Vacation Days & Lesson Learned...

It's here!!!! Glorious days are here again!!! it's vacation time!!! And yet, I'm going nowhere....for the most part.

Yesterday I had a very productive day of washing the car in the car this morning before it became hotter than the sun outside, making two batches of sourdough bread, making a new pair of pajamas for one kid out of fabric I'd planned on over a year ago. I entertained our neighborhood kids and got in a chick flick...it's all good!!!

Today's agenda...a little bit slower. I am heading out for a job interview. I still love what I do but at the same time I have an opportunity to jump for something. It's a position at a competitor's property to work the in-house reservations system. the job is Monday - Friday with weekends and evenings off with my kids. That would mean I could get back to church...which I desperately need. Hubby can drop me off in the morning and I can find my way back after an only 45 minute ride on the bus instead of 2 1/2 hours. Quite a difference don't you think?! I sure do!!! The pay doesn't change.

So, here's what I learned....#1 It was nearly a miracle I made it into Marriott as I've seen many try over and over again and not be accepted. Heavenly Father MUST have his hand in it. Now, after a year and moving into a house and living across from some terrific friends...this job post comes open. This company is about as easy to get into as Marriott. My friend applied for the same position having over 20 years experience working in a call center and working at Southwest Airlines...travel business experience. She couldn't even get an interview. It's crazy the way they pick the people to interview. I don't udnerstand it at all, but I've learned to accept the good Lord offers us a path and it is our choice whether or not to accept it. There's really no stress involved today because I already have a job right now doing the exact same things they are expecting their new hire to do. The main difference is weekends with my family and being home at night with my family as well. I'll update after the interview to let you all know how it went!!!

All About Molly...

For some who may not know this young lady...this is Molly. Bee as she was nicknamed upon birth...long story. ANYHOO...this young lady started out as a spirited baby who literally kept me awake rocking her during the entire length of Princess Diana's funeral...a connection? Not sure yet. She, as a toddler, would give her grandparent's nasty looks and refuse for them to even hold her. Oh yeah...she's got quite a sting.

As she prepared to go off to kindergarten I found myself handing her to the teacher and darting out the door while she screamed: "Don't leave me here Mommy!!!!"
That lasted for only a mere 6 months. For those same 6 months she refused to speak in class...not to the teacher...not to her classmates. Her shyness had control of her. In fact, during a presentation by the kindergarten class where every student said their name and age Molly refused. Fortunately, the music teacher had a solution. In chorus the entire class said: "Her name is Molly, she's 5 years old."

The following year at school she broke out of he shell and made many new friends...including several young men. As her class enjoyed the last 10 minutes of class at the playground Molly skipped over to the swings flanked by no less than 5 boys. They lined up excited, as if they were standing in line to receive an ice cream. But no...that was not the plan. They were to each take turns pushing Molly 3 times on the swing and then get in the back of the line. I watched for that entire 10 minutes as those boys labored .

Why you may ask?!?! Because my dear sweet daughter didn't feel like pumping her legs!!!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!

Growing up as headstrong as can be she is one that never gives up when she puts her mind to it. She has fallen in love with acting....something for which only a drama geek mother of hers can appreciate. She took an improv class back in California and loved the freedom she felt.

Lately, she has heard several radio ads about talent scouts visiting San Antonio and she has literally begged us 5 times to take her. Each time we happily found a reason to avoid going, but we ran out of reasons last week.

Early on Saturday we awoke Sleeping Beauty fairly early so she could gt up, showered and ready. She and I traipsed off to the given location and waited for her time to shine. As we waited, the kids were all given some tips on acting from one other than Phil Lewis.

I know...he looks familiar...kind of like your second cousin 3 times removed on your great aunt's side? Let me give you a better picture:
Yes, she was introduced to the charismatic Mr Moseby who encouraged her in the pursuit of her dreams as she waited for her turn with the talent scout.

Butterflies crept in her stomach...who she have the right look for the Disney Channel...her ultimate dream.

As we met with Jimmy V he took a look at her and got to know her. She completed a cold read of a GAP commercial in front of the camera. Jimmy asked us to return on an appointed day with the commercial memorized and giving it her best. She received her call back slip.

For the next hours she read and re-read her commercial bringing it to memory. When we returned on the appointed day she performed again, no other kids in the room...just she, Jimmy V and I. After her performance he agreed she certainly had talent and mentioned that she had a great physique for print ads and modeling as well. he liked her look and told her to go into auditions as herself instead of trying to add extensions to her hair and being something she's not. He felt she could go far.

At the end of our meeting he handed me his cell# and took down her information in case he finds something for her.

As we walked from our meeting while other kids waited anxiously for their call backs Molly jumped and pumped her fist in the air.

"Yes!!!"

Looks like my girl has her course steady. she is heading full steam ahead for her dreams.

In My Mind...

Tonight is my last night of working a night shift. My last day off was Monday and my next day off is Monday...it's a long week. However, my vacation starts on Monday so I will have several days off to take in a deep breath and enjoy myself long enough to sling a paintbrush around the house and finally get rid of the awful brown color that is staring at us each and every day. Hubby and I picked the colors for our house a couple weeks ago and were thrilled with our decision...until yesterday. For some odd, strange reason he picked arctic blue for our living room. Not good enough. We wanted something to really pop as you came in and we are thrilled with our new choice. Honestly I don't know how dating I am to actually paint my walls a deep red, but with the baseboard and banister being painted white it's going to look great!!! It can't be worse than the brown can it? No....no it can't. I've taken some truly horrifying before pictures and I can't wait until I am done to show you the after pictures. It's going to be fun...besides, the kids are helping me!!!!

Oh joy....someone pass the aspirin please!!!

Tales of the Scorpion, Unpacking and Sweet Revenge...

It happened. I've been here a full year and the one thing I was afraid of happened. As we were walking home from our friends house, I love having friends right across the street, scurrying across our driveway was one of the most fearful creatures in my nightmares...the dreaded scorpion. They creep me out just as much as a spider or a snake...most definitely a snake. That night I overcame my fear and smashed the critter under my flip flops. The Scorpions will bother me no more!!!!

For the past week we've been unpacking and we are fairly well settled now...now we simply need to paint. I'm so not looking forward to that....however my vacation is coming soon....and guess what am doing for vacation...Painting!!!! it's nice to be settled into our home now and feel normal again. My office AKA the Dungeon....is in a hidden room next to our pantry/washroom. I love the privacy I have. We even made it to our new ward and met some fabulous families. I felt so comfortable. It is the smallest ward we've ever lived in. However, the numbers may be small but the hearts are large!!! I can't wait to get to know these ladies.

4th of July came about and we spent the afternoon after church with our fantastic friends, with whom we could've never made it through our trials without. This is the friend who literally kept me at an even keel and called me each night to give me encouragement when I was alone back in California as Hubby searched for a job. The nights I felt I couldn't take another step and go on...He told me I can and I will. Hubby struggled with depression at the same time I did. There was no way he could help me. Our dear friends across the street did. When Anne of Green Gables talks of kindred spirits....I now know who she is talking about.


As luck had it not only do we have some of our best friends across the street, but his father owns a firework stand. Oh Yeah!!!! Connections baby!!! His father already offered Corinna a job when she turns 16. She's thrilled. In fact, he offered jobs to all three of my kids when they turn 16. Suh-Weet!!! How can a teen turn away $10 an hour?!?! So he supplied our fireworks show. There are definite advantages to living in the county.

Have you ever seen $900 worth of fireworks?!?!

I have and we started approximately 9pm when the sun was completely own. We didn't finish until after midnight and there were still fireworks left we didn't get set off. It was a show to end all shows.

Oh...and the sweet revenge we were talking about?!?! Well, do remember when my dear friend Bobby introduced himself to my co-worker as the "shmuck she wouldn't date in high school"?!?! So, as his other friends showed up and I met them. I introduced myself and added..."I'm the girl who refused to date him in high school." They all enjoyed that and he turned beet red...Revenge is sweet.

And here's the thing. I told him I seriously never remembered him asking me to prom. I told my dear friend that the only thing I remembered was him approaching me and saying: "If Jeff asked you to prom would you go with him?"

I can barely believe what he said in return: "Yeah, you were supposed to say: No, I'd rather go with you Bobby."

What a dork?!?!? His fiance and I agree he's most definitely a dork, but he's our dork and I wouldn't have it any other way.