May 2013 Flickr Upload

As usual, you can catch the whole feed here and here are some of my favorites:

Lego lover 009!

 012's Spring Band Concert - Mr. Hickman is one of his all-time favorite teachers! Can't say as I blame him, that man is a blessing to high school education.

 12-year old photo of the house.  Wow, the bushes were s-m-a-l-l, check it out now! 

CRAZY!

 Went to hibachi grill in KZoo for Mom's Day.  It was a great time, even if the 2 young ones aren't showing it!

 Fun times at Dad's.  He's probably not the only one who is still a kid at heart.

 One of my most favorite things - family all together!

 Don't get to see this guy nearly enough!

 I love the fact that my kids will do things just for him.

 What I get to see a lot of, and I have to admit, am a bit infatuated with...

 Always love seeing this sort of thing on the front porch...

I was mowing the yard, but these cloud towers were irresistible! 

Mini Album Share on BenzillaScrapping

Good Morning!  I don't always remember to cross-post, but I did upload a mini album share over on the other site.  Here's a link to it Good to be the Grampa Mini.  Hope all is well in your patch!

Mama's got a brand new bag!

Yup, it is true!  I know I have been very quiet as of late.  This was my last real life post back in February.  There was a bit I left out, to protect the innocent, and maybe the not so innocent.  In November/December of 2013, I was pushed out of my position at work, and forced to go back to being on the help desk.  Many "reasons" but none of them really made sense.  Nor did they ever let me know when I was doing something "wrong" so that I could learn and adjust.  That, my friends, is just poor management and leadership.  Period.  Can't sugar-coat it.

So they replaced me with a man that had only been there about a year.  And only has about 7 years experience in the market, compared to my 25.  yup.  I was then treated like a wayward child who did not know the simplest of tasks, was reprimanded & corrected over the slightest error, or if he did not approve of the method of troubleshooting.  My conversations were listened in on and monitored.  The time I spent using the loo, making coffee, or catching up with coworkers was strictly observed, and I have no doubt recorded.

I finally had enough of the abusive relationship, yup, there really is no other way to describe it.  I would receive emails that were pages long psychoanalyzing me, and everything I did while all at the same time trying to assure me I "did not have a target on my back".  I did not know who to trust.  It was a hostile work environment, no ifs, ands or buts.

So I handed in my resignation.  They were not surprised.  They did not ask why.  I was there almost 5 years, and it meant nothing to them.  During my exit interview, I told them I was surprised they had not asked.  "oh I think I know why, I should have this, I should have that".  It was always about them, not me.

I have chosen to go back to school.  I'm studying to be a massage therapist.  I can't wait, it is going to be so much fun.  I am really enjoying school, and finally working toward a profession that is not viewed as "a necessary evil".

It is a huge leap of faith, and I am scared to my bones!

More later, but now it is time to go make some vittles!

April 2013 Flickr Upload

It has been awhile since I have posted anything other than layouts or Flickr uploads.  Don't worry, more about life coming up....

You can see the full Stream here and here are my faves:

Birthday dinner for me.  He loves french onion soup & medium steak.  How can you not love him!

 Still hasn't broken his goofy picture streak.  So glad he could join us!

 And even he found something he liked!

 My adult birthday party!

 Test-flying the new specs.  

 How can you not love this guy?!?  I mean, seriously!  But I do need to get more pictures of him.

 Learning how to use the 'chute.  Later, I got to learn what it is like to inspect them and repack them.  Wow!

 So.Much.Fun.Always.

 Best group of guys.  Ever.

 TKD - 012 breaking his board.  He almost didn't get it.  I almost had a heart attack.

 TKD - 009 breaking his board.  Small but mighty he is!

 Go-carts are always fun!

 Love seeing these guys pop out!

March 2013 Flickr Upload

Good morning! I have been busy today getting lots of things done & crossed off the list.  One of the fun ones was getting these uploaded to Flickr.  You can see the full stream here and here are a few of my favorites:

 TKD Promotion.  They look so young & tiny here, my gosh they have grown in a year & a half!

 009 decided to shovel a path to the compost pile, all by himself!  It was so sweet!

 My youngest brother's 40th birthday.  My gosh, I can't believe he is that old.  Of course, I am (still) 25.

 012 on his 6th grade field trip to Chicago.  I am so glad they still do that!  I remember going when I was that old.

 Becoming 012.

 Never a dull moment!

 My little family!

How awesome to have these 3 guys join me for Love Feast at Church!