The past 7 months have gone by extremely fast. I can't believe I've been in OKC for over half a year now. There have been alot of changes (and a bit of drama) on my job. Things have gotten better though. It's a amazing how the gender of employees can affect the atmosphere.

I'm not knocking women (seeing that I am one) but there was so much peace when it was just me and the guys. Anyway, it has gotten better after I talked with upper management. I'm not sure what I'll do as far as employment wise once I get closer to obtaining my degree. I'm closer but it still seems so far away.

My kids will be in the 5th & 7th grade when school starts. They are growing so much! I have totally abandoned my workout schedule and hope to get back on track soon. I can't see it happening when the Fall semester starts. I'll be taking 2 courses and one requires the submission of portfolios in order to gain college credit. This is very new to me and I hope I am able to keep up.

I love my neighborhood and my neighbors are godsends as well.

I miss my friends and church in Dallas :(. I am still looking for a church home here. Could I be too critical of the churches I have visited so far? I can truly say that none have drawn me as OCBF did. I'll have to keep praying about this.

Too bad I couldn't get away from the heat. It is just as bad here as it was there! I'm about to go outside and enjoy the warm breeze and feel the sprinkles of mist from my water sprinkler! The sun is gone so I shouldn't melt.

Always something on my mind. . .

and now is no different. I'm thinking about my classes (getting through this semester), becoming financially stable (imagine that), whether or not I need to spend money on a trip to California in June, what summer camps I can afford to enroll my kids in this summer, why some parents are deadbeat. . . .

I'm still loving the OKC area (and to think I always said I would never move back to Oklahoma). I've been able to spend so much time with different family members -- I'm just full of joy. I love being with family (& close friends). My youngest niece and my nephew who attends OU spent the weekend with us. The weather was not appropriate for spending time outdoors (it actually snowed on Friday). My son had a soccer game on Saturday. I believe the high that day was 49 degrees (thank God for sunshine, which made it not as cold as it could have felt). Their teams was missing about 4 players and was actually a player short but they decided to go ahead and play instead of forfeiting. They lost 12 to 0!!! Maybe a forfeit wouldn't have been so bad -- just kidding. My son said he still had fun, which is all that really matters.

We spent Easter Sunday in my hometown. There was plenty of food. Seven of us have decided to participate in a weight loss contest. We each will put in $10 -- which totals $70. Whoever loses the most weight over the course of 2 months wins the pot. In case of a tie the pot will be split. We all weighed and a cousin who is not in the contest recorded our weight (many did not want their weight revealed to others). I was off to a good start as far as working out but have not had a chance to make it to the gym this week. I found a nice gym not far from my home that offers a yearly contract with a monthly fee that is not bad. Every time I've gone it has been peaceful and not crowded (which I prefer). Hopefully I will make it this evening. My goal in addition to becoming tone/lean is to lose about 12 pounds.

I really plan on winning this weight loss contest. I could use the money to help pay for summer camp at a local community college. I could also use a nice, soothing pedicure :).

Closer to Home

It's been 3 months since me, the kids and the dogs headed back to my home state of Oklahoma. I am so happy to be closer to my family. What's better is that I didn't have to look for a job. I was able to relocate with my present employer (who I've been employed with for 6 1/2 years).

It tell you God is Good!! He makes thinks happen according to his will and his time. Which is why this transfer came to me as a surprise. It was something that I wanted but I thought it wasn't going to happen since it didn't happen when I wanted it to. A month later I was offered the job (which including moving expenses). Things didn't happen that smoothly but it did happen -- so here we are and I am just tickled pink. I have to remind myself that we are not in Texas anymore. I guess after 19 years of being in one area it's hard to get it out of your head.

I'm enjoying my manager & other co-workers. It's just me and 3 men (2 who are not there very much). It's much different than the corporate office but I'm pleased. I am only 2 miles from home!! Did I not say earlier that God is Good! I do not miss that 23 mile one way commute that took an hour for me to get to work on a good day.

I am leasing my home in Texas and hope to be able to sell it after another year (after building up equity). I've seen alot of areas that I like and plan on definitely buying a home withing the next 2 years. We have spent alot of time with family and we're also finding our way around the metroplex (is it called that in OKC?). We've attended one of the Hornets games and spent the day strolling through Bricktown & downtown OKC during the Big 12 basketball championship.

One thing I don't look forward to is the tornados. Luckily, I have very nice neighbors who happen to have installed a storm cellar in their garage. Let's hope that if a tornado does hit -- they will be able to move the car in time for us to all pile in. If they're not at home I'm still good -- I was told how to get in if they're not there :).

The Rich Gets Richer

While blog surfing earlier I came across a very interesting post that referred to an article written by Matt Taibbi (Rolling Stone Magazine). He discusses proposed 2008 tax changes by our President that would benefit those who are already swimming in currency and of course would negatively impact those who are 'trying to make it'. I found the article both humorous and appalling. It is quite lengthy but worth reading. Check it out for yourself:

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/13545365/the_low_post_medicare_vs_britney