It's 3pm. What am I doing?

Waiting patiently. OR...trying to wait patiently for my husband.

We have a LONG drive (6+ hours) ahead of us.

The natives (aka the kidlings) are getting restless.

They know we're heading out. And they are anxious to start our drive.

[sigh] 

Today we'll be driving out to my folks' house.

Tomorrow? I'll be seeing someone that I mentioned last month. 

You all know that I really dislike talking about myself and what I can do. It's not a natural thing for me. I know there are people out there who aren't embarrassed to discuss their opinion or stuff like that. I am not one of those people. So it's a struggle for me to convey to others about my skills. What I can bring to the table. All that jazz. HATE IT!

But I must tell you that the companies/people who have hired me have always been pleased with my work. My ability to learn things quickly. How I can take a project and run with it. The fact that I only need a minimal amount of guidance. My knack for picking up new software systems I've never seen or heard of before. My ability to feel comfortable interacting with all kinds of staff (accounting, engineering, customer service, etc.) or management. In fact, two of my previous managers that I've worked for have hired me on for other jobs. 

Crazily enough...I tend to forget all these things. My mind can go completely blank sometimes. But you see....it's only during interviews that I freeze up. I'm fine once I'm on the job. I actually did work for temp firms a few times (when I got out of college and when we moved to a new city). and each time the company I temp'd for hired me. [sigh]

Anyway.... tomorrow afternoon I have a face-to-face interview. Yes. From that job I had the phone screen for. I'm nervous. I can already feel that my tummy is full of acid. The anticipation of it (and any interview) gets to me BIG time. I'm a bundle of nerves. I'm sure I'll get through it but I need to get my mind set on what types of things they'll ask me and have something prepared in my mind. So I DON'T. GO. BLANK. 

Are YOU comfortable when you're interviewing for a new job? How do you prepare yourself? What do you do when you're nervous?

It's July 1st.

It's the start of the 2nd half of the year. We've already finished HALF of 2008! Oh my!

And tomorrow afternoon? We leave for our long drive out to visit my family. TOMORROW. And I haven't done one thing to get ready. 

What clothes to pack?

What additional items to bring?

What food/snacks/drinks to set aside?

Nothing. Nada.

ARGH! 

What does this mean? Tomorrow is going to be a mighty busy morning. BUSY.

[sigh] 

I'm tired just thinking about it. 

I rarely ever look at my referrals. How people get onto this site. But I did look at it today...since I changed things up with it being mid-year and all.

But WHY are people coming here via gambling sites? Poker? Huh? Why would someone link to ME on one of those sites? It's strange. Totally strange. [shaking head]

Do you ever look at your referral links? Do you find that folks are going to your site via UNUSUAL places? Kind of freaks me out. It's weird. It is.

Any of you gambling people reading this? Why would you come to my site via a gambling site? I'm curious....

I mentioned earlier this month about the fact that the Hubs' aunt (Aunt C) was diagnosed with cancer.

Aunt C wasn't comfortable with the doctor that initially diagnosed her condition. She went in to get a second opinion. Her sister (Aunt B) and her niece (HH - the Hubs' cousin) went with her. Turns out this second doctor provided much more information and reassurance to the Aunt C.

In the surgery performed earlier this month, they removed a 3cm tumor. Further testing found that Aunt C has Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. She is going to go through a 12-week course of chemo treatment. She'll go through 5 to 7 weeks of radiation about a week or so after the chemo treatments are complete.

Of course, there were a lot of questions. Aunt C has a bipolar disorder. She went through episodes several years ago. It's something that no one has discussed in ages because the disorder is under control. The effects or possible reoccurrence of her mental state due to the cancer treatment. THAT is the question that the first physician skirted past. But this second doctor actually addressed it. HH is in healthcare, so she was able to understand the answers provided. HH was also able to ask the "next" questions once initial answers were provided. It was SO good that HH was there for the appointment. 

[sigh]

I know that my MIL is extremely worried about her sister. Her younger sister. I'm comforted by the fact that Aunt C has so much family all around her. She lives with the Hubs' grandpa. And there are a lot of siblings and their families that live within an hour's driving time. It's good that there's a bunch of support around. 

It's just difficult when you know the difficult situation something is facing. A health issue. There is nothing we can do from here. We just have to hope and pray that the cancer was caught in enough time so that the treatments will eliminate the cancer. You know? We can only hope. That everything works out. 

There is nothing more unsettling than a sudden raging afternoon thunderstorm.

Our tree in the front yard looked like it was dancing in the wind. Branches were being tossed around to and fro. I was SO glad that the Hubs finally had trimmed that puppy up each weekend. A lot less heavy on the one side of the tree. Our tree had been growing lopsided for a while there. About 2 months ago, I asked the Hubs to trim up the heavy side. Just 3 weeks ago he started trimming gradually. He'd been just trimming the low hanging branches. I finally had to TELL him what to cut off. Anyway, I'm glad he finally got to it. Because we didn't loose our tree this afternoon.

But that storm BLEW in suddenly around 3pm. I watched our tree dancing and left the Hubs a message about how I was glad he'd trimmed it up. I went and got some water and played a little with the Bear. Then I sat back down in the office, which is the front room to the left of our front door. Our living/dining area is to the right of our front door. Anyway, I sat back down with a glass of water and was logging back in when...

Drip-drop-drip-drop...

Yes. It was raining outside. But the sound of the drips? THAT sound was coming from [gulp] INSIDE!  

I looked at the window in the office and dag-nabbit! There was water on the window sill. I opened up the shutters all the way and looked up. Water drops at the top of the window. HOLY GUACAMOLE! Our window was leaking. And the wind was blowing right onto that window. Which meant the rain was driving right into that window. Which meant....

I RAN FOR TOWELS!!!

I came back and threw a towel on the sill. I then went back and grabbed a barstool and brought it into the office. I had to stand on the barstool to reach to top of the window. The water was coming in right at the top seam. Where they caulk the window? Right THERE! So I stood there with my arms up holding a towel. I didn't want the water to drip down. I wanted to catch it so that the water was contained.

I was freaking out people. Because the storm was still raging. And it was time to leave to pick up the Princess from the Y. What to do? What to do? I grabbed my phone and called the Hubs to tell him what was up. But he didn't pick up his work phone. I mean, I asked him this morning if he was in meetings today and he said no. So where the heck was he? I stood there holding the towel stewing in anger at the Hubs unavailability.

What to do? What to do? I grabbed my cell and scrolled and found the number of the development's long-term customer service coordinator (LTCSC). 

Me: Hi LTCSC. I've got a problem.
LTCSC: What's up?
Me: I have the 2-story and we've got a leak in the front room. The office that can be a bedroom?
LTCSC: A leak? Where is it?
Me: It's coming from the top of the window. At the seam?
LTCSC: Okay. I can't do anything about it now. I'll come by tomorrow.
Me: Tomorrow?
LTCSC: Is 11 okay for you?
Me: Yes. That'll be fine. Um...what do you think I should do about it now?
LTCSC: Just put some towels down. Um...I'll see you tomorrow.
Me: Okay. Well, just to let you know...I work from home. So if you can come by earlier that's would be okay.
LTCSC: Okay. See you tomorrow.

Great solution. Put some towels down. Oy! We happen to have hardwood floors in this particular room, so I don't want any water getting down past the sill. If that current little leak (which is a big leak to me) doesn't get fixed pretty quick, it'll be a lot more costly repair. What a headache!

Let me tell you that the storm lasted for almost an hour. So there I was holding freaking towels up against the top of the window. I actually called the Hubs 3 times before he picked up. When I finally got a hold of him? He didn't even know that I'd called and left messages several times already. He was oblivious. So when I spewed out the situation he got all confused.

Hubs: Now, what did I agree to do?
Me: You need to pick up the Princess from the Y. NOW. Because I don't want to leave the window. I don't know if it's going to rain again or not.  

Needless to say. He was a bit grouchy when he got home. But...HELLO....I was the one holding towels up against the window for an hour. I'm the one who was stressed out and dealing with the WATER. COMING. IN. THE. HOUSE. 

[sigh]

So tomorrow I'll be chatting in person with the LTCSC about the leak. I'm going to point out to him some other minor wall issues that have come up since we moved in. A couple popped nails. Some corner seams coming up. Minor. Very minor in comparison to water coming into the house.

And how has your day been? 

Y'all know that the Hubs and I are hoping to find jobs in the city where I grew up. 

We've both been sending out our resumes to places. I send mine out. He sends his out. I know how much time I am investing in this effort. I have no idea how much time the Hubs is putting in. I am really getting stressed about it. The timing thing, you know? With summer vacation and the 2008-2009 school year. Yes. Timing is everything. 

On Tuesday night, I got a call. But I was getting the kids ready for bed, so I let the phone ring. After the kids were tucked away in their beds, I dialed into voicemail. It was a call from San Jose. Huh? The voicemail said that I'd applied for an opening in San Jose. Huh? Yeah. So I had to call the gal back and let her know that it was a mistake. That I didn't realize the position was actually in San Jose. She totally understood. But it was a positive because she was interested in me. What she wanted to know was how long it would take me to move out there in the event that I was presented with an offer. So that's how I'm going to view it. SOMEONE wanted me! Too bad the job was more than a few hundred miles away from where I actually want to be. 

But on Wednesday, I had a phone interview with another company. It was with the HR manager, but I felt it went well. I was positive and in good spirits. I smiled as I spoke to her. I do believe that people can "hear" when you're in a positive mood. And that smiling on my end helps convey the feeling. You know? But we only spoke for about 25 minutes and I felt good afterward. I let her know that I'd be in town and available to speak in person on Thursday. So...hopefully I'll hear from her about arranging a time to see them next week. [crossing fingers]

I'll continue sending out my resume. And I did ask the Hubs if I could send his out for him. You know what? Before I send his out? I'm going to modify the look of it. It's too stale for me. Doesn't catch my eye. And he definitely IS a catch. Folks just can't tell from how his resume reads. I'm just going to add some polish to it. Spiff it up. We'll see if I get any 'catches' with my version. And yes. I did ask his permission. He is well aware that I am going to make it prettier.

Now would you change your spouses' resume? Would they mind?  

I've been catching up on reading blogsites this week and realize that some parents are JUST having to deal with summer vacation. JUST NOW?

Goodness! I've been dealing with summer vacation for at least a month now. A MONTH! We've already sent the kids away to my ILs for a week. We've already gone for a visit to see my family. We'll be heading out to see them again next week. This is my daughter's 3rd week at Y camp. My son is finishing up another session of swim lessons. Yes. A month goes by really quickly.

But it's already almost July 4th, so I was very surprised to read that some parents are just now dealing with their kids being home. Have you now been hearing..."I'm bored. What can I do?" That phrase is something that totally grates my soul. Grrr....My daughter says that at least once a weekend.

Alas, we have to move forward and onward. The kids need things to do. And my daughter? She does well with "assignments". The assignments she enjoys the most are 'homework' type of things. Math problems. Reading comprehension stuff. So I loaded up on workbooks from Barnes & Noble before school ended. And she's done well with them. The Bear is happy to just dress up in different costumes each day and play scenarios for that character. 

Next week both kids will be home. But since it's a short week, we'll only have 2.5 days alone. We're leaving early on July 2nd for the drive out to see my family. I've already figured out that we'll have "school" work each morning. Hit the library. Go to the movies (use our 'free admittance' vouchers). Do some art. Then we'll have a few days with my family again! Woohoo! 

But the week after our visit? I'll have the both kids for five full days. ARGH! I didn't sign the Princess up for Y camp because I thought we were staying with my family thru that Monday. But alas, the Hubs has some important meeting that meeting. What to do? What to do? I just found out this morning that the swim school has a "power week" of classes. Ta-da! That takes about 2 hours out of our day. Because we have to get ready and then drive out there and then there's one class and then the other class and then driving home. Ha! Hopefully this will curb any "I'm bored" statements. [crossing fingers]

Now how many camps or activities do you have your kids signed up for this summer? 

This afternoon we picked up the Princess from the Y a little later than we have been.

Why? Because she wanted to go swimming this week.

When I initially signed her up for Y camp this year, I asked the Princess about what we she wanted to do. What she did NOT want to do was swim.

Princess: Mommy? I don't want to swim. Could you just pick me up when we get back to the Y?

Okey-dokey. So that's what I did. I filled in the paperwork that she didn't want to swim.

But last week? When it was 114 degrees? She changed her mind.

Princess: Mommy? Do you think I can go swimming next week?
Me: You sure babe?
Princess: Yes. I'd like to.
Me: Okay. I'll find out from someone about changing that for you.

This morning I cornered one of the older (more knowledgeable) counselors and got it all fixed up. So this afternoon? Like I mentioned, the Bear and I drove out a little later to get the Princess. When we got to the pool area, I wasn't sure where to look. The big pool? The little pool? I searched and searched. And then I saw her. She was on the deep part of the more shallow pool. She looked up and saw me a couple seconds after I saw her. And her face broke out in a HUGE grin. Then she swam over to the shallow side of the pool. She did the doggy-paddle, but she got across fine.

She was SO happy! She actually got a green bracelet. Each Monday, the campers have a "swim" test before everyone gets into the pool. And each campers gets a color-coded bracelet based upon their swim level. Last year, the Princess had a red bracelet. That mean she had to stay in the little pool. Now with the green? She's allowed to go into either pool. It's a HUGE deal. HUGE! She was even allowed to use the big slide. So my Princess? She is going to 'swim' the rest of this week.  

I think she realizes now why I got her into swim lessons in February. Some might think I was crazy when I mentioned it MONTHS ago. But now my Princess sees the results. She's more comfortable in the water. She's now got skills. And I'm THRILLED that she is having a good time. 

I already mentioned that I brought the kiddos to see Kung Fu Panda the other day.

It was SO much fun!

We went to the theater right after we picked up the Princess. The 4pm show. And what was great? There were only about 10 people in the theater with us. TEN. PEOPLE. Yes. It was very empty, but it was good. Why?

Oh my goodness. When there was a chase scene or fight scene? The Bear was kicking his feet in excitement. AND the two were laughing up a storm. Those genuine excited BELLY laughs? It was fantastic. Such glee in their laughter. Since there were so few people in the theater, I let the kids laugh as much as they wanted. It was too cute. 

Unfortunately, right when the bad character was making his way back into the main city....the lights in the theater came on. Yes. The front lights went on with the film running and no sound. Then about a minute later, the movie went out and the emergency lights went on. Okay.... It turns out that the electricity went out in the building. The electricity was soon fixed and all but they couldn't rewind the film. So we missed a good 3 minutes. 

The kids didn't care. But me? I wanted some sort of apology or fix. And what did I get? I got 3 vouchers to return to the theater to watch a movie for free. FREE!

I think I'll be taking the kids out to see WALL-E when it comes out. And I'll take them to an early show as well. Oh yeah! The Princess doesn't attend YMCA camp that week of July 4th. I'll take the kids then. Woohoo!

But don't you just LOVE when your kids do that full belly laugh? When was the last time you heard it?