My Hateful Notebook

May Pictures

ComaGirl1977 — Sat, 19 May 2012 23:19:54 +0000

We got all of our windows in our house replaced on Monday with super nice and energy efficient windows. I was sick of cooling/heating the house and having drafts come in. I also wanted more sound proofing because I HATE the sound of the screaming children next door. So 10 new windows were put in. They are fabulous – no condensation between the panes and are very secure.

Bedroom – we can actually see out the window now (it was cloudy before)!

Front of house – all new grid windows!

I reallllly wanted a new front door. I hate our’s. It was dark and ghetto looking. So the husband and I went to Home Depot and picked up an energy efficient door with a cut glass design at the top to let light in. It’s beautiful! Tomorrow we are painting it a beautiful cranberry color too!

Before & after

Our TV room is finally finished the way we want it. Everything has a place (thanks Ikea) and it’s super colorful and clean looking. I don’t like clutter so this is perfect!

Here’s a cool photo (I thought it was cool) I took the other night. I’m reading “The Satanic Bible” and I thought this captured the moment.

Then I was reading the same book in the bath surrounded by candles. I though this photo was equally as cool.

There’s a first for everything

ComaGirl1977 — Sat, 19 May 2012 22:01:44 +0000

My stepsister graduated today and she’s officially an M.D. The first M.D. of our family!!! She will be doing OB/GYN in Ohio for her residency. I think this is so cool and such an amazing accomplishment!

So proud of her!

Life is what you make of it…

ComaGirl1977 — Sat, 19 May 2012 16:17:43 +0000

I do not respect a person that says it’s “shallow” to want or have nice things. That is their way of saying, “I’m actually jealous, but instead I will tear you down to make it seem like you’re doing something bad.” Pitiful! We’ve worked really hard to get where we are today and not have to live paycheck to paycheck anymore. I’ve completed a undergraduate & graduate degree and recently received my professional certification. Johnny has gone from being a “band dude” when I met him to a “band dude” and the Creative & Technical Director of a company. Why should we not treat ourselves? Is that shallow?

I grew up in a household with nice things, a housekeeper, fancy cars and I don’t think there is anything wrong with wanting that lifestyle for myself as an adult. We have no children, I put away money for retirement, we pay our bills, etc. In January we will be buying our house from my father, and shortly thereafter we will be buying a 2010 or newer Honda Element and I will be buying a 2010 or 2011 Audi A4 or A6. Is that wrong? If we can afford it and it’s not hurting anyone else, what is it the business of anyone else to judge us? Jealous idiots. I’m not a person that is okay with “getting by”…I wasn’t raise that way. While many others are content with this, I am not. I’m always setting goals for myself, and nearly killing myself until I meet them. I never back down and I never give up on anything. Most recently I’ve lost 18 pounds – I’m still 4 pounds away from my goal weight, but I will get there. Goals are meant to be achieved. If you set a goal and don’t reach it…you aren’t trying. It’s as simple as that. I set a goal of making $100,000 a year many years ago…while it took me many years to achieve. We met that mark and far exceeded it. Next goal – $300,000 a year. That could happen next year or 10 years from now…but it will happen. Goals are healthy, goals lead to accomplishment and motivation. If you set goals and never meet them you become a big lump that just “talks”. I know many, many people like that.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how far I’ve come professionally. I’m that weird tattooed girl that has the ability to clean up nicely. Luckily, I use proper grammar, wear business attire well, can chameleon myself to who I need to be, and find myself comfortable being in meetings with executives. I’m not perfect, I make mistakes, I still have to ask for help sometimes in sticky HR situations. However, after getting my PHR I say to myself “I’ve got this” a lot more. Confidence…finally!

I’ve worked in the medical arena as a office assistant and secretary for 3 years. I’ve worked as a law office receptionist for 1 year. I was a legal assistant & paralegal for over 3 years. I’ve worked in risk management now for 5 years. I’ve been in human resources for a little over 2 years. Many different jobs, many different tasks, many different titles, many different personalities. I think about the jobs I’ve enjoyed the most and I’m so thankful that I’ve landed an amazing job in HR & risk management. I’m good at it and I love it. I was thinking about which jobs I hated and without a doubt I’d say being a thankless paralegal/legal assistant. I don’t know how people do it. You are paid low wages, you get belittled by attorneys and do most of their work, you work long hours, the perks are standard (PTO, 401k, bus pass), the bonuses are minimal or non-existant (they shouldn’t call anything under $3,000 a bonus), and so many clients are sooo cruel. I shed many tears in that position and vowed that once I was out to never go back. So far, so good! You couldn’t pay me $45,000 to be an attorney’s bitch/whipping post ever again. I think a paralegal job is a great spring board into getting your law degree…other than that, no freaking way. I suppose some people are a-ok with being an assistant for life…not I, not I. Especially an assistant to narcissistic weirdos that expect a ton from you, and you absolutely receive nothing back.

Human resources & risk management combined are soooo fun! I get to do investigations, research employment laws in various states, develop handbooks, policies and procedures, review work comp claims (luckily I don’t have to manage them anymore – ick), develop internal programs for businesses, strategic planning for human capital, develop safety programs that are worksite specific, answer simple and complex HR questions, and the list goes on. I can safely say….I love it and landed in the right field for me. I work all alone down here in Denver and have clients in 7 states (I’m not a huge fan of traveling, but it’s fun to see the US). My supervisor in Montana leaves me alone, because I do my work and do it well. I work out of my home, and basically that is the best thing in the world (especially since we got all new windows in our house this week and I hear NOTHING from the outside world). I also get to get dressed up and meet with clients. I hated it for awhile, because I feel I needed structure…well I’ve embraced it and am absolutely enjoying it now. Yesssss!

This was my mind dump for the month. I’m sick of family being jealous, I’m sick of former friends being jealous….and it has been on my mind. Get a life, folks…make a great one for yourselves!

High Gloss

ComaGirl1977 — Sun, 13 May 2012 17:33:17 +0000

And I was on the hate Ikea bandwagon. I got off and we got this yesterday! Johnny can store some records, DVDs and some of my art glass can be displayed. Yay!

Proud of myself

ComaGirl1977 — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:43:00 +0000

Today I completed one of the hardest professional/academic accomplishments of my life. For the past 3+ months I’ve been studying for my human resources professional certification. I don’t have a ton of HR experience so it was a real struggle for me on the strategic side of things. My employer gave me this week off (paid) to study and I studied 52 hours this week and took the test this morning at the testing center. Last testing window in the winter the pass rate was 58% – I was terrified! But I did it…I PASSED!!!! I won’t find out my scores on the individual sections for about 4 weeks, but the important thing is I passed and now have the credentials to go behind my name and back up my experience & education. Many employers are requiring this for HR professionals now and now I have it. I’m incredibly proud of myself – I studied hard, cried a lot, stressed a ton, but it’s over and I did it!!!

Bachelor’s degree – done in 2007. Master’s degree done in 2010. HR Certification done in 2012. YAYYYY!!!

Stay Away

ComaGirl1977 — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 03:08:33 +0000

Stay away from the light Winnie, don’t go into the light……

Soft cone of shame!

The week that will not end…

ComaGirl1977 — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:54:01 +0000

What a week! Wow, just wow. I honestly don’t know how Winnie or I have survived. Winnie had to have a re-surgery on Monday due to the fact the shittiest vet on the planet butchered her ear last week. Needless to say I’m reporting them to every place possible, and have contacted an attorney. Don’t mess with my animals. She is now feeling better and out of pain. All I wanted for her!

This week has brought some positives. We are getting our roof done tomorrow, blown in attic insulation and today I signed the paperwork for brand new fancy windows for our entire house in May. That’s going to cut down on electrical bills – big time! I am so, so excited to have new windows soon.

More travel is nearing – Las Vegas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. I know, I know…I go to all the hot spots for work. Speaking of work – it is pretty awesome lately. Very thankful I can work from home to take care of my poor dog and deal with household stuff. Most people do not have that option. I’ve also remained in my pjs all week. It’s pretty sad, but I’ve been carting Winnie around and didn’t want to wear “good” clothes.

The husband sold our second motorcycle – the Honda. I’ve decided I’m too wussy and I’m not going to ever ride on one myself again after my baby crash. So the husband has his fancy Harley and I will ride on the back if needed. The best part – we sold the bike for more than we paid for it. Don’t know how that happened but it rules!

The Harley…

I’ve begun saving for the Virgin Islands next year. It’s pretty much a done deal, so I have to save now. We will be here if you need us.

Andddd back to studying for my PHR. Test is next Friday – shoot me. 50% pass rate.

Colorado Springtime

ComaGirl1977 — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:48:31 +0000

Spring & Fall in Colorado are my favorite seasons. I’m not a huge fan of winter, as I loathe the snow. Summer is too hot and I can never cool down.

I’ve ran/walked 6 miles this week – 6!!! I consider that to be pretty good due to the fact on Thursday my dog had surgery, and on Friday I had to watch her like a hawk. Plus I only got my running shoes on Tuesday! I’m proud of myself and I can already see improvement.

The husband had his first practice with The Gamits last night on bass. So I guess he’s a Gamit now….let the overseas touring commence! Slightly jealous.

Yesterday was our 12 year anniversary! We don’t celebrate our wedding anniversary (boring)….we celebrate when we started dating. I cannot believe it has been 12 years. Seems like only yesterday I was driving to Missoula, MT from Spokane to see his band play and met him. Ohhh memories.

Besides the continuous Corgi (dog) issues…life is good. Today is relax, yard, Costco day!

Cone of Shame

ComaGirl1977 — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 02:18:22 +0000

My Corgi had a rough day. She had surgery on a aural hematoma. Currently, she is high as a kite, but I feel horrible for her and having to wear that darn cone.

Run Forrest…Runnnnn!

ComaGirl1977 — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:36:32 +0000

Today I got fitted for running shoes. I’m sick of running on the treadmill and starting at the back of someone’s head. I also get super sore feet, knees and legs after I’m done. So today I went and got fitted for running shoes. I wore a pair of runners, ran on the treadmill at the running shoe store, they video taped me, and test pressure points. An exhausting experiencing but well worth it. After trying on 4 pairs, running on the treadmill and video taping me again I decided on a pair of Saucony Pro Guide 5 shoes! They were not only unbelievably comfortable, but they are quite sassy too. I’m not a huge pink fan, but these are HOT pink and you’ll see me coming. I’m hoping these will help me lose my last 5 pounds to hit my goal weight.

Funky, eh?