Well well well....

It's Twenty Twelve.... hey that rhymes....

Will say that I am thrilled that Twenty Eleven has gone on it's merry way. It was a rough year. Really rough year.

But it was also one of the best years! Fulfilled my one year probation (YES!!! ONE WHOLE ENTIRE YEAR!!!) without getting may ass turfed out the door. It's kinda funny because at my three quarters of the way through evaluation my boss put down something that really had nothing to do with my job performance as a something that needed to be worked on. After I explained to her again the circumstances behind the incident she dropped her pencil on the desk and stated "I'm sorry, I have to put it. No One is perfect." To which I replied, "well then, I guess I am No One!" We laughed and it was removed prior to being sent upstairs for their approval.

On the kid front, #1 worked at a few jobs this year. Some good, one not so good. He ended the year employed full time with a small company that is treating him really well. Looks like the boss is going to foot the bill for the Apprenticeship program.... Have to see how that goes. And #2 got a job. Yes, you read correct.... he GOT A JOB!!! The humble beginnings of many a stellar person.... McD's.... he loves the paycheques, not the work, but soon came to realize that one must work in order to get paid.

SG is doing better. As you probably don't know, he was assaulted on the job in the beginning of July which led to a rough rough time. He's better now, back at work and living his life. This is good.

The dogs (yeah, still four of them, try as I might I just cannot part with any of them) are still around. They have their own room now. They take turns sleeping in our room, one at a time. Makes them feel a little special for a couple of days. Gotta spread the love you know.

And what else. Christmas was good. Nice. Too much food. Lower end on the gift scale but you know, that's life every now and again. If every Christmas was a feast you wouldn't know to enjoy them without the odd famine.

Oh, and I turn 50 this year. Yes, yes I do. And I am looking forward to it. Really. I am. The start of the 2nd half of my century is something to look forward to... And there better be one frickin' big party planned. Or I may just run away from home and never come back....

Ciao!

Six Months

Well, at least it was yesterday. Which was when I wanted to post.

But couldn't.

Being that it had been eight months since there was any consistency what so ever with posting on the blog, and pure luck that I was able to remember how to do it four days prior, I could not FOR THE LIFE OF ME!!!! get logged in yesterday. I tried many passwords, many log in names, many combinations of passwords and log in names until such time I managed to lock myself out entirely.

I was forced to contact Google accounts to see about getting me and my blog reset.

And I will be honest. Even in the drunkest of times when posting blither blather that may have made it for your viewing pleasure, or was deleted prior to anyone having viewed it as an early morning wake up was the result of a terror stricken "OMG.... I posted last night!!" ~ yes it has happened ~ I have never, ever, EVER! forgotten how to log in to my blog.

Oh sure, I could blame it on the new gig and the multitude of passwords and log in's I must carry with me. Some of which are required to be changed every 90 days... damn security. Or I could blame it on the fact that it really has been a long time since I was hanging around here. Or that I've got a ton of stuff on my mind and twice the tonnage of stress to go along with it.... But I won't.

I think, and please don't persecute me for it, that the fact that I'll be turning 50 in 6 months, well, today it's 6 months less a day, has everything to do with it.

Not that 50 is old. It isn't by any stretch of the imagination.... or at least that what I'm attempting to convince myself. Given the life I've been living over the last 18 months or so everyday there is a mantra chanted.... 'you can do it, you still have it, you're only 32'....

I won't lie.... for the most part I cannot BELIEVE!!!! that I will be 50 in 6 months (well, less a day... and don't you dare say I'm on the downward slide or I will hunt you down and do you harm!). It's an age that I've been looking forward to if I must be honest.

But I don't want to go into my 50's the way I am right now.

I have said in the past that when I turned 50 I will get a tattoo. I have also said that I will learn how to ride, and get a license to do so, a motorcycle. And I've have harboured a deep desire to take a winter vacation to somewhere hot, very hot.

But I will not do any of those things the way I am at 49 and 1/2 (well, less one day on the 1/2 part. Overweight, out of shape, teetering on the verge of high blood pressure (must get back to using ABB).

So, with the free use of fully equipped gym at my beck and call (bit of a struggle over who gets to use the treadmill, but I will win most of those battles), a solid diet plan in place, I will take on 50 the way I want to take on 50.

Great shape (both physically and mentally), not to mention a hot body perched on a motorcycle, a tattoo that will look fantastic on firmly toned skin and sportin' that bikini on the beach during the cold winter months....

This is my goal for 50!

I will keep you posted on my progress. I shall share it all by sharing my measurements, my weight loss, my progress. And I shall continue to fill you with memorable words that you will hopefully laugh, cry, and shake your head at.

But most of all, I hope you enjoy the words I write. And... if you don't, it doesn't matter. Because at my age.... it's about time it becomes all about me....

Oh.... and by the way.... Google accounts provided no solution what so ever.... It was actually a four am wake-up where I found myself sitting straight up in bed going "OMG... this is how you log in"....

Ciao!

Long time, no words

I haven't analyzed anything but I know it's been awhile.

I thought that I didn't want to keep on with Pocket Lint. I don't know why. I think I thought that a different blog, one that started fresh and was somewhat anonymous would be a better fit.

So I started it. And.... yeah failed to keep up with it.

Life has been quite crazy for oh, let's say that last 19 months, which those dedicated readers know. But I do believe that some sort of 'normalcy' may have returned to my life. Uh, yeah, maybe not so much, but some!

The stress of leaving the job that I could've had for the rest of my life to take on a position that was purely a gamble as to whether I would be collecting 'employment insurance' (formerly referred to UI.... wow that was a long time ago) has pretty well diminished. I'm three months away from finishing my 12 month probation period with the Federal Government and, if my performance evaluations and Award of Distinction have anything to say about it, I should be okay.

The boys have grown up while I've been waffling about through my life.

#1 is working full time and #2 just got his second paycheque from his first job. I'm very thrilled to tell you that he started where I first started. You got it, the Golden Arches..... I'm guessing he's doing well as he's scheduled beyond belief for the next week. And yeah, I'm thinking we have to do something about these Friday and Saturday night shifts whereby he works until midnight.... Mama's working Monday to Friday now and needs to 'chill' on the weekend :).

SG has had a troubling summer. After being assaulted, on the job, in the beginning of July, he's been off. It's been a rough road for him, very rough. And pretty rough for me as well. But, he, and we, are working through it.  It'll turn out okay. More on that to follow.

So yeah, back to my ramblings. I've said it before and I'm saying it again now.... I miss my blog, I miss the writing and the venting and the observations and .... well I just miss it Damn It!!!

There's plenty to catch up on and more to write about I'm certain.

So that I shall do....

See you.... Sooner, rather than later!

I need answers here...

Can someone please tell me what they would've done when they received a phone call from an off duty police officer who just happened upon, oh let's say, their son, who just happened to be doing brake stands and some sort of drifting activity in the parking lot of a gas station.

With other cars right there in the parking lot.

Not to metion the gas pumps RIGHT THERE!!!!!!

And, why not, let's toss in no license on his person to prove that he has earned the right to drive the car.

Because I'm really not sure I did the right thing....

Thanks, appreciate it.

Okay, I've missed you....

My lovely little blog.

I still haven't figured out if I can continue with you but I'm sorta thinking I can.... provided I have no reference AT ALL!!! to any of the stuff that I can't talk about.

So.... off limits shall be my professional life. And all things associated with it.

Well, other than the fact that I love my job!

ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS I'VE EVER MADE!!!!

And, it hasn't caused me any undue stress or given me any of the nightmares I thought would come in dealing with the stuff I have to deal with. It's amazing to think that there are things you thought you could never handle but when faced with them, you really can....

Much like parenting teenagers, who would've thought that that they'd give us what they do? Make us handle what they hand out? Sheesh...

Did I mention I love my job....??? Okay, never mind...

I will say that I thought I could easily give up my lovely little blog. That it wouldn't be a problem to get rid of the outlet that I have to express my thoughts and be creative and write and, yeah, well, vent about the life that I live.

But it wasn't. I can't.

I need this space, and this place, to write and share what is my life. Because really, within all the hell that goes on here (there's plenty I might add), the stress that presents itself (always uninvited), the heartache and sorrow, there is happy and wonderful that goes on too. My life is really quite hilarious.... at least in my mind...

So here it shall be....

Watch out!

33 days

Crap.

That's a long time between blog posts.

Good news is my gamble paid off. You know, the one where I left a good paying permanent job I could've had for the rest of my life to take a drop in pay and go to a "term position" with the hopes of becoming a permanent employee of the Federal Government.

The last 11 months have not been easy. The drop in pay being a little tougher to handle than I thought. Never mind the fact that I was under the impression that the waiting period for benefits was three months...not six. And benefits, whether you believe or not, count for so much.

It was tough.

But, on December 8th I became an "indeterminate" (that means permanent by the way) employee of our Federal Government. I have a 365 day probation period (real world is 90 days, but I'm quickly discovering that normal for the FG {Federal Government} is not normal for the RW {real world} but should make it through just fine. I mean seriously, I had two performance reviews where they could find absolutely nothing, and I mean nothing!!!! to gripe about).

It also means a substantial raise in pay. Thank you Lord Jesus I must yell! Once all the dust settles I will be incredibly close, if not slightly above, the salary I left when I decided to take this journey.

I may, however, not regain the years that I lost due to stress. Nor may the wrinkles that adorn my brow and the area around my eyes and mouth ever go away. But I'm making more money now, I can afford a facelift if needed.

I'm also trying to decide if I can keep the blog going. There are rules and regulations where people in my position are concerned. And I think they're advising that this kind of stuff shouldn't go on.

I don't know.

I need to review the documentation and figure out if I can keep it going.

But for now, all is well, Christmas was wonderful. SG pulled off an amazing feat for a first timer. Oh yeah,.... I had to work. He did it all, from the gift shopping to most of the wrapping to all (and I mean ALL!!) of the cooking. I came home to a celebration that could not have been any better had I done it. I won't lie. It was weird. But I was impressed and happy.

New Year's will be the same. I work. But it's okay.

It's New Year's Eve and SG and whomever else will be here and awake when I arrive home at 00:13 hours to bring in the New Year with them. Unless y'all are heading this way to clean my house, prep the appetizers and feast that will await me upon my arrival home from a long nights work, (I start work at 14:00 hours in case that's what you're planning) I will give kisses and hugs to all those that are.

Happy New Year Everyone.

May your 2011 be everything you wish for.

Mine will be.

Love Jodie

A wittle update....

Soooo.... kinda blew the every second day post mandate I had for myself this month. But that's okay. I had a lot going on, still do, and wasn't really in the right frame of mind to post much of anything anyway.

Not true. What I felt like writing I couldn't. What I wanted to write I shouldn't.

Anywooo, we're getting ready for Christmas over here. I've actually started the shopping. I know, I know, a little early for me but the deal was too good to pass up. That shall continue as the days go on. The shopping thing I mean. The deals? Well we take 'em when we get 'em!

I've started baking too. Well, I never stop baking, but now I'm baking Christmas type baking. And, it is now that I realize how much I truly miss my Maggie. Where the hell am I going to hide all the stuff? I used to drive around with it in the trunk of my car so that it wouldn't all get devoured within two days. With it in the trunk of my car, well, it allowed me to have some as the holiday's got closer.

Now I don't have a trunk. And there's only so much room in the bar-b-que.

Got the house decorations out yesterday and put them up. I think next year it will be time to re-think the decorations and maybe come up with something different. Same old, same old, kinda boring.

I'm planning the Christmas party for the office. Not having attended one previously I was a little hesitant to take on the job. Turns out it should be quite simple as the masses want it held at a dining establishment this year as opposed to a pot luck type gathering at a hall.

And I'm expecting some mail. Some people thought the mail would've arrived last week but I didn't really think so. I'm hoping for Monday or Tuesday.

Then we shall commence the celebration and share the news!

Back to bed for me. The dogs started barking at 1:52 am and I've been awake since then...