Promotion

Well - I got the news that I have been waiting for. I interviewed last week for a job within Mayo Clinic as a Finance Associate in the department of Research Accounting. I just accepted an offer today and am very excited about it.

I was a little hesitant because I was happy where I was at, but this is a step up for me and will provide a lot of opportunity in the future. Basically, I will be doing all the accounting for research physicians. I will tell them if their grant allows them to purchase that new kajillion dollar electron microscope or if they have enough money in the budget to order up a new research monkey. (That's a lab assistant, silly!!!) I will also be working quite a bit in process improvement as they have just implemented a new accounting system and are working on learning to be more efficient with it. Process improvement is really intriguing to me, so I am excited to dig in and figure it out!

This was a tough decision for me. I was really happy with my current job. It was the kind of job where there was no stress and you walked out the door at 5pm and forgot about it. However, it wasn't terribly stimulating and I was often bored with it. I will miss the people that I work with in Patient Account Services and I hope that our paths will cross again in the world of health care finance.

My official transition date is February 20th, just five short days before I am scheduled for Jury Duty....

Sensational Sunday!

We are all FINALLY healthy! It was a great day here in Southeastern Minnesota and we were all able to enjoy it!

After I hit the gym this morning, Madison and I decided to play outside in the snow. It was a balmy 33 degrees! Madison wanted to make a snowman but the snow wasn't quite sticky enough. So, she decided to eat it instead!

Just don't eat the yellow snow!

We also went to dinner at the Delicious International Buffet. (Okay, International Buffet, we just add the delicious part!) It's like any other Chinese buffet but it also has a fresh Dim Sum Grill (yummy!) and Sushi (not my favorite).

Afterwards I hung a whole bunch of new frames gallery style on the wall highlighting my photography of my favorite subject...Princess Madison. The photos are all in black and white and I am very pleased with how they turned out!

It wasn't the Amoxicillin

that was causing Madison's illness. It was indeed a tertiary infection, probably from Children's R&R.

How do I know?

Because now I have it.

Endless Illnesses

I'm beginning to think that the option to bring my child to Children's R&R (daycare for when she is sick) just creates an endless cycle of illnesses.

It all started with tailgating at the Packer's game a few weeks ago. It was warm and Madison quickly found a nice mud puddle to play in. Despite having boots on, her feet were quickly soked. Before the end of the next day, she had a cold coming on. Two days later she had a low-grade fever and had to go to Children's R&R. For the next two days, she did not have a fever and was able to go to regular daycare, despite the cold. Then she spiked an even higher fever and had to spend last Friday at Children's R&R where she was diagnosed with an ear infection. (UGH!) She was put on Amoxicillin, which did not so nice things to her tummy. It wasn't too bad until Tuesday night when she had a really icky diaper in the middle of the night. She seemed okay on Wednesday morning, so we went to daycare. Soon after, I received a call saying she had already had three really icky diapers and had a really nasty diaper rash. So, I left work and took her to the doctor.

Her ear infection had cleared up, so we stopped the amoxicillin. The doctor does not know if the icky tummy was from the amoxicillin or if it was a separate infection. The rash was definetely from the icky diapers. Poor kid.

So - did the first time at R&R cause a secondary infection that contributed to the ear infection? Did the day at R&R for the ear infection cause a tertiary infection that lead to the upset tummy? I don't know, but I am not taking any chances. I am not prepared for a fourth illness in less than two weeks. I am suffering the consequences of a second occurance of unplanned PTO and staying home today.

Sometimes, you can't win as a working Mom. If I stay home, I feel guilty about work. If I go to work, I feel guilty that my sick child is at R&R with mean, tough nurses.

Dang it's Cold

I'm a true Minnesotan - I actually kind of like our seasons and even winter.

This winter, however, it is getting a little old. I don't mind the snow - if it's going to be cold, we might as well have lots of snow too! I'm sick of the cold. My thermometer at home read -5 this morning, which is a drastic improvement from the -19.6 it said last weekend. However, once the temperature gets below zero - it all feels the same.

It's just stinking COLD.

Add in the windchill - and this morning it felt like -15.

Thank God for warm coats with hats and mittens, cuddle duds under my business suits, and boots. I only wish he would hear my prayers for 18 degrees and sunshine. That would be really nice right now!

At the time of this posting, it is a whopping 1 degree - and we're headed for a high of 2 degrees.

Ok...I'm done whining for the day.

Disappointing Defeat

Well - it was a heartbreaking loss. The Packer's are lucky they didn't lose by more as they simply did not play like the team that I have been cheering for all season.

So - no superbowl for us.

On the bright side, I have two airline tickets that I have to use. Maybe I'll use them to go somewhere warm. With subzero temperatures through this week and 3-6 inches of snow expected today, I'm ready to go somewhere warm!

We're looking for ideas! Post a suggestion for a family friendly place to take a toddler in the comments section!

One down, one to go

The road to the Super Bowl is a bumpy ride indeed. The Cowboys came through for us today tho. Will it be a smooth ride from here?

They may need to make more room in the trophy room at Lambeau Field.

Let's hope so!

Our G-Force is loud and proud.

Let's Go PACK!!!!!!

More pictures to come from our trip to Green Bay. Madison LOVED tailgating for the first time.