Excitement

So what's new with me you might be asking yourself (if anyone reads this?!). Well, work is going well but very busy and stressed. I have a lot going on, a lot more then anticipated. Luckily the new girl has started in my old position and it's such a relief to be able to pass things off to her now. She's great! But there's still a lot to do in my new position and it's getting to be interesting trying to get everything accomplished! But I love my new boss :) We did have our stakeholder's meeting and it's kind of scary to hear about all the cuts (not jobs per se but other things) they are doing to make it work without having to lay off people. Like no new hires, no promotions/pay increases, etc. Luckily they are still giving out our bonuses this month. Sometimes I forget that I work in a manufacturing world even though I am in an office!

Ben started his new job yesterday. He seems to be enjoying it so far but we will see. He will be training the next 2-3 months and then will move to his own store. What is nice is he will only be working 4 days, 12-14 hrs a day. He is used to working 12 hr days so I think he will be fine but I know I won't be up when he gets home! I am glad that he's back to work though, it's scary how high unemployment is!

Last night, I made a wonderful new recipe supplied to me by my co-worker! White Chicken Chili. I need to just say how yummy it was! Ben had some suggestions for the future and I learned a few things too but it was really good. Nice for a cold winter day. Check out my recipe blog for the recipe! It's easy even though it is a lot of ingredients.

Now to get to the excitement blog title...I filed our tax returns tonight (can we say early!). I always get mine done ASAP so I can get it back before the mad rush. What I'm excited about is that we got enough back to be able to cover our trip to Arizona in September (right after my birthday). I am so excited about this. I was kind of stressing about how we were going to save although I knew the return would be enough to cover the flights I just didn't realize it would leave enough for our rental car and spending money too. So I am moving the money to another account as soon as we receive it so we don't spend it. But it's a relief to not have to worry about that now.

So yeah I'm excited to go to Arizona in June and visit again with Ben's aunts and uncles and revisit our honeymoon spot :) It's so nice there and there's pools for me to lay out by with a good book so I'm ready and it's only February!

Well that's about all the updates I have for now. This weekend is Lydia's bridal shower so I will be back with pictures probably Saturday evening from that.

Ode to Arizona

Well we have been back for 2 weeks now from vacation and this is the first moment I have gotten to write about our (mostly) lovely time in Arizona. I miss it tons! I especially miss Ben's loving family out there. They are just so wonderful.

We did a ton of things while we were out there...we had dinner a few nights with his family. On Monday we drove north to visit Ben's mom (which in my opinion was a disaster afterwards but just my opinion I guess, Ben was glad to get to see her). We hung out at the hotel most of Tuesday and Weds. Weds we both got burnt really bad at the pool. Mine was really bad on my legs and Ben's was on his back. We also went to a western themed town called Rawhide Weds evening, we took "old time" photos which were fun - we were going to eat there but it was a long wait and expensive! Thursday morning we went to the Phoenix Zoo which was a very nice but so so hot by 11 am. Thursday evening we went to the dog tracks with his great aunt and uncle. That was very interesting but a good time! Friday we had another dinner with the family which was nice. And then before we knew it, it was time to leave Saturday. Minus our rental car and Ben's mom I would say the vacation was the best I have ever had! It was so sad to leave Ben's family out there but we are already planning a return trip in April 2009. :)

In other news....lets see work is crazy for both me and Ben. I had a huge mid year meeting (whole company including our field sales people) are required to attend. I do the planning for our business team meeting, which includes ordering lunches and agenda planning. It's just a crazy time of the year. I can't wait for it to be over! Also, I have applied for another position in our dept, mostly to get away from my boss at this point. We have been clashing quite a bit lately and I come out of all of my monthly 1x1's very upset. I just can't deal with him anymore. He seemed to take the news that I was applying very well - he said he could see me in that position. So keep your fingers crossed for me!! I want this position pretty bad, I already do some of the work that the position requires so it would be learning just a few new things. I am excited about the possibiltiy. I am hoping to have completed the interview and know the outcome before the aforementioned mid year meeting. Ben has been doing really well at work but just working a lot. Other then work things are pretty calm.

We are cooking out today at our house for July 4th. My parents and our friends Kyle and Liz are coming over. I better be going now so I can get ready for people to come over but see pictures below from our trip!

Ben in the pool with the girls at our hotel/condoMe and Ben at the Phoenix Zoo

The family <3>

Me at dinner at the 3 Margaritas

Ben at dinner

Ben, me and Jaz when we were at Ben's mom's

Us :)

Beautiful mountains!

Uncle Huey and Aunt JoAnne's beautiful backyard/pool, cool western theme!