up with Marshal without needing oxygen. And it's actually nice to be able to go to the gym, put my ear phones in, and read while doing cardio. It's "me" time. 

Maybe this whole kitchen remodel thing has inspired me to redo more than just our house. 

Marshal and me after my exhausting workout this afternoon. He's chillin'. I can barely hold the book up.

The Sky is Falling

It's been a wacky 24 hours. The storm started building yesterday and by late evening many people in the area were out of power. Our lights flickered but thankfully we kept our power. Which is weird for us - we generally lose power quickly.

Then this morning we had an earthquake! Sheesh. One thing after another around here.

I'm Such a Slacker

No, really. I haven't fallen off the face of the planet. I keep thinking of things to blog about but by the end of the day I'm exhausted and my brain shuts down.

It's not just blogging. Our house has gotten systematically messier since I left my old job. How that's possible I'm not quite sure, but it has. I figured I'd actually get to make my own schedule, and include house cleaning in that. Not so much.

We did at LEAST eight loads of laundry in one day last weekend. I did two more during the week. It had piled up so high we had to walk ON it to get to the washer. *sigh*

It's probably not hard to imagine that our eating habits haven't exactly been superb. Eating out is one of my pet peves. It drives me crazy and I do way too much of it during the day, let alone in the evenings. But we're both so tired after work that it's snuck back into our way of life and I'm tired of it. Not only is it expensive but it's not healthy (especially since we both like things like pizza or chinese food).

So I think we're going to go back to Dinners Done Right. We did this several years ago and loved the food. You actually go in and prepare it yourself...all the ingredients are there for you to put together. I realize it's lazy - yes I could go find the ingredients in the grocery store, buy them, and make them at home. But I think we've established at this point that I WON'T do that.

By default, it's worth the (a little less than) $10 a meal that it works out to be for the two of us. It's less than $5 a person per meal if we get the 12 meal package and prepare it ourselves. It's more if they prepare it for us, plus I like to leave some stuff out of the mix.

We still have to do sides, but for the most part that's not a big issue. We always have pasta or potatoes and I think I can manage to start getting some veggies on the plate. I think.

Other than the craziness, life really is wonderful. I've never been so busy and so happy at the same time. I absolutely love my job - it's challenging, fulfilling, and has actually gotten me out meeting people in my community. Have I made much money? Um...no. But I expect that will come with time. It's only been a little over 4 months. Believing in the programs and services and having a great company stand behind me helps a lot though.

For now we are going to have to try to economize...which I realize sounds funny considering we're going to do the Dinners Done Right thing again. But in reality, it's a lot cheaper than spending $20-$30 for take out/delivery every night. We are trying to cut the budget and this is just going to have to be one small step.

The Crazy Life Has Taken Over

I had this great idea...I'll be my own boss, work at home, set my schedule, and spend more time with my family and maybe even clean my house a little better (or at all).

Yeah...reality. Wall.

We missed Marshal's swimming lessons last Thursday because he was being a stinker...he's learned how to throw fits. Real, loud, messy, annoying fits. He's too young to know how to throw a fit. I thought I had at least another 6 months.

If he does not get his way - whether it's going into the kitchen or trying to use us as a walking partner - he screams from the very deepest part of his throat. Once we figured out WHAT he was doing, we breathed a sigh of releif. We thought something was wrong with him.

So now we're ignoring it...while trying not to laugh. It's cute right now. I'm sure as he gets older it will become less cute.

We missed his swimming lessons on Tuesday because I had a training class and hubby had to work late. And now we might miss this Thursday's due to scheduling conflicts. Luckily his nanny has a hot tub so he's gotten to start playing in that now. So at least he's getting swim time, even if it's not with daddy or mommy.

But that's depressing to me. I want to have more time with my boy. And this week it feels like I'm working more than full time. That needs to stop. I'm my own boss. I do not have to work 40 hours a week if I don't want to...which I don't. Yes, I need to build my business and that requires work - and time. But it should not have to come at the expense of my little boy and hubby.

It might take longer for me to build up my business...but that is just going to have be the way I work. Slower. And perhaps more deliberately.

Perception Shift

I think I've been a Trooper's wifei for too long now...when hubby says he'll be late because there's been a fatality, all I can think about is how it affects my evening. Kind of sad.

Someone just DIED and I'm stressed because I'll be home alone longer.

Hello?!? Priorities.

And it isn't like a drunk driver or anything in this case. It was kind of a sad one (it's hard to take every single one to heart - especially if self induced from alcohol or drugs).

I'm glad he comes home at all. If it has to be a little bit later than normal, that's just part of being a cop's wife.

What Do You Think?

I made a new banner and changed the template of the blog. Thoughts? I kind of like it. I'm going to try to find time to clean up the other stuff.

This week is going to be crazy busy. I've got two days of training in Bellevue, a good hour and a half from home making for long commutes. Two employee presentations - one after a full day of training. Bible study on Thursday.

I had my first group enrollment finish up last week and I'm pretty excited about it. I had four people sign up, with five policies. It was more than an interesting experience - especially for my very first one. And aside from the initial employee presentation I was pretty much on my own due to timing issues with my trainer.

I've had the Aflac Accident plan for eight years now and for at least six of those years I haven't submitted any of the Wellness benefits. The Accident plan comes with a $60 per year wellness benefit ... so I submitted six year's worth and am looking forward to a nice little check to help with bills. Once hubby and I get our icky Colonoscopies we'll be getting another couple hundred dollars from our Hospital plan and our Cancer plan.

Aflac wants people to be proactive with their health and provides wellness benefits to encourage folks to get that preventative care and testing. Not that I'm really excited to have any of the exams I need...but you know. Better safe than sorry.

It's all for the little man after all.

Winding Down

I always said that I'd never stop making my jewelry just because I had a baby. Then again I said a lot of things before I had a baby. :)

I've been hanging on to my past pre-baby life. This Sunday at church I realized that I needed to let go of that past and move forward. Sometimes God makes things really obvious.

So as soon as hubby makes room for me in the garage, my jewelry supplies are going to be packed up and moved out. It's very sad to me but my priorities have definitely shifted in the last 9 months. I'm reconnecting with church and God. My job requires a lot of time and energy right now.

My Etsy shop is still open with pieces that are already created but any made to order items are no longer listed. My mom is kind of bummed and is trying to get me to make some pieces for her before I put things away.

What will the future bring? No idea. Only God knows.

For now, I'll try to answer his calling to be the best mother that I can and to learn as much as I can about my new job. I'll still blog every once in awhile but even that needs to take a back seat. If there is anything that you like from the shop grab it now. Once things expire I'll probably wait to relist them for a long time.

What Happened to Weekends?

I remember, oh say about 8 months ago or so, when a weekend meant sleeping in late. When we could decide what to do or not do throughout the day. When I could clip coupons, make jewelry, or just nap.

Oh how I miss those days.

And yet I don't really. I was commenting to hubby on Saturday that we probably get more done now that we have our kiddo. We are forced to work when we can...when he naps or when he's occupied by something.

I definitely feel more exhausted than ever though, but I can't blame it ALL on Marshal man...it's definitely partly (mostly?) my diet. I've been eating so badly lately. I'm going to try to plan better to bring food while I'm out and about. Scheduling meetings near lunch time is killing me. One right after the other means swinging through a drive through somewhere. I've been trying to at least pick healthier items like baked potatoes or Subway sandwiches.

Not that I've ever eaten super healthily. But this crazy schedule is just making the obvious deficiencies more pronounced.

I'm *almost* looking forward to being away for two days of training. At least I can sleep in an hour or so. It's the little things in life.

Where Is Spring???

The weather here lately has looked more like October than May...cold and stormy. Although I suppose in Washington this is technically typical. It's been really nutty. Last night was so windy that our nanny's wrought iron table outside got blown all the way across her deck. Insane!

It's supposed to be stormy for the next few days. I was hoping it would be nice this weekend since hubby needs to plant his dahlias.

The alternative plans for the weekend include moving my desk from the living room (not so productive) into hubby's office (our one spare room). It will take some maneuvering to get enough room in there but it would be good to have more space to file things. Plus it'll give us a more spacious living room.

Marshal is getting very close to walking. =) We are in SOOOOO much trouble with this kid. It's crazy. His teeth are coming in and he wants to walk. He gets in his little Jeep walker and just goes. It's so cute. He's going to be eight months old next week. How in the world did that happen!?!?! I love seeing things through his eyes - utter fascination!

Listening to him giggle is just the sweetest sound in the entire world. Papa is making him laugh hysterically right now and I just LOVE it. It's just so precious and makes my heart swell up. We are so blessed. Life isn't perfect and I'm certainly not doing all that great ... but in the grand scheme of things we have everything we need.

I Think I'm a Voyuer

I think I've figured out why I enjoy Facebook so much. I enjoy knowing what is going on in other people's lives. All my life I've enjoyed looking in other people's windows - and NO I don't mean like a sick peeping Tom kind of thing.

I just like seeing what is going on...how they decorate and set their house up...basic things like that. And Facebook is kind of voyueristic, although with people's permission and help in looking at their lives.

While running a bunch of errands last Wednesday I found myself updating my Facebook status with pretty mundane things while hanging out at the tire place, getting my hair cut, at the bank, etc. Who cares? I mean really who cares what I'm doing on my errands. Or when I am riding the bus home.

But...I care. I love reading about someone's new haircut or what they're having for dinner (yes, I posted about the Chicken Parm my hubby made...it was delicious!). I find it interesting. So I guess that sort of makes me a voyuer of sorts. :)

And it might explain why I love reality shows so much. heh

Nearly There and Moving On

Nearly one third of my life has been spent in the employment of my current job. Wow...that's so weird. When I started there, at the ripe old age of 21, it was one of the best places to work in the state (ranked by whoever ranks these things) and number 11 or 12 in the country of mid sized companies by Fortune 500. Somehow I don't think we made the list the last few years. I certainly didn't give it a good review the last time I was asked.

When I started it was just switching over from being entirely family owned to being sold to a large insurance company. The former owner/CEO was retiring and stepping down and the new CEO was a current employee who was awesome. A few years though and he too was stepping down as CEO and a new associate took the reigns. I didn't think he was so bad, but others weren't so pleased with his performance or decisions.

One of those decisions that he had been trying to push was moving the company's headquarters to Seattle. He left the company before that decision could be implemented, but last year it finally did come down from yet another new CEO ... moving to Seattle.

The commute from where I live now to Seattle would take at least 60 minutes and some days 90 to 120 minutes depending on traffic. That's one way by the way. Taking the train wouldn't make it much better since I would still have to drive halfway there and then the train had to make a couple more stops before dropping me off far enough from the new headquarters to require a hike or a bus.

After I was back from maternity leave last December I knew I wasn't long for the company. I met with our Aflac agent to sign up for a Cancer policy and update our Accident policies and the rest is history. I asked her how she liked her job ... and now I am an Aflac agent!!! I start officially with my new office, which is only 10 minutes from my house, on April 26. Woohoo!

In the meantime, my last day at my current job is this Friday and I'm sort of sad. I've had panic attacks when in the office this week. But I'm not yet sad. I will miss my coworkers who are absolutely wonderful. But the company itself has gone from one that I am proud to work for to one that I roll my eyes at ... I no longer believe their mission statement or their so called ethics claims (or their claim to put employees first). I see the new CEO as out for only a buck and no matter what his words are, his actions speak much louder.

It's sad really. In general it is still a good company filled with hard working, dedicated people who want it to succeed. I will miss them a ton.

But I had to do what's right for me and my family. Working for Aflac is going to allow me to truly be my own boss. Yes, selling jewelry allows me to be my own boss. But it's very much unsupported...working with Aflac there is an entire team and company behind you to help you succeed. It's all about how hard I work and how dedicated I am.

I'm terrified. I'm excited. I'm nervous. I'm a little sick to my stomach. I'm definitley looking forward to the future. I believe that God has guided me to this point. It's not something I ever would have thought of before - especially since it is 100% commissions. But I believe that I can be successful, and being closer to home will give me the chance to see my son grow up as opposed to just kissing him goodnight when I get home after a 14 hour day.

He's getting so big! Only 6 1/2 months old though. :)

I've thought about not making jewelry for awhile and shutting down my Etsy shop, but I really hate to do that. I know that I'll be very busy and probably overwhelmed for awhile. But making jewelry helps me relax and get that creative part of my soul satisfied. So the jewelry will continue.

As will the blogging. I love to blog. And I love reading other people's blogs.

This is getting long...obviously I'm nervous about this whole change...I hate change. :)

Feeling A Little Off

It's one of those days. The kind where my mind isn't functioning on all cylinders.

First, poor little baby boy got driven to the baby sitters without any straps! I just plunked him down into his car seat, put his blankets and hat on and off we went. When I was taking him out of the seat at said baby sitter's house I realized he was loose as a goose. He could have wiggled free...or worse if (God forbid) we'd been in an accident.

So that's mishap number one.

Mishap number two involves me being stupid at work so I won't be super specific. Needless to say, when I am this tired I get a little sensitive. And I tend to take things that are absolutely not even about me too personally. *sigh*

The whole daylight's savings time has thrown baby boy off his schedule and therefore thrown me off mine. We were doing okay with him going to bed around 7:30. It gave me an hour or so to get things done for the day and then go to bed. Now he's not going to bed until at least 8:30 so I'm not getting to sleep until after 9:30 (too late for me!). I still have to wake up at 5:30 to start getting ready, while he sleeps until I wake him up close to 6:30. So I'm getting less sleep. And it's starting to hurt. Hopefully he can transition back to at least an 8 p.m. bedtime.

And I have all these ideas for jewelry designs and have not one single second of time to sit down and create. Somehow I think the spare time fairy will not be visiting me anytime soon either. I do plan to work on a really super extra long freshwater pearl hand knotted necklace soon...at least it's something I can work on in pieces and use a tray to work on anywhere in the house.

I hope the rest of the day sorts itself out. I'm going to have Chef Boy R D for lunch. Is that wrong?

Randomness on Thursday

Well, I passed. =) Anyone want to buy some AFLAC? (Just kidding, I passed the exam, but don't have my official license yet...so no selling for me until then! But after that...*grin*). I go in tomorrow morning to sign my paperwork with Aflac and then I'll start their training. SO excited!!!

I had a really strange dream last night, or this morning, or whenever. We were living in a trailer, but it must have been a huge trailer because we had two big screen TVs and all kinds of other toys. Several people kept coming to the door to try to sell me something and I finally got mad and rude since they were so pushy. At some point I left the trailer and when I came back all of our stuff was stolen...but for ransom! From the sales guy who had come to the door. Is my subconscious trying to tell me something??? Oh, but he'd left the baby's bouncer so I had some place to put him. ROFL

I have a "lot" of jewelry stuff to do...and by a lot I mean four things. A former coworker's bracelet needs to be restrung. A customer's bracelet that she wears every single day needs to be restrung (any suggestions for restringing a daily wear bracelet so the wire won't break???). A pair of earrings to finish and send out. And ... shoot. There's another thing and I can't remember what it is. It's all going to have to wait until this weekend though.

I'm interviewing someone for my current job today. I *think* she's the one my boss and other boss want to hire. My interviewing her is pretty much just a formality so she can ask questions about the position. Should I try to scare her? hee hee hee ... no, I wouldn't do that because I really need whoever they hire to start NOW so I can train them. I'm actually responsible for quite a bit of stuff in this position...way more than when I first started five years ago.

My ten year anniversary with this company was March 6. I think I get a small cash bonus (I've heard $150 to $250) and it's going into savings to help me pay for Aflac supplies. Plus I now officially qualify for my two month sabbatical, which I'll be cashing out when I leave. It's my own version of severance.

Marshal has discovered his feet. He can entertain himself with them for a half an hour. I wish I was as flexible as he is.

We're trying to teach him sign language and it seems like he's figured out the milk symbol. When we do that one he now opens his mouth. ROFL Now to get him to distinguish between "milk" and "eat" (which is the sign for his rice cereal) and we'll be rolling.

I really miss making jewelry...I haven't made any in weeks and my desk is even messier than it was when I blogged about it last.

So these are my random thoughts for the day (although I'm sure I'll have a lot more...I'll spare you the details). I'm just relieved that the state exam portion of my journey is over.

We Interrupt This Broadcast

I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment. I tend to do a bit more than I should and I think adding the studying for a new job has thrown me for a loop.

So I'm taking a few days off from my current job to study and get it out of the way so that I can at least have my normal level of insanity instead of this even more hyped up version of my life.

I have several new things to write about here on this blog but I'm going to hold off for at least a week. One includes an AWESOME review that I am SO excited about. :)

And clearly I'm not making new jewelry right now so any new additions to my Etsy shop will be relistings of previous jewelry.

If you have something that you'd like me to address (I know I've gotten a couple of requests from people on Facebook) feel free to leave a comment. I'm looking forward to doing some more quality (I hope) writing in the next few weeks.

Wish me luck on my test!!!

Not Sure How This Works

I started a Facebook "page" for Casto Creations. I'm not quite sure how it works, but I am sure that I will figure it out. I think I can link the blog to it, but I'm not sure how to do that yet. Will you become a fan? =)

The potential for this to help me keep people up to date is huge...way better than an e-mail distribution list. People can become "fans" of the page and I can post updates, new pieces, tutorials, sales, etc without any cost (like there is with a newsletter). But I can also still do a newsletter.

My goal is to update the page every day with at least something...whether it's a tidbit about a gemstone I find interesting or a link to a new piece in my Etsy shop.

I'm very excited about 2010. I've got exciting new plans that should give me a little more time to make and design jewelry if I'm careful with my time. I'll probably be giving notice to my current employer in the next month or so and will definitely share my future plans once they're a little more firm.

New Priorities

Wow...I still can't believe that I'm a mom. Life has changed in ways that I only vaguely expected.

Feel free to visit my other blog to read about the new baby...Marshal Lawrence...born on September 26 - a week and a day early.

I decided not to shut down my Etsy shop at all. It's not like sales have been flying in, so I figured the odds of having any sales were slim.

Lo and behold...I had two sales in my first two weeks home with the baby. I was not ready. Thankfully my family has been incredible in helping out. Mom has stayed the night twice to let me get a full night's sleep and my aunt even drove over an hour just to help out for a few hours. So I did manage to get both orders out.

In less than a month I'll be doing my one and only craft show. I really need to step it up and start getting ready for it. I don't need to make any jewelry, thankfully. But I do need to organize and price things.

We're slowly getting into a sort of routine. The last four nights he seems to have figured out that night time is when we sleep. Though it's not super consistent. His fussiness is getting a bit better - he was super gassy the first two weeks.

And my mental health has gotten better. I knew it would be difficult for me and I was right. I hardly left the bedroom for the first two weeks. And I barely ate (I'm back down to my pre-pregnancy weight already). It was pretty stressful, but again between family and my doctors I made it through.

I have ideas for making jewelry ... now I just need to find time and energy to make it. :) Although I've been wasting lots of time on Facebook games. They are addicting!

Small Update

It's been a very crazy few weeks. I haven't gotten a lot done jewelry wise.

First I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Then a tumor on my placenta. Don't worry... it's not as bad as we first thought.

I'm a little tired and stressed.

The good news is that my mother in law's last bone marrow biopsy showed no cancer cells! They aren't calling it remission yet, but it's looking good. She's still tired and has a few other issues but we're very hopeful.

I'm basically just updating my Etsy shop by renewing expired listings. Kind of lame, I know. And I have a couple of new pieces to post but haven't found time or energy.

And I have classes all day, 9 to 5, starting Thursday going through Sunday.

I sort of doubt that blogging will take a high priority in the coming months. They're going to be monitoring me pretty closely and I may even have to be induced. :( Which I don't want so I'm trying to be as careful as possible.

So I thank all of you who keep visiting! And those who have checked in and offered your thoughts and prayers. They are all welcome and I am grateful!!! =)

A Bit of a Hiatus

I apologize for not updating this blog. I haven't updated my Pet blog either. :(

My MIL was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) on Friday and then I was on vacation with my mom for a couple of days. We are back and it's all about my MIL right now. She went into the hospital on Monday and started her first seven days of chemo Tuesday. It's a very aggressive type and they wanted her to go in on Friday but she refused.

I am finishing current orders and am re-listing things on Etsy as they expire, but doubt I'll have time or energy to take photos of new work.

I WILL be making special jewelry that I will make myself photograph and list - this jewelry will be orange (or some shade of orange) with a sterling ribbon and 50% of the proceeds of each piece will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. My MIL is already wearing her bracelet.

So my next update will probably be photos and links to those pieces.

Things are not easy right now. I'm sort of unsure what to do or say or how to help my hubby and his sister cope. I'm just trying to stay out of the way but at the same time be as helpful as I can. I've ordered a special head scarf for her (her hair will fall out around the 17th day of treatment apparently) and trying desperately to find a custom hospital gown (it's surprisingly hard to find a larger sized, pretty, and open shouldered one).

I've put in an Alchemy bid on Etsy so please forward to folks who you think may be able to help (it's a RUSH request).

Thanks for your understanding!

P.S. I will probably provide updates on my other more 'personal' blog - Amid Clutter. Please ignore any political posts (unless you agree with me *grin*) and comment and leave prayers on my personal posts there. We want all thoughts and prayers at this time of stress, anxiety, and fright.

Stay of Execution

So for now I still have a job...I wrote about it this morning on my other blog here.

Busy Day

My work craft show is today. I'm actually excited. I haven't done a show all year and one of the best things about shows is chatting with other vendors. I already see some really cool items set up early this morning and I know I'll be buying Christmas gifts today.

I tried thinking of a name for a new blog. I came up with one that I really liked but it's taken. A Cluttered Mind. It's a good one right? But it's taken. So now I'm not so sure. I have another one in mind but don't know if it's already taken too. And I don't have time to check.

Anyone else have some suggestions? I'm really not as creative as I pretend to be. =) It's not as if my business name is all that creative.

Have a fabulous day!