Wow this week has gone by so fast! I can't believe tomorrow is Friday already. Oh, some good news, I found out that I won't have to work on the 4th of July...nothing like starting a new job and then having a holiday during the 2nd week. ha ha. I think I may have mentioned that since geico is open 24/7/365 that each person has to work 2 holidays a year, well I found out today that when we do work a holiday that we are paid double time & a half. That makes it sound much better! :)
Today was definitely much nicer out than the rest of this week has been, this heat & humidity out here really gets to me. I've become a weather wimp. I can only imagine how I'll be in the winter.
Amy closed on her new house today! Congrats to Amy & her family! :)
Not much else going on with me other than work which I'm still feeling really good about. I'll feel even better when I get paid in two weeks.
Well I'm tired & think I'll go read for a little bit until I fall asleep. I'm still reading James Patterson's latest "The 6th Target", this is the longest it has ever taken me to read one of his books. It's not because it isn't good because it is, it's just that my level of concentration lately has been not so good. I feel like I have ADD or something because I just can't focus. I'm sure it's just all that has been going on lately.
Goodnite!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The Gecko
Well today was day 3 of me being back to work...aside from being exhausted, I have to say that these past 3 days have been the best beginning to a new job I've ever had. Can you say "thorough"? Or "positive"? Ohmygosh. I cannot say just how impressed I am...there is a part of me that has to admit that I keep waiting for everyone there to stop "acting" because it doesn't seem for real.
I spent Monday & Tuesday in "Geico 101"...which is basically a very, very thorough & clear presentation of ALL benefits, the history of geico, geico's business model and vision, what they expect of you, I could go on & on. We had multiple presenters and each one was so positive & friendly & full of energy...each one welcomed us to geico, told their story as to how they came to geico and expressed multiple times how much they love their job and know that we will too. The hiring process was brought up often in a joking way like "wasn't that easy?!" and then each person would follow that with how geico is looking for only the best people and that they know they are tough as far as hiring but that they obviously saw something in each of us that they were impressed with...they also mentioned that for each person that was in the class that there were at least 25 people that applied and didn't get hired. That made me feel good.
They talked about how our success as "associates" is their success. They are very proud of their training program and I have to say that after just seeing a small bit of it today, they have every right to be.
Today was my first day in the classroom and I was a little nervous about it but within the first hour of being there, I really felt at ease and felt confident that I was going to get all of the training that I needed and I gotta say...it was a good feeling. I know that it's going to be 2 months of training and that makes me feel comfortable just thinking about when I actually start being on the phones...I'll actually know what I am talking about, imagine that.
Just back to the benefits real quick...they are amazing. Medical, dental, vision, profit sharing, vacation time, floating holidays, sick time, discount on my car insurance, discounts with stores, cell phone companies, etc...and more. I'm very impressed.
My couch was delivered yesterday and I'm very excited about that. :)
What I have not been excited about is the fact that it has been hotter than hell here...yesterday was about 97 and very humid. Today was around 89 but even more humid than yesterday...when I left the house this morning at 7:30 it was already 75 out and it felt like I was in a sauna. Thank god for air conditioning!!
On that note, I'm going to go lay on my couch in front of the air conditioner and probably fall asleep.
Jenna, sorry to hear you were under the weather, hope you're feeling much better!
Have a great week everyone! :)
I spent Monday & Tuesday in "Geico 101"...which is basically a very, very thorough & clear presentation of ALL benefits, the history of geico, geico's business model and vision, what they expect of you, I could go on & on. We had multiple presenters and each one was so positive & friendly & full of energy...each one welcomed us to geico, told their story as to how they came to geico and expressed multiple times how much they love their job and know that we will too. The hiring process was brought up often in a joking way like "wasn't that easy?!" and then each person would follow that with how geico is looking for only the best people and that they know they are tough as far as hiring but that they obviously saw something in each of us that they were impressed with...they also mentioned that for each person that was in the class that there were at least 25 people that applied and didn't get hired. That made me feel good.
They talked about how our success as "associates" is their success. They are very proud of their training program and I have to say that after just seeing a small bit of it today, they have every right to be.
Today was my first day in the classroom and I was a little nervous about it but within the first hour of being there, I really felt at ease and felt confident that I was going to get all of the training that I needed and I gotta say...it was a good feeling. I know that it's going to be 2 months of training and that makes me feel comfortable just thinking about when I actually start being on the phones...I'll actually know what I am talking about, imagine that.
Just back to the benefits real quick...they are amazing. Medical, dental, vision, profit sharing, vacation time, floating holidays, sick time, discount on my car insurance, discounts with stores, cell phone companies, etc...and more. I'm very impressed.
My couch was delivered yesterday and I'm very excited about that. :)
What I have not been excited about is the fact that it has been hotter than hell here...yesterday was about 97 and very humid. Today was around 89 but even more humid than yesterday...when I left the house this morning at 7:30 it was already 75 out and it felt like I was in a sauna. Thank god for air conditioning!!
On that note, I'm going to go lay on my couch in front of the air conditioner and probably fall asleep.
Jenna, sorry to hear you were under the weather, hope you're feeling much better!
Have a great week everyone! :)
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Last day of "freedom"
Sunday morning and I just finished my breakfast of oatmeal and am drinking my coffee. My last day of freedom...suddenly I feel like I didn't do everything that I wanted to do while I was off. I don't know what those things are though. ha ha. Actually I'm excited to be getting some sort of normalcy back into my life, it'll be nice to have a schedule and will feel like I'm living here rather than just visiting.
I filed my last unemployment claim this morning and I'm so happy about that!! Like I said, it's great that it was there but I'm so glad I won't need it any more. :)
I'm really not nervous because tomorrow & Tuesday I have orientation ("Geico 101" as they call it) from 8:00 to 4:15 and then the rest of my training is 8:15 to 4:30, Monday through Friday. I am curious if I'll have training on the 4th of July which is on a Wednesday...I have a feeling I will because Geico is open 24/7/365. It kind of sucks but oh-well, I have no idea what I'd do on the 4th of July anyways and even if I go see fireworks it'll be at night so it's all good.
I spent the rest of the day on Friday feeling sorry for myself. A combo of my hormones and just all the other stuff going on in my life. I watched movies and listened to music all day.
Saturday Darcy picked me up at noon and we headed to the boulevard mall with Darcy and I bought 2 more tops at Macys. I think I'm set for a while now. I've got more than enough tops to mix & match with my pants. We went to Fridays for lunch and we both were good, we had their strawberry fields chicken salad and that is delicious, it's kind of like the salad at Coho Cafe that Jenna introduced me to. After that Darcy wanted to go to Barnes & Noble and Target and then she invited me over for dinner, so I hung out with her & Fred at their place for a while and we had roast beef sandwiches.
I don't plan on doing much today other than laundry, cleaning and little things to "prepare" for work. My aunt Barb called and wants me to take a ride to Olcott with her to get some popcorn at Bye's, it's a big thing around here. Just a little popcorn stand, I think it's only open in spring & summer and they have awesome popcorn. I have become my aunt's pet project and sometimes it gets a little irritating. I know she loves me and means well but she's never been married, never had children and is the kind of person who can't do anything by herself. I mean NOTHING. She needs company to do even the most mundane things and I'm talking even cleaning, she needs someone there to talk to her. No exaggeration. I'm the total opposite, I like being by myself and I'm okay doing things by myself. The bad part about all of this is that she doesn't understand where I'm coming from and calls me to do stuff with her and I feel bad if I say no. I know that's my problem and I need to learn to say no but I do feel badly because I know she's lonely. It's an awkward situation and I don't want to hurt her feelings but sometimes I just want to be left alone. Oh-well...it'll get better when I'm working again.
Oh! My couch will be here on Tuesday, they'll deliver it between 12-4 and my aunt is going to come over since I'll be at work. This is another reason I feel bad saying no to her if she wants me to do something, because I know that she'll do anything for me.
Anyways, I'm so excited about my couch! I can't wait to plop down on it and read or watch tv. :)
Well I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend and I'll report back tomorrow as to how my first day at Geico went!
I filed my last unemployment claim this morning and I'm so happy about that!! Like I said, it's great that it was there but I'm so glad I won't need it any more. :)
I'm really not nervous because tomorrow & Tuesday I have orientation ("Geico 101" as they call it) from 8:00 to 4:15 and then the rest of my training is 8:15 to 4:30, Monday through Friday. I am curious if I'll have training on the 4th of July which is on a Wednesday...I have a feeling I will because Geico is open 24/7/365. It kind of sucks but oh-well, I have no idea what I'd do on the 4th of July anyways and even if I go see fireworks it'll be at night so it's all good.
I spent the rest of the day on Friday feeling sorry for myself. A combo of my hormones and just all the other stuff going on in my life. I watched movies and listened to music all day.
Saturday Darcy picked me up at noon and we headed to the boulevard mall with Darcy and I bought 2 more tops at Macys. I think I'm set for a while now. I've got more than enough tops to mix & match with my pants. We went to Fridays for lunch and we both were good, we had their strawberry fields chicken salad and that is delicious, it's kind of like the salad at Coho Cafe that Jenna introduced me to. After that Darcy wanted to go to Barnes & Noble and Target and then she invited me over for dinner, so I hung out with her & Fred at their place for a while and we had roast beef sandwiches.
I don't plan on doing much today other than laundry, cleaning and little things to "prepare" for work. My aunt Barb called and wants me to take a ride to Olcott with her to get some popcorn at Bye's, it's a big thing around here. Just a little popcorn stand, I think it's only open in spring & summer and they have awesome popcorn. I have become my aunt's pet project and sometimes it gets a little irritating. I know she loves me and means well but she's never been married, never had children and is the kind of person who can't do anything by herself. I mean NOTHING. She needs company to do even the most mundane things and I'm talking even cleaning, she needs someone there to talk to her. No exaggeration. I'm the total opposite, I like being by myself and I'm okay doing things by myself. The bad part about all of this is that she doesn't understand where I'm coming from and calls me to do stuff with her and I feel bad if I say no. I know that's my problem and I need to learn to say no but I do feel badly because I know she's lonely. It's an awkward situation and I don't want to hurt her feelings but sometimes I just want to be left alone. Oh-well...it'll get better when I'm working again.
Oh! My couch will be here on Tuesday, they'll deliver it between 12-4 and my aunt is going to come over since I'll be at work. This is another reason I feel bad saying no to her if she wants me to do something, because I know that she'll do anything for me.
Anyways, I'm so excited about my couch! I can't wait to plop down on it and read or watch tv. :)
Well I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend and I'll report back tomorrow as to how my first day at Geico went!
Friday, June 22, 2007
Happy Friday!
Today is my last unemployed Friday...it's a little sad actually. If it weren't for the whole money thing and needing food & shelter I could really get accustomed to not working. :)
I just received the official "A-OK" from Geico that I passed all of my tests...credit, background, drug, etc. They are the most thorough employer that I have ever dealt with. So, I am an official Geico employee. I really hope to have a good hair day on Monday because they'll be taking my picture for my badge and we all know that those badge pictures stick with you forever...plus the badge will have the gecko on it, I'm so excited. Yes, I'm a dork.
So the fluorescent lights that I bought are too short. I got up this morning, threw some clothes on and treated myself to a venti americano at Starbucks. Decided to keep moving up Transit Rd and went to Target to get longer fluorescent lights. Went to Bank of America to deposit my second to last government cheese check and then headed back here. I brought the new lights in and they are now too long. Damn it, Jim! I will never admit this to my aunt Barb but she told me I needed to measure the lights and I don't like doing what I'm told to do so I rebelled and this is where it has gotten me: two sets of fluorescent lights and neither fit. So now I have to go back to Target again, bring all 4 with me and return them and in the meantime I need to get out my freaking measuring tape and actually measure the bulbs so I can have some light in the kitchen at night.
It's absolutely gorgeous out today! Yesterday was beautiful too...clear & sunny, in the high 70's to low 80's and a wonderful breeze. I've got all the windows open and it feels so good. My walk along the canal last night was really nice too.
Last night I stopped over Darcy's to see what her & Fred were up to and I spent about 2 hours with them. They have an awesome screened in sunporch off the back of their house and it's got a futon, a couch, recliner chairs, a dining table and a tv...it's the perfect summer retreat. I got dessert out of my visit, some fresh picked strawberries with angel food cake and some cool whip. Yum!!
I had some awful dreams last night. One of which entailed being at Nordstrom buying a prom dress (don't ask) and all of a sudden terrorists coming in and making us all lay down on the floor face down for three & a half hours. I remember thinking that I didn't want to get shot. It was awful. I've noticed that whenever I use the patch that my dreams get even more vivid & bizarre than usual and I've also read that it's a side effect. I don't mind dreams that are so crazy that they're entertaining but dreaming of being attacked by terrorists is not at all enjoyable.
Speaking of the patch, I'm still going strong. I have to admit that last night I was so restless and really, really, really wanted to go to 7-11 but I didn't. I got in my car and drove around, popped some gum in my mouth and that's how I ended up at Darcy's. It took my mind off it and I got to visit with a friend and have some good dessert. I will NOT give in to this nasty habit that keeps taunting me. ;)
I don't know what I'm going to do this weekend. Darcy is picking me up at noon tomorrow and we're going to do some shopping, she wants to go to Barnes & Noble and I want to find another top or two for work. It feels weird to say "work". Anyways, that's all I've got planned so far.
Have a great weekend everyone! Oh and so far so good on the new JUMBO litter box. >^..^<
I just received the official "A-OK" from Geico that I passed all of my tests...credit, background, drug, etc. They are the most thorough employer that I have ever dealt with. So, I am an official Geico employee. I really hope to have a good hair day on Monday because they'll be taking my picture for my badge and we all know that those badge pictures stick with you forever...plus the badge will have the gecko on it, I'm so excited. Yes, I'm a dork.
So the fluorescent lights that I bought are too short. I got up this morning, threw some clothes on and treated myself to a venti americano at Starbucks. Decided to keep moving up Transit Rd and went to Target to get longer fluorescent lights. Went to Bank of America to deposit my second to last government cheese check and then headed back here. I brought the new lights in and they are now too long. Damn it, Jim! I will never admit this to my aunt Barb but she told me I needed to measure the lights and I don't like doing what I'm told to do so I rebelled and this is where it has gotten me: two sets of fluorescent lights and neither fit. So now I have to go back to Target again, bring all 4 with me and return them and in the meantime I need to get out my freaking measuring tape and actually measure the bulbs so I can have some light in the kitchen at night.
It's absolutely gorgeous out today! Yesterday was beautiful too...clear & sunny, in the high 70's to low 80's and a wonderful breeze. I've got all the windows open and it feels so good. My walk along the canal last night was really nice too.
Last night I stopped over Darcy's to see what her & Fred were up to and I spent about 2 hours with them. They have an awesome screened in sunporch off the back of their house and it's got a futon, a couch, recliner chairs, a dining table and a tv...it's the perfect summer retreat. I got dessert out of my visit, some fresh picked strawberries with angel food cake and some cool whip. Yum!!
I had some awful dreams last night. One of which entailed being at Nordstrom buying a prom dress (don't ask) and all of a sudden terrorists coming in and making us all lay down on the floor face down for three & a half hours. I remember thinking that I didn't want to get shot. It was awful. I've noticed that whenever I use the patch that my dreams get even more vivid & bizarre than usual and I've also read that it's a side effect. I don't mind dreams that are so crazy that they're entertaining but dreaming of being attacked by terrorists is not at all enjoyable.
Speaking of the patch, I'm still going strong. I have to admit that last night I was so restless and really, really, really wanted to go to 7-11 but I didn't. I got in my car and drove around, popped some gum in my mouth and that's how I ended up at Darcy's. It took my mind off it and I got to visit with a friend and have some good dessert. I will NOT give in to this nasty habit that keeps taunting me. ;)
I don't know what I'm going to do this weekend. Darcy is picking me up at noon tomorrow and we're going to do some shopping, she wants to go to Barnes & Noble and I want to find another top or two for work. It feels weird to say "work". Anyways, that's all I've got planned so far.
Have a great weekend everyone! Oh and so far so good on the new JUMBO litter box. >^..^<
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Thursday
Not much has been going on with me. Yesterday I was a total bum and spent most of the day in bed because I could. ha ha. I did get myself out of the house for a bit last night and bought myself two pairs of pants and a top for work. Maybe another top or two and I'll be set for a while.
This morning I snoozed my alarm for oh about an hour and a half. On top of the alarm going off every 7 minutes I had two cats taking turns jumping up on the bed and getting in my face and meowing for their food. >^..^< I finally gave in around 10. I have to take advantage of this time as much as I can. ;)
I went out and mowed the lawn and then Teri came over for lunch. After that I headed to a pet store, got the cats some more of their dry food and a new litter box. My wonderful, #1 cat in the whole wide world, Winnie, has a nasty habit of getting in the box head first and then peeing outside of the box. Gross, I know. I've gotten very tired of cleaning cat pee and have tried to figure out something to do. So today I found the JUMBO size litter box in hopes that this gives her some more room and she doesn't feel the need to back up and hang her kitty butt over the side. If this doesn't work, our next step is kitty diapers. Don't know where I'll find diapers for cats but I'll figure something out.
I also went to Target and picked up some basic necessities. I had to buy some flourescent lights for the kitchen as the bulbs blew about a week ago and I've been too lazy to replace them, good thing it stays light out late. I'm going to see if Teri will help me replace them this afternoon, she's coming over after work and we're going to go for a walk along the canal.
I'm pleased to say that I have been 100% smoke-free since Sunday. I've been tempted but have told myself "no!" and have tried to do something to take my mind off of it. If I can get through just a few more days, I'll be fine. :)
Well I'm going to go see what's on Oprah and then get ready for my walk.
This morning I snoozed my alarm for oh about an hour and a half. On top of the alarm going off every 7 minutes I had two cats taking turns jumping up on the bed and getting in my face and meowing for their food. >^..^< I finally gave in around 10. I have to take advantage of this time as much as I can. ;)
I went out and mowed the lawn and then Teri came over for lunch. After that I headed to a pet store, got the cats some more of their dry food and a new litter box. My wonderful, #1 cat in the whole wide world, Winnie, has a nasty habit of getting in the box head first and then peeing outside of the box. Gross, I know. I've gotten very tired of cleaning cat pee and have tried to figure out something to do. So today I found the JUMBO size litter box in hopes that this gives her some more room and she doesn't feel the need to back up and hang her kitty butt over the side. If this doesn't work, our next step is kitty diapers. Don't know where I'll find diapers for cats but I'll figure something out.
I also went to Target and picked up some basic necessities. I had to buy some flourescent lights for the kitchen as the bulbs blew about a week ago and I've been too lazy to replace them, good thing it stays light out late. I'm going to see if Teri will help me replace them this afternoon, she's coming over after work and we're going to go for a walk along the canal.
I'm pleased to say that I have been 100% smoke-free since Sunday. I've been tempted but have told myself "no!" and have tried to do something to take my mind off of it. If I can get through just a few more days, I'll be fine. :)
Well I'm going to go see what's on Oprah and then get ready for my walk.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Holy storm!
Have I mentioned that I just love a good storm?! I know I have but it bears repeating because we had a doozy today and I loved it! I saw the alerts across the bottom of the television and they said that the Niagara Falls area would be hit at such & such time and they were dead on. All of a sudden it got really dark (it was only like 4:45pm), then the rain started pouring down, winds were crazy and then boom!! Thunder & lightning. My poor kitties ran underneath the bed but I sat & watched it. I tried going out on the front porch to sit but the wind was so strong that the rain was coming at me and I didn't want to get soaked. It only lasted about 20 minutes but it sure was fun!
I'm still reeling from the news about Celia. It's a little ironic because I was thinking about her about a week or so ago and how I should send her a card, tell her about my move & my new job and give her my new address & phone number. I feel so awful for her husband and children. :(
My aunt Barb & I went out this morning and bought 2 red geraniums, 1 white geranium and some other plant that will bloom little white flowers...I'm so bad at knowing names of flowers & plants, I really only know daisies, roses & tulips. ha ha. Anyway, we took the flowers to the cemetery and planted them in front of my Grandma & Grandpa's headstone, it looks so pretty. I only hope that all this rain we had didn't wash them away, I'll have to go check on them tomorrow. It may sound weird but I was so happy to be able to do that for them. Like I said, I know that everyone believes in different things but I know they appreciate it.
I got the cutest letter in the mail today from Amy, it's on a plain white sheet of paper and she took stickers & glitter and wrote up "Michelle, How are u? Way to go on the job! Good luck at Geico." She's so creative and it made me laugh, I hung it up on my refrigerator for all to see her beautiful artwork. Amy & her family will be coming into town over the summer and I can't wait. I bought a little gift today to give Isabelle when she gets here and I also bought a birthday present for Amy today...and no, I'm not giving any hints!!
My checking account is looking very sad right now & I can't wait to get some real paychecks under my belt. I'm so excited that this coming Sunday will be the last time I have to file for unemployment...I'm so glad it was there for me but I'll be so happy to not have to file anymore. I had to write a check for $350 to my dentist in WA for what insurance didn't cover when I had all that work done before I left. Thank goodness for insurance though.
Speaking of insurance, I've decided to go with Independent Health through Geico. I had Independent Health when I worked for Ticor over 10 years ago and I really liked it, the plan is very similar to Premera Blue Cross (which I now have through Medtronic/COBRA) but I noticed that the prescription co-pays are lower....like for one prescription I had to pay $35 with Premera and with Independent Health I'll only have to pay $20. Every little bit helps.
Yesterday at Geico they gave me a whole bunch of paperwork which included their dress code, it's "business casual" and they were very clear as to what can & can't be worn. I had fun reading it because some of it is just common sense but apparently there are people out there that lack in that department. They are also very specific about things like skirt lengths and how you can wear "crop" pants but they cannot be more than 3" above your ankle. I was happy that they don't require pantyhose (which I hate wearing!) and that they allow women to wear sandals (dressy ones) because I just bought those two pair of Clarks a couple weeks ago and I love them. Now I definitely have to keep up with my pedicures! ha ha
I do need to do a little more clothes shopping before I start, maybe 2 more pairs of slacks and a few tops. I love to mix & match so I try to buy multiple tops that will go with a pair of pants. Saves money too. They were also very specific as to how many earrings you can wear in each ear..."not to exceed 3 per ear". Whew! I'm safe, I wear 2 in one and 3 in the other. And thank goodness I didn't get my lip or brow pierced because that is not allowed...or that I didn't get the big skull & crossbones tattoo on my face as that is not allowed either. ha ha...don't worry I wasn't thinking of either! :)
Speaking of tattoos, I really do want one. I've wanted one for quite some time and now I'm starting to think about it again. It'd be something small on my back, a fairy of some sort. Speaking of fairies...here's a funny story. A few months back Jenna was telling Randy about how I wanted to get a fairy tattoo and he said "why would Michelle want a tattoo of a ferry?". Long story short, he thought I meant a ferry boat, not a fairy! I found a picture of an actual ferry boat and e-mailed it to him and said "this is what I want". It was too funny.
As you can see I'm very talkative today.
Exactly one year ago today I had my back surgery. I can't believe that a year has already gone by! I never thought that the problems I had would end in surgery, I was so adament in the beginning about not having back surgery but it became my only option. It was a huge success, my surgeon Dr. Price was amazing and Evergreen Hospital was great too...most people already know this but I had two of my vertebrae fused together, L5 & S1, due to scoliosis and degenerating discs. They took a bone graft from my left hip and used that along with rods & screws to fuse it together. Along with the fusion I had decompression surgery for spinal stenosis, before the surgery my left leg would go numb after walking or standing for more than 5 minutes because the nerves were compressed from bone spurs on the vertebrae. I'm happy to say that I can walk for hours with no numbness! Having that surgery played a big part in my weight loss, I had to exercise for recovery purposes and that lead to losing weight. I still have pain but that's normal, it takes a long time for the bones & whatnot inside to heal but I sure have come a long way since. I remember the first few weeks after the surgery, oh it was awful! I couldn't even shower by myself or dress myself, I hated being so helpless. One thing I will always praise Matt for is how wonderful of a job he did taking care of me, I honestly could never have asked for better care. So, happy 1 year back surgery anniversary to me! :)
Oh! I know what I wanted to mention...so yesterday I was enjoying channel surfing on my new digital cable and happened to see that TNT was having a marathon of "The Closer" with Kyra Sedgwick. I had never seen it but had heard good things about it and I really like her as an actress...even if she is married to Kevin Bacon, whom I don't care for. So I sat down and watched it for oh about 5 hours! I did other things while I was watching, like organize my closet & whatnot but yes, I was a major couch potato...or should I say chair potato as I don't have a couch yet. The marathon lead up to a commercial free season premiere and now I am officially hooked on this show.
Okay, I think I'm done rambling now...hope everyone had a good day!
I'm still reeling from the news about Celia. It's a little ironic because I was thinking about her about a week or so ago and how I should send her a card, tell her about my move & my new job and give her my new address & phone number. I feel so awful for her husband and children. :(
My aunt Barb & I went out this morning and bought 2 red geraniums, 1 white geranium and some other plant that will bloom little white flowers...I'm so bad at knowing names of flowers & plants, I really only know daisies, roses & tulips. ha ha. Anyway, we took the flowers to the cemetery and planted them in front of my Grandma & Grandpa's headstone, it looks so pretty. I only hope that all this rain we had didn't wash them away, I'll have to go check on them tomorrow. It may sound weird but I was so happy to be able to do that for them. Like I said, I know that everyone believes in different things but I know they appreciate it.
I got the cutest letter in the mail today from Amy, it's on a plain white sheet of paper and she took stickers & glitter and wrote up "Michelle, How are u? Way to go on the job! Good luck at Geico." She's so creative and it made me laugh, I hung it up on my refrigerator for all to see her beautiful artwork. Amy & her family will be coming into town over the summer and I can't wait. I bought a little gift today to give Isabelle when she gets here and I also bought a birthday present for Amy today...and no, I'm not giving any hints!!
My checking account is looking very sad right now & I can't wait to get some real paychecks under my belt. I'm so excited that this coming Sunday will be the last time I have to file for unemployment...I'm so glad it was there for me but I'll be so happy to not have to file anymore. I had to write a check for $350 to my dentist in WA for what insurance didn't cover when I had all that work done before I left. Thank goodness for insurance though.
Speaking of insurance, I've decided to go with Independent Health through Geico. I had Independent Health when I worked for Ticor over 10 years ago and I really liked it, the plan is very similar to Premera Blue Cross (which I now have through Medtronic/COBRA) but I noticed that the prescription co-pays are lower....like for one prescription I had to pay $35 with Premera and with Independent Health I'll only have to pay $20. Every little bit helps.
Yesterday at Geico they gave me a whole bunch of paperwork which included their dress code, it's "business casual" and they were very clear as to what can & can't be worn. I had fun reading it because some of it is just common sense but apparently there are people out there that lack in that department. They are also very specific about things like skirt lengths and how you can wear "crop" pants but they cannot be more than 3" above your ankle. I was happy that they don't require pantyhose (which I hate wearing!) and that they allow women to wear sandals (dressy ones) because I just bought those two pair of Clarks a couple weeks ago and I love them. Now I definitely have to keep up with my pedicures! ha ha
I do need to do a little more clothes shopping before I start, maybe 2 more pairs of slacks and a few tops. I love to mix & match so I try to buy multiple tops that will go with a pair of pants. Saves money too. They were also very specific as to how many earrings you can wear in each ear..."not to exceed 3 per ear". Whew! I'm safe, I wear 2 in one and 3 in the other. And thank goodness I didn't get my lip or brow pierced because that is not allowed...or that I didn't get the big skull & crossbones tattoo on my face as that is not allowed either. ha ha...don't worry I wasn't thinking of either! :)
Speaking of tattoos, I really do want one. I've wanted one for quite some time and now I'm starting to think about it again. It'd be something small on my back, a fairy of some sort. Speaking of fairies...here's a funny story. A few months back Jenna was telling Randy about how I wanted to get a fairy tattoo and he said "why would Michelle want a tattoo of a ferry?". Long story short, he thought I meant a ferry boat, not a fairy! I found a picture of an actual ferry boat and e-mailed it to him and said "this is what I want". It was too funny.
As you can see I'm very talkative today.
Exactly one year ago today I had my back surgery. I can't believe that a year has already gone by! I never thought that the problems I had would end in surgery, I was so adament in the beginning about not having back surgery but it became my only option. It was a huge success, my surgeon Dr. Price was amazing and Evergreen Hospital was great too...most people already know this but I had two of my vertebrae fused together, L5 & S1, due to scoliosis and degenerating discs. They took a bone graft from my left hip and used that along with rods & screws to fuse it together. Along with the fusion I had decompression surgery for spinal stenosis, before the surgery my left leg would go numb after walking or standing for more than 5 minutes because the nerves were compressed from bone spurs on the vertebrae. I'm happy to say that I can walk for hours with no numbness! Having that surgery played a big part in my weight loss, I had to exercise for recovery purposes and that lead to losing weight. I still have pain but that's normal, it takes a long time for the bones & whatnot inside to heal but I sure have come a long way since. I remember the first few weeks after the surgery, oh it was awful! I couldn't even shower by myself or dress myself, I hated being so helpless. One thing I will always praise Matt for is how wonderful of a job he did taking care of me, I honestly could never have asked for better care. So, happy 1 year back surgery anniversary to me! :)
Oh! I know what I wanted to mention...so yesterday I was enjoying channel surfing on my new digital cable and happened to see that TNT was having a marathon of "The Closer" with Kyra Sedgwick. I had never seen it but had heard good things about it and I really like her as an actress...even if she is married to Kevin Bacon, whom I don't care for. So I sat down and watched it for oh about 5 hours! I did other things while I was watching, like organize my closet & whatnot but yes, I was a major couch potato...or should I say chair potato as I don't have a couch yet. The marathon lead up to a commercial free season premiere and now I am officially hooked on this show.
Okay, I think I'm done rambling now...hope everyone had a good day!
Sad news...
I received some very sad news today...Celia, a good friend from Medtronic passed away over the weekend. I was shocked to hear this news as I'm sure were others at Medtronic. It makes me very sad because Celia had just retired from Medtronic and was finally going to be able to join her husband, Dick, on all of his trips to Arizona and other trips that he has taken since his retirement.
Celia was my supervisor for the first year or two that I worked at Medtronic and after she was no longer my supervisor we became good friends. I remember when I had surgery in December of 2004, she called me at home to see how I was doing and we ended up talking on the phone for over 3 hours! We had a blast talking and I really got to know her...I remember saying to her "You know what Celia, I really like you now that you aren't my supervisor". She just laughed. She loved talking to all of the customers that called in to the customer service department at Medtronic and did everything she could to help them even during the worst of times there. I remember I had e-mailed her a picture of my cat, Harley, with his Christmas tie on...she printed out the picture and hung it in her cube, she kept it up all year long. She always asked me about my kitties and we exchanged kitty stories as she had 3 cats of her own.
Goodbye, Celia...you will be missed. :(
Celia was my supervisor for the first year or two that I worked at Medtronic and after she was no longer my supervisor we became good friends. I remember when I had surgery in December of 2004, she called me at home to see how I was doing and we ended up talking on the phone for over 3 hours! We had a blast talking and I really got to know her...I remember saying to her "You know what Celia, I really like you now that you aren't my supervisor". She just laughed. She loved talking to all of the customers that called in to the customer service department at Medtronic and did everything she could to help them even during the worst of times there. I remember I had e-mailed her a picture of my cat, Harley, with his Christmas tie on...she printed out the picture and hung it in her cube, she kept it up all year long. She always asked me about my kitties and we exchanged kitty stories as she had 3 cats of her own.
Goodbye, Celia...you will be missed. :(
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