The end of this run

The interview went well. There were the scenario questions they usually ask for team leader positions, some elaboration on my relevant experience and a little more about the position. I think I did well.  We'll just have to see how things go.

This evening, A and I are settling down to fajitas and a movie as our reward for getting through this week.   Spotting sighted. Looks like this isn't our month. Counting our rainbows though, I can drink at our anniversary dinner next weekend and no early pregnancy symptoms to deal with during next weeks interview.

Over that hill is a brighter tomorrow - you just have to get there!

We had planned to begin testing on Thursday but with cramps setting in on Wednesday that felt like I'd been kicked in the kidneys and several interviews looming, we pushed it to the weekend (if my cycle lasts that long)

I've been a little up and down the last couple of days.  The good stuff is because my request for a four day weekend has been approved, so A and I can celebrate her birthday and our anniversary in style.
The not so great is that at random moments, I've been feeling the build up of my old friend anxiety.  I'm assuming that moments of distraction are allowing me to subconsciously dwell on the interviews because none of my other triggers have been hit.  I'll be counting stock in the warehouse when all of a sudden I'll find myself short of breath and tight chested.  I feel much weaker than I used to be; just a week ago, hefting sacks of potatoes onto a trolley, getting a milk cage up the ramp or moving a cage of delivery was no trouble now I have to call for one of the boys to help me.  And I'm suddenly more sensitive to the cold.  I've found myself putting on a sweater, curled under a fleecy blanket and still needing the heating turned on.  This despite the fact that A, who finds it hard to adapt to the cold, is still comfortable in casual clothes.  Hopefully it passes soon; I've even had moments where I've felt sick with it.

Tuesday's lit & numeracy testing went well; it was a very basic test designed to ascertain that all prospective employees met the minimum requirements.  A had her test early in the day and then returned later for her interview but because my test was later in the day, I was asked to return for my interview next week.

Today we have literacy and numeracy testing for the other position we have applied for, which requires higher standards.  A's just left me a message to say hers went well and I'll be leaving for mine shortly.  I think I'm ready.  Wish me luck.

Begining the home stretch

A belated happy valentines to those who celebrate ♥

A and I kept it low key this year in the interests of saving money for our various projects.  We still made it a pleasant day, proving that it really doesn't matter how much you spend as long as there's love at the heart of it.  On the day, I cooked us one of her favourite meals for lunch, made some cupcakes and cleaned the flat.  I had just enough time to call R for a quick chat (because Valentines is about love of all kinds - even friendship) before A came home from work.  Turns out, she'd saved some coupons and put aside a few pennies to take me out to dinner at a nice little restaurant down our street.  So we had a great time of it.

Yesterday, one of my cousins announced the birth of their new baby son.  It was a bit of a surprise, as we hadn't known she was pregnant but the pictures they posted on FB are gorgeous and we're looking forward to meeting the little lad.

In other news, both A and I have appointments for the next stage of our job applications, having received e-mails notifying us that we have been short-listed.  A already works in the NHS, which is how we heard of the vacancies, and she already performs many similar duties, so we feel confident about her chances.  One of A's supervisors heard of her application and seemed pretty supportive - if a little disappointed that A would no longer be working on her ward.  I'm glad that A has one less thing to worry about, should she get the position she has applied for.  I still haven't a clue how I would tell my line manager.  Have to cross that bridge when I get to it, I suppose.

This far into our tww and we're amazed at how long we've gone without obsessively plugging every twinge/craving/emotional moment into Google.  I've had some aches and tenderness but we're choosing not to ascribe it to anything at the moment.  We'll be testing on Thursday, which is coincidentally also interview day.

Quick update

So it's been relatively calm this go-round. We insem'd on Thursday and again on Friday, no schedule clashes but we did cut it pretty fine on Thursday, when we both had the evening shift.  I had spotting and cramps on Friday, which felt an awful lot like an early period (two week cycles are not unheard-of for me) and R started getting a little overprotective at work. He basically told the guys I was working with that I was still weak from a bad cold (only half an untruth, as I had had a cold and was feeling pretty crappy) and he indicated that I should spend the evening with my feet up whilst they took care of the physical stuff like bringing in the delivery.  Being good lads, they all put their shoulders to the grindstone and kept me away from the heavy lifting, watching me like hawks for anything that needed doing and even topping up the tea on my desk each time one of them passed by.  Whilst I guiltily stayed away from the heavy lifting, I was touched by how dedicated my boys were and I'm proud of all of them.  I left a box of choccy on the desk for them all and made sure everyone had some.  Thankfully, there's been no further bleeding and I suspect it may have been caused by the mechanics of the insem - something we'll have to look into should there be need for further tries.

In other news, we're still waiting to hear back from the jobs we've applied for.  The closing date for applications was Thursday just gone, with prospective employees being contacted this week for basic numeracy and literacy tests.  After that, should we be successful we will need to apply for up-to-date CRB checks and then paid training, hopefully starting work in June.  The fixed schedules would be very good for A especially, now that she has classes four days a week and it would allow me time to pursue my Spanish academically.  I think just applying for these jobs is doing wonders for reducing my stress levels at work - like I can relax a little now that I'm taking steps to get out of there.

And on the land front, we're still waiting to hear confirmation from A's father that new ownership has been registered with the municipality.  Apparently, this can take up to several weeks.  In the mean-time, a security fence has been constructed around the perimeter of our new property.  Things are beginning to happen and it's providing us with plenty to keep ourselves occupied during this cycle's long wait.

And We're off!

Ewcm sighted last night and again this morning. R is on his way after breakfast and we should have insem by lunch. Then R and I are working tonight :-\