Wow. So much has happened in the last two weeks that there was no time for blogging! Crazy, I know, but it happened! :) I haven't read a book in that time either!
There have been a lot of changes around the Cole homestead, including the Cole homestead. Dan is now making more money per hour and working fewer hours and I am no longer employed. I am still looking into possible legal action against an employer who failed to follow up on reports of harassment, failed to follow legal guidelines when asking us to move, refused to pay out my vacation because my position was terminated, yet won't allow unemployment because I quit. Wrong on many levels and certainly skirting the edges of legality, but not sure it would be worth the financial cost. I hate to just let them get away with treating people the way they have because this was not the first time, I'm sure and you know it's not the last time either. We need to find Dan a new job that will allow him time to see Payton. They are trying really hard to understand how Dan connects with our guys so well. They already told him that once they find a couple to replace us, he won't have that position either. This means that I need to kick my PartyLite business into high gear so that I can take up the slack when or if that happens.
Payton told me last night that I really needed to get to work on my blog again or start writing a book. I'm not sure exactly what inspired that, but it was nice to hear. :)
I have continued my Women 2 Women supplements through out our last couple of weeks of chaos. Amazingly enough, I have not been having mental or emotional breakdowns on a regular basis. I haven't noticed any other changes in my PCOS symptoms, but something is changing. For me to have dealt with all of the stresses of losing a job and a home and moving into a place far smaller than what we've ever had, losing our deposit and my vacation pay, and no breakdowns?? That's a pretty fantastic change of pace. Well, I did have one minor meltdown, but I'm pretty sure that's a normal thing. And it's so much better than I have dealt with life in such a long time that I know things are changing! Now if I could just get the weight, acne and hair loss under control. :(
I have not been able to ride my bike, but I DID get approval from Work Comp to have at least 6 physical therapy sessions. Once my hip is not hurting all of the time, that should make bike riding much easier. Also, Livi started dance class yesterday at DancE Hues. Miss Cathy was wonderful. She is a pre-school teacher by day and teaches toddlers to dance by evening. As the studio is just getting started up, Livi was the only student so she got 30 minutes of one on one instruction. She was so well behaved and followed instructions perfectly. She did, of course, try to butt heads when Miss Cathy asked her to count to eight. Livi said she didn't want to count to eight. Miss Cathy said she needed to count to four then. Livi said she didn't want to count to four. She didn't want to count to eight. Miss Cathy just said she had to do it, and then she did. I am going to try to emulate Miss Cathy's tone and strategy with Livi at home. It was great, but I don't know if I can be that patient. I will sure try. At the end of class, Miss Cathy let Livi pick out a sticker. Livi picked one and the said she wanted two. Miss Cathy said, "Sorry, only one." And Livi said, "OK." So easy. It's got me re-thinking the way I handle certain situations. Trying to see if I'm being one of those moms who gives in to avoid conflicts when I'm trying to encourage Livi to be independent.
Mommy starts dance class today. I have PT this morning at eleven and then I have Adult Hip-Hop at 4. It's going to be a tight schedule this afternoon because today is one of my guys' birthday. I made chocolate cupcakes, because they are one of his favorites. I'll drop Dan off around 2:45 at work, pick up Payton at 3:10 or so, be back at the house for cupcakes at 3:15. Then I have to eat yummy cupcakes with my buddy and be on my way across town to our house by 3:40 so I can drop the kids off and get to class on time. Busy, but I think it will work.
We are heading to Quinter this weekend to visit my folks. My brother and his family will be there also. We are going to talk to Dan's ex to see if we can have Ash for part of the weekend. Payton will be at his dad's but my brother may be hauling a bunk bed up here that Daddy bought for the girls so he should get to see them all on Monday or Tuesday. We have to go to Quinter again next weekend if we are going to be able to let Ash go to her very first volley ball game. It really sucks that Dan's schedule is so late because he works until 11 and then it's a 4 hour drive. We won't even be there until 3am. These are going to be some crazy long weekends. I am also going to see if I can talk a hometown friend or two into having PartyLite parties so that I can help to defray the costs of the trips. That way I don't feel like I'm abandoning my business to be with my family. I have to find a balance until the business is more stable.
I will have Dan help me measure myself as soon as I can find my flexible tape again. Oh, the joys of unpacking! :) And I started my food log again today. I'm finally beginning to feel like I'm back on track a little. Next week, I'll build a schedule for when to work my business and when to unpack boxes and when to help the kids organize their rooms. Being at home finally gives me the chance to get things set up in the most optimal way. My desk is in the kitchen but there is still room for the table and my bike will be in the laundry/mud room. It's not ideal, but it's doable. :) And a year from now, we are going to move on to bigger and better things!
