Brr.

I just applied for another job at Josh's company.  He told me the other day that my job at the company party they are having a week from Friday is to network. 

Some truths:

1.  I want to work for a company who I don't have to sit up sleepless at night to wonder if they are the good guys or the bad guys.  I am for the GOOD GUYS!  For instance:  I would never, NEVER work for a Cash Before Payday kind of company, regardless of the salary.  From this perspective, Josh's company is good.  They help get people who need rides to their doctor appointments.  I approve.

2.  You might think that, being from a small town, I would know all about networking.  I don't.  I don't know a single thing.  I don't feel that it's right to mix business and pleasure, and never got the hang of it.  No, that sounds like I need my technique perfected.  I know NOTHING about networking.  If I ever rise due to a networking connection, it is totally in the hands of the other person, and I should receive no credit.

3.  My chances are not good for getting this job.  The last time I applied at this company, I got my rejection before 24 hours had gone by. 

4.  If I do get this job....it still won't answer the questions I have about this summer, the main one being:  My Children, question mark.

Yes.  I just spelled out punctuation.  I do it a lot when speaking.  I was particularly amused to hear someone else do it at a recent taiko meeting.  Hee hee!  I'm contagious.

It's the last week in November.  The cold weather has officially hit.  Today, it will not be above 40 degrees, they say.  My hands are so cold!!  I am nearly ready to go and make some tea.  Not quite, though.

Yesterday I made a white cake with no icing.  It was "National Cake Day."  How could I not?  I cut some to put in the kids' lunches this morning.

Tonight is taiko.  *strained pause*  Among other things, I am going to play yatai style in the performance on Thursday.  For those of you who are unfamiliar, that is when you lie down with the drum between your knees and calves, and hold your upper body at a 45 degree angle with the abs I don't have in order to play.  At least it's a song I am familiar with.

This weekend is Christmas in Hermann, MO. on Saturday (can't wait) and the Rams football game on Sunday!  Woot!

Wanna hear about last week?

Wednesday, the kids were off school, and I spent the whole day on my feet doing laundry, cooking, bathing the kids, and cleaning the bathrooms.  I didn't do floors, because our neighbors were going to let the dogs in at night while we were away.  Thursday, we got up earlier than we did on school days, and I drove to Versailles.  No traffic to speak of.  Gran let me set the table.  It was a full house, and several of the dishes were extra, extra good.  The kids did get to play outside, because the weather was windy, but it didn't get cold and rainy until late.  They mostly played croquet in the field with my Aunt Kathy.  YAY!  It felt a little weird without Mom, but when she got back she said that my aunt and uncle in Louisiana asked about me often and absolutely gushed with invitations for me and my family to visit at any time.  Oh-I wish I had enough money to travel!!  I really would visit them.  And I'd go see Tylar and Darci in Baltimore, and I'd visit Trish in Oregon....I might even take Grant to see Yuma, since he was born there (but only as a stop on the way to the San Diego Zoo :P).

Anyway, in the evening, we went to Josh's mom's condo.  In the morning, we realized there was no breakfast, so Josh ran out and got doughnuts.  Later, we went out to the outlet mall in the hopes of meeting friends there and maybe having lunch at that pizza place, but just as we were finding the map, Josh's parents called to say they were at the condo.  Then I got a text from Mariah asking for a doughnut.  Hee hee.  We got there and had a fun lunch where we traded leftovers.  Then, we made those little Oreo cookie turkeys.  Pretty fun!  Abbie did fall and scrape her knee (totally put a hole in her NEW jeans), but otherwise - a great visit.  Then....we drove home.  Did I mention that I made a Christmas CD for the occasion?  It's awesome.

Saturday was Deck The Halls Day.  The kids actually put up the tree!!!  Well, all the parts they could reach.  Then we did the white icicles, and then all the ornaments.  Since a few things have changed in the "dining area," I couldn't do the same as last year.  I can't wait until I have a house with a dining room.  In the evening, we watched Muppet Christmas Carol and drank hot chocolate.  Yay for Deck the Halls Day.

The letters to Santa have been written, too.  The following is an excerpt from an email I sent to a friend this morning:  "Grant wants Slimer from the Ghostbusters movie, and Abbie wants a doll of Violet from The Incredibles. Santa's going to have to look hard for that one. I'm not sure how many were ever made, but they certainly aren't being sold anymore. I hear he was successful on Amazon last night, but a little dismayed about the price tag. I will have to apologize to Santa and leave him the good cookies. It's my fault for insisting that the kids only watch movies that I have seen, and consider them "ready" for."

We wrote the letters yesterday.  The kids were off school, but they still had music lessons in the evening.  Well!  I guess I had better hurry and mail those. 

Is it cold at your house?  My fingers are so cold....

Hoping for lots of good things for you on this last week of November!  If you are free on Saturday, you should join us in Hermann.  It's going to be a good time.