Dissolution

My brother has agreed to the dissolution and is working with my parents on getting things figured out. I feel so bad for him. I just want him to put this all behind him and start fresh.

I am absolutely exhausted today. Not only have I been adjusting to this new schedule for the job, and the 20 minute hike from the parking garage to my office, but we have had something going on every night this week after work. Tonight is no different. On the way home I have to stop and pick up stuff to make a giant sub sandwich for the Halloween party we have to go to tonight, put together my stupid costume, get Madeline dressed in her adorable Winnie the Pooh costume, and I'm sure, run around and help Jerry get ready. Crazy busy. I do not plan on staying at this party late. I am so tired. I could hardly stay awake on the drive in this morning. Thank goodness we don't have too much going on Sat. Sunday is Maddy's first trick-or-treat. She is just too cute for words.

Oh well, gotta run. Work to do today. I love being at the children's hospital. There are so many fun things I get to do. This week, my very first week, I met a pro football player that came in to visit some patients, and today I get to help out with the Ritz Carlton Pumpkin Parade! How fun is that?

Psycho Drama Continues

She emailed my dad yesterday. It was this huge long drama story trying to explain herself. Too bad nobody buys her act anymore. My mom talked to her mom last night... Apparently this is not as surprising as you might think...

Way back before PIL met my brother I guess there was some other BS going on that led her mom to kick her out when she was 18. She then went to college, where she had to borrow a bunch of money from her aunt that she never paid back. Then a few laters she got a car from a family member that she never paid for. Got a car from her mom that she never paid for. At one point she lived with her ex-stepdad, and he kicked her out. Her sister lived with her for a while, and that didn't work out either. All because she lies and manipulates people. Her mom is a basket case with apologies. She told my mom that she tried to talk PIL out of the wedding and everything b/c she knows how she is... psycho. She told my mom that she's tried to help a whole bunch of times through the years and she just doesn't know what to do with her anymore.

Crazy. She put on a really good show for a really long time with my family, and I am just in shock and how manipulative and distrusting she really is... Just goes to show that we should've tried harder to convince my brother that our gut instincts were right. None of us ever really liked her, but we tried hard for my brother's sake.

We are all just done with her. Whatever happens, happens. I told her that I just want her to leave my family alone, and if she doesn't, I'll send her ass to jail with identity theft, credit card fraud and mail fraud charges.

I'm Here

At my new job - second day. I'm typing this on my new laptop. Way too cool. I have an office with a door and a window! So excited.

Anyway, not here to disclose work info... Just wanted to let you all know that things are getting a little hairy. My mom sent PIL an email yesterday letting her know that she is no longer welcome around our family, and basically chewing her out. She forwarded the email on to my brother, who sent it to my dad, who responded with another angry email. At any rate, my brother is still staying at my parents' house, but everyone is getting mad at him because he hasn't taken any other action. My mom is trying everything to have him file the dissolution papers, but he hasn't done it yet... we'll see what happens.

Had stamping last night and made the announcement that she will no longer be a part of that... it was weird b/c I don't really think anyone was surprised. Strange.

On a really really sad note, I could cry just writing this... We had to get rid of our dog over the weekend. It's so sad. I can't even write the whole thing.

Anyway, gotta run.

Some sense of normalcy

That's all I really want. This crap with PIL is driving me crazy b/c it is consuming my family. My brother is being really dumb about it all, and I just want to slap him silly (as does my mom). I am stopping by the court house today to pick up a dissolution packet for him. He really doesn't have a choice - my family is completely done with her, and she's just a total wack-job. He just keeps saying how he wants her to get help, and this part is easier for him to deal with than when he found out about the affair. I told him that this isn't just about him anymore, and that he has to understand the harm she's done to me and the rest of my family.

It all makes me sick - the show I had to put on after the affair and all the stupid nice shit I did for her and my brother for their wedding, and this is what she does. I just can't understand how anyone thinks to do things like this...

We're heading out to have lunch with Jer at school. I need to go pick up the food, so I have to run. Maddy is sleeping though, so I am going to try to pack everything up and get everything ready before I have to wake her up... :( I hate doing that to her, but we'll be late if i don't. Oh well, have a good weekend everyone!

Confession

Well folks, she has admitted to it. Not to me, not to my brother, but to the investigator working the case. He called to tell me that yesterday. She has 60 days to come up with $6,000 or they will take it criminal with her. I can take it criminal myself because of the identity theft, but MBNA will not go after her until after the 60 days. My brother has taken his dog and a suitcase full of clothes to my parents house. I really hope he goes through with it and just gets an anullment.

Can't post too much now... Maddy is awake and raring to go. We're heading off to go have lunch with my mom at work.

I'll post the rest of the details later... Big drama in the family now. My poor brother....

Peace and Quiet

Maddy is taking a nap. I feel so good today because the damn closet project is done. I think we're going to head to the mall when Mad wakes up. I still have a little bit of work clothes shopping to do, and a few pairs of shoes wouldn't hurt :)

So, some news on the house front. We went and priced out a new home to build in a new city that would be the same amount of driving for both Jerry and I. Perfect location and a really great house. Double the square footage of our current home. They aren't selling lots until next month, but I think we are going to go for it. If all goes well, the house would be done around late May/early June. I'm kind-of excited about it, but petrified at the thought of selling this house. I feel better about it now that I've been home and done some serious cleaning, but I'm still stressed out about the whole process.

I'm super-excited about starting the new job next week. When I went in last week, they were so cool. Everyone seems really excited to have me on board. My lap top is all ready and waiting, and they ordered my new business cards already. I will have a reall office with a door for the first time EVER in my career. That is pretty cool.

I've done some super-cute scrapbook pages for Maddy. STill have tons I want to do, but I'm making progress and I'm happy with what I've done so far.

About the credit card BS - still really don't know anything. PIL is denying it still, but it's without a doubt her. The investigator has been in touch with them, but not with me. I may give them a call today to see what's going on. PIL called off work last week after I called them, and she hasn't contacted me since that night. She hasn't been to any family functions or anything for like 2 weeks. My brother is now seriously considering joining the Marines, and my mom is totally freaking out. I swear that stupid bitch totally deserves to rot in jail, and I honestly hope she gets what's coming to her! She has just hurt my family way too much. And ya know, I want to tell my brother "I told ya so," but he is just so devestated and I think he's in shock. He's talked to a lawyer and is keeping close tabs on his financial situation, but still... I'm being extra careful. Doors are always locked and someone always knows where I'm going. We've changed the security code, and Maddy hasn't left my site, except to be with Jerry's mom last week when I went to the hospital and went to the dentist.

OH well, I'm going go. I have to try to get as much crap done around this house as I can while she's napping.

Hello! I AM Alive!

Hello, everyone. I know it's been a while, but I've been busy and without a computer for a while. At any rate, I'm enjoying my mini vacation before starting my new job next week. Madeline is doing great - I picked an awesome time to be home with her. She cut her first tooth, said "Mama" for the first time AND started crawling this week! Wow.

I've been working on her scrapbook. I cleaned out my closet today - got rid of 6 BIG garbage bags of clothes! You can actually walk in the closet now. Big relief. Went to the dentist and got my permanent crown put on last week. It's gold, and I think it's a little weird, but oh well. Also went to have my physical and everything for the new job last week. I met some of the people I'll be working with, and it just made it all so much more exciting!

I could go on and on about the things I've been doing, but Jer is waiting for me to come to bed. I wasted a bunch of time trying to remember my stupid blogger password info - my old computer at work just automatically put it in there, and I couldn't remember at all.

Anyhow, I'm a busy girl, but thanks to my former co-worker, I am now back online! A big HUGE thanks to her!! :)

I'll post some more tomorrow - hubby will be at work, but who knows how much time Maddy will give me!

Take care! I'll have to take some time later this week to catch up with everyone's posts! A whole week without the Internet is sheer torture, seriously.

Psycho

Well, today is my last day at work. I'm a little sad, but really excited to have two weeks off! I could write a sappy post today, but I won't because there is an even bigger fiasco going on in my life...

I didn't post yesterday b/c I was too busy making phone calls and taking care of a BIG problem. On Weds. night I got a call from a credit card company alerting me that there is a credit card in my maiden name with a balance over $8,000 that is 16 months overdue! WTF? So, I freak out because it's total fraud and it's not me. The card has been used during the last year and a half, AND payments have been made on it! The payments were made from another checking account at my bank. They gave me the last four digits of the account number - not my account. They also asked if I had lived at these two other addresses, which I did not, but they happen to be the addresses of my brother and BIL (who we will now refer to as PIL - psycho-in-law). So, I flip out and ask what I'm supposed to do and start making phone calls.

I called my brother, because I just innocently thought there had to some weird computer glitch or mistake or something. Well, the payments were made from their account. Yeah, those four digits matched. OK? So, my brother freaks and asks me to talk to PIL b/c she handles their finances. She doesn't quite have the same freak-out reaction. She just says, "I don't know. We have so many cards, I'd have to check." WTF????????????? You don't know if you have an $8,000 balance on a credit card?????????? OK. So, the lady at the credit card company said they would look into and get back to me, but told me to call yesterday and file a fraud report. So, I did that.

I pulled up my credit report to find out more about this, and it shows me the balance history, the account number and some other info. The fraud people told me where the last few charges were made (at the outlet mall where her sister used to work). They also said they would pull a copy of the check that made the last payment. I told them about the addresses being my brother's, and I asked if there could be some mistake. They told me, "No, the only way this happened is that someone is using a card with your name on it. Your ss# has been compromised, and the person is able to verify your mom's maiden name."

Now, I did not accuse anyone of anything. I didn't really attack anyone or anything, but I turned it over to the investigators, who will get to the bottom of it and get back to me in a week. They asked if I would be willing to file a police report against whomever did this, and I said, "yes."

Now, I'm not stupid and I know that nobody would believe my brother was me. I also know that my brother is not smart enough to go online and update the address for the bill (yes, the address has been updated through the years b/c the account has been open for 5 years!) He doesn't handle their finances at all - she does.

So, my brother is feeling really bad. She's denying it, but he doesn't totally believe her.

We're not doing anything about it until the investigator confirms it, but we're pretty sure the psycho is pretending to be me and racking up charges and not paying the bills. So, yes, the bitch could go to jail and their marriage could be annulled and ya know - what went around, might actually come around to her!

I'm really creeped out by it all, because if she really did do this - it's really freaky and I think she has some mental obsession with wanting my life. I think that's why she did what she did with my husband, and I think she has always wanted everything that I have.

In retrospect there have been other things that could have been part of her mental problems - wanting my dad to be her cotillion escort (as he had done the cotillion with me two years prior), always making comments about me being the "princess of the family" and then getting upset when the same things were not done for her, just dumb stuff. But ya know, if she really has this obsession and jealous dilusions, then it makes me scared for Maddy's safety and you can bet your ass it will be a cold day in hell before she will be spending any time near my baby.

I feel horrible for my brother, and I'm trying hard not to be 100% sure that it's her. He's talked to me about the "what if's" and he's freaking out. I don't want him to get hurt, but if it means that in the end, our family is safe and her true colors finally are shown to the rest of the world, than so be it.

So my life went from a dimented Jerry Springer episode to a fucking scary movie! Garage codes have been changed and every door in my house gets locked the second I get in - I really just want to get to the bottom of it all.

2 More Days!

2 more days and I'm outta here! Oh, I cannot wait to spend two whole weeks that cute little baby of mine! She slept through the entire night last night and was in the best mood ever when she woke up this morning. I was almost late to work b/c I spent too much time playing with her. I thinks he's feeling better - she had a bit of a cold these last few days.

Anyhow, hubby is driving me nuts with this moving/house hunting business. We've discussed this a million times, and we've decided more than once that we would wait to make any decisions until I've made the drive a few times and have gotten settled into my new job. HOWEVER, he still proceeds to look up houses and email and call me every day with places he wants to go look at... it was fun at first, but now it's becoming annoying.

I have the headache from hell today. Oh my gosh. I can't stand it, but I can tell you that I think the source of it sits in the cubicle next to me...

I want to pull all of my hair out!

So this is my last week here at the old job. I've been doing my best to get things wrapped up and finish the projects I agreed to finish. OK, now let me preface this with the fact that I agreed to stay on for 3 weeks, instead of the customary 2. That being said, why the hell is my boss giving me new shit to do????????????? I am so mad. I just want to be done and get the hell out of here. Friday is my last day. There are little parties and lunches scheduled the rest of the week for goodbyes, and I just want to enjoy these last few days. BUT NO WAY. Instead, I am getting more stress and more work and I am super annoyed.

Sorry - just had to vent.

P.S.
In 20 minutes I am supposed to have lunch with above mentioned boss. I'll just have to suck it up.

Another Picture

Madeline's 6 Mos. Portraits

On Saturday, my mom and I took Maddy for her six month pictures. We did 4 outfits, 80 pictures and picked out the ones we wanted in under an hour! These people were amazing. I went in there for a $9.95 package and walked out $200 later. They were just too good. Here are just a couple of them. They are way better ones, and I tried to post them yesterday, but it wouldn't work. Not sure what the problem is... Anyhow, is she not absolutely adorable?

Ribs

So y'all know how my mother-in-law is - has stayed at home all her life and is the world's greatest cook. She knows she's a great cook, but she still revels in the praises she receives when people come over to eat her food. So, last year, she decided to have a neighborhood chili cook-off at her house. Judges and everything. Well, she won, of course. So, this year, she decides to have a rib cook-off, but she's "not going to enter." She's just going to make other stuff and desserts. Ya know, she's just too good and would win again for sure if she entered! Ha! Yeah, so she didn't enter, but Jerry's dad decided to enter his own ribs. He wanted to prove a point to MIL - that he was capable of making good food too. Yeah well, FIL won! Yeah, he won. She just didn't quite know how to handle that. That means that next year the cook-off is at their house again, he picked wings. Wings are FIL's specialty, and MIL doesn't even like wings. I wonder if she'll enter just to spite him? Funny.

MIL...

Sometimes I seriously wonder why I trust my MIL to take care of my daughter all day, because sometimes I really struggle to understand why she does some of the stupidest things on earth!

For the past two nights she has called us around 8:30 - knowing this is right around Madeline's bed time. I have answered the phone both times. The conversation goes as follows, "Did Maddy get her ears pierced?" "No." "Oh, what's she doing?" "She's in bed, asleep." "Oh, okay, I'll see her tomorrow."

WHY is she calling me about this? Everyday? We said we MIGHT get her ears pierced this week. MAYBE. Stupid, pointless conversation. I know that if and when we do get her ears pierced, Jer will call MIL when we get home to report in on how it went. She DOES NOT need to call and ask. That's seriously the end of the conversation. Nothing else.

OH, and you should hear her talk to us about the whole "moving debate." She is absolutely against us moving anywhere that's not "right around the corner." She keeps trying to come up with these scenarios and is so negative about everything. We went looking at houses on Sunday, and when we came back (and went over her house for this stupid Rib Cook-Off that I will post about later) she asked if we found anything. I just said, "No, not really." She says, "Why? The drive is too far hah." I said, "No, that's not it at all." She said, "Too expensive." I said, "No, not at all." Then she says, "What are you guys going to do when she starts school?" I said, "Jer wants to look for a job in whatever district she's going to." She gives me this disgusted look. I said, "What's the difference? She won't go to the school district near your house now, b/c we don't live in your city anyways." She said, "Yeah, but now you're just right around the corner." I said, "Yeah, but with my new job, I get a laptop and can work at home when I need to, so whatever the situation may be, I can work around it." She really didn't have a response.

She is absolutely unsupportive about this career move. Yes, she said congratulations, but her immediate comment was that she was going to trade in the car we bought her and get a Lexus. She has not asked one question about what I will do there or what that means for us. All she knows is that it's over her head, and she hates that she can't have a conversation with me about it and actually understand anything I tell her.

She seriously just cares about Madeline and getting to watch her b/c she has control in that situation. Everyone can gush about how hard it must be for her and how great it is that she does that for us, blah, blah. As long as she watches the babies, she is the family hero.

Don't get me wrong - I am thoroughly grateful for the childcare and for the fact that a trusted family member is watching Maddy all day. BUT, she is still my MIL and ya know, I still have those lovely feelings about her that all daughter-in-laws have at some point. I wish she would just respect my career for what it is and be a little more supportive of those accomplishments. Family is really really important, but it is not all there is to life, and I know she just doesn't understand how anything but family can be a priority to any woman.

2 Weeks off to...

1. Clean out and organize my closet
2. Get a good start on Maddy's scrapbook
3. Get a permanent crown put on my tooth
4. Get my physical, drug test, TB test and fingerprinting done for my new job
5. Take Maddy to visit my mom at work
6. Have 3 stamping events
7. Celebrate Sweetest Day
8. Clean my entire house
9. Shop for a whole new "business formal" wardrobe
10. Spend some time with my daughter

Do you think I can fit it all in?

A Day with my Daughter

Yesterday was Madeline's 6 month check-up, so I stayed home to be with her after those nasty shots. She was so sweet - all sleepy and snuggly. It was nice to be there to hold her. I can't believe she's already 6 months old! That's just crazy. She's getting so big, and soooo active. She rolls all over the place and just can't sit still. She's just adorable.

Now, it's back to the grind today. Trying to get things all wrapped up in the next two weeks. Next Fri. (Oct. 7) is my last day here. I don't start my new job unti lthe 24th. Two weeks off with the baby! Can't wait.

It's so hard to stay focused on things here, but I'm doing my best.

Tidbits About Moi...

Saw this floating around on a few blogs today, so I thought I'd follow suit...

1. Legal First name? Amanda
2. Were you named after anyone? Nope. It was the second most popular name the year I was born.
3. Do you wish on stars? Yes
4. When did you last cry? Last weekend. That damn Jerry!
5. What is your favorite lunch meat? Smoked turkey.
6. What is your birth date? June 25th
7. Whats your most embarrassing CD? Kelly Clarkson.
8. If you were another person, would you be friends with you? Definitely.
9. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Not all that much.
10. What are your nicknames? Mandy, Palsy-Walsy (only by my grandpa)
11. Would you bungee jump? Yes, but only if hubby did it with me. I would never have the balls to do it by myself.
12. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Yep, every time.
13. Do you think that you are strong? Physically - not at all. Mentally - I'm as tough as nails (HA!).
14. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup
15. Shoe Size? 7 wide (Yeah, I got fat feet)
16. Red or pink? Pink. Without question.
17. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? That I've gained so much weight in the last two years.
18. Who do you miss most? The guy that Jerry was when we first met - so lovey/dovey and romantic.
19. What color pants and shoes are you wearing? Jeans and brown shoes.
20. What are you listening to right now? Some chick a few cubicles over mumbling on the phone.
21. What did you eat for breakfast? A donut and a cappaccino. (And I wonder why I've gained weight?)
22. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Denim blue.
23. What is the weather like right now? Rainy.
24. Last person you talked to on the phone? A fact-checker at Seventeen magazine.
25.The first things you notice about the opposite sex? Smile.
26. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yes.
27. Favorite Drink? Mountain Dew. Alcoholic - amaretto sour.
28. Hair Color? Natural? Dark brown. With the help of stylist - blonde.
29. Do you wear contacts? Nope. Have perfect vision.
30. Favorite Food? Chicken fingers and fries. I get them wherever we go.
31. Last Movie You Watched? The Grudge - last weekend. Totally stupid movie.
32. Favorite Day Of The Year? Christmas.
33. Scary Movies Or Happy Endings? Happy endings.
34. Summer Or Winter? Summer - Jerry's home with Maddy and she's not subjected to MIL all day.
35. Hugs OR Kisses? Hugs - great big bear hugs.
36. What Is Your Favorite Dessert? Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake.
37. Living Arrangements? With hubby, daughter Maddy and dog Mugsy.
38. What Books Are You Reading? As if I have time for reading?
39. What's On Your Mouse Pad? It's this ugly gray thing from work.
40.What Did You Watch Last night on TV? TV? What the hell is that?
41. Favorite Smells? Maddy.
42. Favorite junk food? This is the hardest question on earth for me - as I love any and all junk food.
43. Rolling Stones or Beatles? The Beatles.
44. What's the farthest you've been from home? Europe, twice.

My Mom

My mom is a wonderful and inspiring woman, but sometimes she drives me just plain crazy.

Here's the background on my relationship with mommy dearest: OK, hold onto your seats... I'm 26 and my mom is 41. Yep, she turned 15 a whole 9 days before I was born. She was 14 when she got pregnant and 14 when she married my dad. They are still married. She was a fresman in high school! My dad is 45. They had my brother when my mom was the much older age of 16! Yeah, so they worked their asses off to provide for us. Working several jobs, going to school at night, sharing an old car, and all kinds of other things to get where they are today. My mom is an accountant and my dad is an engineer! Go figure! (I told you she was inspiring)

Anyhow, as you can imagine, having a mom that is only 15 years older than you can be really fun. We've always been really close and "friends" most of the time. She knows me better than anybody, and she's always there when I need her. Since I've become a mom myself, our relationship has grown even stronger, and it really has made me appreciate even more all that she sacrificed in order for my brother and I to succeed and have everything we ever needed.

Now, all that being said... She also drives me nuts sometimes!

Last night was our stamping club meeting (I have 15 women that meet at my house once a month for a stamping class that I teach and they place orders). This is the second year for the club, and it's a really great thing for all of us. But anyways, it takes me a few hours each month to prepare - design projects, cut paper, organize supplies, etc., and with a 6 month old finding that time is not easy. I usually cram it all in the night before (Monday night this week). So, imagine my dismay that when I present one of the projects, my mom makes this snurled up face and says, "I don't like that." I was just like whatever! Holy shit was I pissed. She said this right in front of everyone else, and then they all start telling me that they do like it and are all sympathetic about it.

Now, I will admit that it wasn't one of my best projects, but I designed it using extra supplies I had left over from a stamp camp (rather than my typical design approach of creating something really beautiful and finding all the supplies I need). But, the point is that I took the time to design it, cut all the paper for it and everyone else was fine with it AND SHE has to go and make her little comment OUT LOUD! Ugh. I pretty much ignored her and went on with the class.

So, she knew she pissed me off. I come in to work this morning, and she sends me this all apologetic email. OK, but it doesn't end there.

She also includes in the email this rant that she was upset b/c she didn't get to see Maddy last night, and she's feeling bad that Jer's family gets to spend more time with her. Now, Jerry took Maddy shopping last night b/c it is way too hard for me to teach the class with her there. And, he went shopping with his Mom and Dad to one of those wholesale stores. What the hell does she want me to do? I cannot help that she lives 45 minutes away and Jer's parents live 10 minutes away. Having Jer's mom watch her during the day is the best child care situation we could ask for. I have 15 women at stamp club to stamp, not entertain my child. Ugh.

I understand that she has these feelings, but please don't make me feel bad about it. I have to do what is best for me and my family, which doesn't always mean what is best and/or the most loved by my mom. She would be more understanding of that.

Big Lunch Date

Today I had lunch with a guy that I went to college with. He's in the same field as I am, and we've kept tabs on each other off and on. He's looking for freelance work, and we need some here, so we met up to chat. Turns out he's been interviewing at the place where I just got hired! Yeah, small world. There are still open positions there. Since we left lunch (around 2), my friend sent an email to my new boss, my new boss called to ask me about him, and I think my current employer is probably going to ask him to freelance, if not replace me! Crazy. Yeah, I just called him and I think he would literally kiss my ass right now! Yeah, Pete, you're welcome!

Peace of Mind

Last night I got all of my stamping stuff done and ready to go for tomorrow night. That is such a huge relief. I have a haircut tonight - I'm psyched about that. I love going to get my hair done! So, now I can just sit back, relax and enjoy it.

Hubby kept Maddy at his mom's last night for a long time so I could have some time to myself. It was so nice. I felt a little guilty b/c I didn't see her at all yesterday (she was sleeping when he brought her home), but then when she woke up at 3:30 a.m. and I had to spend like 45 minutes getting her back to sleep, that guilty feeling slightly went away :) No, seriously. It was nice to get some things done and get caught up, especially after the relief I felt after giving my notice yesterday.

I feel good today. I have a lot of things to transition over and wrap up here, but overall, I don't think it is going to be as hard as I had imagined.