Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Twenty Things Not To Do When Applying For A Job

  1. Bring your wife, child, best friend, girlfriend with you. - Unless you need a translator, come alone.
  2. Spray on too much cologne. - It's not the lasting impression you want.
  3. Display prominent piercings. - We remember you by them and it isn't a good thing.
  4. Tell us how you have experience in operating equipment that has nothing to do with the job we have open.
  5. Explain that while you do not have your own car, you will be able to make it to work daily because you have a retired friend who will drive you. - Or that you will ride your bike.
  6. Wear bling and your baseball hat on backwards.
  7. Show six pages of references, certifications and resumes, then insist that I read them all. - I get that you are a stellar employee.
  8. Ask for at least four days notice before I administer your drug test because you just smoked a joint last night.
  9. Beg to work.
  10. Call daily to see if anything has changed since the day before.
  11. Be the only one to send a thank you card but not provide a number that is in service where we can reach you.
  12. Forget to bathe.
  13. Talk about your recent diagnosis of Parkinson's.
  14. Question the rate of pay because you feel you deserve more.
  15. Name drop employees who have the worst attendance records.
  16. Ask if we have any work "under the table."
  17. Insist on speaking to the Owner of the Company and then act surprised when you find out he is not the one who does the hiring.
  18. Mention how you have a bad back.
  19. Bodybuilding does not improve your chances at landing a job. - Unless its at a gym.
  20. Faxing your application and then emailing me about an interview, when the ad clearly says "apply in person". - Duh.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The Countdown Is On!

Ever have one of those nights ...

The one where it takes for-eva to fall asleep and when you finally do ... you wake up every hour after? Leaving you so frustrated that by the time 6 AM rolls around you just get up, because ENOUGH ALREADY WITH THE STRUNG TOGETHER BROKEN SLEEP.

that was me. yesterday morning.

As it turns out, my man had the same problem. Neither of us could figure out why. Last night was much better. Thankfully.

I heard from my MIL, in the form of a JetBlue itinerary. My baby's will be arriving home on Saturday at 1:21 PM and we'll have two house guests for the week.

Ask me how excited I am? go ahead ... ask me ...

VERYVERYVERYVERYVERYVERYVERYVERYVERYVERYVERYVERYEXCITED!

However. There are some hurdles before the finish line. (there are always hurdles in life, aren't there.)

Like today. The "annual exam".
Like later today. Evening meeting.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Skipper

I had a meeting tonight. I didn't go. I made an excuse about being on vacation. But those who know me, know the real reason.

I do not handle being a lone voice very well. Especially when it is my voice against that of ten men. Ten men who feel that their opinion is the right opinion. That any answer I offered to their various questions was not an acceptable one. They don't want to listen to what I have to say. They do not want to comprehend.

I get tired of speaking the same answers over and over, only to not be heard or to be laughed at. To be left unprotected by the one person who is suppose to Chair and control the meeting. (he doesn't like my answers either, therefore I am left hanging in the wind, the lone voice) It has happened to me more times than I care to even recall.

Instead I'm home. Shamelessly watching public access. Waiting for two meetings to combine for a big discussion where my lone voice answers will be backed up with the people who have the data to confirm what I have been saying all along.

I cannot wait to watch. It's on soon.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Sunday Stealing: The "Leave It to MeMe" MeMe

1. Who was your FIRST date? My first official date (this is according to my mom, HA) was a Senior Prom when I was sophomore. The boy I went with, attended a private school, was a high honor student and drove a black Camero. The date however, involved a fender bender where we were rear ended and ditching the prom to hang at a local pizza place.

2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love? I did a few years ago, briefly.

3. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink? It was beer and it burned my throat.

4. What was your FIRST job? I worked at a day care center called "Tot Town".

5. What was your FIRST car? A Plymouth Laser, black with pin striping and had a computer that would talk to you. It would "Please Fasten Your Seat Belt" or "Your Door Is Ajar" or my personal favorite "Your Headlamp Is Out".

6. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? To Disney World when I was six.

7. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk? Yes, thanks to Classmates.com.

8. Whose wedding did you attend the FIRST time? My cousins. I was young but I do remember she was a beautiful bride and that one of my older cousins, got so drunk he ended up passed out in the chair directly across from me.

9. Tell us about your FIRST roommate. I did go away to college. So my husband was my first roommate.

10. If you had one wish, what would it be (other than more wishes)? Money.

11. What is something you would learn if you had the chance? To play the piano. It is my favorite instrument and while I can do some scales and maybe play part of one song, I would love to master it.

12. Did you marry the FIRST person you were in love with? I did not. But I do believe that the third time is a charm.

13. What were the first lessons you ever took and why? Other than fitness classes and working toward my Associates Degree, I haven't taken any lessons.

14. What is the first thing you do when you get home? Put away my work bag, sort mail and get the toddler's things unpacked.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Long & Uneventful

... lies! Partly so. This week was long. But not uneventful. However, that'd be work related and while I am seriously considering putting up a long letter to my boss, I am just as seriously not. (but in case you are reading, bossman, it's nothing ... honest ...)

Monday and Tuesday were rough days. I declared, on the work calendar, that Friday was my mental health day. (and yes I am mental, what of it?)

I was thinking I'd get my ass outside, trimming the now overgrown bushes and long, in the way, tree branches (as in the jeep hits them as I go in and out of the driveway), mow the lawn with the bagger and take the trimmings to the landfill.

So today is the day ... and it's raining. What in the hell?

Plan B, is to finish cleaning out the unfinished room and cram what is left in the small attic storage space ... or PURGE it. Not exactly what I wanted to do. But it is a mindless task that my overloaded brain welcomes.

Plus it's FRIDAY! One week from tomorrow ... my kids ... COME BACK!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

And I Wanted To Ring His Neck ...

My brother turned 45 this year. Forty Five years of having nothing of a life. Forty Five years of getting hung up on how someone has wronged him.

A couple things about him ...
He's bi-polar.
He weights 300lbs.
He has an unblinking stare
His face is white (my mother is Irish). His entire body is bright white.
When he speaks to you, he puts his face inches away from your face.
They think he suffered some sort of brain damage at birth.
He is very good about talking about himself.
He is a few steps away from anything normal but can function on his own.
On Social Security Disability.

He has moved into my Town. I view this as a good thing. My parents are getting older, they shouldn't have to deal with him daily. He needs to learn how to live on his own. for six months he has been doing that.

For the most part he is managing just fine and with little help from me.

Yesterday I got involved so he could get himself signed up for the YMCA. Recently diagnosed with diabetes he needs to get to the gym. He needs to stop his habitual eating.

As we walked up to the door. Three boys were sitting outside on a bench. They were, perhaps, my son's age. My brother was wearing some shorts, a shirt with no sleeves and Velcro tie sneakers. (My mother bought him the outfit.)

One of those boys was staring.

And unblinking stare.

A stare that lasted the entire time we walked toward the door. He had the same look of disbelief on his face. Like there was nothing that could make him look away. Like he couldn't believe what he was seeing. My brother didn't notice. If he did, he didn't say anything.

I wanted to walk over and SHAKE HIM. Make him stop. Yell at him for being so impolite. Tell him to GET A GRIP. He's a human being. He doesn't smell. This is MY brother who I have known for FORTY years. He's a sweet guy. He cares. He tries. He does not have a mean bone in his body. And he doesn't understand why people stare at him. He does not get it, at all.

He tells me it happens all the time.

Witnessing it first hand?

Sucks.

Monday, July 20, 2009

What Weekend?

Here's some math for you:

Toddler + 101 degree temp + all weekend long = nothing fun for me.

This fever? Comes and goes. It's the weirdest thing. Granted I do see molars coming in but I don't recall that happening with a fever that has spiked every afternoon for three days straight now.

It's just bizarre and makes for a long-ass evening.

Now it's Monday. And to be on the safe side, Motrin is my friend.

Friday, July 17, 2009

I Promise Next Week Will Be Better

Here are my plans for the weekend ...

  • Cleaning. What?
  • Reading Olive Kitteridge (yawn!). **spoiler alert** This character is the kind of person I am not fond of. There are alot of names involved and while I can follow along I feel that I shouldn't have work this hard at remember who they are and how they are connected. I about halfway done. Whee.
  • Tie Together Quilt - I came up with this idea when I was looking at a children's catalog. It was selling a craft kit that had the squares of fabric pre-cut and you tie them. For those who know me, it is like the blankets I made. I have all the squares cut (which cramped my fingers beyond belief) and am happily tying away. Starting too, anyway.
  • I will take pictures. But, don't get too excited, I am crappy at photography these days.
  • The toddler has decided this evening would be a super-fantastic-time to run a 100 degree temp. Stupid molars.
  • Thank goodness for Tylenol. Cherry flavor.
  • I'm off to eat watermelon and pizza!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

And It Made Me Cry ...

I found this in my boy's room. He left out a porceline figure of a yellow finch. He got it at the yard sale we worked at in the spring.

I realize my photography leaves something to be desired (you in the back HUSH).

So I'll translate it.

"Dear Mom and Dad:

I wanted to give you something to remember me by while I'm gone. But Mom* please remember, like a bird I have to leave the nest at some point but unlike most birds I will always come back to the nest.

*and Dad, sorry to leave you out.

P.S. I'm going to miss you and Dad too :-) and remember no matter what I say or do, I love you."

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

One Week Ago ... Today

Because misery loves company .... let's dwell together ... shall we?


Two tiny suitcases. My son let me pack his. I love, love, love the skeleton t-shirt.

My daughter's suitcase I could only pack a couple things, she had to do the rest herself (the nerve!).



A peek inside my son's backpack. That fox has been with him since he was two. Her name is Foxy. She is sitting on top of a couple shreds of his baby blanket, which he tucks into the pillowcase he uses to sleep on at night.



At least with JetBlue I could watch the flight path. It was somewhat comforting.


I stopped at my brother's apartment and he presented me with my people "fix". It took my mind off the kids, for about an hour.



I stocked up. Their rooms? Were pretty smelly.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Everything In Moderation ...

I can't believe it's Monday ... again ... the weekend flies by and before you know it's back to sitting behind a desk, answering phones ... and this week ...

Taking applications. We ran an employment ad on Friday and by the time I left there was plenty of interest. We filled the two slots within minutes ... and now to deal with the rest ...

I have meetings Tuesday and Wednesday nights this week. Thursday we are going to hear a band play, which is fun but work too. There's a long stretch until Friday and if I'm lucky, another weekend with no plans.

I spent my weekend, inside. While it was beautiful and sunny outside, I had much cleaning I wanted to do inside. Cleaning what you ask? Like there could even remotely be a spot in my house that isn't already clean? Cleaning two bedrooms that were long overdue for it. I do mean long people! I can safely say that four trash bags later, lots of dust bunnies, dirty clothes and stinky bedsheets later, the house is certainly smelling better, overall. I am still several loads of blankets and sheets away from being done with the whole thing, but I am loving the freshness.

None of this changes the fact that my babies are so far away from home or the aching in my heart from not seeing them.

I am already tired of hearing how great this is for all of us.

It doesn't feel great at all.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Sunday Stealing: Doing My Own Thing

I didn't feel like doing Sunday Stealing this week. Instead I am going to read you my daughter's favorite, favorite, FAVORITE story. (and that'd be the TEENAGE daughter and not my toddler)

Barney Goes To the Zoo.





Now what do you see when you visit the zoo.





Lots of fun animals looking at you.
.... sorry for the poor photography, clearly I need a better camera ....



Who roars so loud when he's having such fun?


Why it's a big lion, playing out in the sun.
... you'll have to trust me on the lion part ...



The water is spraying. Does it come from a hose?



Surprise! It's an elephant's very long nose.



Who has a long neck and eats leaves from a tree?


It's a pretty giraffe. She's as tall as can be.


It's a white polar bear. Barney's playing with her.
... you'll have to image that too ...


Who's striped black and white and plays hide and seek?

Surprise it's a zebra. Let's all take a peek.



Who has a big hump and long legs when he stands?


It's a tall thirsty camel from a hot desert land.


Who eats bananas and swings through the trees?

It's a friendly brown monkey, so happy is he.
... like you couldn't see that one coming ...

Who's purple and green and has fun at the zoo?

Surprise, it's Barney! he says "I love you."

Friday, July 10, 2009

Here Is What I Have To Say

.... I miss my kids ....

.... I am glad it's Friday ....

.... I am exhausted ....

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

They Are Gone

I woke up at 3 AM today. Dreaming my alarm didn't go off. It was set for 3:30 AM, so I just laid there, thinking about the 45 minute ride to the airport.

By 3:15 AM I was up and in the shower. By 3:30 I was downstairs waking the kids and loading luggage in the car. By 3:40 AM I was back in the kids room, telling them that seriously? They needed to get up.

At 3:45 AM they both appeared, ready to go.

We got to the airport around 5 AM. And much to my surprise, spent the next half hour waiting in line. I was able to get a special pass and go through security.

Little snafu there. The gal who checked us in, somehow missed that I had my toddler with me (how you missing a squirming and loud child, I dunno) so when I got to the gate at security they wouldn't let me and the toddler through.

Seriously.

I had to go back to the Jetblue desk, in a panic (you know because I'm good like that) and get her name written in.

The we could go through. Each of us with our shoes removed. What a joke.

The kids were the last to board and I sat with another mom and we waited for the plane to leave the dock and head to the runway.

We waited even longer to watch the plane take off.

And take off it did. There were eight unaccompanied minors on the flight. The stewardess herded them down the walkway and I could hear her telling them what to do once they got on board.

I miss them already.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Notes To Self

  1. Yelling at the idiot driver in front of you does nothing but encourage your two year old to shout things from the back seat .... like … “go duuuuudddddeeeee” and “the light is green ... duh!”. Try and contain yourself.
  2. Just because your daughter walks next to you with her arms across her chest, insisting she walks like that ALL THE TIME and looking like a freak, does not mean that is the way she really walks. You will see her ten minutes later walking with her friends and swinging her arms, all normal. Sometimes it’s all just a show to make you crazy. Remember that.
  3. Hershey Chocolate Chips are the devil in disguise.
  4. The tree swing is a good thing. Just because the toddler wants to go on it 24/7 does not make it bad. Be nice.
  5. Ants are smart. Keep paper towels and Raid handy so none escape when you spy them on the kitchen counter.
  6. It’s not the dog’s fault that no one takes her out and she ends up peeing on the floor. Deal with it.
  7. Really, your Teenagers will be grateful that you are going the extra mile to make sure that they have those little extras ... like band-aids, a new toothbrush, deodorant, tiny shampoo and conditioners to use while they are away.
  8. Eye rolling is really just how to communicate a "thank you for caring" so be sure to interpret it correctly.
  9. Crying in the shower is really a normal thing, just ask anyone.
  10. And last but not least, worrying in advance does not change a thing, if it happens, it happens.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Sunday Stealing: The "I've Come To Realize" MeMe

1. I’ve come to realize that my chest-size. . . is perfect for me.

2. I’ve come to realize that my job. . . while full of good perks, is not furthering my career.

3. I’ve come to realize that when I’m driving. . . I need better music. Why does every radio station have to talk, talk, talk.

4. I’ve come to realize that I need. . . to work on some projects around the house that I've been ignoring.

5. I’ve come that realize that I have lost. . . my Junior High Yearbook. I am not sure if I care about that fact either.

6. I’ve come to realize that I hate it when. . . my man is pissed about work. It brings me down.

7. I’ve come to realize that if I’m drunk. . . I am not a nice person, therefore, I haven't drank in a really really long time.

8. I’ve come to realize that money... needs to be spent sparingly. (gee it only took me 20 years to figure that one out)

9. I’ve come to realize that certain people. . . just tell everyone about your personal life and that is how it is.

10. I’ve come to realize that I’ll always. . . be a neat freak. So now I just embrace it.

11. I’ve come to realize that my sibling(s). . . is a lost cause. Which makes me wonder if I have any out there, that I don't know about, that aren't.

12. I’ve come to realize that my mom… is a enabler. Big time.

13. I’ve come to realize that my cell phone. . . stresses me out sometimes.

14. I’ve come to realize that when I woke up this morning. . . that I am in a grumpy mood. Must have caffeine.

15. I’ve come to realize that last night before I went to sleep. . . I was majorly annoyed.

16. I’ve come to realize that right now I am thinking. . . that this breeze is awesome, along with the sunny weather.

17. I’ve come to realize that my dad. . . puts up with a lot of wackiness.

18. I’ve come to realize that when I get on Facebook. . . I am addicted to reading about other people who I could care less about.

19. I’ve come to realize that today. . . that I need to get my butt in gear and get the kids stuff in order for their flight on Wednesday at the butt-crack-o-dawn AM.

20. I’ve come to realize that tonight. . . I have no idea what I am making for dinner.

21. I’ve come to realize that tomorrow. . . I have many errands to run to take care of #19.

22. I’ve come to realize that I really want to. . . do more sewing. I like it.

23. I’ve come to realize that the person mostly likely to repost this is. . . no one.

24. I’ve come to realize that life. . . is too damn short to really do everything I'd like to do.

25. I’ve come to realize that this weekend. . . was nice and long and I enjoyed it immensely.

26. I’ve realized the best music to listen to when I am upset. . . is stuff by the band, Drowning Pool.

27. I’ve come to realize that my friends. . . mean alot to me. (okay I've known that all along but I'm tried of analyzing stuff here.)

28. I’ve come to realize that this year. . . is the year of change.

29. I’ve come to realize that me exes. . . helped me develop better relationships as I went along.

30. I’ve come to realize that maybe I should. . . go out and check for my Sunday newspaper.

31. I’ve come to realize that I love. . . chocolate more than anything in the whole world.

32. I’ve come to realize that I don’t understand. . . mean people. How do you get through life being miserable like that?

33. I’ve come to realize my past. . . is very much a part of who I am today.

34. I’ve come to realize that parties. . . are overrated. I don't miss throwing them or going to them AT ALL.

35. I’ve come to realize that I’m totally terrified. . . of spiders. This is nothing new but as I get older they freak me out more and more.

36. I’ve come to realize that my life. . . is pretty darn good. Problems aside.