Can you prepare a statement of retained earnings for a corporation?

I can. 


TAKE THAT, ACCOUNTING 200.





Now that I have that out of my system... I just finished up my last assignment for the week.  And man does it feel good.  I'm currently rocking a 115% in my medical terminology class, which is shaping up to have more work but I feel like I'm managing that well because it's interesting.  Accounting spent 3 days kicking my ass before I finally decided I wasn't afraid and I could manage it - so I did. 

I'm starting to think that I really can do this.  Even when increasing my course load next semester.  I can do this. 

Wow. 

One more week of work and class, then we're off to the beach.  Class will likely have to follow, but it will mostly be sun and fun for a few days.  I look forward to ocean sunrises and quiet and reconnecting with my little family and my cameras.  The next few weeks are going to be fun.  It's been a lovely summer, but I'm looking forward to the fall. 

Officially Official

I have a student ID and some books.  Virtual Campus orientation is tonight, and classes start in a week. 

 

Holy crap, I’m a college student again. 

 

Ohhh back to school

This week I took a leap that I wasn't completely certain I was capable of.  I registered for two online classes.

Don't get me wrong, I still think I'm the poster child for what not to do... Like people point and whisper, saying "that's the girl who just registered at the local community college to get an associates degree.  Oh, don't be fooled by her looks, she's almost 30." 

[Side note: that comment about my looks isn't just my vanity talking.  A few years ago I was working part time at a grocery store to help pay for our wedding.  Maybe it was the fact that no one I worked with was over 18, but no one believed me when I said I was recommending a wine from experience, and yes, I was really old enough to drink.]

I'm not proud that it's taken me so long.  I'm not happy that it took 5 years in a dead end job to finally get me off my duff (in my defense, it only became a true dead end this time last year).  I wish I could follow my heart and what I think my true career path should be, but we just aren't there right now.  I'm also not celebrating - I'll do that when I'm done.  Hopefully that will be next December.

So - as if my writing wasn't sporadic enough, it may be even more so starting later this month.  Classes begin 8/22 and finish up 12/16.  It should be an interesting few weeks.  Wish me luck. 

So as I'm sure you've gathered from the last entry, Kayla now has a toddler bed.  It was hard for me to make the leap since most things I've read said that kids aren't developmentally ready for a bed until closer to 3.  I figured though it was better to risk the psychological damage now than when she fell trying to climb out of her crib at an inopportune time. 

Night 1 in the bed was a disaster.  It took her forever to fall asleep, and once she did, she wasn't asleep very long.  I spent most of the night on the floor next to her.  I don't know how much time she spent awake, but it was enogh that she was falling asleep at the lunch table at daycare the next day.  Night two, be it from having had some time to adjust or just sheer exhaustion, Kayla slept much better.  I had to go replace the nuk once, but she slept through.  Each night since has been better. 

Friday and Saturday night Kayla slept in another unfamiliar place - she spent her first two nights at Pepere and Grammy Sue's house while Shaun and I were in Philadelphia with friends.  Besides a small part of Saturday night, it sounded like she did really well.  I'm hoping that it went well enough that she might be invited back over there again in September... Right Dad and Sue? 

So we survived the crib to bed transition, nights in a new place and bar hopping around Philly in triple digit heat.  Not too shabby for one week, huh?  Now it's back to that potty training thing.  Maybe...

For the first time EVER

Kayla told me "I want to go to bed now!"

Look how proud she is to be in her big girl bed...

Another Milestone

This time for me, not for Kayla.  I am proud to announce that today I am wearing a pair of work pants that I haven’t fit into since I was about 12 weeks pregnant (see this old blog entry).  So what if it took me 2 years?  I’m starting to be happy that I didn’t get rid of all my old clothes… and that the salad eating/gym going is paying off. 

Time to consider a bed?

Today I picked Kayla up from daycare at noon and we went up to the farmer's market to pick up our produce for the next week.  Per usual, it took longer than planned and we arrived home after nap time would normally have begun.  Kayla was in full out meltdown mode and did NOT want to be put in her crib.  But I put her in and sat outside the door until she seemed calm.  I went out and brought our groceries inside and then sat down to check emails and such.  A little while later I heard her crying "my nuk!  My nuk!" so I went up to assess the situation.  Guess where that nuk was?

In the hallway. 

And a little hand was poking out under the door, trying to grab it. 

Little bugger can climb out of her crib.  At least she didn't get hurt... but I guess it's time we start thinking about how to get her in a bed since that mattress doesn't go any lower. 

Oy. 

Powder Room Remodel - the Big Reveal

I was going to wait until the room is 100% complete (we're still waiting on some of the accessories) before doing this post, but I'm afraid once I get back to work next week that I won't have the time or energy to do post... SO - here we are, the finished powder room. 

For reference, here's the before:

The during:

And the afters:

Almost everything was purchased at one of the local "big box" stores, except for the toilet and vanity/mirror which were purchased online (not that I endorse going that route for bathroom fixtures). 

The floor is 2X2 slate tiles, which were mesh mounted in 12X12 pieces.  In hindsight, we think they were intended to be wall tile, but we like the look.  The walls are "Saffron Strands" from the Behr Premium Plus line.  The roman shade is a deep blue, bought online from JC Penney. 

We spent a lot of time, money and effort in such a small room, but we made a lot of what I would call "rookie mistakes" along the way.  Lots of trips out for little things, lots of scratching our heads over why this particular sink comes with 1 1/4" plumbing when the standard seems to be 1 1/2.  Or why this toilet is secured with screws into plastic brackets that are bolted to the floor rather than closet bolts in the flange like most others... weirdness (see above statement about not endorsing purchasing bathroom fixtures online). 

All in all though, we are pleased with the result.  We went from boring builder standard to a more modern style, in just a few weeknights/weekend days, with a toddler in the house, and minimal fighting.  We're not jumping to start another project just yet, but we do have a few ideas brewing...

Happy Second Birthday!!

Dearest Little Kayla -

So here we are again, little angel; your big day is here.  There's so much to celebrate - so much growth and change and just so much to love.  Even though you thoroughly exhaust me by the end of a day, I wouldn't trade these days at home with you for anything. 

I reread my first birthday letter to you last night, and it just staggers me how much you've changed in a year.  I didn't think the transition would be so dramatic as it was from helpless infant to toddling 1-year old.  But it has been.  From toddling 1-year old, to walking, running, jumping 2-year old.  From just beginning to grasp two-way communication to knowing more words than I can count, forming sentences, asking questions and making observations. 

Right now your favorite things are KaiLan, puzzles, your doll house and playing outside.  Your least favorite things are baths (having your hair rinsed out) and sitting still.  You know all of your family members by name, and although you're still shy with Aunt Dena and Uncle Jaime, I know you like them a lot. 

We had your party this past Saturday, and it was a great time.  You were so excited about this party that was being thrown for you!  I can't wait to let you help plan next years, now that I know how much you enjoy talking about parties.  We were very excited to share your big day with the whole family. 

You will be "moving up" to the pooh bear room at daycare on Monday.  Today we ran some errands and when we stopped in to drop off your schedule for next week, I popped my head in to your new class room.  I was kind of overcome with it all of a sudden... you're growing so fast.  You're so big and smart and sweet but stubborn like your mamma.   You are so much like us, but still a littler person all your own. 

We love you so very much, Miss Kayla.  It's been a wonderful two years, and I can't wait to see what this one brings.  Hugs and kisses to you sweet one. 

Love Always -

~Mommy

2 year well baby visit

Since I inundated you enough yesterday, I figured I'd save this update for today.  Kayla had her 2 year checkup yesterday and she did amazingly well.  She hopped on the scale for the nurse with no hesitation, and sat very still and quiet while Dr. S. examined her.  She even said a few things while he was in the room - very unusual! 

She is now 25.8 pounds (42nd percentile) and 34 inches tall (56th percentile) so she's growing well.  The doctor said he heard a small heart murmur, but called it an "innocent" or "flow" murmur; according to him, it's not uncommon and it should resolve itself over the next year or so.  She's up to date on immunizations so she doesn't need to be seen again until she turns three. 

So thankful for a happy and healthy baby little girl!