Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, stepmothers, pet mothers, and the whole village of women who help raise us. Had a lovely weekend with my family celebrating Niece #3's high school graduation. Left the day before cause my Mom is convinced I can't get up early enough or find my way to the high school the day of. Whatever. Left in mid afternoon to arrive early evening cause sister's family has activities and we want to be sure they are home ready to receive guests. Ate at McDonald's and Mom got her first slushy of frozen lemonade. Where ever Mom goes she has to have lemonade and this place had only had the frozen kind with strawberry juice mixed in. They made a non-strawberry lemonade just for her and clerk was confused how to do that. What Mom discovered that it is hard to drink right away until starts to melt. We slept on the sofa bed in the living room. Everybody noticed my hair is shorter. Next morning get ready for celebration and take off to help set up reception at a church. No wild keg parties for this family. Decorated tables and prepared food. Then left church for the ceremony. Met the family at the high school and sat on bleaches way up high. Videoed the entrance march and took photos of the rest. Both valedictorian and salutatorian mentioned by brother-in-law: social studies teacher, speech team, mock trial, softball team, etc. He is quite the character playing 70's rock to the students. Niece was in 4th place on the GPA ratings so didn't make a speech, but top 5 students get all the scholarships. Her 1st year is paid for, now my sister and brother-in-law have to pay room and board. Niece plans to be a middle school/high school math teacher. Funny, I never made it past Algebra II. She loves Dr Who like my brother. Then stood in line for the receiving line outside the school. Eventually I cut in line to take niece's picture and give her a hug. I don't need to shake all 32 hands. Went to reception. Told family about new job prospect and they were so excited I would be quitting my investment job. Actually, no, I'm not quitting my investments job. I think of that as extra money and work what I can since everybody but 3 people run away screaming "I don't want to buy anything". And for some reason people keep reminding me it is a commission job like it is a disease I caught. Yeah, I figured out this is a commission job the first day and done that type of work before. It is not working for free, it is unstable income. Funny nobody cried foul when my tax office job is 100% commission and a retail store job I had once was that way too. Jerks. So finish cleaning up the reception room and go to sister's house. Relax in front of TV and chat. Sister got our Dad's stuff asking if we wanted anything since I said once I wanted Dad's dog tags and couldn't find them. We went over his stripes, ribbons, pocket watches, etc. My Dad never wore a wrist watch, he had pocket watches. I got his dog tags and brother mentioned he found a flight log of Dad's along with the log he kept as a conductor on the railroad. Did Dad fly a plane in the Air National Guard? Mom can't remember, but then she can't remember anything anymore. Sister said that someone said our Grandma mentioned Dad flying planes and stopped when he got married. He would fly over their farm and tip his wings so they would know it was him. Never heard that story before. But then again, my family rarely tell stories. Next morning went out for lunch at a restaurant and waited nearly 2 hours for a table. That's Mother's Day for you. Had to sit by aunt who complained I wasn't talking much. I already declared my good news, nothing else for me to talk about. I know she doesn't want cat stories. I have no money to do fun things. She never comprehends how broke I really am (when I lost my job and almost homeless, she thought I should travel Europe and tell her all about it). She suggested we visit a living history museum in town. Yeah, ok, we can take my little niece #4 to see that again, I took niece there last year for a pioneer wedding. I'm sorry I don't share her enthusiasm viewing something I've seen a dozen times and volunteered 2 seasons there. So finish with cake. Niece #4 begins to cry and refuses to eat her cake because she didn't know where her mommy is. As someone gets up to check the rest room, here she comes wondering what my niece crying about. Isn't she allowed to use the rest room without her? Waiter then asks which man at the table wants the bill. My nephew says he wants to pay the bill. Waiter asks if he was sure cause it was $400. Nephew says he has no money. Waiter says he can work off the bill at a child labor camp. Nephew replies his mommy can pay the bill. So we separate our orders and pay our bill. Hugs and kisses done and drive home. Mom fell asleep half way home. Long 2 hour trip. I got home to pet the cats, fill food dish, change water, scoop the litter, and not a bad mess to clean up. Good cats.

More interviews

Tried a employment verification job to realize it is a call center job so I wear headphones and talk on phone. I can not handle headphones, they hurt my ears. Years ago the airport my car rental was located in put in new speakers because people complained they can't hear pages. New speakers were booming loud and made my ears ring so I couldn't hear my customers. I left the job stating I needed to leave before I go deaf. Worked at a retail store during the Christmas season and returned when heard they turned down the volume of the new speakers. SO came back to my old job. After working 1 day and training 1 and half day for the call center, I quit. After 15 minutes, ears hurt and after 1 hour, had trouble hearing people. Next 5 hours after lunch were hard, but made it through. Continue my retail store job and caught the eye of a customer. Usually I don't date customers since they usually want free things. You may love being used, abused, and tossed away, but I despise people like that. Guy was so impressed I was so nice at my cash register. Yeah, I call it MY JOB. Wonder what would he think of me when I am no longer paid to kiss his butt. Texted his cell phone he gave # to and we texted a couple hours. Met for pizza and he took me to a park I never been to. Very nice park. He got a little frisky saying good-bye and I wasn't ready to make out in the middle of a parking lot. Not much of an attraction so won't be contacting him again. Got first paycheck from financial advisor position for moving Mom's investments around. About time, it's been 2 months and forked out money to apply for all the licenses and set up website. Friend is changing their life insurance so hopefully in a couple months get another installment. I looked forward to my tax office job to give me a bonus to find there is no bonus for me. Bummer. Got another interview at temp agency #3. Agency #2 interview was hard cause she pointed out that I worked sales jobs since college and therefore, must really love sales. How does one explain that I work sales jobs simply because nobody will pay me to do anything else. I just said it made me money. This new gal offered what I was hoping for: loan processing. I will gladly sit in a cubicle typing, faxing, emailing, reading, sorting loan apps into different departments. Told interview gal I wanted to be self supporting, which is hard at $8 and 20 hours a week, and stop standing on my feet for 8 hours (which is hard the body). Making plans for niece's high school graduation the day before Mother's Day. Driving Mom over to the ceremony and having a Mother's Day lunch with the family at a restaurant. Extended family likes to get together. Nothing else to say.

Struggling along

Been struggling to get through life like everyone else. My retail store not releasing the end of tax season only worked me during the usual Saturdays I had fixed during tax season. So I wait for coworkers to give up days (took hours from 3 coworkers). I tried out for a temp agency to get work at a desk so I can quit my retail store job. I noticed all new people working so other coworkers must be finding better jobs. Why not me? Did manage an employment verification job and start tomorrow. I'm excited and nervous. What if I don't like it? What if they don't like me? The usual uncertainties. Also got a call from another temp agency and interview tomorrow. See if they can find something better. Even entry-level job want experience. And here I thought entry-level meant no experience, silly me. I did finish writing and editing my trilogy so happy about that. Been busy summarizing my closet and changing the sheets. I have too many clothes, but I keep changing jobs so don't want to toss anything I might need later. I have no money to keep buying clothes. Frodo had his 7th birthday today. He got tuna juice from the can while I made tuna and noodles. Well, nothing else to report.

End of tax season

Sorry I have not posted since Valentine's Day. Working 6 days a week makes my brain too tired to post. Busy working taxes all week and work in my retail store on Saturdays. Precious had his 7th birthday. Around St Patrick's Day started talking to a male coworker who visited my apartment a few times. Started falling for the guy. I was in the St Pat's Day parade representing my tax office and held the sign for it. Had a partner wanting to walk 2 feet from the float ahead of us. Manager and I explained to get back so people can read the sign. She refused to hear us so I struggled to hold a sign with only a bit of string to wrap around my finger. Very windy and very cold, my hands frozen and nose stuffy. The crowds cried for beads. I was surprised no one demanded candy. It was all Beads! Beads! beads! Then found a friend through a social media site who offers me a job. I need all the help I can get to get back on my feet and stop asking my Mom for money. This new job as financial advisor caused an uproar in my family and my sister determined to make me quit. She even looked up a hate site to see people's complaints about the company to convince me to quit. Even better, she announced that I failed to ask her permission to take this new job. My response was naturally to announce back that I don't need her permission for anything and for the hate site: Every company is going to have complainers. Every retail store I worked for has had angry customers. Forgive me, but I will make my our decisions concerning my life. If sister doesn't like that, then that is too bad. Easter came around and sister believed we were now divorced. Huh, what? Ok, so you don't like my finance job. What has that got to do with an Easter egg hunt for her children? Please don't make me eat all this candy by myself. My family is weird. So we have Easter dinner and egg hunt at my place. Had a great time. Sister even described her real problem with new job. She is worried it is pushy door to door salesmen job. No, I'm not selling vacuums or magazine subscriptions and then take off. Financial advisors go over their long term client's retirement, insurance, investments, to find them the best fit for their money. I do not sell a product and wave good bye to never be seen again. Hoping family has calmed down, I start working on plans for my niece's graduation and Dad's tombstone on Memorial Day. There is no recognition of his military service on his tombstone and I want to change that. Mom thinks because he wasn't in combat that he was not a "real" veteran. He was "real" enough to get a pension and she signed up for widow's benefits when he died. Now have to file paperwork that needs Mom's signature. Hope she cooperates. Otherwise have to wait until she passes to get Dad's military service recognition. Getting the silent treatment from my family now. Even worse Mr Wonderful got fired from his job and he stopped talking to me too. Oh well, it is nice while it lasted. Can't get ahold of my sister to return her tables and chairs to her that I borrowed for Easter. Oh well, eventually she's got to get over it and forget about it. I've been busy looking for extra income any way I can. Retail store is not giving out hours very willingly. Drake Relays is coming up so they will need people then. Oh well, what can I do? My life is same as usual.

Happy Valentine's Day

Have a great Valentine's Day Everybody. Been busy at the tax office and dealing with snow storms. Had interesting customers come in to the tax office ready to defraud the government, but I'm not willing to go to jail for them. My tax classes prepared me in tax law, but not how to deal with clients wanting to write their own rules. We had married people say they are single and single people saying they are still married to their ex. The most interesting is when a parent wants to claim adult children as dependents forever cause they always have claimed them. Then we have the people who cry about our prices, but then technically we are not holding them prisoner either. You want everything for free, then do it yourself. Naturally my favorite are the people who are happy their big refunds and I tell them not to spend it all in one place. On the home front, cats are doing well watching the birds and squirrels. Frodo lunged for a squirrel on the balcony and then came back inside hissing. Must been a mean squirrel. Precious keeps getting tangles in his fur and have top brush him regularly. My retail store is doing fine without me. The first week away from the store, I came back to forget my password and locker combo. Wrote it down so won't forget it again. Still working hard on my last novel. One more chapter and I'm done. Now what should be in the last chapter? So many tales spinning in my head. Well, nothing else to report.

1st tax return

Been doing practice tax returns out of a book for a couple weeks now. Today they let me do my 1st return, supervised of course. Lady had an unmarried couple so she took the girlfriend and I took the boyfriend. Boyfriend worked in several states so typed in his stuff to a point and then other Expert person would finish it. I was so excited to do my 1st return, until I shook his hand and then I was a deer in headlights. What do I say, What do I do? Got through it and turns out Expert needed more time to do all these states (my state does tax deductions if you pay income taxes in other states) so he would come back later to collect the paperwork and sign to file the return. Need to work on conversation. Very hard to practice conversation when reading problems in a book. Working up the ladder. In other news: Heard people working on the roof this month when it was warmer. The ceiling has not leaked yet so hopefully that has finally been fixed. Noise scared the cats so much they hid under the bed instead of eating their breakfast. Poor kitties. Cleaned 5 fish tanks in one day. I have remember not to get so fish next time. That is what I get for having a indecisive brain. Worked on my Valentine cards and ready to send out. Got to write a letter to 2 aunts, they don't have email. Well nothing else to talk about. Later.

1st official day

Had my 1st official day at work in the tax office. Got the grand tour of where things are. Got to work on practice returns. Took a lunch break to visit the gas station next door. I wonder if they let you refill your cup or make you buy a new one. The tax person I was practice my customer skills with was a talker so a 20 minute return took almost an hour. And then there was the skip this, skip that. How am I to learn what to say if we are skipping things. Then the receptionist announced she went to lunch. 2 hours later, tax person checks the schedule to find her shift was over. Why did she say lunch if she was going home and staying there? So didn't get much practice in since we were answering the phone every 2 minutes. Most callers wanted the secretary. Sorry, have to take a message. Another newbie came so we sat and did our practice returns. She said her 1st day, they left her completely alone. She struggled answering the phone and making appointments (unsure if she did them right). She didn't get any practice returns done. Even better, when time came for tax person to leave, relief didn't come. She calls the manager. Person not coming so this person had to work another 2 and half hours so we newbies were not alone. Her relief comes and I finish up to go home. I was ready to go home.

Les Miserables

Went to the theater to see The Hobbit cause a friend saw it the other day so knew it was still in the theaters (couldn't go during the Christmas season). I was an hour late for the last matinee so looked for something else to inspire me. It is my resolution to finish my damn novel (few chapters more and I'm done) and badly need a movie to turn the gears of my imagination. It always works. I saw Les Miserables opening Christmas day was still playing so check the times. Movie was starting in a minute. I saw the play in Chicago during a high school chorus trip and how could any teen forget the night in the balcony looking for Oprah, who friends saw by the stage. I can't recall if I saw here, but I look at 200 faraway faces trying to find her. Bought my ticket, hot dog, popcorn, and pop. I should not have bought food. Hour in and had to pee, but I didn't want to miss anything. This was good. I was surprised at the lack of opening credits, or maybe my brain just missed them. I recognized Russell Crowe off the bat though Hugh Jackson I had to stare at to recognize. Another bad guy role for Mr. Crowe. He harmonized his songs well though more spoken than sung without any passion. I didn't really believe him evil at first. At the end where he sings to himself about to commit suicide over doing a good thing, I finally saw the passion I was looking for and believed his character was so evil he couldn't handle giving compassion to a law breaker. Hugh Jackman was good as the hero of the tale and sang well. Like an opera this movie is all singing. Some people hate that, but I rather like it. Very passionate and sympathetic character. He is just a man trying to live a good life, but his criminal past won't allow that to happen. I cried when his character died. Anne Hathaway was amazing and sang like an opera diva (maybe dubbed, who knows). I loved her solo on dreams (how it suits my life) with so much passion I felt for her character. Her character was the victim of others and was only trying to survive to take care of her daughter. Though the story had a male as the one who fires her, it was a female in the book. She is the reason I made a note in my head when this movie came out. I'm only sorry I missed her in Batman as Catwoman. I cried when she died too. This is a very sad story and need a tissue to watch. Though I was rather confused at the prostitutes, they sang about pretty ladies when they looked like clowns with bad make- up and messy hair. Helen Bonham Carter was hilarious. Even as a villain I can't help but laugh (even as evil Bellatrix Lestrange). Her singing was more speaking than melody, but I was too busy enjoying her stealing from her customers (and her customers never figure this out?) to pay that close attention. I did notice sunglasses in 3 scenes and thought it out of place, but what movie is historical accurate. The infamous barricade scene was covered with handsome guys I look forward to seeing again in other movies. I'm a sucker for cute blonds even though they are too young for me. Very exciting to watch. I forget the king they were fighting against (history major who took a college course on history of France). Restoration put Louis XVI's brothers back on the throne, then Duke of Orleans as Louis-Phillipe, and then Napoleon III overthrew whoever to be Emperor, and was overthroned by the French and escaped to England under sanctuary of Queen Victoria. Then French Republic after that. Anyway, awesome to watch a biography of people in French history. I give it 5 stars. I like this better than the play in Chicago. In fact, I loved the name Cosette so much I wrote in my list of names I keep for story characters after viewing the play.

37 things about me

A friend wrote 38 facts about herself in honor of her birthday. My birthday was last September turning 37, so I give 37 things about me. 1 Angelina Jolie and Drew Barrymore were born the same year I was. 2 My favorite flavor is butterscotch. 3 My celebrity crush is Brad Pitt. 4 I was almost kidnapped twice, age 5 at a mall and age 11 in my backyard. 5 I like to sing to myself whether people or cats want to listen to it. 6 I have 2 cats and 11 fish. 7 I wanted a dog since I was a kid and held my aunts' dogs close to my heart. 8 I have had asthma since junior high. 9 I love ballet and skateboarding more than anything, and gave both up when I went to college. 10 I have a Bachelors of Science degree in Liberal Studies with a History Major. 11 My childhood hero is Madonna because she never apologized for being herself. 12 I met Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue when I hit him with a door when leaving a gift shop (my friend Ryan nearly fainted when I presented his autograph on a postcard for him). 13 I almost married a man trying to prove he wasn't gay and my sister talked me out of it (she said I didn't love him). 14 I never worked a job I truly loved and just did it for money (and nobody else would hire me). 15 My wildest dreams as a kid was to be an actress or astronaut. 16 My wildest dreams as an adult is to come home to a family living in a house. 17 I could not whistle until I wore a retainer at age 12-13. Now I can whistle 2 notes. 18 I could never be a vegan, I hate vegetables. 19 I have angels around my apartment to remind me that lost loved ones are not so far away. 20 I painted my own Christmas village. 21 I love the sound of a guitar because a grandma used to play one. 22 I once ate lunch by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France and saved the Coke can printed in French. And if return, I want to see Versailles. 23 I save ticket stubs to movies, plays, concerts, etc. 24 I hum music from Georges Bizet's "Carmen" when I cook, put up decorations, etc. 25 I collect coins and oldest one is from 1908. 26 My favorite cartoon is Calvin and Hobbes cause I was a kid with a wild imagination. 27 I may claim to be an atheist, but refuse to give up candy canes and chocolate eggs. 28 I put vanilla, cinnamon, & powdered sugar in my French toast milk and eggs mixture. 29 I like wearing high heels to feel taller. 30 My favorite song of all time is Pour Sugar on Me by Def Leppard. 31 I talk to my cats and fish. They stare back at me. 32 I like to paint landscapes, but terrible at portraits. 33 I never learned to ride a bicycle. 34 I enjoy dressing up in costumes for Halloween. 35 If my jobs (or family) didn't forbid it: I would have pink hair. Or dark purple. 36 I let my cats eat people food off my plate. 37 I am the master of weird dreams.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everybody. My resolution this year is try to make more money. Wait, I've been doing that for 2 years since I lost my good job. Ok, new resolution will be to blog more often so I don't forget things when working on my end of the year Christmas letter. This blog comes in handy. Friends and family are amazed how detailed my letter is and how I remember ALL this stuff. I don't remember it all, I write it down as I go along. Start tax preparation this month for a good company. My work friends went here so I never knew there were other companies that did taxes for people. My training ends this week and then wait for the offices to open. They can't open until IRS says they can. Got business cards ordered and tax preparer number. I'm ready. Return week at my retail store has killed my back from bending over for sacks so much. A week after Christmas and crowds never waned. Lots of clearance shoppers. And yes, I love clearance shoppers cause we got to make room for incoming stuff. Spring is here with sherbet colors and Valentine candy too. So I will be spending my days off relaxing my poor back and attempt to finish trilogy for my nieces. A couple more chapters and I'm done. Couldn't work on it during the Christmas season. That is a good resolution, finish my damn novel. Well out of things to talk about. Have a great new year. Mine is good so far.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everybody. I have been busy with work at my retail store and training for tax job. Sorry I haven't blogged much. Got the apartment ready for my mom, brother, and sister's family to spend xmas day here. Cat Frodo hid the whole time. Cat Precious explored the visitors. Only my nephew petted him. Poor kitty, he wants attention so bad. He spent the day in his cat tower and on the tree skirt. Sister commented how she didn't know the cat was a present. Had a lovely dinner with my acrylic plates, bowls, and cups. I don't have fine china so I have fancy plastic. Everyone learned last holiday dinner how limited my counter space is so less choices, but plenty to eat. Got a video camcorder from Santa and filmed opening of the gifts. I had to apologize to everyone for getting the wrong size (they weren't with me when I shopped). When nephew showed displeasure at his stuffed reindeer, I offered to donate it to charity. Had leftovers for supper and played my music box decorations while we ate. Niece's favorite was animals going down a snowy hill playing the Danube Waltz. Washed 3 dishwasher full loads and ran out of soap. Can't do next load til I go shopping again. Now overnight guest (my brother) from last night is still here and watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Leaving tomorrow. Got to get online education for tax job done at the tax office, and then work all day and night at the retail store. If my new computer would operate correctly with the online courses, I could have done all that at home by now. But no, it doesn't cooperate so have to go in personally. At retail store we begin return season that goes to new year's day. Then slow season with few shoppers and no coupons customers demand when they check out. Well, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Week in review

Biggest excitement was when we got new floor mats at the cash registers. If you stood for 8 hours, you will do a happy dance for new floor mats too. Computers at work keep breaking down. We reboot, and reboot, and reboot, but still they fail after a while. Today 4 out of 9 went down and we considered sending people home early since they had no machine to work on. Luckily repair guys came. We were so happy to see them. Occupied with watching xmas movies. A Christmas Story, The Grinch, Family Stone, Meet Me in St Louis, A Christmas Carol, Love Actually. Saw It's a Wonderful Life and Christmas Vacation on TV. Busy wishing customers a Merry Christmas. Some wish me a Happy Holiday back. Others thank me for using the word Christmas instead of Holiday. I tried saying Happy Holidays last year and customers got mad, SO Merry Christmas it is. Got to make customers happy. I volunteered to host xmas day dinner. Happy dance. I love hosting. I don't know why my family hates hosting. Cleaning, baking, and setting a proper table are fun for me. I get to stay home and everybody comes to me. Well, can't think of anything else.

Busy, busy

We already had Black Friday so why my retail store was super busy today with lines at the registers is beyond me. Even after our time-limited sale ended, we still had lines. Oh well. Enjoying my xmas movie dvds and have a cat on my lap every night. Got my first xmas card from my brother. Got my cards sent out and gifts wrapped earlier this week on a day off. Even set out a xmas package. I had to go to the post office to get my Black Friday online order anyway so save me another trip there. Guess I'll be hosting xmas day dinner in 17 days. Sister will be traveling the days before and don't wish to stress my mom about the menu. Yeah, mom doesn't know I have 11 Beta fish. There is a reason I haven't told her, the expense will make her mad at me. Plan to invite brother too. Unsure if a faraway aunt wants to drive over here. Besides she hates my cats, though my sister's cats are okay. Getting ready to start my training next week. Paid training too. I just hope nothing goes wrong cause I really need more income. Deep in debt and below the poverty line is very stressful. Anyway, better get going. Merry Xmas.

Xmas Letter 2012

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends. My New Year started with a spring-like winter. Spent days off babysitting and working on my novel. Few more chapters and I will be done with the trilogy for my nieces. We finally saw a snowstorm called thunder snow when lightening occupancies snow (rare event). There is always a snowstorm during the basketball tournament you know. My retail store needed to get rid of coats and boots. Precious and Frodo celebrated their 6th birthdays (about 40 in cat years). Farmers planted early and battled spring frosts. I tried to grow flower seeds this year. We had a stifling drought during the Dog Days of Summer. My poor flower leaves were scorched black in the heat. Watered them every night to turn them back to green. Did manage to get a few flower blossoms, but learned to plant grown flowers next time. Took niece and nephew to see The Lorax, Egypt exhibit, bowling, and local mall’s Family Fun Nights. One night Tinkerbell was there and took Niece’s picture with her. Any time I give to my sister to clean her house or run errands without kids around is time well spent. Hosted Easter dinner with egg hunt in apartment courtyard. Took Mom and sister to visit Dad’s tombstone and to the Dexter cemetery (Mom’s side). Two nieces had their dance recitals on the same day. Got off work just in time to go to local niece’s that performed Giselle where she played the dawn and later her tap dance. Took Niece and Nephew to my apartment pool and splashed them good (they started it). Figured out a new computer system at work without instructions and then taught others the system. One look at the new screen sent coworkers screaming for help. Watched the Urbandale 4th of July parade and fireworks. Took faraway niece, local niece, and nephew to the amusement and water park. Celebrated Nephew’s 8th birthday at a pizza place and played games with the kids. Saw a pioneer wedding at a living history museum with niece and visited Women in Baseball exhibit explaining women played sports in dresses before grandma was born. Niece’s favorite part was when a pig shook mud onto my hand. Took sister and niece to a Star Party in a park to see a meteor shower, but too cloudy to see so just watched Spaceballs on an outdoor screen until niece got tired. Walked the Iowa State Fair with brother-in-law, niece, and nephew. Cousins gave us a new family addition, Henry Campbell. Took niece and nephew to the zoo to ride the new carousel and see the new sea lion pool. Niece decided to quit dance and start gymnastics after watching the Olympics. We had a family reunion at Mom’s cousin’s house in Dexter. I started a tax preparer class at a company in hope of making extra money next year. Found out I got the job just as my computer broke down. Start my training this month. Now I have 2 jobs like everyone else. Celebrated Niece’s 9th birthday at home with family. I played the Beatles Birthday song for her. When guests were leaving we took the kids to see Santa, ride the train, and see the Chocolate Moose we couldn’t find at the Iowa State Fair. Here it was decorated for Christmas at the mall. Went to sister’s house for Thanksgiving and took a nap to prepare for my Black Friday midnight shift. While I slept, the kids helped put up lights on the house and I saw the finished work. My shift wasn’t that bad, but then I wasn’t standing in line. Will be having a family Christmas (Mom’s side) at Mom’s retirement home again. People like those large gathering rooms with kitchenettes. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Meow Year Love Always Jordan Precious Frodo

Happy Dance

Got a new job today that is seasonal so for a while I get to have 2 jobs like everyone else. Maybe I can get out of this poverty hole I'm stuck in. Amazing how people beg you stay with them, but never give you a reason to stay. I'm sorry I rather have a raise than free donuts.

Lovely weekend

Black Friday midnight opening wasn't as bad as feared. I wore mismatched clothes and too tired to care. Highly organized manager helps. Lines circled around the store and customers claimed hour and half wait. One customer had a return. Store doesn't do returns on Black Friday. This day is an exception to the rules: nothing honored, nothing held, no rainchecks, and top lady will say that to customers' faces. Went home aftershift and ordered my things online. I ain't waiting no hour line (8 hours at my cash register is enough). Then coupon I have is In Store Only and b4 1 PM. We'll see how long I nap. Nap was 2 hours so plenty time to shop. Grabbed a cat bracelet I had my eye on and stood in jewelry. They had 2 lines, 1 to view locked up jewelry and 2 to purchase jewelry. Heard a lady complain that she had been standing in line for 45 minutes and asked what she was in line for. I amazed it took her 45 minutes to ask this question. I think I was in line 30 minutes b4 my purchase. Then went to get quarters and gas. Went home to do laundry and put up more xmas decorations. Worked on cleaning the bathroom. Confused cats over coming and going so much, it will be good to go back to routine. Saturday got up well rested and go to work with runny nose. Figured I got a cold. By lunch lost my appetite. Then upset stomach came so afraid to eat anything. Try to get through work and coworkers say I appear unwell. When felt like vomit was coming, I asked to go home. Ate something 4 hours after got home when stomach got better, and feel sick again. This will be a great diet if I can't eat. Spent rest of night relaxing with From Paris With Love. I think I'm addicted to this movie. Today I get up and short time later, sirens scare the cats. The fire engine parks in front of my apartment. I smell nothing and heard nothing so must be a medical emergency. I heard their bootsteps on the ground floor. Hope neighbor is ok. Now relaxing in front of TV.

Happy Thanksgiving

Sorry haven't been blogging lately, I just figure nobody is reading my blog so why bother. But then, I need to work on my Christmas letter for this year so better get cracking on this to remember what all happened this year. I started a tax preparation class for a company in October and finsihed last week. I did my interview. I as so busy with classes and work so I had to stop writing on my novel. That was torture. Ideas flowed through my head like a river, but had no time to wrie them down. After Final Exam, I took a few hours to write a page. Did a lot of research on ancient cultures of the world and go through myths for ideas. Halloween was another work day. I wore cat ears headband, everybody enjoyed it. I live in an apartment so no Trick or treaters for me. Niece had her ninth birthday party at home. Enjoyed visiting with sister's in-laws and Mom's cousin. I played the Beatles Birthday song for niece, which upset the grown ups wanting to chat. Sorry. Had a lovely time and then as guests were leaving, I took niece and nephew to see the Chocolate Moose that was at the Iowa State Fair. Now it is in a mall right by Santa Claus. Niece and nephew visited Santa and rode the Christmas train. Then went home. And today is Thanksgiving. Going to sister's house. I work at midnight for Black Friday so I am not hosting anything. Fed the cats turkey. Nothing else to report.

Family reunion

Fall is here

Fall is here. More than one way. It's cold, leaves are turning colors, my Christmas cactus is sprouting new leaves, and we lost a coworker. This person had a problem with arriving to work. We waited for the axe to drop and fell it did when managemet had enough. We don't feel sorry for him. Had a squirrel visit my apartment. It was hungry for the peanuts by my door. 2 cats stared at it in bewilderment and looked at me as if asking what to do. 4th visit, Precious cat got off the couch and stalked, then pounced, the squirrel I finally got a photo of it to show my friends. I know nobody reads this blog, but I'll put it up here too. Just in case. Been busy troubleshooting this computer from a bad connection. Also scrubbing a black stain from the leaky ceiling spilling in new places and soaked the carpet. Soaked carpet absorbed into the wood storage drawers and my sweatshirts stunk of mildew. Where the drawers were is a black stain. Washed the clothes and bought plastic drawers to hold my clothes. Scrubbed carpet to turn black into gray. I can handle gray. What else. My sister got defensive over a comment I made in a general mail to email pals. I never mentioned her so have to ask what exactly upset her. See her Sunday at family reunion. Yes, we have a family reunion in the fall. Mama's cousin in Virginia is coming so had to wait for her arrival. Been taking a tax preparer class tohope get a better job when my retail store is dea after xmas. I can work 1 day a week at retail store and rest at tax prepare place. Cats love the cool air, 50 degrees is their perfect temperature. I bought new skirts to show off my fashion boots when I work. Look strange with dress pants. Well, no more to say.

Hi again

Hey there. Sorry I haven't been blogging for a month. Not much happening. August 15 was my sister and husband 25th Anniversary. They took a 2nd honeymoon to Niagara Falls. Went shopping for new baby and Mom freaks I bought too much. Anything more than 1 outfit is too much. I got extra discounts so more than 1 outfit was desired. Took niece and nephew to the zoo and had a great time. Then returning home my sister flips out I bought them toys when she said no more. Sorry, sister neglected to inform me of that. Sister accuses kids of taking advantage of my kindness and shuns me for spending money them when Mom is supporting me. Excuse me, my sister failed to give me money for our zoo tickets. Well, I'm not babysitting for free anymore if sister is going to get angry every time I take her kids anywhere. Kids started school so hopefully sister won't ask for weekend babysitting since I work weekends. She tends to forget that fact. So faraway aunt who desperately wanted to visit for my birthday actually failed to visit on my birthday. On my birthday, I sat alone with 2 cats in my apartment and watched TV all day. I know that is as close to a vacation I'm going to get. Instead, it was a Labor Day weekend visit. She saw the new baby (I worked so couldn't come along) and we had a birthday dinner at a fast food place w/out cake cause kids were being punished for bad behavior. Happy Birthday to me. My retail store hired a bunch a people for the Back to School Season. New people had issues coming to work. Funny, they were kept on the schedule instead of removed so we were short on employees needed to do a job well done. They kept dropping like flies and hardly any are left. Now the upcoming Christmas season coming, they are interviewing people again. Hope they get more reliable new people this time. Ceiling leaking every time it rains continues. Painters came to cover water damage on the ceiling. My cat Frodo was in the cat tower when they arrived. He scared the painters when he meowed and jumped down. He hid under the couch for 3 hours. I looked everywhere for him. Had to pet him to reassure him that it was safe to come out. Found a coupon for a discount at a coming circus. Niece and nephew don't really like stinky animals and think anything that is not TV is boring. So won't be going. What a shame. Thought of joining a gym to exercise since I sprained my ankle last May and muscles need exercising. Costs too much so will stay in my living room. Much cheaper. But then every time I stretch my ankles, my sore ankle hurts for days. Doesn't help that my job requires standing on my feet 8 hours (not allowed to sit down). Have to stop eating turkey sandwiches. My cat Precious pulled the lunchmeat right out from between the bread slices. Once it hits the cat hair covered carpet, I'm not sure I want it back. Now Frodo has to join the feast. Took Frodo to the vet for his annual shots. He hissed his protest being poked in the butt and vet was afraid of him. Explained he is always like this, just scruff him. He is in good health at 14.9 lbs. Found out niece has quit ballet and started gymnastics after watching the Olympics. She is 9 and can't do a cartwheel so she better learn fast is she's to become another Gabby Douglas. Had a coworker drive by my apartment complex and saw me walking my dog. I had to explain that was my cat. Precious is so big (21.7 lbs) that people often think he is a dog. Got our xmas stuff out in my retail store. And yep, people are buying xmas ornaments and picture frames. No trees gone through the cash registers yet. I'm not ready for xmas. If you have not fallen asleep yet then I will conclude that I recently bought Halloween greeting cards for my family and preparing them to be mailed atthe 1st of October. Early bird gets to cuter cards. Later.