Hello everyone, Yep..it's cold. Actually today is pretty nice. It's about 16 or so. That's pretty sick when 16 degrees is pretty nice. Oh well, gotta love it. I have been staying at Glen's this week cause I got critters. Not sure what the hell they are but they're here. I thought it was a mouse so I ran to the hardware store and got some decon. He ate it so I thought good. Then as I was watchng tv on sunday, the closet became very alive and a unwanted guest ran across the floor and went under the stove so I set out another box in the kitchen. The closet became more active than I could stand so I packed up for a few days and went to Glens. I came home after work the other night to check the situation and saw a bellied up critter on the floor. I finally got the courage to open the closet door only to see nothing. Not a single one. But the box was empty so I moved the box of decon from the kitchen to the closet. Stopped in last night to check the situation and still no bodies but there's poo on the box so they must still be hanging in there. I don't know what they are. They are definately not mice cause they have a short little tail. I bagged the dead one up and showed Glen, he don't know what it is either. I am sitting here now but haven't checked the closet yet. I spose I should before I go to work to see if they need more food. ISH! I just went through that closet a few weeks ago. I went through all the boxes and put stuff in totes and saw no evidence of freeloaders at that time. So they obvioussly moved in within the last two weeks.
I got Logan's grad pics in the mail today. I'm excited. Shocked that I should have grad pics for Logan but they turned out good. I will bring them to bingo on Tues. He joined the Quards for those of you who don't know and will be leaving for basic the end of June. I spose I should get busy and figure where to have his grad party. I'm hoping for the first or second week in June. Maybe at the Pow Wow Grounds. I don't know yet. I just live in a little apartment so it won't be here. I'll keep ya all posted as to what I come up with.
Kathy, I am taking time off in Feb. so I will do my best to get up there for a day or two. Let me know what works best for you between the 10th through the 15th. Back to work on the 16th. I spose I should check the closet. Stay warm everybody. We have a few decent days coming up and back in the freezer we go. Yap at ya all later.

hey everyone

Just read everyone's postings. You certainly can tell that it's winter and we're all hibernating. Not a whole lot going on in the DeFrance household. Just wanted to check in. Happy New Year to all and take care.

Lisa

Think Warm, Tropical Breezes, Bahama Mamas, Parasailing, Whatever it is that takes you to that warm, happy place!

BRRRRR. Hope you are all staying safe and somewhat warm on our frozen tundra. Is this crazy or what? Our regular air temp was 24 below this morning. I was amazed that the car actually started. That block heater really makes a difference.
Shayla, I'm glad you got the job you wanted. You'll be waitressin' in no time. How's the weather there? Has it stopped raining and flooding? I haven't heard for a few days.
I'm coaching speech again this winter. Already a few weeks into it. We have our first meet at the end of this month and are done already by the middle of Feb. I havent' yet decided if the paycheck is going to the IRS or to a Seattle vacation. Hmmmm....which should I do? Hint...hint..... I am waiting for all of your responses.
Hope to hear from you soon:) Gotta run. Have a super week, everybody.
Love ya all.
Kiash

Happy late New Year

I hope everyone rang in the new year good and proper. Which to me is with a glass of Asti in one hand. We had a party at my house which was really fun, and then the fireworks went off right by the space needle, which we can see from my house so that was neat. I'm just greatful to have already made so many friends out here in Seattle. It's only taken me a couple of months here, and it took a couple of years out in NYC. So things are going a lot better.

I have to say that I am going to miss 2008, it was one of the best for me. Mostly because of my move to Glacier followed by my move to Seattle. But what the heck, I might as well just keep up the same stuff this year.

I had a small crisis at work. Over the holidays I was working about 35 hours a week at one of my jobs. And it's the job I like most and make more money at. So I asked my boss what she thought about me quitting my other job. She said I should go for it, cause two employees were going back to school and it looked pretty good for me. So I did quit that job I didn't like. And now, I'm screwed because this week I am on the schedule for a whopping 10 hours. I'm kinda bitter toward my boss for leaving me in the position. But she's really sensitive and passive aggressive so I can't really talk to her full out about it. But luckily, and thanks to the secret, I was able to start a new job just yesterday. I'm bussing tables, which is CRAZY. I haven't taken anything less than bartending or waitressing since I was 15 years old! But these are different times, and I still make about 60-80 in tips a night as a busser. Which works out well, cause I don't have to deal with customers, I will get moved up to server soon and then I'll make bank, and my wage is almost 9 an hour so I can probably still pull at least 500 a week between my two jobs. So it's all good now.

And I'm going back to Glacier in May! Which I can't wait for. Plus one of my friends from work is going too, so I'll have a hiking buddy. And I know I'll be able to put away some good money there. And in about 6 weeks the weather will start to get nice out here and as soon as March rolls around I'm hitting the trails. This is such a beautiful area, I can't wait to get out and explore.

I'm really glad you're using the secret Mom! I know it works. Good luck with your book and your new business!

Happy New Year everyone! I think 2009 is gonna be awesome!

HELLO

HI EVERYONE. STARTING MONDAY WE'RE DOWN TO 32 HOUR WEEKS. THAT'S 8 HOURS OF REG PAY AND 6 HOURS OF OT DOWN FROM "NORMAL" YIKES. STILL, I HAVE A JOB AND LIKE YOU TAMMY, NOW IS DEF. NOT THE TIME TO START AT THE BOTTOM SOMEWHERE. I AM GOING TO AT LEAST LOOK AT WHAT'S OUT THERE, IF ANYTHING, FOR PART TIME WORK.

I HAD A TOENAIL REMOVED YESTERDAY WHICH MEANS AN OFFICE VISIT WHICH MEANS A WEIGH IN. TURNS OUT THE SCALE HERE IS ALMOST TEN LBS OFF! SO I DID A WALK/JOG SESSION ON THE TREADMILL THIS MORNING, A WHOLE 16 MINUTES BUT HEY, I FIGURE I HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE.

HEY JEN, I HOPE YOU'RE FEELING BETTER. I THINK I WARDED OFF A COLD/FLU BUG. I HAD A SORE THROAT, HEADACHE, STOMACH ACHE, EVEN GOT SICK BUT ALL THE SYMTOMS CAME ONE AT A TIME AND I'M FEELING FINE NOW. LEFT WORK 3 HOURS EARLY ON WED AND LEFT AT NOON ON THURS(TOE) SO I DID LOSE A WORK DAY BUT AT LEAST IT WAS ONLY A DAY AND NOT A WEEK. THE CRUD IS DEF. GOING AROUND.

TAKE CARE EVERYONE, SEE YA AROUND! SEE YA TUES TAM LOVE Y'ALL, LUKE

Happy New Year to all!

Lu, the medical field is a pretty secure place to be right now. That's why my new brain storm is to hang around for awhile. If I start somewhere new in billing and coding, I will be at the bottom and that's not a very safe place to be right now. All nursing homes are always hiring nurses and aides so that would be something to check out if you are really interested. Not to be mean (this is the reason I'm looking to get off the floor) but it's hard physical work. It's not just visiting and helping old people. Actually, that's exactly what it is but there is alot of physical work involved that people don't realize. At our age, I would recommend something other than aide work. We're not in our twenties anymore ya know. In fact I am once again concidering taking the TMA class. Which would be less physical work but still icky hours. Either 6-2 or 2-11, weekends and holidays. M-F/9-5 sounds really good but it doesn't exist. I wish I knew where I was gonna end up but I guess you can't go wrong with education. It only leads to more opportunities right? It would be nice to make up my mind and stick with it. I would love to find a 9-5 job in this field but I don't know how secure it would be at this point in time. We'll see I guess. For now I'll just keep on doing what I'm doing and see where I end up. I hope everyone has a safe and prosperous new year. I love ya all. Gotta go to work. Kathy I plan on taking some time off so I WILL get up there. Yap at ya all later.