I gave my mom's 2 dogs and my dog a bath the other day. Lol.


When you get Rusty wet, he looks just like Baxter!



Baxter got a haircut. :) he looks good. He's been hanging out with me at work and home. I'm going to miss him when I go to California!

Wonderful Love

I can't imagine a better reason to update my blog, and I can't imagine a better 100th entry than to announce the birth of my best friend (aka sister) Karen's baby boy.

Happy Birthday Clayton Joseph Gerletti!

Born April 12th, 2010 at 8:22AM weighing 7lbs 9.1oz, and 18inches long.









I am just in love with this little booger...I just can't help but holding him, kissing him, and buying him whatever he needs! :)

He should be going home today. He's been under the blue ultraviolet LED lights to break down the bilirubin in his skin and make his jaundice go away! I can't wait to take a picture of him in his "Auntie said I could" onesie while he's sitting in his carseat! In 35 mins they will do the bloodwork...pray his bilirubin levels are really really low now...hes been under the lights for a day and a half!!!


Today is the 3 yr anniversary of the shooting at VA Tech. RIP Leslie Sherman and all the other lives lost.

Yessssssssh!

I'm on my 6th day of Nutrisystem, and I just couldn't wait until Sunday to weigh so I weighed this morning. I've lost at least 2 lbs already! :) Its very exciting! I'm hoping once I get to California I will either have $$ to go to a gym OR (the better option) my apartment complex will have a gym and/or pool. :)

All I want to do *right now* is lose 52 lbs. 52 pounds puts me one pound lighter than when I met my ex husband. :) And I think I looked pretty good at that weight.

And then I'll go from there!!!

:) 26 days til the move!

Yippee

Karen says I need to update my blog. :) But I tell her more than I post on here!

The bf came back from his six week underway and broke up with me. Don't worry, he didn't break my heart or anything. Truth is I was having doubts about 'us' anyway, and since je only emailed me once during his six weeks away, I knew he wasn't serious about us. So that night I boogied out of our house and went and hung out with an ex, which was nice. :)
The next day I texted my former boss Scarlet (the Ayme family who I love very much) and told her that if they change their minds about me going with them to California, I'm game. She said, wow, let ne talk to Byron, and a week and a half later, it was official. I'm moving to Cali!
I'm not going to be a live in nanny however. They are going to give me some money every month so I can rent a place. That's right, I'm going to gave my very own apartment!!!! For those of you who really know me, that is my one dream is to have my very own place!!!! And Ikea is close by so I can buy some cheap but sturdy furnishings from there!
The Ayme family us shipping my car and my things there, so no worries about that.

So yeah, life is good.
Even though I'll miss Karen, Celia, Heather, and Sarah. (and 3 out of those 4 are pregnant!)

I'll try and update more often!

My car and stuff ships out next week!!!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Yeah!

You should be impressed. I've only said online maybe a half a dozen times that I miss my bf.
But- he is only gone for six weeks. Just wait til he leaves on deployment...you will be begging me to stop! LOL

The family I used to work for loves me. And I love them. They love me so much that they have me working for them 1 day a week at the rate of $15 an hour. And I usually work 10 hours a week. And all I do is get to enjoy time spent with two little loves that I, well, LOVE! Yesss. And they want me to help them when they move to Cali at the end of April/beginning of May. As in, they want me to fly with them and help them get adjusted to Cali, and find a nanny. I love Los Gatos...that area is so beautiful!!! Oh and ps they will be paying me. Hurray to that, but then I get so sad that I wont be seeing them as often anymore. They do want to fly me out on occasion to visit them, maybe spend an extended weekend with them. :) I love the Ayme family.

Speaking  of families I work for, the Bing family is a find! :) They are such sweet and attentive parents and they really care about the well-being of their son. And, they love me taking care of their son. :) Life in Hawaii is good!!!

PS The baby is Casper, he is 10 months old and adorable!!!

Wowsers

I am writing a paper on art history (realism and Impressionism) and surprisingly, I'm actually finishing up the first page of the 3-5 pages that's required!!! :) always good! I just have to make sure I cite everything correctly and use the right font and spacing! Ahh I really do enjoy writing, but I will be glad when it is over!!!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Feb 19th

I feel very stressed, like I have a lot to do and no time to do it. I'm working pretty much seven days a week. I definitely need the money for now. But, coming soon I'll be watching another baby and so I'll be making a lot more money. Plus the baby I'll be watching is a friend of my work family, so the two babies will get to play together! :)

I've got this paper to write and I've been putting it off for about, oh, two months. I've had two classes this semester that I had no interest in: History, and Humanities. This paper is for my humanities class and it's about historical art periods. I absolutely have no interest in historical art periods, but I have to demonstrate knowledge of two of them!
And all of a sudden yesterday I got the bug to start researching and writing my paper. Hallelujah!! :)
So while I am babysitting tonight after work I'll be working on my paper!!!

:)

Ahhhhh

I am home and all moved into my new place.
:) Oh and I got to see my sweet boyfriend on Tues, and I get to see him tonight!

Now I better get my school work done!!!

Frustrations...

I'm sitting on the plane listening to Ke$ha's Tik Tok. :) I'm trying to think of how much better my life is going to be from now on. Who knew how terrible that family could treat their kids.


The family had the audacity to tell me that their previous nannies worked seven days a week for $1000 a month. Fabulous...but if they loved working so much for so little, then why did all the 5-8 nannies before me quit?

I have a theory. I think it's because she and her husband drink every night. He isn't as bad as her, thank goodness.

She got so drunk my last night there that she was slurring her words as she was yelling at her 14 year old. At 2am. While the 14 yr olds friend was spending the night. Classy.

The kids are out of control, and it's because the parents don't really like the inconvenience of having/raising kids. When the kids are acting like kids, they get smacked and told to go to their "fucking room." They get upset because the kids want to hug them when they get home. Everyday they tell the kids to, "get the fuck off, just go away".

One night the four year old came out of her room after bedtime to get a hug and kiss. The mom says, "kiss, hug, kiss hug. I'm fucking tired of all these kisses and hugs. Get in your fucking room I don't want any of your hugs or kisses." the four year old ran to her room and cried herself to sleep.

The mom slapped the 7 yr old so hard that his head hit the granite countertop and started bleeding. He still has the cut on his forehead, and that happened 2 weeks ago.

And then there's the obvious lack of respect for me. I'm a professional. If you expect me to work 24/7 because I'm living in your house, tell me before I'm coming out. Tell me if you are going to infringe on the time off that was verbally promised to me. Your kids are crazy, so yes I do want a but of time away from them. It's not my job to have them when you are home-that's your job. It came out of between your legs, not mine.



For a family who really needs a live in nanny, they treat them like crap. The last two weeks of work were fine, until my last day. They owed me 2 weeks if pay and had said they had payroll problems at work and would pay me before i left. They informed me that they were not going to pay me all the money they owed me because they were put-out and had to scramble to find a new nanny. (I'm sure she will hate that toxic environment and quit) they also informed me that the new nanny was arriving the next day and so I needed to leave by 2pm the next day. (how rude!) so I had to go and get a motel room and luckily I found a friend who would take me to said motel.



I have never been treated as rudely and without respect as that family has treated me. I worked most weeks 6-7 days a week, and usually 14 hour days. I did all their dishes, the family laundry, transportation of the kids, and provided the children with the loving and nurturing care they so desperately needed and were not getting from their parents. I feel so sorry for those 4 kids. They will grow up with severe emotional problems and will hate their parents. I grew to love the kids but could not stay in that toxic environment.

One good thing...

Yay. My phone is temporarily disconnected because I have no money to pay the bill because my great boss hasn't paid me yet. Boo.

But- the one good thing to come out of this? Now my ex will stop texting me because he'll think I'm ignoring him. (Which I find hard to do!).

Small blessings.

Oh yeah!

Last day of work. Then 2 days of weekend in which I will probably work in some capacity.
Oh, and then monday I fly home. To Hawaii.

See ya later Texas.

How perfect...

So I posted earlier today that i had a sense of peace.
And then my ex, we'll call him Joe, starts texting me. he is obviously mad. Then after a few texts where I can tell he's upset but he wont say so, he cuts to the chase. "So you have a bf?" he says. I say yep. And a few...more like 50, texts later I come away with this...he figured that we were going to get back together when I came back. he never bothered to ask me if it was a possibility, or even say, hey, I want to take you out when you're back. Yes, we said we missed eachother. And I do miss what we had, it was nice. But, it left me with a heartache and I dont want that again. he's sad now. He says "sigh" and "cry...".

Am I supposed to go back to him now that he says he has changed? Now he wants to be married and he really likes me (a lot) and wants to be with me. Folks, he wanted to be with me before. The when he had me, he decided he didnt want a serious relatiomship and he did not see getting married or having kids in his future. At all.
Sorry...Even if i was single, I can't go through all that drama again. I hate drama., Those of you know...if there is drama around me...I leave...can't stand it!!!
And since I have a wonderful guy who brings me stability and a sense of calm in my life, Im not giving that up. No never!
Sorry Joe.

So now I'm trying to regain that sense of peace. :) Too bad B is still working...it would be sooo nice to hear his voice.
But I'll talk to his cousin. :) The closest I can get.

:) Toodles!

Every Little Thing is Gonna Be Alright

Somehow today I just have this overwhelming sense of peace. peace that no matter what happens, everything will be alright.

Its a good feeling to have.

Wow! {This one is pretty long}

First of all, re-did my blog with a new background. I hope y'all like it!

Second of all, I was checking my statistics, and wow, I have a reader in Bolivia and one in France...how very exciting! Oh, and I have one in Iraq but I pretty much know who that is! ;)
Thank you to my consistent readers. :) you know who you are and I love you. I know its hard to keep up with everything in everyone's life...and this is an easier way to keep everyone in the loop with whats going on!
Third of all, as the title says, this blog here is pretty long....


Many of you have been asking who this new man is in my life, although some of you are not surprised I have a man. :) Go figure.

His name is...we'll call him B. Gotta keep some anonymity intact when you're writing a blog online! Anywho...he is a guy I met this summer. We talked everyday for a month and then planned on meeting when I got home from my wonderful month in Colorado. I ended up meeting Stephen a day before my planned meet up with B, and I fell for Stephen, hard and fast. All other guys were non-existent. I still remained friends with B, after all, we were just friends, no? We hung out a bit, even tho it was hard between his military schedule (or lack thereof) and my work schedule, and the three back to back boyfriends I ended up having. Coffee, movies...and then one last time right before I left. I remember the look in his eyes (and also that his butt looked fantastic...but I'm straying...) when he told me that he really really was sad that I was leaving. Then it hit me...he liked me! He had been there for me thru 3 failed relationships; (Mr. I-don't-see-marriage-in-my-future, Mr. Not-over-my-ex, and Mr. I-like-you-but-I'm-scared-of-how-I-feel-but-lets-still-be-bf-gf-even-though-I'm-a-douche. Have I mentioned I don't really have a good history with men?)
I suddenly felt really bad. Like, duh Nat, he's been there for you and all along he's had this passion for you!!! We hugged and said goodbye and that was it...or so I thought. Hey, I was moving away and had already made the decision that I was NOT doing long distance and certainly not moving back to Hawaii. Texas was the place for me and I was gonna bag a studly cowboy who would whisk me around the dance floor, two-stepping in his cowboy boots. Hey, a girl can dream right?

I stayed in contact with B. he was sweet, telling me he missed me and even saying I was his favorite blonde. And honestly, I would groan. I mean...what am I supposed to think? Here is this amazing guy who is sweet and kind and wants to go to church with me, but he's all the way across the ocean, and like I said before, I am not going back to that rock! Texas, Texas, Texas
And then he just lays it out one night while I am sitting on my bed in Midland and really missing him.
"Natalie, I really like you. I really feel we have something amazing here and I don't want to lose it. Natalie, I want to be with you. I want you." ( me!!!) "If we both really want this, we can do it."
Well I want him. I want an amazing guy like him. I want a guy who knows me for me. And honestly, I never tried to impress him. He was always an amazing friend to me and I never imagined he would be interested in me. He saw me all crazy looking (and probably smelling like spit-up) after work,  went to The Invention of Lying with me when my plans fell through, and tried his hardest to come see me at my going away party by taking someones duty day and pretty much having to work non-stop sunday-tues. (Didn't work out...)
And so I began stressing. How could I afford to fly to see him, would he see me, would this be like before with Rob and Cody before him. Do I really think a long distance relationship can work when seeing a military man is hard as it is?
And then an opportunity arose. A friend knew I was miserable and missed Hawaii, and would rent me a room. I found a plane ticket that left in two weeks and it was cheap. And lastly, I found a job that met all of my financial and emotional needs. And it was all in Hawaii. (Hello...meant to be?)
And honestly, I miss my parents and friends ever so much. There had been signs that this job just wouldn't work out from the moment I came here, but I refused to see if, and hope that it would because, after all, its Texas. Karen and Heather, you have B and my roomie friend to thank for bringing me home. I am so sorry I left when you needed me the most.
So now here we are at 6 days before I leave. B has duty today so we won;t be talking. But Im ok with that. Because I know that if he has the opportunity to talk to me or send me a sweet text, he will. I can;t wait to see him. I can't wait for our first date, first kiss, first moments shared together as more than friends. And for the first time I am really scared. Guys, this man really likes me, like he;s really into me. And you know what, I'm into him so much more than I could imagine...these men here in Texas don't hold a candle to him.
Im ready to dive into the unknown with him. And Im terrified, but I'm ok with that.

His cousin asked him who I was. Somehow she knew I was special to him through what I wrote on his Facebook...mmmkay...
And she perused my profile, asked a million questions, and then added me as a friend.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have a test to pass. To determine if I am good for B's family.
And honestly, I think it is super sweet how close his family is. He told his mother about me. And his cousin told me if Im lucky I might be having a lot of *LastName* babies. Oh his family is goinng bring that pressure...the we-want-to-meet-her-bring-her-home pressure. LOL I like knowing that his family is excited to meet me...who knows, like she said, it might just be a fairy tale.
One can only hope.

But seriously...we haven't even had one date yet. :)

I'm looking forward to making memories.

I just cant wait!

I feel sometimes like I just can't wait any longer. How many more times do I have to hear the mom tell her son to pick up your fu**ing room", or have to put in my earplugs just to sleep at night because the mom is drunk and decided she wants to turn up the music and sing?
Im SO over it here. I'm over being treated like I should work 24/7, and I am sooo tired of asking for my pay every week. I am supposed to get paid every friday...why is it Tuesday and I still havent been paid? People, I need to pay my bills! Grrr

I will be working for a dual military-contractor family, with one sweet 9 month old boy named Casper and 2 little dogs. I will be working 7:30-4 mon-fri and will be off whenever the parents don't work. And for those of you who aren't familiar with Hawaii, there are federal and state holidays. And Hawaii has a bunch of bull holidays, but hey, its a day off! Oh and I earn one paid day off per month and we sit down to discuss a raise in March! How nice is that??  With this new family I really wanted to make sure it was a good fit...I made sure I explained why i was leaving this family im with now and what kind of family I thought was my best fit. They had talked to my former boss (Scarlet) so they got the 411 on how amazing she thinks I am. needless to say, I feel very blessed to get this job because they are very family oriented people and are flexible if things come up. And, of course I won't havwe to work 11 hour days anymore! I will be working for the Ayme's too, just one day a week. It'll be nice to get the extra money and of course to see those wonderful children, Austin and Juliette. I miss them so much...I know I am gonna cry when THEY move in march. :(

And, just so y'all dont worry about me, I won't be living with this next family. I'll be renting (yikes!) a room from my friend. I must say, this is the first time I will be living on my own and paying rent! :) How exciting! :) I know I'll be eating a lot of cheap foods since I'll be buying my own groceries. Although my mom did say I could eat dinner at their house if I make it for them...and that sounds like a good deal to me!!! :)

Oh and I don't want to be one of those girls...but oh well...Miss you B!

Ahh ok, back to work!

Things I love...

Post Secret
The Oatmeal (.com)
The fact that my hair smells like coconut right now (Thank you Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam!)
Sleeping in on Sundays
Heather because we share our secrets
Karen because in 92 days I'm going to be an Auntie to sweet little CJ!
When men are sweet and just compliment you out of nowhere.
My 2nd family, the Ayme family, who wants me to work for them one day a week so that they can see me before they move! (I  really love those kids!!!)
That my new man's cousin was looking at me on Facebook to make sure that I am good enough for her cousin. (I hope I pass the tests!)

And what I really love is...
That in 8 days I will be home sweet home in Hawaii. Goodbye Midland and good riddance!!!

Wow

Ive been e-mailing with this family in Hawaii and I had a phone interview with them today. They have talked with my last two employers (before this job) and after talking to me...they hired me!! Yay!! :) Im glad because they asked for a resume so I wrote one up just for them! :) And I do ave a great work history and awesome references,. They said they've never heard someone rave like Scarlet did. She is sooo getting a cookie basket or something like that!

Will talk more laters...but I fly in Jan 25th and start my new job Jan 27th!

God is good!

Moving again

As all of y'all are probably aware of by now, I am moving back to Hawaii. Yeah, it didnt work out here. More details to come when I actually make the move.
Much love!

So for now Ill just be...

*dreaming of Hawaii*

New Year

Ouch...I'm blowing out my hair and I got a cramp. So I took a break. And typing doesn't help...lol.

Happy new year y'all. I can't believe how much my life changed last year. 2 new jobs, one divorce, starting school again, many new and wonderful friends, many boyfriends and one big move. Im still adjusting to all the changes and drama that came into my life, but I can't say that I hate it! Change means personal growth, and I am always OK for making myself a better person!

I really miss my friends in Hawaii, more than I thought I would. I don't have anyone to hang out with on weekends anymore!! Heather and Karen, I miss y'all so much!! :( But, Im trying to make friends here in Midland!

I wanted to check out The Ranch, a pretty cool country bar here. :) If y'all know me, you know how much I just love to dance! So Saturday night I put on my dancing shoes and ventured out! I was very much tired of being holed up in my room and I really needed to get my dance on. When I got there I met a very nice group of people (and one really cute guy...he trains horses, how cool is that!), and ended up hanging out and dancing with them all night!
I had a date that night, but when he showed up I could tell it wasn't just gonna work...I got a weird vibe from him. And then he told me his friend was telling him how he (my date) needed an "alpha female" for his Timberwolf dog/wolf/idk.
Ok, WHO IN THEIR *RIGHT MIND* tells a girl he just met that he's looking for an alpha female for his animal. It was just weird. Oh, and friends, he told me he's really good at two stepping...uh not so much. We danced to a fast song slowly...ughh...the song just drug on and on and on...LOL. I was honest with him because I didn't want to lead him on (and he kept touching my leg and sitting too close to me) and told him I didnt feel any chemistry. He left about 10 minutes later. Poor guy. I feel bad...but he gave me the bejeebies.

Tomorrow is my 24th birthday. I actually feel a little older. Maybe its because I am actually doing something in my life to better myself- education. I can forgive The Blob for everything except for robbing me of my education. BUT- its been a long road to where I am, and I am happy to be in school and actually doing well! :)

Y'all be safe wherever you are, whether cold and snowy or warm and tropical. :) You know I love you!