I'm tired.

The daycare where Rachel goes posted a sign on the nursery door that read, "A stomach bug is going around the daycare. None of the babies in the nursery have gotten it yet. Please be on the look out for symptoms and do not bring your child if s/he exhibits symptoms. This bug spreads rapidly." Fair enough. I just didn't expect that I would be the one to gt it. And subsequently - Michael got it. The kids however - are fine.

I interviewed for a position at my office on Monday. They interviewed 4 candidates (all internal) for Project Manager Manager - stupid name. I don't think I'll get the job. Although I would like the job - there are things that I think can be done to help the process. One of the last PMs hired, was hired by my boss's boss. I fully expect him to get the job. At the time he was hired, I thought that he was hired to be the leader of the group. I still believe that. We'll see.

Michael's job hunt is not going well. There are two other gentlemen entering the job market from his program too. They both have on campus interviews. One of the men has 5 interviews. The other one has 3. I don't understand this turn of events. Neither does Michael and he's getting depressed about it. He's really lost confidence in himself. I just hope the dissertation continues to progress. He needs to have that piece of paper complete.

This year we've replaced or repaired the dishwasher, air conditioning, disposal, ice maker, washer and dryer. We've painted the inside of the house, landscaped the flowerbeds, had the carpets cleaned. On the cars we've replaced the windshields on both cars, the tires and brakes on mine. Plus we've had medical bills of a baby being born, torn muscle on Michael's elbow, cortizone shots in his shoulder and two carpel tunnel surgeries.

I am ready for a break - emotionally and financially.

A recent picture.

New Toys!!

I've never been so excited to do laundry! It has been two weeks since we had a functioning washer and dryer. Actually it had been a lot longer but limping along is a lot different than working beautifully. I've never seen Jacob's socks so clean. They are actually white! Wow.

Two months ago, we started to hear a wounded animal noise when the washer spun. Then slowly the clothes remained wetter and wetter at the end of the cycle. Until lately they were dripping into the dryer. I'm sure that contributed to the dryer's death too. It became a longer and longer run time to dry the clothes. And soon it began to sound as if there tennis shoes drying, while the dryer was full of t-shirts.

Michael and Robert got to go appliance shopping. Everyone should see the sights of Lubbock via appliance shopping. Early in the morning, I took a poll at the office - very scientific mind you - of appliance brand and service satisfaction. Bada bing - bada bang - by 4 pm, we had purchased a set of Bosch, front loading, high performance, high style washer/dryer. It was exciting. They would be there "early next week" and the delivery truck would call before coming to the house. Woo hoo.

I called a used appliance guy to pick up our wedding present, White Westinghouse, wounded set. He paid us $10 for each machine and hauled them away. What a deal.

Tuesday came of the following week. No appliances. Michael called - "oh, they'll be in on the next truck, we'll deliver on Thursday." Ok. Thursday came and no appliances. I called, Michael called, the sales lady finally called back. They aren't in Lubbock yet. They'll be here Monday. Monday came and Michael called. Nope, not here. Michael said "You've told me two dates, and twice you've gotten it wrong. You have until tomorrow at close of business or I will cancel my order and go to Lowe's". In a matter of 10 minutes the distributor called Michael. "We're so sorry. It isn't the salesperson's fault. It was our computer. We're going to upgrade you from the base-but-very-nice, model to the fancy-dancy-top-of-the-line, model. I'm putting it on a 2 day truck to Lubbock from Houston. It will be in Lubbock on Thursday. The local store will have to get it to you on Friday." Ok - fine.

Friday came and we got our new machines. However, no installation by the truck driver. Ok - fine. I un-boxed, un-styro-foamed, un-plastic-wrapped it and got it in the house after work. I took advantage of the babysitter and played the strong man. Not all the bad actually. She had to help me get the washer over the threshold of the door, but other than that it was smooth sailing. Until I went to plug it in. The dryer had no plug. Ugh. Ok - fine. Jacob and I got dressed, headed out to Burger, Fries and Cherry Pie for dinner before services. Who knew that it could take 45 minutes for a burger. Well, it did - but that is another story.

Saturday morning after our haircuts, the kids and I went to Lowe's. By 2 pm (yes, it took that long) we had a load of laundry ready for the dryer. I've done 4 loads and gone to the grocery store. I figure that I'll catch up on laundry, just in time to go to work on Tuesday. It is a good thing that we have 3 days this weekend.