Temporary

Hi!  Did I tell you that I have a job?  It's temporary, but my schedule is thus:

Wednesdays:  8am - 2pm :)
Thursdays:  9am - 3pm
Fridays:  9am - 3pm
Saturdays:  9am - 3pm  :(

Except for the Saturday part, it is great.  It is just data entry and filing.  Not much room to grow and blossom, professionally.  It's temporary, though.  Probably from now until sometime in January.

Today I came from work to pick up the kids at the Middle School, where they are on Wednesday afternoons.  It worked.  Starting next week, I will be grabbing them and driving to the new music lessons.  Very exciting stuff!

I really want to be snuggled under my electric blanket reading a book right now, but I am not reading anything currently.  I finished the entire Harry Potter series again, and also two books from the Flavia de Luce series, and a little book of Irish short stories.  They're more like sketches, really.  Most of them are a single conversation, or a single day without traditional story rising action, climax, and denouement.  I don't think any of them ended happily.

Yesterday was killer.  Josh was on his business trip, so I had to get the kids and myself ready in the morning at the same time.  Even though I don't actually work on Tuesdays, I went in from 8 to noon, then drove immediately to the school to check the kids out and drive to Troy, which is where the orthodontist is.  After the appointment, we passed our house and went straight to the grocery store, where I did an amazing job, considering that I hadn't eaten anything all day.  I did end up with a random bag of Muddy Buddies, but passed up the baked goods section, and lots of appealing comfort food.  Then - home at last.  For a minute.  I unpacked groceries, made an early dinner, and got everyone ready to leave for taiko!  Picked up Michelle, and (with the kids in tow) went to practice.  Did my best to practice hard, because I had to leave early.  Josh's plane came in at 8.  I think it was 9:30 when we were all finally home. 

Therefore - today I refuse to make dinner.  So there!  That's the most protesting I can do, because everything else was mandatory.  I wanted to refuse to do everything, but the kids still needed to be taken to school, I still had to work, still had to pick  up said children, still had to check homework and pay bills.  Was supposed to do laundry, but pbpbpbbpbpbpbpbpbpth!

Wanna hear about our next taiko performance?  http://stltaiko.com/performancedetails.php?ID=1607

I am going to be playing slappy bachi for Kagura, and I'm going to play the left-handed part for Ashura.  I get to play my favorite part (solo 1) on my favorite song (Drive), and then I get a break for the next two songs.  Then, I'm playing the shime on Run To You, and also on Matsuri Taiko.  I'm Chuu 3 for Tenchi, our signature piece and closer.  Ta-da!  I'm excited.  My grandmother might come to the show.

My friend Darci is looking cute in her pixie hair cut.  A shame it's temporary, but I'm glad she had the chance to experience it!  That's one thing about a serious health treatment - you have no choice but to make daring hair choices that you never would have thought of before.  Yay for accidental success.  (And darn those people who are cute no matter what.)

Speaking of hair, I need a trim.  Monday?

The theme on the Internet this week is BABY!  Saw photos of my favorite roomie's twins, a dear friend from high school (trivia: he also has a birthday the day before mine) 's twins, Miss Misty's extra, super CUTE new arrival, and Miss Teresa's niece and nephew.

So much cute.

My fingers are getting chilly.  Who says you have to be reading to snuggle under an electric blanket? 

Ah....Romance!

I am working this week!  8am - 3pm.  (Yay, Adecco.)

This morning, as I was driving to work, I saw on the front step of a house four pumpkins carved with the words, "Will You Marry Me?"  A day cannot go wrong that starts off like that!

This is the song of the day:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb_sDX1NZGQ

It is uncomfortably cold in my house.

So, I don't exactly remember how the conversation about dating came up with the kids.  Abbie was asking what High School was like, and I said that she would have her coat and books in her locker, and that she would take her things to each class, and then there was something about how even though it seems like everyone has a boyfriend, it's really less than half of them...and that was the beginning of the end. 

Grant:  Abbie, if some boy asked you out, what would you say?
Abbie:  Yes.  Of course!
Mommy:  Wouldn't it depend on which boy asked?
Abbie:  Yeah.  If it was someone nice.
Grant:  Mom, what's a good thing to do for a date?
Mommy:  Well, you could get ice cream together or play board games, or..
Grant:  Abbie, where would you go on a date?
Abbie:  Olive Garden.  That's my favorite restaurant. 
Mommy:  What if he can't afford that?!  You should save that for a special occasion date!  Maybe you guys could cook some food together....

This morphed into Abbie's perfect date, which she kindly has invited Grant and his girlfriend to:

Step 1:  Make cookies or brownies together.
Step 2:  Play music and "dance around".
Step 3:  Make crafts together.  Abbie would make the craft for her date, and he would make one for her.  Details TBA.
Step 4:  Eat the dessert.

Sometimes she says this will occur when she and Grant are both in college, and sometimes when they are in High School.  (I'm rooting for college!!)  I also recommended for young dates:  roller skating (If you grew up in Rolla, you are probably giggling right now.), bowling, and mini golf.

Josh and I are going to romantically fry some shrimp for dinner the way my Aunt Joyce makes them.  Of course, my Aunt Joyce gets her shrimp fresh from the gulf.  Well, it should be a close second!!

My hands are so cold!

Cause

http://educatoraspatient.com/post/64473291273/day-65  Feel something.  Learn something.  Do something.

Hello!  How are you!  It's fall out there!  We stood in 37 degree weather for Grant's 5k this morning.  He enjoyed it.  We all did.  But, it was cold.

Feeling the comfort food?  This made me feel the need for some comfy soups:  http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/10/happy-soup-season/

Also, I might have another reason for looking longing for soup.  I've got a sinus infection again.  Being out in the cold this morning was especially brutal. 

Grant's 5k was for an organization called Mercy's Hope.  They support an orphanage in Kenya.  Nice, nice, people.  I feel happy knowing that we have contributed to the goodness in the world. 

Right now, I have a cookie dough crust cooling for my first autumn version of a fruit pizza.  We are off to the Frankes for a Halloween party this afternoon.

Grant is going to be a zombie for Halloween, not Groucho Marx.  Abbie has settled on being a voodoo doll.  I made her a wig out of blue yarn. I think they are both going to look great.

Well, the cooking won't wait.  Wishing you all great weekend remainders!

Tuesday. So there!

A little sleepy, but very awesome!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNgaPELvSxw

Not sleepy, to make up for it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1dfyVdr5HQ

Applied for more jobs, of course.  I still have that interview for Adecco tomorrow at 10:30.  Got one of my promised letters of reference, too.  Decided not to wait for the other one....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OglS3Q0Zxik

I am trying to make up for whatever I didn't do right in terms of the kids.  Such a hard subject.  Hardly any right answers.  So hard to stick to your principles in the face of your children's peers.  And then, to think you have taught this great and important lesson, only to discover that it has been warped in the minds of your offspring, and totally misunderstood.  *sadflop*

Had some rain today.  It was nice.  The temperatures now are very uncertain.  Too warm to be cool, and too cool to be pleasant.  And the sunlight is so late, and it gets dark so early...  I wish the time change were in October instead of November.  If they ever ask me, I shall have my answer ready!

Car needs gas.

Off to taiko in a minute.  I wrote the set for this weekend.  It was difficult, and has been re-written twice.  And today Jaci announced that she is injured and has to back out of the performance.  Wow.  I'll have to think about that later...it's making my brain hurt.

No idea what to make for Thanksgiving this year....

Subliminal hugs to my dear friends.  Wishing you a good evening!

Halloween appropriate!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxY9qkfZMI8

Ineffectual

How are you?  No, really!  How are you today?  Having a good week?  The weather is incredible, don't you think?  Do you have your windows open?  You know, I hear that some people got Columbus Day off.  Did you?  Today would be a great day to have lunch at a park or something.

...

...Okay, fine.

I might be a little stressed out.

Today, I re-took all the tests for Adecco.  I passed them all, and have an interview with Adecco on Wednesday.  All this so I can have the same Citi job that doesn't pay much.  At the same time, I was told that there is an opening in O'Fallon doing the same paraprofessional work I did the last two months of last year and the first two months of this one, only it's full time, and instead of making 10 dollars an hour, I'd be making 12.50.  So I am applying for that as well.  I have two friends writing me letters of reference, too.

Nervous.

I have two dear friends who need a little extra in the way of good vibes right now.  One is ill, and the other is desperately afraid of her ex-husband.  She was informed that he has been following her children.  Both of these ladies are in need.  I would like to help them, but I cannot.  It makes me so upset!  And I don't mean prayers, etc.  I mean actual, real-time, make it better help.

Upset.

The kids did pretty good for a 4 1/2 day weekend.  Still, after last week, I am kind of staring at the phone a lot, asking it to please not ring and be the school wanting to talk about my kids.  And I'm not sure how they are going to do at their music lessons tonight, either.  I'm a little gunshy about them at present.

Nervous.

My mom isn't going to be at Thanksgiving.  Was not prepared for how much this bothered me when I got the email.  It's not that it is unusual for her to go to my dad's family for this holiday.  It's not that she never changes plans suddenly like this..  I don't know.  I guess I just wanted her to be here.

Upset.

It just recently hit me how bad I want to move.  Want to move!!!  But I won't go until it's right.  Not until the right house is there at the same time that it is right for our finances.  Anyway, I need to hurry up and get employed.

Nervous.

Josh cut down the only thriving tree in my yard.  I didn't plant it, it was a volunteer.  It was way too close to the house, and as soon as I saw it, I chopped it.  It kept coming back up, and then one time when I failed to cut it (I was away or sick or something), it really flourished.  So, I left it.  It was actually as tall as the house when Josh cut it yesterday.  But then, he left it in the driveway.  Then, the kids played with it and the whole neighborhood has little leaves all over that came from it.  I'm not so sure the neighbors dig this.  I asked them to pick up the leaves, but according to my front window, this did not get done.

Upset.

But on to other topics of conversation!

Week Three of Government Shutdown.  What a crappy thing to do to people who work for the government!  I wish legislators had to swear an "I will do no harm" oath like doctors do.  Or do they already do that?  If that is the case, that oath has been broken in a big way.  And I can't be the only person who has noticed that not paying EVERYONE for 3 weeks certainly does lower a budget.  Well, it's not like I'm not going to vote them all out even if it turns out that they weren't completely soul-less and self serving.  They are GONE!  If a single congressman or representative in Washington thinks that he or she has another term coming, that person is delusional.

After taiko practice on Sunday (woo-ho!  30 minute drill!!!) the Dashi committee got the Dashi out, and all the junk that was put in the trailer with it.  We got rid of a lot of trash, and are a step closer to doing a total rehab, complete with reupholstering and cleaning.  I have emailed the original builders to ask for tips for cleaning the Japanese wood.  We couldn't tell if it had been treated in any way.

Josh is going on a business trip to Boston.  Grant still wants to be Groucho Marx for Halloween.  Abbie has said she wants to be a kitty, a tightrope walker, or a voodoo doll.  We should also get our pumpkins soon.

Seen any good movies lately?  Read any good books?  Hear any funny jokes?

?

Apple Festival, Good Food, BAD Food, Family

This is one of my favorite sounds:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf-dS78MeBk

I wasn't feeling well last night, but I'm a lot better now.

Yesterday I came home from Rolla.  Yep.  Been traveling again. Again.  Wednesday was a half day at school, and then parent-teacher conferences.  I don't really want to talk about that right now.  Let's just say that both of my children are doing wonderfully, academically.  They also each have their areas that need improvement. When the principal asked me to come in for a conference, I was hoping it was about a job, but instead it was about one of those areas needing improvement...

Boo.

Then, off to Rolla to spend the night with my parents, since there was no school yesterday and today.  It was fun, and Dad took us to lunch before we left.  About that....I do NOT recommend the restaurant by the interstate called Koi.  The waitress was sweet and pretty.  Didn't know a thing about waitressing.  Forgot to bring us things, never took a single plate away, etc.  And the food was advertised like Japanese food (bento boxes, etc.) but the seasoning was more like Korean food.  Altogether very odd, and not too pleasant.  Especially disappointing was my hard "tempura" with no sauce. 

Last weekend, of course, was the Apple Festival.  We left on Friday, the festival was Saturday, and we came home Sunday.  We hung out with Gran Friday night, and Abbie slept in her bedroom.  Grant and I didn't really sleep at all in the guest bedroom.  Then on Sunday we were met by Aunt Laurel and Nanny and Ashley and we all went to the festival together.  It was miserable!  The temperatures were in the 40's, and it was rainy.  Gran and I were still determined to have a great time, though!  We did all the usual stuff:  We watched the parade (so cold and wet!), drank apple cider (yum!), ate fair food, and took the kids to ride on the ponies.  None of us were super sorry to leave, but we did feel a pang for the poor vendors. Not very much business, due to inclement weather.

Next year, I hope they have the taffy booth again.  And the honey.  I wanted to look there, but it wasn't worth it.

In the afternoon we decorated cupcakes and had spectacular dinner of pot roast, veggies and Nanny's pasta salad.  Then we watched Beau Geste - the family "favorite movie".  Grant slept in Gran's room this time.

Breakfast on my birthday was crepes!!!  So yummy.

 

We had such a nice time, and Uncle Pete and his wife, and Ashley joined us.  I didn't ever want to leave, but I had to because I was meeting my mom in Jefferson City.  We met at Central Dairy for an ice cream lunch.

Birthdays are delicious.

After a long drive home, I had pizza with my family and went to bed.

The first half of the week I spent job hunting.  I have decided to apply at Adecco, for help.  The girl who I talked to grew up across the street from Josh's biological father, the late Ken Mroczkowski.  I really did not know what to say, as he spent the majority of my married life in jail.  He died when the kids were little, and I had never met him.  It was awkward, and then I started taking aptitude tests.

We are back, story-wise, to the parent-teacher conferences.  *sigh*

Today the weather is beautiful.  I have all the windows open.  I am even going to clean the house in a minute.  It needs it, and the weather is encouraging. 

By the way, this is no longer a secret.  Here is what I have been worrying about my dear friend for:  http://educatoraspatient.com/  Sending extra, extra, extra love to my dear Darci!  <3 p="">
Oh!  One more thing!  Dad fixed the dent in my car.  What a guy!

Wanted to send someone a present today and can't find my address book anywhere.  Christmas card season is not that far away.  Eeep!  Well, maybe if I get up and get this cleaning started, it will turn up.

Wishing you good health, and a pleasant Friday afternoon! 

 

Another Day

Well, it is a new day full of new cares and new circumstances!

Sort of.

I am still expected by all, including myself, to secure a fantastic job, super hero style, and make all our troubles go away.  Josh has sold stock to start paying off his student loans and recently acquired credit card debt..  For those of you who have not been following along....that would be the down payment for our next home.  Looks like I'd better get used to this school district.  But I'll think about that tomorrow at Tara.

In the meantime, I have been applying at temp agencies again.  Even though my last temp company was only a partial success.  Not much choice, really.  The latest job I've been all excited about is a library assistant job.  I called when the position closed to ask when I should hear something, and was told that only internal applicants would be considered, unless they were unable to fill the position.  Then and only then were external applicants to be considered. 

How does one get to be an internal applicant, then, if not by applying for jobs posted????

There is so much housework to do, it's kind of frightening.  I've done the floors, but they need to be done again.  That's the way housework is, though.  A woman's work is never done.

I've been doing lots with photos lately.  There is, of course, the JFest and Springfield photos to archive, as well as photos from Saturday's workshops.  There are photo galleries to make on the web site, and on Facebook.  There are PR photos to be separated out and labeled with photographer names.  And then Dad was asking why I hadn't sent out vacation photos yet, so I did that, too.

And I've been voted the official meeting minutes secretary of the Dashi Committee.

I don't know what to start with, chore-wise.

Two songs.  Same name.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2Sk85vQlZA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZjh66KPDwk


Did you know the new Pink Martini album is out?  Well, what are you waiting for?

This weekend is the Versailles Apple Festival.  Gotta charge up my camera batteries!

Aaand procrastination over.  Time to clean this house.