Today's the day!

Today, I did it. I turned in my resignation from Astellas. Talk about a bitter-sweet ending to the past seven years of my life. I was so upset all morning. Everytime I started to think about it, I began to cry no matter how strong I was trying to be. Seven years is a long time. Astellas has been very good to me and I tried to be as professional as I could today. I met with Dean in person and told him. His expression about killed me. Unfortunately, I completely blind-sided him. It made me feel good as he asked me three different times if he could talk me out of it. In the long run, my fear is that the dermatology division will not be solvent in two years, let alone 3-4 yrs. I needed to do what is best for me and my family. During my meeting with Dean, I did provide him with a resume, all my appointments for the remainder of the year, updated office hours for the new hire. I want to help him make this transition as smooth as possible.

My new career awaits me at Endo Pharmaceuticals. I'm very excited and looking forward to a much smaller geography. This may even provide me the fortune to actually work out as opposed to driving in a car all the time. Novel thinking isn't it?

The boys are off to a busy week and thank goodness today is Wednesday. Yesterday was cute as we were in the car, Logan was listening to the music and goes, "Isn't this song by the naked ladies?" I couldn't help but laugh and he was referring to the band, Bare Naked Ladies, and yes, he was right about the song.

Have a great evening!

TGIF

Last week I promised a few pictures of the boys at Ella's birthday party at Bouncetown. The kids had some much fun jumping around, playing air hockey and of course eating the birthday cake. Happy Birthday Ella!



Coulson says Ella is his girlfriend and he is going to marry Ella.

Coulson with Ella in the picture to the right. Aren't they cute?

Logan and his friend Connor at Ella's birthday party, getting ready to slide down the Batman bouncer.

Good Friends!

TGIF!!!

This week just seemed like it was very long. So glad it is Friday!

I am definitely getting older as I used to look so forward to Fridays because that meant Happy Hour with good friends. Happy Hour turned into maybe dinner but usually more drinks which lead into staying out until 3 am or so.

Now, like years before, I still look so forward to Fridays but now it is more like, "Wow, I can't wait to get home from work and get comfy." Which means, the boys are in bed and I'm half awake at 9 pm. How things change!

Many Fridays, we do have a great evening as we spend so many with Papa & Gramma and a Friday night pizza. Tonight, we had a even greater evening as our Jessi came home for spring break from Illinois State. The boys had a ton of fun as we all indulged in some good pizza and had great conversation. Tonight our conversation seemed so centered around the political campaigns.

Between Papa, Uncle Bob, Aunt Sue, Scott and myself, we have this all figured out. One thing is certain, you almost have to be insane for political office. Anyway...

Have a great night and I'll write soon.

Great News!

Today, I received some great news regarding work. I'm so excited!!! Life will become so much easier I can't even tell you. As of right now, that is all I'm saying.

It was another extremely cold day in Illinois. I traveled to Champaign for work and it was maybe 5 degrees warmer, a high of 18 than it was at home. Hopefully it will warm up soon and I'll settle for a balmy 30 degrees with no windchill. Doesn't that sound heavenly?

This weekend looks like a busy one, we have a baptism and a birthday party. I can't wait to spend some time with our friends. We also have many blessing this week as we have heard from a long time friend and hopefully we'll see him soon.

So many blessings! I just pray for the homeless and the hungry right now as it is so cold that they find warmth in shelter and warm food.

God Bless you!

Relaxing day

How nice is it to actually do nothing on a Sunday? Today we actually took full advantage. Scott is working his weekend schedule so he's been sleeping most of the day. The boys and Iwent to church, have played games, watched some movies and colored. We rarely have a day like this and it is sooo nice!




Yesterday the boys went to a birthday party for Ella. Coulson keeps saying he is going to marry Ella and she is his girlfriend. I'll post some pictures later. The spent two hours at Bouncetown running around and were completely exhausted by the time we got home. I think they were both asleep by 7:45 pm. They also had gymnastics in the morning, so they were tired.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

HUGS & KISSES to you. I hope you have a fantastic day!

Today we took the boys downtown to the Chicago Autoshow. They were so excited as all they wanted to see was "Bumblebee," the Chevy Camaro in the Transformers movie. They were so excited to get their picture taken by it. There were a lot of neat and extremely expensive, impractical cars. Scott was glad to go.

Hope you all had a great day!

Sun, finally!!

It is such a wonderful feeling when the sun makes its grand appearance! Goodness, it has been only 11 minutes of sun since the first of February according to the weather sources. Six minutes, no wonder everyone is grumpy, depressed and always tired. Today should make a huge difference in peoples attitudes.

I'm so glad its the weekend. It has been a rather exhausting week. The weather, the primaries and the lack of light has made this past week feel like it has taken forever. So, on a happy note, I'm going to post some beautiful pictures that I took on our cruise in Dec. 2007.

This house is in St. Thomas. Isn't it beautiful? We saw this on our way to snorkel at Shipwreck Bay.

This is a spot from the top of Bird Island, Antiqua. This place was so calm and unassuming.

This photo is along del Morro in San Juan. This place hold so much history and it is in such great shape. The coast in this area is outstanding.

I hope you enjoyed looking at some of these photos.

Snow, Ice & more snow

Today we woke up and didn't get what the weather people predicted. Although late enough, my area did manage to get a lot of sleet and then later several inches of snow. At this point, who knows what we'll end up with but the dogs really enjoy it.

I wish anyone who is traveling in the weather, safe travels!

Happy Lent!

Illinois Disappointment

It looks as if my candidate didn't win for Illinois. I'm very sad but more scared with the possibility that McCain could be the republican candidate. That scares me so much! I know there are many other Americans that feel the same way I do. If you like your healthcare, you can basically start to think it will become this socialistic mess! Additionally, if you think you pay too much in taxes now, you just wait! It will be five times worse!

Disappointed in Illinois!

Super Tuesday

Did you vote today? I hope you did as today is an extremely important day for Illinois! I have talked with several customers today and many say they don't vote during the primaries. I'm amazed at that as it is our constitutional obligation and if you don't your voice will not be heard! I'm very nervous with the pending election and I just pray that the person I voted for will come out as the leader in Illinois. Go Elephants!!! Go RED, WHITE & BLUE!!!

Here is our day sledding after our almost 12" of snow. The boys had a great time! It was a little cold but seeing their faces was well worth it!










While we were sledding, we saw some friends. Logan and Coulson are with their friend Tyler. How about those faces?!!!



Logan is starting to get a little tired but it didn't stop him. He is very excited as he has heard we're expected to get another 5-9" tonight. Maybe I'll get a snow day from work???

Can't forget Scott, what do you think? A bigger sled?

FOG!!!!

Today was an extremely challenging day regarding work. This past weekend we had a great time visiting with our friends and doing our basic chores around the house that I neglected to pre-plan work for this next week. I'm having such a challenging time staying motivated selling Protopic but more so with Amevive. This all does lead into my day, trust me.

As I wake up around 5:00 am, I begin to wonder, where am I working today? I eventually drag myself out of bed to look at my daytimer. (Yes, I'm still utilizing paper because with the size of my territory its easier to keep things straight as opposed to fully utilizing my PDA.) I see that I do need to look at February and not only that but I realize I have a lunch in Champain, IL at 11:30 am with my number one target who prescribes my main competing medication.

I order food for delivery by 6:30 am and because I'm taking care of work stuff, I get a much later start for the day. Logan missed his bus because of me so I take him to school and continue to drive in the FOG!

Let me tell you the fog was from the Chicago western suburbs past Champaign, IL. There were times when I literally could not see more than 10' in front of my car. People were driving with their hazard lights on, some were driving very slow and some were driving like idiots. It took me over three hours to get from Champaign to Oswego which normally takes 2.5 hrs at the most.

As I write the fog has not lifted. I just hope tomorrow will be a better day because driving in this was horrible!

So my luncheon with Dr. Neitzel was ok, for every objection he threw out, I responded with an appropriate answer. As I am trying to provide an alternative for his psoriasis patients, he has an objection for everything. One would like to think he is in the buying stage but just hasn't committed. I just want to hit my head on a brick wall!

As for Protopic, I love this product as it has positively affected so many people and changed their lives! The label change has made the last several years so challenging to stay positive and continue to promote it. All in all, I need some motivation or a good vacation.

Maybe this has been a longer winter than I realize and we've just had too, too many gray days. I wonder if I'm not affected with SAD, I need to read up on that. Maybe I need some happy pills! :)

Another day

I finally sent out an email letting everyone know that we have entered the blogging world. Hopefully it will help keep in contact with those who aren't exactly close by.

Today is a cool day and I have promised the boys we'd go sledding after I did some baking. I currently have two loaves of banana bread in the oven and it smells so nice. Don't you just love the smell off anything baking or good food while its cooking? As everyone who knows me, knows how much I love to cook and bake. Sometimes I think I've missed my calling by not going to culinary school. There is still time. Oh well.

Tomorrow is Super Bowl Sunday! Logan claimes the Patriots will be the winner. With a 18-0 record they should be but stranger things can happen....I have prepared 1/2 of my appetizer for tomorrow's game as we've been invited to our friends/neighbors for a Super Bowl Party. I've prepared some homemade poppers that I'm waiting to complete, come on bacon thaw, will ya'?

Logan received his report card for second quarter and has done very well. At this point he has perfect attendance and he just loves school and Miss Voegtle. She is very passionate about the kids and it is very clear she loves teaching. I'm so happy he has a teacher like her.

Coulson is supposed to register for Kindergarten in March and I can't believe he'll be in school. WOW, does time fly or what? It will be very interesting how he responds. The child thinks that everything is a party. God love him but please, please help me not get so frustrated with him. I swear that if you don't help him, guide him with what you're asking, he finds something to have some kind of party! He will be the child to watch out for as he gets older.

Well, I must check on the bread and get ready for sledding with our nearly 12" of snow.

Until next time, make it a great day!

The blogging world...

Today I've joined the blogging world! I do find it interesting reading about my friends when we can't always communicate. This does appear to be a great way to stay in contact.

We'll start today was a great day to play outside with our nearly 12" of snow. The dogs spent a lot of time outside running like it was a spring day. It was extremely amusing to see Shadow and Guinness fighting over standing on the picnic table.

The Bain Boy's and I had a little snowball fight until I got hit in the mouth by the four year old. It wasn't funny anymore! Thank goodness it isn't in the subzero windchill nor the single digit temperature.

We've been invited to have dessert with some friends/neighbors tonight. It will be great to catch up with them as winter and work sometimes keeps you away from those whose company you enjoy.

Well, I think this is a good start for the first blog. This will definitely be a learning curve on adding photos and such. Be patient.