2010 Update

It’s that time of year again. The beginning. Where we make our resolutions and TRY to stick to them. I generally make goals, but this year, I just haven’t got the energy to even think about it. That’s the fun of ending out the year and starting a new one when you are sick.

Since we hardly updated last year, I guess I should give you all some sort of overview. But only if you really really want it. I have actually been trying to write this for a couple of weeks now, but my computer pooped out, so I have no way to do it. I want to try and write more on my blogs this year, but until I have a new computer or somewhere to write, you are stuck with whatever I can do. But, I promise, I’m not ignoring you all.

2010 was filled with hopeful ups and some downward setbacks. Life definitely dealt us a wicked hand this year.

As always, Sans, Mario and I are doing wonderfully as a family. We are happy just being with each other, and spending tons of time together.

Early in the year, Sans got a second job working with my step-dad with his art. He does something with Adobe and Illustrator. He only works a few days a week, but he absolutely loves the work, and loves working with dad. It really lets his creative style out, and makes him really happy. Which, in turn, means I get to spend more time with mom and that makes us happy too. We’re hoping to see some of the projects that Sans worked on in stores soon!

We had a few disappointments in our year as well. One of my best friend’s sisters got pregnant. She is only 18, so it was up in the air for a while what she might do with this baby. She didn’t feel she or the daddy were stable enough to take care of and raise the baby. So, her sister, my friend came up with the idea of adopting the baby to us. We did research, and tried to prepare, even started looking into lawyers and time periods that we would have to do waiting. We were never quite sure what was going on, the pregnant girl never got in touch with us, so we never really went one way or the other, but we always hoped. We didn’t find out until about a month before the baby was due, by a shower invitation on Facebook. We were heartbroken. But after all that trouble, and all the things that we’d have to go through to “get” a baby, I think we’ve pretty much decided to be dog parents and stick to that. I don’t want to go through that again. I was pretty depressed for some time after that.

We also had the possibility to buy a house this summer. We had everything all lined up, went driving and looked at local listings (houses are CHEAP here!), and even sent in financial paperwork. Turns out our credit sucks, especially mine, so we were turned down for a loan. We are now working with a credit company to fix it all up, and we only have a few months to go. It’s a nicely positive change, I have taken over the family finances. We run in to a little problem here and there, but for the most part, we are getting everything paid and on time, which is a huge change, and I’ve been doing ok with the budget. I feel like a grown up! I am almost done with all those year of taxes that weren’t filed. So far, we’ve only owed about $40. It’s nice to be almost caught up. So, there is all that to look forward to. We still have a  lot of hopes and dreams and plans, so hopefully this is able to come true soon!!

With all this, we were able to get a few things taken care of so we will no longer have to worry so much. We got a second car, a nice station wagon. That is mostly Sans’ car, but it’s great to run around in for larger purchases, and when my car had a flat and we didn’t have time to fix it. And it’s great because I no longer have to wait up half the night to go pick him up from work.

Things at my job are still going well, I’ve hit the year mark with no problems... well other than hanging up on a customer who was screaming at me. But, other than that, no issue. I have a great supervisor that actually listens to me, and a great manager. I’ve made several friends, and we try to hang out when we can. I did have some trouble with workplace bullying, but it blew over within about two months. But it was horrid while it lasted. We had our company party at Christmas time and it was fabulous. Our table won the trivia challenge. It was really fun. This really is a great company to work for.

My cube mate is also a photographer, and she did a photo shoot with us and little Mario in December. We used one of the pictures on our Holiday card this year. And we ended up doing a collage with all the pictures to give to the relatives. Everyone seemed pleased. We want them all. But then again, we’re vain. :-)

Unfortunately, Sans is not doing as well with his job. He has wonderful customer service marks, wonderful. But with the addition of sales to his job, and the expectations on that as well as his phone handle time, things are just slipping away. Every day, it seems he is getting threatened with being fired. He has begun to have anxiety attacks every time he tries to go into work. Because of the stress, he has developed back issues and also ended up getting Shingles. Since then, he’s been out because of the panic attacks - on doctor’s orders. FMLA is taking it’s sweet time giving him any payment. The appropriate people apparently aren’t communicating, and it’s just become one big problem. So, as of now, we are back to being a one income family. It’s unfortunate that it’s come to this, because Sans has always been my rock, my mellow man. I’m the high strung one in the relationship, and he’s always been the one to calm me down. Now, neither of us are calm, but it certainly makes for some interesting craziness! (It’s weird for me to be the voice of reason!) But it also means that Mario gets a LOT of extra cuddle time.

Other than that Shingles episode, we’re not doing too bad, health-wise. I got my 7th year of “all-clear” from my oncologist, and went through all my yearly tests with flying colors. My Diabetes has been getting normal - well more normal than it has been. I’ve been able to almost consistently in the normal - normal-high range in my blood sugars all year. And no ER trips for me this year (that I can remember).

Mario is doing fantastic. He had his check up in November and got his shots, and they said there are a few issues, but nothing that isn’t fixable. And he’s just as cuddly and cute as ever, if not a little grayer. Mom and dad also seem to be doing well. We got see my niece and sister for a day in December. We had such a fabulous time with them!

We were supposed to go to my 20 year class reunion in October, but we couldn’t afford it, so we had a little staycation instead. We had the BEST time. We started off our vacation by meeting mom and dad down in Sun River, and stayed over night in an adorable house on the resort property. It was beautiful down there, and we got to see the stars away from all the lights, and just hang out and be a family. the next day we drove back, and got some amazing shots of Mt. Hood, by pulling off the side of the freeway. The next couple of days we went on a couple of walking tours in Portland. These were so fun, I would do them again and again. The first one we went on was the “Underground” tour. And the next night, we went on the “Beyond Bizarre” tour. I won’t tell you anything, except that you should do them if you ever come to the area. They have more, like a foodie one, a chocolate one and some other history tours, but we preferred to try them out on these two tours. The next day, we did some stuff around the house. By the end of the week, we were ready again for some fun, so we went to a pumpkin patch (my first ever!) with some friends of mine from work, and had a fabulous time! Mario loved it, I think mostly because it was warm there. But we got some cute pumpkins... All in all, it was a very fun and relaxing vacation. Before it, we were about at wits end, but we were ready to go back after.

We had really nice holidays, mostly working, but we did get to spend a little time with my family. Maybe next year, we can spend it with Sans’ family. We’re trying. And we also want to make an effort to see his sister and brother. Last year, we didn’t have much time to spend with our friends, either. Because of our work schedules, it’s very difficult to see and spend time with everyone we want to. All of our local friends work mostly M-F day jobs, were-as, Sans and I both work mostly at night, and we have Mondays and Tuesdays off. I am also very selfish about how I spend time with him. I usually get to spend one day a week with him, so that tends to make things difficult... and I’m not a very good sharer. :-) But I promise to try. so, anyone local... we’d love to see you!!

So, I guess that’s the update for now. Hope you all had a great new year and a great holiday season! Happy 2011!