August 26, 2011

I accepted a promotion last April at work. I am the Coordinator of Research and Development in Molecular Pathology. When it was originally offered to me they were not going to offer me a pay raise because I had already exceeded their limit. Using my handy-dandy negotiation skills I was able to get my bosses to increase the pay scale and I walked away with a measly 5% raise. I'll give it two years until I max out the pay scale. That's nothing to brag about either. Becca and I have been found pretty well over the summer for the most part. Well, up until last Saturday when I was a idiot and didn't treat Becca very well when she announced that we would be going to a friends 80's party. The blowout essentially was about Becca and her choice of clothing to wear to the party. Her pants were much tighter and less attractive than they needed to be. She left to go to the party and drive to the Anderson's home instead to cry and birch me out. James and Taunie didn't help the situation any by tell Becca's I had made recent comments about her weight problem. When Rebecca returned home at said that I was pissed at James ND Taunie. I called and text them that they need to use discretion on sone things that'll only escalate problems. It's so ironic that they think they're so transparent between themselves and others. Anyway, tension still is up between us and I find resentment slowly but steadily destroying our marriage. There certainly hasn't been any talk about template marriage, Becca has stopped wearing her garments and she has taken up drinking alcohol frequently in front of friends at dinner parties and while home alone during the day. It used to be drink while I was around so she could tolerate me. Now, I suppose it's to tolerate knowing she lives with me--still. Kids are wonderful but that tend to tease each other wwwaaayyy too much.

Seattle, WA Day 5

Seattle, WA Day 4

Finally this morning the children slept in until 8:00 am. But, I was quickly rushed to bathe the boys in preparations for today's adventures. At 9:00 am I had prearranged a phone conference with Jeff Hawkins, SVP of Marketing and Sales, with GenMark Diagnostics. I believe the phone conversations to have go rather quite well. We talked about a compensation package that would be enticing enough to keep each of us satisfied along with other topics. Jeff would like me to next speak with Mike Langley, a former laboratory person who transferred to an FAS position. He would like me to ask him to explain his take on the transition. Then, depending upon our conversation, Mike will be in touch with Jeff to decide about taking this to a new level of discussion at their facility. All in all it was a very promising conversation. Next, we loaded up the kids and headed to Edmund to walk on and ride the ferry across the Puget Sound to Kingman Island. This was s fun little trip. Once we crossed over we walked to a local creperie shop and ordered lunch. Well, it was dessert for the kids. Myself, I ordered a chicken, artichoke, garlic, almond, spinach crep. It was ok. The kids meals were much more enjoyable to the taste buds. Afterwards, we returned back to the car and headed for home where Byron was waiting for me to go to fish the Columbia River with his friend Berry. As we were on our way, Jan had called Byron to bring her some items to the home location she was in process of showing off as a new home. The house was a tad small but beautiful in either case. I took some pictures in case I want to try and attempt a kitchen remodel for myself. Sometime around 5:30 - 5:45 pm we arrived at Berry's house. Then, headed with him southward to Portland, OR. I hope this unexpected trip pays off in the end. I spoke with Jan and Aysia tonight and all seems to be going well with everyone.

Seattle, WA Day 3

This morning the boys woke up hungry and ready to play some Wii games. What more do little bit need? After getting them fed and dressed, we drove over to one of the Malls so that Jan could return a pair of dress pants for Conner. Whole there Lauren insisted dragging Aysia to Forever 21 with her to look around. Meantime, the boys and I made ourselves to the food court to satisfy Alec's pretzel craving. He nearly ate the entire cup full to himself as Aidan enjoyed a pretzel pizza. I admit that the pizza looked very delicious. Since it was lunchtime anyways, I treated everyone to lunch at this Pandora bread food place (I don't know it's actual name). Not long after that we headed straight for home to catch up with Courtney who would have just arrived either from school , work or both. The next plan for the day was to travel northward on I5 to Mt. Vernon to jungle Playland. The drive was near an hour and once we arrived the parking lot looked pleasantly quite and promising to be a nice quiet experiences for the adults. As we pulled up, parked and walked in, a gentleman quickly greeted us and said the place closed at 3:00 on. We arrived at 3:30 pm. This guy was so nice he said, "I'll be here for another 30 minutes so the children are welcome to play during that time at no charge.". In but a moments tine the kids darted off to start their adventure. Sock required--mind you! Just as we were gather the kids up at the 30 minute mark, Alec had an unusual scent venting from his hind end. Turns out he pooped himself pretty good. This is even after two earlier episodes where he at least made it to the toilet but, left streaks behind. I was already upset that he partially crapped himself twice earlier so I specifically pulled him aside just prior to entering Playland and made him promise me that he would not poop in his underwear but that he'll come and get me if he needed to go. Just as we made the last call for everyone to go one more time down the slide or whatever, Alec most likely scaled the top and had a blowout. When discovered I immediately took him to the restroom to survey the damage. The blowout was significant enough to justify tossing his undies into the garbage. The mess was pasty and nasty to clean up. I don't like how I reacted and how I treated him over the next couple of hours. It's one of those shameful moments I wish didn't happen--ever. Upon arriving at home Jan prepared a quick but very satisfying dinner of rice. Chicken patties,and green beans. Byron stepped in and heated up leftover corn beef and cabbage too. At 7:30 pm Byron and I took the kids to Lake Stevens high school to do a little playing in their swimming pool. Everyone had a blast. Poor little Alec could understand why we had to leave so quickly. He wondered the same thing when we travelled at that way for a 30 minute session at Playland too. Ahhh...my boys are obsessed with watching Netflicks, playing the Wii and iPhone. It's beginning to get out of hand. I've at least tried getting Aidan to commit to me reading chapter (or more) from s book Jan started reading to them the night before. I'll continue this tomorrow so see how all this works out. This morning I confirmed a phone interview for tomorrow, Friday, with Jeff Hawkins, who represents GenMark Diagnostics out of Carlsbad, CA. Tomorrow will be an exploratory Interview for the both of us. I'm to call him at his office number at 9:00 am (PST). Still no Roche position posted yet. What a disappointment! And, I'm not particularly ready for Wednesdays R&D presentation either. This trip is exhausting to me physically and emotionally. I'm trying to do as much possible with kids so that Jan doesn't feel like she has to step in since Rebecca stayed home. I still don't like the idea of dishing the kids with Lauren and Courtney so that I can runoff fishing with Bryon on the Columbia River (4 hour drive to the south near Portland, OR.). Jan normally works Saturdays; however, she has made arrangement for someone work for her but it costs her $100. Now I feel especially bad. All in all I have felt uncomfortable about the fishing trip. Now I spend much of my time trying to convince myself they'll be fine and I'll be fine. The pressures of lacking money isn't helping me feel any better either. Charging anything to the American Express and burning up my liquid cash in my checking account is paying it's toll. I am extremely nervous on how to pay for and keep up with these immediate expenses. I hate that I don't make enough to live comfortably! I am and asshole through and through.!

Seattle, WA Day 2

It was an early rise and shine for Byron and Colby. Colby has been planning to fly out to Utah for his missionary reunion, but suckered his Dad in driving him nearly an hour out to catch a standby flight from Seatec to SLC. I believe they left sometime around 3:30 am. Next to rise and shine was Courtney. She had school to head off to around 7:00 am. Between Colby's midnight laundry activities and all three gathering themselves up for the day meant I didn't have the most sound sleep anyone could have asked for. Besides, the couch bring nice and soft, it was almost too soft that it caused either back or belly pains depending upon which side I slept. I was able to get the boys bathed, dressed and feed fairly easily, then I followed suit. With a little weird belly sensation most Lilly from last nights Mexican restaurant, I was able to down an apple and pop tart before heading our for the day. First and foremost scheduled item on the list is fie everyone to go to Pikes Market, downtown Seattle. While there Aysia and Lauren bought little hair twisty-thingy's, Aidan a blue toy snake and Alec a wooden puzzle toy. I think everyone was pretty excited about their stuff. Another highlight was for everyone to chew a piece of gum and place it on the "Wall of Gum". Little Alec wasn't quite into the idea of of ridding his gum and instead said, "I want my gum." Oh yes, let's do not forget about the little donut shop too. Two dozens of assorted treats were purchased and downed in no time. Yummy yummy! For lunch, Iver's was the place to be. Salmon chips, cod, and chicken strips were a delight. The kids all fed leftover french fries the the seagulls. Bryon, whom had to work, joined us later at the Seattle Aquarium. What a fun place to be. Lots of interesting sea creatures to see in there nearly normal habitat and a fun hands-on exhibit fur everyone to participate in by touching plants, starfish and others alike. My kids were going bonkers with all there was to see and do. As the day grew on, we return to the Holmstead's home for a pleasant homemade pork tamale dinner prepared by Byron. I thought that that was even better than Iver's! During dinner Byron confirmed a fishing trip that him, his friend Barry and I round be venturing on as of Friday afternoon. At a $175 a pop, we will be driving to the Portland, OR or Vancouver, WA area to fish a large river all day Saturday. This is a bit troubling for me because I know my crew and I should be heading back fit Salt Lake City then. This means I will have to plan on leaving early Sunday morning in order to get the kids home in time for bed and school the next morning. Since the trip has now been confirmed, I'm going to hope for the best with my three little ones doing okay with Lauren and Courtney caring for them Friday day and maybe Saturday. Hopefully Jan will be home Saturday though. The $175 doesn't grow on trees where I come from either. Please be fish in Washington! Good night for now.