The Job, and what else is new

I've been at US Synthetic for about a month and a half now. It's been quite a bit more difficult to learn than any other job I've had previously, because there is so much to learn.

I've learned a lot though, and I've enjoyed being kept busy replacing buttons and switches on control panels, replacing and wiring up motors, fixing leaks in the hydraulic systems. I've also figured out that a lot of this stuff is very applicable to things at home, like our stupid swamp cooler, that I should now be able to fix before next summer. I work with very good people, which I appreciate so much more than I would have 2 years ago.

I am very grateful for the chance I've had to start over at a good employer. The temp to permanent thing will continue to not be fun, but we at least got qualified for Utah State health care for the kids. I look forward to a permanent position, not only for the improved benefits, but for the laundry service they provide (I come home VERY dirty some days).

Last week, Jenn cooked some red snapper that stunk up the house. That night, Emery puked all over herself in bed, and her room smelled of rancid fishy vomit. No one else was showing any signs of being sick, and Emery was in a pretty good mood, so we didn't really think much of it except to try to rid the house of the strong fish odor.

2 days later, I got home from work, and Bailey wasn't feeling too well. She felt queasy, and Jenn gave her a bucket just in case. She was laying down in bed with the bucket in her hands, and started to cry that she was going to throw up. She proceeded to spew all over her bed and the floor, sparing the bucket of a horrible fate by holding it to her side. I got in there just as she started to throw up, and couldn't believe that she chose not to puke in the bucket she was holding. Jenn got up and started to clean things up, and I started to prepare the guest bed for her so she could sleep. Cleaning the puke was too much for Jenn, and she ran to the bathroom where she toiled for about an hour trying to barf. I got Bailey out of the bathtub, and into a warm bed downstairs with a gentle reminder that the bucket is for puke, not the carpet. I went and laid down in bed, and was serenaded by Jenn hoarking up whatever she happened to have eaten the day before. I started to feel not so good, and struggled for about a half hour to stay composed. Finally I succumbed to the urge to run to the bathroom where I unloaded about 2 pounds of potatos.

We were all sick for about 36-48 hours, and then Cam started throwing up. He at least had the wherewithal to use the bucket we gave him. Cam also was in a fairly good mood for most of the ordeal, not like Bailey, Jenn and I, who all wanted to die. Addie, who is normally the queen of the wayward illnesses, has been spared up to this point.

Anyways, had this happened a year ago, I probably would have been really depressed and wo is me. This time, I'm counting my blessings that Addie didn't come down with it. Sure, I guess you could say that maybe I'm just maturing or something, but I think it's because I'm finally not getting my will to live sucked out of me by my job and the crappy people who work there.

We're looking forward to hosting Ceri and Mark this week. Drive safe guys.