Great day!

Not just because it's my Birthday. Life is just grand for some reason.

Yes still no job.

I am thinking of becoming a realtor and am exploring options and next steps to see if this is realistic.

Some say because of the economy that it isn't a good option.

But it's my passion. When given the choice I have on House Hunting or Flipping Out on the television and have spent countless hours on zillow and realtor dot com. What can I say, I just love looking at houses for sale.

I spent the last 6 years of my recent tenure as an ad representative working with the real estate sector, mainly agents and brokers so I have some background.

Now I just need to go through Real estate school, pass the test, get licenced and get more training and mentoring to become what I have always wanted to be.

It's my passion and you know what they say about passion...

Busy Busy Busy!

Wow not much time to post, but life is good. This is the first time in over 20 years that I don't report to someone else to carry out their agenda.

My and my family's agenda every day all the time.

And there still isn't enough time.

Or enough money.

Wish there was more of both.

This is what has been filling my days lately:

Garage sale prep, Sunday school prep, Getting my health taken care of (Using up health benefits, getting new insurance etc. Trying to get over cold or seasonal allergies), getting this house in order, enjoying my pool now that the water is finally under 90 degrees and refreshing to swim in, Working with my new school age child on homework and behavior issues, Reading a bit...

Miraculously NOT worrying about finding a new job or that the money won't stretch enough, or feeling any bitterness or resentment about my recent job loss.

Wow.

Unemployed

Well I don't want to say too much on here but I lost my job this week.

I worked for that company for over 18 years.

I am still in a bit of a state of shock, but I think I am going to be fine.

I feel fine, really Almost relieved.

What does life have for me next?

My Baby is in REAL School!

The first week was a bit rocky. Jamie wasn't at all ready to be dropped off at the front door as is their policy. Luckily Kindergarteners are allowed special treatment. So each day I would park the car and walk her into the school and then down the long narrow Kindergarten/First & Second grade hallway.

On Friday they changed the rule, no more walking her down the hallway.

We will see how it goes on Monday when I can't get out of the car anymore!

Love the thunder

Listening to the thunderstorm rolling in on a Saturday afternoon is one of my favorite things to do on a day off.

Earlier I went to a workshop at church to take part in being a teacher for our Religious exploration program for the young 'Spirit Play' class. I hope I have what it takes, but I am willing to give it a try.

Jamie will be in the classroom I teach. We will see how that goes. The teacher from last year has had some issues with Jamie and he spelled some of them out today during the workshop.

Yes he pointedly brought up two occasions where Jamie hasn't gone along with the group.

He has done this before most recently at a church pool party where he shouted at me about Jamie climbing 'UP' the waterslide. And his child tried it and got hurt.

Yup, my child is challenging. She is very strong willed and wants to do what she wants to do.

His complaints this time were that Jamie won't always sit in the circle during Circle Time, (She prefers to sit in a bean bag chair instead of with the group.

And Jamie wears jewelry or clothes (like High Heels or a tiara) that are a distraction.

I got a little defensive. I really don't like being told my child isn't a good girl. I really felt like he was basically telling me he didn't like her.

And maybe he doesn't. That is part of life I guess. Not everyone is goiing to like my child or me for that matter.

So now I am sitting listening to the thunder.

Summer trip

Wow the summer is almost gone and so is our vacation. I know they say not to post that you are on vacation, so as not to let the friends of friends know your house is unattended but we have someone staying there.

And I let it out on FB already.

We have been up to Michigan to stay for a full week where I visited cousins, stepsisters and nieces/nephews and uncles and my Dad. We stayed with Dad the whole time, it was hard for him, he is 80 and not used to his routine being upset. Not that he changed his routine all that much but the rugs got out of place a bit (After I cleaned all the floors), lights were left on, his bathroom was used by a five year old who left the fan on and the door ajar, etc etc.

We visited my Cousin Kris who is my best friend/cousin. She is the one I must never miss seeing while up there, and we never do miss it. She lives across the street from the lake but we didn't make it out to the lake any of the days we were there. We mainly visited and taught them 'the game' (Settlers of Catan which I am addicted to and am trying to pass my addiction on to as many loved ones as possible)

I also went to a small family gathering and saw cousins and children of cousins and grandchildren of cousins that I barely know anymore. But it was great...everyone we visited had a bit of a rural flavor to their home.

We are now in North Carolina after a 14.5 hour trip that should have taken 11.5 hours, staying at my brother in law Bruce's. Bruce lives on a large lot (over an acre) and is so far from town that my cell doesn't work out here. Kind of nice, no phone but internet.

Jamie is now eagerly awaiting going to the movies to see Zookeeper for a matinee on our last day here. We haven't done alot for Jamie here in N. Carolina, as we mainly just hang in the house visiting. I would rather take her somewhere to run off some energy but it is 100 degrees out there already and it isn't noon yet.

They have bowling and roller skating there too, but she picked the movies. Maybe we can find an inside play place.

We brought the dog and I don't think Mike really wanted to. But Samson has been great. He is so mellow and great on trips. Mike has even said what a great decision it was to bring him. This vacation has been mostly about visiting rather than going to attractions as money is a bit tight this year. So no Cedar Point (which I love) No Hershey Park (Which Jamie Loves) and no Museums or Presidential Burial grounds (which Mike loves).

Just sitting and resting. Which is really what a vacation should be. I know I needed it.

When is the last time you went on a sitting and resting vacation? I think this was my first.

Summer time Life - Kittens & Sleepovers

Jamie's BFF is Emmie, the blond in the photos. She also goes to our church. We make sure there is alot of 'Emmie time' as it is really important to Jamie to see her often. Emily's mom recently informed me they may move back to the Northwest next year when she is done with college. I hope this doesn't happen - it will be so sad for Jamie and for Emmie.

These kittens are at a neighbors down the street from us. Jamie and I were going by there a couple/few times a week to pick up and handle the kittens to help domesticate them.

Did you know if a kitten isn't handled by a human between 4 & 8 wks old they will prbably never become a good house pet? They need that imprinting at that very crucial time. Apparently we didn't over often enough as they are both running from everyone now.

Destined to be yard cats just like their parents.

Summer time Life - more baseball

Summer time Life - Part 1 Ballgames

I didn't post the photo of Jamie crying because of the scary Ronald McDonald the next section over. We have gone to a couple of games already this year and will probably go to a few more.

One of the benefits of where I work is Season tickets right behind home plate. Our home baseball team is a Minor league team and the park allows usage of unused tickets any Sunday - Thursday. And since Jamie is very much enamored of being in crowds in any capacity she loves going to the Baseball game!

My baby is growing up

Ballerina days

Doggy Guilt

Finally photos

Jamie loves her teacher Ms Pearl. I don't think she realizes she is about to not see her and be with her anymore!

Cutting up at Dance class

Playing guitar at Ms Michelles (Samson's first mommy)

So she really seems to love her dog, except when he eats her shoes or dolls which happens alot still. Good thing I buy most of her shoes at the thrift and consinment stores. The dolls that were ate were new though. It really doesn't bother me a whole lot for some reason. I guess I am really taken with this dog. He is a sweetheart. No more potty accidents - at least not for about 3-4 weeks so that is good. I just make sure my shoes are put up, especially my Birks.

Jamie will be leaving the school/daycare that she has been going to every day since she was 2 in 2 weeks. I am afraid that there will be some meltdowns when we get closer. Just this morning she was shouting she wanted her Dad to come to the Dads day party they will be having later in the month. She won't be there so no Dads day for her and Daddy. Hope she handles it well.

I have her signed up for Arts camp at the magnet school she will be attending this fall. The arts camp runs 3 wks after school ends. Then she will stay home with daddy most of the summer. We will go on vacation or stay on staycation during that time. Then right before school starts we are putting her in the local YMCA camp for a couple of weeks. That will give her another opportunity to be with new kids and also to swim every day and have some fun before school starts.

Then back to Pine Forest. This magnet school has won 'Best elementary Magnet school in the country'. It is the only dedicated arts Magnet school here in this county and is really sought after. More than 200 kids tried to get in and Jamie made it! She is in for the duration of her elementary school career. Then if she is good at dance or art or writing she can go to the Middle & High magnet schools but she will have to audition to make it there.

So it starts...My baby is becoming a child, a person of her own right.

Wah!

I Phonified

Ok I resisted for as long as I could. Mike has been hinting about that he would like new phone and I beat him to it.

Ok, gotta get back to it!

Do they make bitter apple for kids?

My child still sucks her fingers while self soothing at bedtime. Always while holding her Lovey Waddy.
Anyway the dentist said she could develop buck teeth so he recommended this bitter apple stuff.

I can only find the formulation intended for dogs.

Any help out there?

Meet our new dog Samson!!

These photos are all from 2 months ago, so Samson is bigger. He was about 34 lbs when we got him and is now 47 lbs now. The vet has assured me he will be a 50 lb adult. I am thinking he may have calculated on the low side as Samson is about 7 months old now and will have some more growing to do. Or maybe not. It won't be the end of the world I guess. I really didn't want a large dog. But he is so mellow and great. He is wonderful with the kids. He lets the girls dress him up and bundle him up and just sits through it patiently. He loves to play and loves to rest... My kind of dog. Everyone who meets him comments what a nice dog he is.

He does have a chewing issue. He has chewed the hands and feet off of Jamies Barbies and last night moved on to the baby dolls. I bought some bitter stuff but who wants to pour that stuff on everything.

We use the crate during the day and he sleeps in Jamie's room at night. I didn't want to use the crate but he seems to be ok with it and my house isn't getting destroyed. It also keeps the potty accidents from occurring while we aren't here.

All in all we are pretty happy with him, he is so sweet and loving.

Photos are almost all back!

Mike figured out how I can see around this HUGE firewall Windows apparently installs with Windows 7! SO I can now connect to the External Hard Drive. Now he just needs to transfer the photos from the 'Book' a portable external Hard drive he put them on last month.

Anyway, I haven't had access to any of the recent photos since last fall. That is why I haven't been posting any photos on the blog. I hope he gets me fully connected tonight.

Meanwhile here is a somewhat recent family photo from our neighborhood Christmas party in December.

How Soon is NOW!!!???

Ok this is ridiculous! Time for some photos!

I have been unable to connect to our book or external hard drive for many months. Has anyone noticed there hasn't been any photos of Jamie lately? Or of any personal nature?

Mike is 'tech' in our home. He has been assuring me he will get this done soon. I know honey but how soon is soon?

Have you heard of :


How Soon is Now???

Lol, anyone catch that that is a Smith's Song? One of the best songs to dance to in the 80's...Ahhhh brings back memories.

Anyway, I am trying not to nag but this is crazy. I have many posts built up to write that go along with the missing photos!

The Determined Struggle has ended!

The year of career hell has finally ended. I haven't posted alot about this situation as I know people have gotten in trouble with mixing blogging with their jobs. Most of my friends and any readers who have been around over a year might know that I had a woman boss join the company in Oct 2009 who I butted heads with.

Many coworkers left our department (13!!) and even one boss left during her 15 month reign. This may not sound like a lot but our department is only about 12 total folks. Many people thought I would be among the ones who left. That I would leave either from being fired or by quitting because of how miserable I was.

A friend who worked there had a book about Horoscopes in relationships. When you turned to the page with her birthday week and mine the title was 'Determined Struggle'.

But I was determined. Determined to hang on to a job I love, where I have worked for years. (18 years last month!) I help my accounts get a ROI or return on their investment, in other words what I sell helps their business to be profitable.

I am not entirely sure why she was let go. I think it had something to do with 3 sales reps leaving in as many weeks the end of the year. All three cited this manager as the reason they were leaving the company. One of them wrote a several page diatribe listing her faults.

Thanks Deb, Peg and Amy. You were the footsoldiers in the final battle.

I am a survivor.

PS. At our church retreat last weekend I had my fortune told with tarot cards. She told me to shuffle the deck and decide what I wanted to hear about, career, money, love,family etc. I chose for the reading to focus my career.

The first card represented my career past. It was a queen of swords. She told me that I had just completed a pretty intense battle of some length and that now it was in the past. The next card was the present and it was Pan - a time of contentment. The future card was the Queen of Cups who I was told was about Love and positive energy. Here is what

this site

suggests the Queen of Cups means in the Future Position as it was in my reading.

When this card is in the future position, you are headed toward a date with contentment. Aim high in the present, as knowing that you will be encountering the Queen of Cups can give you confidence to take risks in love and life, career and college. Family and friends are going to be a great part of your future, so make sure you know where you stand with them and they with you.

More contentment and the confidence to take risks!! Wow.

Gosh it feels good to feel good about going to work again!

Life is good!

Too busy to blog lately, but I realized today life is pretty good here in the Jamie and us household.

My immediate supervisor is no longer with the company. Yes we all no what that means in corporate speak.

They announced my new boss this week and it's someone at the company I know and like and also know she likes and respects me. Wow. This will be so different. Yay for me!

Our new dog Samson is working out beautifully. I was reluctant to listen to the crate trainers out there, but you were right! Thanks to you all! and you know who you are! It has helped immensely. We haven't had one potty accident and just a few chewed shoes (one of each of ours) He is so obedient and ready to please for the most part, a typical 'golden' child. He really isn't a pure golden retriever, but he looks a lot like one but a bit smaller with shorter hair.

I took him out for a solo bike ride myself tonight and he has potential to be the dog I always wanted that will jog along side of me (or along side of Jamie) while we ride bikes. Got to figure out how to get him to quit crossing in front of me though. LOL

And Jamie got into the Arts Magnet school we had hoped for her. It will put her on the Arts Magnet track all the way through High School so that means we don't have to move to a better area for her school.

If we are able to so be it. But no pressure. Not only that but kids in schools where the parents and the kids want to be there do so much better in their education as well as their lives.

I just feel this is going to be a great year for us.

Now if I could just get my photos downloaded where I could get to them sometime soon so I could post them online. Oh well not everything can be perfect!

Happy Spring everyone, how is your world?