I Suppose I Should Update Ya'll...

Wow...haven't been here in a long while. My cousin, Heather, started up a new blog about her family, so I felt compelled to update mine. Where should I start? It's been a crazy year to say the least. In April, after four long, ass kicking years, I quit my job with the Department of Health...let's just say to preserve my sanity. It was scary and hard to let go but the drama, lack of leadership and red tape was eating my alive! I missed my friends but I soon learned it was a decision driven by God. I was off work for about 30 days and put in application after application with the State of Florida. I knew I wanted to remain with the state due to benefits and retirement but knew I wanted out of DOH. Not too long after my resignation I received an invitation to interview with the Department of Children and Families. I wan't too impressed due to their lengthy negative history in the news with Child Protective Services; so needless to say I was leary. I checked the position out and learned it was case management for potentially eligible clients applying for Medicaid, Food Stamps and Temporary Cash Assistance. NOT in Child Protective Services. I accepted the invitation to the interview and 2 weeks later was offered the job. I started May 3rd and haven't looked back since. I love the job. It's challenging, rewarding and fulfilling. My first day on the job I learned something mind blowing. Seventy percent of our department telecommutes (works from home) four days a week. This is something I've always wanted to do but could never find the right position! So, after 12 solid weeks of mind numbing training (if you didn't pass training, you were let go), I am finally an Economic Self Sufficiency Specialist and will start working from home the first part of 2009! I'm so excited.

Home life...Phil and I will be married four years this November and still going strong. He's my rock and I love him dearly. He's going on ten years with Kreiger Electric. It's hard work and wears him down but he plays a huge role in that company. I don't think he would be happy retired. He's a work-a-holic. Cole started Polk Community College last Monday. He's doing well but still has a lot of growing to do. He's been living with us for a year and a half and seems happier and healthier. He has not talked to his father since April 2007 but he doesn't seem too, too effected by it. It's both of their choices not to speak. I encourage him to take the steps to mend his relationship with his dad but he has so much on his plate that I really think he doesn't have the energy. We own four houses now which take up a huge amount of our time. When Phil's dad passed in Sept 2007, he left us three rental properties. Along with the upkeep of our own home, we upkeep those but thankfully they are all on the property we live on. The extra income is a HUGE blessing and allows us to live very comfortably (plus pay that huge college bill LOL). Our first lab, Katie, who brought us two beautiful litters, has been placed in a very happy home. It was hard letting go of her but she had a few neurotic tendencies that posed a problem in our household. First, she was afraid to walk on wood flooring (which is 100 percent of our home). So, a very good friend of mine, John King, and his life partner, adopted Katie in January of this year. They love her dearly and are like two mother hen's (even though they are guys). LOL She loves them and is spoiled rotten. She still comes to visit. We still have six labs (are trying to place two in good homes) and five cats. They keep us very busy and completely broke because of feed bills :P But, oh how we love our animals. Bella, our chocolate lab (indoors) is doing wonderfully. She is the best dog. She loves her family unconditionally and takes good care of me :O) Me? I'm still smoking. It's my only vice. I hate it but I love it. LOL I guess things could be worse. I'm working on my path with God. Slowly but surely figuring things out. I don't go to church...can't find one I'm comfortable at...but I think God understands as long as I do the right thing and continue my studies. I've always been a loner when it comes to God...it's just not me worshiping with a bunch of people I don't know. Seems so superficial. I guess that's okay. Something tells me it is. Let's see...oh yeah. I broke my foot Tuesday LOL Stupid ass me was going to a doctor's appointment and fell on an uneven sidewalk, face first, ass up in the air. But, I have to tell you, if you ever want IMMEDIATE medical attention fall at a medical faciility. No waiting in line!!! Everyone keeps asking me if I'm going to sue but I really don't have the desire to. I have excellent insurance through the state and as long as they pay I won't sue. I've been off work this week because of my foot and I swear every commercial on television is about suing!!! I can see why people call...it's like being hypnotized! Oh yeah, I turned 40 this year. Not as bad as I thought it would be. But, now, when people ask how old I am, I cringe LOL Not as easy to say 40 as it was 30, 35 or even 39!!! My mom and dad are hanging in there. Not the best they could be but coping. Mom is endstage Alzheimers. She has no recollection, no personality, no life anymore. She's basically a vegetable. I pray daily for her to pass. It's just not her sitting in a wheelchair with a blank stare on her face and mumbling unintelligible things. My father --- mmmm --- I disagree most of the time with him on how he handles his life. He's so freakin' stubborn. He's wasting away in depression but won't get a handle on it. He sits at home with the freaks he hangs around with (I call them inheritance suckers)....plays online poker, drinks and eats junk food. I don't even go over there anymore because I can't stand the discord and depression. My thinking is if he wants to live that way so be it. More power to him. But, don't expect me to be a part of it. I thank God daily that my mother doesn't understand their life style. She would be appalled and heart broken. Enough about that. Other than that, I'm still fat and happy. I'm planning on having the lapband surgery next year. Hopefully that will cure me of my desire for food! Ugh!

I suppose I should shut up for now because I could write a book. I will TRY...I will TRY TRY TRY to stay current (as long as Heather does hehehe) on this blog. Until then...love to all and many blessings!