Sub-Par Quality

Fear not, I have not forgotten about my blog. I just haven't had anything to share. Sure, I could have found PLENTY of juicy info to share, but it probably would have ended up as cryptic as a 15 year old girl's facebook. My excuse is simple: life right now is {so chaotic} that I don't know which way is up.

Really, though, I feel like that is my problem: I have forgotten which way is up, because I have obviously not been taking too many concerns in that direction. I have been in search for a church since October 2009. Like probably 99.9999999% of folks (excluding, of course, my mother and my brother) meeting new people is just not my forte. There is a reason why my very best friend is the same girl who befriended me in Ms. Peebles' 2nd grade class in 1992. I have tried a handful of different local churches and have instantly found reasons not to like them. However, I was not sure if I felt uncomfortable there simply because I do not like to meet new people in an unfamiliar space, or if I was truly being led elsewhere.

I tried a different church on Sunday I {loved} the experience! An older gentleman sat down next to me in church and struck up a conversation; come to find out, he knew my husband as Sean was growing up and thought the world of him. Afterwards, he introduced me to his wife who responded like we were just old friends. They introduced me to the pastor afterwards and I felt encouraged to ask about Sunday School opportunities. He instantly introduced me to another gal my age and she took me to a "young married's" class, where I felt like I had been going forever. It was exactly what I had been waiting for: a place to feel at home, where the congregants treated each other like family. Because that's what we are, right?! I left feeling vibrant and refueled. It honestly wouldn't have taken a whole lot to feel that way, though, because I hadn't been anywhere in probably over a month. My life was feeling murky. Now, I am excited to go back for more and that's a wonderful feeling.

The feeling couldn't have come at a more perfect time, either. Sean's schedule is particularly chaotic at the moment with school and work. The softball season is winding down (can I get a hallelujah?!) and I think he has realized that perhaps the commitment was a little too much on his plate. Additionally, the kids' extracurricular activities are in full swing and, while I am not taking them to practice and may not go to all the games, we are still all under the same roof and we do well to work around each other's schedules and be aware of where everyone is going to be. So, I have been making a calendar to outline Sean's weekly school schedule and ever-variable work schedule and added to it J's football practices & games, Lex's volleyball practices, the family softball games, and other items we have planned on the weekends. I worked out a menu with Ashley for the week and so far these small gestures have helped everyone to stay on track and know what to expect (I think the kiddos like having their names on the master schedule, too - it makes them feel involved). I like order and the lack has made the quality of our days more than sub-par. I won't say this week has been of the highest quality, but I will say that having that sense of order has certainly improved what we have been lacking over the course of the last month.

Now we just have to get our finances figured out. Going from 2 full time paychecks to 1 1/2 checks is just not fun. There isn't another way to put it.

Dog-Gone It

We completed all of the finishing touches on our fence this weekend which, for my husband, meant that he could finally bring his baby home. Enter: Angus.


For the most part, I think Angus tries really hard to be a good horse dog. He is just so BIG and strong and that can be a little overwhelming. Sean’s mom gave him the bulldog as a gift when Sean was considering moving out of his parents’ house; he’s been in a small mud pit of a yard with two to three other dogs ever since. First, Sean popped the question to me and didn’t move out for another year or so. After that, we moved into a house that didn’t have an adequate yard for an 80+ pound beast that can jump a standard chain link fence like he’s an Olympic high jumper. He’s been attacked by a Rottweiler who didn’t appreciate Angus’ playful advances, and now his scars make him look like a seriously vicious animal. In reality, he just wants to play all.the.time.

The ASPCA has some good videos on how to train your dog. I’ve never had to train a dog; my dogs have either just been really well behaved or they had plenty of room to run and play and keep themselves occupied. We found OP like he is, and he was trained enough for me. We’ve worked really hard with Angus since we brought him home on not jumping. He so craves the attention but doesn’t realize his brute strength. That tactic still requires a lot of work, but he’s getting better at it.

The problem we can’t seem to tackle: the whining. He whines when you go inside. He whines when you leave the light on. He whines when he can hear us talking inside. And the worst: my phone fell off the bed last night while I was sleeping and he instantly started whining. I don’t know what to do! Everything I’ve read says to not give him attention when he whines and praise him when he quits but he whines all the time. Others say he is not getting enough attention; I can guarantee this is not the case. It has only been two nights, though. Hopefully this will be remedied soon. Otherwise, Sean's just going to have to go out and sleep with him to keep him company.

Crazy Love

Sean & I could not have more different tastes in music. We usually settle on country when we ride together, but if I get in my car after he has driven it then I almost always have to turn down the volume and change from classic rock. When he gets into his vehicle after I've driven it, he's scrambling to change the station away from NPR (I only listen in the morning, but I like starting conversations with, "I was listening to NPR the other day and heard the most fascinating story about sheep herding in Vietnam that really relates..." I work with people waaaaaaaaaay smarter than me and it is sometimes difficult to keep up). Naturally, there aren't that many concerts we can both willingly attend together. He only really has one dream concert that he would like to attend should he ever be able to get his hands on some tickets that won't break our checking account AND savings account AND require us to dip into retirement: AC/DC. But.... he'll have to either go by himself or find a couple of friends to go with him because I will not be purchasing that ticket.

When I heard Michael Buble was coming to town, Sean instantly started trying to find someone to go with me so he wouldn't have to go. I ended up connecting with my middle school music teacher (whom I hadn't talked to since middle school) and she had a friend who works in the box office. She found some really great seats that didn't require me to sell a kidney.

And by really great, I mean a Branson "celebrity" and a former politician sat behind me. Behind!

My former teacher & I had dinner at Nonna's; I had to get used to calling her "Becky," which was really very difficult to do so I found myself avoiding her name altogether. Dork. Then we went to the concert which went by way too quickly and somehow I still got home incredibly late.

If he should come to town again in the future, and I'm able to find fairly priced tickets, I may just have to bribe my husband to go. It was such a good time and there were so many men there that obviously did not want to be there but still laughed out loud and clapped their hands. Buble is a surprisingly funny fella and just an excellent performer.

L.O.V.E.D.  I.T.!

To Swim or Not To Swim

Almost done, a photo by Stephanie.Sekscinski on Flickr.

Today is the day we are supposed to find out if our concrete pond can be fixed or not. We found a really great pool guy (who henceforth shall be called, "the pool guy") who gave us a quote on Tuesday to have the pool fixed which we can work with. However, the pool hasn't been up and running in almost ten years and was left in even worse shape than this. The pool guy is supposed to come out today after work to test the pressure in the lines. If they hold pressure, he could start work next weekend! If they don't hold pressure, then the pool that was supposedly winterized SO well will have to be filled up one last time... with dirt.
I tossed and turned all night Tuesday night and went from dreams about pool disasters to waking up to think some more about the pool. There was quite a bit of prayer on Tuesday night seeking guidance. After a phone call on Wednesday which helped us decide what we were going to do, I slept just fine.
I hope that the lines either check out or that they don't and that there is NO gray area. We are really okay either way at this point - we'll be okay filling it in if the pipes are busted or we will be ECSTATIC to get to potentially swim this summer. Either way, we will be making our back yard look better than how we found it.

Busy

It would appear that as soon as the weather got warm enough to stand outside without a parka, our schedule filled up! Yet when I try to think about something to blog, there really isn't anything that exciting to read about going on.
Over the span of two months, we have been invited to two weddings and one wedding reception for some very good friends who are leaving soon for Cancun where they will be having a beach wedding. So of course, each of those has their own wedding shower and bachelorette party. One cousin is preparing for a new baby while another cousin was finally able to adopt her daughter - parties for both. My very best friend's grandparents are celebrating a big anniversary - party. My neice celebrated her 9th birthday with a party at our house and Sean's birthday is coming up so I'm sure there will be a party there as well with all of his friends. Is it any surprise that for my birthday next month I want a low-key day?!
Between all of the celebrations we have so kindly been invited to, we have planned a good number of projects to work on around the house. We have finished the majority of the work on our privacy fence which I have looked forward to having since we very first looked at the house. We badly need to re-side the garage and tear down the carport and some other minor maintenance tasks before Sean starts school in August. This weekend, in the midst of the heatwave we are experiencing, Sean's family is helping put together a softball tournament to benefit families in Joplin who are having difficulties paying for funeral services for those lost in the tornado. Since I don't possess an athletic gene, but I'm kinda smart, I'm running the concession stand.
I am planning on taking off work through the last week in July to relax and enjoy some time with the hubs before he starts school and our finances become tight. I want to go to the beach so badly, but he doesn't want to go very far away (I fall asleep too quickly so I'm apparently not a reliable navigator. Whatev). Regardless of what we do or where we go, I won't be at or think about work which will be a very welcome feeling I am certain.

My Glass

Glass half empty: realizing that I've eaten all of my gum (with some help from my nieces) after eating a super garlicky spaghetti lunch.
Glass half full: remembering that I "stole" the rest of the mints this morning at my early morning meeting at the hospital. They have really good mints and no one else was in the room.

Glass half empty: wishing so badly I could go home because the rain makes me want to nap.
Glass half full: because it's raining, I won't have to water this weekend which means I have more time to do other things. Like nap this weekend.

Glass half empty: this next week looks so daunting, with a number of tasks at work and home that have to be done by a certain time. Our fence has to be finished by Memorial Day because we won't have any help after that. I have a deadline that has to be met by next Friday or else I won't be able to take Tuesday off or will have to work from home the entire weekend & Memorial Day, which I won't be compensated for.
Glass half full: I took this job in order to have a challenge. I can't ask for a challenge and then complain about it. And after Memorial Day, the entire fence will be done, beautiful and something we can be proud of. We WILL finish it.

Glass half empty: dreading the holes we have to dig this weekend for our fence we're putting up over memorial weekend, possibly in the rain.
Glass half full: we're making memories working on a project together for which I am very thankful. We don't have to hire someone to do our project when we can do it ourselves (with a LITTLE oversight from my father. That could be glass half empty AND half full, I'll let you decide). Also, I have a husband who is willing and eager to try to do these projects on our own. I love that he wants to improve our home just as much as I do. After talking to some of my other girlfriends, I am extra thankful for that.

To pass the time...

Age: 26


Bed size: Queen

Chore you hate: Cleaning my bathroom. I don't like any part of it. And it's not just any bathroom, it's my bathroom. Everything is so old and out-dated and stained that I feel like no matter how much I clean, it will never be clean. I can scrub it until my knuckles bleed and it still won't be clean enough for me.

Dogs: Sir Optimus Prime (but you can call him OP)

Essential start to your day: Hitting snooze at least 3 times.

Favorite color: Aqua/turquoise

Gold or silver: White gold

Height: 5'4"

Instruments I play (or have played): Bass clarinet & piano. Neither of which I could probably play anymore.

Job title: Regulatory Compliance Coordinator

Kids: None at this time. Hopefully after Sean graduates I will have a different answer.

Live: Billings

Mom's name: Grace

Nickname: Steph, Stephie, Pooey (but only if you're my Aunt Fran).

Overnight hospital stay: I've stayed overnight in the hospital to sit with people far more frequently than I've stayed over for myself. And even then it was because I waited too late in the day to go to the ER for my appendix, otherwise I would have gotten out much sooner.

Pet peeve: People who are always negative - cheer up or shut up. Lazy co-workers who don't really understand what I do, therefore I must not do anything.

Quote from a movie: I think I've quoted it before on this blog- from Ever After, "You look like a girl," "I am a girl you half-wit!" "Yeah, but today you look it!" Katie and I have started so many conversations with this quote.

Right or left handed: Right

Siblings: 1

Time you wake up: The alarm goes off at 6:00. I am usually up somewhere between 6:30 and 7.

Underwear: Yes, please.

Vegetables you dislike: Brussels sprouts. I've eaten them frozen. I've eaten them at fancy restaurants. I've eaten them coated in butter which usually fixes everything. Not Brussels sprouts. Are beets and turnips and radishes vegetables? I can't eat them either.

What makes you run late: Snoozing the alarm too many times.

X-rays you've had done: Teeth, feet, wrists

Yummy food you make: Cookies & carrot cake

Zoo animal: All of the bears. They're so cute :)