Jury duty experience

Finally got my 1st jury summons. Ugh. Last thing I want to do is sit through a boring trial. Got a delay because I'm a student. So go in and selected for a civil case. Ok, don't have to decide if someone goes to jail. I can live with that. So go through the jury selection and too high on the list to be excused without question. Dammit, dammit, dammit. I tried everything I found on the internet to avoid getting picked and I get picked. The only question I got into was if I was in a civil suit before. I said I had a worker's compensation case. Lawyer said that's not a civil case, that's a worker's compensation case. Ok, so I'm not a lawyer. So receive pens and paper to take notes. My pen doesn't work so grab one out of my purse when opening statements are done. Lunch is coming so hurry and write what I remember to ignore judge speech before leaving. Return and Plaintiff witnesses are questioned. Worst witness testimony I ever heard. Sympathy card of falling down on ice and fracturing a bone was all the Plaintiff had. No evidence of negligence on Defendant's part. Evidence: Plaintiff's medical records of injury, pain and suffering endured, weather reports of prior weeks and day of fall reports, and witnesses of people living at residence community where fall took place who suddenly got amnesia when cross-examined. Go home and return next day. Day two brought the Defendant's witnesses. Better witness testimony, but some memory was fuzzy. Emails and invoices of snow removal given as evidence. Defense strategy was Plaintiff was tipsy when left residence and defendant has no control over Iowa winters. Defendant brought further evidence of a meeting of board of directors in charge of the residence community that took place shortly before the fall addressing complaints brought up by residents. Plaintiff is viewed as causing their own fall. Plaintiff is recalled as a witness. The only testimony offered is the amount of pain and suffering the person endured. That's it, a sympathy card is all they have to offer, no evidence how the Defendant is responsible for the fall, 100% of Woe to Me? Closing arguments given and we don't get the free lunch we were advised of the day before because the judge has some legal stuff to discuss with the parties. So we leave for lunch we have to pay for. Return and give jury instructions. Since we can't give weather a responsibility we can only choose percent of responsibility. Instructions: If Plaintiff is held 50% or more responsible then they get nothing. If Plaintiff is held less than 50% responsible, then amount of money awarded is deducted that percent. We have to determine % of fault and amount awarded, if any. So off to the secluded room to deliberate. We agree both are at fault. Most of us state if we had been the in the Plaintiff's position that we would not have sued at all. We discuss holes and indecision of both parties so much testimony is ignored cause witnesses can't get their stories straight. Elected Foreperson and they suggest and half agree at 50-50 fault, other half is silent. But, oh, Foreperson who suggested 50-50, suddenly reads the Plaintiff gets nothing if we rule 50-50, so they change their mind to 60-40. But, oh, the amount rewarded is reduced 40% if we say that so Foreperson changes it to 80-20. We agree on 75-25 in favor of Plaintiff. Now the money, everybody questions how to place an amount of suffering and pain. Foreperson was once in accident and got a huge settlement, but can't recall what it was. Ignoring the evidence and going by sympathy alone, the jurors balk at me tossing out numbers, 100, 1000, 5000. Half are ready to award the price of a house to the Plaintiff. Ok, I'm not ready to bankrupt a company over a bone fracture so mention that this is not equal to the car wreck the foreperson suffered, it is a fracture injury and got better after physical therapy. Half agree with me and one states Plaintiff can have their medical expenses, but doesn't want to give more than that (I agree with them). We are ignored by the other half wanting to give this Plaintiff a fortune so they never have to work again and question what if the Plaintiff has to have surgery in the future, which was not part of the evidence. Even better, the ones worried about surgery over a fracture are in the medical field. I'm sorry, but if surgery was not suggested in the past 2 years since the fall, I don't think they will in the future. I comment how the Plaintiff has won the lottery with us. I am ignored. So one on my half states the amount of a luxury car, no more than that. That is agree on after they figure of how much the Plaintiff gets after their 25% deduction (by which I might add was something in the instructions we were not suppose to do). I comment how the Plaintiff is getting a jackpot and neglect to mention how much of the Plaintiff award will go to her lawyer (we have no idea if this is a by hour fee or pro bono where they take 40% of the reward)since that should not be a factor either. I am ignored. I mention Defendant can appeal our decision and ignored again. We all agree so we can leave and not return tomorrow. Return to courtroom to give our verdict and state we all agree to it. Go home. In conclusion, I just want to say how people who claim they would not have sued over a similar incident are so eager to give a jackpot to an opportunist who can't get their story straight (we agreed on this), hid evidence (ignored subpoenas so we agreed on this), and suffered a little bone fracture (in the medical records and we agreed on this). Very surreal experience.

Christmas letter 2014

Merry Christmas to my dearest friends and family. My new year started badly losing my job to India. Then, Beta fish Aphrodite died. Next my new ferret Eowyn went missing for a week. Losing hope she would come back, I got another girl ferret named Arwyn for my boy Faramir who had stopped eating. The very next day, I got Eowyn back from the shelter down the street. The three amigos adored each other and pounced each other. Baby Arwyn loved to play with squeaky toys. Soon Disney came out with a new movie “Frozen” based off the Snow Queen and I took niece and nephew to it. Niece became addicted to the movie to drive nephew crazy every time she played it or sang the songs. Faramir celebrated his 1st Birthday. With snow drifting on my balcony, Faramir dug tunnels for the girls. They were quite sad when the tunnels melted. Lost more fish: Calliope, Posiedon, Demeter, and Zeus in rapid succession. My fish reached their old age about the same. I had them about four years. Then lost new baby ferret Arwyn and to date never found her. Cats Precious and Frodo celebrated their 8th Birthdays. Now I have a couple of middle aged men living with me. They still play, but not as much as they used to. Got a job at the local mall at the Easter Bunny studio and Train Station. I took photos and ran the train. A few days I played the Easter Bunny. Had Easter dinner at sister’s house. Later in the month, I got a job at the local amusement park in the cash control area. Met lots of retirees and interns. Attended a niece’s college graduation with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She began her Master’s studies this Fall. Had Mother’s Day lunch at my aunt’s house with my Mom and my sister’s family. Then had dinner with Mom at my other sister’s house. Brother introduced his new girlfriend to us this summer. They visited my amusement park and had a good time. Took Mom and sister to the cemeteries on Memorial Day. Watch my nephew play in a Little League game. He got the game ball by hustling in the last inning. Took sister’s family to my amusement park twice this summer. First time it rained half the time so we had to have a do-over. Second time was very windy and cold. Too much rain this year cooling off the temperatures. Weird, last year we had a drought and this year we have floods. At least I didn’t have to run the A/C as much, animals love fresh air. The family had the annual family reunion at my Mom’s retirement place. We celebrated my Mom’s and Aunt’s birthday. Attended my 20th High School Reunion. Had a good time listening to a band and chatting with fellow classmates. Saw a 4th of July parade in town and watched fireworks at my amusement park. Having no answer when asked, “What will you do when the amusement park closes for the season?” that I researched possible office occupations. I decided to return to college to get an associate degree in accounting. Got an A in high school accounting class so it is something I'm capable of. Using my coursework from last time I was in college, I will simply take my accounting classes and finish in a year. I set up an internship with my amusement park manager and look forward to completing my studies. Hopefully with taking classes as I work, I can earn enough credits to take the CPA exam so I can get a job anywhere. Wouldn’t that be awesome? Lost more fish: Persephone, Thalia, and Hermes after a few months with me. On the plus side, niece got engaged to plan a wedding for 2016. Went to the State Fair and finished the day with a Styx/Foreigner concert in the evening. Nephew loves Styx so only right it be his first concert. Started my college classes and celebrated my birthday with Mom and sister’s family at a fancy restaurant. Went out to a pumpkin patch and corn maze with sister’s family. Niece and nephew were ready for me to buy the biggest pumpkin around. I told them if they could carry it to the car, then I would buy it. Started a work study job as an office assistant to an economics professor. Learning lots from him that will be useful in the future. He loves my creative side full of history knowledge to aid in his online course presentations. Celebrated ferret Eowyn's 1st birthday and missed ferret Arwyn on her 1st birthday. Took niece and nephew out for Beggar’s Night as Frozen’s “Elsa” and the Grim Reaper. Niece had a “Frozen” theme birthday at my Mom’s retirement place and wore her Halloween costume. Started working at the mall with their Santa photo studio and run the train ride again. Meeting lots of people. Spent Thanksgiving at sister’s house. Finally got my Aunt from Omaha over here for a holiday. I have been inviting her years saying she is always welcome and so happy when she took me up on the standing invitation. Extended Family Christmas will be at my Mom’s retirement place. Family loves these conference rooms with a kitchenette. Next year start jury duty before returning for my 2nd semester in college continuing my work study job. I have signed up to volunteer to do taxes for students on campus. I'm actually good at taxes. Then my summer internship starts and finally graduation in August. Hopefully I can find a good job with my growing experience. So I will wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Love always, Jordan Harvey Cats-Precious, Frodo Ferrets-Faramir, Eowyn, (Arwyn-MIA) Fish-Apollo, Dionysis, Canace, Selene, Artemis

Autumn update

Celebrated my nephew's 10th birthday in August. In honor of his birthday, he, my brother-in-law, and I saw a Styx concert since he fell in love with the band. It was at the State Fair so after walking around and enjoying rides, we finished the day with the concert. Began my college classes to learn to be an accountant. I celebrated my birthday with my Mom and sister's family in a fancy restaurant. Sister insists on having a party next year to celebrate my 40th birthday. I'm not that old already, am I? One class had a charity project connected to it so helped raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House. I got put in charge of social media and marketing. I'm full of ideas. Went out for Trick or Treating with niece and nephew as Princess Elsa from Frozen and the Grim Reaper. Started a work study job with a professor of economics as his assistant. I'm learning lots from him and he is grateful he picked a creative genius who is an avid researcher. Christmas will soon be upon us and the local mall Santa Station is up and I'm working for the mall again. Will be spending Thanksgiving with family and putting up my Christmas decorations.

Summer update

Not much happening this summer to write about. Took sister and mother to cemeteries on Memorial Day. Went to Dad's grave on Father's Day. Took sister's family to my amusement park where I work this summer to wait out 2 rain storms to shut down new ride. Sister says we will go again in hope new ride will be open next time. New ride was open next time and they got in line. Nephew was too short so I took him elsewhere. When returned to the new ride asking how it was, niece cries how they shut it down due to high winds while they were in line. Have to wait next year. It was so windy that day I bought a jacket from being cold. We visited the water park half and I mostly sun bathed. Niece and nephew played in the water to return shaking from cold. Had a our family reunion and got a heavy cold shoulder. I wrote on a social site how it was good to know how people really feel hearing it from other people to include that when these people loose everything then they may criticize me for borrowing money from mother. I told mother I will gladly move into a tent and live on my grandpa's farm that she owns if it made everybody happy. She rejected the idea immediately. I'm sorry that I cannot force employers to hire me and pay me well. What do they expect me to do for money, start robbing banks? I don't think I would be any good at that and have no desire to go to jail. Attended my 20th High School Reunion. Guy had it has his farm and a band sang in the garage. Had to leave early to get to work in the morning. Got introduce to a prestigious whiskey and liked it a lot. People had to grab the bottle away from me before I puked. I have to share ya know. Took brother and new girlfriend to amusement park. She is full of allergies and phobias. I never seen my brother so happy before it is refreshing. Hope it works out. Worked on the 4th of July so saw parade with sister's family and saw fireworks at my amusement park. They do a good job and we took turns looking out the door for a few minutes to return to working. We all seen fireworks before. Unsure what I am going to do when the amusement park closes for the season, I got to researching office work I could do. I decided to go into accounting and get an associate degree. Hopefully I finish next year (with student loan) and get a job that pays enough to live off of. I told mother I don't need to rich to be happy, just paying my own bills without begging for money would make me happy. Besides, they give me 10 years at low interest to pay it back and student loan interest gives me a tax deduction so boo hoo for me. I hope for the best for me. Still have a ferret MIA and don't think the one who has her is going to turn her in to her microchip can be scanned and facility contacts me to pick her up. It's been 6 1/2 months. All for now.

The Graduate and Mother's Day

Niece #2 has graduated from college with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and prepared to start working on her Master's. As usual I escorted my mother and stayed at a nearby hotel. Hotel I picked had a pool and way too fancy setting for my cheap mother to handle. We sat at an outdoor stage area named after the trees surrounding it. Who would have guessed an area named for trees would have no trees to provide shade. They were cut down being old and falling apart to cause a safety concern. They were replaced with tiny trees. 2 hour ceremony in the bright sun caused everyone an bad sunburn. A couple people in our party got blisters. The relative we stayed with had never heard of Aloe Vera. It's been around for years and in every lotion sold in stores. We stayed overnight with a relative and called my sister coming the day for Mother's Day lunch to bring some aloe vera for our sunburns. Had a good chat over the afternoon. My relative showed me all their photos and special decorations from her husband's mother's house. Then we had to leave to meet my other sister's family who didn't come to the ceremony. We went out to eat with sister's family. Brother-in-law was at a race earlier in the day and had just returned home. Children love playing tic-tac-toe, when they win. Nephew hid his crayons and had to use niece's. We later found one of his on the floor while looking for something else. Apparently, even then, he refused to use it preferring my niece's crayon colors. Then the bill came and we left. Had dessert at sister's house. I bought a large sugar cookie for Mother Day dinners. I came home with none so it was a hit. Animals were happy to see me come home. Food/water bowls empty. Litter box full. Fed everybody and got ready for bed. Had a full day of activity and lots of driving.

Advice for College Graduates

Ah, this will be harder than advice to high school graduates. I spent 15 years after college graduation bouncing job to job and never run into a good man to marry so no kids in my lifetime. What would a broke crazy cat lady have to say to a college graduate? I'll give it my best shot. 1. Pay back your student loans as quickly as you can. It will save you on interest to pay the principal part (the loan amount) down faster than on schedule. 2. Surprise! You are going working for the same amount of pay as a high school student and have a long way to get to the middle. Yes, a degree will help get to the middle class jobs after experience builds on your resume, but at first, you will be at the bottom of hierarchy. 3. Remember Freedom of Expression you are so comfortable with is now over with. You will conform to your occupation dress code and manners, or you will be unemployed a lot. As they say: Shape up or ship out. 4. Pay your bills on time. A credit score may not mean much until you start applying for jobs, apartments, car loans, mortgage loans, and you got it, credit cards. As my father always said, If you can't afford something, then you don't buy it. Remember, Christmas is a good time to ask for things you can't afford. 5. Save as much as you can. Rainy days will happen. Your income will be fluid moving up and down as time goes on. Life is not a success only journey. And vacations are nice. 6. Remember it took your parents 20 years of hard work to get where they are now. It will take you just as long so don't believe you have to have everything your parents have right away. They struggled too long before they had you. 7. Get use to crash courses and take notes. Every job I've had is a crash course of training and then they leave you alone ready or not. 8. Most jobs are dealing with computers that record everything you do on them and dealing with cash jobs will have cameras. No surfing the internet when forbidden and no stealing cause management will figure it out and you will be fired. BTW, embezzlement is a crime that can send you to jail if your employer prosecutes. 9. When quitting a job, don't tell off the manager when you leave. That person will be the one future employers contact for a reference. In addition, you might need that manager to re-hire you later. 10. Don't think you are done learning. Many occupations require adults to return to college like: mechanics, teachers, office workers, etc. Technology changes, training styles change, and laws change. Job loss is another reason to return to college.

New job and then new interview

Oh why do these things have to happen to me? Start new job after a phone interview as merchandiser. In training I find I mostly clean shelves and relabel them cause most store owners don't care if items are arranged to "THE PLAN" the merchandising company created. It is once a month, five stores, so very part-time, but it's a job. I sign up to work for the local amusement park that is far away and pays little money, but it's a job and wouldn't interfere with the merchandising. Strike that, new amusement park job will interfere with merchandising job so have to let go of it after buying cleaning supplies to do it. Oh well, I can use cleaning supplies at home. So complete interview with amusement park job and temp agency calls me trying to fill in a new position at a bank. I must be at the bottom of their applicant list. Great job opportunity with perfect timing. Get through phone interview and listen to bank person talk about being investigated, wants this project of hers over with asap which would leave me out of a job, and do video meetings because lady is in another state. After considering my options, I decide to go with the amusement park. I know when this job ends and hope will lead to better opportunities when it is over. If not, just go on unemployment again. Now that my Cobra insurance is about to end, I have to find some on my own. Find out I'm finally poor enough for Medicaid courtesy of the cut off being raised from Obamacare. Before I was too rich for public assistance or had a job that provided health insurance and according to Obamacare, I had to accept it. Often I hated employer minimum health insurance because it, more often than not, don't cover name brand prescriptions, like the inhaler I need for asthma. This always lead to fights with every pharmacist for the past 15 years how expensive my inhaler is, questions if I still want it, and I need better insurance to get it at a better price. Talk about worst customer service imaginable and I get it at every pharmacy I've visited. Hope Medicaid covers it. And finally, the icing on the cake. I got an email asking for a administrative assistant position interview. Great timing again. I explained my other job so will see if this one interviews me at all. They are interviewing so many people you know, aka I scared the employer off. So what's the next curve ball that will be thrown at me, I win the lottery in the middle of my temp job?

Happy Easter

Went to sister's house for Easter. Grocery store doesn't make Bunny cakes anymore so made Easter basket cookies from recipe I found on internet. We had an egg hunt and niece was the winner to pick out a movie gift. 2nd place nephew picked a movie 2nd and pouted in his room. Watched niece's movie as adults talked. Then sister was ready to rearrange house for future viewing from potential buyers so the men rearranged the furniture in the bedrooms. When people started to leave I took Mom home. Forgot to take pictures and I remembered to bring my camera. Oh well.

New job

Month started badly with Beta fish Posidian, Demeter, and Zeus die in one weekend. Down to 4 fish. Plus Arwyn the ferret went MIA and still missing 3 weeks later. Dear God where is she, she had not any visitor experience in the 2 months I had her. Still bit me constantly so wonder if is still with the people who found her. I want my baby back. Had to go to the unemployment office on St Patrick's Day to prove I am looking for employment and got plenty of help for education and resume suggestions. Afterwards, walked down to see the parade. I stood for an hour and walked away. I could not handle standing anymore. Stopped at a fast food place to eat, grocery shopped, and went home. No parties for me, I'm broke and unemployed so nobody wants to buy me drinks. Got a new job at the Easter bunny set up at the mall. I run the train and take orders for Bunny photos. A professional photographer takes the pictures. She has her private business. A coworker is trying to get her to advertise her business on Facebook. X fingers for a permanent job coming my way and Arwyn gets turned in to have her microchip scanned so I can bring her home. The others miss her too and hardly play anymore.

Another day of unemployment

Had a good Valentine's Day watching romance movies. The Young Victoria is a favorite. I also got to take out my niece ands nephew so my sick sister could get more rest. Took them to IHOP and shared a hot fudge sundae. Got to pick up the kids from school another day and babysat until sister came home form parent-teacher conferences (she teachers computers to kids and runs the library). Got my tax refunds in the mail. Have to save that to pay rent. Ferrets sadly watched the snow melt and said good-bye to the snow tunnels. We got some ice, then some snow, but not enough to make a snow tunnel. Poor babies. We are over normal snow fall so hopefully that alleviates the drought we had the past summer. Watched the Olympics religiously. Snowboarding and ice skating are my favorites. Half-pipe and slopestyle with skis was interesting to watch. My nose is still stuffy, but getting better. Managed to fish my 7 fish alive. Been working on editing and rewriting my novels. Explored another Laundromat since my apartment machines keep breaking down. That cost twice as much so won't be doing that again. Got to read a book while I waited. Faramir has been climbing my clothes every day to get to the counters and sinks. He once played in the bathroom sinck and knocked all objects into the sink bowl. I had block his future excursions on the sink. Curious as cats. No more interviews and haven't heard from the 3 temp people I've spoken to for a while so I'm starting to wonder. Well nothing else to say. PS. RIP Posiedon. One of my first fish. A beautiful blue crown tail with red fins. Quite the Romeo with the lady fish. Got the bloat eye like Calliope and died. Buried in the grass plant.

Happy Groundhog Day

Having a good February. One week after Eowyn went missing the shelter called and I went to pick her up the next day. She gets along with Arwyn very well. When they met, sniffed each other tushy and started playing. After all the snow melted, it snow again and got a nice 18" drift on the balcony. Faramir has dug out 2 snow tunnels. The ferrets love snow and love jumping around in it. Had a job interview, but met rejection. I tried to be friendly and assertive that employers say they want. What they really want is a paradox. They want someone who won't talk to their coworkers, but still be an assertive team player. Excuse me, you can't have it both ways. Watched Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet and Kitten Bowl on Hallmark Channel while revamping my novel. What does it take to write a masterpiece someone will read? Lost another fish, down to 7 Beta fish. RIP Calliope. Got her as a baby and had her for almost 2 years. A little aggressive so kept in her own tank. Then her eye go bloated and internet said it was a liver disease. Recommended antibiotic in the water so did that, she died anyway. Put her in the grass plant. Since unemployed for a month now, I made my Valentines this year and promptly mailed them. Everybody loves them. I'm so creative. Too bad my creativity and patience can't get me a job that pays enough to live off of. Got my taxes done online and getting a nice refund. Got a ticket to see the last Motley Crue concert in Des Moines. I've seen them before and look forward to it this summer. Got my reservation set for my impending Niece's graduation this spring. Well, nothing else to report.

Happy New Year

My new year started with going to see Frozen and Desolation of Smaug at the movie theater. Shortly after, I lost my temp job with 1 day notice. Temp agency guy was looking at positions that ended on my original end date of the temp job. Tried to get me in to interview right away, but time slots filled up before he got my name in. Pooh. But, 2 weeks later he got me in to interview with someone at the end of the month. Keeping fingers crossed. My Beta female fish Aphrodite died. Found her at the bottom of the tank bloated and turning blackish, with fins missing. Now down to 8 fish. My ferret Eowyn went missing for a week. Looked around, put up Lost poster, and contacted shelters/missing pet lists. No word at all from my neighbors making me wonder if they killed her thinking she was a rat, let her outside and she froze to death, or if neighbor thought of her as a free pet deciding to keep. If that was the case, I prayed she was bite them, poop on the carpet, or start to stink from bath time event was due so neighbors would give her back. I lost all hope the neighbors would call and took down the Lost posters and cried believing I would never see Eowyn again. Poor Faramir stopped eating, stopped playing, and would look around every time I said Eowyn's name. I broke down and got him a playmate named Arwyn. She is settling in and started eating the cat food so I had to move that. Faramir is much happier playing with the new baby. Today Arwyn jumped on him and joined him in the bath tub stuffed animal collection Picked up Niece and Nephew from school. Brought some movies, but after 1 Valentine special they got on the computers and never came off, until I forced them to get off to eat supper. Poor sister was sick as a dog so she rested. Sister begged to stay to put kids to bed, but I had to go home and take my antibiotic (I've been sick with a cold and then sinus infection since Christmas) since it has to be taken with a meal or I get an upset stomach. Coming home I get a call about a found ferret at a shelter. Will see if it is her today. Crossing fingers. Had phone conversations with Mom who started a new exercise program where they sit in chairs and move their arms and legs around. Aunt from Omaha wanted to know all about my niece's impending college graduation celebration. Had to buy a new microwave cause Faramir knocked over a glass of Kool-Aid that spilled into the time dial that quit moving. New microwave has push buttons.

Xmas Letter 2013

Merry Christmas to all my friends and family. The year started recovering from the after Christmas clearance shoppers at Kohl’s. Then I finished my training to be a tax preparer for H&R Block. Once started, I only worked Saturdays at Kohl’s. Cats celebrated their 7th birthdays. I walked in the St Patrick’s Day parade for H&R Block holding the banner listening to the downtown crowd scream “Beads! Beads! Beads!”. Then hopped it to Kohl’s in my holiday outfit and shamrock painted on my face. I had a few beads around my neck so gave those to kids coming through my line. Started a new job opportunity as Financial Advisor for Primerica with my friend Justin I knew during childhood. Got a license to sell life insurance. Had Easter dinner at my place complete with Easter egg hunt in the courtyard. Had an odd occurrence with my Christmas cactus, it bloomed right before Easter. The end of tax season came on schedule and I worked on interviewing at temp agencies for a desk job. I have to go where the money is. Managed to get an employment verification job after my very first drug test. After 15 minutes of calling people on the phone, my ears started to ring. Driving home, I couldn’t handle the noise of the radio. I quit the next day. On the plus side, I finished fairytale trilogy for my nieces after working on it for 10 years. My youngest niece Annika wasn’t even born yet when I started writing ideas into a notebook. This fall I started rewriting the first book and plan to get it published as an ebook online for free. Hopefully next year I’ll get the first book rewrote. Had a freak occurrence and got snow on May 2nd. Last time that happened my Mom was a child. Niece Alex graduated high school and got lots of scholarships for University of Nebraska-Kearney. She intends to be a high school math teacher. The next day was Mother’s Day so the family went out for lunch. Went to Alex’s last dance recital where she did an Irish jig. Took niece Annika and nephew Lukas to the zoo to see the new rhino and new seal pool. Took Aunt Mary and Mom to the art center and drove by the downtown sculpture park to view modern art. Took Annika to Living History Farms where she learned to sew and petted a calf. Saw the 4th of July parade with brother-in-law Lance and Lukas. Later after work, took my Mom and Lukas to see fireworks. Celebrated Lukas’s 9th birthday. Lost one of my Beta fish, Medusa, taking my number down to 10 fish. Had them a year now (they live 3-4 in good care). Next I got a new furbaby named Faramir (Fair-a-meer). He is a young adult in ferret years born in January and at one year will be fully grown. They live 5-7 years. Cats view the varmint as competition for my affection so I try to love them as much as the newbie. Faramir loves to chase the cats across the apartment and keeps a stash of stuffed animals in the bath tub. After months of interviewing, I got a new job as a document processor for Marsh and McLennan in Urbandale. I left Kohl’s behind and will not be working for H&R Block next season. I won the Halloween pumpkin decorating contest and got to squish a cream pie in my boss’s face. I was nice to her. I saw an ad for a photographer for a shelter down the street called Furry Friends and started volunteering there taking pictures of the new animals for their website. Then I lost Faramir out the door when carrying in bags of groceries. A neighbor believing he was a wild opossum let him outside. I made my first Lost poster to tape up around the apartments. Another neighbor had recognized Faramir as a ferret and took him to Furry Friends thinking he was someone’s pet. The staff thought he was sweet and in perfect health. After the neighbor called me to say where my baby was, I picked him up and got him microchipped so if he escapes again, his scan will guide the shelter to me. We had a stray kitty take shelter in the drain spouts taken down during construction around the apartments. Eventually it was captured and saw its photo on a shelter Facebook page. They called it a Munchkin breed and right away was adopted. Visited a fancy pumpkin patch with rides and gift shop. They had an fairytale area of Three Little Pigs, Billy Goats Gruff Bridge, and Alice in Wonderland Tea Party. Faramir experienced his first snow and walked around with his nose in the flakes looking like a snow plow. We celebrated Annika’s 10th birthday. Had Thanksgiving dinner at sister Sylvia’s house and next day took Annika shopping. Next day had sleepover with Annika, Lukas, and Sylvia after seeing Festival of Trees and Lights. Lost another fish, Daphne, taking my number down to 9. Against better judgment of others, I got another ferret cause Faramir was attacking poor Precious. He loves his baby sister Eowyn (Ay- Oh-Win) cutting her permanent teeth and pounces her daily. She instigates play with him and loves snow. I will be hosting Christmas Day dinner and then following Sunday Mom will host the extended family Christmas at her apartment activity room. My temp job at Marsh is up in the air so here’s hoping for the best next year. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Becky, Precious, Frodo, Faramir, and Eowyn

Ode to a friend

Found out a friend is having a birthday soon so I'll give him some prose. Once there was a boy who said hello Naturally I thought he was talking to someone else So I walked on by Once there was a boy who was set to do a project with me So this time I knew his hello was meant for me I wrote our cartoon and he drew the pictures Once there was a boy who hurt a girl who stole my jacks Who sat next to me at lunch and the bus And simply asked how I was doing Once there was a boy who was upset his Valentine box stereo fell apart And I spent a recess gluing the boxes and paper back together When I found half the class gave me Valentines, he shared his candy Once there was a boy teachers said to stay away from They were afraid I would become a troublemaker like him But how could I toss away my hero and friend who cared about me Once there was a boy who moved away and did not see for many years I put his name in my first novel and made him into a character Then I found him again and now wishing him a wonderful birthday Have a great birthday Justin!!!

Advice to future college students

1. Save your notes so you can sell them to your friends the next semester. 2. College advisors will keep you in college forever so form your own plan. 3. You have the right to change your mind and change majors. 4. Make sure to officially drop classes because some professors will not drop the course for you if you fail to show up, then later you find an F on your report card. 5. You are the one doing all the work and paying back student loans, so pick an occupation that makes you happy. You got your whole life to be disappointed so dream for as long as you can. 6. Get a job. You heard the one with the gold makes the rules, so earning your own keep puts you in a bargaining position with your parents when financial decisions on your college expenses are made. 7. College is not a 4 year vacation from your parents where you can do whatever you want and parents will pick up the tab for you. Eventually, parents won't be around to take care of you so a college degree is nice to have. 8. Don't put anything in your dorm room that you can't handle being stolen. Money, music, checks, leather jackets are most often stolen things. And some roommates steal from you too. 9. Many internships are not paid. Plus, they expect you to pay your own apartment rent and car expenses without a paycheck. If you are lucky, they will pay minimum wage. 10. Watch for credit card offers. If you put away your credit card bills in a drawer and never pay them, THEY DON'T GO AWAY. These credit card companies target students without income expecting their parents to pay these bills.

Happening May

After niece graduated high school, she has a dance recital and piano recital. Went to dance recital. Ballet, jazz, tap, Irish, hip hop dancing. Irish dancers had huge curly hair pieces bouncing as they hopped around. One girl's hair came loose and audience laughed every time she adjusted it. Poor girl. Had dinner with niece and sister and Mom. It got mentioned that sister will be coming over and few times this summer. One is for Memorial Day grave decorating and another for a test at a doctor. I emailed my siblings concerned about Mom's thought process being off and memory fuzzy. Most of the time she is fine, just once in a while I wonder if something is wrong. It's the little things. Hopefully Mom is healthy and we can go about lives as usual. Had a job interview today and it went well so I'm crossing my fingers. I need this job cause I can't keep asking Mom for money forever. It needs to end. I borrowed more than I can ever pay back now. Well nothing else to report.

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.