We have been trying to be better about spending money - which means having a plan of what to make for dinner!  If I know what I am making, I just do it.  That way there isnt the temptation to go out and get something.  Healthier and cheaper.  Two things I need to do more of!!  (ok, so not every dinner is exactly healthy when I make dinner at home, but at least I can make sure we are getting veggies and it is better than eating out, especially compared to fast food!)

Tonight's dinner was something easy since it was just Julian and I - Jeremy had to work.  Hot dogs, rice, and veggies it was.  I was being lazy and didnt feel like peeling carrots.  So that was out.  We have been eating tons of corn lately - because thats what Julian always picks when given the choice.  I, however, love green beans.  We hadnt had them for a while.  Every time I suggest them, I get the "EEWWW" response from Julian.  I decided tonight, that he would just have to suffer through eating some.  I got the exact response I expected when he asked what was for dinner.  But I told him he still had to eat some.  

I got together Julian's plate, including about a half serving of green beans.  I wanted him to eat some, but I didnt want him to hate me for making him eat too much of something he doesnt like.  I was shocked when he started with the green beans to get them out of the way.  And then he said "wow!"  I said they arent that bad are they?  His response completely shocked me. "They are kinda juicy, and kinda sweet"  And then he devoured the rest! Of course, he didnt want more.  But I should be able to easily convince him to eat them again.

It makes me wonder how often I do stuff like that.  Avoid something that I 'dont like', only I am completely wrong!  I have been stuck in a rut far too long, perhaps it is time to start trying things - even things that I 'dont like'.  

But no matter what, at least I now have another veggie to add into my dinner plans. Lets hope things continue to go this well!  (Julian easily ate his entire dinner without a fight tonight!  I need more nights like that!)

*blowing dust off the keyboard* yes hag, blowing the DUST. Thats what I said!!

Its been a while... But life has been a bit crazy. Where to start?

So in June, I FINALLY got full time at CVS. it only took them 6 months longer than it should have. It has definitely been helpful. I have been guanarnteed hours. I got paid for 4th of July. I had some vacation hours I could use when I was sick last week (because apparently you have to be full time for a year before you get any sick time.... The other over 2 years I have been with the company don't matter!). But at the same time? I am getting to the point where I have had enough. I cringe having to go in there. It does matter some who the pharmacist is. But overall? I'm thinking it's time to move on...

Why all of a sudden? Well, really it's not. I have been fed up with a lot of things for a while. The pay. The "everyone is replaceable" attitude that CVS has. Even the being walked all over.

BUT I also had to spend a month (unpaid) at Target for school. (yes in the pharmacy, duh!!). While I didn't learn an over abundance of things about retail pharmacy in general that we were supposed to learn (because I already knew them) I did learn that things are better in other places. Target is so much more customer oriented, which I love! it's the little things that I do for people that make my job worth it at the end of the day - for example: on Saturday night, there was a prescription called in for an antibiotic eye drop for a 2 year old. The mother called and asked to make sure we got it - explained she had lost her job and was going to have to pay out of pocket. When she got there, I talked to her for a minute or so. She had explained she had to beg the doctors office to call it in. Her daughter has only been sick once more. She couldn't afford to take her to the ER or the urgent care but knew she needed something. I had seen which eye drop it was, and knew we had a coupon card for it. Why the doc picked the brand only drop, I will never know - but it worked out. On the phone one of the other girls had told her it would be $120. She said she would pay it because she didn't have a choice. When she got there and I told her we used the coupon card and it was only $20 - she was about to cry. That's the kind of stuff that makes me job worth the crap people pull! I like being able to spend the time to help people - giving advice. Helping to find the right medication over the counter or prescription that can help them AND that they can afford. At target? The pharmacists are encouraged to do that. They are given enough tech help to be able to spend the time with the customers rather than just always checking prescriptions. It seems to make more sense to move on to some where that is more in line with the way I want to practice. The upsides? They pay better so I could work less hours for the same amount of take home. Which means that even though I would work less hours on the weekends (because they are not open 24 hours) I would be ok financially. And I might even *gasp* be able to have a life occassionally! The down side? The store that would have enough hours for me is about a half hour a way - close to where Jeremy used to live!! (could my timing be a little worse?!?).

So tomorrow, I will pursue that option... Either way I should get something out of it. Julie (the current pharmacist in charge at my cvs) really wants me to stay, and is going to try to get me something. But it will probably only be an extra $1/hr and would mean I would be at the same crappy rate for 2 years.... But if I do end up there still, the extra money would be nice!

Jeremy and I bought an awesome truck almost a month ago. While we knew how much it would be, it has definitely put a damper on extra money. Doesn't help that I just coughed up $560 for the semesters train pass. So I'm looking to pick up extra shifts any where that I can to try to build our safety cushion again... Why does everything have to cost money?

But overall? Im happy. Life with Jeremy and Julian is more than I dreamed of! It has it's moments. Julian has talked to his mother a couple of times. Seen her once. And it will be trying. She is hung up on the fact that he calls me "mommy". He still calls her "mommy" too, but she is a jealous bitch. Jeremy did come to a custody agreement with her. Overall? I think it's fair, but I know that she will be a royal pain in the ass for the next 13 years, or until she flakes completely and abandons him again...But at least Julian will always have Jeremy and me.... Hopefully that is enough in the end for him to not turn out like his mother!!!

That's about all from my corner of the world. Trying to enjoy the next couple of weeks and make some money before classes start again... Officially 1 year down and 3 to go!

Another whole semester down and a whole year done. Where does time go?!? I will be having some vodka and coke tonight after work to celebrate!!!

I do have some mixed feelings about the break though... It will be good for me. But it will suck not seeing the people from school all the time any more. I guess there is always next semester!

Things to look forward to:

* the next 2 days Jeremy and I both have off!!!! <3. We will be working on getting stuff done at my house: painting, rearranging, etc. but the 3 of us will be together. That makes me a happy girl.

* NO MORE ROOMATES!! As of may 20th we will officially be living at my house. Just the 3 of us. Cannot wait!! So much less driving, more time together. Just overall better.

* how many more days, oh skinny one? I CANNOT wait! (my crouch needs waxed.... And you are helping me. Aren't you excited for me plans?!?). Shady maple, Amish country, drunken fun, etc...

* July 4th in new York... Always a good time. And this year, since Jim won't be there to be a pain in my ass, I will make arrangements and actually meet Margo in person!!

Life is good.... And this xanga app is way better now that it corrects my spelling!!!

That's all from the land of Sarah!